The Eternal Fragments of Moonlight
Chapter 29: Laras's Reason (Part II)

About half the journey I have been on. Currently I am already in the bridge of the Kalawar River, the largest river in Pulai Lembari which if I want to go to the house of Mira from Nitehake Temple, indeed I have to use this bridge. Mira had been asleep on my back for a long time and during the journey I always held her hand that was coiled around my stomach so that she would not fall.

After reaching the middle of the bridge, I pulled over and raised my matic on the sidewalk that was there. I propped up Mira in such a way that she could stay asleep without having to get off the bike and as I held onto her, I looked at her face that was now drooping in my chest. Well if it is like this, then the people who pass behind us will only think of us as a responsible teenage couple who are making out on the bridge while enjoying the night view of the Kalawar River.

"Mir" I said, stroking a pinch of her hair and wrapping it behind my ear. "Lo trusts people too easily. That's not good, Mir. Fortunately until now you have never met anyone who intends to be evil lo."

Honestly, when I looked at him who was asleep in my chest at that time, it was quite a temptation to go through. Her shiny little lips were very tempting to just miss. Her drooping body helplessly even if I did something to her, really made my heart beat violently.

But I guess I may have grown up by then. After four times of time travel, I should have been 20 years old by then. I'm not a teenager anymore. So there, I also became aware of the difference between desire and affection. There, I understood the true meaning of loving someone.

"Good! I'm proud of you, Aji. Hihi." Miss Mustika cut my story when I got here. He bounced back on my head like before.

"Yes, so it's clear now? My love is pure, not pure because of lust."

"Tsk, who really?" Ronny. "People were just in class you already want to nyipok Mira that's it, pure love your ass!"

 "Njir, that's just my joke! Anyway if for example I nyium him, at least just translucent so. So yeah it's just maen-maen doang, Ron."

"Sst already, it's over!" Said Bu Mustika who looked enthusiastic looking at me. "Aji, continue the story!"

"Okay, I'll go on..."

After I thought it was enough to look at Mira, I finally began to carry out my next plan. Yeah, of course I stopped at the bridge when it wasn't just looking at Mira's face, was it?

While still supporting Mira's body, I lifted her bag up on my lap, then reached into the small pocket in front of her. I already know that Mira always keeps her phone there. Then after I pulled Mira's phone out of her bag, I set it to be in silent mode. Then put it back in Mira's pants pocket.

What the hell am I doing that for? I'll explain later.

After I thought everything was in order, I went back on my way. Tracing the streets at night Wiwitan Day which has been the umpteenth time I was there.

When I got to Mira's house, I carried her on my back and walked up to the front door to press the bell that was there. It was Mira's mother who opened the door for us. With a surprised face, he asked what had happened to his daughter. I also said that Mira was exhausted after a full day of parade activities.

His mother then gave me directions to go to Mira's room located on the second floor of the house. Honestly, while carrying Mira at that time, I felt heavy. Not in the sense of weight, but because of the pair of "to-nudges" I feel on my back every time I step, of course I feel heavy because of guilt. Until finally when I laid Mira on her bed, then the burden of my feelings was lifted.

Before saying goodbye, I took the time to talk to his mother for a while. He thanked me for bringing Mira home and said that we should —meaning that I and other Mira friends— often play at home. Because in their big house there are only three people who fill, Mira and her mother plus a household assistant.

I assented while saying goodbye to the front door. Even though I know for sure if I can't grant her request.

After returning to Nitehake Temple I parked my matic in the parking lot I used before. In the southern parking lot. As I packed up to leave the place, I saw Dian, who was still where she was before I left. He is currently joined by Alan and Ronny. I pretended not to realize it and immediately slid away.

“Hey, Aji wait.” Dian exclaims. “Aji, wait! You have anterin Mira up to her house?”

I didn't touch him and kept going. I was too tired to hear their whining at the time. Because what I can think of there is a deadline for Mira's destiny to come closer.

I kept walking quickly with a straight look ahead. But a few moments later, I heard a small running sound coming at me and I felt someone patting me on the back.

“Ji, Where are you going?”

Suddenly I twisted my body with all my might so that my arm elbowed someone who was patting my shoulder hard.

“Lo still can't believe it? I know where Mira's house is and I've been anter him to his house!” My atonement. “Now you want anything else, huh?”

The people who were passing by around us became distracted by the commotion I made. I saw Ronny's face that was patting my shoulder became wrinkled in wonder. Alan and Dian, who were behind him, had the same reaction.

“Ki, we just want to take a walk for fireworks.” Said Ronny. "But if you don't want to ya."

I looked at the faces of Ronny and Dian who were there, and then I was drawn into my memory of the time together we spent as five friends before we became twelfth grade. Where we always do things together. We always show concern for each other.

Realizing that they stayed there just to get me together to watch the fireworks show, shows how much they still remained the same. They still consider me a friend. While me? I guess I'm not the old me anymore. The journey of time that I have been blistering has shown so much pain, anger, and despair. I have no trust in anyone anymore. I've been. ruined.

“Sorry, Ron. I have important business.” I allowed my jacket to droop due to the beat I made, then just like that I went back on my way.

I took a glance at Alan who was there who seemed to be the same as him. Hasn't changed. He still didn't really look at me when we were together. I don't really care. It's just, imagining that all this time I fought so hard to save someone who was ultimately destined to be with him, made me feel gambled.

Even if later Mira can be saved, is not he the one who benefits the most?