Don't Cry Mother
JMB 03. Hard Choice

A woman ran towards Kaluna, she quickly kissed Tara on the forehead. Not to forget he also hugged a friend who had long since missed it. His very busy work could not make him always visit the friend.

" I'm really happy to go back again Kal."

" Thanks Bri, you are my best friend."

" Kal, it's tara."

" I'll tell Bri."

Brisia nodded, from the look of Kaluna's eyes she could conclude that her best friend was carrying such a heavy burden. Kaluna's face looked thin, her body was also much thinner than the last time she saw it a year ago. Brisia was a little sorry actually because she could not visit Kaluna often, the task given her daddy was quite a lot so she could not dwell in the slightest.

" This is your house, Bri?"

" Yes Kal, sorry if it's uncomfortable."

Kaluna shook her head quickly. The house of Brisia is very large.4 times even bigger than the rented house he and his son occupied in the city of S yesterday. Brisia had even prepared a room for Tara. Kaluna shed her tears at what her best friend had given her.

Morning time is still about 3 hours away. Kaluna laid Taraka's weak body on the bed and covered the boy. He kissed the son's forehead for a moment and walked out of the room. Not forgetting he closed the door slowly so as not to wake the son.

" So Kal, what happened was actually with Tara. Why do I feel so weak."

Although Brisia is a researcher and not a doctor, Brisia can see clearly that Taraka, whom she considers as her own uncle, is in an unhealthy and weak condition. Though the last time he visited the city of S, the boy was still very healthy and cheerful.

" Tara was convicted of leukemia 6 months ago, and her condition worsened from earlier this month. Early everything can still be overcome even doctors say Tara can be cured with treatment and chemotherapy. But this month the cancer cells in his body have increased."

Brisia covered her own mouth with her hands. The girl's tears were no longer held back. He felt very sad about the condition of his best friend's son.

" What did the doctor say, and is that why you came back? Are you going to meet that man."

Kaluna. Not that he answered no, but he was confused as to what he should do at the moment.

" That?"

" I don't know Bri, I really don't know. But obviously I have to go to RSMH tomorrow. The doctor at the hospital earlier asked me to see Doctor Nataya. SP. BA said he was the one-on-one best pediatric surgeon in the country. I was hoping she could help Tara."

Brisia nodded in understanding. Brisia certainly knows who Nataya is, the ponakan of her papa friend. Brisia has also met several times during scientific seminars. Nataya is also a speaker there.

" I hope the doctor can cure Tara." Sincere prayers were offered by Brisia for the son of her best friend.

Inside the room, Tara rose from her sleeping position. He got out of bed and took something from his bag. A set of painting tools along with his canvas. He wanted to continue his unfinished painting. A painting of a man, but it's not finished. Tara could not draw the man's face. The man who always appears in his dreams says that he is his father.

" Will I meet you here, Dad. I hope so. Before I meet the angel of life, I hope to meet you first. And I promise I'll leave quietly because you won't be alone."

*

*

*

" Have you woken up? Wow, my mother's son is very smart. Why not call my mother, baby. Can I shower myself?"

Kaluna smiled, she was very happy to see Tara who was so excited. Even Tara looked healthier that morning. Tara chooses her own clothes and wears them without the help of Kaluna.

" Is this how you are right?"

Kaluna nodded, the woman approached the son and tidied up a little of his son's clothes. Not to forget a hat was taken from the bag and put on Tara's head.

The two walked out of the room together. Brisia was sitting in the kitchen waiting for the mother and child to have breakfast together.

" Waaah onty's niece is handsome once."

" Thank you onty, but Tara would have been more handsome if she had hair."

" Aishhh is the same, baby. If it is basically handsome mah want no hair or not even handsome. Yukk breakfast, today Tara wants to see a new doctor right. Doctor Nataya, the real doctor is good you know."

Stories about dr. Nataya just flowed from Brisia. Kaluna wondered why Brisia knew Nataya so well. Seeing the astonishment on the face of Kaluna Brisia also explained that she often knew Nataya because om nataya and her daddy were friends.

" Let's go, baby, let's go."

They were in the car and ready to go to the hospital. Kaluna of course had made an appointment by a doctor who was in the hospital before so he had got a queue first.

RSMH, that big hospital amazed Tara. There was a glimmer of hope in the little boy's heart to be able to heal in order to meet the father.

" In the name of Taraka Abyaz. Please come in."

Kaluna and Taraka entered the room in front of the door that read dr. Nataya Giandra Lagford Sp's. A. BA (pediatric specialist and pediatric surgeon).

" Hey handsome, how's it going hmm? It was nice to meet Taraka. Can the doctor call Tara."

" Can om. Alhamdulillaah good o'm."

Nataya smiled, she saw Taraka and Kaluna alternating. Nataya asks Tara to lie down and she reads Tara's medical records.

" Means we'll start the chemo, ma'am."

" Yes doctor. Oh yes doctor, is it true Tara had to get a spinal cord donor to be able to recover completely?"

Nataya smiled again, explaining everything about Tara's disease in its entirety. He also said he would first ascertain the extent to which the cancer cells in Tara's body spread.

" Mom, would you mind if Tara was in the care for a few days here. We have to make observations and take appropriate action."

Kaluna was silent for a moment, being treated meant that the costs incurred were getting bigger. He is not working at the moment either. Although Brisia said he would look for a job, it was impossible to ask for an early salary.

" Do I have to stay in the doc?"

" It's better so, ma'am."

Kaluna was really confused. He's in a dilemma. Will he go home to ask his parents or choose to bring his son home. This is a really hard choice

TB