Chapter 3

Live alone has become my daily life. When there is Vanilla taking care of some chores at home, somehow I feel a little strange. Usually, I clean up my groceries right away, sweep, mop, then take a shower. Even though I always turn on the television every time I come home, everything is done in silence, quiet, there is no meaningful social interaction. But this time it was different, I didn't turn on the TV, I didn't turn on the music or the radio, and what felt like was very comfortable. While sharing assignments, Vanilla and I occasionally chatted. About the price of the items we bought, the location of the items that had been taken care of, until Vanilla opened up a topic that I was trying to forget.

"Sir, may I ask, why do you live alone?"

I froze, like a statue, confused for a proper answer. "I-I lived alone for a long time."

"Sorry sir, may I know why? Are your parents still alive? "

My muscles tightened, my ears buzzed loudly. Why is she asking about that? All my anger suddenly overflowed, in one breath I yelled at Vanilla.

"WHY ARE YOU ASKING THAT?" I slammed the glass that still I held in my right hand to the table. I feel a little sore, my hands are bleeding.

"Sir, your hand is injured." I saw Vanilla's face flushed. He looked worried and feeling guilty.

I wash my hands, leave Vanilla, go to my room, slam the door behind me and bury myself in the corner.

*****

What did I just do?

Why am I so sensitive?

All my daydreams fade away when Vanilla bang on my door. "Sorry sir please open the door sir, this is an emergency." All my senses tightened, I moved reflexively, turned the key, and opened the door.

"What is wrong?"

"Prepare your clothes sir, roughly for four days, and bring items that you consider important. Sorry if I'm presumptuous, but you must listen to me. " What is this? What does it mean? Do I have to follow her?

My common sense often questions this situation. But my instincts told me to do what Vanilla told me. I swiftly reached for my bag which was big enough, but not too big. Entering several sets of clothes and underwear, taking a wallet, and a collection of important documents. Since childhood, my father and mother always accustomed me to organize every important document in one place, so I had no trouble looking around the house to find it. Since my father and mother passed away, I have kept all the documents related to me in one place, such as graduation certificates, birth certificates, and the last family photo we had. I no longer have certificates and awards. The day after the death of my father and mother, my anger pushed me to burn all the things, break all the trophies, and destroy dozens of dioramas. But there are items that I didn't touch that day. Dad's pocket watch and mother's platinum bracelet with one white stone in the middle.

*****

I closed the door behind me slowly, about to go to school. Just before I left my father and mother came out and called me.

“Dude, come here for a moment, consider this a gift for your graduation. Always remember to count your time. So that every second is more valuable to you. " Father handed me his pocket watch

"Sastra this is a graduation gift from me. White quartz is believed to be effective in helping concentration and memory. Maybe this will help you in the future. " Mother put on her bracelet on my right hand while smiling. This bracelet is quite unique, if usually, a bracelet like this is loose, this one bracelet is inserted like wearing a watch.

"Can't you just give it after school? What if I don't pass? "

"I'm afraid we won't have time dude, but if you don't pass, you can return it after school, hahahahahaha." I laughed, father laughed, and mother only smiled that morning.

"Okay then, bye ..." I waved, father and mother smiled, then left them.

That day I should have stayed ...

*****

I put the bracelet and watch in the bag, I clutched the bag, then I went down to Vanilla.

"Sorry for earlier, it's been too hard for me to talk about that."

“It's okay sir, are you ready? Is there still something to be done? "

"Where are we going? Explain to me!"

"I can't give you a precise explanation sir, maybe we should hurry." A moment later I heard the familiar sound of a car horn in my ears. "Sir, let's go."

"Wait explain to me first!" I raised my tone a little.

"There is no more time, sir." Vanilla took my hand, immediately left the house and locked the door and gate, then pulled me into the taxi that was already in front of the house.

"Good evening, are you ready? There's nothing left? " His voice seemed familiar, too familiar for a taxi driver. When I saw the rearview mirror in the middle, it was the driver who was at that time. Wait a minute, why is this all getting weird.

"Evening sir, there is nothing left behind sir, we are ready to go. To the library in the center of the city sir. "

"Good."

When the taxi started moving, not far from my house I turned my head towards the house, then I saw a group of people who opened my fence. Why didn't the neighbors come out? Isn't there will be a loud noise that when the fence is forced open? what just happened? When I was about to open the window to take a look, the driver turned around while forbidding me.

“Don't even think about doing it. Don't open the door, don't open the window, don't look back, and don't ask anything. When we arrive at our destination I will explain everything. "

What is this? Did I just get threatened? Who is this driver, and why doesn't Vanilla seem too panicked?

“Sir, sorry if this seems uncomfortable. But we can't wait any longer. If we didn't hurry earlier, maybe the tragedy of your parents will be repeated. "

My heart feels hit by dozens of pegs. How did she find out about my parents? What does it mean by repeated? I froze, the car was very quiet at that time. My gaze wandered, I sighed. Soon after that, I fell asleep.