RUN WITH ME
CHAPTER 40: THE BIG FAMILY

Already about two hours Arunika spent by turning every page on the textbook in front of him and writing important materials that would come out in the midterm exam questions. Yes, Arunika takes seriously the words of his parents. Aaron and Claris have never messed around with any threat given to Arunika. For them, Arunika is the most recalcitrant and difficult to tell so often comes out threats to Arunika according.

Arunika removed the glasses perched on her head, then exhaled heavily while gently massaging the base of her nose. One fact that is rarely known to others, Arunika has nearsightedness. But because the number is small and the wearer feels he can still see clearly, the item is rarely worn. Mostly used when studying or reading.

Seeing that the short and long needles were at the eleven noon mark, Arunika decided to take a short break. Arunika got up from her seat and began to stretch her body, sitting for three hours certainly made her whole body stiff. The books were left in an open position and the owner walked outside his bedroom.

When a pair of Arunika's feet stepped on the first floor of her house, she looked around. Empty as usual. Both of his parents are certainly busy with their respective jobs, as well as the workers there. The girl turned her body to the left and walked back to the dining room. A two-door refrigerator attached not far from the dining table opened and he was silent for a few minutes to stare at the various drinks available. Cold water, milk, juice or juice from various fruits, to soft drinks. But eventually Arunika's choice fell on the cold water.

The bottle that was still sealed was opened in one round and immediately enforced in half by Arunika. Because of the focus on the drink in his hand, Arunika did not realize there were several maids who entered the dining room through the back door aka the dirty kitchen door.

"Have you heard the news? He said Mr. Charles would be back today" said a maid in a loud voice, thinking there was only himself and his two friends in the room. On the other side Arunika who was still standing behind the fridge door was silent with the bottle open in her hand. His body froze with a dazed look. His chest began to beat rapidly with a streak of cold sweat running down his face. If Arunika can describe this new information with one word, then the word 'shit' will come out of his mouth.

The elderly man, Charles Bumantara, is the source of all the ugliness that Arunika experienced in his life. Many say the fruit fell not far from the tree, that's what happened between Aaron and Charles. The former leader of the family is known to be very violent and unforgiving, even more so than Aaron. It is he who preserves the systems of hard and ancient upbringing of Bumantara. It is he who continues the pressure of achieving higher achievements than previous generations in the next generation of Bumantara.

In recent months, Charles has been abroad for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. Although during his life Charles worked as a forensic specialist, unfortunately he was a heavy smoker who only quit two years ago. It stopped after the diagnosis of the disease. And now, the colossal man has returned, meaning Arunika has to prepare her ears and mentally.

Shortly after, the smartphone in his pants pocket rang while shaking short, indicating an incoming message. Somehow Arunika can already know from who and what the message is. But to make sure, Arunika put the bottle back into the refrigerator and open the digital message. Sure enough, a short message from his mother said, a meal with the extended family will be held to welcome the return of the grandfather to the capital.

Arunika looked in the message, then exhaled heavily while closing the refrigerator door. When the girl turned her head to the left, the three maids had looked at her with shocked and awkward expressions. Arunika gave a friendly smile as she shook her smartphone and said, "Thank you, thanks to you I am not surprised to see the message from your mistress."

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Arunika thought the meal would be held at night, apparently she was wrong. As soon as Charles set foot at the international airport and saw his family gathered to welcome him, he immediately invited lunch together because the clock happened to show at one noon. No one dared to resist so in the tens of minutes later, Arunika had been sitting on the soft seat of a famous luxury restaurant in the capital.

In a room that is quite spacious, there is a round table that can be filled with up to ten people and two cabinets with four drawers each to store various cutlery and additional spices or sauces. Arunika sat to the right of her mother and her father sat to the left of her mother. Honestly, Arunika really does not like this big family meal. For him, this event is just a satirical event under the guise of a family event. Justjust look.

"That means next year Arunika should start listing universities, yes." The sentence is not a question, but a statement. Who is talking? Of course Aunt Arunika or the younger sister of the father, Anna Bumantara. The neck-haired woman smiled meaningfully as she said the sentence and Arunika could already interpret it.

"But is Arunika's achievement now enough to make Harvard accept it? How many international competitions have you won?" anna asked with a big smile on her face. Arunika was silent for a moment to hear the question sentence uttered with contempt.

Arunika has no intention to respond to him seriously, he is just inexhaustible with his tantalizing behavior that has never changed a bit since long ago. "If judging from the experience of my two brothers and some Bumantara who managed to enter Harvard, I need at least one more international championship," Arunika replied very calmly, not at all provoked.

Anna nodded in understanding, then asked a new question again. "Tante being reminded of the success of your two brothers, getting an invitation letter from Harvard directly, isn't that awesome? Could Arunika not be like that?"

The ten fingers of Arunika, located on top of the thigh, were clenched. The girl tried to maintain her smile, even though the corners of her lips started twitching. After exhaling slowly, Arunika replied patiently in each of her words, "May Arunika be able to reach the expectations of this family and exceed the achievements that my two brothers have had."

Anna laughed afterwards while nodding her head, accepting Arunika's prayer. Arunika lowered her head and re-exhaled a heavy breath. He was really fed up with being in this situation and wanted to get out of it. Moreover, his existence was completely ignored by Charles who had been busy talking with his cousin's sister, Janice Vertha Bumantara, during his conversation with Anna. Aaron just silently watched his son being pressed all out by his sister while Claris chose to drift into the conversation of Charles and Janice. One more thing, do not expect anything from Anna's husband who always covers his ears to all things Bumantara family. In these moments Arunika remembered the grandmother who always considered her presence by inviting her to talk casually.

"I go to the toilet" said Arunika who attracted the attention of everyone in the room for five seconds, but after that, Arunika again ignored and all focused on their respective discussions.

Arunika quickly walked away from the torture chamber and she was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Of course he lied, he had absolutely no desire to go to the toilet. He just wanted to get some fresh air while calming his chest tight and throbbing pain.

The sky was not as bright as when he arrived, making Arunika dare to raise her head. He could clearly see the cloudy blue sky that felt close, but was actually very far away. After being satisfied to look at her favorite scenery, Arunika circulated her gaze to the surrounding area. There was no one there but Arunika and one person who was sitting on a wooden chair with his head bowed.

Arunika's gaze restrained on that figure. He slowly turned his head when he felt that the figure was familiar to him. The back and the style of sitting are very similar to people who have been close to him for the last few weeks. With an impulse of foreboding and courage, Arunika slowly stepped closer. When he was one step beside the figure, he slightly bent his body and patted slowly the wide back of the person.

Instantly the so-called one turned the head and the hand that covered his face aside. A pair of light brown netra Arunika and the greenish blue netra of the figure stared at for five seconds, both of them still processing this unexpected encounter.

"Gavin?" call Arunika along with Gavin's movements that attract Arunika to enter in his arms, perhaps more accurately said Gavin who entered Arunika's arms. Inevitably the small body of Arunika—when compared to Gavin— must stagger and sit next to the young man.

Arunika could feel Gavin's irregular breathing, more like trying to control anger than controlling sadness. Arunika chooses to be quiet, letting Gavin hold her tightly, and helping Gavin to ease his emotions by giving her gentle rubs on his back.

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