Love Lanterns
CHAPTER 77 “Sang Mentari”

“If our heart is adrift, then you will hear this inner voice when calling your name. Miss was increasingly popping chest, even when the distance began to erode makes me want to always hold your body.”

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Keenan needed time to himself, so a few minutes he stood on the bridge of the ship. Gazing at the vast sky, even the sunlight began to rise. Reflects its light into the sea, so that it creates glare when the eyes look at the sky. But it still looks beautiful with the charm of twilight-colored clouds.

“Why is it that easy for Mr. Bagas Kara to take off Aletha if really the breakup will happen. But not with me .. so difficult even my memory still clearly record the meeting the first time with him.” Mumbled Keenan while still on the bridge of the ship.

Keenan exhaled, he was really feeling the turmoil enveloped with worry that made his chest tight. Especially when he saw Aletha still in the operating room, which did not come out because the operation was still running.

Everyone was waiting for Edbert to come out of the gripping room. And there was also Catrina, who realized how good Aletha was. He regretted ever saying the thing that made Aletha not like, so obvious when approaching Keenan.

‘Aletha, I'm sorry. I should have realized that you were indeed the right woman of choice for Captain Keenan. You are a matching couple. So brave and ready to sacrifice lives for all of us.’ The inner Catrina that condemns regret.

‘Lord Jesus, please save Aletha my friend.’ Prayers were echoed by Catrina.

Catrina is a native of the United States, which adheres to Christianity. He is now a volunteer doctor on Mercy Ship, under a one-year contract to devote himself to the African island.

As Catrina sat by herself, bemoaning her stupidity, Leon suddenly came and carried two bottles of mineral water in her arms.

“Drink, Doctor Catrina!”

Leon handed Catrina a bottle. And Catrina gulped down a bottle of water until it was gone. Because the incident the other day made his throat dry. Even one bottle was not enough, so Catrina again asked for water that was still intact in Leon's hand.

“Please if you are still thirsty. I know that very well, and I think ... it is not easy for a doctor to experience such a thing.”

“But .. different with Aletha. She ... Besides being a genius Doctor, also being a tough and brave woman. I just found out if ... Aletha reliable in shooting.”

“That's Aletha. Never mind, we just pray for Him to be safe and be reunited with us.”

Catrina nodded, agreeing with Leon's words. And Leon who did not find Keenan's whereabouts there, he immediately sought out his friend. Because Leon knew very well, how Keenan felt to see Aletha lying with blood continuing to come out of Aletha's body.

Leon goes down the ship's aisle to find Keenan. One step ... two steps. eventually Keenan can be found. Keenan was sitting and leaning on the side of the ship.

“Why is it here? You should be there.”

“I'm so stupid, Leon. I'm not becus .. I can't keep my own promise to him.”

Keenan again felt regret that continues to haunt him. Even Keenan vented his anger by hitting his own head. And the unexpected had been done by Keenan.

Keenan stood on the ship's bridge, holding a gun to his head. And it makes Leon not out of thought, Leon felt furious with the stupidity that Keenan did.

“Better I'm not alone, Leon. I can't stand to see him hurt. Hiks... hiks...”.

Keenan was completely shattered and fragile as Aletha was still not out of the operating room.

“Don't act stupid, Keenan. I don't know you like this. All I know is a strong and tough Keenan. Strong-spirited, that's the Keenan I know.”

Leon fended off the gun in Keenan's hand. And several times Leon punched Keenan in the face in order to revive Keenan from his folly.

After being satisfied enough to give Keenan a fist, Leon grabbed his phone that rang. It was none other than Wilona, who told him that Aletha had finished surgery. It's just that Aletha still hasn't regained consciousness after surgery.

“Aletha is past its critical period. Now transferred to the inpatient room. And you better be by his side to accompany him rather than acting stupid like earlier.”

Keenan's body, which was knocked down by Leon's fist, now holds the side of the ship to help him stand up. After that Keenan walked but half ran, because the longing who burst his chest wanted to feel he treated.

Keenan ran past everyone still waiting for Aletha to wake up in the hospital room. And in his face Keenan who looks full of bruises on his face. A sense of wonder also appeared in everyone's mind. Only the Guard and Laura dared to ask him.

“Kak, kak Keenan's face why?”

“Iya, Captain's face why?”

“I ... This is because last night against Bayu. Yes already, I want to accompany Aletha first.”

Laura and Garda just looked at each other, he was astonished by Keenan's reply. Because what they saw was much different, when they arrived at Mercy Ship Keenan did not have such bruises. And only then did Laura and the Guard realize it. It's not even possible if Keena turns me over to the Guard if she gets punched out in boxing by Leon.

Everyone gave Keenan some free time with Aletha. Because they know what Aletha's story is about with Keenan. So they let Keenan sit beside Aletha's bracket to accompany her, even though Aletha was still unconscious.

Keenan stared fixedly at Aletha's face which still looked pale with tightly closed eyes. It felt as if someone had unsheathed his heart with a sharp dagger upon seeing Aletha lying weakly helpless.

“If our heart is adrift, then you will hear this inner voice when calling your name. Miss was increasingly popping chest, even when the distance began to erode makes me want to always hold your body.” The whisper of Keenan in Aletha's ear.

“One second..”.

“Two seconds..”

Aletha blinked her two eyes slowly, she swept across the spacious ceiling of the ship. And while looking in all directions, Aletha found Keenan sleeping with his head resting on a bracket.

“Keenan..” Aletha said so softly.

Aletha's voice seemed to be gone, her strength had not recovered properly. So it was very difficult for him to just call Keenan. However, he tried to move the customer's hand, then rubbed the top of Keenan's head until Keenan woke up from his sleep.

“Aletha .. you are already aware.” Keenan stared hard at Aletha.

Aletha commented a faint smile when she found Keenan beside her.

“Justify Al, are you conscious? This isn't my dream, is it,”

Keenan rubbed his eyes so that his gaze could be seen clearly. Because he still considers that it is a dream that comes during the day to just cover longing. However, Aletha with the rest of her strength tried to give a pinch on Keenan's arm.

“Aww, pain.”

“Now you are conscious, no longer fantasizing if this is a dream. Enough writers who fantasize about our story.”

“He's right, you're sober, Al. I ... very worried about you.”

A small chat was just like that, until Laura and Garda unwittingly entered the room. And they saw how beautiful the scenery was in plain sight. Aletha who was seen laughing as Keenan occasionally chattered about undergoing training in Washington. And soon the school will be over, which is expected to be almost the same as Aletha's work contract period at Mercy Ship.

“Ehmmm. To the extent that our greetings are not answered.” Tweet Laura.

“Hei, Ra. I'm sorry, I don't know if you and your brother Garda are at the end of the door.”

“I want permission from Keenan. If I and my brother Garda go to the Sahara beach. Can it?”

“Bby, as long as you guys keep careful.”

The Guard takes Laura to the sahara beach. Because since being in Africa, Garda has not invited Laura to take a walk to enjoy the atmosphere in Africa. Although famous for arid, but while on the beach still treated with the freshness of the vast ocean and blue.

”Like tifak here?”

“Iya, like.” Laura nodded. ”But prefer if you can walk.”

“Don't say like that, you are a strong woman. God brings His people a test not just to give, but God is sure that your shoulders are still strong to bear the trials that whack.”

“Remember, there is always me beside you.”

Garda kissed the back of Laura's hand, then climbed onto Laura's forehead. To make Laura blush embarrassed by the spoiled behavior of the Guard.

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“Al, I miss you. I'm not very good at sponsoring you, I'm sorry.”

“No need to apologize, Ke. It's obligatory for me to help you all. If you see the bullet, then you will do the same with me.”

“But I beg of you, Al. Jagan repeat again in doing things that could endanger your own life.”

“Iya, I try.”

Small talk still accompanied the two. And Keenan made his wish to serve Aletha that afternoon. However, Aletha could not give an answer at that time, because there was no Bagas Kara and Mama Nina beside her. Although later Aletha himself will give the answer.

Lunch time has arrived. Where the afternoon had already shown twelve o'clock over fifteen minutes. Even the sisters came while carrying trays containing porridge to serve as Aletha's meal that afternoon. Keenan painstakingly fed Aletha until the porridge was no longer left. Afterwards, Keenan asked Aletha for permission to pray at the prayer prayer prayer provided on the ship.

Although Keenan's duty as a state servant was an arduous task, Keenan did not want his name to leave the five prayers. He always prayed in a timely manner. So many women who admire Keenan, thick with Islam.