Twenty One

Eshika cursed her stupidity. If she not acted rashly, of course none of this would have happened. But, what can she do? Eshika already panicked. And she thought calling Popi was the best choice. But, who would have thought that it was the wrong choice?

Eshika couldn't do anything now. All has happened. Popi already knew everything that happened even from her own lips. And for that Eshika could only surrender when Popi scolded her.

Until then, when the taxi stopped in the courtyard of the apartment building, the call finally ended. Wearily, Eshika walked towards the unit and opened the door. Her energy felt drained because along the way she had to listen to a long lecture from Popi. A little to calm down, Eshika said to herself.

It's your fault, Esh. Mama will not be angry if you are not wrong. So, next time before you act, think about it with your brain.

To be honest, Eshika did realize that what happened was her fault. But, of course Popi wouldn't have scolded her had Tama not provoked Eshika.

After the door closed behind her back, Eshika looked around. She was looking for the whereabouts of Tama. But, nothing. That's why she then went straight to Tama's room.

Eshika tried to open the door to the room, but it was locked. And because of that, she banged on it with all her might.

"Tam! Tam! Tama! Open the door! I want to talk to you, Tam. Open the door, Tam."

Eshika banged on several times, but there was no sign that Tama would open the door any time soon. It made Eshika even more annoyed by it.

"Tama, open the door. Don't even think about trying to hide from me. Open the door!"

Five minutes had passed, almost making the girl give up until then Eshika heard a voice from inside Tama's room. It was faint, but Eshika was sure that Tama had woken up.

Eshika decided to stop the banging. Waited for a while until the door opened. Tama's face with half-closed eyes emerged from behind the door.

The boy seemed to rub his eyes briefly, before he narrowed them slightly. Focusing his gaze on Eshika.

"Ehm… you, Esh. Why?" asked Tama with a yawn. "Eh? Are you home already?"

Eshika feels really annoyed to see Tama who can sleep soundly while she has to do heart jump because of that guy.

"You…." Eshika exhaled slowly through her mouth, preparing to interrogate Tama with her arms crossed in front of her chest. "What did you say to Alex?"

Tama's yawning mouth suddenly stopped. He rolled his eyes as if in thought.

"I just asked him. how long does he want to take you out? because it's late."

"And for that you told him that my mother called you repeatedly? even though my mom didn't call you at all right?!" cut Eshika with bulging eyes.

Tama's shoulders rose slightly. Then, realized something. His hand was raised, pointing at Eshika with a gaping face.

"Don't tell me you called your Mom."

Eshika's mouth was tightly shut. And that was enough to answer Tama's question. The boy immediately burst into laughter.

"Ha ha ha ha ha. You call your mom, and your Mom get angry with you? Ha ha ha." Tama laughed until his eyes watered. "If you don't call your Mom, then your Mom won't know."

Eshika wrung her hands. "You really intend to do me right? Yes, right? That's why you said that to Alex right?"

"Ha ha ha. Actually, I didn't even think about pranking you, but... hahahaha. It doesn't look bad for something that wasn't planned either."

And if I could...

Forget about the way you love me...

Forget about the world we set in stone...

I'm dreaming with my eyes wide open now....

Tama's laughter was interrupted by the ringing tone of his cell phone. Leaving Eshika standing in front of his bedroom door, Tama moved to reach for his cell phone. He gulped as he picked up the phone.

"Hello, Mom. How are you?"

Eshika turned. Seeing how it was Tama who took the call with a tense face.

"Yes, Mom, yes. I apologizes for not taking good care of Eshika. Really, Mom. It's my fault. I didn't ask where Eshika was going."

Eshika rubbed her neck looking at Tama who was also angry.

"Yes, Mom, yes. I promises it won't happen again, Mom. Eshika won't be back lately again, Mom."

Subconsciously, Eshika bit her lip. A little uncomfortable seeing Tama who was also scolded by Popi.

"Eh? What, Mom?"

Eshika's gaze met Tama's. The boy's face looked terrified.

"Th-that, Mom … um… I guess Eshika won't want to."

Eshika approached Tama with a furrowed forehead and a pounding heart. Her mind wondered. This time what else did Popi want from them?

When the call ended, Tama immediately flicked Eshika's ear until the girl grimaced.

"Look at this! It is because of what you did!" growled Tama.

"Mom said what?"

Tama snorted. "I was scolded, even though it was you who did it. And earlier…" Tama gulped his saliva. "... Mommy gave me a new order."

"What?"

"Don't let yourself out of my sight!" said Tama irritably. "Wherever you go, I have to go."

"Eh?" Eshika shuddered in horror. "That's really not it!"

"I'm not your babysitter, Esh. But because of you, I feel like I'm a babysitter taking care of a five year old child." Tama glared at Eshika sharply. "You satisfied?!"

Eshika was silent.

Tama pressed Eshika's forehead with one finger. Pushing until the girl stepped back until she came out of Tama's room.

"Remember!" denounced Tama. "Don't make this problem any worse. Wherever you want to go, tell me!"

Eshika opened her mouth. Want to protest. But, as soon as possible Tama slammed the bedroom door loudly in Eshika's face. Even the wind was spicy on the girl's face.

Eshika could only let out a long breath with her face down like a prisoner of war.

This is really my fault.

*

tbc ....