Twenty

"Argh! Tama why didn't you pick up my phone?" asked Eshika even more panicked as the taxi sped down the street.

Since the taxi was running, Eshika had contacted Tama. She called Tama repeatedly. But, none of her calls were picked up by Tama.

She looked slightly forward and said to the taxi driver.

"Sir, please hurry a little bit, sir. I've been scolded by my mother, sir."

The driver glanced through the rearview mirror, noticing the panic on Eshika's face. He nodded and said. "Okay, Miss."

Eshika turned back to her cell phone. Tried to contact Tama for the umpteenth time. But, still not picked up. And that's why Eshika then opened Whatsapp. Check the message. Eshika had also sent a message to Tama. But, just as with the fate of her call not being answered, Eshika's message was not repplied too. Sent, but the boy didn't read it.

Instantly a bad thought appeared in Eshika's mind. Eshika couldn't get the bad thoughts out of her head.

This is Tama deliberately not reading my message huh? He wants to let me die because Mom scolded me?Argh!

It felt like now Eshika wanted to pull her own hair out of frustration and frustration. Unknowingly, Eshika bit the tip of her fingernail. Bad habit from his childhood when suddenly depressed.

Shall I call Mama? But I'm afraid. But, why if Mom called me first? Wouldn't it be scarier if Mama called me first? Maybe I should call Mom and apologize right away.

If I hide and seek like this, I'm afraid that Mami will get angry.

It's bound to get even worse.

Taking a deep breath, Eshika finally made up her mind to contact Popi. She seemed to have no other choice but to call Popi, explain what happened, admit her mistake, and promise not to do it again.

Better to be angry now than later. And it's better to admit mistakes than to be judged.

For a while, Eshika held her breath when she heard the waiting tone on her call. Shortly after, the phone was picked up. Popi's voice was heard on the other side.

"Eshika?"

Eshika reminded herself to keep breathing, trying to stay calm facing Popi.

As angry as Mom is, of course Mom can't pinch my ears, Eshika thought calmly.

"Mom…," Eshika softly whispered as she prepared with Popi's anger. She took a deep breath. "I'm very sorry. I know I was wrong. And I promise I won't do this again, Mom. I swear, Mom! I promise."

"You are sorry?"

"Yes, Mom. I'm really sorry. Please, forgive me. I know what I did was wrong. I shouldn't have left until tonight. But, I'm fine, Mom. You don't have to worry about that. I'm also on my way to go back to Tama's place. Please, Mom.... Don't be angry, Mom. Okay, Mom? At least in about ten minutes I will arrive at the apartment, Mi. I promise."

Sounds faint, Popi took a breath on the other side. "Now who are you with? Who did you go with?"

"It's in the taxi, Mi. I am with the driver. Do you want to talk first---"

"Who were you with?!"

Eshika shrank as soon as she heard Popi's shout. "I go with Alex, Mom," answered Eshika slowly, subconsciously already lowering her face deeply while one free hand squeezed her uniform skirt until it was wrinkled.

"Alex? Ehm ..., you went out last night with a guy just the two of you, Esh? Explain to Mom. Do you think that without Mami, you can wander around like this as much as you want? Yes?" asked Popi in a high pitched voice. "Went all night with the boy? Don't you think it's dangerous to be alone with a guy all night?"

Eshika bit her lip. She wanted to explain to Popi the reason why she had left so late. But, when she thought about it… what reason? Annoyed by being humiliated by Laura who misunderstood her? Then she wants a little revenge on Tama by deliberately going home for a long time so that the guy is hungry? So it can be said that the reason she accepted Alex's invitation to go for a walk after school was purely because she was annoyed with Tama?

Eshika grimaced at the thought. That's too childish an excuse. Just the thought of saying that to Popi made Eshika embarrassed. What if she actually said it? Eshika didn't know where to put her face later.

Argh!

"Mom, please…." Eshika really couldn't say any reason. So, she prefers to accept his punishment. "I was wrong, Mom," said Eshika at last maturely. "I'm sorry and I promise I won't do it again. I swear, Mom. This is the first and last time I do something like this. I'm not going to make you angry again. I promise."

This time Eshika heard Popi take a deep breath. "I already told you, Esh. I also doesn't want to leave you alone, that's why I am keeping you and Tama. But, why did it turn out like this?"

Eshika was silent. She only steeled his ears to hear the scolding after scolding Popi gave him.

"Anyway, I doesn't want something like this to happen, Esh," said Popi. "And after this, I will call Tama. Tell him to never let you go anywhere. I hope that Tama doesn't lie to me again."

Eshika's brow furrowed. " Tama lied to Mama?"

"Yes." Popi chuckled. "Not actually lying, but more to cover up your behavior! He hasn't said anything to me about you right now." Popi was heard chuckling again. "Okay. I can guess. Surely Tama didn't tell me on purpose because Tama didn't want I get angry with you."

Eshika's eyes blinked, confused by Popi's words just now. "Didn't you call Tama, Mom?"

"No. And Tama also didn't call me."

Eshika glared in disbelief. "So, Tama didn't say anything to you?"

"No. So what?"

Eshika clenched her fists. Her eyes was close.

Damn it, she thought.

*

tbc ....