So In Love
EP. 59. Hope Tree

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“Let's make hope here! Later, if if we are already big, we come here again and read together.” Said the boy with a lush figure and glasses typical Nobita with spirit.

Shanna shook for a moment, then looked at the boy who was three years older than her with a confused look. “Hope?”

“Em.” The boy named Nathaniel nodded steadily. He then took out two origami papers that had been cut into leaves and two markers.

Shanna welcomes a piece of paper and a marker that Nathan gives her.

“Keep, was that big when?” Shanna asked plainly.

Nathan looked up and thought. “Eung. . , when?” The boy in a puffed-up body was seen tapping his finger on his chin. “Ten years away? Ten more years, August 17 we are here again together.” Said later. Shanna just nodded in understanding.

“Keep, if we don't see you again how?” Ask Shanna again.

“Got going!” Nathan's fast. “We will always be together. I'm the same you'll never be apart.” Steady adding.

Shanna looked doubtfully at Nathan for a moment, then nodded her head vigorously.

“Let's write our wishes, keep us sticky on hope tree.” Nathan said again, then looked at the towering walls there are paintings of very large trees that are used as a means for children to carve their ideals or hopes.

Nathan and Shanna then begin to write down each other's wishes on the origami paper.

“Well, done!” Nathan exclaimed shortly after he stuck to the paper with his hope of using glue.

Shanna looked up, curious about what Nathan had written. The smile that had originally adorned her beautiful face slowly subsided as she read the writing with Nathan's upright lettering.

“I want to be a Doctor, so I can heal Shien.”

“Sha, are you done yet? Here I help paste.” Tanya and bargain Nathan while turning towards the little girl with two braided hair who was standing next to him.

Shanna blinked in surprise, then reviewed the forced thin smile. “But.”

Then Shanna crouched back to rewrite her hopes with a long chair that was not far from where she stood.

For a moment Shanna looked at the writing of the chicken claw she had written earlier, then smiled sadly.

“I want Brother Niel to be my Prince in the future.”

Shanna flipped over the origami paper and began to rewrite her hopes.

After that, he snatched the paper glue from Nathan's hand and then stuck his origami in an empty place.

********

“I want to grow beautiful like Princess.”

Shanna smiled amusedly as she read the writing of her faded chicken claw eaten by age. He did not expect, it turns out his writing is still stuck there and did not expect also he could find it among thousands of papers of hope that every day is increasing.

Earlier, after he saw the Sky driving Shien who had just returned from the hospital to his home, Shanna immediately rushed out of the house without caring for Papa and Mama's questions.

Recalling every treatment Sky had always been so considerate of him, made Shanna feel even deeper pain. Especially when his memories fell on the day he saw Sky and Shien kissing hot. Shanna did not expect that their relationship turned out to be that far. Makes Shanna think more wildly about them. Could they have slept together?

Shanna suddenly felt nauseous thinking about that.

And then, he finally reached this place. The back yard of the school, where he had his primary education, the backyard of the school where he and Nathaniel promised to meet again here seventeen years ago.

I don't know what force attracted Shanna to come there. The last time he came to his backyard was when he was eighteen. From then on, he never came there again to wait for the ten-year promise he had made with the stocky boy.

The boy lied.

Nathaniel. The boy went to Holland without saying goodbye one week after they promised to be together. He just left after they made hope. And now, it had been more than ten years since the treaty was made, Nathaniel had never appeared. And maybe. . , will never come again.

The look on his face turned gloomy when he found the writing of his little friend. He looked at her expressionlessly.

“Shien. . .” Shanna smiled wryly as she touched Nathan's faded origami. “Always for Shien.” Then he sighed, holding back furiously. Shien always took everything he had, including Nathan.

Shanna liked Nathan when she was in Primary School. Whatever Nathan does always amazes him, including the way the child eats that can ordain food in portions that are not small. To Shanna, that's funny.

Nathaniel. Nathan the fat but handsome, the wayward but kind, troublemaker but always protective, and the lazy but intelligent. Shanna once told Nathan that she only wanted to marry him.

But, it's just a monkey's love. Ahh no. Maybe just silly kids. Shanna had already forgotten that, also forgetting Nathan, that puffer boy had already come out of her life. But, the fact that Nathan wants to be something to Shien, Shanna can't forget it, and she hates it.

Shanna snorted loudly. Whether past or present, it was always Shien who got everything. Wh why? Why are they born twins? Why did Shien have to exist in this world? Why should he and Shien like something the same? And why would only Shien be able to obtain it?

Before deciding to leave because it was getting late, Shanna looked back at the tree of hope painted on the wall. He said, when we write and put our hopes or desires there, then our hopes will be fulfilled. Ck, actually it is a myth that is deliberately made up, the tree of hope is actually one of the media counseling teachers BK to understand the expectations of each student and build a spirit of learning.

But, Shanna wanted to get rid of her realistic thoughts today. If indeed this tree of hope can grant wishes. What would be wrong if he tried again?

“If I may, I only want one of my wishes hare. . .”

“Hai. . .” Shanna had not yet finished her sentence, a handsome man with a typical Korean flower face was standing next to her.

“Doctor Nathan. . .” Shanna muttered, looking at Nathan with a confused look.

The man smiled warmly, his gaze soft to the point of being able to calm anyone he stared at. “Sorry, yes, can only come now. Your wish is granted, Shanna grows up to be a beautiful girl. Congratulations yes. . .”

Shanna gasped at the figure next to her. The D&G bag he was carrying was immediately released. He blinked, his blood rushing through his head, trying to make sense of the situation.

Did ya? Is it true that Nathan's doctor who had been Shien's doctor was the bear his little best friend first?

If it's true that he's Niel, but why hasn't he come to see her in the past?

“Sorry, I came late, Shanna.” Nathan said lightly. “Sorry too, I left without saying goodbye.”

Shanna was still unmoved, waiting for the next sentence the man would say. Moreover, his entire body was indeed suddenly paralyzed from shock.

The corner of Shanna's lips was attracted to form a wry smile. Shanna was eager to tell him that the day had already passed, almost over seven years. But his tongue was so faint that even opening his mouth was impossible.

Nathan paused to take a breath, and turned his gaze to the tree of hope before him. “And even though I've been here two years, I didn't find you right away. I forgot your home address.”

“Until the day I meet Shien again. It also brought me to meet you.” Uhh, Shanna's head suddenly hurt to hear Shien's name called. And Shanna was convinced, Nathan returned only to Shien, as she had hoped. He wanted to be a Doctor to cure the girl.

“And it also does not make me dare to tell the truth about you or Shien. Because I thought, you've also forgotten me, just like Shien who doesn't know me. In fact, I often give instructions.” The man smelled a thin smile.

“And in hindsight, I might have regretted not telling you the truth.” Nathan again dropped his gaze on Shanna who was still fixated.

“Shanna. . .” The man spoke softly, then grabbed both of Shanna's hands to hold her. “Maybe you forgot your little friend who likes to eat, salty, pretentious, wayward, troublemaker, and. . .”

“And often truant if again sports lessons.” Shanna replied in her heart, but what she said was something else.

“You think I'll want you to continue for seventeen years?” Sambar Shanna was impatient. “Ck, like you pantes remembered aja.” Then jerk Nathan's hand rough. His words clearly made Nathan gasp.

“And you must remember, if that day has passed.” Shanna's voice is full of emphasis.

Shanna then looked at the man ashen before then bending his body to take his bag.

“You know, you shouldn't have to come back here.” Shanna said later, making Nathan's face turn sad.

“Ahh, yes. I forget. You, right, coming back here must be for Shien.” He added cynically before turning around and leaving Nathan still unmoved in his position.

Nathan let out a weak breath as Shanna's back slowly disappeared from his sight.

In fact, Shanna was the only reason Nathan returned to Indonesia. But, even that reason did not foresee his arrival.

Nathan always misses the little girl with two braids who has now grown up according to his fantasies.

Shannas. The only girl Nathan wants to smile at. He even willingly took the Medical School and put aside his dream of becoming a Pilot.

Nathan remembers very well. Shanna would grieve when she saw her sister, Shien, lying weakly in the hospital. And Nathan remembers very well, the hope for every birthday is that there is a great doctor who can cure Shien.

********

There are many secrets in this world that are unknown to man. Shien did not expect that he would meet again with Niel, his little friend whom he had even removed from his head.

Shien never expected, so many events in his life that happened by chance. Apparently, the name of the miracle in the world really exists.

Lately, his life has been going too well. Make up with his parents, find his love, and also rediscover a friend who is already like a brother to him. Isn't this a blessing too much? Because of the excess, maybe even ghosts can be envious.

This was too incredible for Shien, to make his receding spirit come back.

“You thought what the fuck, anyway, Shi. How about that smile?” Fina's voice buzzing in her ears, suddenly disperse Shien's daydream.

Fina felt strange. After seeing Shien for the first time laugh out loud some time ago, this time he saw Shien smiling to himself, despite the sheer smile displayed. But, that was not the usual thing that this ice statue sitting next to him did.

Instantly Fina shakes herself. Could there be a ghost possessing Shien's body or the apocalypse is imminent? Hope, that's not the second. Fina still has many sins, but does not know when to repent.

Such are the human beings, they know that their lives are mortal. But, they had always lived as if they were going to live eternally in this world.

“What is definitely not thinking of you.” Shien replied accordingly, making Fina snort miserably without shifting her focus from the vehicle-packed night streets. Because if you let your guard down a little, it is certain that the horn sound from the vehicle behind will attack him.

“Iya knows. If smiles like that, surely fill your head Sky all.” Fina Cibir. The tomboyish girl then honked her horn aloud, as if yelling at the rider in front of her to speed up immediately.

“Sok know.” Shien jutek leaned his head against the back of the car seat, and closed his eyes. Hoping to open her eyes, she and Fina had reached the front of the hotel, where her relatives were having their wedding reception tonight. Ahh, Shien hopes they won't be late for getting stuck in traffic.

Fina exhaled a bitter breath. Although already accustomed to Shien's cold and jutek attitude, still facing the girl always makes her emotions up and down.

“Oh, yes, Shi. . . .” But, even talking to Shien is annoying. Fina prefers silence, her mouth is always itching to snarl.

“Hmm.” Sahut Shien ogah-ogahan, without opening his eyes.

“Why don't you invite Sky to come to Tania reception?” Tanya Fina started kepo.

“I appreciate the feeling of being single like you.” Next to Fina's hand clenched, then raised a fist in the air, right above Shien's head. His mouth ragged out a thousand swears for Shien. What a heartless answer.

The atmosphere of silence then enveloped the narrow space in the car. Fina was confused, what topic of conversation should be discussed this time? Because, from earlier every topic that he discussed immediately ended up just like that. This was because Shien was very unflattering to talk to.

Fina was astonished, how did Heaven communicate with this life-giving ice sculpture?

“Shi. . .” Fearless, Fina again called out Shien's name.

“Hmm.” This time Shien greeted him with a slight growl. Maybe the girl was getting upset because Fina was so chatty.

“Is your sister okay?”

Shien opened his eyes upon hearing Fina's question on this one. Fina is really like the host of Rumpi.

“I mean, Shanna, right, same likes Sky. . .”

“Street.” Sambar Shien was cold, his gaze straight towards the streets that were starting to stretch.

Fina immediately huffed. From his tone of speech, Shien did not seem to want to answer him. Maybe it's too privacy. Shien was not the one who would reveal what had happened in his life just like that.

Shien breathed a furious breath, his feelings suddenly perverted when recalling that.

Ever since Shanna learned of her relationship with Sky, especially after what happened in the garden back then, her relationship with Shanna had become even worse. They never talk to each other again. Shanna even seemed reluctant even just to look at Shien.

No pranks, no rants that make his ears hot, no one ruffles his room anymore. What was now was the look of hatred that Shanna had on her.

********

To be continued. . . .