REMEMBER ME?...
The Part 71
House of Vano, early 2009
Vano was studying for her graduation exam with Kiara after they celebrated the new year's party last night. They were in the middle room of Kiara's house with Vano struggling with thick books and Kiara watching him while occasionally watching television and reading books that Vano was working on to comment,
“Urgh... I don't want to take the High School graduation exam! Why are you so diligent anyway, studying when not the final level.”
Vano laughed at the comment. “But you have to follow him, Kiara. Only then can you continue to university. And I'm just preparing myself. The exam isn't as easy as it sounds, you know?”
“Iya, yes, I know!” cibir Kiara's.
“Hey, did you eat your medicines properly?”
“Of course! Otherwise, I might be dead by this time.”
Vano glared sharply at Kiara's words. “Don't play around with death, Kiara. From the beginning I didn't like your attitude like that.”
“Oke-okay, I'm sorry.” Kiara said while chuckling. The girl then returned busy with herself and did not realize a pair of eyes were watching her.
“Oh yes, Van, I'm curious. Have you never had a boyfriend?” ask Kiara suddenly.
“I think with such a face and nature, you will easily attract the attention of the girls.”
“Instead yet.” Answer Vano short. His sight never left Kiara.
“Why?”
“Because I like you.”
Soekarno Hatta Airport, February 2009
“Do you really have to study abroad?” kiara asked with a frown as she was driving Vano to America at Soekarno airport. A few months ago, Vano suddenly told him that the man was going to America and continue his schooling there.
Vano. He was checking his ticket at the officer. His family had first gone inside while he was forced to stay longer by Kiara who was reluctant to let go of his handrails. Kiara's family was far behind, unable to hold their daughter.
“Aren't you curious about my answer? I haven't answered your love statement, have I?”
“Don't you say you'll answer when you're an adult? Then answer now.” Challenge Vano.
Kiara fell silent. His head lowered deeply and he was sure his cheeks were red. In an instant, he was at a loss for words.
Vano chuckled and ruffled the girl's hair. “Answer later, if you're ready. I'll wait.”
“But I will no longer be near you—“
“I'll send you a letter. E-mail. I'll call you often too. I promise.”
Los Angeles, United States, September 2010
Vano smiled happily as he approached his friends. For the first year of his life in America, so far not bad. His communication with Kiara was still good.
They agreed to use letters to communicate. Now, he just got the latest reply from Kiara. But because this morning he was late for school, he did not have time to read it and instead took it to school.
Even after school, he did not have time to read a reply from Kiara. And now, his friends invite him to celebrate a surprise birthday party for one of his friends; mark.
The plan is that his friends will go first to Mark's house. And Vano's job is to prevent Mark from coming home until his friends tell him that the surprise is ready, then they can take a bus to get to Mark's house.
So far, things have gone according to plan. Vano and Mark had just entered the bus when Vano had received a signal from his other friends. They are now standing in the middle of bus— because there are no empty seats.
“So, you just received a reply from Kiara?” mark asked as soon as they were on the bus.
Vano. A smile could not be lost from her face when the girl's name was called.
“Hei~ look at you~ you’re smiling like an idiot when you hear her name, now?” god Mark.
Vano. “But I haven't read the letter.”
“Then read it!”
Vano took the letter out of his bag. Only a few lines, but able to make Vano drift.
Van, when did you get back here? If you can't come back, call me. I want to give you an answer to that statement of your love. I think I'm mature enough this time. Call me right away, okay?
“Yes! You should call her!” mark is excited.
“Should i?” asked Vano with a big smile.
“Of course, stupid!”
“Alright, I'll call her as soon as I get home.” Disconnect Vano finally while Mark can only nod his head.
Mark begins to ask why Vano wants to go to his house, which forces the man to concoct a chain of lies for Mark's own good. Just like his other friends, he has not said happy birthday to the man for waiting for their friends to prepare a surprise.
While chatting as usual, suddenly something happened.
It was like being in a dream.
The bus he and Mark were riding on hit something causing a super loud noise and the last thing Vano knew was that he was no longer standing. He fell, rolled, thrown, crushed until his whole body ached especially his back and head. When all these movements stopped, his consciousness was gone before he could search for Mark.
In the end, he never called Kiara. The surprise party never happened.
Vano's memory is lost, along with Mark's life.
____
When the pain in his head goes away and the memories come back, the last thing Vano realizes is that he is crying. There were tears streaming down her cheeks. Memories are painful. He feels guilty. Guilty of not remembering Mark's death, of not remembering Kiara. Now he knows that the girl has many weaknesses behind her appearance that always does not want to give up.
Suddenly, his whole body went limp. With great difficulty, he picked up his phone on the nightstand and then with a trembling fingers, he entered a phone number.
“Ha... lo... doctor......” his voice even vibrates.
“It's me.. Vano Alexander.”
Vano bit her lips and hugged herself which started as she pleased. “Is.... If my memory returns.. That is a good sign, doc?”
Vano was speechless listening to someone's explanation across the phone. But his body did not stop trembling. The photo album that was originally on his lap is now on the floor, open on the last page, on his picture while he was at the airport.
“But I think you're wrong, doc..” Vano said.
“Why do I feel bad after knowing all those things?” he continued and cut off the phone. The man dropped his phone on the floor and rubbed his wet face. And before long, that sobbing sounded again. This time even harder.
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