Kopi didn't notice the passing of time.
Under the scorching heat of the sun, he was engrossed by his own thoughts that was soon distracted by the familiarity of his surroundings.
He finally got rid of the intensifying feelings he treated as bad thoughts.
He had to place his attention on what he would tell his father and younger brother why he was away for the whole night instead of returning right away in his letter.
He noticed a table that was filled with empty bottles and cups.
He realized those drunkards must have finally fainted after their endless drinking.
Kopi paid no heed to them and soon arrived home.
He noticed his younger brother was sitting in his wooden chair outside with an anxious expression.
With the dark circles on his eyes and dried lips, it didn't take long for Kopi to get worried as he arrived at such a conclusion.
"Jerry!" Kopi shouted at the top of his lungs, arriving beside his younger brother, staring in his direction.
Jerry couldn't hide his delightedness when he saw his brother.
He grabbed each wheel and attempted to roll it towards his brother, as he shouted with an excited tone, "Brother! You are back!"
Kopi increased his pace when he noticed there was a steep slope not far from Jerry.
To prevent deadly accidents from happening to his younger brother, he needs not to shout to stop him but to arrive beside him before it happens.
Thankfully, his speed seemed to have increased, and he soon appeared beside his brother, hugging him tightly.
"Brother…" Jerry couldn't help but tear up.
It really seemed that Jerry was distressed.
After all, who would not?
He was to blame.
However, Kopi was aware he didn't have to waste any time on it since he had now proved he was safe and finally comforted his anxious brother.
Kopi couldn't even help but teared up, but remembering the words of his father, he restrained.
He moved his body backward, ceasing the hug, and faced his brother.
Jerry was really crying, concealing the dark circles under his eyes, as he stared at his older brother who made him worry.
"Jerry, have you forgotten what Father had said to us?" Kopi asked as he clasped both of his hands at each end of Jerry's cheeks.
It took Jerry some time to understand what his brother meant, so he forcibly halted his weeping.
Kopi was elated and nodded.
Ignoring the tears threatening to crawl out of his eyelids.
"That's right! A man should not cry! Even if you are still not a man. Right now, you must act like one!"
"You're right, brother!" Jerry nodded with a determined gaze.
Soon, the pair of brothers calmed their emotions.
Kopi and Jerry entered the house.
…
"Where is Father?" Kopi asked, frowning.
"Father…" Jerry hesitated, sorting his thoughts, and continued, "Father awoke early in the morning and woke me up to ask about your whereabouts. It was then we read the letter, and Father quickly grew worried.
Hence, he looked for you until noon.
He came back to cook me some food and soon returned to search for your whereabouts."
Kopi was not surprised and nodded in understanding.
Right now, he was thinking, 'Should I search for Father or remain here?'
In the end, he decided to select the latter since he believed his father would not let his younger son suffer from hunger.
Although Kopi was skeptical if they could ever have lunch, Kopi believed his father would return.
The thought of eating food reminded him of his feast earlier and the call…
The latter disturbed his mind.
'I must have a personal talk with Father.' Kopi decided.
"By the way, brother. Where have you been? Have you eaten yet? Father and I left food for you. Although it was only a single cup of rice with one-half scrambled eggs, It should be sufficient to satiate your hunger."
Kopi looked at their table, missing one leg.
A flash of pity flickered in his eyes, disappearing soon.
He moved his brother beside the only chair on the bed and sat on it after locking the wheels.
He glanced at his brother, which attracted the latter's attention, and gazed at each other as he said, "My younger brother, you will not believe this. I feasted a lot of different foods that only those wealthy can devour."
Jerry was stunned, astonished, and questioned with a quivering voice, "Really? Is that true?"
"Of course!" Kopi quickly replied.
Kopi didn't hesitate to tell about his encounter with the police chief and how he ended up having a feast.
He, of course, didn't forget to twist some lies.
Even if his younger brother doubted it, his encounter with the police chief seemed to be believable, at least.
Furthermore, the way his older brother was patting his bloated stomach conveyed that he really feasted a lot.
His older brother even moaned from time to time after doing even a tiny physical work when his stomach was crammed.
Jerry had a lifetime of amusement, laughing from time to time with his older brother.
He was also showing amazement at his older brother's story.
His older brother might have concealed something since he was fine, and well, it was what only mattered to him.
"All right. That was all that I experienced."
Kopi finally decided to finish their conversation when he noticed the signs of fatigue from his younger brother.
He needed to take a rest.
"You should sleep now.
I will wake you up once I reheat these."
Kopi suddenly took out a cellophane filled with different kinds of cellophane that was packed with different foods.
Jerry was astonished, and his exhaustion quickly disappeared.
However, soon, he followed his older brother's advice.
He yawned.
He was completely worn out.
Although he could request his older brother for him to eat first, he was also aware of his older brother's concern.
After all, eating after sleeping was not logically acceptable.
In addition, he desired to eat together with the three of them, so instead of waiting for their father in boredom, it would be better to sleep and then wake up later to eat.
That way, he would perceive time quickly passing by.
"Okay, brother. I will sleep."
Kopi was about to get up when he discerned his younger brother had long rolled his wheels to arrive on the bed.
He smiled, followed him, and assisted him in resting on the bed.
Before closing his eyes, Jerry didn't forget to leave a message.
"Brother! Wake me up once we eat! And don't munch them.
Absolutely don't touch them!!!"
Kopi guffawed and nodded.
"All right. I will not touch them until Father returns."