Chapter 11: Chapter 11

“Aaww!” Rakia dropped the flower scissors she was holding when a thorn pricked one of her fingers. Adeline who was not far from her daughter immediately turned and approached.

“What is it?” asked Adeline with a worried face. Rakia looked down at her bloody finger.

“That rose stabbed me,” Rakia reported. Adeline immediately took a handkerchief from the pocket of the gardening apron she was wearing and then pressed the cloth on Rakia’s wound.

“Come in, let Mama finish everything later,” Adeline ordered.

“But, Ma, I want to help.” Rakia begged. Adeline shook her head as she pressed her lips together.

“That’s enough, you just come in. You can take over the kitchen work instead of taking care of the plants.”

Raki snorted. Actually he is more skilled in the kitchen than in the flower garden. She nodded resignedly. Just as she was about to enter the house, the housekeeper, Mrs. Liam, standing in the doorway that connects the back garden with the living room.

“Ma'am, Mr. Montezza forgot this.” The woman is against the food box. Adeline chuckled and stared at the food box sadly. For some reason her husband always forgets something when he goes to work.

“Can you bring that to Pedro?” Adeline asked Rakia.

“Yes, but I don’t know the hospital.” Rakia looked at Adeline.

“In Oregon,” Adeline replied.

“Just ask at the reception desk of the there.” Adeline added. Rakia also walked towards Mrs. Liam to take the lunch box.

“Mommy’s car keys are in the locker under the stairs.” Adekine said again, Rakia just nodded. She and Mrs. Liam enters the house. First she went up to her room to take her ivory white cardigan and change into black jeans she was wearing hot pants. As she descended the stairs, her hands were busy curling her hair up to the top of her head and tying it up. Some of her rather short hair fell to the sides of her face. Rakia opened a small cupboard stuck to the wall under the stairs with a glass door and took Adeline’s Audy’s car keys.

She put the food box in the front seat and immediately drove to the Oregon hospital. Before that, she turned on the GPS to know the route she would take. Considering he’s new to the country so he doesn’t know about the roads in this town. It was eleven in the afternoon when Rakia arrived at the hospital. She approached the front desk where there were three female nurses there with their respective activities. She had time to look at the spacious lobby of this hospital with friendly lighting because the front wall is made of transparent glass. Several people dressed in all white and nurses walking in different directions. The rest are outsiders who have their own goals.

“Excuse me, I would like to ask about Doctor Pedro Montezza’s room.” The nurse-clad woman who was currently in a sitting position looked up at Rakia.

“In the first hall on the right. Have you made an appointment beforehand? Because right now he has a patient,” explained the woman.

“Ah no. I’m only here to bring something that doctor Pedro forgot. Can I see him for a moment?” Rakia looked uncomfortable if in a situation like this she came and disrupted working hours. The woman glanced at Rakia inquisitively.

“May I see your ID card, Miss?”

Rakia was surprised when she heard the request, because she didn’t bring her wallet and any identification.

“I didn’t bring my wallet right now,” she said honestly, to which the nurse gave a small nod. Rakia felt that this would take a long time. Then the nurse contacted Doctor Pedro’s office.

“Good morning, Doctor. Someone came to see you but is not on today’s appointment list,” told the female nurse.

“Who?” Doctor Pedro wanted to know. The nurse covered the bottom of the phone so she wouldn’t be heard when she asked Rakia’s name.

“Your name, Miss.”

“Rakia.”

The nurse immediately said Rakia’s name.

“You can meet him in his room after examining the patient, please go there, Miss,” said the nurse after she finished calling Doctor Pedro. Rakia nodded and thanked her before walking away. As she walked, Rakia noticed the nameplate hanging on the top corner of the door of every room she passed. This is her first time to this hospital. After passing about four rooms, she stopped in a room with a brown wooden bench leaning against the remaining wall which had a two-leaf window near the door. The nameplate above the door displays Doctor Pedro’s full name.

Rakia sat down on the bench and placed the box of food she was carrying on her lap. When she heard the door to the room open, she turned towards the door and waited for the figure she expected to appear, but she was surprised and amazed when it was Dashtan’s figure who appeared before her.

“Dashtan?!” said Rakia, confused and unsuspecting, then the old man who was with Dashtan looked at Rakia in surprise and curiosity. Doctor Pedro appeared last.

“Ah, Rakia, thank you for coming with my supplies,” said doctor Pedro kindly.

“Doctor, do you know her?” Dashtan voiced his curiosity.

“Yes, she is my wife’s daughter,” Pedro replied. Rakia stood up from her seat.

“Aaaa, i see, so you are Renaldi daughter?” asked the old man who was with Dashtan at the moment. Rakia smiled then said, “Yes, I am, sir.” They shook hands.

“So, this is the woman you talk to me to marry her?” the old man’s half-whispered remark to Dashtan surprised Rakia. Dashtan who realized Rakia heard that immediately smiled awkwardly.

“You come here alone?” asked the doctor Pedro changing the topic for a moment.

“Yes, I use mom’s car,” Rakia answered while handing Pedro’s lunch box.

“I hope we can meet again in the near future, Young Miss,” said the old man then said goodbye to Rakia and doctor Pedro. Rakia watched the old man and Dashtan leave while watching their interaction with a look of confusion mixed with curiosity.

“You know him?” asked Pedro to distract Rakia from Dashtan.

“Yes, but only know the name. I’ve met several times in Jakarta,” Rakia answered briefly but clearly. Pedro raised his eyebrows and nodded lightly.

“Her father is one of the patients who often consult with me.” Pedro told.

“That was his father?” Now Rakia wants to know. Pedro nodded.

“One of the Dubai parliament officials. You want to stay to have a look?” Pedro offered.

“No, I’ll just go home. I have to prepare my job application documents. Rakia smiled then said goodbye. While in the car on the way home, Rakia thinks of a line Dashtan’s father said and she overhears it. She felt strange with that sentence.

“Why did he say that?” the question is more to herself.

“Oh, you’re here already?! Your father called on your cellphone, mom picked it up, he said he would come the day after tomorrow.”

Rakia just nodded, her mind still thinking about Dashtan and the boy’s father. Adeline looked at her daughter inquiringly.

“There is something wrong?” she asked finally. Rakia shook her head, she didn’t want to tell her mother about Dashtan yet. After all, she and the man had only met a few times.

“I’m going to take a shower, I’ll cook this afternoon.” Rakia smiled then walked quickly to the second floor.