Ryanthi: Sweet Cake, Bitter Reality
●SEVENTEEN : Tarnished Memories

Surya tries to string together the word that will be conveyed to Ryanthi. Actually, he felt confused where to start.

"Nearly two years of marriage we had. But your mother was not pregnant. He felt very lonely at home alone. Not here. We rented a house before we moved here.

"At that time, Dad was starting a business. A very time-consuming activity. There is no definite work schedule. Sometimes, weekends have to work."

"How happy was your mother when she first came here. He checked all the rooms here. Meanwhile, Dad's busyness is increasing. Finally, your mother feels overwhelmed. He started seeing his old friends. Every father goes, so does he. Not infrequently, I'm home early."

"For Dad, it doesn't matter as long as it keeps your mom entertained. It lasted for months. One day, your mother told me she was pregnant. That was the most incredible news for Dad. Especially after you were born. However, unexpectedly your mother said something I never expected."

"What?"

"He asked for a DNA test, because he wasn't sure about the baby's father."

Instantly, Ryanthi was glued. It was really surprising to him.

Farida is a woman who becomes a role model, srkaligus symbol of the strength that makes her able to stand upright.

"No way! My mother couldn't be such a woman!" ryanthi's argument is firm. "Dad wants to cover up all the blame by scapegoating mom? My mother is gone! How could you possibly be able to denounce him like that!"

"The reality is so. Your mother who had an affair first," said Surya.

"Then, did you reply? Dad brought Maya and her daughter here."

"It must be admitted that it is the beginning of this bad state. What Farida's done has torn Dad's self-esteem as a man." Surya scooped up the roughness of his face.

Ryanthi did not take her eyes off Surya. "What kind of parents are you?"

"Dad realized that mistake. You shouldn't have to retaliate against Farida. I just followed what your mother did by bringing Maya here, which is to be honest. However, it turned out that he could not accept and preferred to leave," explained Surya.

"Dad prefers Maya over mom! That's incredible!" ryanthi ketus.

"Dad prevented it. Especially, because he's gonna take you. Dad even swore he wouldn't acknowledge her as a wife, if he dared to leave this house. At that time, you were a child. I don't think Farida will be able to survive out there. However, Dad was wrong. Your mother was a very tough woman."

Ryanthi wiped away the clear hairs that started to pool in her eyes. "Dad never looked for us at all" he regretted.

"Dad's looking for you! I keep looking for you! According to the sources I received, you guys are always moving places. Farida doesn't want to be found" Surya said.

Ryanthi sat down. So too with Surya. Silence engulfed the two of them, until the sound of the clock clank three times. Without feeling it, they had a long conversation.

"I'm sorry Mom and Dad, son. We do not deserve you to be a role model. But everything has happened. I promised you I'd fix everything. Like Farida who has made amends by taking care of you, allow me to do the same. Let Father make amends and replace the lost eighteen years" he asked, clutching Ryanthi's fingers tightly.

Ryanthi did not answer. His head felt so dizzy with the winding story of life. What other reality did he have to face right now. All the good memories of the mother must be tainted, by the disgusting story Surya told.

Ryanthi kept thinking. Is his mistake, so he must be dragged into a personal conflict from both parents.

......................

Ryanthi woke up with a listless body. He looked at the digital clock on the table next to the bed. At that time, the time had already shown at seventy-thirty.

Ryanthi's head felt a little dizzy. He had only slept at four in the morning, after a long conversation with Surya. Ryanthi sat pensively for a while on the edge of the bed, thinking about what the father had told her last night.

After a while, Ryanthi went to the bathroom. He lit a warm water faucet, which instantly soaked the entire body. Ryanthi closed her eyes, She thought back to Surya about her mother.

Every now and then, Ryanthi rubbed her face. It was horrible when he started imagining his mother having fun with a man who was not his father. Then, imagine when the father did the same thing. "What kind of life is this?" the weakness in the heart.

For a while, Ryanthi was under a shower that flowed. After cleaning up, he just came out. Ryanthi dries her hair with a towel in front of the mirror while watching herself.

However, this time Ryanthi wants to grow her hair like Vera. Admittedly or not, but the girl did look very attractive.

Ryanthi suddenly remembers her lover, Arshan. It had been a few days since the last time the man had come to visit her.

It's a Saturday. Arshan should be off work.

Ryanthi saw a digital clock. The numbers there show ten o'clock. That morning, he again did not eat breakfast at the dinner table.

After getting dressed, Ryanthi just decided to leave the room. Irritatingly. Just closing the door, she meets Vera instead. The girl continued to watch Ryanthi, as if investigating her.

There was a cynical smile on Vera's face. Ryanthi knew that the girl was laughing at her shabby appearance, despite having just finished her bath. Farida's right, Ryanthi has to buy a new suit.

Vera stands with her style like a model. The girl's right hand was at the waist, with her legs slightly open so that the mini skirt she was wearing was getting up. From Vera's neat appearance, it seemed like the girl was about to leave.

"Where are you going?" ask Ryanthi. Although not very fond of the girl, but he should consider her as a brother.

"I'm not you, who always spend time every day just pensively thinking. My life is not as monotonous as your life. Today I have a date" replied Vera. He smiles to himself. "May my day not be unlucky for meeting you this morning" he chirped before passing by waving his long hair.

After Vera's death, Ryanthi goes to the kitchen. His stomach was starting to feel hungry. No breakfast, no lunch. However, Ryanthi devoured the food that was before him.

"Yesterday, I rebuked the Mbok," said Mbok Mur began to open a conversation.

"I knew. Father said it, " Ryanthi said as she chewed on food. "I don't like to eat there, Mbok. Not yet made up," continued Ryanthi while ending his bad breakfast. Ryanthi got up, then placed the empty plate in the dishwasher. After that, he washed his hands.

Sayup-sayup, heard the voice of the father berliaca with someone, which is none other than Maya. The woman wanted Surya to accompany her away, but Surya refused. Maya became very upset.

"Ka.u used to go anywhere alone. Why do I suddenly want to be with you?" Surya spoke rather firmly, as Maya continued to whine like a child asking for pocket money.

"A long time ago we didn't go alone" said the woman, spoiled.

"All right!" Surya shook his hand. "Today I have an event. So, next time," said Surya while leaving Maya who looked sullen.

What's wrong with that woman? He is no longer young. However, d he behaved like a child. Vera even looks much more mature than him in her attitude. Ryanthi shook her head while peering over the kitchen barrier.

"Mother is like that" whispered Mbok Mur.

"Oh" said Ryanthi briefly. He did not have time to respond anymore, because Surya came over.

"Good morning. I was looking for you in the room. It turns out that you are here," Surya greeted with a different tone of speech.

"I just finished eating. Today, I woke up bad luck," said Ryanthi clumsily.

"Thank God you ate. The plan is, I want to take you out today. Hows it? You want?" The middle-aged man stared softly at Ryanthi who was only dumbstruck.

"out?" repeat the girl. "Where?" ryanthi asked while scratching her forehead.

"Whatever. We can go for a walk, shop, eat, watch, or whatever you want," replied Surya accompanied by a calm smile typical of him.

Ryanthi did not immediately respond. He thought first of the offer from his father. A moment later, the beautiful girl glanced at Mbok Mur, as if asking for an opinion from him.

Mbok Mur gestured, for Ryanthi to accept the invitation.

"alright. I'm coming along," Ryanthi breaks up while smiling gently at Surya.