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
DARI NOL KE SERAGAM
496      269     2     
Romance
Aku selalu percaya, jika kita menemani seseorang sejak awal, sejak dia belum punya apa-apa, maka saat dia berhasil kita akan menjadi orang pertama yang ia peluk. Nyatanya, aku salah. Aku bersamanya sejak masih memakai seragam abu-abu putih. Menjadi telinga untuk semua keluhannya, menjadi tangan yang mendorongnya bangkit saat dia hampir menyerah, menjadi bahu yang ia sandari saat dunia teras...
Kuncup Hati
808      582     4     
Short Story
Darian Tristan telah menyakiti Dalicia Rasty sewaktu di sekolah menengah atas. Perasaan bersalah terus menghantui Darian hingga saat ini. Dibutuhkan keberanian tinggi untuk menemui Dalicia. Darian harus menjelaskan yang sebenarnya terjadi. Ia harus mengungkapkan perasaan sesungguhnya kepada Dalicia.
Pertama(tentative)
1089      623     1     
Romance
pertama kali adalah momen yang akan selalu diingat oleh siapapun. momen pertama kali jatuh cinta misalnya, atau momen pertama kali patah hati pun akan sangat berkesan bagi setiap orang. mari kita menyelami kisah Hana dan Halfa, mengikuti cerita pertama mereka.
SEPATU BUTUT KERAMAT: Antara Kebenaran & Kebetulan
8293      2796     13     
Romance
Hidup Yoga berubah total setelah membeli sepatu butut dari seorang pengemis. Sepatu yang tak bisa dibuang dan selalu membawa sial. Bersama Hendi, teman sekosnya, Yoga terjebak dalam kekacauan: jadi intel, menyusup ke jaringan narkoba, hingga menghadapi gembong kelas kakap. Di tengah dunia gelap dan penuh tipu daya, sepatu misterius itu justru jadi kunci penyelamatan. Tapi apakah semua ini nyata,...
Blue Diamond
3198      1185     3     
Mystery
Permainan berakhir ketika pemenang sudah menunjukkan jati diri sebenarnya
After School
4938      2135     0     
Romance
Janelendra (Janel) bukanlah cowok populer di zaman SMA, dulu, di era 90an. Dia hanya cowok medioker yang bergabung dengan geng populer di sekolah. Soal urusan cinta pun dia bukan ahlinya. Dia sulit sekali mengungkapkan cinta pada cewek yang dia suka. Lalu momen jatuh cinta yang mengubah hidup itu tiba. Di hari pertama sekolah, di tahun ajaran baru 1996/1997, Janel berkenalan dengan Lovi, sang...
Telat Peka
1463      714     3     
Humor
"Mungkin butuh gue pergi dulu, baru lo bisa PEKA!" . . . * * * . Bukan salahnya mencintai seseorang yang terlambat menerima kode dan berakhir dengan pukulan bertubi pada tulang kering orang tersebut. . Ada cara menyayangi yang sederhana . Namun, ada juga cara menyakiti yang amat lebih sederhana . Bagi Kara, Azkar adalah Buminya. Seseorang yang ingin dia jaga dan berikan keha...
Lantas?
179      169     0     
Romance
"Lah sejak kapan lo hilang ingatan?" "Kemarin." "Kok lo inget cara bernapas, berak, kencing, makan, minum, bicara?! Tipu kan lo?! Hayo ngaku." "Gue amnesia bukan mati, Kunyuk!" Karandoman mereka, Amanda dan Rendi berakhir seiring ingatan Rendi yang memudar tentang cewek itu dikarenakan sebuah kecelakaan. Amanda tetap bersikeras mendapatkan ingatan Rendi meski harus mengorbankan nyawan...
Rumah Arwah
1146      664     5     
Short Story
Sejak pulang dari rumah sakit akibat kecelakaan, aku merasa rumah ini penuh teror. Kecelakaan mobil yang aku alami sepertinya tidak beres dan menyisakan misteri. Apalagi, luka-luka di tubuhku bertambah setiap bangun tidur. Lalu, siapa sosok perempuan mengerikan di kamarku?
Sacred Sins
1600      712     8     
Fantasy
With fragmented dreams and a wounded faith, Aria Harper is enslaved. Living as a human mortal in the kingdom of Sevardoveth is no less than an indignation. All that is humane are tormented and exploited to their maximum capacities. This is especially the case for Aria, who is born one of the very few providers of a unique type of blood essential to sustain the immortality of the royal vampires of...