Part 15.
I covered my school clothes with a cardigan, so it wouldn't appear that I was still wearing the uniform.
"Sir, take Vira to the maternity clinic, okay? Over there where Mom works!" I mentioned
full address of the clinic.
"Okay, Vir," said Mr. Ahmad.
"If the people at home ask, what will you answer later?"
"Just tell me Vira is going to Mother's house!"
"Well, that's the clinic, sir! Stop here!" I asked.
"Yes, a moment," Mr. Ahmad pulled the car aside. Then I came down.
I look back, the motorbike that followed
was no longer seen.
"Are you waiting for you or not, ya?" asked
Mr. Ahmad is a little confused.
"You don't have to wait, sir! Let Vira and Mother go home by taking a bus," I refused.
"Oh-yeah, already, you be careful, yes, Vir!"
I nodded my head and entered the clinic grounds. It feels like it's been a long time since I've been here even though it's only been a few months. Just to be sure, I called Mom again.
Mother said she had finished work, she wanted to clean up first. I was told to sit on a chair in the waiting room.
"Hey, Vira, long time no see, ya!" said Mrs. Murni
"Yes, Mrs," I said.
"You're even more beautiful now! Your skin is white, your body is tall and slender, like the model on TV!" praise Mrs. Murni
"Ahhh, I'm praising too much!" I said embarrassed.
"Viraa ... we can finally meet again" Mother's voice startled me.
"Thank God, Mom," I said.
We miss each other, and Mrs. Murni only knows a glimpse of the story. She doesn't want to interfere in your family matters. She only knew that I had entered a state high school.
All of Mother's duties have been completed at the clinic, I can breathe a sigh of relief. Even though we only met for a few hours, I had to make the most of this time.
After Vira and her mother left the clinic, a pair of eyes peeked out from behind the window
room. Lately, this thin white-skinned boy often avoids when Vira comes to the clinic to see his mother. I don't know what happened to this guy.
****
My mother and I went home by bus. I glanced at the watch in my hand, I only had two hours left to miss my mother and two younger siblings.
"Viraa... why have you been daydreaming?" Mother asked in surprise because I kept looking at my watch.
"Nothing, Mom! Can't wait to meet Raka and Riki!" I answered.
Fifteen minutes later, the bus stopped right in front of my mother's alley. I went straight down and paid the fare.
"Bro ... this is the fare for two people!" I said, handing me five thousand two bills.
"Here's the change!" the bus driver gave two thousand notes into my hand.
Uhuk ... uhuk ... uhuk ...
Suddenly the sound of Mother coughing, she immediately took out a handkerchief from her long skirt pocket. Then Mother stopped at the edge of the alley and covered her mouth. However, Mother's cough did not stop.
"Mom why, her chest hurts, ya?" I asked.
"Mother's breath is suddenly this tight!" she answered. I took my mother's hand and rubbed her chest and back.
"How long have you been coughing like this?"
"Almost a month this cough has not healed either!"
"You've taken your medicine, haven't you?" I asked.
"I only bought cough medicine, the sachets were at the shop!" she answered.
"How can you walk again, Mom?" I asked worriedly.
"Hmm, yes," she answered quietly.
From afar I saw Raka and Riki sitting on the terrace of the house. They are playing games using cell phones. By the way, they have cell phones, I thought.
"Assalamu'alaikum..." I greeted.
"Wa'alaikumsalam, Sis Vira is coming!" exclaimed Raka and Riki while hugging me.
"Wow, Brother miss this so much!" I said.
"How come it can be the same as Mother?" my two sisters asked.
"After school, Sister went straight to Mrs
Murni!" I explained.
"Oh-no wonder we can come together!" they answered.
"Raka... have you cooked rice?" Mother asked.
"Yes, Mom!" he answered.
"Now then, copy this side dish into the plate, after that you guys three eat, ya! Mom is going to the room take a bath first!"
****
Uhuk ... uhuk ... uhuk.
Mother's cough sounded again, I immediately asked Raka about Mother's illness.
"Raka! How long have you been coughing like that?" I asked.
"It's been a long time, Sis! Since you came with Aunt, Mother has also been coughing a lot! But this month, it's been getting more frequent at work, and at night he often has a cough!" explained Raka at length.
I fell silent hearing my sister's words. If I had stayed with them, perhaps Mother wouldn't have finished her work. At least I can help her share her homework and duties at Mrs. Murni's house.
"Just a moment, Sis, Raka copy this side dish!
Let's eat soon!"
"Yes," I said.
"Oh yeah, you bought a new cell phone, didn't you?" I asked Riki, my youngest sister.
"Mother bought it, sis! Yesterday Om Wisnu intended to give us a cell phone. But Mother refused, so she bought it for half the price!" he explained.
"Mother said, do not want to accept gifts from people, afraid of being indebted!"
"Yeah, Sis! Om Wisnu is very kind! He often gives us food when he comes home from work!" Riki whispered in my ear.
"Oh yes?!" I said.
"He once said to Riki, sorry to see our mother. Almost committed suicide because of desperation, that's what he said, Sis!"
"Hm, Om Wisnu doesn't really have a wife, ya?" investigate me.
"He said, never married! Used to almost getting married, but failed because of his girlfriend
having an affair! Just like our father, sis!"
"House... don't be loud, you'll hear Mom!" I remember Riki.
My youngest brother is still in junior high school but his thoughts mature before his time. Meanwhile, Raka doesn't talk much, likes to be alone, and is exactly like Mother. Meanwhile, Riki and I, are like your father, who are brave and don't want to give in, aka stubborn.
Raka came out of the kitchen carrying a basket of rice and side dishes earlier. The three of us immediately ate with gusto. But this warm atmosphere changed when the sound of Mother's coughing came from the room again.
To be continued...