Irise Delegnere (ALIVE'S Book 3)

by Faulina Arif

  "They had a task to help diseased villagers. not only checking, they gave us a free medicine as well. The villagers that was badly sick is send to the capital or big cities to be treated properly. But unfortunately, not many people can return to this village in healthy condition. The minister of health in this kingdom said that they still not found the exact medicine for these disease caused by pests in this village. They still trying to find the solutions."

  A blowing wind moving Irise hair to her eyes. That young woman slip her hair to the back of her ear. She was hoped, those kingdom physicians can found the exact medicine for this disease. She can't imagine how sad Aria be, if her mother was not saved like her older sister.

  IRISE DELEGNERE

  With nimble movement Aria takes a bread from its container, and then put them in a big plate. After she's done, she take a carrot that was washed before and then cut it to pieces.

  "AH!" Aria yelled in pain

  Aria holding her wounded finger that was cut by a knife. Her blood was dripping to the table near those carrots that she cut to piece before. Leaving the kitchen she go toward the door that was lead outside house, she then go near the water container. Aria intending to wash her wounded finger in the clean water. But when she squat in front of the water container, Aria was surprised to see her finger are not bleeding anymore. As she can see it clearly the cut in her finger was vanishes without any mark.

  For several times she was checking, her finger is as smooth as before she was cut and it made her confused. At once Aria running to the kitchen an look at the table where the carrot was, and she was surprised because she saw her blood there.

  Aria is not dreaming, right? Aria flabbergasted

  Aria once again take her knife that was in the table, she shut her eyes and determined to cut her finger one more time. One of her eyes take a little peek and when that knife just near her finger, her hand is shaking. Aria opened her eyes and sighed. That little girl is too cowardly as to cut her own finger, just for the sake of proving her doubt.

  A coughing voice was heard near the kitchen. Her daydream was stopped. She quickly leaving the kitchen and go to her mother bed room. In a small bed that can only contain one person, her mother that now in her 40th was sitting in bending position, she stare at the floor below.

  Aria eyes glisten looking at blood in the floor. This is what she afraid the most, Aria quickly approaching her mother and helped her to lie down correctly in bed.

  "Mother? Are you alright?" Aria asked, a tear fall from her eyes.

  Aria can't stand seeing her mother like this, her disease worsen each day. Recently, her mother is always coughing blood.

  "Mother is fine Aria, do not worry." Clotis trying to smile to make her only daughter calm.

  Aria taking a handkerchief in the table and then wipe the blood that's left in her mother lips. That little girl forcing her smile."Yes, mother will surely cured." She answered while wiping her tears that still in her cheek.

  "Mother medicine is empty, can you go to the medical post and ask for a medicine there, please?"

  Aria nod."Hm, Aria will return quick."

  Leaving her mother room, Aria go to the kitchen and take all her carrot and put them in the water pot. Aria quickly leave her house and go to the medical post like she was asked before.

  So many people visiting the medical post today, Aria have to queue and waited for her name to be called. That little girl approaching the empty chair beside an old woman that she know.

  "Madam Maria, are you alone?" Aria greet and start a chat, trying to be courteous to the elderly.

  That old woman named Maria looked at Aria. "Yes, sit beside me here Aria."

  Aria smiled and then sit down beside Maria, one of the villagers that she know well.

  "You want to ask a medicine for your mother?" Maria asked.

  Aria nod."How about you madam?"

  Maria shake her head slowly."No, today I just want to ask them a few question, but seems so many people here have a same intention like me."

  Aria looked at the direction that Maria meant. An information officer that she know well was busy conversing with a young woman that Aria know well too. That young woman asked a few question to that officer.

  "So you said that my father wounds will not be healed?" Asked that young woman with curly hair named Shirly.

  "No, of course it will be healed, but it is not as quick as miss wanted."

  "But . . . . " Shirly voice is halted.

  A sketch of worries was drawn in her beautiful face."That is only a little wound. My father is just pierced by a broken glass." Shirly insist and shake her head. "Not like what you said a week earlier, my father wound is not healing at all, it even getting worse and rot. And now he can't walk at all. Even though he eat the medicine routinely.

  Aria forehead crinkled. That little girl look at Shirly and that information officer in confusion. Their conversation made Aria curious until she didn't realize she was walked and now standing beside Shirly. Aria stare at the two of them alternately.

  "Is uncle still sick miss Shirly?" Aria asked

  Shirly was searching that voice and found Aria in her right side."Oh? What are you doing in here Aria? My father can't even walk at all now."

  "Aria came here to ask for medicine."

  "Are you sure that your father wound is worsen?" That information officer asked

  Shirly looked at that officer then nod slowly "His wound widen and let out a yellow smelly water . . . ?"

  "That was perhaps caused by infection." That information officer answered.

  "Is that dangerous? How long it takes to heal? what must I do?" Many question was out from Shirly mouth and she can't wait for an answer.

  "If that was only an ordinary wound, of course it will only take for a few days to heal. But if that infection was true, I can say it will take a long time to heal. Take him here and we can check that wound."

  "I understand." Shirly answered in low voice, she looked at Aria that still standing beside her with a sad face."I go home first." Shirly say a farewell to Aria.

  "Aria wishes that uncle will heal quickly." Said Aria.

  Shirly forced her smile "Yes, thank you Aria."

  Shirly sighed and leaving the information officer with a sad face.

  Aria know that well, Shirly must be worried to her father same as Aria that worrying her mother.

  Aria stare that information officer in front of her. "Uncle, is it true that miss Shirly father wound's will not heal very quick?"

  "Hm, if he was pierced by a broken glass and his wound is not too deep, it ought to heal for two days." That man answered.

  Aria forehead crinkled once again."But uncle, Aria was hurt before and it was healed very quick without any mark."

  That information officer stare at her in confusion. "What do you mean little girl?"

  "Aria finger is cut by a knife and bleeding, but when Aria wash her hand, Aria didn't found the wound. Aria finger is not letting out any blood and it's not painful anymore. Isn't it weird uncle?"

  That information officer staring at her in disbelief."That was great, it is rarely happened, you must be a special person." He praising Aria.

  Aria smile widely "Really?"

  "Yes Aria, this is rare." That man smiled enthusiastically.

  Aria is very happy until she let out an arrogant laugh.

  "Are you done yet my sweet little girl? If you are done, this time I wanted to ask." Maria suddenly standing beside Aria.

  Aria surprised and her arrogant laugh was stopped."Ah, Sorry madam Maria, Aria can’t hold herself and grab your queue, how impolite Aria was." She beg for Maria forgiveness while hitting her own head slowly.

  Madam Maria smiled graciously."No matter, you are a curious little girl, I like a children such as you Aria."

  Her regret slowly change into a smile in her lip. she was proud and very happy, because today she have many praise from other people around her.

  IRISE DELEGNERE

 
Irise removing the tomato basket in her back then put it inside the warehouse together with other harvest. She think, she will invite Aria to take a bath in the nearest river. That is what they do recently, especially after Irise returning from the garden or farm.

  Irise can't wait to see Aria happy face, she wanted to show Aria the picture of Aria face that nearly done. Irise planned to give that picture to Aria in her birthday, it exactly 3 days from now. Aria still didn’t know about Irise plan, She always asked Irise when that picture will be done, but Irise always lied and say that the picture is far from finished. Maybe about 2 until 3 weeks.

  Even though Aria really wanted to see it, Aria must hold her selfish desire. Aria promised to Irise she will not see or stealing a chance to take a little peek until the picture was finished.

  Irise leaving the warehouse and returning to the house. She entering through the back door toward the kitchen. Irise is wondering why the kitchen is empty, Aria usually cooking their lunch at this time. Irise come near the table and saw many vegetables and water pot there. It was left just like that, then Irise go to their room to find Aria but she was not there. Irise frowned because she was confused. It is rare to see Aria go somewhere without finishing her work first. Yes, except there is something urgent.

  Leaving the room, Irise go to Clotis room. that woman is lying low in her own bed whilst Albert is busy to mix a porridge that was left from this morning, he feeding his wife carefully.

  "Um, do you know where Aria is?" Irise asked, and stare at those husband and wife alternately

  "I asked her to take the medicine in the medical post. But it was before noon, and she still not returned."

  Albert eyes wide-open."That long?" that old man shake his head and clucked."Maybe she meet her playmate and forget the time."

  Albert know it very well about his daughter nature. Every time she meets her friend and talked happily, she will forget about her task and time itself. For several times Albert become annoyed at her, but he can't scold Aria because she can easily ingratiate him.

  "I will look for her." Said Irise.

  "Thank you." Albert looked at Irise.

  Irise hurried to leave the house and go to the medical post. While in the way toward that place, she didn’t know why but she felt something obstructing her mind. suddenly her feeling changed into worry and agitation. She felt it's hard to walk but she forced her own foot to walk, for the sole purpose of finding Aria. That feeling is familiar for Irise, in the past she felt it many times. And then not for a long time she will have a bad news or even more than that, an terrible accident will occur. Right, after a long time she not feeling this, an agitation attacking her mind and that fear come back to her. She's not sure why that feeling was coming back at her, and at this time. but if this is a bad omen, she must find Aria as soon as possible.

  After walking for a while, Irise arrived at the medical post. Irise go inside the tent and looked around. Apart from the kingdom guard and a few of physician, there is 3 villagers that still in queue waiting for a treatment. Aria is not anywhere around this place, and it made her feeling became much worse than before.

  She then approaching the kingdom guard that standing near the doorway. "Excuse me, do you see a little girl around 8 years old coming here?" Irise asked.

  One of that guard looked at her."Do you mean . . . A little girl with curly long hair to her waist?"

  Irise lifted her eye brow."Yes, you are right. did you see her?"

  "She go with our physician to another place." the other guard answering Irise question.

  Irise looked at that guard "What do you mean?"

  "Come, I will bring you to the information desk. He will explain it to you miss." That guard walked inside guiding Irise.

  Her worries became much more than before and it imprinted clearly in her face, Irise followed that guard to meet the information officer. Upon her arrival there, without wasting any time she asked about Aria.

  "Your little sister fall unconscious when still in queue. We then checked her condition and it seems Aria was infected by that strange deadly disease."

  Irise eyes wide-open in disbelief. Her eyes squinted sharply and stare at that information officer."Impossible, earlier morning she's still healthy."

  That information officer sighed."But, that was what happened. It's possible that she covered it all on purpose, so that all of her family will not feel worried about her."

  Irise gulped. it's hard to believe that officer in front of her. But a doubt filled her mind slowly. What if all his word is true? Irise start to suspect herself. Is that possible her disease caused by her rotten and cursed blood that was now mixed inside Aria pure body? She can't say, but she was sure Aria now is in danger. Whether the cause is from her blood or that disease.

  The fear that lurking inside her head now go forth through her mind. Making her face pale and she felt enormous worries. Irise never felt this for a long time since until now.

  Irise stare at that officer in front of her."Are you sure all of this happened because of that disease? does the symptom is not different anyhow?" Irise asked carefully

  That officer is shaking his head slowly."We are not sure, only guessing. But the symptom is somehow different from the other people, that's why we take her to our camp in the city to check her thoroughly. You can see here, right miss? we don't have a proper treatment tools in here."

  "I want to see her." Irise said quickly, "Can you take me to her?"

  For a moment that officer fall silent."Yes, of course." That man nod slowly. "I think that was for the best. You can go there with our physician, by chance he will go to the city today. Soon this post will be closed for the day, so please wait for a short while."

  "Thank you very much." She said in gentle manner.

  She was leaving that officer and then approaching a chair in the corner of the tent. She sit there and ponder everything that was happened. Her body is shaking and Aria face appeared in her mind without stopping.

  Irise since long ago was always felt that her existence causing unhappiness for the people around her. All person that was around or beside her will suffering helplessly and then leaving her. Whether they still alive or will pass away. If only Irise was not so greedy and choose not to stay in Aria family, of course all of this would never happened.

  She ought to pretend not to care, ignoring that little girl and quickly leave this village. But now, she must confront this regrets from her own action. Her eyes glisten, she gaze at below her legs while gripping the side of chair tightly. All of this is purely her fault, now she doesn't know what to do, praying to God is useless. Irise does not believe in God at all, because all this time that was what happened. Irise praying, pleading and ask to God to help her, but pain and suffering come to torture her more and more and God is only watching.

  Hopelessness is was seen clearly in her face. That young woman holding her tears as to not to fall. Irise was already loved Aria. For so long, now there was something that she wanted in this hollow life and that is Aria. Irise will do anything to make that little girl come back to her arms. Anything for her so that she can see Aria smile. Yes, if Irise have power to do so. But she was powerless and can only hoped that Aria was safe and something bad will not happened.

  A Gaze From The Past

  Like a thief Evan skulk to Aria room and put a bunch of red roses in the table near Aria bed. After that he get out from that room. He was hoping that the red roses will melt her frozen heart. In Evan eyes Aria beauty is unmatched, but her violent and stubborn attitude made her hard to approach. Evan only wish for her to be a normal woman, living happily as other human should and he was hoped that she can be more open minded to him. For once in a while Aria must stare at the beautiful flower, not only just spend all her time with weapon. Of course with flower it will increase her femininity even though it's not much. And in addition there's no women in this world who hates flowers.

  Aria came out from the bathroom and approaching the wardrobe. There was a fe
w new clothes inside. One night after they stayed together, Evan decided to do shopping and buy her a few clothes. Not all of those clothes Evan gave was accepted by Aria. Only a selected few with black or white color. Aria refuse to accept the dress and choose only jeans and a plain shirt. That kind of clothes was more comfortable for her.

  Finishes wearing a clothes, Aria take off the towel that was before wrapped her hair. And then she approaching a mirror in the desk near the wardrobe. For a moment she was quiet, looked at herself in the mirror. Still the same, nothing was changed except her hair that now was turned to white.

  Aria switch her eyes to look at the table near the bed, and she was awestruck. She find a bunch of red roses lying near her wig. Aria slowly approaching that table and take those roses. Aria then sit in the bed, staring at those roses without any smile in her lip. She know who did this, stealthy put these roses in the table. whatever reason Evan do that, there is a slight sorrow entering her mind.

  Her smooth hand caressing those roses petal slowly. She had a hard time to gulp, a sadness was seen clearly in her eyes. Even though there was a faint smile in her lip, but her heart was in pain. That memories filled her head, oppressing her mind until a tears fall down to her palm.

  Many men has entering Aria life. But only he that can disrupt her mind and heart. His splendid and handsome face, how he was smiled, and all his word that always full of conviction was like a poison for her. He was extraordinary, all people liked him and he can easily made other trust him. All of impossible will be possible if it was him. And that was the reason why Aria loved him.

  An endless void, that is what she felt every time she reminiscing about that man. Aria missed him, she really wanted to see and embrace him tightly. She want to say that she was unwell, and wanted to ask what should she do, giving her a chance to embrace him one more time and release all of her longing and all of her suffering in his hard chest. But now, that man is only an untouchable dream. Howsoever she plead and wishes for or how much she yearn for him, nothing can bring him back to her side.