We were welcomed by Ryan's mother, Aunty Syarifah Andalusia who is familiarly known as Aunty Lusi. Sometimes, I called her Mom when I want to ask her for buying me delicious foods.
"My little beautiful girl," Aunty Lusi said when I approached her.
I held out my hands to greet her, she was more interest for pinching my cheek before shaking my hands.
My mother appeared from the kitchen with cakes and some glasses of soft drinks. I didn't find the two old best friends, my Father and Uncle Sofyan, who were probably in the coffee shop.
"Why my princess looks so thin?", she said.
"Someone breaks my heart, Aunty", I replied then putting my hand on my heart.
"Who is that bad guy? Tell me!", she asked.
"I'm kidding, Aunty. Huff, l lose some kilograms of fats because scientist's struggle is not easy", I answered.
"Here, do you still like it ?", she continued while handing over a parcel of various types of chocolate.
"Thank you", I said, then throwing a flying kiss.
Ryan and My mother, I called her "Bunda", both of them gawked at my overreaction that didn't describe my natural response to other people in normal circumstances.
After handing a chocolate bucket, I went to my room to get rid of the dust and sweat which stuck on my skin.
"How are the twins?" Auntie Lusi asked Bunda.
I can still hear their conversation about my twin brother before closing my bedroom door. Yes, I have two non-identical twin brothers, Ilham Ahmad and Irham Ahmad; who is currently studying at one of the international boarding schools.
They're rarely showing up their faces at home even on weekends, except for long weekends or semester breaks or when they have money crises.
I lay down on the bed after taking a shower. I was exhausted, also felt drowsiness. Then, pulling the blanket and falling asleep. I closed my eyes comfortably for an hour before being startled by Bunda.
I woke up and sat on the bed with my eyes still closed. After a few minutes, I glanced at the clock, which just showed 07.20 PM.
"Bun, you can eat first without me", I replied while pulling back the blanket.
"How can it be ? It's impolite. You'd have dinner with us, Auntie Luis and her family", Bunda continued.
"Auntie Lu ...?", suddenly, I startled from the contemporary amnesia.
Bunda left after confirming that my consciousness was completely intact. After my mother's shadow disappeared behind the door, I glanced at the bracelet which is still wrapped around my wrist.
Ah, too much. He just wanted to imprison me, secure me, without any intention of embracing me with all sincerity.
***
It seemed that I'm still the shadow of my best friend who left earlier, Syarifah Riana Putri; Ryan's younger sister who passed away because of leukemia at a very young age.
It never crossed on my mind that my cheerful little friend would pass away so soon, even before wearing her first elementary school uniform that she had just been received a day before her last day.
She left so soon, so sudden, leaving deep scars for her family, especially Ryan and his parents. Auntie Lusi is very kind to me, perhaps she saw the figure of her daughter in me. I have her beloved daughter eyes. Likewise, Ryan, for him, maybe my appearance was only a consolation longing of his late sister.
Sad resentment, despite hating of being the saddened second lead, however I'd be grateful for Riana who bringing back the colors of my life. Once again, I was blessed to see the beauty of the world which had been lost for two years due to a carelessness accident that will be unforgotten.
Even though, I have no right to be annoyed or being mad, I'm still upset and angry. I took off the bracelet and stashed it in a box, put it in a drawer.
It should be, I shouldn't give him another chance to break my heart because he will never see me as a lover. Forever, this will be one-sided love story.
The sound of knocking door brought me back from an inner war which is never ended to the real life. Huft, I started again, turning uncomplicated matters to be more complicated.
Heartbreak is normal, but I still can't accept that painful reality. My ego and pride denied it.
"May I come in?", Ryan asked.
"Erm ...", I replied.
He just stood at the door after opening the door, then made a gesture for me to come out. Like a magnetic pull, I just followed the wave of his hand. I'm totally crazy, easily wobbly.
We went to the dining room, there were also my father, I called him "Ayah" and Uncle Sofyan, Ryan's father. I was so absorbed in long tiring reflections until I didn't notice their return.
I smiled at everyone who was there as if all was well. No, I'm fine.
"Ara, are you alright ?" Uncle Sofyan asked me and I responded with a nod and a smile.
The dinner took place as usual, filled with meaningful talks and punctuated by laughter because of the conversation between Ayah and Uncle Sofyan.
Sometimes, Bunda and Aunty Lusi become more talkative, while Ryan and I were turning to be good listeners. After all, there's nothing to respond to. After dinner, we gathered in the family room before finally left for sleep.
***