The Heart of Vania
Eye Bias

I hugged when Litha left after driving me back to school. In the room when Keysha was attending class, my sister repeatedly apologized. He felt guilty for making me have to live an unpleasant school life.

"One more time Brother Litha apologizes, I won't call you" I threatened.

My brother rubbed the corner of his eye, "Sister always prays for you at all times so that you are strong and always protected until graduation. Try your best, never think about the cost, remember your current fortune is entrusted by God through my work."

As much as I could withstand the dam of tears, I was the hardest to part with, accustomed to being together for a month made me dependent on it in every way. Ah, my dear brother .. I also pray for you at all times, someday you will find your true happiness.

...***...

Day after day, months later years. I was like playing a role, outside the room I became someone who was quiet and avoided association with ridiculous appearance, he said, demi Moore's short hair in an old movie called Ghost and always wore a cuff before school uniforms. It was only in my room that I could be myself. This secret was only known to my roommate and she promised not to tell anyone.

Is that how I'm safe? Hohohoho ..of course not, Serena did not let me go, I still like being targeted when the bully girl is a prank, but there is nothing I can do. I changed the direction of my mind not to focus on Serena's treatment, even though I cried silently at night to avoid being heard by sleeping creatures. I don't want to have more pity on Keysha.

Clear my pain and pills by learning, anything until drowsiness strikes. Likewise in Dojang, I vent the emotion of anger by letting out loud screams during training. My kick and punch technique honed Sabeum Dre even more so that I could pass the fastest level ascension exam among my other friends.

I spent my saturation in the school library by reading all the books there without sorting any more, from literature readings to scientific journals, from what I understood to what I did not understand, the important thing is that I don't get involved in teenage socialite and avoid Serena Cs. Everything should go like this until graduation day arrives, I don't want Brother Litha to be called the Headmaster anymore.

What I did was fruitful, in the second year I was able to win the class even compete with the next class to win the general champion of my class. Slowly the teachers began to glance, The Headmaster also lowered his forced smile as I was proposed by Bu Burne and the other teachers to take part in various competitions and olympics representing the school at the City level.

I was so happy to see Brother Litha's big smile hear my academic development in school, moreover there was a proud twinkle in Mom's eyes. This makes Serena Cs pressure on me mean nothing.

"Nia, your father must be proud to see his youngest daughter now a champion" Mother said as we gathered in the living room of Aunt Rima's house.

Currently on the third grade, Litha also came home. His performance was better than the one I met yesterday-yesterday and much more interesting than the time he took me to the Capital. She said she no longer works part-time at fried chicken restaurants. My brother already got a job at the conglomerate house where Uncle Tino works as the Big Lady's special maid. His salary is quite large and many times that of the previous job can now help the family economy, the treatment of Mother and Sister Tisha as well as the cost of my school.

"She worked hard for it, Mom. Oh yes, if you think about what a smart school is if the salary of a special maid of a Big Lady in a conglomerate family is greater than the job that requires a bachelor's degree," I said as I chewed on my favorite snack chips.

"Don't get Nia wrong, your uncle said the Big Madam didn't just pick people to be near her side. In addition to salary, your brother was also given special facilities equivalent to a butler who has served decades there," said Aunt Rima who just emerged from her room.

"Don't overdo it, Bi. My main task there is actually just to accompany, entertain and become a chat for the Big Lady," said Kak Litha while massaging Mother's shoulders.

"Looks like that Big Mistress really likes you, Tha. How do you interact with him until he's comfortable?" ask the mother who is in a wheelchair.

"That's it, even though the way I interacted with the Big Lady was ordinary, the same as me treating Mom because she was old. Sometimes I joke, just like I joke with Mom, Dad, Aunt and Uncle."

I saw Mother gently stroking Kak Litha's hand while smiling, "You've taken her heart, Tha."

"Keep if Litha can get permission to go home, why can't Uncle Tino?"

"Engg .. If that's the case I don't know why either."

"While he said he was both a servant, Litha was different from your uncle and could not be compared. He's got previllage as the maidservant of the Big Lady. Just get permission from him, then no one can ban. The Great Mistress's word was the highest order in the house," Aunt Rima said glancing at my brother.

"Hehehehe ... Aunt Rima is like you know." Brother Litha refuted again but sounded awkward.

"You've been liked by the Big Lady and like the ones on TV soap operas, you'll be betrothed to one of her family. If so, who can refuse it. You ready, Litha?"

"Five!"

Mother pressed the voice with a serious face, this was a bad sign. The owner of the name that was called immediately fell silent. My aunt is fierce and chatty, but she doesn't dare with Mom at all. If Mother has said something Aunt Rima will obey without denying the slightest, even though Mother is a calm, kind and smiling figure. Sometimes I wonder why it's not Mom who's afraid of him? Is it because of sister-in-law status? This way I always hold back my laughter seeing Aunt's obedient face on my mother.

"Nia, let's help Auntie make tea for us to drink!" invite Aunt Rima to shift the atmosphere and topic of conversation.

"Who else? Litha is massaging your mother. Come on!"

"Haissshhh ..." - I stepped into the kitchen following Aunt Rima's steps.

Suddenly I stopped my steps, then looked for a position to hear the conversation between Mother and Brother Litha without them knowing.

"So Aunt was just joking, why did you take it so seriously?" asked Kak Litha still spying on Mom's shoulders.

Mother was silent, her eyes looking straight ahead with a sad look.

"You're a good boy, Litha. I am so grateful God gave you a daughter as good as you. I just feel guilty for you, it should be you who fought for your happiness but the opposite happened, not only to look after and care for Mom but also your two sisters."

"Mother, don't say that. If I am a good child, it is because I was born and grew from a great father and mother. Mom and Dad gave me good advice and my two sisters. You also shouldn't feel guilty because I did it with pleasure. I'm glad that Mom and Sister Tisha are well and that Nia is going to school well. We're gonna get through this, ma'am. Just look at Mom's youngest daughter, she's getting smarter and more mature, right? Soon the recovery of Mother and Sister Tisha must have followed. Our family's economic plans will also improve."

Hearing Kak Litha's words, Mother lowered her head and cried as she pleased, my eyes also began to tear up.

Seeing Mother bowed and crying, Brother Litha turned to Mom's front and crouched down to Mom's knees, "Cock, Mom crying? Did I say it wrong?"

Mom shook her head slowly, "No– None. I only hope that God will repay your good and filial piety, Litha– will repay you with true happiness until you feel your life is blessed."

Brother Litha immediately hugged Mom, I saw her close her eyes trying hard not to cry in front of Mom.

"Son Litha will be happy one day, Mother. I promise in the future I will take care of Litha, Mother and Tisha" I said in my heart.

I almost shed tears if I don't feel like I'm being dragged away by Aunt Rima.

"You are yes! Habits from the past loved to know people's business."

"Haissshhh Aunt ... Sakit!" pekikku.

"Who told you to eavesdrop, ha!" hiss Aunt Rima fiercely pulled my cheek towards the kitchen, away from Mother and Sister Litha.

"I was just curious, Bi." I said as well as releasing Aunt's hand from my right ear, "Why did Mom emphasize her voice calling Aunt's name? Then there was a lasciviousness in Mom's eyes and why did Mom suddenly feel guilty towards Litha? Though, it has long been Litha Kak doing his role as the backbone of the family? I mean, I'm sad, Mom, the guilt just now was so deep, Bi, it's like something's going to happen."

"Whisper! Not everything we need to know. Too much knowledge will make life unsettled. You know just enough according to your portion," said Bibi thrust a jar of sugar at me, hinting to give sugar to the tea that had just been made.

"But with us knowing, we can take a stand for the future," I said not to lose.

"Yes, you're right. But sometimes there are things that we should know naturally, not be forced by stealing someone else's talk. Understand that! And don't you rephrase your bad habit of it– or else I'll let your mother know that this cute princess still likes eavesdropping."

My God, Aunt Rima threatened me to complain to Mom, "Don't, Bi! Don't– I'd rather be scolded by Auntie than scolded by Mom, her eyes that make me cringe."

"Well! Whaaat! Huahahaha ... Are you afraid of your mother's gaze? Don't you realize that Big Brother-in-law's pretty eyes are down in Litha and you" my aunt sneered.

I pursed my irritated lips, "Did Aunt not realize that Aunt was as afraid as I was when she saw Mom's eyes when she got angry again?"

But it is undeniable to my eyes and Brother Litha belongs to my mother. Mother's eye bias is a bias that cannot be denied her anger, sadness, or happiness. So, other than Mother whom I avoided angering in this world, Brother Litha is among the people I avoid the most as well if she is angry.

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