010 Aruna's past when she was in junior high school (part. 3)
When Gavin and Aruna arrived home, it turned out that there was already a girl their age, waiting for them, blocking the entrance through the house fence.
''Vin!'' Atikah called Gavin while putting her hands on her hips, ''No wonder, so this is why you no longer want to come home with me... So you are home with Aruna?!''
It turned out that Atikah was standing in front of the gate of the house, curtly reprimanding Gavin and Aruna. It was clear that he was annoyed.
''Oh! This is you, Atikah... Yeah, I'm home with Aruna, so what?" said Gavin, instead asking back casually, even though he knew that Atikah was upset.
Gavin, who has been playing with Atikah since he was a toddler, knows very well Atikah's spoiled nature. So far, Gavin usually comes home from school with Atikah, because they go to the same junior high school.
''Not like that! I thought you were giving a ride to your girlfriend...'' Atikah answered while glancing sharply at Aruna who was sitting behind him on Gavin's motorbike.
"I'm just bored... I always come home with you all this time... Now and then, I want to change the atmosphere," said Gavin, answering Atikah casually, not caring about Atikah's face, which was already very sour.
''Whatever, it's up to you... Starting tomorrow, I will just ask to be picked up by my family. If only I knew you were going home with Aruna, I wouldn't be like this," said Atikah in a harsh tone as she looked away from Aruna.
''Okay, if that is the case! Sorry, I forgot to tell you... If only I had known you would be waiting for me, I would have told you that I would go home with Aruna... So, okay, if you understand, thank you. I'm very sorry, but as you can see, I will go home with Aruna, now and always," said Gavin, confirming his decision.
Atikah became even more furious when she heard Gavin's words.
Gavin's cousin, Atikah, walked away with a face that clearly showed her annoyance, even though she was also proud to show it.
''Gavin!'' shouted Aruna, calling Gavin while patting his shoulder, ''Why are you saying that?! You see, Atikah was sulking," said Aruna, scolding Gavin, who casually ignored Atikah, whose face was already red, holding back her irritation.
''Do not mind her! She'll be fine by herself..." said Gavin nonchalantly, while giving a code to Aruna to get off of the motorbike and open the gate of the house.
"It's not like that, Gavin..." said Aruna as she got off Gavin's motorbike, "I usually take public transportation, but, she is not..." added Aruna again while opening the gate.
''She was already a grown-up girl... What's wrong with learning to be independent?!''
"I feel bad for her, Gavin... Every day, when going to and from school, you always give her a ride... then now, suddenly you just leave her."
"Not every day, only when her father doesn't have time to take her or pick her up from school... besides, usually she'll wander off with her friends... it's very rare for her to come home with me."
''Yeah... even so, still... I don't feel good about her because suddenly...''
''Leave it! Don't think about it! Was it wrong if I went home with my little sister?!''
Aruna was silent, looking at Gavin with an annoyed face, but she also didn't know what else to reply to Gavin's words.
"Well, never mind... It's up to you..." said Aruna resignedly. She was tired, she wanted to go in immediately and freshen up.
"Good..." said Gavin, raising his eyebrows, smiling proudly at winning the debate from Aruna.
**
Assalamualaikum...
Aruna and Gavin said in unison as they entered the house, then opened the door. Immediately, they were both shocked to see Aisyah helpless, lying in the living room.
''Astaghfirullah...'' Aruna exclaimed and Gavin said Istighfar in unison, shocked to see Aisyah's condition.
''Mother!'' shouted Gavin when he saw his stepmother lying weakly, unconscious.
"Mom... Mom, what's wrong?" asked Aruna, immediately holding Aisyah's head on her thigh.
"Gavin... please help Mother!" shouted Aruna, looking up at Gavin with a pitiful face. Her voice was also shaking with anxiety.
''OK, hang on... Come on, calm down first!" said Gavin, who was no less worried than Aruna.
"Gavin... Mother's body is cold... It's cold, Vin..." said Aruna, who was scared, her face looked like she was going to cry.
''OK, OK, Runa... You calm down, let me call an ambulance first...''
Because their house was not far from the nearest hospital, in less than fifteen minutes, the ambulance arrived and immediately transported Aisyah to the hospital. On the robe that Aisyah was wearing, there were faint blood stains when her body was lifted onto the gurney.
*****
Thirty minutes later, Mrs. Aisyah entered the emergency room, Mr. Arga came after getting a call from Gavin. He immediately approached Aruna and Gavin, who were still wearing school uniforms in the waiting room of the hospital emergency room.
"Where's your mother?" asked Mr. Arga, as soon as he saw Gavin in the emergency room waiting room.
"A doctor is checking her," answered Gavin.
"What did the doctor say?"
''Not yet... I haven't heard anything yet. They said they wanted to check her out first. They also don't want to talk to us. Just wait, they said,'' answered Gavin.
''Okay... I'll see a doctor first.''
''Yes.''
*****
"Your mother miscarried Runa... the doctor said, your mother needs to be treated first!" Mr. Arga exclaimed after talking to the doctor responsible.
''Oh my God, mother...'' said Aruna with a pale face. Immediately afterward, tears came to the edge of her eyes.
''Don't mind... Now both of you have to go home! It's already late, you two are still wearing school uniforms like this."
''I stay here, father. Waiting for mom..." said Aruna with a pitiful face, looking at Mr. Arga.
"Runa... father is here."
"Father, you are also tired, you just got back from work... Just let Runa wait for Mother," said Aruna immediately.
''Runa! Don't you believe me, girl?" asked Mr. Arga with a sad face.
"Huh?! This is not like that, no, father," answered Aruna immediately.
"If that's the case, Runa has to go back and rest now! Just go with Gavin!"
"But, father..."
''That's it! You are an annoying, stubborn girl...'' said Mr. Arga, with a serious face, looking at Aruna, showing his authority, ''Gavin, take Runa home! And, here..." Mr. Arga exclaimed as he took out some money for Gavin.
''Buy food for school tomorrow... You two, eat properly! Gavin, watch out for Runa!"
"Yes, commander!" shouted Gavin, answering his father, acting like a dashing soldier.
"Let's go back!" shouted Gavin again while gently dragging Aruna.
Even though her heart was heavy, Aruna finally gave in and obeyed when Gavin pulled her. Mr. Arga smiled and then stroked Aruna's head. Immediately after, Aruna kissed the back of his hand to say goodbye.
(Note from Wolfy:
In Indonesia, especially Muslims.
Kissing the back of the hands of older people (especially family members) is a common practice. Not only that, it shows our politeness. But, even most people consider it an obligation.
This suggests that we will get blessings if we do it. This is not only done by family members but especially to a teacher, even though we are not taught by him/her. By kissing the back of the hand, it is hoped that the knowledge we gain from the teacher will be a blessing and useful.
Kissing the back of the hand is usually done when leaving or just returning from somewhere. Or when family comes to visit or when they are returning home.
This is also usually done when families rarely see each other, whether it's in a public place or anywhere.
However, this habit is starting to be abandoned by some upper-class people. However, 97% of lower-middle-class people still use it.
Wolfy's family is one of those who use it.
At family gatherings, not just one or two hands but dozens of hands. One by one, I kissed the backs of their hands. If I'm in a big meeting, I'll be busy bending over
Because the author is the youngest (I am the great-grandchildren of a large family). But, if someone is of the same generation as me in the family, then I am the oldest among the great-grandchildren. When I have finished greeting the elders in the family, then it is my turn to receive greetings from those who are younger.
Hehehe...
*****
The next morning, Aruna and Gavin were getting ready for school. Gavin's loving aunt-in-law came over to them.
''I heard that your mother was in the hospital?!'' Karsih exclaimed in a curt tone.
''Eh, Encing... Yes. Cing..." Gavin answered calmly and smiled at his aunt.
"You, Gavin, you don't want to go home with my child anymore!" exclaimed Karsih, immediately answering with unfriendly eyes.
"It's not that I don't want to..." replied Gavin, still trying to be polite to his aunt, "But, now there is Aruna, so I am going back together with her."
"Until yesterday, you were still going home with Atikah..." said Karsih, who clearly didn't accept Gavin's explanation.
''That was yesterday's...'' replied Gavin, reasoning, ''Encing, you can take Tikah home. But Aruna, our mother, can't drive a motorbike."
''Oh! You did it on purpose, at least...'' Karsih scolded and immediately rejected Gavin's excuse, ''You brat! You're flirty...'' Karsih exclaimed again, then glanced at Aruna.
''Cing! What is it? Why did you say that?!'' Gavin exclaimed, scolding his aunt with a surprised face. He didn't like his aunt's speaking style. What's more, with her face made up, it's even more uncomfortable to look at.
''Runa! Watch your behavior, okay? Don't create your trash here! I don't accept you making things here...''
''Cing! Wait a minute, what is it Cing? Why are you talking to Runa like that?!'' Gavin shouted, still in a soft voice. He was still trying to respect Karsih, who was much older than him.
''You too Gavin! You're starting to be attracted to her, aren't you!? What are you flirting with him about? Because you made a case, your mother will bear the consequences."
''Cing! What do you mean?! Why are you bringing my mothers into this matter?!'' Aruna exclaimed. She started to get emotional when Karsih mentioned Aisyah in a very unfriendly tone.
''No need to act like you love your mother! Now your mother has had a miscarriage, who do you think it's because of this?! You're a flirtatious woman...''
''Don't play around, speak clearly! What do you mean?'' Aruna exclaimed again, her voice starting to rise in annoyance.
''Runa! Cing Karsih!" cried Gavin, screeching at them, "What's wrong with you guys, why are you making such a noise outside?!'' Gavin shouted, scolding the two of them, ''It's embarrassing... Let's see!'' Gavin shouted, pointing outside the house fence, "We have become a spectacle... You two are two big women, but you act like children!" shouted Gavin, adding, that he rebuked the two women who were ready to play and pull each other's hair.
Aruna and Karsih didn't realize that during the morning rush hour, when many people were starting to get active, people passing by the house started to be attracted by the commotion they were making.
''Cing! We both want to go to school... Let's wait a minute, let's continue!" Gavin exclaimed, ending the feud between two women from different generations.
''Cing! We both want to go to school... We'll just stop here, if we still want to continue... later after school!" shouted Gavin again, ending the feud between two women from different generations.
''Whatever!'' exclaimed Karsih, replying curtly, ''I just want to remind you, Gavin,'' said Karsih, then looked sharply at Gavin, ''Watch out if you cause embarrassing problems! Now, it's just you and this flirtatious woman at home... Just the two of you... If you get caught... I, myself, will parade you two around the village... Remember that!" shouted Karsih, threatening Gavin and Aruna with an angry face, and then leaving them.
Gavin felt emotional when he heard his aunt's harsh words. What's more, her aunt twice called Aruna inappropriate names.
''Take it easy Run! I know, she shouldn't talk like that... But, let's be patient first... Don't get emotional easily!" shouted Gavin, advising Aruna, who still clearly showed an annoyed face with a furrowed forehead and sharp eyes staring at Karsih's back as she walked away.
''That's it!... Let's go to school first... We'll come back later and then we'll think about it again,'' said Gavin as he pulled his younger sister to go up on the motorbike.
**