A Memorandum

Storia 5: Dusk and Rain

No one wanted bad weather that day. So did the two of them. But with their current state being too far from life, the best option is to of course immediately seek refuge. He didn't want to still be outside in this bad weather. Even more so with strong winds blowing all around them. Even shady trees are no longer a safe place to shelter.

They also slightly changed their position on the way home. Ryan is now paired with Sarah. And they actually drove the vehicle very fast as the black clouds continued to thicken over their heads. He knew he wouldn't be able to catch up with his friends far ahead either. Sarah was behind him at the time. Like the movements he made or something. Yet they had only traveled half the way when lightning sounded in the distance. Not too loud before, but it starts to sound over and over again.

Next, a strong wind began to make the large trees swing violently this time. And the sky had completely turned pitch-black. And it only took a few seconds for him to feel his anxiety again. In the end, the rain slowly started to fall. A small speck at first, which was slowly getting louder. He could begin to feel the water immediately seeping through his clothes. Even when he was wearing a jacket. Luckily, they found the cottage not some distance away. The shape is not perfect. But that's the only option. Especially with the lightning constantly burning above their heads, so there was no other choice but to just succumb to nature for a moment.

Ryan immediately parked his bike in the front yard then, running towards the stairs, while putting his jacket over the heads of both of them. In the hallway, he momentarily checked the door, but did not find it in a locked shop this time, so he felt he did not need to ask the owner's permission anymore because the occupants were not there. With doubt both of them stepped in. Water dripped from the ends of their clothes.

“Hari is getting worse.” Sarah started talking. Ryan responded by nodding. He then put his jacket on a clothes hanger, hoping that time would dry it.

Inside, the air felt a little stuffy. And Sarah opened the window to refresh him, letting the afternoon light shine on him for a moment. In the corner of the room, right opposite the door, Ryan saw the remains of wood burning.

There was a bit of a strange feeling as they were trapped in that place. And it feels like nature is conspiring now against them, by making them go on their own. But he also did not want to pay too much attention to Sarah in those moments. Only, he who had just been staring flat out the window, suddenly caught Sarah's shadow as he dried his hair. Which somehow made him reluctant to turn away. And for the first time since he first knew her, she suddenly looked almost beautiful. Even he did not realize that he had just admired her.

He knew he had to turn his face away immediately. And he'll actually do it as soon as it happens, before Sarah gets back to catching what she did. But he just smiled gently there. Obviously if he likes it too.

“Looks like we're going a little late here. You're not afraid your father's looking for you?” Then said. Trying to say it as reasonably as possible.

Hearing her question, Sarah turned her face away for a moment. Then look up at the sky again. In his heart, he had already guessed that the answer would definitely sound bad.

“Not really,” but say.

“You mean, he won't worry about you?”

“I think so. But it seems he won't get angry.” Then he muttered for a moment. “In fact... he also did not know that I was traveling,”.

The answer sounds surprising. And of course make him a little wary.

“Why can it be?”

“Because I know my father so well, right?” Now he's laughing.

“Even if he knows I brought you?” This time Ryan asked again.

Ryan knew that he was referring to it because of his anxiety. And Sarah also seemed to understand what she was feeling. But then again, he just smiled at himself. He gave no answer to what he had previously asked.

“You seem to fear my father?” Even saying.

“I think anyone. You said it anyway, didn't you, if she didn't like me too much?”

“I didn't say that.. I just said that he doesn't like your behavior.” Sarah now, with a little emphasis on her words. Which makes Ryan not know what else to say.

Sure enough if ditching is a fun habit for them, but all of it must still be done in secret. It seems, Sarah is starting to have the same influence as her father. Even though he didn't express it in that way. He only looked once to respond. And add nothing to the conversation. But Ryan knows that talking about habits is not what interests them. That's why he changed the subject.

“You're not cold?” Ask finally.

Sarah turned to him for a moment before answering. As if I didn't think of the question. “Ya, slightly. I guess because my clothes are wet.” Then reply.

“Oh.., actually... I want to lend you my jacket. But it's still wet. It might get a little dry if the rain has stopped. So you can wear it later.” He said, try to show his attention. Saying it as appropriate as possible.

She's staring. “I'm fine. Really.” But the reply was slow. And without prolonging the problem.

“Sorry for keeping you stuck here,”.

This time Sarah glanced once more. “For what? Is it because nature wills?” His mouth and he smiled.

Next, no more words were created from their mouths for a moment. And they actually passed the time in the midst of silence for a few moments. I hope the day doesn't continue to get worse. Although that's not what really happened. The good news, maybe the good news is that lightning is starting to be rarely heard now. Even if they have to come home late. Even the light of the sky was almost invisible.

But the distance between them at first was indeed a bit far. Sarah was at the end of the room, while Ryan was at the other side. But unlike before when the usual Sarah first came to him, this time it was Ryan who started his step first. Sure enough, nothing happened after that. Because the two of them are just using it to sit next to each other. Leaving a fire in the fireplace that then dried their clothes. But for some reason, Ryan increasingly couldn't help but look at her again now. Once upon a time their gazes met, and Sarah also made no attempt to turn her face away as she looked into her fixed eyes. He could see his eyes slightly widening. The blurry light around them really made her look even more beautiful to keep looking at.

“What do you usually do when ditching work?” Sarah asked, trying to shake off her anxiety. In fact, he did not know why it was of interest to him.

“You mean in Welmina?”

“Ya..., are you ditching anywhere?” Ask again.

This time Ryan nodded. “No.” Legally. “Only in Welmina only. Guys, I actually took me out of town once in a while. But I don't know a place worth going. So I never went along. Maybe at another time. That's also if the opportunity exists.”

“Oh..., so what do you do then?”

“You mean when I relax? There aren't. Just play internet.”

“You truant just for that?” His mouth, and he laughed.

“Yes, that's how it is. Why?” Reply astonished.

“No, I thought you called your family or something.” This time he did not answer. Before Sarah continued. “You don't plan to go back to Bandung, Ryan?”

There was a pause before Ryan replied again. “Actually, sometimes. But because of my work here, I find it hard to come back.” This time, Sarah did not respond. His attention often leads out the window.

Ryan didn't know what he was thinking. It might have something to do with the rain outside. While the day had been completely dark. The spark of fire in this place made his condition so contrasted with the scenery outside. But he didn't think much about it at the time.

Until he finally spoke again. “I think I need to invite you to ditch once,” he started. Sarah looked at him and smiled at him.

“Why do you want to take me?”

“No.., I just want to see your father's response. Will his attitude be the same as ours?” Said jokingly.

It seems Sarah was a little surprised when Ryan brought her father's name. Although he did not extend and did not respond to it. He just said that every child must have been scolded by his parents here. The difference is how often. Valuable lessons are not always available outside the home. The conversation stopped again at that time. And Ryan slowly found out if anyone was bothering him.

“You're sure your father won't get angry, Sarah?” Then he asked again.

“If up to this night, I don't know either,” says, his expression clearly shows anxiety. He just said no.

Ryan was a little confused to respond here.

“You want us to break through the rain now?” Tanyanya.

“Entahlah. I think.., we can wait! But if the rain doesn't stop in half an hour, I don't think I have a choice.” Legs lightly. His eyes are still out the window.

The weather was a little better at that time. The rain was no longer as heavy as before. Although it still takes a little longer to fully subside. On the other hand, Ryan actually began to feel his anxiety again this time. He knew Otto would use any excuse to blame him. Because it was something he used to do without a second thought. Sure enough, the situation was not as bad as he had imagined. Because everyone knows it isn't, who he'll be stuck with now. Even if he had to linger with her there too he would no longer mind. Although the situation does not have to be the same as this. The rain stopped at that time.

Which marks if the rest of the afternoon should be over.

They packed their things for a moment to return, tidied up everything as before, and set out again to Welmina while they could. Luckily, their clothes had also started to dry a little. And Ryan let Sarah wear her jacket. Because the air will feel increasingly cold again.

Next, they actually arrived in Welmina almost before eight p.m. And Ryan immediately stopped his vehicle right in front of his house. Which now looks without the slightest illumination. He looked at Sarah for a moment, to thank her. “Thank you for accompanying me Ryan!” but he actually said it first.

“Um..., you can explain it to your father right?” The reply. Still showing his anxiety.

“Just calm down, he will understand.” Then Sarah answered.

They were silent for a while in front of the house, until no more words came out of their mouths, before Sarah who was slowly running her vehicle. And Ryan kept watching him from behind until he was completely out of sight.

In the end all that was left was the scent of Sarah's body that continued to stick from behind her jacket.