Difficult Choice

I leaned on Gepeng's shoulder, then sobbed softly when the doctor said that Bambang had made it through his critical period. I don't know for sure what happened, those people used weapons to hurt Bambang.

I turned when I heard Alif and Gab's voices in the hospital corridor. Looks like they just came out of Naca's room.

They looked quite calm, maybe Naca's condition had improved.

"Mel, you also need treatment! Look at your condition!" Yogo sat beside me after lightly patting my arm.

I looked down at some of the cuts and bruises on my hands, and to be honest it wasn't a big deal. Compared to Bambang and Naca's condition, I can say I'm fine. Very good though.

"No need, Go. It's not this bad anyway! When can we visit Bambang?"

"Don't know yet, the doctor said we have to wait until his condition stabilizes first!"

I nodded slowly.

Alif and Gab sat on chairs not far from us. He looked at us with sad eyes.

"How's Bambang?" asked Alif slowly.

"He's past his critical period," said Yogo slowly.

Alif nodded slowly while Gab looked at Yogo sharply.

"The culprit is Blackstone! So, you want to wait until how many more victims have fallen, ha? That's the one inside, who's fighting for their life, your friend, right?" snapped Gab.

I gripped the sleeve of the flattened hoodie tightly and looked straight at Gab.

The atmosphere became very tense now.

"Gab," Alif glanced at Gabriel with a look I didn't understand.

"The problem is, if we attack now, not only two but there will be many other victims. We could lose someone if we are rash!" said Yogo slowly.

"Wow! That's your friend who almost died! Open your eyes!" snapped Gab.

"We'll talk about this later! This is a hospital remember?!" Alif's deep voice intervened.

Gepeng held my hand tightly and smiled faintly.

"Peng, it's better if you take Melody back, let her rest," said Yogo slowly.

I shook my head quickly. I can't go without seeing Bambang wake up first. I had to make sure he opened his eyes before I left. I have to make sure he's alive.

"I'm with the others here, Uncle Uyon will be here soon, so it's better if you go back and rest!" Yogo said slowly.

I know he's trying to make me understand, but...

"Just go home, Mel! You really need to rest! Treat your wounds too!" added Alif.

"That's crazy, that's my friend in the palace who hasn't woken up yet! You all told me to come back? I don't want to!"

"Mel," this time Gepeng called me.

"When you go home, do you want to walk on your own feet, shall I carry you?"

"But Peng, I just want to stay here waiting for Bambang! I have to make sure he's okay-" Before I could finish my sentence, Gepeng had already lifted my body and carried me on his back.

He immediately walked quickly while carrying me out of Bambang's room.

"Peng, put me down!"

"No!"

I pinched Smack's cheek really hard to get him to let go of me, but it was no use, the guy just ran towards the parking lot.

He also forced me to sit on the back of his motorbike.

"You're also a victim! So it's okay to rest for a while Mel, I promise I'll take you to the hospital again later. Now let's go home, treat your wounds, eat, sleep, then come back here, okay?"

I scowled in annoyance when Gepeng started the motorbike that didn't belong to anyone and took me away from the hospital.

"How can I eat? That's my friend still struggling over there!" I screamed a little so that Gepeng could hear my voice.

"He has gone through a critical period, trust the doctor, he will be fine!"

***

Gepeng cleaned the wound on my hand with warm water, after that he gave betadine to my wound. It hurts, but it's not really. Gepeng blew on my wound before applying cotton and plaster to it.

His attitude like this makes me very comfortable and a little flattered. I feel really loved right now.

The way he looks at me treats me, I like everything.

"Mel,"

"Yes?"

"If I asked you to stay away from Roulette, would you?"

Reflexively, I immediately pulled my hand away from him and took a step away.

Gepeng looked at me deeply. His jaw was clenched tightly and his hands were clenched into fists.

I shook my head quickly.

"I'd go crazy if I had to worry about you every day!" cried Gepeng in a loud voice.

"You don't have to worry!"

"The further we come here, the greater the risk of us getting hurt! I can't always be by your side, I can't always take care of you, and if you continue to be around the Roulette guys, you could experience something like this again! I hope you understand!"

"Peng! You guys are my friends! How can I keep you away for my own safety?!"

Gepeng shook his head in frustration, he came closer and tightly gripped both sides of my arms. His sharp gaze pierced my eyes.

I froze on it.

"I just want you to stay out of danger!" said Gepeng full of emphasis.

I closed my eyes quickly and looked down. I couldn't bear to see Gepeng's gaze.

But, no matter how afraid I was of death, I still couldn't afford to leave my friends in Roulette, let alone have Bambang there. Roulette is not just a friend to me, they are more than that.

I know I'm weak. But, if I can't protect them, at least I have to fight alongside them.

"I love you, Mel! I don't want something like this to happen again! What if it was you who was stabbed, and not Bambang? You want to drive me crazy, huh?" Gepeng raised his voice.

"Once again, Gepeng, no matter what happens, I will never stay away from Roulette! I hope you understand! Also, you don't have to worry, I will learn martial arts. I can join Pencak silat, karate, or whatever training. I won't let anyone hurt me, okay?" I beg very much.

Gepeng took a deep breath. He released his grip from my arm and rubbed his short hair roughly.

Gepeng threw himself on the sofa and closed his eyes. He looked really messed up.

"Peng,"

"What?"

"It's so late, you're not home?"

"I can't bear to leave you alone, since your mom is still out of town, right?"

I nodded slowly.

"I'll just stay here!"

I gaped at Gepeng's words. Did I hear wrong? Did he say want to stay?

"Wait! It can't be like that! Where can you stay in a woman's place like this!" I cried frantically.

Gepeng took a deep breath and then glanced at me sharply.

"Seriously Peng, you have to go!"

"I'm not going to leave you at home alone right now! What if their spies follow you and attack you when I get back?"

"Nothing like that, I'm fine! Besides, there's security, there's a housekeeper, there's a driver, there's a gardener, there's a lot of people here! They won't let anyone hurt me!"

Gepeng didn't listen to me and closed his eyes.

Stubborn.

I sat on the other side of the sofa watching the man. He was worried about people while he was injured quite a lot.

His pure white skin made the cuts and bruises look very terrible.

"Oh yeah, you had an argument with Paijo on the phone, what were you talking about?" asked quietly.

"He got a clue as to who was behind this attack. They are still considering where to take this case! You know that Bambang and Naca were seriously injured."

"Who? Who was the mastermind?"

"He ..."

"Yeah, who is he?"

"The brother of one of the victims who was imprisoned! He gathered the Blackstone guys to attack us!"

I scowled at the explanation about Gepeng. So, in essence, everything that happened was the result of my fault.

If I had listened to Gepeng at that time, if I had not gone alone and experienced the incident, perhaps things would not have been as complicated as they are now.

"I know, you must be blaming yourself right now! No need to be like that Mel, basically, our main enemy is Blackstone, so sooner or later, we have to deal with them!" Gepeng said slowly.

No, the man's excuses are still unacceptable to me.

"How could I not feel guilty?"

"If you feel guilty, stay out of trouble! Stay away from Roulette! After all, you're not actually a member of Roulette! You shouldn't be near us!"

I was shocked to hear Gepeng's words. It's true, that I'm not a member of Roulette. But since I've become very good friends with them, I can't just stand by when I know they're fighting and risking their own lives.

"How to join Roulette?"

Gepeng glared at me. I knew this wasn't what he wanted to hear from me.

"Are you crazy? A weak woman like you wants to join Roulette, who you know will always be in danger because of dealing with Blackstone?! Please, don't think with your heart! Use a little logic!" Gepeng is really angry now.

"I told you, didn't I? I'll join Pencak silat, karate, or whatever to make me stronger!" I said.

"If you don't love your life, think about your mother who will be very hurt if something happens to you!"

After saying that, Gepeng immediately left me.

Like getting slapped really hard, I can only look down languidly.

Mother had saved me from death before, she would be very hurt if she knew that I was endangering myself.

However, how can I just stay silent, and walk away when I know my friends are putting themselves in danger? Moreover, after this incident, they continued to be targeted by Blackstone because of my fault.

Isn't this quite complicated?

What should I do? How about Aunt Yuyun? Why did she allow Bambang to join Roulette? Will it work for me too?

Ah, it seems impossible if I have to ask permission from my mother. Which parent would allow their child to get into trouble?