ABHIMANYU WORLD

Chapter VII: Romance in a Car

You know, Friday is my favorite day. Because what? First, on Friday the school hours are not too much, so I can rest my mind a little. I can take a walk to another department just wash my eyes or ngadem to the five-story central library.

The library is close to the central canteen, where students from various majors gather to just hang out or discuss. If I'm lucky, I'll meet beautiful women scattered like anai-anai in the rainy season. Unfortunately, that's all I can do. Not dare more. I'm not Andre or Doni.

Worse me!

Second, although not always, I usually use Fridays to go home to my parents in Jombang. My longing for my family has exploded, I cannot control it.

Friday afternoon, after Friday prayers I had packed, prepared some clothes I brought and a little souvenir for Weni. Although Weni did not ask, she must have asked for rations. No need to be expensive. Weni likes chocolate. So before going home, I took the time to buy a chocolate bar for Weni.

After everything was ready, I eagerly went to Gubeng Station, one of the largest train stations in Surabaya.

Why didn't I take the bus? Because ribet. That's reason. To get to Bungurasih Terminal, I had to change vehicles several times. As for the Gubeng station, it only takes one take the city.

Another not so important reason is because I really enjoy riding the train. On the train, you can enjoy the expanse of rice fields as far as the eye can see. You can enjoy the beautiful afternoon weather. Tracing the outskirts of towns and villages. This is the real Indonesia.

Ah, I always miss that.

But unfortunately, I should be able to withstand the slight scent inside the carriage. The smell of sweat of the passengers who berubel, combined with the aroma of food, the aroma of fart, and the aroma of cheap perfume into a blend of aroma that is unspeakable. Meanwhile, nonstop food and beverage service comes to you every five minutes.

The menu they offer is quite diverse. Fried beans, fried tofu, crackers, and various cold drinks. No need to worry you'll starve in there. I usually buy fried beans and a bottle of cold mineral drinking water. It's perfect for a student like me.

While on the bus, it will feel more stuffy. The oxygen was being fought over by the passengers who crammed. The bus driver acts like a Formula 1 driver. They drive buses several hundred kilometers per hour without caring about the dozens of lives they carry. Several times the bus almost jumped due to the sudden brake. Mothers stroked the chest while beristighfar.

“Yes Allah, Mr Driver! If you want to go to heaven quickly, this is also the way!” the mothers started to grumble.

While some people have to drain the contents of his stomach, because it oscillates in such a way. Taking the bus also makes adrenaline rush. Really, I still want to live longer. Still not married. There's still a lot to pursue. I'd rather ride a roller-coaster in Ancol than take a model bus like this.

Taking that fact into account, I crossed out the AKDP bus as my favorite ride. The champion is still the train.

And now, I was already sitting casually inside one of the train carriages that took me away to Jombang City. It was originally jostling, but now it was loose. In the style of the Italian mafia I sat down while eating the fried beans I just bought. I wish I was sitting

next to the sweet girl. Usually this Friday, many meet other students who also happen to go home.

But in fact I was sitting next to a woman who was quite old. He held a boy about four years old.

“Ajenge by pundi?” (Where are you going? ) ask the old woman.

“I Jombang, Mbah” replied me.

Actually I was lazy to chat, but could not bear to see it. I saw the shade behind his eyes. Reminds me of my deceased. The boy reminded me of myself. It used to be sober often take a walk by train as well, even up to Solo and Yogyakarta.

“Monggo..” His fragile hand thrust some boiled banana seeds at me.

Plaaac!

I feel slapped. I just ate fried beans without offering it to him. Uh, it was his turn to eat a boiled banana I was offered.

Duh!

“Ndon't bother, Mbah. Just make her grandson,” subtly reject me.

“There's already made Danu. Monggo! Ndak can refuse sustenance,” he said again.

I can't refuse. He is right, he cannot refuse sustenance. I chewed the half-ripened boiled banana with a sad feeling. Probably had a lot to learn from this woman.

But what was really interesting was actually a girl sitting alone in the back carriage. His facial sharpness was polished by a thin make-up that began to wear off by sweat. He wears a checkered shirt and jeans that have faded in color. His eyes were looking out the window. He looked gloomy, thinking of an unspoken burden.

I pity.

My mind suddenly drifted to another girl. Handayani. Ah, why am I still thinking about it? This longing sometimes stuns me. Lusi is not a girl as beautiful as Monik or glamour as Amel. She's a typical regular girl with no flashy makeup. But I don't know. There's something in him that's so interesting that I can't reveal. Maybe intelligence?

Yeah, possibly.

He is very good at Mechanical Engineering. Or an elegant way of speaking? The language is very smooth and organized. While me? Don't ask. I am ashamed to answer.

After a few minutes of thinking about it, I just found the answer to why I like Lusi.

His tenderness.

Yes, I fell in love with her gentleness.

Unfortunately, the buds that were blooming in my heart had to wither before they developed. Lusi really had to leave without a word of farewell. Only memories remain. I wish I could meet him again someday.

***

Azan Maghrib was on his way when the train stopped at Jombang Station. The passengers disembarked. I waited quietly, just starting to come down. Before coming down, I saw the gloomy-looking girl. He's still sitting, not coming down. Then he got off at the next station. When I stole a glance at him, it was unexpected that he was also looking at me.

“Eh, Mass. This is Jombang Station huh?” suddenly tanyanya.

I wave. I was not ready to receive questions.

“I .. yes Ma'am,” I replied hesitantly.

“If Mojoagung Station has passed yet huh?”

“Already Mbak!”

His face turned anxious. He looked confused, then hurriedly tidied up his things.

“Waduh! How's it?” the girl said confused.

I just kept quiet seeing him confused. Minded-of-dead. I just want to get home soon. That'sthat's all. I just let the girl get confused. The train will soon be running to the next station.

Very care!

Egoku has won that inner upheaval. I got off the train immediately, leaving all the romance in it. In my mind now there is only a house, a house and a house. It had been the face of the father who rejoiced in welcoming me, and the face of the angry mother seeing my coming. I'm sure tomorrow my mother will ask me.

“What do you want to make, Le?”

“Rawon!

Imagining rawon made by my mother made my intestines drool. Hungry is unbearable. Immediately I approached the many taxi drivers in front of the station. After negotiating for a while, I was ready to leave for my village.

Emaaac! Your son dataaang!

I’m comiiiing!

***