NOT PERPETRATORS
Remembering My Beloved Son

Hola, the Bad People of Mangatoon!

Still got some tissue stock, right?

Someone asked for it yesterday. "Sir Kecheh, buyin tissue, donk?"

There are also those who say. "Sister, my tissue's out of a box."

Aduhae, if you guys deket, here. Or Author Kecih has a magic door Doramemon. I must have given you one-on-one. WKWK.

By the way, still able to mewek, right?

Yuk, mewek again. Always prepare a tissue before reading, huh?

Yuk, look at the pen nicks of the Melancholic Author Keceh, whose work ransacked the heart. Which sometimes can make mewek to cry. Sometimes you can also make your teeth grimace.

Happy reading! Tissue, oh, tissue!

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"Fa-Fania .. in-day ...."

"Yes, she's my daughter."

I'm still staring at Mr. Wibowo in disbelief. Fania is Wibowo's daughter. He is the son of his love for a woman named Arumi. So ... My guess is right? That's why they have the same photo. That's why Mr. Wibowo always pays attention to Fania. Then ... what does this have to do with the Ve secretary? Why are they so similar when young?

Mr. Wibowo held out the results of the DNA test to me who was still fixated. I read it with surprise. Yeah, correct. 'The 'DNA Identification Letter' states that Fania is the biological daughter of Mr. Wibowo. So ... is she the older half-sister of Dimas?

The door of the room opens. Ve's secretary enters with Dimas and Nessa behind him.

"How's he doing, Doc?" ask Secretary Ve directly to the doctor standing next to me.

"As a result of a pretty hard impact. The patient has a very serious head injury. And it causes bleeding in the brain. For a while .. I have not been able to ascertain whether this can be saved. Most patients cannot survive severe hematoma conditions like this."

"Do your best, Doc! Please ... he's already suffered a lot. Please ...." Secretary Ve pleaded with the doctor who treated Fania.

"We've had surgery to stop bleeding in the brain. But .. I do not guarantee that patients will be saved. Even if the patient is human, I am not sure his brain can function normally. And ... the possibility of going through these critical times is very small" the doctor said.

"Doctor, send all the specialists. I will pay whatever it costs. Save my daughter!" pinta Pak Wibowo with teary eyes.

Dimas and Nessa turned their eyes to Mr. Wibowo. They seemed very surprised at the statement of Mr. Wibowo, who said that Fania was his daughter.

"We've tried our best, sir. Please make sure everyone is patient and strong. Pray to the Almighty, everything that happens is his destiny. We doctors are just intermediaries. The patient's recovery is back in God's hands. Pray, ask God for a miracle" the doctor said.

"Dad, what did you say?" asked Dimas while bringing himself closer to Mr. Wibowo.

Mr. Wibowo looked down for a moment, as if he was taking confidence in his heart to tell the truth.

"Dad, what ... what did you say? Of-he ...." Dimas pointed at Fania who was lying helplessly.

Mr. Wibowo nodded. "Yes, she's my daughter. She's my real daughter. He's your stepbrother."

Dimas and Nessa were both shocked to hear Wibowo's remarks.

"No. That's not possible. It'swrong. It's impossible" said Dimas, shaking his head.

"This is the result of their DNA test" I said as I handed a piece of paper containing a statement of genetic compatibility between Mr. Wibowo and Fania.

Dimas turned to me and read the letter. Then he went back to his father. "Dad, how could this happen?"

"I'm sorry, son. Actually ... before marrying your mother. I've impregnated someone. Fania's mother."

Dimas stared at Mr. Wibowo in disbelief over all this. His hands clenched tightly. Jaw hardens. His eagle eyes stared intently at his father. "So ... You betrayed mama?!"

With an explanation from Mr. Wibowo, Dimas also knows everything. About Mr. Wibowo's story with Arumi. About Fania, her step-sister. And ... about the secretary Ve, who I just found out about. Ve's secretary is Fania's mother's sister. Secretary Ve is Arumi's older brother.

***

We came out of the ICU room, except for Mr. Wibowo who was still keeping Fania beside him.

In front of the ICU room, the secretary Ve suddenly hugged me and kissed my cheek many times.

"Imania, I'm sorry .. I just got to hug you. I forget that you are grieving" said Secretary Ve, sobbing.

"If I could fight destiny. I want my son back. But I realized, God's decision can not be contested," I said.

"Yes, God. Your eyes are so swollen. How many tears have you shed, dear. Your voice almost disappeared too. Break your heart, Imania." Secretary Ve hugged me back.

"The strong one, yes," said secretary Ve as she patted my back gently.

After we let go of each other's embrace. My gaze was fixed on Dimas and Nessa who were also standing near us. For a few seconds, my eyes and Dimas met each other. However, Nessa immediately grabbed Dimas's fingers, grasping them tightly.

I also say goodbye to going home to the secretary Ve.

***

I intend to pick up some stuff at my house. So, I decided to go to my house first. I ordered an online taxi to take me there.

Arriving in front of the house, I stood in front of the gate. The cheerful faces of Fania and Arka while running to buy ice cream were reflected again in my brain. As they ran to welcome me home from work. And when we say goodbye, when going to Bali. Arka hugged me tightly, as if she didn't want to let me go.

It was still very clearly twisted in my memory, as Arka, Fania, and Rudi waved at me. I smiled at them. I didn't feel any strange premonition at that moment. I thought this was just a normal farewell. A temporary farewell between me and my son. Unexpectedly, it was our last farewell. Also ... The last smile of my son's face.

It also did not feel clear circles dripping back over my cheeks. I sniffled in front of the gate. I opened the gate with tears flowing.

Actually ... I'm not that strong to get into this house. This house is too crowded with good memories with my son. But .. I had to take something from Fania's room.

I set foot to the door. With a step that continues to flow with wet eye dew. I went back to sniffling at the door. Still left behind the shadow of Arka who ran around small in the yard of the house. He laughed so jokingly with me and Fania. He was so excited, when he heard the word, 'walk'. Now ... he can walk so freely and cheerfully in heaven.

I took the key from the bag. I opened the door to the house. And opened all the memories that enveloped the atmosphere of this dwelling. I entered while looking around. And .. always. There was a shadow of Arka running around chasing Fania. Then I grabbed him and carried him to the room.

I laughed amusedly as he said, "Down me Mama? Arka is not a child! The arka is big!" He always considered himself an adult. He was so funny when he was called a child.

Then I walked to the dining room. I held my step for a moment. My hands held my body against the wall. I still remember clearly, the togetherness and warmth of the three of us, me, Arka, and Fania, when sitting and eating together.

They were so enthusiastic about eating my food. Arka and Fania always say, that my cooking is delicious. They really like my cooking. The dining room has great memories for us.

I went back to the dining table. I'm closing the serving cover from the table. There is left stale food. Some of the food menu seemed to be brought by Rudi from the restaurant. After I left, Fania definitely didn't cook. Of course Rudi brought food from his restaurant.

I sobbed at the food that had smelled so bad. We just left this house a few days ago. Everything changed immediately. Slender. Silent.

I took the plates with the stale food. I took her to the sink to wash it off. My tears kept flowing, as if coming down to wash the dirty dishes. Reminds me again, when first secretary Ve ate here and announced that I had become a manager. Everyone looks happy. Everyone congratulated me. And now ... the department means nothing more. I have lost my most precious treasure. My passion for work. My son, my Little Whiz, Arka.

Next, I walked up the stairs. The stairs that usually felt short, now suddenly felt long and very tiring. I was like .. climbing the past. My legs and my heart are really extra weight-bearing.

The first place I met upstairs was, the living room couch. A place where it was our favorite. We always relax, joking together in this place.

I still remember clearly, when Arka was sitting on the sofa. We were relaxing in the afternoon and evening while enjoying snacks and juice. While Fania is busy enjoying her favorite snacks and soft drinks. We were joking. Very warm and pleasant atmosphere.

I dropped my body on the couch. Then my eyes fell on a stack of puzzles belonging to Arka, who was lying under the table. Kurauk some of the puzzle, taking it up to the lap. Again the cheerful face of Arka appeared. When he was busy playing puzzles so seriously.

My chest tightened, sobbing thrashing. My ark has gone. My ark has been with the angels. I pray that in heaven, Arka can play the same puzzle. Favorite puzzle.

"Darling ... What are you doing now? What a happy Arka is in heaven. Mama kangen's. Mama misses Arka."

I wiped my tears with the tissue I took from the table. Tissue that we usually use to clean hands and mouth, after eating a snack while watching television.

Arka is my very independent son. He never fusses. He is a very understanding child. He's also obedient. In fact, if he is sleepy. He always sleeps on my lap.

Take a look at the lap. Suddenly the figure of Arka was clearly imagined.

"Mama, Arka's sleepy."

I rubbed his back, then gently massaged it. "Sleep, Honey."

And ... she really fell asleep on my lap.

"Now ... Arka is sleeping in heaven. Good night, baby ...." I returned my tears with tissue.

After being satisfied reminiscing about Arka in our favorite room. I'm heading to my room. And I thought back to him. As Arka slept soundly, lying next to me. I always brush her hair. And kiss her soft forehead. Pray for him, that he may become a great son, a strong son, a devoted son to parents.

"Now .. you have had enough of being my great son, my strong son, and my devoted son. May Arka be at peace with God, yes ...."

- CONNECTED --