ABHIMANYU WORLD
Chapter XII: New Business
A slightly cloudy Sunday morning in early October, Darwis and I went to the first meeting for Victory English Club members. Cumolonimbus clouds clustered in the southern sky forming a terrifying giant mushroom.
The wind gently stroked my hair that was not neatly combed. The meeting started at eight in the morning and I just woke up at half-eight!
It's discipline, isn't it?
The event was deliberately held in an open space, but still in the campus area. Incidentally near GOR, there is a grass field that is overgrown with catapults around it. We sat in a circle in a shaded section of grass.
With us, there are also some students from other majors who have never been seen before. This morning's event is a Welcome Party for new members. That means there will be an introductory session.
Honestly, a public speaking session like this makes me nervous instead of upset. Let alone in front of a community like this, expressing my feelings is not ordinary. Suddenly the stomach feels mules, like a sudden mag attack. The heart beats unbecoming. Cold sweat begins to flow in the temples. Full tetiba bladder. But it felt like it could not escape from this bitter reality.
Well, here's my weakest side. Bad thoughts start to poison the brain. The main thing, must be afraid of mispronouncing or doing silly. Moreover, this introduction session is required to use English. While using Indonesian language alone berlepotan. It will be a tough challenge.
Bismillah. It's ordeal.
One by one they introduced themselves. Even Darwis has got his turn. His English is far from perfect. Not the British English he was wearing, but the Javanese English! But the confidence he has deserves a thumbs up. He is able to convey communicatively and simply melt the freezing atmosphere.
“Next!” the voice of Dahlia Sukmawati, as a moderator made me almost jump from the seat.
Oh, it's my turn.
O God, help your servant!
I hesitated to the middle of the circle. Some eyes were staring like wild wolves. Feet feel great shaking. The tongue feels bad. The brain cannot work properly. This condition is similar to the defendant who is awaiting a verdict from a judge. My heart beats everywhere.
Can I wet the bed here? Now, if I may....
A minute. Two minutes. Three minutes. My mouth is still tight. In such conditions, calm is needed.
Think of what's in front of you as an ant.
That's theory. But unfortunately my brain was immediately suspect.
They're not ants!
Alright.
Silence is not a solution. It's the same as exposing myself in public. Taking a deep breath might help. While praying in the heart. I don't think I should take the slightest glance towards Dahlia Sukmawati. The look in his eyes spread endless terror.
I started talking. At first it was a bit hesitant, but it started to go smoothly. Full name, origin of the city, major, hobby to status I mentioned with English. Darwis stared in disbelief! Really, at first I thought this was a nightmare.
It doesn't seem that bad.
Alhamdulillahot.
After she finished speaking, I looked up at Dahlia Sukmawati. A strange smile fell on his lips. Who cares what he thinks? I just want to sit down quickly.
Five minutes ahead, similar to five centuries!
“Give applause to Mr.Abimanyu!” dahlia's orders. A smile on his lips. Actually, she's pretty sweet to smile.
Everyone applauded.
There was a chill filling the chest cavity for a moment. It's the first time in my life people applaud me. In the past, when it was still SD although it often represented a race at the sub-district level, no one applauded. I was given only candy and some pocket money.
After the show, Dahlia approached me. I have a bad feeling. However, it seems that there is something important that he wants to talk about.
“You go first, Dar!” I said to Darwis.
Dervish nodded, with a smile. I know what that smile means. More or less means ‘Have fun!’
Watch later!
“Can't you ask for a minute?” ask Dahlia.
“Bby kok... ” my answer is hesitant.
My old disease suddenly relapsed when faced with women. No matter what the woman looks like, the heartbeat always becomes irregular. No matter the woman was as smart as Lusi or as soft as Soluble.
More like Dahlia!
We sat on a bench under a tree. Remember, this is not a date! It's purely a business conversation or something. I wish no one would see me sitting with Dahlia.
“Your English is pretty good,” said Dahlia.
“Thank you,” my answer is flat.
“You help me not?”
“Help what?”
“Mmm. Translate anyway. Is there time? Incidentally, many people ask for help translating. Just because it's too much, I can't do it alone. I've offered them to a few friends just that they're busy too. Who knows you could. Appreciable. Per sheet Rp1300,00” bright Dahlia.
Me? Not wrong with this guy?
At first it was like not believing that Dahlia chose me to help her. Actually my college assignments are a lot. However, Dahlia's offer also meant opportunity. Not everyone was given this honor by someone of Dahlia's class.
In the past, when I was in High School I liked to translate English readings into Indonesian. In addition, many foreign songs belonging to Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi or Westlife that I translated as well. Maybe this is my chance to be a translator.
After all, the fee offered is quite tempting. If one child gives a 50-page job, that's enough. The money can be to increase the variety of food for boarding children. Not just instant noodles studded with monosodium glutamate.
I wish I could make time for that.
“I tried yes... ” I replied later.
“The thing is I don't like to try! If yes if not yes no!” Dahlia.
“Good. I want to help you!”
A glimmer of smile again adorned his face that was a piece of the Grave of the Land of the Cabbage. Seeing that smile was like seeing the sun appearing in the middle of a storm.
Dahlia gave me her mobile number to communicate easily. It is purely a business relationship. Even to befriend Dahlia, would think a thousand times.
But, behind the business relationship is a little worry. What if my friends know I'm close to Dahlia? I'll have a mental attack!
Especially Doni.
Doni's mouth resembles a venomous cobra and pecks at any time. This secret I have to hold tight.
Very care!
I didn't ask them for money. It's purely business. There's no private conversation between me and Dahlia.
Justright.
The next day, Darwis starts to. He rained down with a series of questions while I was solemnly finishing ice beans worth of gocco.
“What are you talking about? Seriously yesterday?”
“Business only,” I replied briefly.
“Business? What business? Online underwear sales?”
“Only!”
“Ke what dong!”
“That's not to kepo!”
“Do not-do you guys.... ”
“What?”
“Hayoo .. talking what hayooo!” ledek Dervish.
“Naudzubillah! Not a time. "I can read what's entrenched in his brain.
“I'm curious to know!”
“You really want to know?”
Darwis.
“Ikut I met him this afternoon in the central library.”
That same afternoon, Darwis and I met Dahlia on the third floor of the central library.
The girl looked seriously over the stack of books that were before her. Our presence is hardly noticed. He took a quick glance, then gave me a stack of papers.
“Firty-two pages. It's just a week. Can you?” dahlia's tone of voice was so firm.
“Couple! " i answered no less firmly.
Darwis. What kind of business is this?
He thought we were doing drugs.
“OK. Deal. Meet me again next week. At 12 noon. Not late!”
I'm nodding.
The business meeting is over. Darwis was still amazed as if in disbelief. But I don't care. What matters now is that I need to focus on working on this stack of papers.
“Great you, Bi!” puji Darwis's.
I smile.
“Tractions dong!”
“Helaaah. Just did not ask for a tract yet!”
Darwis laughs.
“Bi.... "
“What?”
“What if Dahlia likes you?”
“Nno! His type is not like me,” I replied.
“Can be loh!”
“Ngak!”
Actually, it's not without reason that I accepted Dahlia's offer. I want to save the money for the cost of the trip to Malang. For some reason, the curiosity in Susi makes me want to meet her. Once may be enough, just want to be sure how she really feels about me.
That'sthat's all.
I think Dahlia is an opportunity as a stepping stone!
***
