A week passed and that’s what Arki always did to me. He always sends me food.
I never treated like this. It feels good, I admit it, but on the other hand, I'm scared just like what I always said. I'm scared that I might fall. I do not like it. I feel like I'm in a precipice. Arki is the precipice that when I fall, I can’t catch.
"I'm busy right now," I said to him.
It's Saturday and he's here across from my office. Of course I don't let him in.
He grinned at me as he stood in front of me. "I just want to see your face, is it forbidden?" he asked softly.
I also notice in him that this man is a conyo. He is really rich.
I rolled my eyes. "You're so cheesy," I promised.
"By the way, there's a party going on tomorrow. I hope you enjoy it," I told him.
He sniffed. "Hmmm... I don't like that," he replied.
My forehead furrowed. "Why? It's so fun then. You'll see some..." His eyes narrowed at me.
"Of what?" he asked weakly.
My lips twisted. "Just get out of here because you're bothering me!" I promised him.
I even pushed him to get rid of it.
He pouted. "Will you send me away right away?" apparently he asked sadly.
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. Get out of here!" my repulsion to him.
He grinned. "See you later, then," he said and walked away.
My eyes rolled as I watched him walk away. He was still whistling as he walked.
"He's not handsome at all!" annoyed I promised myself.
I was busy all day and he never felt like it again after that. I don’t know if I’m bored because no one texted me all day or I’ll be happy because my work is continuous and there is no distraction?
Both so?
I was about to close the door of my office because my shift was over when my phone rang.
I quickly took the phone out of my pocket because I thought they were mom but I was shocked when I saw my aunt's name.
The smile that had reached my ears before is now slowly disappearing.
I bite my lips because I feel nervous again. I took a deep breath before answering my aunt's call.
I thought I'm okay because these past few days, I felt so happy. My heart is happy.
"Auntie? ..." I began.
I bit my lips as I stare at the ceiling. "Alba, how are you? Why you just went abroad as if you don't know us anymore, ah! You don't even call us to check up on us or maybe even give us a blessing!" almost shout she answer to me.
My jaw tightened after hearing those words. I fanned myself for being too restrained not to get angry and not to explode.
I try to remember their help to us, the debts we owe to them that will eventually be criticized as well. They helped us when we we have nothing. When my father left us, my mother was crying and hardly cannot take care of us. I also wanted to be angry with mama back then because she seemed to think only of herself and didn't even think of us as her children.
We also had a hard time then, very hard. I was the only strength of my brothers and sisters. I served as their mother, father, and sister. Because I was still young and still studying, I couldn't find a job. Even want to work, there's no one would take care of my siblings.There was a time once a day, we only ate once and split more. I was still crying as I ate the rice while remembering how hard it was to lose a parent.
Our aunt helped us. She briefly adopted my two brothers. Because of that, I was able to move pretty well. I have educated myself. In an unexpected event, mama was pregnant when papa left us, so I was really struggling.
My aunt also helped with hospital bills back then. I did not know that my two brothers whom she had adopted had been enslaved by her so I immediately took them both.
Eventually, he hired me to pay off our debts. I don't want to but I have to. I was also there for a few months. She really made me a slave. I always have bruises because she always hurts me.
I just cried at night and didn't even complain to mama. The amount of hardship I went through but I never complained to anyone. Only to God can I express all my grievances to the world.
"Auntie, I've only been here for a few weeks. I haven't even been able to send them, mama, because I haven't been paid yet," I answered weakly.
I could hear her sigh. "What's that, the ugly resort you went to. Can't you ask for your salary first? I took your cousin to the hospital. Don't you even care ?!" she growl.
I barely stopped. I don’t know if what she’s saying is true.
"What happened to Hanna? Is she okay now?" I asked calmly.
I know its destination again. "You seem to be accusing me? Remember I helped you before. Don't ever forget that, Alba," she seriously promised me.
I smiled bitterly. My face was clearly visible in the reflection in front of me.
"I'll make a way, aunt." I feel sorry for myself again.
I am brave but in situations like this I cannot defend myself. "That's what it should be. The amount of chatter you have, you'll also give. Send it the second time!" she almost screams at me.
I kept my ears away from the phone.
I bit my lips. "I'll take it down because I still have a job," I said.
I would have spoken more when she first dropped it.
I smiled sarcastically. "Long apologies, Alba," I promised myself.
I locked the door of my office and was ready to leave but I bumped into something hard. Why do I always stumble?
I looked up and saw Arki in front of me and his face was serious.
Suddenly, he smiled at me. An assuring smile.
The sequel I didn’t expect him to do. He closed his eyes and slowly brought his face closer to mine.
I do not know what to do. I just froze in shock. I was shocked but I just felt his lips touch my forehead.
He kissed my forehead.
Then he whispered something to me that I think I cannot forget in my whole life. "You can't force everyone to be good towards you but you can be good to them because it's your choice, because it should be."