One Step Closer

With eyes as sharp as an eagle, Bambang walked over to me. All right, anyone, please knock me out again!

"You!" Bambang pointed at my face with his index finger.

"Ouch, argh, my head hurts!" I half-shouted while holding my head tightly, and looked down.

Hopefully, my acting is good enough to fool Bambang. I don't want to hear anyone scold me right now.

Am I not the victim? Isn't it the most important thing, is to make the victim heal first? Why is Bambang ready to grumble as soon as he sees me open my eyes?

Oh, this sucks. I've been through something terrible, can't they be nicer to me?

"Mel? What hurts? I'll call the doctor, okay?" shouted Gepeng so panicked.

Whatever, please call anyone who can make Bambang stay away from me!

Bambang just glanced sarcastically at me, he then pressed the button to call the nurse, which was affixed to the wall.

"You don't have to be so caring! Don't manipulate sick people!" said Bambang to Gepeng.

I bit my inner lip, holding back annoyance.

Seriously, what's wrong with Bambang?

Not long after, two nurses came and checked my condition. They also did not forget to expel Bambang and others because they interfered with the examination process.

"Thankfully, your condition has improved. Rest and take some medicine, then you can go home quickly." said the nurse after checking my results.

I smiled and nodded slowly.

"Thank you. But, can you tell them that I need rest and I shouldn't be disturbed? They are too loud, it makes my head hurt." I asked.

"Of course! Rest, okay! I'll forbid your friends to come inside."

I nodded quickly and thanked him once more before the two sisters left the room.

Now, be safe.

I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes tightly.

***

When I opened my eyes, I saw someone sitting on the chair next to my bed.

He sat up straight with his arms folded across his chest, and his eyes tightly closed.

If he is tired, he should go home. Why is he waiting for me here?

I straightened myself up and sat leaning against the head of the bed.

"Hey, go home!" I exclaimed while patting Paijo's arm lightly.

The man opened his eyes, he then looked at me with a flat gaze.

"Are you awake?" he asked quietly.

"As you can see!" I snapped.

Paijo took a deep breath. His gaze never left my face.

"You're fine, right?!"

What's with that tone of voice? It was hard for me to tell if it was a question or a guess.

And, come on! I was almost strangled, I also almost became a victim of abuse. Does he think I look okay right now?

"You need a psychologist?" he asked again.

Psychologist? No! I am quite a strong person! Just something like this wouldn't make me mentally ill.

Em, I might be a little surprised, scared, and confused. I guess I just need a lot of rest and meeting good people so I can get back on track.

"I'm just shocked, I don't need a psychologist."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

"Is there something you want? Anything that makes you feel better?" offered Paijo.

I fell silent. My brain is thinking hard, what if I want right now?

Apart from sleep, I want nothing.

"I want to go home! Can you persuade Bambang to let me go home? I'm already healthy, and I need a quiet rest. If I'm at home, it will be calmer because, in my room, my mother is also there."

Paijo thought for a moment after listening to my words. He nodded slowly and left the room.

Honestly, what bothered me the most about this incident was that we had to lie to mom by saying Aunt Yuyun, and Uncle Uyon took me on a picnic at the top with Bambang.

Can this be considered a white lie? Is a lie done for good? For the good of a mom, and me of course.

Shortly after I lay back down, the bedroom door opened again. This time it was Bambang and Aunt Yuyun who entered.

I straightened myself back up and sat back down.

"Are you sure you want to go home? Isn't anyone sick?" asked Aunt Yuyun while gently stroking my head.

"No one's sick, Auntie. It's boring here anyways, it smells of medicine! I can relax and be calmer at my home." I said slowly.

Aunt Yuyun smiled sweetly, then nodded slowly.

"Well, Auntie will take care of your return first. Bams, help Melody to get ready!"

Aunt Yuyun also left the room, while Bambang immediately approached me.

"Are you sure it's okay to go back home?" he asked in a very curt tone.

"Why are you doing this, Mbang? Since yesterday, you've been really in a bad mood! Hey, if I made a mistake, I'm sorry!" I exclaimed annoyed.

"This is your fault! Why are you going alone? Luckily, Gepeng and Naca followed you! Try it if you don't?!"

My mouth was tightly closed listening to Bambang's nagging. What he said was true.

My fault for going alone. Luckily Gepeng and Naca came, if not, I don't know what would have happened to me.

"Gepeng said, before you left, you called someone, who is he? Is that why you're in a bad mood, keep going alone?!" Bambang looked at me with a probing gaze.

I took deep breaths, trying to fill my lungs with as much oxygen as I could.

Oh, it would be very troublesome if he knew that the one calling was Paijo.

"I'm still suspicious, with someone, but instead of having a very clear suspicion, I just asked you right away! Who are you calling? What are you guys talking about that makes you in a bad mood?"

I averted my eyes from Bambang. His gaze was so intimidating, so terrifying.

"If you don't answer, I want to ask the person directly!" Bambam threatened.

"Do you know who he is?!" I shouted.

"I told you, didn't I? I'm still suspicious of someone, but instead of pretending to know, I'm asking you to make sure!" said Bambang.

"Who do you suspect?"

"Paijo!"

"If it's true Paijo, what do you want? This incident has nothing to do with the caller! After all, I'm moody, so there's no need to blame people!"

Bambang took a deep breath, he then shook his head slowly, and that made me even more confused.

"I know how he is, and how you are! I need to talk to him face to face so you don't get hurt!" growled Bambang.

"What are you doing, Mbang? Why do you have to do that? Besides, he doesn't have anything to do with me, so take it easy! I won't get hurt because of him!" I exclaimed annoyed.

"After all, you smell like him, Mel!"

I parroted to hear Bambang's words. Has he lost his mind? How did I get to like a creature like Paijo?

"If that's what you're afraid of, don't worry, I don't like him, and it's impossible to get hurt because of him! So, this problem just ends here, Bambang!"

"Just remember, Mel! I'll keep an eye on you!"