The clock showed almost 3 in the morning. Dimas was still at Lisa’s house as Kumala invited him to sit in the living room. The skinny man then sat down and rubbed his thighs, occasionally looking up at the ceiling of Lisa’s old house.

“What do you want to drink, Dimas?” Kumala asked softly.

“Water’s fine, aunty, don’t bother.” He replied.

While waiting for Kumala to get a glass of water, Dimas was silent for a moment and shook his head, paying attention to all corners of the room in the house.

The house might not be big but it was also not too small. It’s just really unkempt. The walls were getting moldy because of the humidity. Dim lights illuminated the room, getting more dim as it aged. The paint started to peel due to extreme weather changes. The ceiling of the house was occupied by spiders, leaving a nasty hanging web.

If only all of Lisa’s income had not been wasted on fun in the nightclub, maybe the house that the woman lived in with her mother and sister right now would be much more livable, Dimas thought.

“Dimas,” Kumala said softly as she put down cold water, “There is something I want to convey.” The middle aged woman lowered her head while wiping away the tears.

Dimas took the glass filled with water and took a sip. Dew from the glass poured from behind the glass soaked Dimas’ black pants. Actually, he planned to return to his apartment soon, but he didn’t have the heart to leave Lisa’s lonely mother this way.

“This auntie is old, and also has acute diabetes, it is certain that auntie can’t work anymore, right?”

Dimas nodded as he clasped his hands, listening intently to Kumala.

“Since my husband ran away and married another woman, auntie’s life has become increasingly difficult. The divorce papers I submitted were still pending until Lisa turned 25 years old. This house that I live in was the one that I bought when I was with my ex-husband. However, since my husband left us, and my health is getting worse, I’m no longer able to support my family alone…” Kumala shed tears again, this time it was quite heavy. The old widow poured out all of her sadness.

Dimas got up from where he was sitting then embraced the middle-aged woman with deep sympathy.

“Auntie, please don’t be sad anymore. I’ll be sad if you’re sad.”

“It’s okay son, I just need to vent. Auntie has been keeping this problem alone for too long. Lisa should be able to help our family’s economic situation, especially since she now works at a well-known telecommunication company in the capital, right? But look at your friend, she is busy wasting her money for nightlife.”

“Once again, forgive me auntie…” Dimas clenched his hands and held back the sadness in his chest. “I’ve always tried to prevent Lisa from getting drunk, but sometimes she is really stubborn!”

“Dimas, don’t feel guilty… You’ve done your best. Your job does require you to do so, don’t feel like you’re doing something wrong, kid. This is auntie’s fault, if only auntie could educate Lisa properly, I’m sure Lisa wouldn’t be like this…”

“Auntie… please don’t say that…”

“If I were still healthy, I would definitely work! This house may be ugly, but the building tax is soaring every year. How will the three of us be? Where will we live? Not to mention Lisa’s younger sister is still in college… Only Lisa is able to help our family’s economic situation. Auntie doesn’t know what else to do….”

Dimas’s face was getting pained as he heard the old woman’s words. It really hurt him to listen to Lisa’s mother suffering throughout the whole ordeal all this time.

“If only I have more money, I can hire the best attorney in the capital and auntie’s divorce papers can already be taken care of so that Lisa’s father won’t bother me and my children anymore.”

Dimas’s eyes widened at this and asked, “Why is Lisa’s father bothering auntie?”

“He still frequently comes to this house and beats me for no reason. But I was powerless to do anything. I don’t even have money, how can I report him to the police?”

“Auntie doesn’t need to worry anymore this time. I will try to talk to Lisa about this so that Lisa doesn’t waste money carelessly anymore! Once again, forgive me for failing to stop Lisa from getting drunk.” Dimas assured her.

“Dimas, you don’t need to feel guilty. Auntie just hopes that Lisa will realize that her family’s circumstance is not good…” Kumala replied.

Dimas still sat silently and thoughtfully. He was confused about how to be polite to hurry back to his place. It was almost dawn, he thought. Dimas still had to clean up his messy apartment.

“Okay, auntie, forgive me but I must go home. It’s almost dawn, I still have business that I haven’t finished.” Dimas excused politely. He then got up from his chair and shook hands with Kumala.

“I’ll try to talk to Lisa tomorrow, I hope she understands!”

“Thank you son, auntie is indebted to you.”

Dimas hurried to the car he parked outside Lisa’s house. With slow speed he left his friend’s house.

“Be careful on your way, kid..” Kumala said softly from behind the fence of her house.