So In Love
EP. 84. How Long More?

********

That afternoon, Nathan and Shanna were walking around the park next to the hospital. There was no conversation between them. The two just walk side by side with their respective minds that are either looking at where.

Already nearly three months had passed, Shien was still at home in his long sleep. And this is what Shanna often does every afternoon after having a conversation with Shien in the ICU room.

Every day Shanna would surround the hospital. He had memorized the ins and outs. Shanna might be a tour guide at this hospital right now.

“When Shien wakes up?” Shanna asked slowly accompanied by a heavy breath afterwards.

Nathan kept silent as he put both hands in the pocket of his doctor's suit. The same question, which Shanna asked every day, and he could not answer.

“What will you do when Shien wakes up?” Nathan asked back, his gaze dropped for a moment on his feet and Shanna who took a similar step.

“APologize, of course. . .” Shanna replied softly, the sad expression on her face reappeared. “I'm a bad sister, huh?” Then smile wryly.

Nathan rolled his eyes lazily. “Sha, mending you write ‘aku evil sister’ here so everyone can read.” He said as he touched Shanna's forehead using his index finger. Nathan gets tired of hearing that every day. While Shanna only snorted to hear Nathan's words.

“About Shien sorry me, no, yes?” Shanna asked again. His heart was haunted by fear of it.

“Eum. . .” Nathan thought with a bright look, his reddish lips folded inward. “If I were a Shien, I wouldn't apologize for your kayak brother.” His words smiled mischievously, making Shanna immediately pursed her aunt cute. “But Shien was a bit stupid. He thinks more often with his heart than his brain.” Nathan Imbuh. “So surely he will forgive you easily.”

Shanna smiled amusedly. What Nathan said was indeed Shien's. “All of this must also be heavy for you, right, Brother?”

Nathan scrunched his forehead, failing to digest the intent of Shanna's question.

“Shien the person you loved all this time. Conditions like this, must be a heavy blow for you.” Shanna Bright. “Sorry, because I'm all like gini.” Shanna lirih.

Nathan blinked, starting to understand the meaning of the girl who was walking by his side. He then squealed amusedly. How could Shanna think that? During this time he often sent his love code to Shanna. Didn't Shanna catch him in the least? Cih, Shanna instead said something unreasonable.

“Emm. . .” Nathan nodded his head slowly. “Of course this is also a heavy blow for me. Shien, right, I consider myself a little sister. Obviously I am also sad and do not have the heart to see the condition like gini.” The next is full of emphasis.

“What's sister? I know you like her.” Cebik Shanna, make Nathan stop his steps.

“Stupid.” Nathan said as he pulled one corner of his lips. Shanna who had walked a few steps in front of Nathan stopped her steps, then turned around with her eyebrows raised.

“What is that you think?” Nathan asked looked at Shanna with a stern look.

“Am I wrong?” Sahut Shanna's. Nathan snorted, and then the line approached the girl.

“You've never been smart before.” Nathan's lips while tapping Shanna's forehead.

“Body language, speech, expression, you don't understand all that?” Shanna nodded pretending to understand. He had no idea what Nathan meant.

Nathan snorted again, then shook Shanna's head slowly. “ Did I ever say that I like Shien as much as you say like Sky?”

Shanna shook her head innocently in response.

“Did you ever see me walking together with Shien?”

“You are often alone in the cooperation room he.” Sahut Shanna's.

Once again, Nathan gave Shanna a soft nod. “Stupid, you know it's a consultation between Doctor and patient.” Shanna just stiffly heard it.

“But I still remember that you were fighting for Doctor for Shien. You also write it on the tree of hope. If not like, what is the name?” Shanna said.

“So, who every birthday, wishes want a great Doctor who can heal Shien?” Nathan's reply was a little upset.

“That's me.” Shanna replied quickly. Even until his birthday yesterday, his expectations never changed.

“So, actually for whom do I defend being a Doctor, when my dream has been to be a Pilot?” Nathan leaned his face towards Shanna, thus making Shanna take a slight step back.

“Eung. . .” Shanna looked at Nathan doubtfully, then pointed to herself.

“In conclusion, who do I like?” Nathan asked again as he moved closer to Shanna.

Shanna blinked, her forehead wrinkled like she was thinking hard. “So if you don't like Shien, who do you like?”

Nathan was flabbergasted in disbelief. “Udah obviously kayak gini, still do not understand also?” Ask annoyed. Shanna just shook her head.

“By the same fool can't use the codes.” Nathan muttered softly, then walked away from Shanna.

“Oyy, Nathaniel, what are you talking about, I'm not horrified?” Shanna asked half-screaming, then chased after Nathan and again equalized her pace.

“What did you say?” Shanna was still charging for answers after she managed to align herself with Nathan.

The man just put his shoulders and continued to walk towards the fountain pool in the park.

“So, who is that guy?” Shanna asked again as she raised her eyebrows.

“You, you, you. Do you still not understand too? Stupid idiot.” Nathan grumbled, still in his annoyance. He paused his steps for a moment, looking at Shanna who had a puzzled expression. Maybe the girl was surprised.

“Ya?” Shanna gnashing, speechless.

Nathan was silent. Instantly the atmosphere between them became a bit clumsy.

“Ehem.” Nathan berdehem's. “That's a wish fountain pool. People say, if we throw a coin there and say our hope, then the hope will be granted.” He hurriedly shifted his conversation while pointing at the fountain pond which was only a few meters away from where they were standing now.

“You have hope? Want to try?” Added Nathan.

“Ta-but. Last time you said. . ..”

“Let’s try it.” Nathan interrupts Shanna's sentence and hurriedly pulls Shanna's hand to take her to the fountain pool.

Honestly, Nathan is not ready and has no intention of expressing his feelings to Shanna. Nathan is afraid that if he does, his relationship with Shanna will stay away. Because Nathan knows, Shanna's heart isn't for him. But that was already done, and Nathan wasn't ready to accept the rejection. Thus, he quickly distracted Shanna.

“I know, this is just a fabricated myth. But there's no harm in trying it. Just for fun.” Nathan said, handing over the coin to Shanna.

“Life abroad doesn't make your primitive thoughts go away, does it, sister? It used to be a tree of hope, now it's.” Cibir Shanna, but he still received the coin.

“I said it was just for entertainment.” Nathan's voice doesn't accept. Shanna just chipped, then threw the coin and expressed her hope.

“I just want to see Shien live well. I don't have to see it all my life. It's just, let Shien live.” Shanna said, her face turned sad again.

“I want Shanna's wish granted.” Tympano Nathan. The two then looked at each other, then threw an amused smile.

********

“Shien, it's been three months. Aren't you tired of sleeping?” Ask Sky while clasping Shien's hand which looks thin. He never misses meeting and chatting Shien, even though he only talks to himself.

“Ohh, yes. Your new book has been released, you know. Fina said the book sold out and got a medal award that I don't know her name. You really are great. But baby, you didn't attend the launch of the book. Everyone who comes here is hoping to get your signature. I also bought ten books. You wake up, doong, so I can get an exclusive signature from you.” Every day Sky never ran out of stories to tell Shien.

“How long do you want to sleep?” The voice of Heaven suddenly whirled along with his tears that began to pool in the eye pelukan. “You told me we could meet again after I believed in you. Now I believe in you and I realize it's all wrong. But why are you still not awake?” The sky remembered his dream three months ago before Shien had an accident. Perhaps this was also his point when Shien said that he would not go anywhere and remain where Heaven could still see.

Ja. But it's just his body.

“Build, Shi.” The sky desperately tried to hold back her cries, but could not, slowly her tears trickled down, flowing down her tired-looking face. “I beg. Don't punish me like gini constantly.” He kissed Shien's back. Sky also swore that he would never doubt Shien again in his lifetime.

However, it was after all the way Heaven begged Shien to wake up and continue apologizing for all his mistakes. Shien remained unmoved in his long sleep.

I don't know when God will hold him. Sky could only hope if He returned Shien to her as soon as possible.

********

At night, the, The sky was neat in casual style while driving to a western restaurant that Papa had sent out shortly after the middle-aged man called and asked Sky to accompany him to dinner with his colleagues. The sky was actually very lazy, but because Papa threatened with two words ‘anak durhaka’, making Sky could not refuse his request.

Getting out of the car, Sky rushed into the restaurant where Papa and his colleagues were waiting. He was a little late because he had to finish the operation first on his patients.

Open the door from the private room of the reserved restaurant. He finds Papa, a middle-aged woman with a menor appearance, and Terry. The sky was quite shocked and astonished at the presence of the girl there.

Thousands of regrets are felt in his heart. He should have refused Papa's request despite being threatened with the phrase of an ungodly child rather than having to meet with Terry.

Almost every day Terry comes to the hospital to meet and continue to seduce him like a cheap woman. Not only that, Terry kept telling Sky that it was useless to wait for Shien because he had no life expectancy anymore. It obviously made the sky sick of seeing Terry.

And damn. Why should he meet here now?

“Sorry late.” Speak the sky with a forced smile. Just to keep his manners in the presence of a middle-aged woman who might be Papa's colleague.

The middle-aged woman returned her friendly smile and said it was okay. Exploring because Sky is a Doctor who sometimes does not have time to complete his work like people who work in an office.

Papa then introduced the middle-aged woman in front of him is Tera, Director of a contractor company that will work with his company for a housing development project in Bali. He also added that the one sitting next to the woman was Terry, his daughter.

“We're familiar, really, Om. Sky Brother is my upperclassman in High School. We're close too. Yes, right, Brother?” Said Terry snobs familiar. The sky just nodded without interest, and did not intend to return Terry's pleasantries.

“Really?” Aunty Tera's expression pretended to be surprised, as if not knowing.

“It's good. You guys can chat without awkward while we discuss the work. Aye, kan. Sir?” Then turned to look at Papa Wijaya asking for approval. Papa just smiled and nodded slightly.

Afterwards, Papa says to start dinner because everything has gathered.

And most of the dinner trip was filled with Papa and Aunt Tera talking about their cooperation project. Aunty Tera said she was very lucky because her company could work with Papa's company that was worldwide.

The sky was silent and focused on the food despite Terry repeatedly trying to get him to talk. But he refused to answer it. The sky continued to stuff the steak into his mouth to the full in order not to have to serve Terry.

“Ohh, yes. Nak Langit is not interested to join running the same company Mr Wijaya?” The sky blinked, a little surprised when Aunt Tera suddenly asked him. Then in a hurry he swallowed all the meat in the mouth that had not been properly shredded to make his throat a little sore when swallowing it.

“Ehem.” The sky cleared its throat, then took a drink to push the food that seemed to be stuck in his throat. “I'm not interested in business, Tan.” Then answer briefly. Questions like this were tired of hearing every time he met Papa's colleagues. I feel bored to answer it.

According to Sky, all Papa colleagues are very conservative-minded who always require that if the child of a company owner, then must follow in his footsteps as well. Every child has a dream and a path. And it is fortunate that he has parents who are not authoritarian, who always support whatever his decision is as long as it remains on the right path and not off the mark.

“Just like Terry. Aunty told him to take business majors so he could join Aunt to the company, uh his son is not interested.” Said Aunt Tera while glancing at Terry who was sitting next to her. Terry just smiled shyly.

“Not all children want to follow in the footsteps of their parents. I never minded Sky choosing to be a Doctor. After all it is not a bad profession.” Papa Timpal. Aunty Tera laughed gracefully, then allowed Papa's narration.

“But the Sky already have a girlfriend?” Aunt Tera again asked a question.

“Punya, Aunt.” The sky replied firmly, making Terry who heard him growl inwardly, both of his hands clenched violently under the table.

“Wahh, already have, huh? You must be lucky to be your girlfriend. Aunt was curious. Must be his beautiful son.” Said Aunt Tera while putting on a forced smile.

“Shien's girlfriend, Ma.” Terry.

“Shien? Shien's niece Mama?” Tera asked back pretending to be surprised.

“Bu Tera knows Shien?” Ask Papa curious. Although the woman said that Shien was her nephew, Papa just wanted to make sure.

Aunt Tera then excitedly said that Shien was her nephew. Not forgetting the frills by saying Shien was sick from childhood, as if it was a sin.

“But Shien is still lying in a coma now.” Auntie Tera put on a sad face.

“Are you okay waiting for Shien who doesn't know when to wake up, Lang?” Aunty Tera's question suddenly made Heaven and Papa scrunch his forehead.

“Aunty Means, Doctor says that the possibility of Shien to wake up is very small.” Aunt Tera hurriedly fixed her words. “And if Shien wakes up, chances are he won't live a normal life back.” And it seems to be saying that intentionally. The sky grunted full of annoyance.

“Many cases of a person waking up to normal conditions after a severe accident and coma such as Shien.” Sahut Papa who does not like the words of Aunt Tera which will obviously make the child sad to hear it.

“Yes, Mr. Wijaya is right. But the expectations are very small.” Sanggah Aunty Tera's. He quietly gripped the fork in his hand furiously as Papa defended the already dying Shien.

“Whatever small, it remains hope. And no one knows if that little hope can happen. Especially if God has intervened, then nothing can not happen.” Reply Papa wisely.

“Iya, but. . .”

“It looks like Bu Tera does not want his nephew to wake up.” Sindir Papa poked, making Aunt Tera's face stiffen.

“I'm just kidding.” Imbuh Papa accompanied by forced stiffness. Aunt Tera also chuckled awkwardly.

“Pak Wijaya's. Every day I pray for his recovery. So where might I not want that.” Aunty Tera said full of falsehood, then drank water to neutralize his frustration. He thought that the rich class of Mr. Wijaya was very concerned about the background including the condition of someone who became his child's partner like most people. But he did not expect that Mr. Wijaya was a very good and wise person. Cih, what a lucky step-nephew.

“Eung, sorry. I guess I can't come to dinner until it's over.” The sky suddenly. “There was an emergency call from the hospital.” The next reason is a lie. The sky just can't stand being in one room with a Mum and son partner who both like to make Shien look bad.

“Then you have to leave immediately, Lang.” Said Papa while rubbing the shoulder of the Sky for a while, making the Sky immediately nod. Then quickly left the room without saying goodbye or glancing again at Aunt Tera and Terry.

********

“Kak, wait.”

The sky was aghast when someone suddenly pulled his arm as he just opened the car door. Terry's.

The sky snorted violently. The girl followed him.

“You intentionally, right, go first?” Shoot Terry.

“Yes or no, it's none of your business. Dinner tonight has nothing to do with me.” Sahut Langit while stomping violently Terry's hand until separated from his arm.

“Definitely because of Shien again, right?” Terry asked, then screeched cynically. “What good is it, anyway, keep waiting for him? Shien was dying, nothing. And even if he wakes up, he'll be a cripple.”

“Udah done?” Ask the cold sky. His face was flushed red, his gaze sharp full of anger, making Terry who got the look frightened and slightly rewind his body.

The sky smiled demon. “Who dare you say that? You should know this. If only you were the last girl in the world. I won't glance at you one bit let alone choose you.” He then looked at Terry as if he was the most disgusting creature in the world.

“Once again you talk carelessly about Shien and disturb me. You can see the consequences later.” The sky sounded full of threats, then quickly got into his car. Leaving behind Terry who was pecking with anger bubbled up in his heart.

Terry laughed sarcastically. He doesn't believe in being outmatched by a dying man like Shien, whose life may already be on the edge.

********

To be continued. . . .