A Gift for Lala

Twelve - Not the Word I Love You

Mama was busy dressing me up even though I desperately did not want to dance. It's just a high school birthday party so don't have to dance right?

"Mam, Lala pack a blue shirt, yes, it's more suitable for a birthday party."

"But if your gini night is more suitable dress, dear."

"Mam, this isn't a big guy's party. It's just a birthday party. High School boy again," I argue subtly. And tumben, this time Mama caved. And finally! Mama gave up and let me go because the one who will accompany me is Junot. Junot son of aunt Riani. Junot's a friend of Mama's. No. No wonder, yes...

"What are you riding on? Mama hope Junot picks you up by car. If for example with a motorbike, you better be ushered Pak Ali aja." Duuh′s... Mama started again.

"Didih, Mama's weird. Not ah. what a friend of Lala ntar said," I protested.

"Lala!"

In my heart I prayed Junot picked me up with a four-wheeler. At least it can make Mama not chatty anymore.

My phone's beeping. Junot has arrived. I immediately descended after glancing at my appearance in the mirror. I'm pretty sure there's nothing lacking. I was just wearing white stracth pants with a light blue halter neck model top. My slightly curly hair I also let it unravel. Hair that Teeth Sexy. Emmm.. After I observed that I was beautiful too.

After saying goodbye to Mama, who had previously peeked out to see what Junot had picked up her only child, I scoured out. I breathed a sigh of relief seeing the metallic black Mobilio parked outside the fence. Thank goodness! Means Mama doesn't have to fuss anymore.

"Hi..." Junot. In the dimness of the night I can see Junot tonight is so cute. Oh God. He's so perfect...

"La, how dumb?" 

I curse my stupid-looking attitude. Why am I standing for so long in front of the car door and can only gap to see this cute creation of God.

"Ups..sorry," I said with a shy smile. This is the moment I'm worried about. What can I talk about with Junot? We can connect, right? My heart is pounding. The chill of the junot car AC makes me freeze.

"You cold?" Junot opened his voice. I admit this shirt is not enough to withstand the cold AC. Moreover, the night air of Semarang which lately is very cold. ****! Why not bring a sweater too.

"Np... Yeah.sit." A little bit? Pliss deh La. instead of you almost freezing now. I stroked my arm, giving it a little warmth.

"The AC code is yes."

I'm nodding.

"Ng... is Ganis' birthday right? What grade is he?" I finally have the materials to talk about.

"Oh yeah forgot, you're the new kid?" Junot smiled at me.

"Ganis is the son of Language I, the representative of OSIS. Our age" Junot explained. I nodded.

"La, aren't you going to go with me?"

Hola... Junot, who doesn't want to go with you.

"No... No papa" I replied.

Oooooh... Why is Yola a topic? My alarm starts to sound. Yola can not be called a day anyway? I finally nodded. I saw Junot smiling mysteriously. Pura asked again, didn't she already know that Yola was my equal? Fuck up!!! Whatdoes thatmean?

I don't know why Junot asked me that. His car had entered a large house yard which was quite luxurious. Me and Junot then went down. The party is crowded. I saw Junot greet some children passing by, and they looked at me with expressions like envy, resentment, and some were just smiling.

Unexpectedly, Junot took my hand, just as there was Yola, Fadly and her two ladies. I was startled for a moment, then calmly followed Junot's footsteps. I can catch the face of dislike Yola. He didn't even walk on Fadly's side. Look. I'm the star now. Not Yola. I smiled in my heart.

My eyes are looking for A'am. But, like this morning, I didn't see her figure. I miss him a little. I miss the silly stories. But, hah. Lookie! I'm here walking with Junot. 

I finally knew his name was Ganis. Little girl, sweet. He looked surprised to see Junot holding me. But finally a smile adorned her lips. From there I know, Ganis is a good girl. Maybe he was surprised to see someone he didn't know being held by Junot.

During the party, Junot's treatment of me even more flattered me and felt ge-er. Get me a drink and sometimes even tidy up my messy hair. Is this not excessive? Or is this what a gentleman should do? Or is this what men who are in love do? What the hell am I so ashamed of....

Duh.. stop thinking Lala! You are too much! Don't imagine too high! If you fall, it will hurt. So what do you mean Junot did it all?

Junot's treatment of me seemed to further break Yola's heart, a stark look from her facial expression. And it was strengthened by finally Yola decided to go home first.

A few minutes after Yola came home, Junot also immediately invited me home. I just according. Until I got home I didn't see A'am. Then the boy did not come because I could see Hardi, Aryo, Dion, Anto and others. Meanwhile, Heina, Pipin and Meika endlessly teased me from afar.

While in the car I saw Junot smiling to himself. And I could see his eyes were fixed on the car in front of him. That's Fadly and Yola's car in it. I don't understand why Junot is smiling like that. What's up, huh?

"Why you?" I ventured to ask.

"Oh... No papa."

Then Junot started running his car. Junot's treatment changed. The silence was re-created. Junot's treatment of me turned one hundred and eighty degrees. It seems that at the party there are only ingredients that are spoken. My heart is starting to feel bad. Is this because of Yola? But all this time I saw Junot cold there Yola. Or Junot just pretended. And I was made a tool for him?

"So you said Yola, what's wrong?" I ventured back to ask. Junot glanced at me, then he slowed down his car and stopped by the side of the road. I don't even understand why Junot had to stop his car.

"La, actually.. well, I have a hard time talking about it," Junot looked confused. I saw his fingers tapping on the steering wheel. There's something he's thinking.

"I want to tell you something." My heart feels bad. My feelings gave me a sign that something bad was going to happen. Not the word I LOVE YOU for sure...

"I actually like Yola."

Rrrrrr!!!!! My heart just kind of exploded. It hurts so bad. My tears are starting to flow. I hold on with all my might.

"I'm sorry, La. I don't feel good about you."

"So I'm just a tool to make Yola jealous?"

"La, I'm sorry. Pliss I'm sorry."

It turns out that all this time I've only been used as a tool to make Yola jealous. Everybody lies. I should have realized this was all a dream. I feel stupid. The move to Semarang was truly a disaster. I can imagine the faces of those who looked at me with pity and saw Yola win with a crown on her head.

I want to run... Tooth... I miss you... A'am, where are you, help me...