"She's the daughter of one of Papa's business partners... that girl," Ricky said.
It's late now, but he's taking me on a red bridge. I don't know where it is. But, I dare not ask. Because I know... that Ricky needs some rest right now.
"In the past... Mama always welcomed her with both hands. Accepted her amid the family as her daughter. Because... Mama didn't have a daughter. And... I never knew how all of that could happen. When I was allowed to go home from school due to illness, and without Raka..." he lowered his head with a wry smile. Even though now he doesn't cry anymore. But I know who must break his heart right now. Because... he reminisced about the wound. The wound he was trying his best to bury deep.
"That afternoon, I accidentally saw Mama kneeling at the woman's feet, crying and begging the woman to let Papa go and let Papa go. But... at that time, Papa got angry. Papa hit Mama and said that the woman was already pregnant with his child. I, who was young, only knew that I didn't want Mama to cry. I, who was young, didn't know that at that time, that damn woman had snatched Papa from Mama, even Raka from me. Until one Sunday morning... Mama and Raka were gone. Just from home. I shouldn't have woken up late, and I should have been more sensitive if Mama already had plans to leave that day. I should have—" he took a deep breath. He looked up at the sky full of stars.
"Why did I even chase them on a bicycle, huh... why didn't I use a motorbike. If only I had brought a motorbike or a car, I wouldn't have lost them."
"Rick..." I said, patting his shoulder. He turned and looked at me with those sad brown eyes.
"I know... I know very well that this is hard for you. But rest assured, God did all this not without reason. God has prepared something beautiful for you."
"Something beautiful, Lam?" now, he smiled wryly. I feel I have said wrong.
I shouldn't have said that.
"If God gave me something beautiful, why did God take Mama and Raka from me! Why did Papa have to marry that woman if God had a more beautiful plan? What other beautiful plan did he have? Mama will come back, and then Mama will marry Papa again? There is nothing more beautiful in this world than Mama's happiness, and God has snatched it all from Mama!"
"So you think... I'm not a part of your happiness?"
"You are part of my happiness. But happiness will never be complete without my Mama's smile." I held his hand, trying to calm him down.
"Believe me... one day, and your Mama will find a much better man than your Papa. If indeed your Mama and Papa can't be together now, it means that your Papa is not the best for your Mama, right? The proof is ... Your Papa ignores your Mama. Ricky... there are times when we can do things that make other people happy. But, there are also times when we can't do anything to wipe their tears. Its fate, Rick. You must be thinking that if I know, I care a lot and act mature, right? But at least your family is still there. You still have Papa, Mama, and Raka. Me? I've lost my parents since I was little, Rick. I can't even see their smiles. I don't even remember their faces because all the photos of my parents were lost when I moved into the house now. Elo is still luckier than me, so I hope... don't again you feel alone, and are the one who hurts the most, huh? If you feel your life is a burden, I'm ready to help lift that load. And if you want to tell stories, vent, and the like, I'm ready to listen and help you. So... please, don't be sad anymore, okay? I'm still here for you," I don't know where my strength came from to talk at length like that. Meanwhile, Ricky opened his mouth wide. I'm sure... he must have been surprised to see me being such a fussy girl.