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
The Reason
12464      2940     3     
Romance
"Maafkan aku yang tak akan pernah bisa memaafkanmu. Tapi dia benar, yang lalu biarlah berlalu dan dirimu yang pernah hadir dalam hidupku akan menjadi kenangan.." Masa lalu yang bertalian dengan kehidupannya kini, membuat seorang Sean mengalami rasa takut yang ia anggap mustahil. Ketika ketakutannya hilang karena seorang gadis, masa lalu kembali menjerat. Membuatnya nyaris kehilan...
Ku Jaga Rasa Ini Lewat Do\'a
611      458     3     
Short Story
Mozha, gadis yang dibesarkan dengan pemahaman agama yang baik, membuatnya mempunyai prinsip untuk tidak ingin berpacaran . Namun kehadiran seorang laki -laki dihidupnya, membuat goyah prinsipnya. Lantas apa yang dilakukan mozha ? bisakah iya tetap bertahan pada prinsipnya ?
Behind Friendship
5156      1581     9     
Romance
Lo harus siap kalau rasa sahabat ini bermetamorfosis jadi cinta. "Kalau gue cinta sama lo? Gue salah? Mencintai seseorang itu kan hak masing masing orang. Termasuk gue yang sekarang cinta sama lo," Tiga cowok most wanted dan dua cewek receh yang tergabung dalam sebuah squad bernama Squad Delight. Sudah menjadi hal biasa jika kakak kelas atau teman seangkatannya meminta nomor pon...
He Used to be a Crown Prince
3550      1374     3     
Romance
Pacar Sera bernama Han Soo, bintang instagram terkenal berdarah campuran Indonesia-Korea. Han Soo hidupnya sederhana. Setidaknya itulah yang Sera kira hingga Xuan muncul di kehidupan mereka. Xuan membenci Han Soo karena posisinya sebagai penerus tunggal kerajaan konglomerat tergeser berkat ditemukannya Han Soo.
CINLOV (KARENA CINTA PASTI LOVE)
18779      2730     4     
Romance
Mala dan Malto dua anak remaja yang selalu memperdebatkan segala hal, Hingga akhirnya Valdi kekasih Mala mengetahui sesuatu di balik semua cerita Mala tentang Malto. Gadis itu mengerti bahwa yang ia cintai sebenarnya adalah Malto. Namun kahadiran Syifa teman masa kecil malto memperkeruh semuanya. Kapur biru dan langit sore yang indah akan membuat kisah cinta Mala dan Malto semakin berwarna. Namu...
Replika
1854      896     17     
Romance
Ada orang pernah berkata bahwa di dunia ini ada 7 manusia yang mirip satu sama lain? Ada juga yang pernah berkata tentang adanya reinkarnasi? Aku hanya berharap salah satu hal itu terjadi padamu
#SedikitCemasBanyakRindunya
3552      1389     0     
Romance
Sebuah novel fiksi yang terinspirasi dari 4 lagu band "Payung Teduh"; Menuju Senja, Perempuan Yang Sedang dalam Pelukan, Resah dan Berdua Saja.
Piromaniak
6112      1886     5     
Romance
Dia merubah apiku dengan cahayanya
Strange and Beautiful
5330      1686     4     
Romance
Orang bilang bahwa masa-masa berat penikahan ada di usia 0-5 tahun, tapi Anin menolak mentah-mentah pernyataan itu. “Bukannya pengantin baru identik dengan hal-hal yang berbau manis?” pikirnya. Tapi Anin harus puas menelan perkataannya sendiri. Di usia pernikahannya dengan Hamas yang baru berumur sebulan, Anin sudah dibuat menyesal bukan main karena telah menerima pinangan Hamas. Di...
Stuck On You
393      320     0     
Romance
Romance-Teen Fiction Kisah seorang Gadis remaja bernama Adhara atau Yang biasa di panggil Dhara yang harus menerima sakitnya patah hati saat sang kekasih Alvian Memutuskan hubungannya yang sudah berjalan hampir 2 tahun dengan alasan yang sangat Konyol. Namun seiring berjalannya waktu,Adhara perlahan-lahan mulai menghapus nama Alvian dari hatinya walaupun itu susah karena Alvian sudah memb...