Pamite
95. The Destruction of the Heart of a Brother

Lia returned to the room after picking up a plate of rice and side dishes for Dara. The girl was so pitiful, she realized saying anything to Dara at this time was a waste. He still could not digest word for word which suggested his mind to be good. All Dara needs right now is to restore the psychic Dara who is not okay.

"Ra, here's breakfast. Do I want to eat by myself, do I want to go with you?"

"I'm afraid" replied Dara Lirih.

"You're safe. You forgot who I was? I'm a friend of your brother's. I'm Lia, you used to call me Ma'am Li. Let's eat!"

"I'm dirty."

"Where is dirty? Here Mbak netiin. Say the same to Mommy."

"Everything."

Lia then flicked her hand making gestures as if she was completely cleansing Dara's body. He felt devastated by what had happened to the girl, but showing her compassion in front of him was not the right choice.

"No, I'm clean. Eat now, soon I'll be here to pick you up."

Dara looked at Lia.

"Mom's coming here? I'm afraid Mom's mad."

"No dong. I won't be angry if you do one thing."

"What?"

"Same according to what Mom said. Can't you?"

Dara just nodded then forced herself to eat. With great difficulty chewing and trying hard to swallow his rice.

It was really bitter about the girl's life line.  His sense of well-being seemed to be wiped out by a strenuous test. Her boyfriend is not healthy and still needs her support. Now he can't do that anymore, either for a while or so. How she can support her future husband if he himself needs support from family and people around.

Not long ago, Jaka's car was heard parked in the yard. Lia immediately came out to greet them.

"Son, where's Dara?" Bu Lin with her eyes was trying to ask in a tone that she made very strong.

"There's room, Mom. Let me drop off, "let Lia walk first.

Bu Lin looked at Dara who was sitting daydreaming on the bed. He saw Dara who had just returned to shed tears quickly, it was inconceivable if he saw Dara's condition before. It is certain that he will not be able to stand on his own feet.

"Mom needs to be stronger for Dara. If Mom was as devastated as she was, who would strengthen her? Dara needs Mom." Lia gave a suggestion that could be called a reminder word for the woman.

Bu Lin wiped his tears away immediately. Putting a strong face and body for the child. There is nothing more important than his son's current recovery.

"Bara. Are you ready to go home?" asked Bu Lin walking closer.

"Mother." Dara cried again and hugged her mother tightly. He is unable to say. Everything was in the form of tears.

"You're safe now, there's Mom. I'm sorry I wasn't on your side when you needed to."

"I'm dirty, Mom." I don't know how many times you've 'dirty' come out of Dara's mouth.

"I'm afraid he's coming again."

"No, I'll take care of you. There's Bang Jaka who'll take care of it."

Dara finally nodded slowly, with her mother's arm around her, she walked out of the room. Returning to meet with Jaka makes Dara's guts shrink back. He hid his face behind his mother's shoulders.

Don't ask how broken Jaka's heart is. In his heart he was very angry and regretted his stupidity that could not find Dara in time. The mounting guilt makes Jaka no longer stem the tears that he could hardly bear.

"Don't be afraid, he's your brother. You always fight with him in the same place. I got so dizzy hearing your quarrel. He'll take care of you." Ms. Lin hugged the child's shoulder and led him to walk.

"Lia, thank you very much, yes, son. You want to help Dara."

"Yes, Mommy. No need to overdo it, it is our duty as fellow human beings. I have to be strong for Dara." Lia reminded again while stroking slowly Bu Lin's arm.

The woman just smiled and left.

Dara is still afraid if approached by a man. But he wasn't hysterical. There was a change after meeting her mother.

"Mom's sitting in the back, I don't want to be away from you."

"Yes, I'm sitting with you. Let's make Bang Jaka a driver, yeah."

Hearing Jaka's name makes Dara's eyes look towards the man who has since opened the passenger car door. A smile he saw for a moment then looked back at the ground.

***

Bu Rini is sad to see the state of Rifki who returned desperate. Every day there was no news from the family of his future wife just made the woman very disappointed.

Those who give spirit to Rifki, but they also make Rifki lost spirit. The man had been sitting on the terrace since. He looked at the dark street in his eyes. Doesn't he see only darkness?

"Rif, come in yuk! Sleep, it's night."

Rifki took a breath and exhaled slowly, as if she was already caught off guard with everything.

"No phone call from Dara or anything else?" Rifki still hopes her love still survives despite her logic of refusing to put any hope back on Dara.

"Yet. Positive thinking, they may have a problem. They don't take care of us. Next week Dara will be here too, right."

Ms. Lin pushed the child's wheelchair with tears in her eyes. Not the loss of news of Dara that he sad, but the state of his son who was back hit by big waves.

***

"We have to tell Rifki about this, Mas. You can't be selfish like this. It's important for Rifki to know this. They will be a couple. You can't keep playing with cats like this. What would Rifki and her mother think if Dara and us all disappeared all of a sudden" Ayu said.

"Why are you? I was dizzy with Dara's condition and you even press me like this. My sister, abused, Yu. I can't think of anything else," murmured Jaka emotionally as well.

"I know, I know you're devastated by this, too. But you also have to think about both. Don't drown in your guilt and do nothing. You think you're right, Mum?"

"If I'm wrong, you're right? I can't see anyone else but Mom. You told me to call Rifki. You do not realize that Rifki will be as destroyed as we are. He would also feel guilty, he would also blame himself. If Rifki comes here and hears Dara's scream, do you think everything will be okay? At least wait until Dara's condition improves. It's all time." Jaka softens at the end of the sentence.