The Marriage Pursuit.
45. The Pradipta Family (1).

HAPPY READING'S...

***

Akira sat on the dining chair alone. It was only a while later that Arjun sat down but what made the man look different was that Arjun was not wearing a work uniform. The man also came down from the room not carrying his briefcase.

Where are Papi and Mami? inner Akira wondered. This dining room was very much different from the usual days.

"Is Papi gone?" ask Arjun to the Servant.

"Yes Young Master. The big master and the Madam had already left early in the morning." replied the maid.

After that no one spoke anymore. Akira was the only one who was confused by everything. The girl doesn't know what's going on right now. Though today is a working day, but it does not look at all that Arjun will leave today.

After breakfast, Akira walks to where Arjun is going.

They climbed the stairs to the 3rd floor. This is where Akira never sets foot.

This is the first time for Akira.

It turned out to be on this floor, just like the usual room. There is a room with a lot of Gym equipment, 2 rooms that are likely to be rooms, family rooms and a room for worship.

Arjun turned his head for a moment to observe Akira who had been following him since. Go to the prayer room without saying anything.

The room looked very bright with lights and also some lit candles.

But what makes Akira curious is a photo that is displayed in front there.

A picture of a little girl with a smile is so beautiful.

Who her? inner Akira was curious.

Now Arjun and Akira are standing next to each other staring at the photo. Arjun who usually looks very silly and kimi's joke turns silent. Highlight his eyes were full of sadness and it was capable of Akira seeing.

"Jun," call Akira. Akira was very curious about everything. What the hell's going on? who's that little girl? what does this have to do with family? all Akira's questions do require an answer.

"She's the little girl" replied Arjun.

Akira's memory returns in the afternoon as he is alone with Arjun in the room.

I want to be a doctor to save someone's life...

Arjun's words back then rang in Akira's head.

He remembers Arjun saying he wanted to save someone's life.

Is this the girl who made Arjun aspire to become a Doctor? ask Akira in my heart.

They looked at the photo up ahead. Little girl with round and sparkling eyes.

She has eyes like Mami.. her smile is just like Arjun? What her? Akira was surprised by his own thoughts.

"Jun, what is he-?" ask Akira ngambang.

"Yes.he's my little sister...".

Arjun's reply instantly made Akira cover her mouth with a palm. He did not think that Arjun had a brother but died.

"Jessi, that's his name." said Arjun.

Even saying that name alone made Arjun's chest tight again. Arjun wants to cry but is still trying to stay.

"It was 10 years old back then, the last time I could see it," Arjun started telling stories.

"She's a sweet girl." praise Akira.

FLASHBACK...

"Sister.." shouted the girl who was always waiting at the door at the time of school.

The little girl was the second daughter of the Pradipta Family.

Jessi, that's the name of the long-haired girl with bangs covering her forehead.

"Sister... Did you bring my order?" he asked when Arjun had just returned from school.

Unlike the brother who can get formal education just like other children out there, Jessi is not so lucky.

The girl can only study at home with a private teacher who always comes every day.

Jessi can not play with others because since the age of 5 years, the girl has been suffering from a disease that every day makes her body weaker.

Is her family not trying to make Jessi get well? of course it's not like that. The Pradipta family had even tried very hard.

"Of course you bring it. There is no way you forget it.." replied Arjun to the much-loved sister.

"It's..." Arjun handed him a clear plastic containing ornamental fish that is always sold on the roadside. More precisely in front of the gate of the First High School where Arjun was attending.

"Thank you brother..." Jessi hugged her sister happily.

Although she can't get out of the house like other girls, Jessi is still happy because she has a sister who loves her so much.

"I'll take care of him." Jessi said with great confidence.

"Sister... At sister's school, what else is interesting?" Jessi also wanted to know interesting things that she could not see in the Pradipta house.

Arjun is probably the window to the world for his brother. Because Arjun is Jessi able to hear many stories or interesting things outside the house.

"It's interesting? what yes?" of course Arjun was confused. There's been so much he's told Jessi all along.

"Jess, if you're cured, brother will take you to see everything." said Arjun cheering Jessi.

"really? big brother promise?"

Not only Arjun, everyone will also be sad to hear Jessi's words. How happy the girl would be if she could see the outside world she had never seen.

"Of course, get well soon,"

"But brother, will I recover someday? But..." Jessi couldn't continue the sentence.

"What's wrong?" ask Arjun curiously.

"I overheard Papi talking to the Doctor. She said my illness is very rare and there is no cure for it yet." joked Jessi to her brother.

Jessi is trying to hide everything she accidentally heard. Jessi won't tell anyone, but this time she can't.

So Jessi told Arjun.

"Then, it's brother who will become a Doctor and heal you someday." replied Arjun confidently.

"really? you want to be a doctor?" ask Jessi with sparkling eyes.

"Yes..."

FLASHBACK OFF...

Akira feels the sadness in Arjun. Gently stroked Arjun's hand and grasped it as if he were sharing the grief together.

"You know, she's a jolly girl... Jessi was always laughing in front of everyone, although -.." somehow it was hard for Arjun to continue his sentence. Her chest was really sore recalling the worst memories of her life.

"From the photos I can see it, if Jessi is a good child." said Akira.

"She was always smiling, laughing like nothing happened, but when in the room alone, Jessi was always crying. Jessi always cries when the disease comes gnawing on her body." added Arjun. This time his eyes reddened withstanding the sadness.

His gaze blurred as countless tears filled his eyes and would soon fall.

"Why didn't he just cry? wouldn't it be better to share it with Papi and Mami?" ask Akira.

Even when Akira fell in his childhood, the girl cried incessantly to get the attention of Adam's father as well as Arum's mother.

Although the wound he got was not too deep, but Akira still cried.

"Because Papi always said that if Jessi cried, Jessi would lose her illness" Arjun replied.

Given what Papi Johan said first, it often makes Arjun angry.

Arjun is angry with the actions of his Papi who seems not to feel how much pain Jessi.

"Papi shouldn't have said that, Papi shouldn't have done that cruel thing to Jessi. Until Jessi died, the girl never once complained in front of her parents... Jessi was really dealing with it alone..."

Arjun collapsed and cried after saying that. He felt completely useless for not being able to save his sister.

"Arjun..." Akira hugs Arjun's helpless body.

"Hiks..."

Wept in that prayer room.

Papi should not have done that.

***

There are 2 chapters that do contain onions. so get ready....

Love Y'all..