Aretta & Secrets

The Story of Oma Goddess

The clock shows at 12:00 and when there were no customers, Mr. Aidan immediately turned over the sign on the door that read 'close'. He also added a small note with the words 'will be back in an hour', after which he turned to me and smiled.

"Let's eat." Mr. Aidan took me along while walking to my place. He held my arm and dragged me out of the shop, not forgetting to also lock the door before completely leaving the place. Mr. Aidan did not let go of his grasp at all, he dragged me until we arrived at the food stall he recommended this morning. The place could not be said to be a stall when I saw it directly with both of my eyes. The building is two-storied with a self-service system.

"This is not a shop" I said.

Mr. Aidan chuckled, "Warung Aretta. Take a look at the name of the guest," he said, pointing to the large pelang installed at the entrance.

It's true that the name of the restaurant is 'Warung Makan' but it doesn't seem to be a stall I know. We both stepped in. At the checkout, there was a young man reading a magazine. As soon as he saw us he put down his magazine.

"Woi Dan! My bro! Long time no see, how are you?" He stood up and patted Mr. Aidan on the shoulder slowly.

"OK me. You know myself I'm busy doing." Mr. Aidan put his hand on my shoulder and pulled me closer.

"Know this is Aretta. He's a new employee at the store."

The man stuck out his hand in a more formal manner. He shook hands as he introduced himself.

"Hi Aretta's. I'm Davin, Aidan's little friend. We just met again at the university" he explained. I nodded in understanding while smiling, "what are you two going to eat? Do you want to take it or take it yourself?" bargain Davin.

"Take yourself. Mending back to the cashier deh lo," expel Mr. Aidan.

Mr. Aidan finally brought me closer to the buffet table. He gave me a plate and helped me to get some rice. I have not eaten rice for a long time because of the diet and yesterday it was the first time I ate after almost 2 years not touching rice at all. Seeing the sharp gaze of Mr. Aidan I shrieked and decided to take a little, I was restrained because he pulled my arm and added rice to my plate.

"But this.." I protested.

"Udah. There's a way." He pushed it gently and now we arrived at a place filled with many side dishes. Maybe because it has entered lunch time all the dishes here look fresh. I'm confused because usually I just eat vegetables and a piece of tofu. Seeing the many side dishes made me unable to pick quickly.

When I wanted to take tofu, Mr. Aidan had already put a piece of grilled chicken in there. He also added kale oseng and sambal. For fried food he just put tempe and tofu which each amounted to 2 seeds. The full contents of the plate made me gawk and look at him.

"Mostly..."

"Udah needs rice so it cannot be reversed. Want me to add more if you want to directly find a seat?" threaten her. I immediately stepped before him so as not to get any more food.

We stopped at the cashier to pay first. I took out my wallet to pay for our food but was stopped by Mr. Aidan. His hand was clutching my finger which was going to cost me money. The warmth from his grasp sent strange waves all over my body.

In the end he gave up and allowed me to pay a quarter. He thinks if I pay half that's too much. After all his position here he is a teacher who has worked while I am still a student.

We finished our meal quickly. Somehow the time I spent with Mr. Aidan never felt long.

Mr. Aidan was eye-catching to follow my movements. He was so intimidating because I really didn't finish my meal. I can only eat half of it. Half the rice, half the chicken, took up all the vegetables. For the side dishes he had added were not touched at all. The portion I was eating right now was very different from the portion of rice box she had bought before.

"Not exhausted?"

"Udah full. His stomach doesn't fit, "I said, pushing my plate into the middle of the table.

Mr. Aidan nodded, the conditions will be understood. He immediately took my plate and finished all the food that was left on the plate.

We finished our meal sooner than expected. After that we decided to take a light walk so that the food that just entered the stomach can be digested properly. Before returning to the store, Mr. Aidan invited me to stop by the minimarket. He bought some snacks and only then took me back to the store.

Arriving at the store he immediately led me to the back room and directed me to the door facing a small garden. The area is filled with flower plants, there are also tables and chairs and swings that are hung between two poles. We chose to sit on a chair and bask in the not-so-hot sun in this place.

I'm starting to understand that arguing over food in front of Mr. Aidan is stupid. So when he offered me the snack I immediately picked it up and ate it a little bit. It's been a long time but it doesn't matter to me. The most important thing is that I really look like I'm eating.

We started talking about the store next door that doesn't have a back area like this.

"Why is there no shop next door?" my many.

He swallowed his snack before speaking.

"Oma I moved here about 50 years ago, so she owns this building and decided to close off access to the back garden except for her own," she said, "at that time Oma was 19 years old and she was already in a position to marry Opa. Oma and Opa are not from among the people, but they love books. In those years books were expensive items that not all people could afford. Because both are equally enthusiastic about talking about books they decided to build a personal library. 4 months are here both have thoughts to make money more than books even though it sounds very impossible." Mr. Aidan chewed back his snacks before continuing.

"When they already had enough money, they decided to buy this stall. It used to be just a small stall with a garden on the back. Everyone in the area is curious and hopes this stall will sell vegetables like before, but Oma and Opa already have their own decisions and dreams. They enlarged the kiosk and created a bookstore here. Initially it did not go well, because according to people in the past the book was not important. Although they could read not necessarily his future would end brightly. It was a very difficult time for both.

"A few years later, some schools began to be established, reading was also a must. Since then bookstores began to be sought and visited. Although Opa is gone, their dream bookstore has grown more than they imagined."

"Wow." I'm amazed.

"Sometimes we also need to ignore others' views on our ideals. Forward continues to undo as long as you are sure. And never be distracted by something that doesn't help you achieve what you dream."