THERE'S ALWAYS A LEANING PLACE
A Piece of Pilu

Via came in followed by Mira, Ratna, and Edi. They are welcome to sit in the living room of the home.

The living room was not spacious, only measuring 3 X 4 meters. The walls are light blue which is beginning to fade. The wooden chair in the living room seemed to be decades old.

“A long time no see. How are you, Via?” ask the guy while taking mineral water in the corner of the room. “Sorry, only water.”

“Via good, Mas. Alhamdulillahot. How's Mas Rio? How come it's here? Where's Bu Aminah going?” ask Via back.

“Mother is meeting prospective donors. I live here now. Well, more or less so. Oh, looks like Amri's waking up. Sorry, I stayed a while.” Rio rushed inside leaving his four guests.

Ratna looked at Via. He coded for Via to explain who the guy was.

“That's Mas Rio, Lia's sister. You remember Lia, right?” clearly Via with a soft voice.

“Ih, am I amnesiac? Lia the jellyfish, right? How do you know each other?” taya Ratna astonished.

“She's friend Deck Azka. In the past, when he was in college S-1 he often stopped by the mother's house. We so often meet,” explained Via.

“Pantesan, it feels like I've seen that guy,” muttered Ratna.

Before long Rio appeared while holding a boy about 3 years old. He sat down holding the boy.

“Sorry, yes. I have to take care of my sisters here. This child is not feeling well, so intermittently fussy,” said Rio.

“Nothing. Is Rio not tired? Is it just coming with me? Yu, Dek, come with Brother look for butterflies! “ Ratna reached out.

The boy named Amri looked at Ratna doubtfully. Apparently, he welcomed Ratna's hand. The girl carried Amri to the courtyard.

“Mas Rio why stay here? Where are Mama and Lia?” Via curious.

Rio took a deep breath. His face suddenly shrouded in gloom.

“Since Santoso Group went out of business, papa suffered a stroke. He was paralyzed, unable to get out of bed. Mom became depressed. It's often messy. Lia is the same. She's DO from her college.”

Rio stopped for a moment. Her view glazed.

“Papa's house for sale for medical expenses. Mama and Lia join mom's brother in Medan. I was forbidden to come along so as not to burden them. Besides, mama also accused me of helping to destroy papa by siding with your family. Mama is suspicious because of the closeness between me and Azka.”

Via. He did not expect his friend's life to change so drastically after Mr. Danu's crime was exposed.

There was a trenchant feeling of slipping in Via's heart. He once felt the bitterness when the company broke down.

“Why did Mas Rio choose to stay here? Mas Rio not working?” ask Via again.

“Before I was adopted, I was brought up here, Via. Thank God Bu Aminah was willing to support me. I worked on the experiment for 8 months. Unfortunately, the plot went bankrupt. I haven't got a job yet. So, now I just help Bu Aminah ngasuh sisters.”

Dada Via felt tight to hear Rio's story. His eyes feel hot. He immediately gulped down the mineral water to reduce the tightness in his chest.

“How's Azka doing? I haven't had a relationship with him in a long time. I don't have HP.”

“He continued his studies in Medan. Dek Azka joined my om there and helped manage the grandfather's plantation.”

For a moment Rio fell silent. A few seconds later, he patted her on the forehead.

“Ah, yes. You're married to Mas Farhan, Azka's brother, huh? Now, you call him sister. You're lucky to meet your father's family. They tajir pula.” Rio laughed bitterly.

Via just nodded. His throat felt choked. He took another sip of mineral water in front of him.

“O yes, what do you need here? Want to meet Miss Aminah, right?” ask Rio.

“Iya, Mas. We intend to invite these pecan-end children home. We want to make a small salvation,” explained Via.

“Oh, so. Looks like the end of this pecan there is no special activity, anyway. Everything, Vi?” Rio asked for clarity.

“It. Bu Aminah and Mas Rio also.”

Their talks broke down when a 60-year-old woman came in. Although it has entered the age of twilight, the lines of beauty are still clearly visible. His simple appearance was unable to hide his elegance.

“Assalamaicum. There was a guest apparently. It's been a long time, huh?” said Ms. Aminah.

“New about 15 minutes, Mom,” Edi said.

Via also makes its point. Ms. Aisyah nodded, agreeing to Via's plan.

They then record the needs of the orphanage children. Mira recorded everything Bu Aminah said.

When enough is felt, they say goodbye. Before leaving, Via handed him a brown envelope containing some money to help with the operation costs of the home.

They did not go home but to the supermarket. Via buying clothes, stationery, as well as toys for children. As per Farhan's message, Via requested that his groceries be delivered to the house.

“You guys are wrapped up, Vi. Home from here we finish all the goods,” suggested Ratna.

“True. We are ready to help. We used to pack stuff. Weekends, Dek Via no longer thinks about the problem of parcels.” Mira added.

Via agrees. After shopping, they sort items as needed. They wrapped and labeled each package with names according to Mira's notes.

Edi helped the bustle of the women”warrior ol-shop”. He took the things they needed.

Not infrequently, Edi's arm collided with Mira's arm. Whether it was intentional or not, Edi knew better. (Author pretends not to know)

“Si jellyfish how are you, huh? You asked Mas Rio, didn't you?” ratna asked while putting labels on the newly wrapped boxes.

“She and her parents live in Medan, the home of her mother's brother,” replied Via.

“Kok Mas Rio not coming? Why is she even staying in a parlor?” Ratna asked again.

“No can come, let's not burden his family.”

“Lho, is Mas Rio not a family member? Kok differentiated,” said Ratna sewot.

“Mas Rio's the adopted son of Lia's parents. At that time, Mama Lia had not been able to have children. His mother, he adopted Mas Rio from the orphanage “Kasih Bunda.” Now, their house is for sale. Having no place to stay, Mas Rio stayed in the orphanage. I see, Neng.”

Ratna remained silent. His mind drifted to the guy named Rio. He felt sorry for the fate of the man.

“Ratna! Rat, how silent?” Via looked at his best friend.

Via waved his hand in front of Ratna's face. The girl did not react. Ratna was still silent.

“Hey, why silence like this?” mira who sat to the right of Ratna. Patting Ratna's shoulder.

Ratna stuttered as a pat landed on the shoulder. He was like someone who had just woken up.

“But, yes? Think what, anyway?” ask Mira.

“Don't think of Mas Rio. From earlier nanyain Mas Rio only. Turn answered, even bengong.”

“Yes, nih. Yes, yes, Deck Via. You think about Rio? Hayo, ngaku!” Mira connecting ledekan Via.

“Ish, what? I'm thinking again.It turns out life is like a wheel, spinning, all felt human. Sometimes above, sometimes below.”

Via, Mira, and Edi look at each other in turn. They were astonished by Ratna's absurd answer.

“Cambet time tu son,” grumbled Mira.

“What's kesambet? Mira don't be so careless! New love fairy tinsel know taste. Mas Edi, I love .. auw!” Ratna's sentence was finally stopped by a small pinch of Mira's wiggly finger.

“Mbak Mira what the hell? If you want nyubit, pinch Mas Edi. Here, Mas! Ni Mbak Mira gemes peeking nyubit Mas Edi!” exciting Ratna.

“Blush...” Red hue adorns Mira's cheeks. Ed looked blushed too. It did not escape the vision of Via and Ratna.

***

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