Before discussing Ulfa, Luke thought we were talking about police interrogation.
Well, Luke had watched a television documentary on the subject. If I'm not mistaken, the suspect who was arrested was also put in the same room where Luke is now. Waiting there with a bottle of mineral water and a closed door. As the time ticked down in the corner of the screen, the suspect waited while showing an uneasy expression. The first thing Luke thought about the suspect was that he couldn't calm down. Too installment.
But now Luke changed his view. Because, being in a room alone, closed, and being watched by three cameras that keep on pointing at Luke gives an uncomfortable feeling. It was as if Luke's every move would be considered suspicious. But, if Luke didn't make a move then that would definitely be considered even more suspicious. After all, staying in place for just five minutes is enough to make your spine ache.
So what Luke did while waiting for someone to arrive was drink, put his head on the table, alternately lap his feet, stand up, straighten his back, sit down again, drink again, put his head on the table again, lap his feet again, stand up again, then walk around - come here, stare back at the camera, but then sit down again, muttering to himself, fingering his drink, and more. Not long after, the door opened and two people entered. One was an officer and the other was a Latin woman with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing a navy blue blouse, jeans, and carrying a folder.
"Hello, Miss Bright," said the officer.
Luke didn't answer not because he was angry or annoyed or because Luke was being arrogant, but his brain felt blank. Even to respond to a greeting Luke has to digest what the sentence is.
"Oh, looks like we're short on chairs, Mrs. Welch. Let me get it outside first.”
So the officer left again, leaving Luke alone with this Latin woman. He smiled kindly at Luke and reached out his hand, then sat down on a bench by the wall.
Hi, Miss Bright. I am Patricia Welch.” His handshake was firm and warm. He also shook his hand vigorously.
“I… I'm Luke. Luke Bright."
"Good name. Luke means moon. Were you born at night, Luke?” The question Luke didn't expect would be asked by a stranger. So Luke just shrugged, looking down.
“ Didn't know . My grandparents rarely discussed that.”
"Oh, so you live with your grandparents only?"
Luke nodded. It was seen that he opened the folder and started to turn over several pages and wrote something down. Just then, the officer came back with another chair and put it not far from Luke. Unlike Joyce Welch who introduced herself intimately, this police officer—although she was just as friendly as Patricia—she just shook Luke's hand and then sat down.
" Well, good morning, Miss Bright. Yeah, looks like it's still early. By the way, we meet again, eh? If I'm not mistaken, that was only five or six days ago. Last Sunday, maybe. Right?"
His smile was unable to make Luke answer with any words, because at that moment Luke had the belief that even one letter coming out of his mouth would incriminate Luke in every way. So Luke chose to remain silent, even though the officer was filled with so many questions. As;
"Why did Adam Bowleans come all the way into your classroom?"
“Students say Adam Bowleans pulled your hair first. Did he do that because he was annoyed that you hurt his little sister the other day?”
"They say you took Adam Bowleans by the leg and twirled it before throwing Adam out the window? Is it true? How could that be? Is that possible? Have you studied martial arts before?”
And there are many more questions that intersect with this incident. But Luke still refused to answer. Yeah, at least Luke knows that Luke has the right to be silent. And so it was two or three hours and the police officer and Joyce Welch seemed to be shaking their heads, rubbing the back of the neck occasionally.
“Hey, son. At least answer one thing,” said the police officer. Luke could hear the vibrations of his tone so frustrated. “Are you going to stay quiet until tomorrow? They are asking questions to get confirmation on reports and what happened today—”
"They've called your grandparents," Joyce interrupted. He leaned forward towards her and smiled. Both hands are on the folder that is placed on the table. Joyce also asked, " Do you wanna meet them, Luke?"
Luke just nodded.
" Well , they will call them so you can calm yourself down for a moment. Okay?"
Once again, Luke nodded his head and meant to say, "Thank you," but only came out, "Thanks..."
“ Finally, he responded .”
Luke heard the police officer mutter as he stood up and sighed.
The two of them left the room and Luke still had to wait a few more moments before the door opened followed by the appearance of Ulfa and Ben. Without warning, Ulfa walked quickly towards Luke then bumped into him to hug him. This was one of Ulfa's tightest hugs , to the point that their cheeks were touching. Luke could feel Ulfa's tears sticking to Luke's face. She was sobbing and squeaking fast.
“ Oh, my dear . What happened? Why could it be like this? I'm sorry Ulfa, Luke. I'm sorry Ulfa. You shouldn't be in this position. I'm really sorry .”
Instead of being touched, Luke wondered why it was Ulfa who apologized so many times. He sounded like Rei Suzurao. So Luke threw a questioning look at Ben and he patted Luke on the back. He smiled awkwardly before giving an answer.
"Ulfa really… she feels so guilty that they didn't make good substitute parents for you, Luke."
Oh, those are indeed touching words at a time like this. But on the other hand, for Luke the sentence that Ben had just said was really odd. He wasn't the type of grandpa who would act melancholy whenever a problem arose. Instead, Luke imagined Ben walking into the room kicking the door and yelling at him. But now, what was in front of Luke was only a grandmother who sobbed until she wet her hair and kept apologizing like Rei, and a fierce-looking grandfather who suddenly could only lower his head and keep averting his eyes. Not as usual.
“ What…? What are you talking about, Ben—”
But, Ulfa interrupted with a hoarse sob.
“Hu hu~ Why don't you tell them, honey? Why didn't you tell me that you once hurt your schoolmates? Why didn't you tell me that you were taken to the police station? Why are you just silent?"
“D-Ulfa, calm down,” Ben said, softly, “Luke will be fine. She would…"
Luke couldn't hear what Ben was saying anymore because Grandma's voice completely filled the room.
***