Part 7 - Sad News

"Hello, Bro!! Where are you? We have a meeting for the action later. Are you coming?"

"You bastard activist! It's the father's turn who is the suspect, his son is gone! Haha, you're a corrupt son!"

"Alvin, where are you? Still at the reading house? I'm waiting to hear from you! The situation is urgent!"

"Alvin, are you okay? You were absent yesterday. When do you want to go back to campus? Tomorrow there will be a big action. You have to come!"

Various messages, just seen Alvin from his phone. Various emotions were mixed. However, what was there at that time was to calm his mother.

"What is it, son?"

"It's okay, Mom. Come on, you'll miss the bus."

"Okay?"

"How's your motorcycle, son?"

"It's easy. Later you can ask a friend for help. You can't ride Alvin on a motorcycle, right?"

"Are you okay?"

Alvin nodded. "How long can I hold this emotional turmoil?"

Various sad news hit Alvin instantly. Abandoned by a lover who is still loved, the sad news of his father, and course the hustle and bustle of being an activist on campus.

"What will he do next? What should I tell you later, Elsa? I don't know what to do. Will you understand if I say it later?" Alvin struggled with his anxiety and grief.

The next day, two people brought his mother in for an investigation.

"How long will the investigation take, sir?"

"I can't be sure yet. I'll let you know later. Don't worry. Mas's mother is safe. Only questioning will be made."

"Son, take good care of yourself at home, okay?"

"Mom...."

Like it or not, Alvin let his mother be taken away.

"You, how are you, Elsa?" He softly remembered the figure who used to accommodate various stories. Now? Who will he tell?

Like a dream, the next day to see his mother was not by his side. There was news, a company or some parties in the company who did not accept what was written in the news—where the news was written by Mrs. Alvin, objected. They took legal action. Took him, demanding that the editor where Anna works retract the story. Indeed, being an investigative news writer is an unusual path.

I don't know, Alvin still doesn't think why his mother wants to take this risky path. Now, he had to see for himself. His mother, who is strong, patient, gentle, has to deal with cases like this. However, he became increasingly determined to follow his mother's path. Loves literature. Even for these days, he found two of the most stifling things in his life. His father just stumbled into corruption.

Now, his mother was brought by certain parties because of the news of the investigation. The house as long as the house is now crumbling. I don't know what Alvin will do for his mother now. Is Alvin able to live? Elsa's image flashed over to him, "Elsa, do you still hate me? At times like this, I miss your soft side."

***

Since meeting in the rain that night, Elsa has been absent. As if swallowed by the time that comes and goes from nowhere. He didn't even talk even if it was just a little. Everything was suddenly bitter. Nothing is as sweet as coffee, there is only bitterness in the heart.

Alvin brought various questions. Until he didn't know where to put those questions. On the side of the road with a shady tree? In the courtyard of longing? He didn't know himself. Memories fell instantly. Wet eyes, growing longing on the cheeks of his face.

One afternoon, he accidentally saw a child begging on the street. He asked the boy. His compassion is so deep. He found the child dropped out of school. Alvin seemed unable to remain silent when he saw the suffering of others. He also decided not to go to school for three days. Meet the boy, and take a closer look at his life.

***

"What do you want to be?" "Your parents worked hard to send you to school. Why did you skip school?" A series of questions rushed to Aksa instantly from my father's mouth.

"Why are you silent, huh?"

"Alvin went to meet the kids, okay?"

As soon as he got the notification from the school, his father was angry. Because of that, Alvin is not very close to Dad. But not with his mother. His mother never scolded him. His mother is also more understanding. Even smiled with this incident.

Alvin embraced the incident itself. Before tomorrow, he put it in her eyes; Elsa.

Alvin is always looking for what she likes and doesn't like. Like a lover who always wants to understand. Understand. Although he is not a storyteller: Alvin invites her to tell. Although he often loses: he often tells the story. Without pause.

"Sa, my stomach hurts so bad," he said.

"Drink first," Elsa handed her a tumbler filled with mineral water and a slice of lemon. Infused water, he said.

"What book are you reading? Seriously. I'm annoyed to know, Sa," complained Alvin.

"What's it to you?" he doesn't answer his questions and prepares to be a good listener.

"Yes. Last time, my assignment was scolded by the geography teacher. Even though it was already perfect. I used to explain the wrong theory again. I corrected it, it just got worse," he added.

"Alvin ... " she said his name slowly after closing his book.

"Sometimes, not everything true has to be said directly. Not because of fear, but maybe we don't understand which ones to keep quiet and which ones not," explained Elsa.

"But, Sa ..." denied Alvin.

"Pray for the teacher to be gentle."

"My head is so dizzy. Tired." Alvin complained again.

"Don't think too much about it. I'll be home early, okay. Forget, I have a schedule. Afraid of being late."

"What's the schedule, Sa? Be careful...." he packed himself and ran in a hurry.

"Excuse me, do you know where Elsa is?" Alvin asked one of his neighbors.

"Just said Elsa had an accident, Mas. Let's go to the hospital together."

Alvin did not expect this to happen so quickly. Just now he put tired and complained. Complain and tired. But Elsa went badly. Bleeding wound.

"Why the accident, Mom? What's the story?"

"I don't know either."

"Hopefully it's okay, Mom."

"Yes, Mas. I feel bad too."