Train Accident

Today is the day Laras has to give Panji an answer. Even though the man hadn't told her at all. Not even just to let her know that he's going home today. Even though Laras really expected a short message from the man.

Today too, Laras dress up more colorful than usual. Where she usually wears monochrome clothes or looks dark, now she chooses a light blue dress slightly above the knee. Her long hair, which was usually tied up, was now left flowing beautifully with a hair clip of the same color as her dress.

Laras looked at herself in the mirror. While continuously spraying perfume to the points of the body. When the phone rings, Laras rushes to pick it up. Although she had to sigh for who knows how many times this morning, because the caller was not the person he expected.

"Yes, Uncle. Laras will follow shortly."

After the call from Satya was closed, Laras immediately put on flatshoes and a clutch before leaving the room. In the yard, the car is already heated. It must have been Iwan's doing, because the man had been nice to her the past two days.

The streets of Jakarta are a little quiet today. Maybe because it's Friday, or maybe because the universe is also being kind because Laras will meet Panji after a week.

When she arrived at the station, Laras continued to look around. Looking for the figure of a man whose face she misses so much. Three minutes passed, all Laras found were unfamiliar faces. She frowned, then decided to call Satya.

"This is Ms. Satya, he really doesn't answer my calls." Laras mumbled when her three calls went unanswered by Satya. Whereas usually, the man would immediately pick up the phone from Laras on the first ring.

Laras decided to wait. She even bought some food sold by street vendors. Because Laras was sure, Panji would be happy to see Laras eating voraciously.

Half an hour had passed, Laras' food and drinks were all gone. However, Laras has yet to find Panji at this station. Satya's number also became unreachable.

One hour already. Many trains arrive and leave. Laras was willing to jostle with a lot of people just so she could find Panji's face among the strangers. However, nothing.

"Where's Panji?!"

Laras had called the man ten times. But the answer is only the operator alone. Stupidly, she also did not know the schedule for Panji's departure from Surabaya. After thinking about it again, if indeed Panji was in Surabaya. That means, it will take his nine hours to return to Jakarta by train. If Panji left at one o'clock this morning.... ah! Impossible. Panji must have left a little early, maybe three or four, or even five.

So, Laras decided to wait. She occasionally played with the cell phone that Panji gave her to get rid of the heavy traffic jams. At what minute, Laras bowed her head. Unknowingly, she was lost in a dream. But, only for a moment because after that she heard a voice coming from the announcement center which is usually at the station.

"Good morning at noon, we the station would like to inform you that the train on the Surabaya-Jakarta route had an accident. Two hours ago to be exact. For anyone who has relatives on the train, please contact the station. Thank you."

It took Laras about five seconds to regain consciousness. After realizing it, she immediately got up from her seat. Found a lot of panicked faces from people. They rushed to the ticket booth in droves. Laras cash followed them.

Screams as well as suppressed cries are the rhythm that Laras can hear at this time. Some asked loudly about the condition of the passengers, some cried loudly when the phone went unanswered. The officers were overwhelmed, they even got angry because they did not immediately provide valid information.

Laras couldn't bear to hear the bad news today. Because today was supposed to be her meeting with Panji to give the answer she had been waiting for. But why mess up? Why must it be filled with many shouts and curses?

Laras was not strong, she ran away from the crowd. Don't care about her stomach suddenly cramping from running. Arriving at the parking lot, Laras was about to get into her car before a voice stopped her movement.

"Laras?!"

Satya ran to Laras. His face was so messed up. There is a line of panic, fear, and worry mixed into one Likewise, his clothes are clearly messy. There are coffee and sauce stains mixed together on the right. But as if he didn't care, Satya still ran strong to stand in front of Laras.

"Laras, you already know?"

Hearing that question, Laras became frantic herself. "Yes. But that's not Panji's carriage, is it, Sir?"

For God's sake, Laras refrained from crying now. Because she realized, crying did not solve anything.

Satya shook his head doubtfully. "I don't know either, but most likely...." Satya hung his sentence.

"Most likely what?! Most likely not, right?" Laras raises her voice because she is annoyed with Satya.

"Most likely, it's the carriage carrying Panji."

Laras tears have fallen. The woman immediately leaned her head against the windshield, crying and sobbing because again the universe always messed up her plans.

"Impossible, Sir. Panji can't be on the train." Laras shook her head vigorously while crying.

"No, Laras. I know very well because Panji had said the train he was riding in. And it's true, the accident was Panji's train."

Laras body trembled, she was again sobbing loudly. Imagining the loss that would soon ambush her again who had not fully healed from yesterday's wounds.

"You calm down, if this accident is not a major accident, it is likely that many passengers will survive. We are going to Cikampek station now to make sure."

It took more than an hour to arrive at one of the Karawang hospitals. Laras runs, even though Satya keeps warning her to just walk. Right in front of the emergency room door, many people bowed their heads deeply. Some of them were crying, some of them might be holding back from crying.

The contact of Panji ran right into the middle of the tightly closed door. There was nothing to see. She decided to squat in front of a woman her age. "Your family is inside right? How are things?" Laras asked.

The woman looked at Laras with a kind of glare. But among it all, there is one that Laras hates. Highlight sadness there. It was as if she had felt a terrible loss.

"No, please. Don't say anything bad." Laras shook her head.

But the woman said softly, "My fiancé is inside, he's dead."

Laras burst into tears that very second.