"What's the matter, ma'am? It's already overdue!"
"Yes, sir, please accept my apologies."
Laras' mother can only shudder with embarrassment as two burly-bodied men with scary faces arrive from the collectors' department, which is in charge of transporting motorbikes that are considered overdue for payment.
"I'm afraid, I can't, Ma'am. Just tell me where the motorcycle is now. I'll take it to the dealer. if you want it to take it, first pay off the arrears!"
"I'm sorry, sir, but my daughter brought her motorcycle to work.Perhaps she'll just come home later this afternoon."
Rindu, her first daughter, was never able to calm her down for a moment, always causing problems that bothered her and her family. I had given up on advising my daughter. First about the car problem and now the motorcycle problem. Because Rindu is like a rock that is difficult to break, stubborn, and always gets into trouble.
"What heppend it this ?"
"Who are you ?"
"I am she's husband."
"Oh okay, by the way your daughter named Rindu has not paid the motorbike installments for four months, so we are here to be assigned to immediately bring the she motorbike, even if you have money and want to pay it you can't not. Because it's not our authority, the motorbike we have to bring it, for example you wants to take it up please just come to our dealer"
"Yes, sir, but the motorcycle was brought by my daughter, who was not at home."
"Well, then, we'll return later in the afternoon, because we have to bring the motorcycle today, excuseme!"
The two men left, leaving the two old who could only sit with their hands rubbing their foreheads, on their faces there were traces of sadness that they were trying to hold back, perhaps the disappointment they felt right now.
"I already said, don't owe it if you can't pay it!" the husband who was becoming irritated.
"How would I know? Rindu never told me she owed money."
"There's no way you don't know. you're the mother, and the kids are close to you!"
Parents have a bad habit of blaming each other instead of looking for solutions.
"What do you want if it's like this? Call your daughter right now and tell her to bring motorcycle home!"
"I've already called but haven't been picked up, perhaps she's still working."
"Huh! how many times we being lied to with that child. Moreover I don't understand what work are doing to pay off that debt, For what She's go work at the morning and go home at night if this is all she's can do, never help at home and always worry about it. Please, take care of your child, I'm tired!"
The door slammed so hard that only Laras' mother was left who could only hold back her tears, take her cell phone and call Laras, yes, Laras, not Rindu.
"Laras..."
"Earlier, the collectors' department meeting me and they say your sister had not paid the installments for four months. Today, they wants to take her motorcycle, Can you help this ?
"Yes, if you still have money, I borrow your money and then I will replace it."
"Yes, if you still have money,"
"When are you going to be home?"
"All right, kid, take care and don't forget to transfer, okay?"
The phone call was cut off.
A mother's weakness is to cover up her child's mistakes under the guise of "love," desperately defending with the thought "She is my daughter" which does not make the child more responsible, but rather more spoiled.
***
What's going on today?
It's as if I being tested today with several tests that make me dizzy, sad, and tired. Not only physically but also emotionally, especially when me pick up a phone call from my mother who says something negative about the debt collectors.
Despite the fact that everyone knows Mama and Papa are not wealthy, why does my sister always in trouble?
"Laras?"
"Laras!"
I was so taken aback by Rafan's call that I forgot where I was and daydreamed instead of working.
"Did you hear what I said?"
"Huh? Mmm... Sorry sir, I'm lack of concentration "Laras responded with feeling nervous.
"I request that you devise a strategy as well as a budget for the funds we require this month."
"Yes, sir, I'll make it later."
The two of them sat, Laras who was seated in front of her boss's work computer, no one spoke any longer and Laras began typing his assignment, while Rafan sat silently, his hands fiddling with a pen.
Even though it had been almost two days, Laras must have felt odd around Rafan.
"What's the state of your hands and feet at the moment? Have you received any medical attention? "Rafan unexpectedly inquired.
""Yes, sir," Laras replied, looking down at his boss's feet. "Mr. Rafan, how are you ? Are you sure you don't want to go to doctor's ?"
Rafan was the most obstinate person he had ever met, even though many people at home persuaded the boss to go to the doctor before he left for work, Rafan always refused. he even refused to let Inem treat his bruised leg, instead confidently putting on shoes and made people worry that his feet would get worse.
"Mr. Rafan's, that's bruised" Laras stated again, trying to persuade the boss "If it's swollen, it'll take a long time to recover," Laras said.
"I'm fine."
"Do you want me to give you some ointment if you really don't want to go to the doctor? Mr. Rafan must be in pain ?"
I knew it had to be excruciatingly painful since I'm had experienced what Rafan was going through just now.
While adjusting his seat, Rafan cleared his throat. "No, You don't know anything!" he said.
"I understand, sir,"
"How did you figure that out? Who was it that told you... Ouch!"
See!
When Laras heard Rafan moaning in pain, she smiled, I lips were still moist and My words had been proven true. The boss could no longer avoid him.
"Sir, I'll apply ointment."
Laras awakens and immediately perplexes Rafan. "You don't have to since you've been working... Ouch!"
Laras became irritated and she kicked softly her boss's leg, but causing Rafan to wince in pain.
"Did you unintentionally bump my leg ?!" Rafan inquired.
Yes I'm, why ? I wanted to say something like that, but I understood it would be too dangerous. "No, sir, I'd want to walk to fetch the ointment and I accidently bumped your leg, sorry sir"
"Lies! You've got to be doing it on purpose, right?"
That was done on purpose.
"I said there was no need!"
Laras ignored Rafan's words and continued walking towards Rafan room office desk drawer.