32.  Back to Emily  

Five Years Later

"No, I don't want to go to that school again, mbak Atun".

"Honey ... you can't be like that, son, you have to go to school. Aren't there many friends? You can play with them".

"No. I don't want to". Curtly, Nathan insists on refusing to go to school.

Nathan is now in school. He studied at a playground in downtown Yogyakarta. Having many friends and a large playground was not enough to make him feel as happy as his peers.

"Honey, can I ask you something?"

" Hem... " Nathan's little lips tried to express his annoyance. He sat in his study chair with his hands folded.

"Why don't you want to go to school, son? Isn't it great to play with your friends?"

"No. They always make fun of me."

"Mocking you? Why?"

"They say I'm not your son. He never took me to school once. Is it true that you don't love me?"

Adelia widened her eyes, and her heart seemed to stop beating for a few seconds. He did not expect that his son would speak so.

"Mom, is it true that I am not your son?"

This made Adelia's heartache.

"Dear, you are Hendra's father's son. I love you very much, but don't you know that your father is a busy man? He had to take care of the company, take care of the needs of mom and Nathan, and many other affairs. You must be very tired, right?"

"My friends ' father also has a job, but he always has time to take his son to school. Then why isn't dad?"

Adelia was at a loss for words. She no longer knew what to say to her son. He could only say in his heart, 'Nathan, You've grown up Son, you can already feel that your father doesn't love you. I'm sorry, honey, because your mother is in this position.' Adelia's tears began to be unstoppable.

"Wait here, son, I'll be back soon."

Adelia rushed out of Nathan's room. He stepped towards his room. He promises himself to bring Hendra to Nathan, even if only briefly.

"Hendra"

"What is it? Don't you usually talk to me this early in the morning?"

"May I ask for your help this morning?"

"What help is that?"

"Can you take Nathan to school? I'm not feeling well today."

"Isn't there an elephant?"

"Nathan wants to be taken by his father to school. Please, this time, Hendra."

"No Adelia, you know my work in the office is very piling up right? I don't have time."

"Hendra, have I ever asked for anything more during my time as your wife? Have I ever complained about your treatment of me? I'm just asking for help this time, Hendra. My son needs you, please." Adelia's tears broke out in front of her husband.

"Don't cry in front of me Adelia, it's free. I still won't deliver your son."

"Hendra, what is this? Adelia, are you crying?"

"Mama." Adelia quickly wiped away the tears running down her cheeks.

"Mom, who are you looking for?"Hendra said trying to divert the conversation.

"Mom wants to go to Nathan's room to check on him. Not usually he hasn't been to the dinner table at this hour. Then I heard you making noise. What's wrong, son? Can you tell mama?"

"I want to ask Hendra to take Nathan to ma school. Nathan really wanted to be with his father when he went to school. But..."

"But Hendra refused it?"

"It's not like that, ma, I just have a lot of work in the office, I have to leave immediately."

"Alright, you can leave for the office after you accompany Nathan right? Delivering a child is not long Hendra. It doesn't hurt that you take a little time for your son."

Hendra's face showed his frustration. This time he prefers to relent because he doesn't want to argue with his mama.

"I'll take Nathan. But remember Adelia, just for once."

"Thank You Hendra. Mama thanks."

With a sad and happy look, Adelia looked at her husband and also her mother-in-law. He rushed to Nathan's room to deliver the good news.

#

"Hic...Hic... mama..."

"Dad, did you hear the sound of a child crying?"Nathan asked as soon as he set foot on the grassy schoolyard.

"Yes, I heard it".

"Dad, he fell there". Nathan pointed in one direction near the swing. Immediately, he ran and gave help to the fallen daughter.

"Hi, are you okay? Which part Hurts?". Nathan knelt down, helping the daughter sit down.

"This...."Pointing at his knees and arms that were scratched by the surrounding rocks.

"Excuse me, what happened kids?". A woman burst through Hendra and Nathan, who were in front of the crying girl.

"He fell to the teacher. I helped her to sit down".

"You are a good boy, son. What's your name?"

"Um... excuse me. I'm sorry, Nathan.I have to get back to the office. Can you go now?"

"Go, Dad, thank you for taking me. I love you, dad."Nathan kissed the back of his father's hand and hugged him for a moment. Without a warm hug in return, Hendra just left Nathan's presence.

"Excuse me, ma'am."

"Yes sir." The woman smiled.

Wait for that guy? I feel familiar. Have I met him before?'Both eyes have not been separated from the figure of Hendra getting away.

"Mrs. Emily, do you know my father?"

"Huh? Oh em ... No Kid."

"His name is Hendra bu, he's my father. My friends have misjudged me, my father is very dear to me. The proof is that he wants to take me to school."

"Oh yes, of course. Your father must love you very much."Emily smiled hesitantly at the cute boy standing in front of her. I don't know why there was something in his heart.

"Emily, my feet hurt."

"Oh dear, let's treat Alyssa first, shall we? Can you walk alone, son?"

"I can, mom."

"Great, let's go to class."

"So your name is Alyssa?"Nathan whispered to Alyssa, who was limping beside him.

"That's right. What's your name?"

"I'm Nathan. Can we be friends?"

"Of Course Nathan. You are very kind, I am glad to be friends with you."

#

Kring... Kring…

The break Bell has rung. The kids ran out of their classes. The parents have lined up neatly, waiting for their baby. So did Adelia, her eyes carefully examining one by one the children who came out of the classroom.

"Mother" shouted the boy from behind Adelia's direction.

"Hi honey." Adelia captured the little body of her son. "How are you studying Today, son?"

"Nice mom, I'm so happy today."

"Really? May I know what makes you so happy, baby?"

"First because my father has driven me, second I have a new friend mom. She is as beautiful as Mom."

"Oh yeah? Hahaha " Adelia laughed. She did not expect that her son would grow up so soon.

"Excuse me." Someone's voice stopped everything. Adelia turned around, and she looked at who was coming.

"Are you really Adelia?"

"Oh my ... you?" Adelia is trying to remember something. "Emily? Is this really you?"Adelia shouted as soon as she remembered the desired name.

"I am Adelia. I'm Emily, your best friend."

They both hugged each other. Let go of longing after so long without seeing.

"Oh my God, Emily, how did you know I was here?"

"UM ... from your son."

"You Mean Nathan? How did you get to know him too?" Adelia is getting curious.

"Let's find a comfortable place to talk. How about there?."Emily showed me a long chair under a shady tree. Not long after, a pair of friends who had been separated for a long time were walking hand in hand, followed by a little man holding Adelia's hand.

"Emily, are you working now?"

"Already del, I'm your son's class teacher."

"Huh? You're not kidding, are you?"

"Why am I joking at a time like this Adelia? If you don't believe me, ask Nathan."

"Yes, Emily is my teacher. I study with him every day."

"Wow, I still didn't expect it. How could you be Emily's teacher? Don't you dislike children?"

"Ah, that was del, before I got this job."

"Hahaha, I know that. Especially during the work class program, you prefer to sleep instead of participating in activities. Hahaha"

"Do you remember that del?"Emily's smile faded. She really hopes that during these five years, her best friend has made a lot of progress in her memory.