Mental Health

Nindy sighed tiredly when the person she was waiting for didn't wake up either. It's been three hours since Laras has been lying on a hospital bed, wearing a blue shirt typical of the place. Nindy also repeatedly called Randi, hoping that the man would immediately pick up the phone and follow her here. Because to be honest, Nindy herself is still afraid of Laras' trauma. Her friend was still not completely off the sedative from a psychiatrist.

Once in a while Nindy asked, when will Laras be able to get rid of all those bitter medicines? Laras did answer carelessly. It was as if she had already accepted all of this. But, Nindy knew, if there was a desperation implied in that answer.

"I won't be able to get rid of all those drugs, Nin. Unless my father dies, then I can calm down." Laras said that with a mouth full of batagor.

Can Nindy ask for justice for this friend? The reason is, Laras seems to be shackled in his life. Not free to do what she wants. The perfection that people often point to Laras, it's all not enough to pay for Laras' suffering so far.

Since childhood, Laras never received affection from her biological father. That's why when her mother decided to remarry with someone else, Laras easily agreed. Then, Laras became very fond of her father, she continued. The man with the typical face of Chinese koko-koko became Laras' favorite man after Randi.

So, can Laras be happy? Of course not.

Since childhood, Laras has always witnessed how her mother was treated like an animal by her biological father. Imagine, a five year old girl has to watch her mother being beaten on the hip by a man she calls daddy.

Laras once told a long story about her biological father. A damn man who had sexual intercourse with another woman, right in front of Laras' own eyes. Not just once, but many times. So, did Laras ever tell her mother about it?

Not.

Laras said that her mother had had enough harsh treatment from her father. Don't let her heart hurt to see her husband of her own choice, having sex with another woman, right in front of the child's eyes.

Nindy once asked, why did Laras not rebel when she saw her father beating her mother, or when she saw her father having sex with another woman? The answer was enough to make Nindy immediately embrace Laras' body in her arms.

"I once screamed, holding my daddy from grabbing mommy. But what I got instead was a hard slap, back and forth, on my right and left cheeks. It hurts, but it hurts more mommy who always gets more than me. Then, if You ask why I can't stay silent when my father does that disgusting thing, I've also tried to stop him. But my daddy was angry, he drowned my head in the bathtub until I almost ran out of breath."

Look, which father would have the heart to do that to the two women who became his family?

So, did Laras' suffering end when her mother divorced her father and then remarried? Not!

The damn man didn't stop bothering Laras' life. Even when he no longer has a relationship with Laras' mother, he still annoys Laras by asking for a large amount of money every month. Laras never mentioned the nominal amount. But Nindy is sure that it's not a small amount.

For some reason, Nindy was furious with Laras' father's behavior, which was always arbitrary. Nindy once intended to reveal all the rottenness of Laras' father to her mother. However, he did not do that because Laras insisted on prohibiting it. She said, if her mother knew about all this, Laras was sure she would be sad. She has been shackled in that toxic relationship for a long time, and now it's time for her mother to enjoy the beauty of life with the new man of her choice.

"Ras, Ras. Actually, what's the problem, anyway?"

Nindy's thoughts were interrupted when a voice interrupted her hearing. "With the family of Sister Laras?"

Nindy immediately stood up from her seat. "Yes, Nurse."

"Sis, who is the patient, huh?"

"I'm her friend, Nurse. Why is that?"

"Sorry in advance, Sis. The doctor only wants to talk to the patient's family."

Scratching her ear, Nindy was confused about what to answer. "Her parents are dead, Nurse. Laras is alone, so can I just represent you?"

The nurse with a mask covering her mouth and nose shook her head. "Sorry, but you can't, Sis. It must be her family, at least a guardian if there is one."

Nindy was a little pensive. "Oh, okay. I'll call the guardian first then."

After the nurse died, Nindy sat back down and observed Laras' peaceful face. A beautiful face, a good attitude and a smart brain do not guarantee happiness. Everything is in God's hands. Anything, everything, is all in God's destiny. It's useless to blame the universe, because the universe belongs to God.

***

Nindy repeatedly rang the doorbell of Yuni's house, Laras' aunt. Because contacted by telephone, the woman did not answer at all. So Nindy had to come to his house. Even that doesn't guarantee Yuni's presence in the blue house.

"Where is Laras' aunt? Where is she still working?" Considering it was still twelve o'clock in the afternoon, it was rare for office workers to come home at this hour.

"Laras once invited me to her aunt's office before. But, does Aunt Yuni still work there?" Nindy thought for a moment. Then finally, she drove the car to Yuni's office.

This room is still the same as the last time Nindy came here with Laras. Still a minimalist nuance with a few new wall accessories. Nindy sat on the sofa while waiting for Yuni, who was said to be in a meeting.

In about a minute, Nindy was lost in a murky daydream. It's not about the fate of having to study far from home. But the fate of Laras next. If the doctor said that Laras was depressed or worried too much, what would Yuni's response be?

What Nindy is afraid of is that Laras will be put in a rehabilitation center, a place for people with mental disorders. Just like his father had done before. With no heart, Laras was dragged by her to register at the rehabilitation center. Although in the end it failed because Laras' grandmother intervened.

Again Nindy tried to call Randi, there was no definite answer. In fact, the man's number is unreachable. I don't know what happened between Laras and Randi to this point. Nindy hopes that this is not a big thing that can shake Laras' soul. Because for Nindy, Laras has suffered enough so far. Please don't add more.

The door to the room opened, revealing Yuni with a laptop in her hand. "Oh, Nindy? You're here? Why?"

Nindy stood up. "That's it, Auntie. Laras is in the hospital, and the doctor wants to talk to Auntie."