Under The Rain's
Chapter 38—A Place in the Mind

Entering the third month of therapy, there is not much that Rafael can do other than sit in a wheelchair while continuing to practice saying words. A pathologist has stated that Rafael suffered apraxia. The man could barely move his entire body due to fatal nervous system damage, even for mere talk, he could only gape without a single word being spoken from there.

All sensory functions in the five senses are experiencing problems. Both eyes felt exhausted when they were in a bright place for too long. Both of his ears could only hear a faint sound even though the people around him were shouting. He felt nauseous every time smelling something, even though it was just the smell of food or the breezy aroma of perfume carried by the wind. And his mouth, it seems that's where his worst distraction happened. The mouth is like losing the muscles of speech after nearly five months of rest in a coma. It's hard to say a word, or to open and close quickly.

The first year of therapy will focus on restoring motor function as usual, from learning to communicate to walking again. Although, really, no one knows how the whole struggle will end. However, that time was not the time to give up, when Rafael finally returned to mortal life to continue his story in the world. For his family, there was no stopping until all sides of the man were back in one piece.

A speech therapist came that afternoon. He brought a report of the results of the examination of the condition that is being experienced by Rafael. Disruption of function in his brain causes difficulty giving instructions, until his tongue alone feels very confused, even though he really wants to talk. He had words in his brain that he could not speak. And he also has difficulty chewing and swallowing, so to just eat it still needs the help of infusions and hoses.

The patience of the speech therapist is amazing. The man in his late thirties was unceasingly demonstrating some mouthwork so that Rafael could understand the connection between the movement and the meaning of the word being spoken. It also uses media to show visual images, exactly like teaching a toddler who is learning to chatter.

Rafael himself did not respond much. Once every ten minutes, he would be seen grimacing and begin to lose balance from his sitting position in a wheelchair. So, Vienna must keep holding it so as not to fall. Speech therapy at the simplest level like that alone has made his head throbbing pain. Five months ago, he was a reliable programmer who was able to decode even the most complicated digital codes.

“Aaaaaa ...,” The therapist opens his mouth wide, hoping Rafael can follow his mouth movements in creating the sound of ‘a’. Followed by ‘i’ sounds, then other vocal sounds.

With a head that feels like being hit by Bima's magical mace hammer whose strength can make the earth ravage, Rafael tried to keep his eyes open at the therapy session that time. However, the focus on concentrating made him nauseous to the point of wanting to vomit, and the situation made him very frustrated because he felt helpless. How not, his life at that time felt very torturous. To simply understand and imitate what is said by the therapist alone is difficult to die.

At the point of fatigue, Rafael will start kicking incessantly, it seems like the movement was created just like that without being able to control. It began to sound bellowed like a woman was about to give birth, and of course the sound also came out spontaneously from her larynx. For this reason, at least three people must accompany Rafael through the therapy process, to take care of him when the man began to tantrum due to excessive stress.

“It is enough for today, yes,” concluded Coach Indra, the therapist. He was actually a psychologist who spent years studying speech therapy, and every patient he treated called him a coach.

“Thank you very much, Coach,” retorted Vienna with implied worry in his tone, which was instantly caught by Indra.

“I hope mom stays excited, yes. We will do our best together.”

“It seems like it has been more than two months and there has been no change, Coach,” hiss Vienna with both hands immediately crossed in the chest, when he began to feel pain in his eyes. And he immediately took a deep breath so that his crying did not break.

“Sabar, Mother ...” Indra, who had faced a desperate patient hundreds of times, seemed to understand how Vienna felt at that time.

It is not easy to see a loved one having to live his days like Rafael. When doing simple things like urinating alone requires the help of many hands to carry it. Because, in addition to losing the ability to communicate that makes him a gago, Rafael also experienced partial paralysis in some parts of his body.

“Bu ..” Indra looked at Vienna fixedly on the porch of the house, before he bailed to go home. “Be assured, everything will improve. Rest assured our medical treatment has developed rapidly today. The rehabilitation centers are so modern. Mother's son can be cured, and I believe it.”

“Vie, Coach. Thank you very much. I am grateful to have a coach to help my son. Although sometimes I can see the eldest like a stranger in his own house. Like not remembering anything.”

“Not remember, Mom. There is a problem with coordination between the brain and its motor movements. It might take months, or it could be years. But, nothing is impossible, ‘kan?”

“Hopefully, Coach .. hopefully. We will remain patient until the Brother recovers.”

***

A plot of land in the north of Yogyakarta Special Region was worked on by Kris to build his dream residence with his beloved wife. Yes, Kris who was determined to take the woman away from Bandung chose the city of Yogyakarta for a place to shelter and spend his days. Reva himself chose the area. The area where he could look at Mount Merapi and find a wide variety of fresh vegetables from local farmers. And reportedly, the place has a fairly high rainfall. One more plus for Reva.

After so many years together, Kris finally began to hear Reva's advice not to just waste his money on non-essential needs. Apparently, his income after half a year of total frugality can also be used to build a house. Not big indeed, but the residence has a charming exterior and interior design. And even though it is located in the far corner, that is precisely the main attraction of the simple house. Beautiful house with fresh air with a soothing view of the eyes.

The house is dominated by wood accents and exposed cement, which blends perfectly with the shade of the big trees around it. The plan, Reva will start shopping for ornamental plants, both planted in pots and in the yard of his house. The woman honestly doesn't understand anything about plants. He only ever had a few cacti that did not require difficult treatment. It's never too late to learn, is it?

That afternoon they sat together on a sofa located near a large window, where they could gaze at the shoots of Merapi from a distance. Two cups of hot chocolate also accompany in the twilight that feels very cold. The windows were closed to let the cold mountain breeze into the house. And on that couch they hugged each other, creating a shared memory in a thick blanket.

“Sorry, yes, dear, for a while this is all I can give you,” Kris said as he continued to hold his wife in his arms.

“This free? Hey, you just woke up, you know!”

“Iya, but the size is small, and it is located far from everywhere.”

“I really like living here. Adem, no noise. I'm grateful you brought me here. Anyway, I, ‘kan, rarely go outside the house.”

“May you always feel at home staying here, yes, dear. I can love you more than this. Provided you are always here.”

By nightfall, they just spend time with each other crouching and kissing. Various objects in large cardboard boxes have not been touched. The process of moving house is always tiring, and at that time it feels like they want to relax for a moment.

***

Before noon, Reva had returned from hunting ornamental plants that would beautify the entire corner of her house. Because of the large number of hunting results in that day, plant sellers to provide free delivery facilities. Indeed, the location of the house is not far from nursery, but still Reva was happy when the free delivery request was granted by the trader.

Kris had returned to Jakarta that day, so Reva took care of the artisans who were helping him make the garden layout alone. For larger trees, Reva does need the help of others to move the growing medium to the ground.

The burly-armed men had finished unloading all the trees and plants from a pick-up car. Everything had gathered in the grounds of Reva's house, like some palm trees, as well as a small mango tree with leafy leaves. Then, there are frangipani trees, and also cherry trees with waist height. I don't know why Reva likes trees that have thick leaves when they grow big. Wh why? Why were the trees chosen?

For a while, Reva was just pecking in front of those leafy trunks, pondering for some reason. All of a sudden his feelings became unpleasant, and he did not know why, because this morning everything was fine before he left to hunt for plants.

Then, Reva tried to digest why she suddenly became upset, remembering whether she made a mistake that day. It's not because of health issues. His body is very fit and he keeps his diet well. Did he forget to pay? Was there an error on her shopping list? No. gabe. Not likely.

Trying to ignore her anxiety, Reva begins to help the artisans move the trees. Arrange them well according to the layout that has been made. And Reva continued to pay attention in detail to the entire process of making the park, just in case someone made a mistake. But everything seems perfect. So perfect. Thenwhat?

In the afternoon when the design of the tiny garden began to show apparently, Reva finally realized something. An answer to why since noon his heart was racing. Because, the garden was very similar to the garden in Pram's house! The layout, the rocks, the trees he chose. Everything was. Holy hooch! Reva was unaware that she had copied exactly the garden plan she had known since childhood, and it was completely unintentional.

Reva immediately smothered her mouth tightly before she screamed hysterically, faced with the fact that everything in her childhood was truly unforgettable. It started shaking. There was no way that the garden of his new home was so similar to what he had in mind! Can't be! He doesn't want to!

The next day when he was calmer, Reva would ask the artisans to remodel the design of the park!