ABHIMANYU WORLD

Chapter XX: The Angel Descends from Angkot

The expected day has arrived. One day when finches were flying at acacia shoots chanting melodies of love. One day when the sun was gallantly spreading charm in the eastern sky, covered in a dense cloud that was overlapping.

I re-circled the calendar in the room. It was a pretty sunny mid-December, when I came back to pick up Larasati for the second time. Of course I don't need to tell you about the preparations I've done.

The experience at the terminal last week left trauma. No more polishing hair with pomade, or dress rather cool. Fearfully, there are mothers having a crush again. That's enough. The smell of the milkfish is still present today.

Fate of handsome men.

Everything went fast and neat. Most importantly, the morning was different. Surabaya, which is usually hot like the Sahara, becomes cooler. Larasati's smile proved to be a giant air conditioner capable of lowering temperatures similar to Siberia. The city of Surabaya looks like Paris in the spring. Larasati's smile also automatically makes me forget that I have a picture duty debt to Mr. Anto. Acute amnesia tetiba.

“Sorry yes, Mas. So bother because of me,” he said softly. He held some bags.

Want to go home, Mommy?

“Nothing really, Race. I'm glad you came,” reply me shyly.

We were neighbors for a long time, but the awkwardness was unstoppable. For me, Laras is neither a neighbor nor a cute childhood playmate. He has transformed into a new angel figure descending from angkot line P.

Not much conversation. We directly reviewed the Laras work site in the Rungkut Industri area. The visit was short. After seeing the work site, we immediately returned. Not much chatter created. My mouth is more locked. Motor drove splitting Surabaya. Not too crowded then-pass the vehicle at that time. The weather is not so hot either. With a speed of 50 Km/h, try to enjoy every inch of the streets of Surabaya. Its towering buildings, rows of shady trees and demonic hornets, our lunch menu that day.

Why is it called the devil's rawon?

This is one of the legendary rawon stalls in Surabaya. That said, at first this stall was opened at 23:00 until the early hours of the morning. That is the origin of the name of the demon rawon began. Eating rawon makes me always remember my hometown. Rawon made by mother is no less delicious than rawon satan.

“How's the family doing in Jombang, Ras?” ask me between meals. I enjoy every mouthful that feels so good in my mouth.

“Alhamdulillah well, Mas. Mas Abi is busy keep ya?”

“Yes this way, Race. Pacing around looking for teak-self.”

Tsaaaah! My language.

“I'm so not good ngrepotin Mas Abi who is busy here. Fear if Sunday again be alone with her boyfriend,” he said with a smile.

The deg!

The question is trick!

“Oh, no! I'm still single. Who to Ras, who wants to be the same innocent guy from the village like me,” I'm down.

Norak isn't it?

Larasati again revealed her mysterious smile similar to Monalisa. Really, I failed to decipher the meaning of her smile. Hoping that Laras was interested in me was certainly something rather naive.

Not much more chatter created. We were more focused on the dishes that were served that afternoon. I occasionally look at him. His face with thin makeup is so soft and charming.

Quietly, I began to compare the face of Laras with the faces of the two girls I knew before. On a scale of one to ten, Lusi's score remained the highest. That's nine. Laras was followed as a dark horse with a score of eight. And the last Dahlia, with a score of six point five.

The romantic far-flung luncheon was over. Of course, the experience of lunch with Lusi became a valuable experience for me. I confidently took out my wallet, and I took out a hundred thousand bills from the third volume of Dahlia.

Why volume three? I'll send it later.

This time I have to be bossy, no longer acting like a jongos who is waiting to be treated.

At least, when Laras returned to the village later he could tell his mother and all her family scattered throughout the village, that she had been treated by Abhimanyu Prasetyo.

“Thank you Mas already invited me to lunch,” said Laras.

“Nothing. Time and time again. You are a guest, so yes it is natural.”

“Fear of Ngrepotin Mas Abi.”

“Ndak. Just calm. Oya, you went straight back to Jombang this afternoon?”

“Iya Mas's. I'm going to Joyoboyo again?” pinta Baras's.

“No stopping by the contract first?” bargained.

“Ntar is afraid of the kesorean, Mas. Anytime soon!”

“Ooh.”

A little disappointed to hear that. Though I was going to show off the Baras to friends in the rented. A kind of proof, not only Andre and Doni can hook a girl. At the same time announce to them that my taste is not playing around for women's affairs.

Not like Doni.

The words of the Barrel seemed to blow a fresh breeze.

Can we meet often?

Ready it!

“Nothing, Race. Later if Jombang is too late at night will also bother to find the vehicle. Greetings to all the families in Jombang,” I said.

“Mas Abi when to return to Jombang? Mom already misses it looks like..”.

“But you don't know Race. Looks like I want a new year in Surabaya. Confused also want to do in Jombang.”

“Mending in Surabaya only, Mas. O yes, almost forgot...” Laras handed me a paper bag.

“What is this, Ras?”

“Tipan from mom sampean. He said sambel pecel, so as not to often buy side dishes outside. Ngirit said. There is also a little lemper made me. “ said Laras.

“Oalaaah .. kok on the hassle! Thank you, Ras!”

After all the business is done, I'll take Laras back to the Joyoboyo Terminal. That day, the weather was very friendly. Not too hot as usual. Even in the southern sky, black clouds had already begun to hang. I hope it doesn't rain soon.

“The motor is good, Mas. Minjem his friend huh?” chirp Laras when we're ready to part.

Plaac!

My face feels slapped. Wonder mixed with embarrassment, how did Laras know this was a borrowed motorcycle? Never a word before has he discussed the issue of the bike. Because I know it's a sensitive area!

“Iya Race. Hehe. Understandably, still can't buy it yourself,” style weld start I took out.

“I doain ntar can buy by yourself, Mas. If you need to be able to buy a car so that ndak kehuhan.”

“Aamiiin. Thanks Ras.”

We parted. Without drama like in Indonesian soap operas. I stared at the departure of the girl who made sweet memories today.

Wooee..remember your drawing assignment!

My little heart reminds me. Unfortunately I don't care. Still seen the transport car that was boarded by the barrel-sayup away.

Woee.remember your debt to Dahlia is getting paid!

My little heart reminds me. Suddenly I became lethargic. Using a mobile phone calculator, I calculated my total debt to Dahlia. First debt, a hundred thousand. The second debt to pay for the services of the image duty of one hundred thousand, the debt of the volume of these three days to entertain Laras one hundred thousand.

Three hundred thousand in total.

A lot too, huh?

Honestly, I still have no idea how to pay my debt to Dahlia. But after all Dahlia does not give due dates like loan sharks who like to roam the market. So I had time to collect a little money.

Faced with that fact, I have to be more frugal for food and snacks. Debt is debt. I am poor, but I still have a little self-esteem. Don't want people to stamp irresponsibility. There is no such sentence in the living dictionary of Abhimanyu Prasetyo.

I took back the bike on loan from Andre back to the contract. Soon the occupants of the contract interrogate about a brief encounter with Laras.

“Loh, where are the girls not invited here?” ask Andre.

“Hurry home she Ndre,” I replied.

“I suspect this...” chirps Doni.

“Surprisingly why?”

“I've seen you chat with Dahlia. Don't-don't..”.

I swear, I'm annoyed that Doni's expression is like that. To avoid bullying, I immediately ran into the room. I let them fantasize about their own shadow.

Duh!

Don't let my closeness to Dahlia be revealed!

***