La Hora
P R O L O G U E

The weather this morning was very cold. Maybe because it's early December. No, I'm not abroad. I was in Indonesia, precisely in Bandung.

This morning a writer came. He wanted to publish his work and he also said he wanted to improve a bit of his writing through me.

Yes, I am a publisher.

I helped him. We talked for quite a while while looking at the contents of the script.

My son Galvin suddenly came in and shook my arm. "Mama, there's a guest."

The writer sitting with me pinched my son's round cheek.

"Mama is going ahead. Galvin's here with his pretty brother, yeah."

After my son nodded, I excused the writer for a moment and left Galvin with him.

Arriving at the slightly open front door, I pulled the doorknob and was surprised to see who was coming.

The beautiful woman smiled at me. He didn't come alone. There were two little children beside him. One girl and one boy.

"Meishy, how are you?" The woman hugged me tightly. I returned his embrace as well. "Good news, how about you, Shica?"

My High School best friend let go of his embrace. She's staring. "I'm good too."

Shica told her two children to shake hands with me. They are very sweet and obedient.

"Your daughters?" I asked Shica. Nodding is the answer.

I smile. "Smart kid. Shica, why don't you tell me to come here?"

Shica laughs. "My husband had a sudden affair with his co-worker in Bandung. We came straight from Paris here and will be home the day after tomorrow. I took the time to come to your house to see you. I didn't say it was a surprise."

I smiled looking at Shica who was still the same as before. He looked happy with his bright smile. I miss my High School.

"Come in." I let them in.

Shica's gaze was fixed on every corner of the room. This is where I work next door to my house. Shica seemed to be amazed.

"You're really great, Meishy. You used to really want to publish your cool works. Not just being a writer, now you're a publisher. I'm so proud to have a friend like you." Shica hugged my arm.

I chuckle. "Thank you."

Shica smiled. "Actually I had enough trouble finding your home address. It was fortunate that many people recognized this famous publisher."

Shica was overrated when praising me. He was like that before.

"I'm disappointed in you. Why didn't you invite me to your wedding with your husband? I'm still sad, because you weren't at my wedding either." Shica asked with a half-grumbling tone.

"I'm sorry. Our wedding was simple. I'm also very sorry, for not being able to attend your wedding. I'm sorry, Shica." I hugged his arm.

Shica smiled. "All right, it's okay. What's important now is that we have a happy life."

I smiled in response.

Shica said again, "I'm so glad to see your son opening the door. It seems your son is the same age as my son."

"Maybe yes, I'll call him."

Galvin and the author are still there. I moved my hand to get Galvin closer. He understood and approached us.

"Hi, Deva equals Dera let's salaman." Shica rubbed her two children's hair.

I smiled as I rubbed my son's shoulder. "Galvin, let's greet them."

"Hello."

"Hi."

"They should be able to speak our language, even though they were born and lived in Paris."

I really admire Shica who loves her homeland so much, even though she is of mixed blood and lives abroad.

"I think I'm bothering you, yeah. I want to read some books and wait for you." Shica passed to the bookshelf.

I went back to the writer I left behind. I told my nanny to look after Galvin, Aldevaro, and Alderani.

After I finished talking to the writer, I approached Shica. "Sorry to bore you."

"It's okay. I'm not bored, because I read these books." Shica showed me the book she was reading.

I smiled thinly assenting.

"That's a writer, huh?" Ask Shica. I'm nodding. "Yes, we talked a little bit about the writing he would publish here."

"Well, you guys exchanged your thoughts?" Ask Shica.

"There are some writers who have trouble writing. They often share with me. Because I used to be a writer, I helped them with their writing as well."

"You must be so busy that you forget me." Shica put on a sad expression making me want to laugh.

"Sorry," I said.

Shica chuckles.

Silent.

I was immersed in my thoughts. I actually feel awkward for Shica, even though my best friend is trying to melt this awkward atmosphere.

To be honest, we didn't meet for long. High School is too short to make me regret, why I did not know him from the first.

Shica is a good person. Even though he was from the Mahali family, he never showed his social class.

I used to listen to rumors about the Mahali family too often. After I got to know Shica up close, I don't think the Mahalis are what most people say they are.

"Meishy," call Shica.

I looked at him.

"That time, I told you that I wanted to tell you my story. However, I feel that my story is not interesting."

Yes, Shica. I will always remember it. Your hidden story has always been a mystery. Even though I am your best friend, I dare not ask you about your personal matters.

"Through that day, my view changed. I feel like my life story is complicated and I think I'm ready to tell you this now." Shica smiled with a look of laughter.

I did not respond to him and chose to listen to him who was talking seriously.

Shica looked at me softly. "I should have told you this a long time ago. But, at that time I was really depressed and filled with fear. But, since you're a writer and you're my best friend, I don't mind sharing this with you."

I rubbed his arm.

"Meishy, actually only 30% of what you know about me. If I tell you today, you'll probably know 50%." Shica suddenly put on a joking expression.

I want to laugh. "So you don't want to tell me everything?"

"My idea may be something's missing, or I don't want to tell some of the story." Shica's getting serious.

"I'll listen."

Let's go back to 7 years ago.

5.59: 12 October 2019

Ucu Irna Marhamah's