Maven of the Strings

Chapter Thirty-two

"Arkin -- thank you -- for all." She said.

"Don't bother. It's okay. I am thankful too for having a friend like you." I answer. My heart and pulse beat so fast.

She said, "Thank -- you -- for calling me -- Maven and -- thank you -- for loving me." Then she continue, "Thank -- you so -- much --," And she cough again after telling this.

Then I turn my head down and my tears start to drop. I wipe it with my left hand and answering her while crying.

"Please, don't say your goodbyes."

She answer me smiling while her tears keep on flowing on her face, "I'm just -- saying hello." Then she get a deep breathe, "My final hello --,"

Her parents nothing to do but to cry. Cry after see their daughter in a critical suffering.

I talk to her, "Don't say such things. You will live. They will do our best to stay you alive. Why you gonna leave us if you want me here to stay? Be strong." I said. Make her courageous in this hopeless and darkest moment.

"I don't know -- what my future look -- like? I -- wonder if I -- have no illness -- like this. May -- maybe -- I can -- marry some -- day. Maybe - I bear - kids. Maybe --. Why -- did this illness -- chose me?" And she cry bitterly.

"Yes you can." I answer her crying. I wipe her tears in her eyes. "You must be strong and have courage. Open your faith. We will here for you whatever happens."

And she said to me, "Everything's -- hangs in the -- balance. Keep on -- playing fight song. Life's -- go -- on."

Then she was looking at the ceiling and continue her crying and suffering. She felt the pain of her skin and it kills me every time I heard her sufferings. The moan of pain. The sounds of her cry,

Nicolette went in quickly entering the Maven's room,

"Best, be strong. We are here for you." Nicolette said while crying.

The Maven answer her, "Let stop -- crying. Tomorrow we -- will go in the hospital -- right? I will -- be cured."

And by that, we heard a chance of encouragement. "Yes!" Nicolette said with a piece of hope.

"I will do -- my best -- to continue -- living. So -- Arkin, Nicole -- mom, and -- dad." She said, facing again on us. "Don't -- cry any -- more. Please."

And we heard on her, that there is hope. "I will continue -- even a -- short period -- to spend -- my meaning -- full life -- with the people -- around me -- and still -- believing me."

"We believe you can." Her parent said. Wiping out their tears and become strong for their daughter.

I'm still counting on it.

Maybe you can't strum those strings anymore, I said, I won't leave you. I will stay by you and you are still the Ukulele Girl I knew, the Starchild I'd like and the Maven that I loved.

Then she take her rest. We leaved the room and her mother to stay there for a while. I call for the doctor that we brought her tomorrow morning.

Seven months later . . .

Yesterday, we had a concert on Oktober Fest! That was so great. I won't drink too much but my band mates and other friend drink at that moment. More beer and beer baths! I went home already early morning. About ugh, 5 in the morning. So I sleep. I'm yeah! I'm very tired!

Then today, I will go to Poro's residence. Another drink? No. Hahaha. I won't drink. Let the other do that. It's her baby girl's Christening. I'm one of the godfather. Her baby girl was named, Audreygel Reese. What a wonderful name and she's very cute. More Julianne's description than Poro. My gift is a large stuffed toy from Blue Magic. Then it almost 2:30 in the afternoon.

"Poro, I have to go." I said smiling. Giving him a great smile.

"Where do you go? Let's drink." He exclaimed. He's very happy because there's so many visitor attended.

"You know where I go." I answer and I smile. He knows this.

And then, without conditions. He respect what I've said. And I'm thankful leaved them. I wear my helmet and drive with my Fino. I'm going to up a surprise!

I arrived for 25 minutes and then I've reached the place.

"Hello!" I call on the gate. Shouting so people inside will hear me. Hoping she would hear me.

"Hey Arkin. Wait." She said while inside the door. "I'm helping Auntie on household." Nicolette said loudly. Oh. She's busy. Am I wrong timing? Hehehe. Father was on the CR, he's not on the store that's why I call from the gate.

"Where do you go, son?" The Maven's mother ask while opening the gate.

"Of course to your pretty daughter, ma'am." I answer and the mother smiles. We are going to visit the Maven.

"Go Nicolette, come with him." The mother said happily. Nicolette came with me. Leaving the place. Wearing helmet and ride with me with the Honda Fino.

The Maven's father was there and greet me, "Regards me to my daughter, we will try to visit her after."

"Yes sir." And we leave the place.

While on way,

"How's your love life?" I asked her, a personal question. Hoping for answer.

"We're okay. Hahaha." She answer while laughing.

"Did he jealous to me?" I asked with grinning.

"Maybe, I don't know. This is what our first met look-likes." And Nicolette laugh out loud while we are arriving to the Maven.

"Yes, the time you keep secretly the name of your bestfriend."

She continue laugh and she's happy, then she change topic for a while and asking, "Any way, had you buy some for my best friend?"

"Of course I'm ready. Inside the seat. I won't forget this for her. I have pineapple juices here."

And we are both happy riding the Fino until we reached the Maven.

Then she was, there.

"Hello," I greet her smiling. Looking upon her.

And I wish she stand next to me --,

"How are you? I hope you're okay. I have a pineapple juice." I say calmly and with a smile.

"Hello Arkin," Hoping that she greet me like this, like what she does before. But, ugh. Keep imagining things won't happen anymore. I miss her so much. Badly missing her.

"Hi my bestfriend." Nicolette greet with joyful.

And here is, we put those candles and light it them all.

And that's it, after seven months, and farewell. If happy ever after did exist, indeed! Maven, I am here still staying on you. Even you were no longer here with us.

You never feel suffering there with your illness. You'll never cry anymore. You are now holding with peace, Maven.

Hello Maven. I wish you hear me saying. From now on I realized and you gave me the way of true hope. I hope that your illness will be cure but it is not the will. But then, I feel thankful to you. I am very proud of you. I miss your kissed. You know what, I am now studying again! I continue my dentistry, it's because of you. You always makes me inspire. Until now, my phone wallpaper is you. I'll never forget you. For now on, I will live full of hopes. It's because of you.

We stay there at the cemetery, her parents went also on the Maven's tomb and we had an instant picnic there till sunset. Tofu! I always let your name clean. I will do this every year for you. We will let the sunflowers grow and expand as a vast garden of it. Thanks for giving me my life directions. Maybe it's too late, that I didn't do this thing while you were alive, that you are still with me. But then, this is all what I'm gonna say. This is my full conclusion, thank you for being part of my life. Thank you so much and I love you, Maven of the Strings.