The Tippingback of Rania's World
Episode 18 - A Tale of the Past

"Lho, is dad here? Not selling today?" ask Rania.

"Today Dad's off for the sale. The gardens and flower gardens here are like a wilderness. Some carnations are also dead" the father said, cutting some branches off.

"Oh, yes. Rania almost forgot that my father also worked here as a gardener. My dad was only here in the morning when I went to school. Sorenya selling," muttered Rania.

"It's really pretty, huh..." Rania looked at the array of colorful flowers growing on the ground. He remembered his mother who was also a hobby of caring for various types of flowers.

"Haha.iya... These flowers are so beautiful. But it's very difficult to take care of him. Though this is the beloved flower of the late Madam," said the father.

"Do you know that carnations have different meanings for each color?" ask Mikko.

"really? I thought only roses meant anything?" rania.

Mikko shook her head, "Every flower here implies the contents of mama's heart. White carnation flower means pure love, pink carnation flower means a mother's everlasting love. All the flowers were planted just a few months before my mother died" Mikko explained.

"Oh... I see.." muttered Rania. He just knew this. "Keep the flower that's red and the two colors in that one flower?" ask Rania.

"Red carnation flowers signify a very deep affection. In other words, I will never forget you. Then the carnation of two colors states...." Mikko stopped her sentence for a moment, "I can't be with you," Mikko continued.

"Ah, it turns out that the meaning is really very deep. Mikko's heart must have been sad every time she saw this flower. Her mother kind of gave a message in every flower before she died," Rania thought to herself.

"Sorry Mikko. I asked you something that made you sad" said Rania.

"It's okay. I just feel like my mom is always next to me every time I see these flowers" Mikko said.

"If the jasmine, dandelion and marigold flowers are planted mama, what does that mean?" thought Rania.

"Oh yes, Rania... Your name has been on display in the mading since yesterday." said Mikko.

"Huh, is that right? Why ya?" rania Exclamation. Does he have a remedial or break the rules? Is it possible to sell the other day?

"You haven't picked one more exkul, have you? Though all your friends have chosen two exkul loh. It's only right that time you asked me."

"Duh, mampus. Why in the temples anyway? I knew it would be, "Rania's inner shame.

"Actually me... Confused which one to take... Because my choice yesterday was so much," argued Rania.

"Was... There are not many reasons. If there is no ngaku yet," said Mikko while sneering. "Do you want to be a member of PMR? Uh, but don't be, ntar even you who fainted from running here and there take care of the sick during the ceremony. No.." continued Mikko.

"Huh... What the hell do you want? Help or mock me? Though I had time to sympathize with him earlier," annoyed Rania.

"Why don't you take theater as you used to?" mikko.

"I want to change the mood" said Rania lying. "It's me they know used to take the theater, huh?" rania murmured in the heart.

"Or do you want to go in for a scout? We can camp together, right?" satria said with a wicked smile.

"Hey, what do you mean?" Rania's face was suddenly red.

"You're the one who thinks he's going everywhere. Camping together means exclamations with other friends as well" explained Mikko.

"I know too. Who's thinking about going anywhere?" protest Rania. His mind was traveling for a moment.

"Ehem." The father who was collecting tree branches suddenly cleared his throat. Ah, Rania forgot that there was a father near them.

"Shhh... Rania... I have something to ask you." Mikko's face suddenly drew closer to Rania.

"W-what?" sahut Rania is nervous.

"Are you really Rania's daughter?" whispered Mikko.

"What does that question mean? Does he know my true identity?" thought Rania.

"There's too much weirdness going on with you lately. You who are not good at doing homework, do not recognize papa, up to theater art," Mikko said.

"What's wrong with the theater?" rania did not understand. If you are on vacation in Europe, his papa often invites Rania to watch theater performances.

"Aren't you afraid of dolls, weird costumes, and excessive makeup? Did you forget, if you ever cry as much as you like just because of the golek* puppet ad on television? You don't remember our childhood promises either" Mikko said.

*Wayang golek: one of a variety of wayang art made of wood, which is very popular in West Java, especially Cirebon to Banten.

"Mikko doesn't recognize me. But more precisely, like there was another Rania he knew, "the inner Rania.

"What's your explanation then? Did you have a mild concussion just from falling into a trench?" ask Mikko.

"Mi-Mikko's. I don't understand your question. But has it been true that my attitude has been strange since I went to the lake? I don't think my head is a problem" asked Rania.

"Yes, you could say so" Mikko said.

"Then... Will you accompany me to the lake after school tomorrow?" whisky Rania. He was afraid of being heard by his father.

"Hey!!! You're asking me out on a date?!" suhut Mikko's.

"It's not like that!" protest Rania. Why is this guy talking so loud, anyway?

"Ohhhhhhhmm!!!" this time I was beating harder. "Dad is old... I can't hear it anymore" said the man who was dredging the ground.

Mikko and Rania looked at each other, then laughed. It was obvious that his father had heard Mikko's words just now.

"I'm just asking you to retrace the place that made me change. Maybe there's an answer" Rania said.

"Well.. Although I don't really understand what you mean, but I don't mind accompanying you there" Mikko said.

"Currently... Thank ye. But, please keep this a secret from your father and mother, yes," Rania said.

Mikko raised both his thumbs, then said, "Fifty thousand for each secret."

"Uh...Man matre," Inner Rania.

...🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺...

Fitness room, Austeen family residence.

"Have you got the information, Wilson?" ask Chloe.

"Here you go, ma'am," Wilson said, handing over some photographs and documents.

"They are just children from ordinary families. His parents worked as household assistants and food vendors" Wilson explained.

The deg! "This, right?" chloe murmured.

The middle-aged woman in the photo was very similar to someone she had known decades ago.

"So the two teenage girls yesterday were his daughters?" chloe murmured.

"Wilson, what other information do you know other than what's in this document?" ask Chloe.

"It seems like the Madam's daughter is also investigating their family. Yesterday Felix's men were around their family residence. And Felix's track record is also figuring out their relationship with this family" Wilson replied.

"Qiandra's also investigating this?" chloe said restlessly. "Wilson, stop Felix or anyone from telling Qiandra any information about the family. Tell me this is a strict ban from me" Chloe said later.

(Connected)

Thank you for reading. See you around...