Loading...
Logo TinLit
Read Story - Mutiara -BOOK 1 OF MUTIARA TRILOGY [PUBLISHING]
MENU
About Us  

That night, both Ara and her dad do not say a word. They eat their share of rationed food in silence in the dimmed light of their cell.

Ara proceeds to pack her black duffle bag with clothes, clean underwears, and socks. Without saying a word, she climbs on her bed and curls with her face facing the wall.

She cannot bear to see her father's disappointed face. She also cannot bear leaving him tomorrow. 

The reality starts to kick in as the day winds down. The 12th graders who just got their new destiny are leaving tomorrow. Some, like Ara and Guntur, are not seeing their family for a year. Only during the Komuniti day can they visit their family. But Komuniti day only happens once a year when the three ships stop sailing for one full day. The place is always above the land of Indonesia. Komuniti day marks the successful sail around the world and to remember the country that this fleet of ships represents.

The whispers in the corridor turn into an eerie silence. The lights have been turned off and Ara can hear her father's footstep towards his bed on the other side of their small, crowded cell.

But Ara cannot sleep one bit. She can hardly close her eyes because she is afraid that when she opens them again, it will be morning and morning means that Ara has to leave cell 444 and Rama behind.

But neither Ara or even King Mega can stop the time from moving. The centrally-controlled alarm clock is being rung loudly, indicating that morning has come. 

Ara's father is already in the dining table, sitting, and watching his only daughter as she fixes her hair in front of the mirror. Excitement from the previous morning has evaporated without a trace, leaving behind gloom and sadness.

"I have faith in you, Ara. I believe that wherever you are, you will do great, be the best, and make your parents proud," he said.

Ara does not answer right away. She avoids her father's gaze and chooses to stare at her bare feet instead.

"Are you not disappointed?" She asked with a meek voice.

"Of course not, my dear. You are my pride and glory. Always remember that!" her father raises up from his seat and hugs his daughter.

The central alarm rings again. This time it indicates that it is time for the new graduates to move to their new home.

"I love you, Dad!"Ara tries her best to not let her tears roll down her face. 

She hugs her father tightly one last time. She forces a smile and picks up her duffle bag.

"Don't forget to send a message home," says her dad.

"I will. See you next year, Dad. Take care."

Ara and her father wave at each other with a smile on their face. Neither of them wants to leave a sad impression of this day. They want to cherish it as a good memory.

As soon as cell 444 door swings shut, Ara finds Guntur already standing in front of her cell.

"I guess we are sticking together after all." Ara attempts to joke as she punches Guntur's shoulder lightly.

"I am glad we are sticking together, partner in crime!" Guntur punches Ara's shoulder back.

Both Ara and Guntur cannot be more grateful that at the very least, they have each other. 

With dignity, they walk toward the lobby of Rama, ready to start their adventure in Garuda. Ara does not even look back because she knows that if she does, she will never want to leave.

As ugly and as plain Rama can be, it is still home.

 

How do you feel about this chapter?

0 0 0 1 0 0
Submit A Comment
Comments (0)

    No comment.

Similar Tags
Desire Of The Star
1902      1240     4     
Romance
Seorang pria bernama Mahesa Bintang yang hidup dalam keluarga supportif dan harmonis, pendidikan yang baik serta hubungan pertemanan yang baik. Kehidupan Mahesa sibuk dengan perkuliahannya di bidang seni dimana menjadi seniman adalah cita-citanya sejak kecil. Keinginannya cukup sederhana, dari dulu ia ingin sekali mempunyai galeri seni sendiri dan mengadakan pameran seni. Kehidupan Mahesa yang si...
Tasbih Cinta dari Anatolia
163      146     1     
Romance
Di antara doa dan takdir, ada perjalanan hati yang tak terduga… Ayra Safiyyah, seorang akademisi muda dari Indonesia, datang ke Turki bukan hanya untuk penelitian, tetapi juga untuk menemukan jawaban atas kegelisahan hatinya. Di Kayseri, ia bertemu dengan Mustafa Ghaziy, seorang pengrajin tasbih yang menjalani hidup dengan kesederhanaan dan ketulusan. Di balik butiran tasbih yang diukirny...
Gray November
4669      1912     16     
Romance
Dorothea dan Marjorie tidak pernah menyangka status 'teman sekadar kenal' saat mereka berada di SMA berubah seratus delapan puluh derajat di masa sekarang. Keduanya kini menjadi pelatih tari di suatu sanggar yang sama. Marjorie, perempuan yang menolak pengakuan sahabatnya di SMA, Joshua, sedangkan Dorothea adalah perempuan yang langsung menerima Joshua sebagai kekasih saat acara kelulusan berlang...
Last Voice
1238      724     1     
Romance
Saat SD Aslan selalu membully temannya dan gadis bernama Hina yang turut menjadi korban bully aslan.akibat perbuatannya dia membully temannya diapun mulai dijauhi dan bahkan dibully oleh teman-temannya hingga SMP.dia tertekan dan menyesal apa yang telah dia perbuat. Di SMA dia berniat berubah untuk masa depannya menjadi penulis."aku akan berusaha untuk berubah untuk mengejar cita-citaku&quo...
Dosa Pelangi
733      461     1     
Short Story
"Kita bisa menjadi pelangi di jalan-jalan sempit dan terpencil. Tetapi rumah, sekolah, kantor, dan tempat ibadah hanya mengerti dua warna dan kita telah ditakdirkan untuk menjadi salah satunya."
Transformers
328      276     0     
Romance
Berubah untuk menjadi yang terbaik di mata orang tercinta, atau menjadi yang selamat dari berbagai masalah?
Trying Other People's World
510      401     0     
Romance
Lara punya dendam kesumat sama kakak kelas yang melarangnya gabung OSIS. Ia iri dan ingin merasakan serunya pakai ID card, dapat dispensasi, dan sibuk di luar kelas. Demi membalas semuanya, ia mencoba berbagai hidup milik orang lain—pura-pura ikut ekskul jurnalistik, latihan teater, bahkan sampai gabung jam tambahan olimpiade MIPA. Kebiasan mencoba hidup-hidup orang lain mempertemukannya Ric...
Adelaide - He Will Back Soon
1921      1047     0     
Romance
Kisah tentang kesalah pahaman yang mengitari tiga insan manusia.
Salendrina
2932      1188     7     
Horror
Salendrina adalah boneka milik seorang siswa bernama Gisella Areta. Dia selalu membawa Boneka Salendrina kemanapun ia pergi, termasuk ke sekolahnya. Sesuatu terjadi kepada Gisella ketika menginjakan kaki di kelas dua SMA. Perempuan itu mati dengan keadaan tanpa kepala di ruang guru. Amat mengenaskan. Tak ada yang tahu pasti penyebab kematian Gisella. Satu tahu berlalu, rumor kematian Gisella mu...
Aranka
5178      1977     6     
Inspirational
Aranka lebih dari sebuah nama. Nama yang membuat iri siapa pun yang mendengarnya. Aland Aranka terlahir dengan nama tersebut, nama dari keluarga konglomerat yang sangat berkuasa. Namun siapa sangka, di balik kemasyhuran nama tersebut, tersimpan berbagai rahasia gelap...