Hearing that name called, Sekar's face immediately turned serious. It feels like just yesterday the girl was throwing a tantrum at the child, now what else is she doing? That's what Sekar thought.
"She … made another fuss?"
"Yes. And it's just as bad when She badmouths to father. If I'm honest, Lia doesn't understand why she behaves like that. Lia has absolutely no problems and has never once bothered her." Finally, Lia brought out all her worries about Ana to her mother.
Sekar is paying serious attention to complaints from Lia, especially when it comes to Ana. Since childhood, the girl has shown her dislike for Lia.
Ana often breaks or takes her child's toys. Sekar thought this was done because she was still little. But gradually and as she gets older, Ana's attitude can't be considered normal, but rather like an intentional act.
The incident that happened at Mr. Irwan's stall the other day was still etched in Sekar's mind. Moreover, she knew that the girl was slapped by Ana. Even though it was the girl who had slandered her family and accused Lia of being ridiculous. And now, Ana is making a fuss with her child again.
---
Finally, Lia narrated coherently when she first got acquainted with Evan and Angga. Then, the story comes to the story of Ana's act of pretending to be herself when Evan tries to find out about her.
"Oh my gosh, Ana is that much?"
"Yes, Ma'am. So, Evan almost got tricked. Yes, even though Angga already told me. As Lia said earlier, it was Angga who saw and also met Lia for the first time. But Evan didn't believe it. He thought, Angga is lying and wants to repay Evan's prank."
"So, what's next? Has everything been exposed? Then, what happened to Ana?" Sekar became impatient and immediately asked the child many questions.
"Angga said, their business with Ana is over, Mom. But, Lia has not asked further. Actually, after the business with Ana was over, they invited Lia to have a lunch together, but Ares called earlier and told that Dad had fallen. So, Lia decided to hurry home because so worried about Dad."
"Hmmm ... I'm also relieved that the problem with Ana is over. I hope she doesn't do it again. Not want to negative thinking but usually ... it all starts at home. I don't know what she got from her parents…" Sekar hung her sentence as if she couldn't continue.
"I don't know, Ma'am. Lia doesn't understand either," said Lia quickly because she understood what her mother was feeling and she didn't ask any further.
"Mother's message is only one, stay careful with people like that. And don't hesitate to fight or defend yourself if, in reality, you're not at all wrong." Lia nodded at Sekar's advice.
Lia's feelings became more relieved after revealing all her heart to her mother. Moreover, She got good advice that made her heart calm again.
That's Lia, whenever something happened she always told her mother who was like a friend to her. Because of the responses and advice given, it seemed as if they continued to make Lia feel better and become less worried.
---
"Oh, I'm curious about your new friend from Jakarta. Really, what did they come here for? Holiday?" Sekar asked after she had discussed enough with Ana.
"Angga said it was a work matter, Ma'am. Earlier, Lia already apologized and said that another time, we can eat together."
Before their mother gave a response, Ares approached them and sat down next to Lia. Without permission, he took the cup his sister was holding, then took a sip of the ginger drink until it was almost half full.
"Huaaaahhh … so good!!"
"Ares … the dragon smoke is starting to come out. After all, it's not very polite to just play and grab!" Lia fiercely protested while looking annoyed at her brother.
"Res, didn't Mother also make it for you?"
"Hehe, it's gone, Mom," he answered with a wide grin, which made his mother just smile while shaking her head.
"Brother just hasn't drank much, hah … you bastard!" Lia scolded which was only answered by a chuckle from her sister.
"Mom, you don't know. Sis Lia already has a boyfriend." Ares suddenly said that which almost made Lia choke.
"What boyfriend?!"
"Yeee… pretended to forget. That's what I met at the convenience store at that time."
"Ugh, what the heck. It's not very clear!" scolded Lia annoyed while pinching Ares's arm.
"Ssshhh… don't be so loud. Your fahther wake up later. Poor thing," said Sekar gently, reminding his two children who had started to fight.
"Yes, Ares. Come and make a riot!" Lia protested again and before Ares could answer, Sekar explained that her sister had told her about the meeting, including a young man named Angga.
"Ohhhh … I guess. I'm really happy if Lia has a boyfriend. Because all this time, You feel like being single," Ares said casually.
"Ohhhh ... so, all this time you're not happy because I'm single? So what?" Lia asked angrily, glancing cynically at her brother.
"Yes, yes, yes, yes. Sis Lia is not so bad, but how come no one wants you? Or maybe…"
Before Ares finished speaking, Lia immediately smacked him, then wrapped her arms around the nape of her brother's neck.
"Ouch ... ouch ... Sorry!"
"Don't what? Lets answer! I'm still normal. Uh, you got this!"
Lia wrapped her arms tighter on the nape of her brother's neck, then smacked his head again. Not hard, really, but enough to make Ares beg to let go.
"Oh my… already… already. You guys are already big, still don't fight. Mom said Dad would wake up later. Alright, now come in. Sleep. Come on, hurry."
Finally, Sekar reprimanded her two children who started acting up again. While patting the shoulders of the two, she asked Lia and Ares to come inside the house because it was getting late.
---
Lia was already in her room and slightly tidied her bed which was a little messy. Finished cleaning, she reached for her cell phone which had not been touched because it was charging.
There were several incoming messages, especially from the Happy Success Group, which seemed so excited that they had accumulated over 500 chats.
"Oh my, what are you talking about?" Lia muttered, then temporarily ignored the group and switched to the incoming private chat.
One of the messages came from Angga. Not only messages, but the young man also called her several times. For a moment, Lia was silent while looking at the object. Finally, because she felt bad, she decided to reply to the chat from Angga first. However, after about ten minutes had passed, it turned out that Angga had not replied.
'Maybe it's asleep' Lia thought and she decided to just rest.
***
The next day …
"Evan, why didn't you wake me up? How dare you let me sleep on the couch."
Evan glanced at his best friend for a moment, then resumed his activities of making fried rice which was about to be cooked. He completely ignored Angga's scolding, instead choosing to discuss another topic.
"Last night Lia replied to your message, Ngga. It appears in a pop-up, but I haven't opened it yet."
"Oh, you should just open it."
"Privacy. Unless it's urgent. Well, it's dead. Tomorrow it's your turn to prepare, okay? As agreed," Evan said while placing two plates of fried rice along with fried eggs and sausages on the dining table.
"Yes Sir, yes. Anyway, why don't you just order the food? It's really difficult to cook everything," protested Angga, but his eyes were still on his cellphone.
"Do you want to? If you are not, then no problem. You buy it, buy it with your own money. Don't ask me." Evan coldly answered, then chose to start eating his breakfast.
"Tsk! Yes, sir, if you buy it, it's good, Mr. Evan. If you do it yourself, right…"
Instantly Angga stopped talking after a tablespoon of fried rice made by Evan entered his mouth. His eyes rounded, then looked at Evan with a look in his eyes as if he couldn't believe what his tongue had just tasted.
"Why? Isn't it good?" Evan asked coldly without caring about the strange expression that Angga showed.
"It's crazy how delicious!! Since when? Since when did you become so good at cooking? Will you admit it, Van?"
Angga asked his successive questions as well as his distrust of Evan who could make fried rice that good. As far as being his best friend's Assistant, he had never seen Evan in the kitchen. Moreover, making fried rice tastes very good.
"Whatever you say, Ngga. Hurry up and finish it while it's still hot. That too if you want," said Evan casually.
"Eh, no, I mean… all this time, when did you ever learn to cook? How come I never saw it?"
"Do we live together?"
"Oh yeah, haha. I'm so stupid."
"Just realized? Hahaha," Evan said with a laugh.
***