Got The Next Clue

HOT tea in the jug is poured into the cups on the table. Finished all, the woman handed the drink to the guests sitting on the sofa opposite her.

"Have a drink. This is what Aunt Ina had time to prepare," Mrs Marina's lips pointed at the fried noodles and some confectionery in front of her.

"This is more than enough, Aunt Ina. Lots of this. I'm sorry our arrival has bothered you. " Qarl replied.

"Oh, it's not. Coincidentally have all this in the kitchen. I just serve it. Sustenance for you both. Eat it. Don't be shy."

Qarl and Secretary Shen tasted the fried noodles that Azri had scooped up. Although they only met for a few minutes, the treatment that Azri and his mother gave was like they had known each other for a long time. Just friendly. It doesn't feel awkward right away.

"So, you're Mei's nephew?"

Qarl's feed stopped. The plate in his hand was placed back on the table. A piece of tissue was pulled out of the box and wipes his slightly greasy mouth.

"Yes, aunt. Aunty Li Mei is my father's cousin."

Mrs Marina nodded understandingly. "There's nothing wrong with my eyes just now."

"What does Aunt Ina mean?"

"When I saw you the first time I arrived just now, it was as if I saw the shadow of Mei on your face. Your face reminds me of her."

Qarl looked down at his fingers. It was sad to hear the verse of the woman in front. "So, it's true that Aunt Ina knows my aunt?"

"More than you know, Qarl. We're like sisters. I've treated Mei like my own sister."

"How can you meet and get to know Aunty Mei?"

"When I first migrated here, I rented in the back housing. It's just a small house that Mei's husband, Luqman, who was looking for it since my husband just got a job at Luqman's place. Luqman was the manager at that time.

But despite his high rank, Luqman was never arrogant. Always help my family when we are in trouble. From there I knew Mei, we became friends, and kept close. Coincidentally, our names are almost the same, that's why sometimes people remember us as twins."

Mrs Marina's talk paused for a moment with a small laugh. Healed the feeling of longing while recalling the memories with her best friend.

"What kind of person are Aunty Mei and her husband?"

"Good. They are so kind. Always help people. Not just to my family, but everyone here. When they hear that the neighbours are having a hard time, they must look for and help. Because of that people here like and love them."

"Looks like Aunt Ina is really close with Aunty Mei."

"It's like siblings, Qarl. Mei is friendly and spoiled. Very spoiled with me. Respect me. She made me look like her own sister. It's the same with me. Sometimes when there is a problem, we share it together.

Furthermore, we don't have anyone here. Neither family nor relatives. So… we ride on the love of each other only. Any event, we will do it together."

"Does that mean you know all the stories about Aunty Mei?" Qarl really want to know.

A heavy grievance was heard from that middle-aged woman's mouth.

"Why, aunt? Did I ask you wrong?"

"No. You didn't ask me wrong, Qarl. Our relationship is indeed close, but it's not all about her I know. Mei is a bit of a secretive person. Especially about personal matters. Every time I asked about her family, about her origins... Mei definitely dodged.

She said that if could, she doesn't want to remember the sad story of her past. She wants to forget all that kind of thing. She migrated here with a new determination, wanting to open a new book, and start a new life story with people here.

But no matter how far Mei tries to forget her past, I know she can't even afford to do all that. When alone, I see there is a sadness that May hides from everyone. She would sit alone in the yard pensively while staring at a picture. The other hand holds a chain."

This time Qarl dropped the complaint. His heart ached when she heard the sad story about her aunt. Surely the woman misses the family.

"Aunt Ina knows where Aunty Mei is right now?" slowly Qarl's voice spoke the question.

"I don't even know, Qarl. Since Mei and her family moved in, I've never seen her again. 13 years have passed. During that time, we've never been in touch. How is she now, what are she and her family doing, where they are, I don't know at all. "

Once again Qarl was silent. It can be felt that the path to finding Li Mei's family is getting harder.

"Sorry, Aunt Ina. May I know why Aunty Mei and her family moved out from here?" Secretary Shen began to speak out about the conversation.

"I want to say they moved, not really. Because it doesn't look like they want to do so. Moreover, I didn't see Mei and Luqman packing their things, carrying the goods on the truck and moving anywhere. They just left suddenly."

"Go suddenly? What do you mean, aunt?"

"Yes. That night they suddenly left with nothing. All items are left behind. All they brought was a suitcase."

"Did you meet them before they leave?"

"Yes. Mei and Luqman came knocking on my door that night. At 11:00 pm ... I remember that. But I noticed Mei's situation with Luqman was anxious and frightened. "

"Aunty Mei say anything to you?"

"Mei said they had to leave. She hands over the keys to me and asks me to stay and take good care of this house. Aunt asked her back, where they want to go? But Mei and Luqman didn't answer and kept leaving in a hurry with a taxi."

"They went alone, aunt?" Qarl opened his mouth asking again.

"No. With their child once."

"A girl?"

"Yes, Their daughter."

"What's her name?"

"I don't know her full name. But here we used to call her Medina."

Qarl swallowed. His hands were spontaneously clenched powerfully.

Medina.

Is that the person? The heir to Yoong Li Jie who was always mentioned by his grandfather? The girl who has been entrusted to find her whereabouts?

"Now it is clear that Aunt Ina is not the Marina we are looking for. I'm sorry we got the wrong person."

"It's okay, Shen. It's not your fault. The address you are looking for is indeed the correct of this home address. After all, this is Aunty Li Mei's house. I'm just holding her trust to stay and take care of it.

That's why I've been living here until now. The items in this house almost all belong to Mei. If one day I will see her, or maybe her heirs ... I will return this house to them."

"You sure you haven't seen Aunty Mei at all since that night, aunty?"

"Yes, Shen. I'm sure. Even now her face may have turned old like mine, but if I meet her ... I can still recognize her. We're close friends. More, our name is similar. How long we've been separated, but I believe the instinct between us is still strong."

"Yaa ... I understand that." Shen nodded agreeing. "It means that during these 13 years, you haven't been in direct contact with Aunty Mei? Phone calls? Or messages?"

"As far as I remember, there is none. Since that night, Mei has disappeared like that."

"Letter? Or a telegram? The sender is unknown, perhaps?" Shen continued to gather as much information as possible.

"If there is, it might have been sent to the wrong address. It's normal. So, I just leave it."

"Is there?" Secretary Shen wants certainty.

"Err ...,"

"Mom ...,"

A sudden call from Azri who was also in the living room startled everyone there.

"Why Az?" Mrs Marina asked.

"That postcard...,"

The contemplation of three pairs of eyes simultaneously fixed on the young man.