You're My Antidote
Rani Ayudia Damayanti's

The word marriage sounds terrible to the King. He does not believe in that commitment. For him marriage is a disaster. Does not bring happiness to those who live. Especially if there are children born in it. Like him for example.

And my mom asked me what was that? marry Rani? The noisy girl who always interrupted his life? What kind of madness is that?

Rani is not a new name in her family. Not their family or close relatives.

Rani Ayudia Damayanti's. The stubborn girl who still lives in an orphanage and rejects everyone who wants to adopt her.

The girl who was younger than him four years he had known since the early months he set foot in Jakarta.

Mama is one of the regular donors at the orphanage where Rani was treated. He often visited the children there once a month.

That afternoon he who still lost interest in talking and in the care of a psychologist, as usual came to the orphanage. And as usual he was sitting under a mango tree which was fruitful. Waiting for mama - who at that time was still she called oma - was in the middle of meeting the mother of the parlour and handing over gifts to the children.

"Oh." screeches someone from behind made the dreamy King look over.

A sigh came out of his mouth as soon as he found the girl who had just entered the SD bench that was the source of the sound.

Rani sat on the grass holding her bleeding knee. The king was sure the little girl was intending to approach him as usual. Messing the peace around him with his voice that will not stop. Chattering whatever things are not important to him.

When the King first came, Rani even confidently introduced the name. The girl with a bright smile and the butterfly bandana on her head was very enthusiastic when she saw it.

The king ignored Rani who was in pain. There was not only him there. Many other orphanage children were playing not far from him.

The parlour head room was also not far behind him. So the king was sure that someone would help the noisy child besides him.

But the more the King ignored, Rani's cry grew louder. The king walked over and reached out to help her stand up and took her to a safer place to treat the wound on the girl's knee.

But the noisy girl just looked up with eyes flashing and swallowed a cry. There was a twinkle in the clear eye that made him wonder.

"Son't you call me?" Rani asked with a fluffy smile and a tone of amazement. "Sonak nolongin me?!" the question repeated itself with more enthusiasm.

The king lowered a hand that was not welcome. "You don't want to?" his voice sounded strange in his own ears.

Not wanting to wait too long for the noisy boy, the King turned around and was ready to leave from there until Rani's loud cry shocked him.

"MOTHER! KING, SAY THE SAME TO RANI! BROTHER KING MAU NOLONGIN RANI!"

The king turned his body back to look at Rani who was screaming. It was as if he had been a mute man before, and it was a miracle today that he could speak.

Mom ran and immediately grabbed her shoulder. Even those eyes were glazed.

Is it that happy they heard him speak? And how long has he not used the functions of his mouth other than to eat and drink?

He did not even remember how long he had been in Indonesia. His world seemed to stop the last time he saw the body of his parents who were stiffened.

"The king said that, baby?"

The compassionate voice of the woman who was still staring straight and hopeful for her to make her voice again carried a strange noise in the corner of her heart that felt pain.

Not wanting to disappoint and remove the happy look, the King replied. "Yes, mama."

That was the first time she ever talked to my mom. And that was the first day he called the woman a mother who was not rejected at all. Instead mama hugged him tightly and was touched in happy tears. Making his frozen heart warm up a little.

When he got home, his opanya immediately called himself papa without having to ask. Without any explanation as if everything had been like that from the beginning.

He has been living a normal life ever since. Or rather, pretend to be normal. Bound the people around him, as well as his attempt to lie to himself. That he was okay.

***

Arriving at the office, Rani walks after the King into the room as usual. Explain his work today.

Yes, Rani. The noisy girl from the orphanage.

His parents even intend to adopt Rani at that time. But as it already is. Rani has always rejected anyone who intends to adopt her. I don't know for what reason.

However, his parents still meet all the needs of Rani. Including the cost of education to the college level.

It makes the girl always around him. Even I don't know who gave the silly idea and made the noisy girl become her secretary now.

But the King admits. Rani is professional enough and qualified to carry out her duties as a secretary. Makes him not fire the girl after his internship. Because Rani's attitude inside and outside the office is very inversely proportional.

"Today there was a meeting with PT. Scintillating to determine the artist who will be hosting our new show."

"Who are the candidates?"

"There's Kaurina Larasati, Deanika, Angelo and Jeremy, sir."

One corner of the King's mouth was raised when Kaurin's rising name was named as one of his candidates.

Kaurin debuted as an advertising model. But Kaurin's talent in various fields in the entertainment world is no doubt. Seen from the success of the girl in several film projects as well soap opera.

And Kaurin was his one-night friend last year.

"Who do you think can bring this show?"

The king saw his secretary blink a few times before replying. He may be confused by the question he asked. Because it is not Rani's field to judge whether the artists can host this new event.

"Seeing her achievements and her presentation when interviewed for infotainment, perhaps Kaurin fits in with this new, relaxed concept show, sir."

The king nodded and looked at the document containing the profile of the candidate.

"For the man?"

"Angelo's famous humorist I think can be a good partner to complement Kaurin. They have also been seen collaborating on their respective channels several times. So I think they can get more chemistry than the other two."

The king never played social media. So the information from Rani was enough to give her an idea on them.

"You may go out." asked the King after Rani explained all her schedule today. He also handed over some documents that he needed to sign.

Seeing the back of Rani who began to move away, the King again remembered the advice of his mother to marry the girl.

Suggestions that he did not respond to and preferred a farewell to go to work. Avoiding conversations that make them uncomfortable.

"Rani?" call her before the girl opens the door.

"Yes sir?"

"After the office, follow me home. Mama wants to see you."

Rani just smiled and nodded.

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This is how the king does not want to.. The noisy girl's favorite..