SHORT STORY

The Moment They Realized

by : Faradhila Azahrah

No one ever hope for this disaster to attack this country, but what if God said otherwise, what can these hands and feet do? But, that doesn’t mean it’s too late to try again, hold each other and embrace each other in order to destroy the great enemy of humanity. While arguing with their own egos.

Each of us has our respective role in fighting the enemy that destroying humanity indiscriminately. Not just an ordinary virus that we are fighting right now, but a virus that has killed millions people in a fairly short time. In fact 2020 is not an easy year to pass.

“Look, the media have already said that the Coronavirus is really dangerous! Why do you still insist on playing at your friend’s house?” The black-haired figure supported her chin on her study table, listening to the radio broadcast intently. While those who were spoken to still did not want to hear, tidying up her luggage that she was going to carry along with her bag.

The person snorted, she was Amanda, an ordinary high school student whose daily life began to get boring since all face-to-face teaching and learning activities were not held. Her daily life now...can be said is really boring and tiring. Listening lessons and do assignments intensely for five consecutive days. Of course anyone will be bored.

But does this choice of Amanda is a wise choice? Like she was throwing herself into the lion’s cage, thank God if the lion is tame. But, what if he got into the cage of a hungry wild lion?

“Just for a moment, really.” That was she said, like she was trying to escape her inner desire. Amanda hurriedly left her room, turned off her cell phone that was the source of her childhood friend who was really worried about what Amanda was going to do.

“Yes, you said just for a moment, but suddenly tomorrow you catch a virus, just watch!” Fiona, just let the phone with a feeling of annoyance, of course, her worries weren’t even appreciated by her best friend. She could only hope that the words that she were uttered before just going to be a nonsense.

The streets were really busy, with all the readiness and completeness Amanda put her feet on the shoulder of the road, she tried avoiding crowds as much as possible, not wanting to come into contact with anyone in the middle of a busy street. Hand sanitizer was always in her hand, she’s confidently crossing several red lights.

The blue fence house is quite lush surrounded by guava trees, Amanda is very familiar with the characteristics of her destination house. As she walked towards the entrance, she took out her cellphone she had put in her pocket. Looking for a name that keeps appearing on her cellphone notification.

The sound of the door opening can be heard, revealing the figure of a little girl wearing a pink pajama holding the door, her figure is a bit shabby with sad eyes also swollen.

“Is Amelia there?” Amanda asked the figure, she answered the question with only a small nod.

On the other side, Fiona who was feeling more worried, thinking about Amanda’s whereabouts, did she arrive safely? What if the virus accidentally sticks to her clothes and Amanda forgets to wash her clothes immediately? Various thoughts approached her. Trying to throw it far away, her mind should be positive as possible at this time.

Her cell phone rang again, the name

appeared on the screen making Fiona swiftly grabbed the cellphone from the table. “He... Hello? How are things happen in there?”

However, only a small sob was heard by Fiona, making her suddenly panicked. Amanda’s sobs seemed to lock Fiona’s mouth to speak, waiting for Amanda to tell everything.

around her. Amanda is also quite selfish by deciding to visit her friend in the middle of an endless crowd of people. Could she be the next victim?

“No, I have to stay strong, I shouldn’t get sick.” She said to herself, throwing all her bad thoughts away. She knows that she was also one of many people who doesn’t obey the rules to staying at home.

“I’m sorry Fiona, if only I had listened to what you said earlier …” Fiona remains silent in frontHer breath caught, the pain in her chest can be felt. Amanda knew, that was why Fiona prevented her from leaving. Amanda trying to regain her breath.

“If she had listened to our words, none of these things would have happened.” Those words make Fiona want to swallow a stone. As much as possible she tried to set the right words.

“Death no one can expect …” Taking a deep breath, Fiona tried to calm Amanda who was still hugging her knees in front of the fence.

Dragging her legs languidly, Amanda thought how real what was already happening of her cellphone, leaving the phone hanging with the sound of the fan filling the void. “Most importantly now, you can’t go anywhere! How is your condition?” Fiona was still panicked about what had just happened.

“Why is it so difficult to make people obey the rules?” Grumbles can be heard from Fiona’s cellphone, somehow Amanda forgot about the fact that she was also one of those who didn’t follow the rules.

“Heh, all of that comes from our self awareness too. If they don’t want to listen, what can we do.” Fiona replied, still listening to the news that she heard from various radio channels in her room now.

“Eh, what’s wrong?” Amanda immediately replied, as if she surprised by Fiona’s words.

“Much news nowadays are published immediately even though its authenticity is still in doubt, and we just accept all of them without finding out the truth.” Fiona continued her words, making Amanda think even harder now.

Make her remember the fact that happened, it’s all started from confusing news. If only Amelia had listened carefully, her death would not have really happened. Nor did she ask about the truth of the news. So she began to be careless about the health of her surrounding environment.

“Most importantly, this is a lesson for us. Don’t let this thing happen again.” Fiona, her voice was faint over the phone. Amanda nodded in silence. “This pandemic must end soon.” She continued her words.

“And it starts from the awareness of each of us, right?” Amanda said, her voice a little lighter than before. As if her cheerful nature had returned to the brown hair figure with a ponytail. ‘It’s good if she’s better now.’ Said Fiona to herself.

“Don’t ever get tired to remind people around you, it’s for their good. Also, the people around them. “ A new figure has appeared inside Amanda, her eyes slightly opened after what happened to her today.