Renalda
Rafa's Gone

The sun is hot, now at 1pm. They were on their way back to Arunika. Athena was so fussy. Calling his papa continuously.

"Try to be given a drink, Al" Renal said.

Alda tried to carry out the instructions from Renal.

Athena shook her head, refusing the drink Alda gave her.

"Papi papi" said Athena in tears.

"Where to jammed gini" complained Alda.

They spent almost an hour on the road. When entering the Arunika area, Alda suddenly lethargic. He feels unsettled.

Instead of entering his house, Alda ran to Rafa's house.

GOSHHHHHH

It looks like Arwan is doing his job as a doctor. Aina was already crying, Priska and Arwini were also seen occasionally wiping away her tears.

Arwan again checks all of Rafa's pulse points, before telling everyone that Rafa is gone.

Alda fell unconscious. Fortunately Athena was taken by Renal.

All eyes saw where Alda fell, beside him there was a crying Athena also there was Renal who tried to calm him.

Mika nimbly raised her sister, put her to bed in a disofa. Meanwhile, Lathief and Erlan immediately take care of Rafa's funeral.

There are no more Rafa's relatives here, only Athena is the only one. Lathief of course took the responsibility of burying Rafa properly.

People come and go to see Rafa one last time. Flower bouquets lined the corridor of Arunika street. They are all saddened by the passing of a young executive. A person with his firmness as well as his intelligence, sometimes acting silly to those close to him.

Alda sat down limply beside Rafa's body. Ivana occasionally rubbed her sister-in-law's shoulders. Mika, Randi, Angga are given a chance to hug his best friend for a moment.

"Fire" said Athena who saw Rafa as if he were sleeping.

Alda's cry broke even more when he heard Athena's chatter.

"The funeral is ready. It's best done before sunset" Lathief said.

Lathief certainly did his best. He chose to bury Rafa near the papi and his mama.

Sadness leads Rafa to his resting place. Alda road is paved by Angga and Randi, in front of them there is Mika and Ivana. Dian, Sandi, Angel, Rian and Alex are also residents of Arunika's Residence who take Rafa.

Alda, Mika, Angga, Randi and Renal looked at Rafa's grave before heading home. The dark is almost over the earth.

"Back, Al. Athena is waiting" said Randi. He rubbed Alda's shoulders, calming her friend. He also felt a sense of loss.

Alda nodded. He followed Randi's steps who embraced him.

The journey feels lonely. There is only Alda and Randi is also a driver who drives Randi's car. Alda leaned his head on Randi's shoulder. Memories with Rafa revolve like a movie in his memory. They were together since childhood, always attending the same school. Rafa is a little silly but of course he is kind.

Alda decided to go back to Rafa's house. Alexia was not asked to bring a change of clothes for her boss. Alda sat down while looking at the entire side of Rafa's house. Imagining Rafa still walking around while acting silly.

"Ma ma ma" Athena's voice resuscitates Alda from his reverie.

Athena walked limped towards Alda, of course there was mbak Ni watching her.

Alda opened both his hands, welcoming Athena. Athena laughed, revealing her small and neat teeth.

"Athena same mom now yeah. Papi is not there. Papi has followed Oma and opa" Alda said.

"Pa Pi pi" Athena patted Alda on the cheek.