Laras Request

The cold air felt as if it pierced Laras skin. The thick blanket that wrapped her body also couldn't dispel the cold. She still felt a dizzy head and throat that felt like it was choking. Even when her eyes slowly opened, revealing a view of the ceiling of the room, which certainly wasn't his.

"Are you awake, Ras?" Laras reflexively backed away when Widia approached and sat beside the bed.

She pulled a thick blanket up to her neck. The look on her face full of fear was still embedded in Laras' face. Making Widia stand up from her current position.

"Sorry, Auntie just wanted to check on your condition. How are you? Still dizzy?" Laras nodded slowly. Her eyes darted around the room. Still neat, even though she remembered she had created a mess by throwing glasses and jars before finally falling.

"Sorry, if Panji was presumptuous to bring you here without your permission. He was just in a hurry because there was a meeting here this afternoon. He forced him to bring you here first, his intention was to immediately accompany you when the meeting was over." Widia tried to dive into Laras' dark brown netra. The trauma is still there.

Widia knows very well, apart from her education as a psychologist, she also knows what Laras has experienced so far that has led to internal trauma.

"Panji won't find you, don't worry. Now you eat first, take medicine, then rest. Auntie will take you home tomorrow, Auntie has also told your aunt." Laras decayed, she began to reveal the blanket that wrapped her body. Let Widia feed her painstakingly. Even though she wasn't feeling well and wanted to eat by herself, it was too difficult because Laras' hands were still shaking.

After taking the medicine, which of course was helped by Widia, Laras was about to go back to sleep. But before that, Widia had time to hug her for a while. Sending a warm feeling that radiates from the sincerity of this mother of Panji. For some reason, Laras felt that Widia loved her. Regardless of the matchmaking plan.

"Good night, Laras." Widia said that, before turning off the light and closing the door.

Laras had time to smile back, though faintly. It felt like Laras wanted to move here.

***

In the morning, when the clock showed seven o'clock, Laras woke up. She did not immediately go out to look for Widia and said goodbye to go home. All she did was walk towards the balcony. Opening the long curtains that cover it, so you can see the view of the capital in the morning. Even though Panji's house is in an elite area, its location not far from a major highway makes the view very easy to see even from the balcony of the room.

Laras misses this, when opens her eyes, she will see her mom who is already busy with her flower-filled garden. She is will water all of her plants, starting with various flowers as well as some plants that I don't know what their names are. Laras hasn't seen that cool sight for a long time. There was a longing in her chest. Rebelled as if to be released. But Laras herself doesn't know how.

"Laras?"

Slightly jumped, Laras turned her body backwards. There was Panji who was looking down, staring at the white tiles below. "Yes?"

"I want to apologize." Panji turned to look at him with regretful eyes. "Sorry that I was presumptuous of bringing you to my house, taking you to my room. Sorry if my actions scared you. Next time, I won't do anything without your permission."

Laras averted her gaze. She couldn't stand being so warm. Even though if you think about it more deeply, Panji is not guilty of anything. In fact, Laras should be the one apologizing. To not want to fit clothes so that Panji had to be alone so that the man was late for a meeting. Laras also had to apologize for throwing the glass and jar which almost hit Panji's face. But, instead of apologizing, Laras just nodded without saying anything more.

I don't know, her tongue is numb.

"If you're willing, you can come have breakfast with us first." Laras didn't answer right away, causing Panji to quickly continue his sentence. "Not only with me, there are my mom and my dad. Coincidentally, they also want to take you home. So, just go ahead."

Silence.

Laras didn't answer anything. Until Panji asked again. "You want to?"

"Yes, I do."

The atmosphere at the dining table is very quiet. There was not even the sound of a spoon clinking as it collided with the plate. Everyone ate in silence, letting the silence devour the crowd. No one made a sound, before Satya downed the tea in his glass.

"Laras?" call him. Making Laras immediately swallow the toast she was chewing. "Yes?"

"In advance, I'm very sorry. For Panji's actions that presumptuously brought you here without your knowledge and permission. Sorry, once again. Maybe both Widia and Panji himself have explained. But I want to make it clear again. That it's true, I called Panji several times when you were fitting clothes. It's not for anything, it's just that all of our colleagues have come. So, it would be uncomfortable if Panji wasn't here even though he is also responsible for this." Satya paused, he glanced at Panji. Where the man immediately lowered his head.

"As for Panji who brought you here, it was his own initiative. But of course with my permission. So, Laras, please forgive me too, Panji, okay?"

Laras glanced at Panji who was still lowering his head. It's sad to see a man as good as Panji being treated like a criminal. In fact, he didn't do that at all.

"Yes, Uncle. I have forgiven Panji." Laras' words made Panji lift his face. Staring at Laras with eyes full of relief.

"Thank you, Laras." He said sincerely.

"I also apologize for accidentally throwing Panji with a glass and a jar. I'm really sorry, it's all out of my control."

"It's okay, Laras. We understand how you feel. Don't feel guilty like that, okay?" Widia soothed, she even stroked the back of Laras' hand gently. As if to say that she was innocent.

"The urn I threw last night, I just want to change it. How much does it cost, I'll--"

"Hush! Well, don't think about the jar. Besides, it's not an important jar, it's just a display. No need to worry about it, right?"

"So?" Satya hangs his sentence. "Done, huh? Laras has forgiven. So, Panji doesn't need to feel guilty anymore. I see, Laras."

"Yes, Uncle."

"That's it, since it's all finished. Breakfast is also finished, so, come on, Laras. Uncle and Aunt will take you home."

"Eh, no need, Uncle, Auntie."

"Don't refuse, it's our obligation to take you."

"No, I want to be taken home, but with Panji."

"Hah?"