WHITE ROSE
(CHAPTER - 08)

A strong fragrant aroma was smelled from the flowers that were inside upon re-entering this room. Withholding the sound of breathing, I stepped into the princess' quiet bedroom. Feeling the tension at the sight of the white curtains hanging over the bed of the girl.

"O Allah, please allow him to wake up" I said.

Expect a miracle to come as it slowly grabs the curtains of the room. Then pull it gently to the side until it opens.

As if forgetting to breathe, I fell silent for a moment staring at the girl who was asleep on the big bed. It was as if it had an aura other than usual. Feel the incredible pain. Just like when I first visited.

Sometimes in my heart I ask, 'Will I still be strong to see it like this?'.

That worry has passed long ago. Remembering his face looked very happy when he was with the girl he loved at that time. Their smiles are eternal.

If it wasn't for the curse....

"...Goddess." My voice called to him. The sleeping girl did not answer.

It has been a week the soul of this beautiful girl as if confined in the middle-of-the-world. The intensive care unit that was attached to her body was making me sick. If I didn't know anything, I'd assume he was just asleep.

I clasped her tiny right hand with my right hand as well. Feel the heat fade. The feeling from his soft grasp felt the same as before.

I held my breath, and desperately held back the tears that were about to spill. 'This is too cruel!'. It was a hearty scream that I had repeatedly shouted after seeing reality since these past two months.

Then came the sound of the entrance moving open, and turned my attention to the man who entered this space.

"Hmm? Miss Yuli hasn't come yet?" he asked, Hary slowly went inside. Walked over after closing the door.

"Yet. There's someone he wants to meet."

"Oh, so. New from Kinara's tomb?"

I just nodded. For a moment Hary was silent looking at us. Creating a momentary silence. Only the sound of the intensive equipment unit was so soft. Somehow his face also went grim, as if contracting with me.

Feeling Hary who was starting to fall silent I broke this silence. "How was the meeting?"

"Well, that's how it is" he answered, sitting on a small sofa.

I fell silent back. There's nothing more I want to say. Just looking at the Goddess who was so pale. Think of the answers to everything that has happened. Right now, in the midst of the silence that inhabited the dark room, I realized that the fear that was in my heart was beginning to appear. It is so annoying to find answers.

As if also feeling uneasy in his heart, Hary started talking. "Is all this because of the curse?"

"Of course." I hardly heard me answer.

"Have you asked Ms Sartika?"

"Yet. Although I asked him maybe he didn't know the cause either."

Hary leaned against the body. Looking towards the window. Staring at the sky whose twilight was beginning to dim. It was as if he was also immersing himself in this atmosphere. So seriously thinking about it.

"Do you feel it, Andy? It seems like Ms. Sartika is hiding something from you. I actually felt that way when you explained that he had lost that ability."

I was a little surprised. The face that had been bowed now turned to look at him slowly. I don't know why Hary was different before. Usually he will not immediately tell his opinion before knowing the opinions of others.

Feeling that he was thinking the same thing to me I asked, "What do you think is the weird part about him?"

"When he insisted on not telling me why you were involved."

My heart smiled wryly. Apparently it's. If that's what I was told by him. But I was a little awkward about what Hary said next.

"I feel that the curse will remain as long as the person who once possessed the ability is alive. Even though he doesn't have it."

"So you think, even though her ability is lost, Ms Sartika is still not free from the curse?"

"It looks so."

"...I don't think. Try to remember again. Of all the people who died from the curse. Think back to all the people closest, right? While Bu Sartika is not too close to the family of Bu Yuli."

"That's probably because Ms. Sartika deliberately avoided. So as not to impact others, right?" Hary refuted. I looked at him sharply.

"I felt so at first. But why did the Goddess even go into a coma?! Although there are no more casualties, but why does it feel like everything is not over yet?! And strangely why did it just happen now that I met him?!" I obviously broke the argument. Either I consciously or I don't say that. I feel like I disagree with what Hary said.

"Pardon me. I just thought like that" Hary tried to calm down.

My eyes that stared intently at him now turned to the Goddess. There's a bit of guilt in me about Hary. Maybe I thought about it too hard to care about it around me.

What Hary said may be true. I don't know why I refused. It was not my logic that spoke, but my little heart.

"Honestly, I don't really know what you're thinking right now, Andy. But I felt something was different, that's all. But maybe we think the same thing even though our viewpoints are different."

"...!"

For a moment I was silent to hear it. I felt something again. Not because of what Hary meant. But with his last words. Make my lips blush, "How to look different...?"

Also true. Why didn't I realize it? So, right now, while I was thinking about the cause, something was paying attention to all this. Then me? I just thought that ability was just a great phenomenon.

An extraordinary ability, the user, a terrible curse, a tragedy, and also the mystery behind all this. I just stuck to that circle and never thought about how the people around me felt.

Without turning away I asked, "Hary, if you find something that interests you so much, but you don't want anyone to know even the closest people to you, what are you going to do?"

Hearing my sudden question, Hary immediately put on a face that was so thinking about her answer briefly. "Hmm? Maybe I'll watch him carefully first. And act as if you don't know anything."

"...!"

I can't believe that even a commoner like Hary thinks so. Simple things I easily get through. I'm like a fool. What a shameful carelessness. I actually acted as if I could handle it if I got an answer.

What I did was not write a beautiful ending, but rather ruin it even more. And was lured into deceit and caught up in the rose's cunning plan.

※ ※ ※



I've been here long enough. Sitting quietly in a place called "Rose Caffe". A coffee shop I used to visit. Providing coffee that I like so much because it tastes unique. Decorated sombre with a dark brown hue. A flashy billboard on the outside is something that is hard to miss.

This coffee shop is quiet because there is no music or TV broadcast. Although it is a comfortable environment, but this place is a boring place if used to wait for someone. There were only a few more minutes until our meeting time, so I felt a little uneasy. Thinking about the person I was waiting for still hadn't come while looking at the compartment table I occupied.

After the conversation with Hary earlier, Bu Yuli arrived for a while. I say goodbye to him because I have something to do today. Of course I didn't tell you what it was. Even Hary. Until I finally went straight to this place after getting out of the hospital. Waiting for someone I really want to ask you about all this.

I fixed the jacket again and made a denouncing look. At the end of my gaze, a long-awaited person was walking towards me with a wave of hands. After ordering a quick coffee to the waiter, the man sat down in front of me.

"Sorry, make Nak Andy wait."

The person I met was Ms. Sartika. Speaking in the same friendly and graceful tone when I called her a few minutes ago.

Actually I want to see him in person tomorrow. But, when she asked for her phone number, Ms. Yuli told me that she had just met Ms. Sartika before heading to the hospital. Of course I immediately called Ms. Sartika before she returned home, telling this place to talk about something important. I don't know why he agreed.

"... Um, why would Andy know Grandma's number?"

"Where do you think I know?" I returned to him calmly. Just like he did before.

For a moment he thought. His smile appeared aware. "Mom Yuli, right?"

I just stared a little bit sharply. I don't know why I feel different about him. I have a stronger feeling now.

This guy scares me. It's not just because of the perfect mask. But behind that mask was a face that was unforgiving not even bothering for him to hide from the one who was looking. And finally, his eyes showed that there were many other things hidden. That's why I didn't take this look away.

"Then, what was the reason for telling Grandma to come here suddenly? Is there anything important?" he asked smiling with a calm look.

Feeling fed up with these pleasantries I tried asking directly. I could no longer bear my patience with him. Especially that fake smile, it felt so sly and made me even more annoyed.

"That time, Grandma said I was special, right?"

"...? It's true."

"What does Grandma mean?"

"Because you made Kinara su-"

"What speciality does Grandma mean?!"

Immediately I cut off the intention of him who wanted to joke. The mood began to calm. Although I intended to ask casually, but still my emotions were not restrained. My question just now with indifference without a smile was not answered directly by him.

After taking a sip of coffee, he stroked the edge of his cup and looked at me with grim eyes. He smiled again, only his lips looked fragile. But the nature of the cold voice made him look as if he was a completely different person than before.

"You already know that Grandma's lying, right?"

Her beautiful and slender face turned like she did not resemble a human being anymore. The visible eyes were looking at me, who was sitting right in front of him. He seemed to be watching me, but the truth was not. I wanted to retract that view and let out a voice with a muddled mind.

"More than know. I'm sick of it!"

Welcoming my frustration, he smiled. Not a friendly smile as usual. A smile like wanting to challenge me.

"Give logical proof that Grandma's really lying."

Hearing her demands that were so calm I also calmed down as well. I try to make my heart as comfortable and calm as possible so as not to get stuck with her back. I should have done that earlier.

"First, about the man in the car. She's not Miss Sinta's sister, is she?"

"...Reason why?"

"Because of Bu Yuli. When visiting the Goddess at that time, he did not care about that person at all. Even the man himself did not approach him. Just waiting outside the room. If you have a family relationship, why would you?" obviously to him. He just kept quiet.

"And also more clear, Grandma used to say that Grandma's husband had died when Grandma was pregnant with Sinta. Damn it I don't remember it right away."

There was no answer from him. Only the smile was left. As if he was not satisfied, he just waited for my answer again.

"Second, this one actually I've been feeling weird. At first I didn't want to think negatively. About visiting Kinara's tomb at that time. Grandma lied too, right? When I got in the car, I didn't smell a rose."

He seems to be wondering a little. "...A rose?"

"From my experience of the Goddess, who always brought Kinara's favorite white roses when visiting the tomb. Although disguised with car fragrances, but the aroma is still left. Compared to the fragrant in Grandma's car that is not as strong as in Bu Yuli's car," I explained, it looks like Bu Sartika's smile began to fade slowly.

Feeling I could already beat that defiant smile, I steadily continued my words.

"It's weird, isn't it? A grandmother who loved her granddaughter very much, but did not bring her favorite flowers when visiting the tomb. Moreover, when visiting Grandma's house, it seems like Grandma also likes to arrange roses."

He just fell silent. His face looked expressionless at me. Somehow like getting carried away with the quiet atmosphere he created. But I fight. Trying to further fish and urge him.

"I even suspect that Grandma once a week visits her grave. If that's true, there should also be traces of flowers from people other than the three of us, right? Also, this afternoon I asked the grave guards there. They said that they hadn't seen anyone who had come to Kinara's tomb other than us."

Again there is no answer. But it didn't take me long to wait, he finally wanted to talk.

"Little kids like you are easy to lie to. But thinking like that, Grandma underestimated you."

He looked out the window. Staring at the sky that was hung by thick clouds, then muttering. "Plan, huh?"

Where are the questions that are tinged with loneliness addressed?

"That time, Grandma was just watching me, right?"

Without turning his face, his lips slowly said, "You already know the reason, right? Why are you still asking?"

"That's because I still don't believe it!"

So loud I said it. My voice seemed to break the silent atmosphere in this place. Fortunately, there were no visitors but the two of us. Even though the shop owner saw us.

He looked at me, expressionless yet softly he spoke, "Have Grandma said, right? You're different from the people who were containers before."

"Because I'm alive, aren't I? That's why Grandma said I was so special. Unlike the people before me, who died earlier than their partner. This unique thing got Grandma interested?"

"True," he answered casually.

"And after that, Grandma researched me, right? Keep an eye on me whether the curse really disappeared or moved on to me."

"Indeed, right" he replied again casually. It got my anger back on.

"Then why didn't Grandma say it?!"

"...If Grandma says it, Grandma won't get the results."

"...?!"

Heh? What the fuck with that answer?

"Don't tell me that Grandma made the Goddess Grandma's experiment either."

His face turned back to look at the sky. "Stop that...."

"That's enough! Does Grandma no longer have the feeling of making the lives of others as an experiment?! Didn't Grandma see how the Goddess suffered all this time?!"

I came back to beat him. This time I could no longer hold back my anger. My heart is getting sicker getting this reality. So I want to put more and more of all on this cunning rose.

Instead of putting on a cold face, his countenance was now changing rapidly. I was even a little surprised. His face was still expressionless. But from those eyes, I somehow felt the things I often saw.

That eye, an eye of a screaming person. The eyes of the one who was crying were so hard in the heart. Not much different from the people I met before.

"No feelings, huh? Maybe you're right. It seems like Grandma has lost Grandma's conscience."

From what he said I could feel that he was not lying this time. I guess I can guess what's in his heart. As I thought about what he was planning, I slowly understood the remaining fragments.

"If the Goddess dies, it means that the curse has not completely disappeared. And if the curse is still there, then that ability is still there. Is that what Grandma thought?"

From my statement, he just nodded.

"And since Kinara died earlier than me, that means her abilities and curses might have moved on to me. From there, if it was true, Grandma tried to lure me to use that ability someday. By dropping my mood, the Goddess will die. So that later Grandma could easily affect me."

Ms. Sartika nodded without a sound. As well as looking at me and speaking in a casual tone, "You already know the reason why Grandma didn't tell you, right? Because Grandma wanted you to use that ability to come back in the time before you met Kinara."

"Then, why did Grandma use the Goddess as well?! And also can Grandma guarantee that they can all survive?!" My anger is still stirring.

"Grandmother seems desperate. There's no such ability anymore. And this is all that is thought. Even having to sacrifice others though, actually Grandma did not want to. But Grandma should be able to bet on all this. But it seems like everything was in vain."

"That's because Grandma played other people's lives!"

"Then, what would you do if you were in Grandma's position?"

He's staring. His wet eyes clearly looked towards me, like they were begging. Maybe what he meant was that I definitely wouldn't approve of what he had planned. After knowing all his bold plans.

Maybe I overestimated him, and again did not think about the feelings of others back. But this time thank goodness I realized. That roses are still roses. Although the durinya so cruel, but will never defeat the beauty and fragrance of it. It symbolizes the true nature of the rose.

I made a determination. Uphold the body and stare steadily. Asking the last thing that might one day help me.

"Then, does Grandma know how to remove that curse other than what I've known all along?"

He just fell silent and bowed. His eyes are so sweet. It was still clearly visible in his mind like arguing. 'Do not want any more victims'. It seemed like those words were still lingering in his little heart. Though despair was so strong it enveloped.

"Do you still want to know? After getting the truth about all this. And even though life is at stake? Whether it's your life or the lives of those around you."

His question was so surprising. But because my determination was getting more and more unwavering I just nodded in agreement.

Nothing he said afterwards. Only silence grows stronger. But I can still wait for what he will say. Until finally he delivered a cryptic message that he told me.

"True his destiny, then he will leave you with the memories made by him and that destiny."

※ ※ ※

Tomorrow, more precisely at 4 pm, I just sat quietly alone in this flower-scented room. Being next to a girl who was getting thinner and drier on the bed. A white blanket covered her body from the chest down. Although this time the breathing apparatus was not worn, but still it was not an advancement for me. His weak chest slowly expanded and deflated. The twilight light that struck disguised my gaze on the girl as she fell asleep gracefully.

Remember when I saw this big hospital two months ago. I thought that the Goddess might have felt something very painful for a long time. This is why, when I heard she was back asleep, I found it still hard to accept the facts.

At the side, I saw the Goddess who was lying down, and felt stiff. Sometimes I think 'is that true?'. The Goddess, the one who had suffered for so long, had to get the impact of all this. Does all this deserve him? Is this all the way to his destiny? Whether it was due to lack of reason or emotion, I blatantly rejected this reality.

I slowly asked this girl. "You said you were going to get out of the hospital, right? You're going on a beach vacation with your friends, right? But why...?"

I'm like a fool. It was enough to just be by his side. Not knowing anything and not trying to understand. I remember as the girl screamed in her heart, tears welling up before she fell asleep.

But, from all this, I can understand everyone's feelings. Especially about Kinara and Goddess. So it's like this to bear all this terrible burden. How depressing. It was only a short time ago that I felt like I had given up on this reality.

My hand held her hand so thin. I no longer felt a faint warmth in that hand. It's colder than ever. I held my breath and let out a sound between my teeth that bit tightly. But I cannot say clearly my heart.

"Like this, huh? Is it in your position, Kinara? I'm much weaker than you. I couldn't even smile back after knowing all this reality."

My face was down, like I couldn't get back up because of embarrassment. No sound was heard other than my crying. I can't hold back these tears. Which began to flow gently and fell right into this hand I held.

But whether it was imagination or not, I felt a light movement in his fingers. For a moment I didn't realize. But the sound of a sigh rippled, adding to the curiosity. I looked towards the Goddess.

"...!"

Just then. the head of the Goddess moved slightly. His eyelids were shaking and opening slowly. The eyes under the petals were already dead brown. Losing his light and showing a bright light while looking at me.

"...Goddess!"

I was surprised to see him re-open his eyes. Without a second thought I immediately stood up to press the call button for the nurse who was right on the Dewi mattress. However, despite feeling weak, the right hand that I still held was immediately holding me back. It made me stop what I was going to do and stare. He seems to be forbidding me to do it.

The lips that were the same color as his skin frowned weakly, and the thin right hand that I held gently began to tremble and slowly moved to my face. As the hand moved, I sat back down. A little closer to her body which is like touching my face. I just froze and obeyed what he was doing.

Until finally, his weak palm stopped on my left cheek after walking down the face. His fingers occasionally moved, touching these tear marks.

"Today I saw Brother crying...."

"...!"

His soft words were increasingly heart-wrenching. But I could only be silent and unable to answer. My left hand moved to hold his right hand.

Gently, the Goddess again said something, which made me stop breathing.

"Actually.. I'm dead, aren't you?"

"...?!"

I just kept a silent face of surprise. This voice was very different from the previous one. Stuttering and trembling at the same time. The only remaining voice of the Goddess, where her consciousness gathered was now almost fading away. It made me feel like I was exploding in my heart. But I can still hold back my emotions and stay calm.

The goddess smiled gently and looked sighed as she said, "Actually. In my dream, my mother and I were like they had just come out of Mustika Park. But. There was a car that quickly hit us."

Hearing those words, my tears finally fell back. But I try to keep smiling and talking in a soft voice. "That's just your dream, Dek. Don't think too much."

Instead of rebutting me, the Goddess gave me a smile and said something that surprised me.

"I've seen a smile like that from someone. Because I was used to knowing that the smile she showed was fake, so I could tell that Big Brother was also trying to lie like that person."

"...!"

Those are my words that I said to her first. A sentence upon the expression of my heart that was so tired with the fake smile I got. It was like being slapped so hard with my own hands. I can't believe I'm becoming like the two of them.

"Past... Kinara once told me about the curse. He tried to avoid me so that I wouldn't be affected. But, I refused. If he gets any further, how can I get a living spirit over my illness?"

I clasped his hand. My sighs of tears echoed even more in this room when I heard the Goddess' explanation.

"And now I understand that Kinara sacrificed her life for us."

This time I can't say anything. All I did was cry and cry. The goddess closed her eyes. His flat chest expanded and deflated several times. He used his eyes to look at me again. He then breathed out loudly, looking like he was squeezing the last of his power out and continued in a disjointed voice.

"I always... always think, if I, who always face death even from birth? I can't create anything in this world, and I can't help anyone... I can only spend countless medicines and equipment.... So bothering me, it hurts. if I end up having to disappear... But maybe just let me disappear.. I've thought about it a few times.. I just feel...why should I be born in this world?"

The remnants of life were like seeping out of the body of the Goddess. The moving chest of his breathing mark is now increasingly rare. His voice became weaker and weaker like it was about to stop. However, no language can describe it all deep in my soul.

And now, the tears of the Goddess began to appear.

"But.. but. I finally got an answer... If I can live, that's enough.... In the end, I will go too... And in the end, I can really feel.... So many people.. loved me. And now I lie down. next to the person I love the most. after my mother and Kinara...."

I rubbed his head gently. "Don't worry. I will always be by your side. You're gonna get through all this. Don't surrender. I. i.. i...."

My cry was so disturbing my words were about to be spoken. It felt so heavy in my heart when I saw it like that. Slowly he turned his eyes to the left side. The Goddess' left hand moved weakly grabbing a bouquet of flowers.

A red rose bouquet, which I made with Kinara as a gift to the Goddess. The flower, is a symbol of our hope for the healing of the Goddess to pass through her operations. The flower had already been with him for two months. And it still looks good because it is placed in a flower vase that contains water spiked with ornamental plant fertilizers.

With a limp the Goddess handed it to me while saying heavily.

"This flower. I give it to Brother... I can't keep my promise to Kinara... And I can't seem to take much longer... I hope Brother can take care of her...."

The words of the Goddess stopped with a short puff. His eyes looked like they were looking at me and headed for a faraway place. What he saw was like the real world.

Can't be held back by these tears. Continuously falling on the flower. It disintegrates into particles of light and disappears. I don't know why my mouth still smiles naturally. Nodding my head gently and saying my last words to her.

"I will definitely take care of him...."

The eyes of the Goddess met my gaze. The rays that instantly formed two drops of flowing tears, descended from the Goddess' pale face and finally melted and vanished into the light. He pursed his lips and made a smile. Just then, another voice seemed to have penetrated into my consciousness directly.

"Thank you, Brother. Thank you very much. Thank you for helping me keep my last promise before I leave."

Along with the landing of the last teardrop, accompanied by a warm orange light... The goddess closed her eyes....