"DIKA, THE HANDSOME BOY, IS COMING!" Dika announced dramatically as he burst into Sheila's hospital room. Moments later, he slapped a hand over his own mouth—right after Tata smacked his shoulder.
"Are you stupid?! This is a hospital, Dik! Why are you yelling?!" Tata scolded in a harsh whisper. "Luckily, Sheila didn't wake up!" He stomped his foot in frustration and placed the gift he brought on the table beside Sheila's bed. His eyes scanned the room, but Alfa was nowhere in sight.
"Where's Alfa? He's been missing forever," Tata grumbled, increasingly irritated.
"Wow, why are you so obsessed with finding him? Miss him already?" Dika teased casually, which instantly made Tata flustered.
"As if! Why would I miss that guy? He's so annoying!" Tata huffed, arms crossed, already imagining how angry he was. Just wait till I see him—I'll chop him up for leaving Sheila here alone. Overflowing irritation brewed in Tata's chest, as it often did when it came to Alfa.
Suddenly, Dika's phone vibrated. The caller ID read State Treasurer. He answered it quickly.
"WHERE ARE YOU? YOU SAID YOU'D COME HOME AFTER SCHOOL, RIGHT?! MAMA'S BEEN WAITING! IF YOU'RE NOT HERE IN FIVE MINUTES, I'M CUTTING YOUR MONEY. DEAL?!" the voice on the other end screamed. Tata had to bite his lip to stop from laughing as Dika's face drained of color.
"Ma-Mama, please don't go all Judge Judy on me. I'm on my way! I was just visiting a sick friend," Dika pleaded. This was why he saved his mom's number as 'State Treasurer'—every financial decision had to go through her first. Even though technically all permissions came from his dad.
"Fine. You're forgiven. But don't take your time! Mama's waiting!" The call ended.
"Ta, I gotta go. Sheila's still asleep anyway, and visiting hours are over. Tell her I said hi when she wakes up, yeah?" Dika said hurriedly.
Tata rolled his eyes but gave a slight nod. "Don't worry, Dik. I'll pass it on. Get home safe."
"Oh, crap. Thanks, Ta." And with that, Dika left.
Tata stood for a moment, then placed a hand on his hip, unsure of what to do next. Sheila was still sound asleep.
"Sheila, Dika says hi," he whispered close to her ear, barely loud enough to be heard.
"I'll stay with you for now. Sleep well, Sheil. Get better soon, okay?" He gently stroked her hair, then walked out to find Alfa.
Tata wandered the hospital corridors alone. He took in the sterile white surroundings, scanning each corner for any sign of the boy who never stayed put.
Fifteen minutes passed.
Still no Alfa.
Tata stopped, folding his arms. "Hmph. Where does that idiot usually go?" he muttered, tapping his chin. Then his eyes lit up. "Oh, I know!"
He took off, half-jogging toward the spot in his mind. When he arrived, sure enough, Alfa was there—sitting on the edge of the rooftop, feet dangling dangerously off the side.
"BOO!" Tata shouted.
Alfa jolted, grabbing the rooftop wall for balance. "Are you insane?! If I fell, I'd actually die!"
"Good. At least if you break your legs, the traffic below will finish the job," Tata replied flatly.
Below them, a busy highway roared with life.
"If I really wanted to scare you, you'd know. But maybe I should try now," Tata added, narrowing his eyes.
Alfa sighed, wiping his face with both hands. He moved to a safer part of the rooftop and sat. Tata followed, taking a seat beside him. For a long moment, neither said anything.
"If something's wrong, just say it. Don't bottle it up. It's disgusting. You look like crap and it's irritating!" Tata snapped. But Alfa could read between the lines.
"Can I hug you?" Alfa asked.
Tata blinked, caught off guard. He didn't respond—but Alfa hugged him anyway.
"Sorry, Ta. I know I've been a jerk, and I always get on your nerves. I'm really sorry," Alfa whispered.
Is this really Alfa? Tata thought.
"Don't let go," Alfa said softly, sensing Tata's hesitation. Tata sighed and stopped resisting.
"Ta, I need to tell you something. But you have to promise to keep it secret."
Tata nodded, still stunned.
"Remember back in middle school? I wasn't that smart. My grades were okay—for me. But not for my dad. So he... changed me. In every way. Whatever it took. Bagas's adoptive father wants the same thing now. But Bagas's father-in-law doesn't know the details. What he's doing could kill Bagas. That's why I have to help—even if it costs me everything."
Tata shivered at the words. His life?
He hugged Alfa tighter, instinctively.
"What did they do to you? Why is this so dangerous?" he asked, his voice trembling. But Alfa remained vague.
"One day you'll understand, Ta."
Alfa gently pulled back, his hands resting on Tata's shoulders.
"I trust you, Ta. You're my best friend. Even if you say you hate me all the time, I know it's not from your heart. Just noise."
Tata's heart sank, sensing what was coming.
"Ta... I'm leaving Sheila. My mom doesn't know what's happening. Maybe I'll tell her soon. I'm sorry if this is goodbye."
"No, Fa! I don't know what your plan is, but if it puts your life on the line—I won't let you!" Tata's tears fell freely now.
"Promise me! Promise your mom! Promise Sheila! You won't leave them. Promise me!"
"I'll try, Ta. I promise I'll be okay. I promise Mama, Sheila... and the person I love—"
Alfa's words caught Tata off guard.
"—you."
Tata didn't have time to react. Alfa hugged him again, tightly. Tata's tears soaked Alfa's back.
It was a hug full of meaning, warmth, and unspoken fears. A hug meant for the future—if they were lucky enough to have one.