LANTERNS
impromptu proposal

Happy Reading

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Indeed, parents are a place to lean and shelter for every child wherever they are, parents are a place where a child can complain about the things they experience. But unlike the earth, again for the umpteenth time he could never feel all of those things. How does it feel to tell stories and complain to his father and mother, he can only watch all those things secretly without being able to feel them.

It is undeniable that Varka is always as grateful as possible with everything he has at this time. But still deep in his heart Varka also wants to be in that position, where he is loved and proud by his two masters can also be their favorite child.

Varka again sighed as she was about to enter the house, a scene in front of her eyes that showed that Clara who was her mother was hugging and kissing Gibran.

Varka immediately turned and began to move away from her house, choosing to leave the house rather than having to see Clara's affection which was only fixed on Gibran

His chest felt so tight, his footsteps also felt heavy and weak. For the umpteenth time the universe made Varka aware of his position in that house.

What could Varka expect? All the things he dreamed of about an affection and attention he could not achieve. Varka's position was too low in that family, he was too foreign to all those who didn't know him to even like his existence.

Varka walks down the street with a lonely heart, but suddenly his phone vibrates indicating that there is a message that has just entered, he immediately reached into his cellphone. A smile was immediately imprinted on Varka's face as she read the message on her phone.

Varka immediately rushed away with a round of her sweet-lipped smile.

Along the way Varka did not stop smiling, I don't know how usually Varka feels happy now. Of course Varka is happy to get a message from someone who has been with her lately. Yes indeed, Varka got a message from his first friend Helsha.

His steps lead Varka to a multi-storey house not far from his home complex as well.

Shortly after reaching there Varka smiled as he saw Helsha sitting in the house.

"VARK...!!!!"

Shouted Helsha when he saw the existence of Varka behind the fence of his house, he immediately ran a small approach to Varka who is now smiling at him.

"Let's Varka leave now." said Helsha while holding Varka's arm

Again Varka just smiled at Helsha's behavior which he thought was very adorable.

"Helsha is it.. Is it the same permission of the mother of Helsha?" Ask Varka

"Udah Varka" replied Helsha

"Where are you going?" Ask Varka back

"That's... He said he wanted to nemenin Helsha buy ice cream, how the hell" said Helsha pouting

Varka chuckled as she looked at Helsha's face which suddenly frowned

"It's a joke again.. Varka come.." Helsha's whine tugged at Varka's hand

"Do you want to walk??" Ask Varka

"That's a lot of money, let's go just as important as Varka"

"Yes yes Helsha.. Let's go get some ice cream" Varka said

"Yeah... It dong daritadi" said Helsha jubilant

____

That afternoon on the beach Two children who almost turned 16 years old sat together while looking at the beautiful orange sky.

"Varka is slowly eating" Helsha said as she looked at Varka's straw face with ice cream.

"Yes yes Helsha bawel.."

"Huh. ngeledekin Mulu" said Helsha.

"Goddess.wlee..." Varka Eject

Varka just laughed looking at Helsha's annoyed face because of her teasing earlier. Absolutely adorable.

"Varka does chocolate taste good?" Ask Helsha for the umpteenth time

Varka chuckled when she heard Helsha again asking that question, how many times has Helsha kept asking that question

"Helsha, you tuh from earlier when we are still in the shop it's mulu. Kan Varka has answered from earlier that the taste of chocolate is delicious" said Varka

"Euueek.... Chocolate is not delicious" said Helsha who only avenged kedikan by Varka

"It'll have Helsha tau Strawberry flavor.. Wleee." said Helsha gomash

Varka just smiled faintly. I don't know for a few days back since Helsha was present in Varka's life, it feels like the sadness that Varka had felt disappeared somewhere. Especially if Varka sees Helsha's smile it feels as if all her wounds and pain just disappeared.

"Helsha..." Call Varka

"Hmmm..." Helsha answered without looking

"Same mother your father likes your banding-banding appeal with Kaka you ain't?" ask Varka

"With Varka, the mother of Helsha's father never once wanted us. Is mommy the same papa Varka likes to want you guys?" Helsha looked at Varka

Varka only smiled wryly while nodding her head.

"Ih kok mama papa Varka that's it anyway," said Helsha who sounded a little upset

"Varka doesn't know Sha either" Varka said

"Mother once said to Helsha, that we can't want people. Eating Mother same father never bandingin Helsha same Kaka. Because we are two different people" said Helsha innocently

It is true what Helsha said, just as he and Gibran were also different. Should his parents also not compare the two of them, it was clear they were different people and had different personalities. But why is Varka always being compared?? Doesn't it seem very clear if the two of them have a very far difference in any case, I don't know even Varka himself can't guess the exact reason.

"Helsha..."

"Yes Varka.."

"Varka wants to kayak Brother..." Varka said in an almost inaudible voice

Varka lowered her head to hide her flushed face holding back tears.

"Varka also wants to be his champion papa kayak brother Gibran, Varka also want to be proud of the same mom and papa kayak brother Gibran.. Varka also wants to be hugged like they're hugging Gibran, but why can't mommy just say it to me??" Varka

For whatever sake, Helsha felt her chest tight when she heard Varka say all those things. It hurts to see the man beside him is fragile as it is now, especially when Helsha saw a smile on Varka's face that disappeared just like that and replaced with a face that was so sad.

"Vark..." Helsha

There were no words from Varka, he just lowered his head without daring to look at Helsha who was now calling out to him.

"Varka don't be sad, Helsha does not like to see Varka kayak gini. if Varka is sad Helsha also follow sad..."

"Sha, once I want to be praised as papa, I want mama to smile at me, once I want them to hug me and love me. I don't want anything, I just want them to love me like they love Gibran. I just want a kid out there who's always hugged and comforted by his parents.."

Varka sobbed after finishing her sentence, it felt like everything she felt was overflowing and could not bear it anymore made Varka cry even more.

Helsha gently rubbed Varka's shoulder trying to make Varka a little calm and could stop crying. Helsha felt pain when she saw Varka crying and lost her beautiful smile.

"Varka Dengerin Helsha, said the mother of all parents in this world must love her child. Helsha does not know why mamah Varka is like Varka, but mother said we as children should not hate and have a grudge against our own parents is not good." Helsha

"Varka if you want to cry, cry aja. don't be arrested huh? Quitin aja all gapapa kok Varka, If detained later even so a while so just so out..." Helsha continued while gently rubbing Varka's back

"Varka, don't cry... Helsha said that Varka was sad Helsha was also sad"

Varka raised her head to look at Helsha who was now looking at her.

Very quiet, yes Helsha's gaze was so shady Varka thought

"Udah yes..." Helsha looked at Varka with a pleading gaze

Helsha immediately stood up while pulling Varka's hand to come stand with her.

"YYYYYYYYY........" Helsha shouted loudly

"Helsha what's yelling? Why?" Varka asked while looking at Helsha

"Say Helsha's father if we are sad again yell aja. let's follow Varka Helsha yell so that later sad will be lost" said Helsha smiling.

"AAAAAAA.... " Helsha again shouted

Varka smiled then wiped her tears slowly then sighed.

"YYYYYYY......." Varka shouted so loudly

Helsha turned her head and smiled as she saw Varka vent all her irritation and pain.

"VARKA'S A GOOD BOY, VARKA CAN'T BE SAD ANYMORE..." Shouts Helsha

Varka slightly laughed when she heard Helsha scream.

"FINALLYAAAAAAA VARKAAA KETAWAAA AGAIN.....IIIIIIIII" Shouted Helsha again making Varka laugh more made.

See right? The presence of Helsha was able to make the wounds and pain that Varka felt disappear. Although only a few days they knew, but Varka felt happy and happy while being with Helsha. Helsha is sweet, her smile is able to make Varka feel comfortable and calm.

"Varka don't be sad anymore? If Varka is sad to say the same to Helsha, Helsha will throw away her sadness and make Varka laugh again like just now"

Varka laughed, he was so anxious to see how Helsha spoke to him

"Yes Helsha, Varka Promise won't be sad anymore"

"Promise?"

Varka nodded slowly, then they linked the little finger to each other as a sign of agreement.

"Try now smile, Helsha wants to see"

Varka smiled, a sincere smile that he showed Helsha his first friend during his lifetime.

"Let's go home..." Take Varka

"Kok home? Just met his Varka" said Helsha while sitting back

"Later Mother nyariin you Sha, this is also a very late afternoon."

Helsha just kept quiet while pouting. Actually Helsha still wants to be with Varka and spend more time. He just wanted to make sure Varka wasn't as sad as before.

"Sha come..." Bring Varka back.

Being quiet... Helsha just kept quiet without looking at her

"Helsha... Varka is angry that Helsha does not want to go home now, anyway if Helsha does not want to go home Varka will not want la__"

"Yes yes let's go home, don't continue to say Helsha does not like" Helsha cut while standing.

___

Juna, Papa Varka was furious when he saw Varka was picking up pieces of glass scattered on the floor. When Juna approached he was getting angry when he found out that the broken item was his favorite item in this house. Without thinking for long Juna instantly picked up the stick and smacked it at Varka mercilessly.

With a burning rage Juna continued to smash the stick at Varka regardless of his son's feelings

"Pa's sick... Pa..." Varka said as he curled up trying to avoid the battering of Juna's wand

"Varka accidentally sorry Pa"

"BASIC BAD BOY!! HOW INSOLENT YOU ARE, THAT PAPAH BOUGHT IT EXPENSIVE VARKA!! YOU COULD HAVE BROKEN IT..."

"Varka accidentally pa. sorry Varka pa..."

Blow after punch by Juna mercilessly and mercifully, however Varka asked for mercy on Juna still not heard making Varka more moaning feel pain.

"Papa... Sorry, sorry Varka... Forgive pa.."

"BASIC..AN___"

"PAPA STOP...!!"

Juna stopped his movement from hitting Varka again when he heard Gibran's voice yelling at him.

Varka looked at Gibran who was now standing in front of Juna

"Udah pa, don't hit Varka again" Gibran said

Gibran, who is only a year older than Varka, is a little more mature. He immediately approached Varka and helped her to stand up and told Varka to stay behind him

"Sister, don't interfere" said Juna

"No, papa can't hit Varka again"

"Gibran..."

Gibran shook his head and spread his arms as if he was building a defense so that his father would no longer hurt Varka

"If papa dares to hit Varka again, I won't want to talk to him again" Gibran said

Juna sighed then threw his wand in every direction and just left his two children.

"Come with Kaka." take Gibran

Gibran leads Varka into his room and helps Varka sit in one of the chairs in his room.

From that moment Varka just silently watched Gibran, his brother who had felt foreign and distant to Varka but his brother stopped Juna's anger and protected him

"Where is sick?" Ask Gibran.

Varka was silent and still noticed Gibran who was like he was worried about her. Gibran sighed and got up to pick up the P3K box in his room to treat his brother's wounds.

"Here's his hand..." Gibran's Order

Varka reached out her hand to Gibran, then quickly Gibran cleaned the wound from the punch that was quite sore. Varka smiled when she saw how Gibran was so worried about her.

"Sister..."

"Where else is it sick?" Ask Gibran

"Sister..." Varka said again

"Slow down a little, That's his forehead bleeding a little"

"Thank you brother..." Varka

Gibran stopped his activity and looked at Varka who was now smiling towards him

"Thank you Gibran..." Varka said again

Gibran sighed and re-applied the medicine to Varka's wound

"Yes..." Gibran replied in the end

Varka smiled, it turns out like this it feels defended by Kaka? Pleased think

"I...." Varka said again

"Yes.."

"Varka loves Gibran" said Varka

"Thank you brother already wanted to help and bear Varka earlier, maybe if there is no Kaka Varka must have been battered and can not do anything more now" continued Varka chuckled

Gibran let out a tired sigh, he was sometimes confused at his own sister. Varka's position in this house is not considered and even ignored, even Gibran also often heard Varka secretly crying alone in his room. But why is this little brother still smiling like now?? Is Varka not tired??

"Varka's.." Call Gibran to look at Varka's brownish netra.

Gibran could see the sparkling glare from Varka's eyes, clearly a happy look from Varka.

"illness?" Ask Gibran

"What brother?"

"Hit papa's sick?"

"Hehehe" said Varka

Gibran was silent for a moment hearing Varka's reply.

"Judah, don't be naughty anymore" Gibran said

"Sister.."

"Hmmm..." Gibran

"Emang Varka is that bad?" Ask Varka to Gibran

Gibran was silent

"Varka is really naughty, brother? Sampe mama and papa really hate the same Varka, all this time Varka always bothers them huh sis? Varka can never be proud of them..." Varka said softly

"Vark..."

"Varka is never naughty!! Varka has never had the intention to make mama same papah disappointed with Varka, but why do ya mamah papah like really hate the same Varka kak?" Said Varka while playing her fingers

Varka sighed when he did not get any response from Gibran, he then looked at Kakanya who was now looking down

"Don't you hate Varka?" Ask Varka

Gibran raised his head staring into his two eyes, he could see a lot of pain felt by his sister. Somehow Gibran felt that something was also in pain when he saw Varka like this.

"So, sorry Varka yes if Varka can not be a good sister for Kaka" said Varka

Honestly, Gibran also did not understand the meaning of the word Naughty which is always used mamah and Papah when scolding Varka, he said, all he knew was that Varka was a quiet and submissive child who was always exposed to the anger of their parents.

"Vari..."

"Sister... Varka does not like to be hit, Varka does not like to be yelled at, Varka also does not like to be bandsandinan continue with Kaka. Varka also want to enjoy being embraced by papah and mamah kayak Kaka, loved by them like Kaka."

"Vark..."

"Can't Varka hurt sister"

Gibran was silent for a moment and stood up

"You rest here, let Kaka come out" said Gibran and stepped his foot out

Varka smiled wryly.see even Gibran was reluctant to hug her.

Varka hugged her knees as if imagining herself being hugged by her family

"Basar Varka is stupid...." He muttered with a smile but a single tear dropped just like that made Varka cry again.

And again the universe reminds Varka of his position in this house, if Varka is really unwanted.

Without Varka realizing Gibran was still standing behind the door hearing Varka's heartbreaking cry.

Whether Gibran was confused with himself, he sometimes felt pain when he saw his sister treated like this but when Gibran wanted to do something for Varka there were things that made Gibran could not do.

"Sorry Kaka Varka...." Gibran said and hurried away.

____

Varka curled up in her room after being able to take pains to walk out of her brother's room. It felt all over his body Perih once, Varka sure now his body there are so many bruises.

Varka takes her phone and calls someone who can calm her down at a time like this.

"Varkaaaa....." Shouted Helsha from there

"It was so loud that she shouted, my ears hurt" Varka replied

"Hehehe... Tumben Varka called what?" Ask Helsha

"Father, want to hear the voice of Helsha aja" said Varka a little hoarse

"Varka why?? It was like a cry" asked Helsha

Can Varka make sure that if Helsha is currently worried, it sounds very clear from the way the woman talks

"Vark... Where's diem..."

"Varka gapapa Helsha, Helsha again what?"

"This is Varka's call again"

"Oh yeah forgot hehehehe..."

Light and endless chatter, and jokes from Helsha that make Varka at least able to forget the thing that just happened to him. It's really magical, isn't it.

"Eh Varka, Helsha is called Mother. Was it gapapa?? Helsha is reporting again"

"Yes yes... Yaudah there"

"Don't be angry, Varka, don't be sad. ⁷Helsha don't like it"

"Yes bauble..."

"That's... Nyebelin, ah Helsha closed yes"

"Sha..."

"Hmmm..."

"Thank you for being Varka's friend, thanks Banget. Drug..."

Varka immediately turned off her phone, she stared at the ceiling of her room. Life is strange and complicated, he can be happy because of others but he is also hurt by his own family..

She still hasn't been on his side..