"No, there's only you and Akhzam!" Ikhwan, his grandfather's words, kept echoing in Naufal's head. The words pierced like thorns, a mystery shadowing his every step. He rubbed his face, exhausted. His phone vibrated, displaying the name "Chintya." Naufal gasped. The woman had called several times, each ring like a slap reminding him of Chintya's betrayal of his mother. He was reluctant to answer, but finally, with a heavy heart, he answered the call.
"Yes, Aunt," Naufal replied, his voice cold. He deliberately used the formal address, keeping his distance.
"Are you busy?" Chintya's voice sounded soft, but in Naufal's ears, it sounded fake, manipulative.
"No. It's lunchtime. Why?"
"Could you help pick up Raisa? Her teacher called, said Raisa is sick. I can't get out. There's an event at this hotel."
Naufal was silent for a moment. Chintya's request felt like a forced burden. He didn't want to get any more involved with that woman, the woman who had destroyed his mother.
"Sorry, I can't. Just ask the teacher to stay with her until you can pick her up," Naufal replied, his voice firm, trying to hold back the anger that was starting to swell.
"She's fussy," Chintya whined. "She doesn't want to be left alone."
"I'm not sure I can stop her from being fussy either. Okay?" Naufal hung up the phone roughly. He threw his cell phone on the table, the sound of the impact felt like a release of pent-up anger.
Knock knock knock
The sound of knocking on the door broke his reverie.
"Come in," he said, his voice still heavy.
The door opened, revealing Aretha, walking in with a cheerful face that contrasted with Naufal's mood.
"Bang," Aretha greeted.
"Yeah."
"What do you want to eat, Bang? Wisnu wants to buy lunch."
"You guys go ahead. I want to go out." Naufal replied briefly, without looking at Aretha.
"Oh... Where do you want to go, Bang?" Aretha asked with a little worry.
"Home," Naufal replied, taking the car keys from his desk drawer. He felt the need to get away, to find some peace from the constant pressure he felt.
He reached for the car keys, then turned to Aretha.
"I'm going, okay?"
"Yes, be careful, Bang." Aretha replied softly.
Naufal hurried out of the room. Just a few steps away, he received a short message from Chintya.
"Naufal. Raisa is really sick, I beg you, please pick her up. She keeps crying."
For a moment Naufal was silent, feeling burdened. He didn't want to get involved with Chintya's drama, but he couldn't bear to leave Raisa alone at school in a sick condition. He sighed deeply. He decided to pick up Raisa, even though he knew it would be a hassle.
He walked to the parking lot, got into his car. He drove his car quickly.
Arriving at the school, Naufal went straight to the teacher's room. Bu Anita, a middle-aged woman with a friendly face, was already waiting in front of the classroom. Raisa looked limp, lying on a small bed provided in the classroom.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Naufal," greeted Bu Anita.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am," Naufal replied. "How is Raisa?"
"Her fever is quite high, Sir," replied Bu Anita. "I've given her antipyretic medicine, but she's still fussy and keeps crying."
Naufal approached Raisa, seeing Raisa's pale and limp condition. He felt sorry for her. Even though he didn't like Chintya, he couldn't bear to see Raisa suffer.
"I will take Raisa to the nearest clinic, Ma'am," said Naufal.
"Alright, Sir," replied Bu Anita. "Get well soon."
Naufal carefully carried Raisa, taking her to the car. The journey to the clinic felt heavy.
A doctor named Clara looked at Naufal after examining Raisa. Her face was beautiful with a hijab covering her hair.
"Sorry, what's your name, Sir?"
"Naufal."
"For now, Raisa is safe."
"She has a history of Leukemia," said Naufal, looking at Raisa who had stopped crying.
Raisa held out her hand to Naufal, who immediately picked her up. Clara smiled, seeing Raisa immediately hugging Naufal.
"Your child looks very much like you, Sir," Clara said carefully, a little hesitant to mention Raisa as Naufal's child, who she felt was her age.
"Not my child," Naufal replied.
"Oh yeah? Very similar to you."
Naufal just smiled. Not wanting to discuss who Raisa really was to him.
"Continue her treatment at the hospital that usually handles Raisa."
"Ready."
"Where do you work, Sir?" Clara asked.
"Polresta, Narcotics unit," Naufal replied.
"Oh.." She glanced at the Reskrim pin attached to Naufal's shirt.
The dream job Clara wanted when she graduated from high school but didn't get permission from her father.
Clara stroked Raisa's head.
"She is beautiful."
"Okay, thank you, Doctor."
"I'll prepare the medicine. You wait in front."
"Okay," Naufal walked out of the room.
Clara smiled, there was an attraction in her heart seeing Naufal's handsome face.
"Doc," called the nurse standing behind her.
Diana, a senior nurse who was 40 years old.
"He's already gone, Doc, from sight," Diana joked.
Clara blushed shyly.
"His name is Ipda Naufal Hasbi," said Diana.
"How do you know, Sis?"
"He used to arrest drug dealers next to my house. Still young. And doesn't seem to be married."
"How do you know, Sis?"
"Just look, there's no ring on his ring finger," Diana laughed. "Do you want me to find out his information, Doc? coincidentally, my neighbor works at the Polresta."
"Ah, this Sis," Clara blushed shyly.
After preparing the medicine, Clara called Naufal back into the room. She handed over the prescription and explained in detail about Raisa's treatment, including the dosage of the medicine and the schedule for giving it. She also gave some additional advice to maintain Raisa's health, such as maintaining a diet and getting enough rest.
"Mr. Naufal," Clara began the conversation, "I suggest you always monitor Raisa's condition. If there are significant changes, contact me immediately or take Raisa to the hospital."
"Okay, Doctor," Naufal replied, his eyes still fixed on Raisa who was sleeping soundly in his arms. "I'll tell her mother later."
"Oh, Raisa's mother is still around?"
"She's at work. Okay, thank you, Doctor."
"I hope Raisa recovers quickly, okay?" Clara smiled before Naufal left the room.
After Naufal and Raisa left, Diana approached Clara again. "How was it, Doc? Anything interesting?" Diana asked in a joking tone, but her eyes sparkled meaningfully.
Clara blushed shyly. "This Sis... I have to focus on my patients."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm just kidding," Diana replied, laughing. "But seriously, I can help find out the information. My neighbor, Mr. Budi, works in the personnel department of the Polresta. It's easy to get the data."
Clara blushed again. "Ah, Kak Diana... I have to focus on working." However, in her heart, she couldn't completely refuse Diana's offer. She was curious about Naufal, about the life of the handsome man who had managed to steal her attention.