MARRY MY LOVER'S BEST FRIEND
CHAPTER 33

"you are strong yes, Kas" said Arka as if it was hard to tell me.

"What's wrong?" my heart doesn't feel bad.

"Your father does not exist" said Arka stammered.

"Yes obviously dong, Ka," my insistence became more and more.

"Your father died, I'll take you home" Arka said.

News that makes the sky feel like it is collapsing and the earth shaking violently. Me and Arka that second also directly rushed to the village. I marked today as the darkest day of my life, the day I broke up with the Clouds and the day I lost my father forever.

After a long and excruciating journey, we arrived at the village. The mourners had filled the courtyard of the house, the mother looked stiff beside the body of the father and was accompanied by Bude Rini. Mr. Surya and Mr. Gendis were also there chanting prayers for the father. A few hours after my arrival, the funeral was held. I have nothing to bring but prayer for my father.

I looked up at the mound of land that is now the father's dwelling place. It felt as if someone was embracing me from behind and whispering, "Your father is calm, you must be strong and sincere,"

"Excuse me, Miss Gendis," I replied, wiping away the slowly falling tears.

"Sik, you accompany Love, do not let him be alone" Bu Gendis told Arka.

"Well mistress," said Arka as she bowed

"Sister, this is not the time to joke huh," said Bu Gendis as he pinched Arka's waist.

Arka grimaced in pain and remained standing beside me without a word. Long I was here until all the mourners left and the drizzling rain began to drench the earth.

"Rain spatter, Kas," said Arka who was silent for a long time.

"If you want to go home, I'm alone here" I said without looking

"Yes," answered Arka and the atmosphere returned to silence.

The drizzle slowly became heavy. I'm soaking wet but somehow I don't want to get out of here. All my faults over my ego so that all this happens. I could not stand and sit beside my father's grave.

"You tired, Kas?" the voice of a man from behind shocked me.

My reason back, this is heavy rain in the middle of the cemetery, the atmosphere is cloudy maybe the day is already before dusk. Fear enveloped me and I did not dare to look. I closed my eyes and bowed, feeling cold hands touching my shoulders. I was shaking with fear growing more and more. Well, why be a guts test like this?

"Kas, Kasih," the heavy voice called out to me again.

"Oh ghost, don't bother me, I don't have any intention to disturb," I said those words with a loud shout.

"ghosts? It's me Arka!" said the voice and I dared to turn around and was greeted by a sneeze from Arka.

"Aren't you home?" I asked while breathing a sigh of relief.

"I'm not afraid, just shocked," I reasoned to cover my stature.

Arka kept laughing at me all the way under the rain that was getting heavier and started to fog. But I felt sorry for Arka, she sneezed all the way. He seemed to be shivering probably from the cold.

...****************...

Rinto told me that Arka flu and high fever due to rain yesterday. Accompanied by Rinto I ventured to visit Arka at her house. Modern joglo concept house with a wide pendopo and surrounded by rice fields. Ms. Gendis welcomed my arrival and escorted me to Arka's room.

"Sik, this is Kasih Kasih Rinto" said Bu Gendis and left the three of us.

"Atye's sister?" rinto teased him.

"My mom still calls me sister" Arka said protesting and trying to sit down.

"You are the youngest child, your brother is almost 12 years away" said Rinto, who was lying on Arka's bed.

My eyes went around looking at the whole room. The room is neat for the men's room. Many sketches of faces stuck there in each corner of the lower right are written Arka's name which indicates that it was his work.

I smiled, there were many familiar faces there. There's my face, Rinto's face, Rayi's face, and Awan's. I looked closely at the smiling Cloud face painting. I whispered an apology to her. Because of me, their friendship was lost instantly.

"I knew the Clouds well, one day either, he must have understood," said Arka who suddenly stood beside me.

"Kok you're up? Your eyes are still watering and your body is still very hot" I said as I touched her forehead.

"Kok you came here? Your father just died yesterday, you didn't want your mother?" ask Arka.

"Let's move on" I replied trying to relax.

To be honest, I could not stand being in that house, there were many memories with my father that seemed to struggle into my brain finally spilled into tears. Especially in the living room where we fought because I maintained my ego. I think that's where the beginning of the cause of your father's disappearance. You are sick because I defy, you are sick because I do not obey and insist on my own choices. All because of my fault. I hope I can make it up to you

I circled to the edge of the bed and headed to the wide-open window. I looked out the window, the green rice field was wide. Sometimes there are bad birds who stop by maybe to pick up a grain of rice.

"Here the view is nice and very calm," said more muttering to myself.

"If you want, you can stay here" said Arka who turned out to be behind me and listened to me.

"Wikah first, then Kasih was brought here," Rinto said to laughter by Arka.

"If Kasih wants, whatever I will give" said Arka while punching Rinto's shoulder.

"Kiyo Ka Kombalmu, Ka,.Arka," Rinto replied with a laugh.

I stood at this window for a long time, no matter what Rinto and Arka were talking about, I didn't care. My mind imagined, what will I do when I officially become Arka's wife? Am I going to live in this house and look at the rice fields every day? Or will I go back to the city, live in a house I still have to be a prick and be a career woman? Dad, why don't you wait until that time comes? Why don't you take me to the pelaminan to be handed over to the man of your choice? Why would there be only me and my mom in my wedding photos? Tears flowed back, and got wet. My chest was tight, my eyes were twitching, my world was suddenly dark, and hot hands were holding my body, carrying me and putting me on a soft bed. Is this what he called fainting? I'm not strong anymore