NOT PERPETRATORS
Last Night Sleeping With My Best Friend

"Arumi forgive me."

A few minutes later, Fania wakes up from a fainting spell. He looked surprised to find himself in the lap of Mr. Wibowo. Quickly he stood up, followed by us who also rose from our seats.

"What's this about? What the hell happened to me?" asked Fania while holding her head.

"Tadi ... You fainted," I replied.

Fania seemed to be remembering something. Then he looked furiously at Mr. Wibowo. "It must be because of you!" the accusation.

Mr. Wibowo flinched for a moment, then asked, "Arumi, are you still here?"

"I'm not Arumi. I'm Fania!"

Now it's Mr. Wibowo's turn to hold his head. Suddenly Mr. Wibowo's body staggered. Dimas immediately supported his father's body so as not to fall.

"Dad, are you okay?" asked Dimas with a worried mimic.

"I'm fine. Just ... a little dizzy."

"It's better to get Dad back in the car" I suggested.

Dimas memapah mr. Wibowo. "Father needs rest and calm the mind. Let's go home."

"Wait!" Mr. Wibowo held back his steps, staring fixedly at Fania. "Fania, I know you hate me so much. I can understand how you feel. But ... If you've changed your mind to forgive your tyrannical father, I'm ready to beat you a hundred times. Or at least .. You want to call me dad, just once. I must be very happy."

After saying that sentence, Mr. Wibowo moved first by being swept by Dimas. While I was still standing on the side of Fania who was staring at her father's back.

I looked into Fania's eyes, which began to pierce the pain. I rubbed his shoulders, trying to calm my friend's heart. Fania sobbed at the loss of the father who was still unforgivable.

"Mania ...."

"Am I among the insubordinate for not being able to apologize for that person called 'father?" said sobbing.

"Mania ...."

"Did he think that after what he did to me and my mother was something that was easily forgiven?"

Fania rubbed her wet face. I look at him very sad. My attempt to reunite father and son was unsuccessful. It feels .. tightness that is being experienced by Mr. Wibowo and Fania, along spread to my chest. It's heartbreaking.

"I swore to beat him a hundred times. But ... I don't know why I'm powerless to do it. And I hate him so much. It's hateful."

I hugged my best friend tightly. Iunderstood it. Of course it is not easy to go through the times of torment since childhood. Moreover, Fania often get violence from her uncle and aunt—both people who have cared for her.

"Imania, I can't forgive him yet" he exclaimed.

"Slow down .. You can do it," I said softly.

"I hate Wibowo! I hate him so much!"

"Sst .. It's not good to hate someone too much. Calm yourself." I shed tears of sadness for their relationship.

"Really, he'd rather just die. I don't want to see his face again!"

"Fania, calm yourself. It's not good to talk like that."

After winning Fania, I got her in Dimas' car. We'll be home soon too. We thought my efforts would succeed. And we can celebrate the day of the father and son's union by eating together at Rudi's restaurant. However, it was not as expected. Fania hasn't opened her sorry door yet to Mr. Wibowo.

The plan to bring them closer has failed. So sad. Fania also did not want to eat at the restaurant. Though usually he was most excited when he heard the word 'eat'. Perhaps, Fania's mood had been obstructing and also dimming her appetite.

We can't force someone to forgive someone else's mistakes. No matter how hard we try to unite them, if one or both of them have no basis to forgive each other. Then it's all free. However, there was no wasted effort. At least we've been trying to knock on his heart's door. (Thamie AK)

***

A few days after the incident on the beach, Fania became often moody. The blonde-haired lady who was usually cheerful, became more silent. He rarely spoke to me. Sometimes he looks like he's staring. Sometimes it looks dreamy too. I'm a little worried about him.

Tonight, we were lying on the bed. I hope this time he wants me to talk.

"Fania, in three days, I'm getting married" I said. I hope Fania responds as usual. Fania who is chatty, baffled, and cheerful.

"Hopefully go well," replied Fania briefly.

"Fania, can I ask you something?"

"Hm ...."

"What ... do you accept Dimas as your sister?"

Fania paused for a moment, then said, "He has nothing to do with my hatred for that Wibowo."

"That means ... would you consider her your sister?"

Fania took a deep breath, then told her, "I've been in love with Dimas. You remember, right? When the incident happened at the mall first. I didn't think at all, that we were still blood related. Fortunately there was Rudi, who quickly turned my heart to her. So that I don't love Dimas and betray your feelings, Imania" he said, staring at the ceiling.

"Really .. sometimes still can't believe that she's my half-sister" he continued.

"I didn't expect it either."

We were silent for a moment, in each other's minds.

I took a deep breath, carefully I asked, "Fania, do you ... really hate Mr Wibowo? Is it forever .. You will never acknowledge him as your father? He seemed very sorry for what he had done."

"I'm going to sleep." Fania ignored my question, then tilted her body, behind me.

Again Fania does not like to discuss anything related to her father.

Fania did not answer.

"Okay, let's talk about something else" I said to divert the conversation. "Fania, I'm getting married soon."

"I already know. You said that too" he said without changing his body position.

"That means .. we can't sleep together anymore, yeah," I said a little sad.

Fania turned her body, facing me. "Are you sad?" tanyakanya.

"Little."

"You should be happy. Cause there's gonna be warmth in your every night, right?"

I looked at the face that was looking at me. "We'll miss moments like this. Where we can talk to each other, share, and joke."

Fania smiled at me. "You won't be lonely. Because there will be a Dimas who is definitely more attentive than me."

"Fania, how about you. Wouldn't you be lonely without me?"

"I'm going to get out of this house."

I was so surprised to hear that. "W-what do you mean? You can't do that!"

"Why can't it?"

I cupped both my hands to her cheeks. "I won't let you be abandoned. Not at all!"

"Who said I'd be abandoned?" said chuckle.

I squinted my eyes, looking at him clueless.

"The female wolf invited me to stay in her nest."

Hearing that, I felt very happy. "really?"

Fania nodded without letting a smile off her face.

I immediately embraced the body of my beloved friend. "Somehow I'm so happy to hear that. You will be assured to stay with him. I'm sure, Brother Ve loves you very much. He'll look after you and take care of you."

"Hm .. Your expectations are too high. Not quarreling with that female wolf alone would have been a profit."

I let go of the embrace, looking at him in wonder. "Aren't there any other sweeter calls for her?"

Fania laughed at the look on my face. "That's the sweetest call from me."

"Despite the fight, it must have been you who pissed him off!" my lips.

"Just pray, I hope I don't make it a stroke, ha-ha."

"You're so cruel. I think ... Brother Ve is actually motherhood."

Fania laughed at my words. "Your judgment is sweet." Fania pinched my nose.

"Aw! It hurts." I put his hand out of my nose. "When are you going to stay with him?"

"Tomorrow, the she-wolf will pick me up. I hope .. You don't miss me."

"How could I not miss you? Of course, I'm gonna miss you so much."

"You can visit me at any time. Or I'll visit you" said Fania, who made me feel happy.

"of course. Come to my house. I'll be so happy."

"So .. is this the last night we slept together?" tanyakanya.

"Is there anything we need to do tonight as a memory?" I asked back.

Fania blurted her lips, blinked one eye, and brought her face closer to me.

"Hey, are you crazy?" I pushed her lips away.

Fania just laughed looking at my facial expression.

"I'm not lesbian*n!"

"Hey, why so serious? I was just kidding," he said.

"You surprise me" I snorted.

"Come! You think I'm crazy? I'm still normal. If not, how could I like Rudi."

"By the way .. There is a similar nature between Dimas and you" I said with a smile on his face. "You're both ridiculous!"

Finally we went to bed listening to Fania's favorite song. It's a song I really don't like. To celebrate the last night of sleeping with her. I tried to calm down and let my throbbing ears rebel not to hear the noise from Fania's cell phone.

That friendship, not by forcing him to like the things we like. But learn, to get used to the things that our friends like. (Thamie AK)

Favorite song by Ian, YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE. Songs performed by SUICIDE SILENT. American Deathcore band from Riverside, California.

- CONNECTED --