Lana's POV
Before the surgery, the doctor had me fill out some paperwork. The surgery might not be successful, but the chances were only 20 percent. I agreed to the terms. My mother stayed with me all day, while Chia had to return to Surabaya as the semester break was coming to an end.
"Mom, will I be okay after this?"
"Yes, son. I'm sure of it."
"Please get me a blank notebook, Mom. I'm going to write something down."
Mom complied with my request. Actually, I also wanted this surgery to go smoothly. However, the doctor said that this operation does not rule out the possibility that I might not live long. Therefore, I need to write a letter to Chia, if at any time I can no longer be with her. Mom is still optimistic that I can recover. But I guess I don't have that spirit. I really want to be with Chia forever, even if it's impossible for me. She has a long life ahead of her, and I'm sure she'll grow up to be a wise and authoritative woman. Even though the storms of life hit her time and time again, she still stands tall and brave. If I die, she will surely find another man who can accept her for who she is other than me. However, I'm very happy to be with her even if it's not for long. Seeing the smile on her face has made my day colorful.
"Lana Alfaro, please come into the room." The nurse's voice woke me up. I closed the book and entered the operating room.
***
As long as Lana was not by her side, the light of Chia's life dimmed again. Every day she cried over the situation. Her parents were already silent, but it was the silence that made her even more miserable. Loneliness slowly overcame her. She no longer played with Heri, or went to the club as usual. Because he had promised Lana to be a good boy while Lana underwent surgery.
Chia's mom was dating her office mate, Om Rio. At first, Chia was reluctant to get acquainted with her mother's friend. But as her mom brings Rio home more and more often, Chia can't help but get to know the stranger who is destroying her family relationship.
At school, the rumors about her had faded away. But still, none of her friends wanted to talk to her. Chia was alienated by her friends. Ignored, not considered to exist. This is what made Chia begin to lose her existence.
To unwind, he went back to his routine of feeding cats in the park.
**
Chia's POV
2 months passed. It turned out that the divorce trial went faster than I expected. Chia's mom and dad were officially divorced. Chia's father left the flat and chose to live with his friend outside the island, starting a new life. Her mother, meanwhile, was officially in a relationship with Rio, her office mate.
Om Rio often bought me food and took me to the mall with mom. Honestly, I feel happy. I thought this would be the start of a good relationship for my life. Mom could smile happily with Om Rio. Seeing mom happy like that, I felt relieved.
The happiness in my life didn't last long. I found out that Om Rio was abusing his position as the new director for his own benefit. An angry mother, as secretary, reported him to the police. Rio's behavior reminded her of her father, which led to the breakdown of their relationship.
Om Rio was also caught up in a legal case, earning him a fine and having to be removed from his job.
Mom was sad again. But she was also happy that she didn't have to stay in a relationship with dishonest people like them.
"Chia, if you ever find a man in your life, make sure he's not a bad person like them. Abusing one's position and acting arbitrarily just because one has power shows the arrogance of a man. You don't want to get close to that kind of person. Just make mom's story a lesson, son. " Mom said to me.
"Yes, mom. I love you." I hugged mom very tightly.
"Mom has a work meeting out of town on Saturday. Please take care of the house." Mom said
"Really? What's the occasion?"
"Our company still needs a new director. After Om Rio was implicated in the case, the company overhauled its organizational structure, which was followed by all subsidiary branches. We will stay in Malang. It won't take long, maybe two weeks."
"Alright, mom. I will guard the house carefully."
"Good. I'm glad you're obedient like this. My daughter has grown up to be a great and trustworthy woman. I have prepared this money for you for two weeks. Don't be wasteful, the groceries are fully stocked in the refrigerator." Mom said as she took a white envelope containing 2 million rupiah. She handed the envelope to me.
I hugged mom again. Mom hugged me back while kissing my forehead.
"Mom will be leaving after dawn tomorrow. So, you need to prepare your own breakfast."
"Yes, ready, captain!"
I slept next to my mother. The next morning, my mother was no longer there.
**
Author POV
It was a sunny Sunday. While Chia was playing games after lunch, there was a knock on the door. Chia quickly opened the door. It turned out to be Rio, her mother's ex-boyfriend. Chia, frightened, said that her mother was not at home.
"Hello sweet girl, where's your mom?"
"Mom's not home."
"Answer honestly. Where did you hide your mother?!" Rio's tone of voice was getting higher.
"I... I don't know the exact place. Mom is meeting out of town. That's all I know." Chia was trembling. She was afraid that someone would yell at her.
"CALL YOUR MOM RIGHT NOW!"
Rio grabbed Chia by the collar, but Chia was still trembling. Chia was crying. Rio became more and more agitated. "Your mom is a bitch! I'll make you like your mom too!" Rio went berserk, throwing Chia's body onto the bed, stripping her of her clothes, and then committing depraved acts that shouldn't be done. Chia had screamed at the top of her lungs, but there was no one to help her. She surrendered, tears streaming down her cheeks, she was limp and helpless.
After committing his depraved act, without feeling guilty Rio left Chia there alone. Chia was pensive. After being abused by her ex, now her mother's ex-boyfriend was doing the same. Wanting to disappear from the earth, she felt she could no longer live her life.
For days, Chia confined herself to her room. She drank only water and the bread left in the fridge. She tried to go out for some fresh air, but she couldn't. She was too scared to step foot, the world would surely regard her as a disgrace with a look of disgust.
Crying. Screaming. Screaming. But she kept it all inside. She didn't dare to tell people. Just like when she was harassed by Brandon, people would still be on her side, they would still think she was the woman who seduced him first, even though she didn't do anything. A bad girl who smokes, drinks, so it's no wonder she was harassed.
Anger burned in her heart, disappointment entered the recesses of her soul, making her feel unbearably sick. She picked up a piece of glass scattered in the living room, deliberately scraping it against her arm slowly.
Blood flowed little by little. It stung, but of course he scraped it off again and again. The pain in her hand was nothing compared to the suffering she had endured all this time. She wanted to scream at God.
"God is unfair. Why should I? I just want to live a happy life! Is it that hard for you to fulfill my prayers?! I've been trying to behave well for the past 3 months, but why are you giving me more and more trials?! Why?! " she said while sobbing. Before long, he fell asleep, while his hand was still holding the bloodstained glass.
***
Lana came home from her heart surgery. The doctor said her condition was getting better. The news made her happy. After picking up some prescriptions at the pharmacy, she stops by to buy brownies to enjoy with Chia at the park.
Arriving at the park, he didn't see Chia there. The security guard also said he hadn't seen Chia for over a week. Lana began to feel worried. "She's not used to this, what happened to her while I was in the hospital?" she wondered to herself.
When she reached the front door, Lana knocked. Once or twice, there was no answer. She knocked harder. "Chia, open the door. I brought brownies for you!"
"Chia! Chia!" she called out Chia's name repeatedly, banging on the door and trying to open it. It was locked from the inside. "Chia! Do you hear me? Open the door now, Chia. It's me, Lana." Again, there was silence. Frustrated, she tried to break down the door. []