Just A Professional Relationship
Episode Thirty Four

That morning, Axel was woken up by the ringing of his cell phone that lit up long enough. He grabbed the object and raised the incoming call without seeing the name of the caller.

“Ya, hello..” said as he was sleepy.

“Axel... help me.. mother fell, kept fainting... please me...”.

How surprised Axel when he heard the voice of Nadin who spoke while crying a mouthful. Even the woman's words were somewhat vague and stammered.

Drowsiness that was originally felt, immediately disappeared for a moment. Axel quickly got up from the mattress, and headed towards the closet to pick up the jacket. “I'm going to your house now.”

Because there was no time to go to the car rental, and again it was too early, Axel banged on the door of his neighbor's house. He asked for help so that he could be loaned a car, and immediately darted towards Nadin's house.

Fortunately, the streets are still quiet because most people are still asleep. Until Axel can step on the gas deeply, and arrive quickly at the destination.

Tampa had to knock on the door, Nadin immediately opened it—just as Axel had just gotten in front of it. The woman's face was reddened and moistened by tears.

Axel went straight in and carried Nadin's mother who was still unconscious, then they darted towards the hospital.

Nadin was incessantly crying while continuing to feel agitated. Axel embraced his trembling shoulders.

Fortunately, nothing bad happened to Nadin's mother. But the doctor advised his mother to stay for a few days. Nadin immediately agreed.

The sun had just peeked and showed its light. Nadin continued to sit next to the bed, holding his mother's hand. His face was very pale.

“Let me take care of your mother. You rest for a while,” said Axel slowly.

Nadin only nodded weakly, and walked nonchalantly towards the long sofa in the corner of the room. Then try to lay yourself on it.

After fifteen minutes passed, Nadin's mother began to appear conscious. Slowly her eyelids opened. Axel put on a calming smile. “Mother is okay?” whispered, so as not to wake Nadin.

Nadin's mother still looked confused. It seems he was unaware where he was.

“Mommy is in the hospital. Mother fell and was unconscious.”

“Nadin... where?”

“He's sleeping, Bu.”

The woman also seemed to be breathing a sigh of relief. Surprisingly, it was he who was worried about the state of the child. He was the only one lying in a hospital bed.

“Sorry to trouble ya, Son Axel.”

“Now, Bu.”

After a short time, Axel was surprised to see tears on the face of the woman in front of him. “Mother why? Is anyone sick?”

The woman also nodded with a smile. “Mother pity Nadin. Even mom can only be a burden to him.”.

Axel could only be silent hearing that.

“Now I am relieved that there are people who can take care of Nadin. Son Axel want to, take care of Nadin for mom?”

“Without mother pinta, as much as possible I must take care of Nadin, Mom,” replied Axel.

“That time, I asked someone the same thing. But I was quite disappointed because it turned out that he could not keep his promise. Though I think Nadin always seemed happy every time he was with her. But in the end, he actually made the mother's child cry.”.

Of course Axel knew exactly who the person in question was, without having to hear his name. He himself wondered, did Nadin's mother know all about Juna and Nadin? Or just knowing that the two are separated?

Actually, there were many things Axel wanted to say. But, all of that was stuck inside his throat.

“Bu, maybe mom doesn't know yet. But, actually..”.

“No,” says Nadin's mother. Cut Axel's words. “Mother knows. Mother knows more than. At that time, he went to the hospital to see his mother. He apologized for breaking the promise. And begged me to forgive him to his knees.”.

The woman also nodded weakly.

“No need to add to its load. Let it all be stored away. Mom doesn't want her to be sadder.”.

Just then, Axel had unconsciously shed tears. I don't know what instantly makes his feelings so mixed. The words that came out of Nadin's mother's mouth were only a mother's disquiet for her child. And it was only natural that he wanted someone else to protect his precious flesh and blood. It's just that, all of that makes Axel powerless to withstand sadness.

A few hours later, the answer I was looking for appeared. Nadin's mother breathed her last breath, on the hospital bed she was still in.

This was the first departure that Axel witnessed firsthand. Make his body stiffened, can only stand on the side of the wall. Look at some medics passing by. As well as the figure of a child roaring in the midst of pain.

Her tears were again shed. This time it was more difficult without being held back. It was like his mother had just left. ‘It turns out it feels this sick..’ thought.

Axel began to step up to embrace Nadin who fell sitting on the floor. The woman still continued to cry, echoing the tremendous tone of loss piercing into the hearts of everyone who heard.

Axel clutched Nadin who gripped his shirt firmly. Then continued to cry so much, to wet his clothes. If only he could, Axel would love to replace him to bear all the grief. Let him feel that bitterness.

In fact, again he felt helpless. It can only help by staying by his side. So that he can catch the moment Nadin needs someone else to support when he falls.

***

Nadin's mother's funeral was held on the same day. Axel's entire family helped him, accidentally closing the tavern for today. Tyo and Ramos rushed over after being told.

Axel's mother had invited Nadin to talk, and asked him to stay over until his feelings were much better. But Nadin refused.

Of course, Axel was not calm to leave Nadin alone in his home. Nadin will only cry all day until tomorrow, and maybe the next days. Will not remember to eat, until finally get sick.

Along the way when driving home, Axel tried to invite Nadin to talk. But the woman was still unable to focus. His mind was still in full control, and was occasionally interspersed with cries.

Axel saw Nadin walking limply towards the door of his house. His feet were too heavy to walk home. As a result, he followed Nadin into the house.

“I won't tell you myself.”

Nadin did not answer anything. He just continued to walk towards the sofa, then lay down on top of it, and came back crying.

Axel stepped outside the house as his phone vibrated. Tyo called him.

“He still can't talk to, Bang. Still crying earlier.”

“It definitely can't heal fast. Nadin's family is only his mother. And now, no longer exists..”.

“Iya. I'm worried..”

“Xel, please don't leave him alone. He could sleep for days without remembering to eat. You have to force it a little.”

“Iya, Bang. I'll probably stay at Nadin's house first for a while.”

“Maybe later you can persuade him to move to an area closer to you.”

“Later I will try to talk about him if he is calmer.”

“Still, Xel. During the weekend, maybe I can go there.”

“Iya, Bang. Just call me later.”

After disconnecting the phone, Axel sat on a chair in the living room. Then look at yourself.

He was confused, how to comfort the bereaved? He's never done it before. What should he do so that at least Nadin could be calmer? What if Nadin's condition only got worse after this?

Axel was quite confused to answer the question he was asking himself. Though this is his first assignment, after giving a promise to Nadin's mother. That he'll take care of the woman he cares about.