Thirty Two

Tama brought his hands under his head. Supports his head to lie higher. Doing nothing, the boy chose to observe the ceiling of his room.

A moment later, he glanced at his cellphone which was located on the bed. Not far from his body. But, the phone is dark. Indicates that there are no incoming notifications. Exhaling, Tama chose to go back to observing the ceiling of his room.

"Ting."

A smirk appeared on Tama's lips.

Surely you want to ask the brand of my shampoo, right?

Ha ha ha ha.

Immediately, Tama grabbed his cell phone. Opened the incoming message and he was actually disappointed.

[ Tere ]

[ Tam, are you still sick? ]

[Is it better? ]

Tama let out a long breath. It turned out that it was Tere who contacted him. Not feeling the need to reply, Tama put his phone back down. But, not long after, his phone chimed again.

"Ting!"

Tama's brow furrowed.

It can't be Tere, can it?

But, it turned out to be Tere.

[ Tere ]

[ Tam. ]

[I've cooked at home. ]

[ I go to your place, okay? ]

[ I want to visit you. ]

Tama's eyes bulged.

What?! Want to visit?

Horror suddenly flashed in Tama's mind.

You visit me, Re, not getting better. What I have is even more sick.

Unlucky!

Just thinking about Eshika meeting Tere at his apartment made him feel cold, especially if it really happened.

Having no other choice, finally Tama quickly replied.

[ Tere ]

[No need, Re. ]

[I've eaten anyway. ]

[ I'm okay. ]

And Tama almost widened his eyes when Tere immediately replied to the message.

[ Tere ]

[It's okay, Tam. ]

[ It can be for dinner. ]

[ So you don't bother looking for food later. ]

Tama swallowed his saliva.

Oh, God. It's not clear what exactly was my warning this morning? Why is this girl still so insistent? Is Tere an idiot?

Tama's two thumbs immediately moved on the virtual keyboard of the cellphone screen. Type at lightning speed.

[ Tere ]

[ Do not have to. ]

[ I have dinner here. ]

[ And by the way? ]

[Is it unclear what I said in class? ]

[You don't have to try to pay attention to me. ]

[ I've been really noticed. ]

[ You're just wasting time, Re. ]

[Until the end of the world I don't want to date you either. ]

[You're not my type. ]

Tama's eyes blinked.

Since when did I have a dream type of girl? Feelings from tall to short, light skin dark skin, while pleasing to the eye, I like dating with everygirl..

"Ting!"

[ Tere ]

[Oh....]

[ You're at home huh, Tam? ]

[ Okay then. ]

[ I'm going to the house in a moment, okay. ]

Tama's eyes successfully bulged.

Oh, shit

Tere meet Mama?

glaze.

This time Tama got up and sat down. His body suddenly shivered. And now Tama felt not his stomach pretending to be sick, but his heart beating in fear.

Get rid of me.

Tama quickly finally dialed Mawar's number. Waiting for the call to be picked up trembling.

"Tam?"

"Mom!" Tama swallowed her saliva. "I want to talk."

"What?"

"Mommy at home?"

"Yes. Why? You and Eshika want to play at home? Uh... coincidence. I misses Eshika too."

Tama's eyes closed. "No, Mom, no. I want to talk."

"Talk? What are you talking about?"

Panic, Tama said. "So, here it is. I have diarrhea."

Oh Lord.

Please don't curse me for lying to Mama.

"You have diarrhea?"

"Yes, Mom. I think I ate the wrong one with Reki this morning."

"So, how are you doing now? Want to go home?"

Exasperated, Tama squeezed the pillow. "It's not like that, Mom. So, I have diarrhea. So, I'm taking a break. Mom, you don't have to worry. I also had lunch with chicken liver corn soup. Eshika cooks."

"Geez. My choice is the right choice, right, Tam? Ckckckck. You should be grateful to have a wife like Eshika."

Tama took another gulp.

Yes, Mom. Very lucky. Until luckily, it seems like I'm the only husband in this world who is given fried cayenne pepper with his wife.

"Yes, Mom, yes. But ...."

"But ...?"

"Look, Mom." Tama took a deep breath. Decided not to lie to Mawar more. "In class, there is a girl who likes me."

"What did you say? Who? Laura? You said you no longer have any relationship with other girls, Tam!"

Tama closed his eyes. Put away the cellphone for a moment when Mawar shouted on the other side. A few seconds later, Tama finally dared to pull her phone back to her ear.

"Mom, I swear! I'm not around other girls. With this one alone, I refused before he shot."

"And then?"

Tama grimaced at Mawar's flat response, but he still said. "And Eshika really doesn't like this girl."

"Oh my, son. Which wife likes a girl who has a crush on her husband?!" asked Mawar retorted. "Are you sure you have diarrhea? Isn't it suddenly idiotic?"

"Th-that's why, Mom," continued Tama, trying to get closer to Mawar's anger from earlier. "She was planning to visit me. But, I said no. I've been so rude to say it, Mom."

"So?"

"She thinks I'm home now. So, she seems to want to come over to the house."

"Okay. I will tell the girl clearly when she comes to the house."

Tama breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Mom. I can't imagine if Eshika met Tere and then got angry."

But, for some reason, Mawar's next words felt so strange to Tama's ears. Maybe it's because Tama is really close to his parents, so Tama can seem to see Mawar talking in front of him with a faint smile on her lips. Of course, it sounds different to the ear when people say with a smile.

"I didn't think, it turns out you're a fast learner, too, Tam."

"Eh? What's your mean?"

"Yes, it is indeed a household basis. Those who will hurt the partner's feelings, we have to drive away."

Tama's eyes bulged. His mouth twitched, but stupid. Not a word came out of his mouth to refute Rose's words.

"It's not in vain I educated you all this time, Tam."

"Um..., Mom..."

"Okay. Are you taking a break? Get well soon."

Tama was still dumbfounded, even after the call ended. Staring at her phone's darkening screen, Tama grimaced.

Household principles?

Unlucky.

Why do I feel sick to my stomach now?

*

tbc ....