ACHARADINES

Raining

Jakarta is pretty dim today. Black clouds were twitching crazily in the sky, making people restless about the rain. Until finally drizzle slowly fall. As the minutes go by, the rain gets heavier.

Then the motorized vehicles around the road where the coffee shop stood one by one began to pull over—as if the troops of freefall rainwater without parachutes rained down to earth. So inevitably some motorized vehicles must pull over to reach for a raincoat in the motorcycle seat to wear.

Seemed a woman with a sweet ayu named Radinda was standing behind a window glass that was faintly covered in water spots. I miss the smell of the earth in rain. Yeah, that's what Radinda might be feeling right now. Radinda enjoyed every moment when the water flow fell resigned to the earth; as if allowing the torrential rain to blindly eliminate the hot weather a moment ago.

The atmosphere in the coffee shop seemed quiet. Only a few tables filled—counted by fingers.

Syahdu, that's the right word to describe the atmosphere of the coffee shop that afternoon when pop music in the 80s echoed in every corner of the room. The song titled Boulevard sung by Dan Byrd, that music was then played to spoil the ears of the visitors.

Raga Radinda stuck to the earth, but not with her subconscious mind. His mind wanders along a trail of events; trying to remember every beautiful moment with his family when it is still intact. Slowly, the tears that had been held in her eye sockets fell down; pooling wetly on the woman's pink cheeks. Radinda seemed to dig back the wound that she had buried deeply.

If Radinda is told to sort out what parting is most imprinted in the heart, of course she will mention 2 of them are: the separation of father with his mother, and also the separation of him with his ex-lover.

With her ex-boyfriend? Yeah, correct. You guys didn't read it wrong.

The breakup is not the farewell most people experience. Like a separation between a couple who prefer to separate and live each other's lives after—or in other words break up.

The farewell that Radinda went through was a farewell for good. Farewell that is not represented by the word broken. They are separated between two worlds.

Devan, his ex-girlfriend who died 1 year ago in an accident.

At that time, it was right to celebrate the anniversary of their 2nd year relationship. The celebration that was supposed to be filled with happiness and joy, turned into a hysterical cry. Radinda gets word from one of the Devan family, that Devan had an accident on the way to the cafe where they were going to meet to celebrate 2 years of their relationship.

Really, it is inconceivable what Radinda's heart would look like when she got the news that her loved ones were gone for good. Radinda did not expect, so soon the happiness she had was replaced with heartbreaking tears.

Back to where Radinda was before. Seconds and minutes passed, the rain did not stop; it was getting heavier. It seems like the sky wants to greet the earth, through the intermediary of rainwater that gallantly peppered the land.

Radinda is shocked by the landing of someone's arm on her shoulder; making her aware of her subconscious mind.

"Hi, when's it coming? Kok is not found out again coming," said radinda while wiping her tears.

"Must."

Then Aksa realized Radinda's cheeks were wet with tears, "you why? How, crying?"

"No pa-pa, really."

"No pa-pa, how. That's proof you cry. You why?" Aksa urged Radinda to tell him the reason.

"Not all wounds can be explained by words. Tears are the best portrayal," Radinda smiled with teary eyes, "I want to cry again," he continued.

Aksa exhaled softly, then smiled, "let's come with me."

Aksa pulled Radinda's arm, then Radinda followed where the man's footsteps were. They stopped right in front of the coffee shop entrance. Silent moment.

Aksa's eyes glanced outwards, as if hinting to take Radinda out.

"It's raining hard" cried Radinda.

Aksa smiled faintly.

The black jeans worn by Aksa were slowly wet, swept away by the rush of rain that afternoon.

"Come here" said Aksa.

Radinda gulps. How long had Radinda not felt the rain falling on her body straight away.

Slowly but surely, Radinda got out of place. Radinda ventured to join Aksa to feel the cold rain.

Now, they were both successfully made drenched by the swift rain that afternoon.

"Where?" Ask Aksa.

"What's how?" Radinda's face looks confused.

"Now you follow me."

Aksa looked up, closing his eyes. Let every drop of rain fall on his face. Radinda followed what Aksa had done.

Not feeling 1 minute passed. They still looked up while closing their eyes, letting the raindrops fall on their faces.

"Now, how?"

"Lumayan," Radinda replied with her eyes closed.

"Now you can cry again, let your tears merge with these raindrops."

After a few minutes, Aksa opened her eyes, staring at Radinda.

God, I don't know what sadness is covering this girl. I saw a wound hiding behind his soft heart. Batin Aksa said.

"The rain is starting to subside" said Aksa, making Radinda immediately open her eyes.

Radinda rubbed her two wet cheeks, staring at Aksa, "thank you, yeah."

"..."

Aksa was speechless not understanding the meaning of that thank you.

"thank you. I'm starting to feel relieved now" Radinda said, smiling and hugging the man's body.

"There will always be a rainbow after it rains, and you know it. Don't be sad anymore, yeah."

They both held her arms. Rainbows also began to show its existence from the western horizon.

***

Not all wounds can be explained by words. Tears are the best.

—Radinda