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
Mencari Virgo
586      437     2     
Short Story
Tentang zodiak, tentang cinta yang hilang, tentang seseorang yang ternyata tidak bisa untuk digapai.
CTRL+Z : Menghapus Diri Sendiri
555      473     1     
Inspirational
Di SMA Nirwana Utama, gagal bukan sekadar nilai merah, tapi ancaman untuk dilupakan. Nawasena Adikara atau Sen dikirim ke Room Delete, kelas rahasia bagi siswa "gagal", "bermasalah", atau "tidak cocok dengan sistem" dihari pertamanya karena membuat kekacauan. Di sana, nama mereka dihapus, diganti angka. Mereka diberi waktu untuk membuktikan diri lewat sistem bernama R.E.S.E.T. Akan tetapi, ...
Bismillah.. Ta\'aruf
976      627     0     
Short Story
Hidup tanpa pacaran.. sepenggal kalimat yang menggetarkan nurani dan menyadarkan rasa yang terbelenggu dalam satu alasan cinta yang tidak pasti.. Ta\'aruf solusi yang dia tawarkan untuk menyatukan dua hati yang dimabuk sayang demi mewujudkan ikatan halal demi meraih surga-Nya.
Golden Cage
558      341     6     
Romance
Kim Yoora, seorang gadis cantik yang merupakan anak bungsu dari pemilik restaurant terkenal di negeri ginseng Korea, baru saja lolos dari kematian yang mengancamnya. Entah keberuntungan atau justru kesialan yang menimpa Yoora setelah di selamatkan oleh seseorang yang menurutnya adalah Psycopath bermulut manis dengan nama Kafa Almi Xavier. Pria itu memang cocok untuk di panggil sebagai Psychopath...
I have a dream
355      292     1     
Inspirational
Semua orang pasti mempunyai impian. Entah itu hanya khayalan atau angan-angan belaka. Embun, mahasiswa akhir yang tak kunjung-kunjung menyelesaikan skripsinya mempunyai impian menjadi seorang penulis. Alih-alih seringkali dinasehati keluarganya untuk segera menyelesaikan kuliahnya, Embun malah menghabiskan hari-harinya dengan bermain bersama teman-temannya. Suatu hari, Embun bertemu dengan s...
seutas benang merah
2385      1023     3     
Romance
Awalnya,hidupku seperti mobil yang lalu lalang dijalan.'Biasa' seperti yang dialami manusia dimuka bumi.Tetapi,setelah aku bertemu dengan sosoknya kehidupanku yang seperti mobil itu,mengalami perubahan.Kalau ditanya perubahan seperti apa?.Mungkin sekarang mobilnya bisa terbang atau kehabisan bensin tidak melulu berjalan saja.Pernah mendengar kalimat ini?'Jika kau mencarinya malah menjauh' nah ak...
Konfigurasi Hati
1833      1060     4     
Inspirational
Islamia hidup dalam dunia deret angka—rapi, logis, dan selalu peringkat satu. Namun kehadiran Zaryn, siswa pindahan santai yang justru menyalip semua prestasinya membuat dunia Islamia jungkir balik. Di antara tekanan, cemburu, dan ketertarikan yang tak bisa dijelaskan, Islamia belajar bahwa hidup tak bisa diselesaikan hanya dengan logika—karena hati pun punya rumusnya sendiri.
Who are You?
1582      772     9     
Science Fiction
Menjadi mahasiswa di Fakultas Kesehatan? Terdengar keren, tapi bagaimana jadinya jika tiba-tiba tanpa proses, pengetahuan, dan pengalaman, orang awam menangani kasus-kasus medis?
Accidentally in Love!
476      323     1     
Romance
Lelaki itu benar-benar gila! Bagaimana dia bisa mengumumkan pernikahan kami? Berpacaran dengannya pun aku tak pernah. Terkutuklah kau Andreas! - Christina Adriani Gadis bodoh! Berpura-pura tegar menyaksikan pertunangan mantan kekasihmu yang berselingkuh, lalu menangis di belakangnya? Kenapa semua wanita tak pernah mengandalkan akal sehatnya? Akan kutunjukkan pada gadis ini bagaimana cara...
Dunia Baru Arabella
2      2     0     
Romance
Arabella mengalami kecelakaan saat mengendarai motornya di arena balapan liar hingga ia menghembuskan nafas terakhirnya dengan naas meninggalkan dunia yang begitu gila dan beracun untuknya, serta ibunya yang akan kehilangannya. Bukan ke alam baka, ia malah terbangun di dunia yang baru, jauh lebih buruk dari dunianya yang sudah cukup membuat mentalnya jatuh. terlebih lagi, dunia itu adalah Novel ...