SIXTEEN

At night a few stars appear in the dark sky. It signaled that the time for rest had come.

In this hospital building, people were eager to be healed. Including my father.

I had just finished my maghrib prayer. I prayed that I could meet my mother. Honestly, I really miss my mother. I'm alive, but my legs feel lame without her.

"Ri, have you finished praying?" asked my father who could now sit in a chair. Although the IV is still attached.

"I have, sir."

"You haven't eaten dinner yet, Ri?" asked the father as he reached into his bag on his lap.

"No, sir. I'm going out to buy some rice," I replied while folding my mukena. I knew you would spend more money on me. But I felt bad about having to accept money from him. Given my age, it was appropriate to look for a job.

"Do you have any money?" asked my father with a frown on his forehead. His hand was already holding a twenty thousand bill.

"The money you gave to Riri still has some left, sir."

"Well then, don't take too long to buy the rice, you'll be too late," said my father, advising me. He then lay down on his own bed. He refused my help to help him.

Now I could see that his hair was graying quite clearly. The skin of his hands was starting to wrinkle, although it wasn't too noticeable because his body was filled out.

I didn't expect that he was already sixty years old. But I don't see him as sixty years old. Maybe it's because of his stubbornness and high spirits.

"Oh yes! Sir, Riri wants to meet Riri's friend in the cafeteria later. Maybe in about 20 minutes Riri will be back here," I explained as I remembered my promise with Zahra.

"Yasudah sana, promise not to be late," said my father gently. I was happy to have your attention. That means you love me. Maybe it was because I hadn't seen you in over two years. So now I felt happy to be advised by my father.

I greeted my father and left the room to go to the cafeteria.

"Zahra!" I called cheerfully. She who was in the cafeteria chair turned to me with a wave.

I went over to her. She looked tired with her black eye bags. Even though she was wearing glasses. I could see it. Her face also looked haggard without makeup.

"You look really tired. It's okay if we chat. Don't you want to go straight home?" I asked, making sure Zahra was okay.

She wiped her forehead and forced a smile.

"My school is close by, I can walk there. Actually, I'm tired. But it's okay to chat with you for a while," she explained then motioned for me to sit in front of her.

"I want to order some food first! I'm really hungry!" I said hurriedly.

"Yes, yes, let's go quickly. I've already eaten," Zahra replied, fixing her glasses.

I quickly ordered fried rice and water. Then sat on a chair. Zahra placed her bag in the center of the table.

"How are you, Ri, are your friends healthy?" asked Zahra enthusiastically.

"Akbar is healthy, Iyan is healthy too. Akbar is still in the shelter with his family. But maybe in a few days he will move into his house. Because his house has been rebuilt. As for Iyan, he's already working at Akbar's father's place."

"Thank God! What are you doing here? Who's sick, Ri?" Zahra asked curiously.

"My father is sick. But I'll be able to go home tomorrow!" By the way, where is your boarding house? If I have time, I'll stop by there."

"Behind this hospital. There will be a sign for the boarding house. Just say you want to meet Zahra."

"Okay, ready! I think it's close to my father's house."

"Alright, if you're close, mamlir often?" said Zahra excitedly.

I paused thinking about what else to say to my best friend.

"Thank God, Ri, you were able to meet your father. How's your mom?" Zahra asked, making me speechless.

"I tried to find my mom by sharing my mom's personal data with everyone I met. I shared the paper with Akbar. And until now there hasn't been any news. The sar team and others have given up. But somehow I feel like my mom is still alive," I explained with my head down.

"Be patient, Ri I keep praying for your mother to be found," Zahra said soothingly.

I just nodded hoping to meet my mom. A canteen waiter arrived in front of me. She put fried rice and water on the table.

"Thank you, ma'am." I said and the waitress left immediately.

"Have you eaten?" I asked as I stirred the fried rice in front of my eyes.

"Already, you just eat your fill." she said, looking at my face.

I immediately scooped and ate my rice. It tasted really good. But it's still as good as my mom's.

"Are you working yet, Ri?" asked Zahra as she looked at me eating.

I swallowed my food for a while and answered.

"No, tomorrow I want to find a job too. But where? I'm confused. Maybe if I had a cell phone it would be easier to find a job. I can look for job vacancies in Facebook groups. But if I'm like this, I'm confused. Do you have a job for me?" I asked pleadingly.

"I don't know either, Ri. I'll ask my friend tomorrow. Maybe he has a job for you," he replied, making me a little relieved.

"I hope I can get a job soon. I don't feel comfortable living with my stepmother, especially since she also has a baby," I explained with a frown.

"Oh, so your father has remarried?" asked Zahra with wide eyes.

"Yes."

Zahra and I confided in each other. But here she spoke more often. I just listened to her complain. Zahra now lived alone. She no longer lives with her brother. She said she wanted to live independently. I salute her. She has always lived with her older sister. Both her parents have passed away.

The clock struck 8pm. I gasped in shock when I realized my promise with my father. I immediately ended my conversation with Zahra. And immediately walked quickly to the room where my father was.

"I'm sorry, sir. Did Riri take so long?" I greeted the father who was lying on the bed. Apparently he hasn't slept since before.

"You already know. You'll be late," he said without smiling.

"Hehehe, I'm really sorry sir," I said with a frown.

"Yes, it's okay. But your friend is a girl, right?" he asked, making me frown.

"How come you asked me that, sir?" I asked him back.

"You're my only child. I don't want you to do anything wrong." he explained, making me feel touched.

"My friend is a girl, sir. She's my schoolmate Zahra." I explained.