They finally walked together after the rain turned into a drizzle. It was a drizzly afternoon with two people walking together in an awkward atmosphere.
The road was wet, the ground was muddy, the wind was blowing hard, and the sound of the river water became a natural melody around them. Aneska walked in front and Edwin was just a few steps behind. Edwin's thoughts returned to a few moments ago when Aneska left kiss marks on Edwin's neck.
The man's hand rose to touch the area where Aneska kissed him on his neck. It hurt a little when Edwin's fingertips touched it. If there were a mirror, Edwin would want to know what shape and color it would be, would it be red like the one described in the story?
Aneska herself walked lightly with Edwin's oversized jacket covering her body. Edwin watched silently behind him, the girl's back making old memories come back to his mind especially when Aneska's voice was humming.
"Sorry," said Edwin with red eyes.
The girl's voice sounded melodious, attracting even more memories in Edwin's mind about someone similar but different. Edwin was fully aware that this was impossible.
In that memory, a girl in uniform walked in front of Edwin wearing casual clothes. The atmosphere is the same, drizzle wet the earth, but on a different road. The girl hummed in a sweet voice with a natural melody. Edwin's smile faded behind the girl who didn't seem to notice Edwin's presence.
Back to the present, I didn't feel tears coming out of my eyes. His heart ached as the last memory of the girl turned into a nightmare.
“Edwin?” Aneska's voice said the man's name.
Edwin realized Aneska had stopped, turned around, and looked at Edwin in surprise.
"What's that?" the girl asked worriedly.
Edwin's steps stopped.
“Nothing,” the man answered.
"But, your eyes are red," said Aneska.
Edwin's hand rose to touch his eyes. Edwin himself didn't realize that he was crying silently.
“Ah, it's okay. I just, something got in my eye," the man said.
Of course, that was a stupid lie.
Aneska watched for a long time but then decided not to force Edwin and just gave the man a small smile.
"Everything will be fine," said Aneska with a smile.
Edwin nodded, confirmed, and hoped in his heart that everything would be fine.
"Come on, I'll accompany you," said Aneska.
The man nodded, and along the way to the house they prayed and chatted, Aneska talked more about what the girl had experienced while Edwin was a good listener.
Deep inside, Edwin asked while thinking hard and trying to deny the thought about Aneska's similarity to someone Edwin knew in the past. About someone who makes Edwin comfortable even though he is different. An accidental meeting was the beginning of their togetherness, but time did not allow them to be together for long.
An incident that was quite heartbreaking for Edwin made the man no longer able to speak, no longer able to stand properly when something terrible appeared clearly before his eyes, stored neatly in the memory of nightmares. Edwin was very surprised.
"Aneska, can I ask you something?" Edwin asked when the girl finished telling her story.
Aneska turned around, a little surprised, but then nodded her head.
“Sure, ask. I will answer if I know what the answer is," said the girl.
Edwin nodded.
"Do you have an older sister?" asked Edwin.
The question made Aneska silent, and her steps stopped.
Edwin followed Aneska's movements, stopping walking and waiting for an answer.
What was Aneska's response?
"No, why?" Aneska answered while looking at Edwin.
If you answer while avoiding eye contact, that's a lie, right?
Edwin looked for lies in Aneska's light brown beady eyes.
“Oh, it's okay,” said Edwin finally.
But Aneska pouted.
“What do you mean it's okay?” Aneska demanded.
“Yeah, that's okay,” said Edwin.
“Come on, Edwin. It looks like you are hiding something," said Aneska.
Edwin was silent, and stared at Aneska for a moment, thinking whether he should tell the girl.
"You remind me of someone," answered Edwin.
But Aneska just blinked.
“Oh. Is that girl beautiful?” Aneska asked, moving her hand to support her chin and looking at Edwin teasingly.
What the girl did then made Edwin laugh a little in disbelief. How could Aneska act like a child?
"Yes, beautiful," answered Edwin, not intending to hide it. "And sweet, also kind," continued Edwin, dreamily.
Aneska lowered her hand, remembering what Kira had said to Aneska about someone changing Edwin's attitude.
"Is that girl your first love?" Aneska guessed.
Edwin was surprised by Aneska's guess and looked at the girl.
"Oh, I was just guessing, but from your reaction, it seems right," said Aneska with a teasing smile. "Your mother told me many things," admitted Aneska then swayed her steps, walking again on the wet road.
Following the girl, Edwin wondered what his mother had said to Aneska.
“What did Mother say to you?” Edwin asked.
“Something about someone makes you smile,” Aneska said, the girl's expression calm. "From Mother's story, it seems like the girl is good?" Aneska glanced at Edwin beside her.
There was no immediate response, Edwin thought, recalling fond memories of meeting the girl.
"Yes," said Edwin briefly.
But Aneska realized something, Edwin won together here, walked together, but Aneska knew that Edwin's mind was not there at the moment.
“Must be beautiful?”
I don't know, Aneska herself now feels uncomfortable, the lips of the two girls are pressed tightly, and her thoughts are wandering, especially when Edwin smiles to greet another girl.
"That's why first love can never be forgotten," muttered Aneska.
Edwin woke up and heard the girl's mumbling and then chuckled.
"You know, Aneska," said Edwin and Aneska glanced at him. "You remind me of that girl," continued Edwin with a serious look. “You look like that girl, but you two are different.”
Aneska was silent looking at Edwin's slightly changed face.
"How could it be?" Aneska answered. "I don't have an older sister, I only have a younger sister," said Aneska.
They faced each other under a large wooden tree with thick leaves, with the drizzle still falling, accompanied by a gentle afternoon breeze, and the sound of gurgling water in the distance of the river.
Aneska looked fascinated and remained silent while looking into Edwin's eyes. Does the man know something? For some reason, cold sweat dripped down Aneska's forehead as if the girl was lying.
"I feel like you are related to that girl," said Edwin with an unreadable serious expression.
Aneska's legs suddenly went weak, making the girl take a step back. Edwin swiftly caught Aneska's arm, preventing the girl from retreating further and falling to the ground. Even so, Edwin's gaze was quite sharp. Aneska herself did not understand the atmosphere created and the feelings that surrounded her.