The Love Story of Arka
CHAPTER 22

In the car, Tia was crying incessantly. The tears flowing are endless. Tia looked at the window beside her. He drew the shape of a heart with his index finger on the glass of a car that was dewy because it was raining. It was as if the sky was crying over their separation.

“Thank you sir,” Tia told Arka's driver after dropping it off right in front of his boarding.

“Iya, Ma'am,” reply Arka driver then drove his car away to break the swift rain that soaked the streets.

Tia stepped her feet into her costs with uninspired footsteps. He let his body get wet with rainwater.  His only source of encouragement has now gone a long way. He opened the door of his room pensively without seeing the keyhole.

After the door opened, he saw his bed and flashed a shadow of Arka lying there smiling at him. Tia's sobs began to sound again. He sat on the floor on the edge of his bed and put his head on the mattress while folding his arms. He was crying alone. Now his life feels empty and empty.

“Arka .. “ muttered Tia in a soft voice and clutched the shirt on her chest. His heart is very sick.

He took his phone out of his bag and called Salsa.

“Sa .. hiks,” Tia said when Salsa had received her phone.

“You why Tia?” salsa asked in panic when she heard Tia's sobs.

“Arka go Sa .. “ replied Tia in a soft voice.

“go where?” ask Salsa.

“America,” Reply Tia briefly.

“WHAT? AMERICA?” salsa was surprised. He thought Arka was going to study at the same campus as Tia. He knows how much love they both have.

“Hmmm” murmured Tia.

“you're serious?” salsa asked again in disbelief. Salsa just doesn't believe it, let alone Tia.

“Iya Sa... “ reply Tia then her crying broke again.

“Tia ... cup-cup, don't cry anymore. I want to go to your place, but it's night now,” Salsa said sadly. He knew Tia was devastated right now and needed a friend.

“No need Sa. I'm fine,” Tia replied with a forced smile.

“Yakin?” salsa asked doubtfully.

“Iya. I want to take a shower first yes, I'm tired,” said Tia. Salsa agreed.

After disconnecting her phone, Tia exhaled roughly through her nose. At least now his feelings are a little calmer after confiding with his best friend.

Tia went into the bathroom to wash away the sweat that was stuck to her body as well as the rainwater marks that soaked her body. After bathing and changing into a nightgown, he laid his body on the bed while hugging the bolster. Then he sang in a very loud voice.

Sing a song

Even if you are not mine

But my heart is still for you

Millions of choices by my side

Can't replace you

Even though the storm hit

My love will not be let go

Give a chance

To prove

I can be the best

I'll obey

Although we have to wait a long time

I will be faithful waiting for you

I know you're just for me

Let my time

End of this waiting

Until you believe how big

My love for you

I'm still waiting

Tears poured down her cheeks and fell on her pillow. After that he closed his eyes and finally fell asleep from exhaustion.

***

The next morning, Tia opened her eyes and immediately looked for her phone. He hopes Arka will send a good morning message as usual. He smiled when he saw the sign on his phone. However, the smile suddenly faded as he opened the message not from Arka but Salsa.

Salsa: Tia, are you okay now?

Tia: Yes, I am fine Sa ….

Although it was not a message from Arka, Tia was still grateful to still have a friend who cared for her. Then he got up and took a shower to get ready for work. Whatever happens now, he must keep the spirit of working to connect his living costs. He has no one in this world, if he does not work, to whom will he ask?

***

America

The American and Indonesian time difference is eleven hours. So when in Indonesia at five in the morning, in America at six in the afternoon. Now Arka is already in the apartment prepared by Mr. Hendro before. All the needs of Arka while in America have been prepared by Mr. Hendro for a long time.

Arka stood on the balcony of her apartment with her arms resting on the fence while staring at the mega in the sky. She still had the face of Tia who was crying as she left. He was so unbearable, but he had to do it. He wanted to contact Tia, but the operator did not apply in America.

“Arka, let's eat first,” call Bu Widya who just came home to buy food with Mr. Hendro. They were going to eat out, but Arka refused.

Arka went in and sat at the dinner table with her parents. His face looks sad. He eats lazily. Whatever the state of his heart was, he had to keep eating. He must be strong to live his life at this time and must not be sick. He did not want his college to be delayed just because of an illness that could result in the longer he stayed in America.

After eating he went into his room and sat down at the study table. He opened his cell phone gallery and looked at the photos of Tia he took as they went for a walk together. In the photos Tia always shows her smile and happy laughter. Arka smiled as she stroked Tia's face on her phone screen.

Not long after that he folded his arms on the table and hid his face there. His shoulders shook and he cried out the sadness he felt.

He felt sad because he could not keep the orphan girl who is now his lover at his side. He imagined Tia who lived a kara without her family or herself at his side. What if there's nothing with him? Who's gonna take care of him?

***

Indonesia

At work Tia washes dishes by daydreaming. His work became late and unfinished.

“Tia fast! More and more customers are coming,” reprimand employees who part wipe the plate. Tia was surprised and turned to the source of the voice.

“I-iya sorry,” said Tia while smiling forcefully. He also sped up his work to be finished soon. Febri who was peeling vegetables immediately approached and helped him.

“Thank you,” said Tia while smiling. Febri returned his smile.

When it was lunchtime, Farel called Tia to face him. These two days he saw Tia not focusing on work and his eyes were always sad and swollen. If there is a problem, he wants to help Tia because he already considers Tia like his own sister.