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
To The Girl I Love Next
449      325     0     
Romance
Cinta pertamamu mungkin luar biasa dan tidak akan terlupakan, tetapi orang selanjutnya yang membuatmu jatuh cinta jauh lebih hebat dan perlu kamu beri tepuk tangan. Karena ia bisa membuatmu percaya lagi pada yang namanya cinta, dan menghapus semua luka yang kamu pikir tidak akan pulih selamanya.
Grey
315      270     1     
Romance
Silahkan kalian berpikir ulang sebelum menjatuhkan hati. Apakah kalian sudah siap jika hati itu tidak ada yang menangkap lalu benar-benar terjatuh dan patah? Jika tidak, jadilah pengecut yang selamanya tidak akan pernah merasakan indahnya jatuh cinta dan sakitnya patah hati.
BEST MISTAKE
15422      3760     3     
Romance
Tentang sebuah kisah cinta yang tak luput dari campur tangan Tuhan yang Maha Kuasa. Di mana Takdir sangat berperan besar dalam kisah mereka. "Bisakah kita terus berpura-pura? Setidaknya sampai aku yakin, kalau takdir memang tidak inginkan kita bersama." -K
Kainga
5414      2655     13     
Romance
Sama-sama menyukai anime dan berada di kelas yang sama yaitu jurusan Animasi di sekolah menengah seni rupa, membuat Ren dan enam remaja lainnya bersahabat dan saling mendukung satu sama lain. Sebelumnya mereka hanya saling berbagi kegiatan menyenangkan saja dan tidak terlalu ikut mencampuri urusan pribadi masing-masing. Semua berubah ketika akhir kelas XI mereka dipertemukan di satu tempat ma...
They Call It Love
693      464     0     
Short Story
Kayuhan Tak Sempurna
16078      3801     1     
Romance
Sebuah kisah pemuda yang pemurung, Ajar, sederhana dan misterius. Bukan tanpa sebab, pemuda itu telah menghadapi berbagai macam kisah pedih dalam hidupnya. Seakan tak adil dunia bila dirasa. Lantas, hadirlah seorang perempuan yang akan menemani perjalanan hidup Ajar, mulai dari cerita ini. Selamat datang dalam cerita ber-genre Aceh ini
Rasa Itu
824      616     1     
Short Story
Tetesan Air langit di Gunung Palung
597      431     0     
Short Story
Semoga kelak yang tertimpa reruntuhan hujan rindu adalah dia, biarlah segores saja dia rasakan, beginilah aku sejujurnya yang merasakan ketika hujan membasahi
Heliofili
3657      1702     2     
Romance
Hidup yang sedang kami jalani ini hanyalah kumpulan berkas yang pernah kami tandatangani di kehidupan sebelumnya— dari Sastra Purnama
Roger
2376      1082     2     
Romance
Tentang Primadona Sial yang selalu berurusan sama Prince Charming Menyebalkan. Gue udah cantik dari lahir. Hal paling sial yang pernah gue alami adalah bertemu seorang Navin. Namun siapa sangka bertemu Navin ternyata sebuah keberuntungan. "Kita sedang dalam perjalanan" Akan ada rumor-rumor aneh yang beredar di seluruh penjuru sekolah. Kesetiaan mereka diuji. . . . 'Gu...