Rabu, 20 November 2013

Scarlet Letter

Hari ini aku akan membuktikan bahwa seorang pria dan wanita ditakdirkan menjadi satu. Bahwa mereka adalah satu. Bahkan bagi yang terlemah sekalipun.
Hari ini aku akan mengganti nama belakangku untuk selamanya. Dua hati yang akan bersatu. Dua tubuh menjadi satu. Mulai sekarang, aku adalah Sara…

Aku menatap kosong pada kertas berisi tulisan tangan kakakku. Tulisan dengan tinta merah tua itu belum sepenuhnya selesai ditulis. Tulisan itu pasti menjadi aktivitas terakhir kakakku sebelum tubuhnya ditemukan tak sadarkan diri dikamarnya. Tepat pagi hari sebelum upacara pernikahannya berlangsung.
Kakakku, Sara Janet Johnson, mengidap penyakit jantung sejak usianya dua belas tahun. Dokter selalu mengatakan pada kami bahwa umurnya tidak akan lama lagi. Tetapi ia terus hidup hingga tiga belas tahun kemudian dan menemukan seorang calon pendamping hidup.
Aku mendongak dan melihat dari kejauhan, Dave Stuart tengah meraung dan mengamuk setelah mendengar pernyataan dokter bahwa Sara tidak dapat bertahan lebih lama lagi. Hal itu tidak berlebihan, bukan? Bagaimana mungkin dokter memvonis kematian calon istrimu tepat di hari seharusnya pernikahan kalian berlangsung?
Aku melipat kertas di tanganku dan memasukkannya ke dalam saku. Aku memandang berkeliling dan mendapati beberapa anggota keluarga masih terisak. Aku mendesah pelan, bangkit, dan berjalan menuju kamar Sara. Sara masih belum sadarkan diri dan tidak boleh diganggu oleh siapapun. Aku hanya bisa melihatnya terbaring lemah dari kaca jendela.
Sejak kecil Sara mempercayai dongeng tentang sepasang manusia yang dikemudian hari akan disatukan oleh waktu. Ia juga mempercayai mimpi setiap orang akan terwujud. Seharusnya hari ini adalah giliran mimpi-mimpinya terwujud.
                                                            ***
Dave mengalami kecelakaan parah sepulangnya ia dari rumah sakit tadi malam. Mobil hitam yang dikendarainya tidak sengaja menabrak sisi lain pembatas jalan dan mengakibatkan bagian depan mobilnya hancur. Keadaan Dave tidak baik. Dokter bilang ia kehilangan banyak darah.
Aku kembali ke kamar Sara dengan langkah gontai. Saat tiba di kamar Sara, aku mendapati ia telah sadarkan diri. Ibu tengah berdiri di sisi tempat tidurnya dengan wajah sendu. Kulihat Sara menampakkan ekspresi yang sedikit kacau. Kurasa Ibu telah mengatakan apa yang terjadi pada Dave.
Ketika aku tiba di sisi lain tempat tidur Sara, mata sendunya langsung menatap lekat ke arahku.
“Apa dia baik-baik saja?”
Tentu saja tidak. Aku menghela napas dalam.
“Biarkan aku menemuinya sekarang,” kata Sara dengan mata berkaca-kaca.
            Ibu menggenggam tangan Sara lebih erat. “Tidak, Nak. Kau harus tetap disini. Kau masih harus banyak istirahat.”
            Sara terisak pelan. Aku menggenggam tangannya yang sebelah lagi.
            “Semua akan baik-baik saja. Kuharap begitu…”
                                                            ***
Aku tengah membaca majalah fesyen minggu ini ketika seorang dokter dan dua perawat masuk. Sudah waktunya pemeriksaan dan minum obat. Aku mengawasi gerak-gerik mereka dengan tatapan sinis. Sungguh memuakkan. Mereka bilang Sara tidak akan selamat. Tetapi mereka terus saja mencekokinya dengan obat-obatan tidak berguna itu.
Setelah pemeriksaan usai, dokter itu melepaskan kacamatanya dan tersenyum tipis pada Sara.
“Kami akan berusaha untuk mendapatkan jantung baru yang cocok denganmu,” kata dokter.
Aku terkejut. Begitupun Ayah dan Ibu.
“Benarkah?” tanya Sara. “Itu artinya aku masih memiliki harapan untuk hidup?”
Dokter itu tersenyum lagi. “Kudengar akan ada donor jantung yang masuk. Memang belum pasti. Tapi kita semua masih bisa berdoa.”
Aku tercenung sejenak. Pikiranku terus beputar, mencerna kalimat dokter tersebut. Selanjutnya aku, Ibu, dan Ayah saling bertukar pandang. Saat dokter dan dua susternya akan pergi, Ayah bangkit dan menghampiri mereka.
“Permisi, Dok. Aku ingin bicara denganmu.”
Mereka pergi keluar sementara aku dan Ibu masih saling tatap sampai kudengar Sara memanggilku.
“Alice, antarkan aku ke kamar Dave. Aku harus memberitahu kabar gembira ini padanya.”
                                                            ***
Ibu Dave mambukakan pintu kamar untuk kami. Wajahnya terlihat kacau. Matanya bengkak akibat terlalu banyak menangis. Tetapi ia tetap memaksakan seulas senyum pada Sara.
“Masuklah. Aku akan segera kembali,” katanya sambil berlalu melewati kami.
Aku mendorong masuk kursi roda Sara mendekat ke tempat tidur dimana Dave terbaring tidak berdaya. Tubuh laki-laki itu dipenuhi alat bantu. Aku tahu, tidak mudah bagi Sara untuk menyaksikan hal ini.
Terdengar isakan pelan Sara. Hanya sejenak. Sara berusaha keras untuk menguatkan diri. Ia menggenggam lembut tangan Dave yang terbalut perban dan selang infus.
“Jangan khawatir, Dave. Sebentar lagi aku akan sembuh. Kaupun harus begitu. Sebentar lagi kita akan menjadi satu,” kata Sara dengan suara bergetar.
Sara menarik tanganku tanpa mengalihkan tatapannya dari Dave.
“Apa benar tadi malam Dave siuman?” tanyanya sendu.
Aku mengangguk pelan. Ya, yang kudengar begitu. Dave sempat mengatakan sesuatu yang membuat Ibunya menangis semalaman.
                                                            ***
Sara baru sadarkan diri lima belas jam pasca operasinya berhasil. Ia mengerjap beberapa kali dan menatap berkeliling.
“Dimana Ayah dan Ibu?” tanyanya ketika tidak mendapati siapapun kecuali aku.
“Mengunjungi Dave,” jawabku berusaha jujur.
“Dave? Benar. Aku harus menemui Dave. Aku harus memberitahunya bahwa operasinya berhasil.”
Sara berusaha bengkit tetapi aku menahan gerakannya. “Kau masih harus istirahat.”
“Kumohon. Aku ingin mengatakan kabar gembira ini padanya.”
Aku hampir saja gagal menghalangi Sara kalau saja dokter dan suster tidak datang untuk memeriksa kondisi Sara. Setelah selesai, dokter memintaku ikut ke ruangannya untuk membicarakan beberapa hal. Dokter mengatakan beberapa hal yang perlu dilakukan dan dihindari Sara selama masa pemulihan. Tetapi aku tidak sepenuhnya mendengarkan karena aku terus mengkhawatirkan Sara yang tadi kutinggalkan sendirian di kamar. Sialnya, aku lupa menjauhkan kursi roda dari sisi tempat tidur.
Setengah berlari aku kembali ke kamar Sara dan tidak mendapati dirinya disana. Sudah kuduga. Aku segera pergi ke tempat dimana Sara pasti berada.
Langkahku melambat ketika melihat Sara terdiam di depan kamar Dave. Aku perlahan mendekat. Mata Sara menatap kosong pada kamar yang sudah tidak berpenghuni itu. Dengan hati-hati kuletakkan tanganku di pundak Sara. Saat itulah tangisannya pecah. Ia menangis keras sambil memukul-mukulkan tinjunya ke dada.
“Kenapa dia pergi meninggalkanku?” sesal Sara diantara isak tangisnya.
Aku membungkuk dan menggeleng. “Tidak, Sara. Dia tidak pergi. Dia ada disini.” Aku meletakkan telapak tanganku di dada Sara dan melanjutkan, “selamanya.”
                                                ***
Sebagian orang berpikir mimpinya tidak pernah terwujud. Tanpa mereka sadari mimpi itu terwujud dengan cara yang berbeda. Seperti Sara, yang telah mewujudkan mimpinya meskipun dengan cara yang diluar dugaan.

Pada akhirnya Sara bersatu dengan cinta sejatinya. Meskipun tubuh Dave terkubur di bawah pusara yang kering, tetapi jantungnya terus berdetak untuk Sara. Memompa darah keseluruh tubuh, dan memberi kehidupan bagi Sara. Mereka tidak akan pernah terpisah. Karena Dave akan hidup selamanya di dalam diri Sara.


Scarlet Letter (English Vers.)

Today I will prove the world, that a man and a woman are destined to become one. That they are one. Even for the weakest one.Today I will change my last name forever. Two hearts will become one. Two body will never be apart. From now on, I’m Sara…

I stared blankly at the paper which had the handwritten of my sister on it. Those scarlet colored text has not completely done yet. It must be the last thing that my sister did before her body founded unconscious in her room. Right in the morning, before her wedding ceremony will be held.
My sister, Sara Janet Johnson, has heart disease since twelve. Doctor used to say that she would no longer live. But she still alive until thirteen years later and found someone she loved the most.
I looked up and saw from far away, Dave Stuart was roaring furiously after hearing doctor said that Sara won’t live any longer. It’s not too much, is it? How could he state those kinds of things about your bride right at the day your wedding should be held?
I folded the paper in my hand and put it inside my pocket. I looked around and figured out some family members were still sobbing. I sighed, stand up, and walked slowly to Sara’s room. Sara hasn’t awake and can’t be disturbed by anyone yet.
Sara has believed in fairytale since she was a kid. About a pair of mans which will be met by times someday. She also believed everyone’s dreams will become true. Today should be the turn for her dreams to become true.
                                                            ***
Dave got a serious accident after going back from hospital last night. The black car he was ridden accidentally bumped to another side of street restraint and smashed its front side. He is not okay. Doctor said he lacked a lot of blood.
I came back to Sara’s room with heavy steps. As I got into the room, I found that she has conscious. Mom was standing beside her bed rest with sad expression all over her face. I saw Sara looked a bit messy. I think Mom had said what had happened to Dave.
When I reached another side of the bed, her eyes were observed intently to me.
 “Is he alright?”
Of course not. I sighed deeply.
 “Let me meet him right now,” Sara cried with teary eyes.
Mom held her hand tightly. “You can’t, Sweetheart. You need to stay here. You should rest more.”
            Sara was sobbing quietly. I gripped her other hand.
 “Everything will be alright. I hope so…”
                                                            ***
I was just reading a weekly fashion magazine when a doctor and two nurses came in. It’s time to checkup and takes the medicines. I watched their moves intently with scornful gaze. This is so frustrating. They said Sara won’t be able to alive. But they keep feed her up with those un-useful medicines.
After the checkups, the doctor took his glasses off and smiled to Sara.
 “We will try our best to get you a new heart that will suit you well,” he said.
I surprised. Either Mom and Dad.
 “Really?” Sara asked. “Is that means there’s still a chance for me to be alive?”
The doctor smiled again. “I heard there will be a new stock of heart. Well, although still unsure, but we all still can pray for it.”
I freezed for a moment. My mind blowing, try to understand his words. Furthermore, Mom, Dad, and I exchange look for seconds. When the doctor ready to go, Dad stands and approached them.
 “Excuse me, Doc. I need to talk to you.”
They went outside while Mom and I still seeing each others, stunning, until Sara’s voice calling me.
 “Alice, could you accompany me to Dave’s room? I gotta tell this good news to him.”
                                                            ***
Dave’s Mom opened the door for us. Her face looked horrible. Her eyes were swollen causes too much crying. But she still tried to give a glance smile to Sara.
 “Come in. I’ll be back soon,” she said and passed us by.
I pushed her chair wheel closer to the bed where Dave was lying down unconsciously. His body fully connected to some wires I don’t have idea what for. I know it’s not easy for Sara to see all of this.
There’s sobbing sounds of Sara. Just a while. Sara tried her best not to break down at that moment. She held Dave’s hand softly, which was wrapped with bandage and infuse.
 “Don’t worry, Dave. I will recover soon. You should too. Later, we will be together,” Sara said with stutter voice.
Sara pulled my hand without shifting her gaze on him.
 “Is it right he was conscious last night?”
I nodded quietly. Yes, that’s what I heard. Dave had even something to say which made her mother cried a whole night.
                                                            ***
Sara had just conscious fifteen minutes after the operation succeeded. She blinked several times and looked around.
 “Where’s Mom and Dad?” she asked as she couldn’t find anybody except me.
 “They pay visited to Dave,” I answered, tried to tell the truth.
 “Ah, Dave? You right! I need to meet him. I gotta tell him the operation had successfully done.”
Sara tried to get up but I hold her back. “You still need some rest.”
 “Oh, c’mon. Please. I want to share this good news.”
I had almost failed to block Sara if a doctor and a nurse not come over to check her condition. After checking, doctor asked me to come to his room to talk some things. Doctor told some things that Sara needs to dos and don’ts during the recovery. But I couldn’t fully concentrate to what he had said because I worried about Sara who left alone at her room right now. Unfortunately, I forgot to keep the chair wheel away from her.
Almost running, I got back to the room and couldn’t find her there. Exactly like what I guessed before. I rushed to the place where I absolutely could find her.
I slower my steps when I saw Sara freezed in front of Dave’s room. I approached slowly. Her eyes stared blankly at the empty room. Carefully, I put my hand on her shoulder. And she was bursting. She cried and hit her chest several times.
 “Why’d he leave me?” Sara said crying.
I bended down and shake my head. “No, Sara. He’s not gone. He’s still here.” I put my palm on her chest and continued, “forever.”
                                                ***
Some people think their dreams would never become true. Without them knowing, the dreams become reality with different ways. As Sara, who has brought her dream into reality through an unexpected way though.

At last, Sara had become one with her lover. Although Dave’s body had grounded below the dry grave, but his heart will always keep beating for Sara. Pumping bloods to all over her body and brought lives to her. They will never be apart. Because Dave will lives forever, inside her.


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