We, From The First
#20. Natta's Confession
After finishing the game, Nico, Rakha, Rio, and Natta immediately lay down in a row on the sidelines. Nico who was closing his eyes while covering his face with arms, while Rakha and Rio were seen laughing together after Rio told something. And Natta who was in the middle of them looked riled up.
Today, Natta deliberately invites his friends to play basketball. It was actually just an excuse to be able to gather all his friends. He did not sleep last night because he considered whether it was necessary to tell his friends about the problems he was facing now, or he had to hold back a little longer. Natta then sighed softly. He got up and sat down among his friends who were still lying down. Natta looked at their faces one-on-one.
Nico, who did not completely close his eyes, apparently caught Natta's anger since then. Nico holds one of Natta's shoulders and sits down.
"What's up, Nat?"
Natta did not answer. He was silent with a blank look ahead. And now, Rakha and Rio changed their position to sit as Nico and Natta did. Rio who became the only one who knew Natta's situation now, still could not say anything, before Natta who spoke.
"My father was cheating on me with Melanie Claudya" said Natta slowly, but clearly sounding soft.
Nico and Rakha are shocked after hearing Natta's confession. While Rio, just shut up and listen. Melanie Claudya herself is a top Film Actress who has been in film for 20 years. Even though she is almost 40 years old, she still looks very beautiful, and has a beautiful body.
Papa Natta is a Director at one of the largest and most influential Banks in Harsa City. Her father is quite famous and has a very good reputation. But even though his father had a good name and reputation, Natta never once brags about it.
"Snat?" Rakha sounded out.
There was not a single sentence that Rakha could say right now, nor was Nico. It was too sudden and certainly shocking.
"It happened exactly six months ago when my Mama found out about the affair, and soon –" Natta cut his words, and took a breath. The quota of air around him seemed to be thinning, and he began to have trouble taking a breath. With great difficulty, he continued, "all the media will preach it."
In this stifling situation, the only thing that could make Nico, Rio and Rakha breathe a little relieved was, no one knew who Natta's parents were. From the beginning, Natta hid the identity of his parents. No one knows except his three best friends and also... Sheryls. That's why, Natta was confused how to convey this to Sheryl. She was afraid to let Sheryl down and felt ashamed. For Natta who was completely deadlocked at the time, ending his relationship with Sheryl was the right choice for him.
Since childhood, both of her parents have educated her to grow up to be humble and independent. In Natta's eyes, his father was the greatest father in the whole world. That's what caused Natta to become very hurt and down after knowing the real reality.
After learning about his father's affair, his mother immediately took Natta out of the house and lived in a small apartment for a while. They live all round. And during these six months, Natta did everything he could to survive this difficult situation. He did some part-time work to help reduce his mother's burden, and to be able to meet some of his own needs.
Natta folded his hands over his knees, and drowned his face there. Moments later, both of his shoulders seemed to tremble. As much as she tried to restrain herself from crying.
...****...
5 Months Ago...
When Sheryl exits the building where she is Bimbel, Natta immediately welcomes her while waving. The dark-skinned youth, looked extremely sweet with his smile.
Sheryl ran up to Natta, then grabbed him by the arm.
"Why didn't you say you'd pick up? I'm done with that."
"Not a surprise." Natta answered.
"And you succeeded"
While walking, Sheryl started babbling nonstop, telling Natta a lot of things. While Natta tried to listen well, even though he was in a mess right now. Sheryl is also heard telling Natta that she has found a pretty good place for their date on Sunday. And at that moment, Natta suddenly stopped his steps.
"Iel, why did Diem?" Ask Sheryl for wonder.
Sheryl is further astonished when Natta releases his hand from Sheryl's armband.
"This week, and for the weeks that follow, I can't, Sher."
"What do you mean?"
Natta. He grabbed Sheryl's hand and held her tight enough.
"Yel?" Call Sheryl down, trying to see Natta's face that looked very grim. "You're all right, right?" this time, Sheryl sounded worried.
Natta closed his eyes for a moment. He was silent to gather his courage. It's the hardest thing he has to do now. And Natta won't delay any more.
"Sher.. we. broke up."
When Natta is about to release Sheryl's hand, Sheryl hastily holds him back. Sheryl's tears are already stuck in her eyes.
"Why suddenly? What am I wrong?"
Natta tried to stand up. For Natta now, there are other things he would rather prioritize. The present situation, did not allow him to make anything else his priority.
Natta pulls his hand from Sheryl's. And after saying sorry, Natta just left, leaving Sheryl alone.
"Iel stop!" pinta Sheryl with a trembling voice.
Natta kept walking away.
"ARIEL NATTA PRATAMA! BACK!"
Sheryl screamed loudly enough to make her the center of attention of people passing by. But Sheryl doesn't care. He just wants Natta to come back and explain to him what really happened. But that desire was not fulfilled. Because now, Natta's gone from Sheryl's point of view.
...****...
As Natta told his friends, today various media began to preach about his Papa's affair with a top actress. His father even threatened to be fired from his position because he was considered to have committed an embarrassing act.
Sheryl's entire body suddenly limp after reading the article. His hands were holding the phone even to the point of trembling. Now he begins to understand, why suddenly Natta cut off their relationship 5 months ago.
...****...
"Eh! Uh! Know what?" Marcell said to some of his friends who were gathered on the back bench.
"Gue got word, if his son Hadinata Pratama turned out to be in school here too."
Natta and Rakha who were sitting in the same row as them heard what Marcell told his classmates.
"Primate Hadinata? Director Harsa Bank? Who was involved in the scandal with Melanie Claudya?" Aldo was heard chiming which was immediately greeted with a nod from Marcell.
"Well, whoever his son is, he must be very shy now. But who's guessing, huh? Hahaha" Danar continued with a soft laugh at the end of his sentence.
"Wait around... Hadinata Primate? A pratama? Don't-don't..." Aldo The Headmaster's Son.
This time, Aldo and the others turned their heads towards Natta. Likewise with Rakha who began to carelessly hear his classmates who continued to discuss the affair scandal Hadinata Pratama.
"Ariel Natta PRATAMA?" Said Aldo while pointing towards Natta and emphasis on the word PRATAMA.
Natta did not show any reaction. Only his hands were clenched even though his face looked calm.
And without anyone expecting it, Rakha suddenly got up and landed a pretty strong bump on Aldo's face. The class was silent for a while. They were all equally surprised by what Rakha did, as well as Natta.
"Kha! What's your problem?" Aldo asked as he wiped the edge of his bloody lips.
Aldo did not really mean what he said to Natta. He was just kidding. That was why, he felt confused by Rakha's actions now.
"You should focus on learning. Not even gossiping here and there like a girl! Or do you want to change your pants with a skirt? HUH?!" Rakha's entire emotions had now encircled part of her. He no longer cares about anything.
"Why are you angry? Oooh, what do you think of Hadinata Pratama's son?"
Aldo's words now make Rakha's anger so out of control again, and blindly, Rakha again landed a punch after punch in Aldo's body. Aldo replied.
The brawl between Rakha and Aldo is inevitable.
"RAKHA! ALDO! STOP"
Natta got into the crowd and tried to tear them both apart. And the others immediately help Natta to separate Rakha and Aldo.
Amidst that chaotic situation, Aira entered the classroom. And how surprised he was when he saw Rakha and Aldo were both battered. The situation in the classroom is getting panicked. As Rakha was about to land a blow on Aldo's face again, the knowing Aira had courage out of nowhere, instantly holding Rakha's arm by holding her to stop him.
"Kha, no, Kha! You're bleeding" Pinta Aira pleaded.
Not long after, two BK teachers entered the classroom, and made the fight finally completely end. Aira let go of Rakha, then looked at her worriedly.
"Racha! Aldo's! Come with us to BK's room! Now!!"
Rakha scratched the head of the back. Before leaving the classroom following Aldo who had already followed Teacher BK walking out, Rakha turned his attention to Aira who still looked panicked and anxious. But Rakha passed from before Aira just like that without saying anything.
When the class situation calmed down again, Natta began to realize the whereabouts of Sheryl who had been standing at the door and watching everything that happened. From Sheryl's eyes, it was clear that she was holding back her tears.
Natta sighed while lowering his face. This time he could not escape. Sheryl must have known everything. Moreover, Sheryl is one of the people who know that Hadinata Pratama is Natta's father.
Disappointed Sheryl turns around and leaves Natta's class at a quick pace.
"Sheryl wait!" Natta said a little loudly. He then stepped out after Sheryl.
"Sher, wait! We have to talk." Natta this time grabbed Sheryl's hand to hold her back.
Sheryl is seen trying hard to keep her tears from falling. He looked at Natta with a glazed look and said, "after five months, this is the first time you've said you want to talk to me? Where have you been all this time, Natta?" Sheryl asked in a soft tone. But his anger and disappointment could not be hidden.
He was angry not because he was disappointed with the scandal of Natta's father's affair. But he was disappointed that Natta did not want to be honest with him and instead broke off their relationship without telling him why.
"What at all, have you ever loved me? Or am I the only one who's loved you all this time?"
"Sheryl I beg you..."
"Have you ever believed in me, Nat? Why do you always keep all your problems to yourself, and prefer to suffer alone?"
Natta's grip on Sheryl's hand is now loosening. Natta just looked down. He no longer had the courage to look into Sheryl's eyes.
"You've hurt me so much, Nat. For now I want to be alone. And please, don't meet me first, or talk to me."
Sheryl releases her hand from Natta's, then steps away leaving Natta alone. His position is now turned.
'I'm sorry, Sher.' Bathin Natta while lamenting Sheryl's shoulder which is getting longer, increasingly disappearing from his sight.
To Be Continued...^^^