Alinea: Ideas, Love, and Stories
THE NADAV BAND
“Tarra!”
Papa came home with a surprise. Mas Nara and I were amazed by a guitar bag. More amazed when Papa pulled out the guitar.
“It's a gift for Nara.”
“But Nara hasn't had a birthday yet, Pa?” Mas Nara asked as he stroked the large guitar. Mas Nara's birthday is still four months away.
“Lah? Does anyone have to wait for a birthday first can give a gift?” Papa chuckles at the end of his sentence, we have not had time to both answer, Papa has said again, “or his guitar Papa save again, let ntar give him when you are birthday.”
Mas Nara who was sitting on the right side immediately pulled his guitar. Showing an unwilling face.
I was 4 years old, just laughing on the right side Papa saw Mas Nara's face turned sour.
Two months ago, when celebrating Mama's birthday by taking a walk to the Mall, we accidentally watched a music concert from the famous Band of the country. Mas Nara was enthusiastic, forcing us to stop and watch. Back home, Mas Nara said that if he grows up, he also begs Mama and Papa to buy a guitar.
Mama certainly refused, but Papa just smiled and made a promise. Be that day Papa keeps his promise.
Nara is very excited. Since there was the guitar, his small hand, trying to continuously strum the guitar. Papa's not a musician, so Papa can't teach Mas Nara. Mas Nara continued to flick the guitar carelessly. Until a week before Papa finally left the house, I saw Papa buy Mas Nara a cell phone, he said it was a smart phone, could help Mas Nara to learn guitar.
Papa was very kind to Mas Nara. However, I am not jealous, because always every Papa gives a gift to Mas Nara, Papa also gives me another gift, which is a fairy tale book. Papa also often read these books. I love to hear Papa storytelling, Papa's voice changes when he becomes a deer, a weasel, a monkey, a prince, a princess and others, fun. Besides, I also like to get Papa's kiss before going to bed.
It's just, Mama doesn't like everything we like. Mama always fought with Papa when Papa bought me and Mas Nara a gift. Mama always fought with Papa after Papa read me a fairy tale. I heard everything, those fights.
I remember well that night, a month before Mas Nara's birthday. When I spent time in Mas Nara's room listening to Mas Nara's progress in guitar strumming. When I applauded for Mas Nara, “Well cool! With a small body so Mas can play his big guitar! Cool.” I laughed big, clapping, half praising the half-slinging.
“This basis, if muji muji aja, do not use a small body. Ntar Mas if already big also follow big body.”
“Iya-iya. Come on, new song again dong. My balloon song is five!”
Mas Nara heard me ask him to play the guitar for the song. But he did not refuse, he immediately looked for the key on the phone. Just as Mas Nara was about to strum a guitar, we heard the sound of someone slamming the door. Then someone opened the door with someone. Our house is not terraced, nor is it too large, so it can hear the sound quite clearly.
“What's up?” That's Papa's voice.
“What's up? You've messed up our future and now you say what's going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“The publisher contacted me, saying you're signing a contract for the script?”
“Yes, it's because they asked me to write something weird. I don't want to write it.”
“You know how difficult we are without a single one of your manuscripts published lately, right? Why do you wear arrogant everything?”
“What are you talking about? After all we will not starve to death just because I rejected the publisher.”
“Yes, we didn't starve to death because you had me. How long do you depend on your wife? You are a husband, Mom. It should be you who came out of this house and became the backbone of our family, not me.”
“VENA!”
Back then, Mas Nara and I were on the doorstep of Mas Nara's room, we passed into the front room, we were quite a distance away, but we could see and hear clearly what was happening. Papa slapped Mama, the sound of the slap was very strong.
Papa's voice is like lightning.
“Why Tam? What I said is true, right? I'm tired, Tam, of being a poor writer's wife like you. I regret not listening to my mother first. I should've just married Alex, my mother's doctor. Not you, poor writer who has no future.”
Papa's hand almost floated a second time, but was restrained.
“Why? You want to slap me again?”
Papa did not answer, he went into the room. Then out carrying a backpack.
“We divorce only if you don't want to have a husband like me, Vena.”
Papa stepped away. My mom cried that night. Me, directly screaming, “Pap-!” My voice was stifled, Mas Nara smothered my mouth. But, Papa turned his head towards us. He looked over for a moment and turned around, walked away.
“BAD YOU, TAMA!” Mama screeched, but Papa had passed through the door. That door is now closed. Papa left that day. I never saw him again after that night.
Pa, can't Papa come back and read Alin the fairy tale again?
***
“Alin?”
I jerked.
“You all right?”
I'm nodding.
“He looks like he needs aqua deh, Bro.” The guy with the loose black shirt chuckled. The guy's hair was painted red in a fabulous style, old fashioned. His black skin looked quite white effect clothes he was wearing. A while ago, I had introduced Shaka to that guy, his name is Fengki, commonly called Ipeng. He held the position of drummer in the Nadav Band.
“Aqua-aqua!” The other guy who looked neater held out an aqua to Shaka who was in front of me. That guy is the whiter among them, he's the guitarist. Seeing him play the guitar made me remember Mas Nara. His stature was also thin and not too tall, exactly Mas Nara. It's just that his eyes turn more, while Mas Nara's eyes are a little small but not narrow. His name is Oka, actually if you pay attention to it longer, Oka is the most handsome among them all.
“Still,” I said as soon as Nara handed me a bottle of mineral water. I was not thirsty, but as soon as I saw the water, I wanted to drink.
“What's up? Don't tell me you remember your ex who was also a band boy?”
I just took a sip of water, Nara's question made the water splash. I choked.
“So you have a former Band boy, Lin? The indie? Or?” The guy's voice made me look up, his name was Andra, he was the bassist and now he's still standing tuning his instrument.
I gawk. This guy in Shaka's group, why does everything sound chatty? Is it because they hang out with Shaka too often? Or because they're just Shaka being chatty?
“Hei! Bengong again. Ntar kesambet. Behind this building is a graveyard!” Shaka waved his hand in front of my face.
“First I never dated.”
“Eh serial?” Ipeng looked amazed.
I just nodded, then continued, “Second, so I could no longer daydream of a girlfriend.”
“Trus you why dumbass? Don't you ever hear us rehearsing again? Aye right?” Shaka asked again. And innocently I nodded. I really don't hear them singing. As soon as Oka strummed her guitar, I somehow floated my mind on past events. I remember Mas Nara as well Papa.
“Sorry. I'm just remembering Mas Nara.”
“Nara? Nara Shakeel?” Oka surprised me with her question. He's the most henchman and different from the others, he's not too chatty. But, why did he know Mas Nara?
I nodded again.
“Nara it temen SMaku time in Malang. We set up a band together first.”
“You're serious, Ka?”
“Oka Mas Nara's classmate? You are the oldest in the band?”
“Not. Ipeng older.”
“Yuhu, I'm a senior here, 25 years old. Oka 22, Andra 20 and tu the most junior and most beautiful Shaka.”
I'm flabbergasted. Can't believe their ages seem to be different, I think they're the same age.
“Don't be surprised. We used to call her name to be more familiar. You also do not be called Mas or anything, we prefer to be called by name. Anyway, we four of one generation in music school first, trus make band together.” Ipeng opens the story.
“You're music school together? When?”
“Three or four years ago, uh five deh, because at that time I was still SD.”
“You from SD have learned music, Shaka?”
Shaka nodded. I'm amazed.
“Since I was a child I love singing, fitting SD 6th grade, I asked for a course and given permission to share my father's course in music school. Trus meet them deh.”
Our conversation without me knowing was simply diverted. There is no talk of Mas Nara anymore. Shaka tells a long story about his dream of becoming a musician, as well as Ipeng, Oka, and Andra.
Ah yes, I also just realized one important thing, with them, I feel more smiling and being myself. I mean, I feel like there's no pleasantries between us. They all opened up, threw smiles, threw natural laughter. Nothing is made up.
I feel happy to be invited by Shaka to this training ground. Although I had rejected it outright before, but Shaka continued to insist.
The 4x4-meter room is one of the many music rehearsal rooms in the studio. They pay monthly to rent this studio. The musical instruments themselves are their own, the studio only provides space and facilities such as ac and electricity only. That's what Oka told me when I asked about the training ground that seems new today they use.
“Before we pay attention in the studio deket Mall, because it is closer than where we all live. Eh suddenly this one boy moved because it was more deket to his school. But, the cost is cheap and Shaka wants to pay 60 percent, so we can not refuse.”
The studio is close to our school. Maybe only about 2 kilo meters, if riding a motorcycle, it feels like just putting ass in the seat, uh tau-tau has arrived.
“Don't he move here so you can invite you to play here often. Ciee, someone's falling in love!” Ipeng laughed, he was the oldest and the most excited.
“Appan anyway, sotoy. I'm sure he let him do his work not learn mulu.”
I want to snap Shaka's head off because he's the origin of the talk. Uh, even though what Shaka said was true. I was busy learning.
My phone suddenly rang before I could defend myself. There is the writing MAMA CALLING on the phone screen. I paid them a minute, then answered my mother's phone outside the room.
“Alin, where are you? Mama just called Sister Jihan, said you canceled a tutoring meeting today?”
Mama used to be. Rarely open a conversation with a greeting. Maybe he was too busy to have time to spend with exchanging greetings.
“Alin is still in school, Ma. There was a group assignment, so Alin was told Kak Jihan, sorry to forget about Mama.” This is not the first time I have lied to my mom. Since deciding not to obey Mama and choosing to be friends with Shaka, I started to be good at lying to Mama. Initially nervous. For a long time it was like ordinary talk. I'm also starting to know why people lie. Secret. Yes, there are secrets to be hidden so they have to lie. And lies are like drugs, once you try, you get entangled. The lies of one will be pinak for the sake of covering each other's lies.
“Oke, if so Mama picked you up ntar yes, about you go home at what time?”
I cleared my throat long enough, then replied, “half a hour, Ma. Yes, at least half an hour.”
“OK, Mama's going there now if so. Daaa.” Phone disconnected.
“Mama you?”
“Yes, Mama's going to pick you up at school. I'm back first yes.”
“Let me anterin.”
“I can be alone, anyways you still have to be careful right?”
“Ngga what, all of you I also want your Mama.”
“Eh?” Spontaneous I scratched my earlobe. Since a week ago, after Shaka met Mama at that time, they have not met again. My mom hasn't picked me up yet, to be exact. And actually, I wanted to tell Shaka about Mama. However, there was a twinkle that I always saw in Shaka's eyes. The guy's eyes were sparkling, like there was happiness as well as hope. I see those eyes once, in the mirror, every morning. Back then, when I was so carefree because I had a best friend Teletubbies.
I know what it's like to be broken. I understand exactly how his wound was disappointed. So, I decided to keep it a secret from Shaka. What else after Shaka took me to this place. Meet Oka, Andra, and Ipeng. I, for some reason, felt a long-lost warmth again.
“Diam means yes. Ok, cus!” Shaka passed me, out. His steps quickly towards the door. I threw a smile first to Shaka's three friends. A smile that is not made up. I don't feel like I should talk to them, I just feel like I'm smiling because that's how it's supposed to be.
