ALPENIA (The Cruel Small Town)

Sad Stories and Strange Stories

Naya needs calm. He went to a lake not far behind the cafe. There, he can get calm by staring at the wide water, without anyone bothering him. No matter if he had to leave his workers, his heart was too hurt this time around.

While looking at the sparkling water from the reflection of the sunlight, Naya tried to stop crying, because it was not her habit. Tears are a sign of weakness. Therefore, he did not want to get used to it on him.

Faisal, who followed him, sat down on the grass with Naya. "I was going to take you to watch a concert" he said, considering today was the last day of the city's anniversary. The concert will be held a festive concert filled by famous bands and musicians.

Naya doesn't want to talk, especially to Faisal. He also chose to shut up.

With hesitation, Faisal again apologized for his father's outrageous attitude. He felt so guilty this time, he should never have told him about Naya's mother's attitude to him at that time.

"It's not your fault" Naya replied while putting on a bitter smile. Until finally, "lo often say, if you love me, is it really?" he continued while staring right at the young man's retina deeply.

Faisal clasped Naya's hand, "gue's love for you, Nay." Strictly speaking, he revealed the true thing he had said repeatedly.

"Then you'll do anything for me, right?" continued Naya after a long breath. Replied a nod by the young man who still felt guilty.

"Gue asked, from now on, you stay away from me. This time, it's really far away" Naya said what she had said a lot in the past.

But Faisal never stayed away, until they were at this point, their relationship gradually improved.

Faisal who heard it was clearly shocked and could not accept, "why?" Seeing the sad face of the girl beside him, his feelings began to be uncomfortable.

"It's not because I hate you. With your attitude that keeps getting better, I'm starting to like you, or at least don't hate it like you used to." Naya took a pause while smiling mirically. He realized that day after day, his hatred for Faisal was turning into something else.

"Gue is also dear to you," said Naya, making the Facial gasp and disbelieve.

The young man smiled for a moment before Naya again said, "you have to get away from me, before my feelings develop further."

"But-"

"Gue can't be humbled by your father. And most importantly, I can't let my mother down by relating to the child of the person who obviously made her difficult." Naya was a little emotional, without realizing her tone was rising.

Struggling, Faisal painstakingly swallowed those bitter-tasting words. He understood the anxiety Naya was feeling. Finally, he stood up and said, "okay." Short, but his heart was like an arrow. It was the hardest decision, but it was also the best he could make. Faisal could not see the girl he loved continue to suffer because of his father, if he forced his own ego.

Naya got up, and suddenly hugged the body of the young man who was slightly sculpted in front of her. That's all she can do, give her first hug and maybe be the last one anyway.

Before long, the girl let go of her embrace, and turned her face away from Faisal. He rolled his eyes in all directions, so as not to see the sorrow from Faisal's eyes.

After all, their story ended before it could even begin.

After Faisal left, Naya shouted loudly to make her heart slightly light. He never imagined this would happen when he let the man go, his heart was a little bitter. He was not even aware, if the clear grains had just managed to come out of the eye pellets and wet his cheeks.

***

Cantika even fired three out of ten servants at his house, to dilute the expenditure.

So, Intan really never again buy luxury items that are only used to raise the prestige. This time, he tried to get used to living. Only one thing he feared, his birthday party that would arrive in three weeks, might not be as lively as he wanted.

This afternoon, Intan went around in his back garden picking wine. Although it is not harvest time, there may be some that are ripe.

The afternoon breeze stroked the girl's hair gently. In the midst of his bad thoughts regarding the birthday party, his heart felt calm because his family atmosphere improved. Even though his father and twin brother were still silent and cold.

"Hi!"

The huge voice surprised Intan as he crouched down, about to pluck the grapes he had just found.

The girl refined her body to stand firm, with a face annoyed with surprise, she turned to the source of the voice. "Yes, what's wrong?" he said gently, trying to be calm, because he realized that the one who called him was Renaldi. The young man who recently was able to steal his attention.

Renaldi smiled getting the reaction from Intan. Lately, he has felt the changes that have occurred between them towards a better direction. After much effort, he tried to steal the girl's attention for the past four years, this time it might be time for them to get into a relationship.

"Gue wants to find Dad, I think he's still on the farm. But I guess everyone's home, huh?!" clearly Renaldi goes directly to the core, while circulating the eyes to the whole vine that is wide.

"Yes, as it looks. And you know, farmers only work until one in the afternoon?" Intan explained what the young man already knew. "So, is it true that your purpose here is only for you to find your father, or is there some other purpose?"

Renaldi looked at Intan a little differently than usual. He also felt that Intan's gaze was different.The girl's eyes looked more sparkling when she met his eyes this time. "Yes, that's my only reason, who knows he's still here, right? It's his birthday, and I intend to make him walk or eat out."

Renaldi messed up the situation, Intan's facial expression started to turn slightly frowning in an instant.

Disgusted, Intan left Renaldi who did not understand that he was expecting another answer. In fact, he has given the form of code. But, what happened, Renaldi who usually always teases him, this time even behaved normally.

Intan really feels weird. In fact, the young man did not pursue his steps and chose to stay behind. Intan really does not like this situation, he wants to quickly return home.

Renaldi was grieving as he walked out, "the habit of gini father, nih. If I make a deal, I'd love to forget." He also left the plantation, after seeing Intan who had just opened the main door of the grandest house in the city. This time, he did not give attention to the girl. Because he thinks the father is more of a priority for one day only.

"Intan could be next time, today is special for dad," Renaldi monologues passionately, considering he will treat his father from the salary he just got yesterday. Now, he's going back to find his father, who may have gone home.

Intan slammed the door of his house upset, "bego!"

However, Intan's annoyance changes when getting a sight very. He saw the man Renaldi was looking for had just come out of his father's office while hooking the top two buttons of his shirt open.

Intan's eyes continued to follow the middle-aged man's footsteps which seemed like they were going to come out through the side door of the house. Willing to follow the man's steps, but the creaking of the open door made Intan's intention undo, when he saw the mother coming out of the same room, while justifying the hair tie. This is getting more surprising.

What strange thing did Renaldi's mother and father do in that room?