Anila For Anala

CHAPTER 3 - RAMADAN ORNAMENTS

Slowly one glass of espresso was gulped Anila. As the last page of Maybi is the Author. Ahhh, again baper. Hopefully one day there will be my Mas Bi, please Anila. 

Anila decided to monitor the exhibition from a distance, before deciding to return to Jakarta. 

"I think everything is on the right track. Good job, Sari," praised Anila while patting her SPG supervisor on the shoulder. Praise for Anila was only one way to improve the performance of her subordinates. It was also thrown when everything was going very well and perfect. The goal is solely so that the target is reached, so that Anila is increasingly taken into account. "So .. I can go back to Jakarta," continued Anila rather loudly. This time there was a faint smile on his lips. 

"Cie, want a weekly night, huh, Mommy?" chirp one of the SPGs who heard Anila say goodbye. 

Anila's eyes turned towards the SPG. Sari and all the other SPGs froze. While SPG who do not feel guilty, even grin feel innocent. Another fellow SPG friend nudged him by the shoulder. However, his look only showed astonishment, was something wrong?

Anila circulated her gaze in all directions, as if she had heard nothing. "Nearly fasting month. Target is getting crazier. Wh-wh-what for? For the bonus ...," Anila explained followed by a small applause from all her subordinates. "and THR ..," Anila continued as she walked up to the SPG who asked earlier. "That's if it's still extended." Wiry, a little whispering, but able to make the SPG eyes perfectly round.

Anila stayed away from the budding SPG. Frozen, realizing the mistake of throwing a joke that offended his boss.

“Fire her!” whispered Anila to Sari.

Sari nodded small. The sign was a tough task for him. It is wrong not to explain about the temperament of his superiors, especially on the new SPG. Sari was supposed to tell her that Anila did not like to joke. More jokes that lead to personal problems. Unprofessional, Anila said. Sari scratched her non-itchy head. Looking for reasons how to fire the SPG. 

Ramadan trinkets are already crowded adorning the mall. Moon-shaped ornaments and stars hang on the ceiling of the mall. The miniaturised dome of the mosque frames its entrance. 

Anila suddenly felt an uneasy feeling. Ramadan. The memories came back like a quick movie.

***

“Mas Rana if sahur likes to eat what?” asked Anila when choosing food in the vegetable and fruit corridor of a supermarket. 

Ranala did not answer, just smiled.

Anila stopped her activities. Looking towards Ranala demanded an answer.

Ranala exhaled gently before replying, “What can you cook?”

“A .. e. .. yes .. if Mas Rana likes what food, I, right, can find the recipe.” Anila answered with a sigh.

“I eat whatever you cook.” Ranala smiled again, then turned into the breakfast corridor. Ranala knew very well, Anila was not good at cooking. Anila prefers campus activities to kitchen activities. Ranala never had a problem. As long as there is the intention to learn, all worldly science can be learned, Ranala replied when Anila was honest about her cooking skills.    

Why, anyway, Mas Rana likes to smile. Salting, you know. Anila extended her steps following Ranala. 

Anila managed to grasp Ranala's long footsteps. They walk side by side in silence. Ranala was busy with a short-sounding phone several times, a sign that several messages were coming in. 

“Buy dates aja, yuk,” take Ranala while putting the phone in his pants pocket.

Anila nodded in agreement. 

There are many types of dates. Anila's view is centered on the various types of dates that exist. Unaware Ranala was no longer beside him.

“This is it, yes, Mas?” Anila showed her chosen date on the empty air. There's no more Ranala there. Anila circulated her gaze, until she found Ranala's back. He turned his back on Anila, facing someone. Anila approached until she saw the figure of Ranala's interlocutor. A female. On his right arm hangs a brand-name bag. While his left hand, grasping something moving. Anila wondered what she was holding. Anila approached to see more clearly.

A boy with round eyes and plump eyelashes. Like a Palestinian child. It's about five or six years old.

“Aaaah, very funny.” Unknowingly Anila was already between Ranala and her female friend. Bending and poking the boy's chin. 

“Eh ... this ... knowin,” command Ranala clumsy. Reveal Anila's admiration for the Palestinian child.

“Oh .. Anila.” Anila smiled broadly as she thrust her right hand at the woman holding the hand of the Palestinian child.

“Oh, hi. I'm Viona. Finally we meet, yes,” exciting Viona friendly. 

Huh huh? Anila turned the eyeball at Ranala asking for an explanation. At last. This meeting is expected, right?

“Ranala has many stories about you,” said the woman was relaxed. But his hands were not as relaxed as his beautiful face. His left hand tried to hold the child who seemed to be getting impatient. “Mbak, nitip Ade briefly,” command the woman on someone hooded not far from them is. 

The hooded woman immediately took over the Palestinian child. Following his invitation, stay away from entering the corridor of the child's toys.

“This Viona .. my friend.” Ranala answered the question in Anila's heart.

“Sorry yes. When you got married, I didn't come. You see my working day yes ... on the weekend,” explained Viona with her crisp little laugh.

“Viona working in tourist attractions in Bogor. So if the weekend is definitely again the rame-rame.” Ranala completes Viona's statement. 

Anila rounded her mouth a sign of understanding.

“Eh, I first yes. Ade wants to buy toys. Later we chat more yes, Anila.” Viona touched Anila's upper arm. Makes Anila feel comfortable, calm, and familiar.

“I .. yes,” Anila replied still stunned admiring the beauty and softness of Viona.

“If Rana macem-macem, you say the same to me!” threatening Viona made Ranala cluck while shaking her head.

“Traditional. When also I macem-macem,” protest Ranala shriek, stick with her smile. This time Ranala's smile was wider. There was a happy look in the water of his face.

It seems they are very familiar. There is no confusion between the two. Blending in. Even a joke does not make Ranala panic or cornered. 

“Bye!” pamit Viona's.

“Daaah,” Anila replied spontaneously.

Ranala replied with a wave of her hand without saying a word. Staring at Viona's back, she disappears as she turns in the corridors of the toys.

“Friend Mas Rana?” anila's question startled Ranala who was still looking into the empty corridor.

“Oh .. Yes.” Ranala turned her face away from the empty corridor. Walking in the opposite direction to Viona. “You're done shopping? We go home, yuk,” take Ranala.

***

“Greetings from Viona,” exclamations Ranala after checking her phone. Put it back in the pants pocket before putting on the seatbelt.

“Wa’alaikumsalam.” Anila answered briefly.

“Kata Viona ...,” clear Ranala, then give a pause before continuing, “You are beautiful.” Screaming, barely heard.

Anila held a smile. “If says Mas?” goda Anila's. A question that only Ranala answered with an awkward smile. “Ah, Viona is prettier.” Anila tried to shift the atmosphere to be awkward. “That kid?” Anila suddenly remembered the Palestinian child.

“That's his second child.”

“Both?” Anila's surprised.

“Iya, her first child is SMA.”

“Hah? How old is Viona?” Anila is shocked to hear that Viona has a teenage daughter.

“Ya .. bi-annual difference is the same Mas.” Ranala opened the car window to hand over the parking ticket and paid for it. “Older,” Further Ranala.

“Not seen, yes, Mas. Kayak is young.” 

Ranala just smiled.

Both Anila and Ranala were silent in the car. Busy with their own thoughts. Anila has not stopped admiring Viona's figure. Beautiful woman, independent, but motherly. While Ranala felt short shakes from her phone. Guess who sent consecutive messages.

The car has been perfectly parked in front of Ranala's vintage industrial house. The car engine is turned off until it automatically unlocks all of its doors. Anila and Ranala went out through their respective doors. Anila immediately went to the trunk to pick up groceries. While Ranala immediately checked the phone to see what message was left.

Anila noticed a faint smile on the tip of Ranala's lips. Then ignore, because busy with groceries that meet both hands. As long as she could, Anila was taught to work on her own. Not asking anyone for help. 

The luggage door was closed to cause an echo between the walls and the sepinya of the Villa Dago area. Ranala goes after Anila. Wordlessly taking over the groceries in Anila's hands. Until they accidentally touch their hands. This is the second time. After the palaminan of course. But again managed to make Anila stunned.

“Sorry,” exciting Ranala soft. Either apologizing for letting Anila carry her own grocery bag, or for that shocking touch. “Viona ngajak open together,” continued Ranala after taking all the groceries from the hands of Anila while passing.

***