Asta Brata: Kartika

"And you should know. I like it the same you. "

It's been a week of exams. And today is the last day of the exam. Ismaya is waiting for Kartika to do about the culture. Memorization is a talent of Kartika, so this kind of problem is easy for Kartika. The proof, Ismaya became the second person to collect the answer sheet - after Kartika of course. Ismaya out of class. But there was no Kartika. Where's the chick? Will they not come home today?

Ismaya walked slowly down the corridor. Still a little quiet because many have not finished working on the problem.

"Ismaya," call Mentari from the end of the corridor. Ismaya. Let the Mentari approach him.

"By the way, yuk. In the perpus," take Mentari. Ismaya nodded and followed Mentari's steps towards the library. Find a place in the corner. Then sit face to face. Momentary silence. Until the sound of Mentari broke the silence.

"It's like you're okay with Tika," that's not a question. That's statement. "A week later, I noticed, you're as close as Tika."

Ismaya just shut up. He actually remembered the problem at the Docca cafe the other day. When was the fourth bespren poreper this - Kartika, Ratih,Mentari, and Hana - brawled. From that day on, Ismaya felt they had not made peace.

"Yes, that is" replied Ismaya. "You're with Kartika... Not okay?" Ask the guy carefully.

The sun breathed heavily. The girl looked at Ismaya seriously. "Gue doesn't want a rich ginian in our friendship. Only, Tika tuh, as if we do not exist," Mentari's story. "He's a selfish person - no, I feel there is something that makes Kartika so," Mentari stopped his sentence. "And I think it has something to do with you."

Ismaya's eyebrows are linked. "Gue's? Why am I the same?"

Really, Mentari's statement is beyond reason. Why take him to Ismaya. Ismaya doesn't know girl friendship. All he knows is that he likes to punch. Like hugs too - this happens to Candra who if free from Ratih or the road with Aya. To be sure, if the problem of the girls is related to Ismaya, obviously the wrong address. He also did not want to be made a scapegoat.

"Try thinking, just as you're better. While you know, from the first Tika did not like the same lo. And just as we are together continue, he even went so far. Try to find the bright spot," explained Mentari.

Ismaya fell silent in her place. Mentari's words are very powerful. Especially in the word 'before do not like lo'. So all this time Kartika considers Ismaya what? Given Kartika's attitude this week to Ismaya, the man denied Mentari's opinion. Ismaya is convinced that Kartika is starting to like her. Ismaya sure.

"Udah?" Tanya Ismaya flat.

The mentari frowned at the tone of Ismaya's question.

"If you have, I'm going to go,"

Since Mentari was only looking at him, Ismaya left Mentari. Makes the girl feel angry and upset.

***

Until the break ended Ismaya did not find Kartika at all. He went back to class and there, Kartika was sitting on his stool. Ismaya breathed. Then sit on his own bench. He could not ask Kartika directly because after that the supervising teacher entered.

Ismaya chose to postpone it. So in the last lesson, physical education material, Ismaya made sure she was the first one out of the class. The guy's waiting. One by one out of class. Someone greeted Ismaya and smiled. Some just pass by without further ado. Someone glanced at him and whispered to his friend. There was also a glare as if Ismaya had something wrong with her. Even so, it has not been seen the figure of Kartika though. Ismaya peeked into the classroom many times. And Kartika with her serious face there are no signs of completion yet.

"What are you waiting for?" Ask Sinta who knows when she is standing in front of Ismaya. Ismaya looked at Sinta. The girl crossed her arms in front of her chest. His eyes stared intently at Ismaya. Then look inside again. Then Sinta again.

"Ck. You're stupid what a moron, Is?" Upset Sinta. "Lo knows right, Tika is a stupid girl who does not want to price your feelings. Your closeness this week is just his wits for your benefit," attack Sinta. Apparently he has not given up on disturbing Ismaya and Kartika's relationship. "To school she left with Mark. Go home and continue learning. Hhh, the way to make it can rank one is really cheap."

Ismaya's face was red with the words of Sinta. His emotions went up to the crown.

"Lo should have realized, there's something better than Tika. Many like the same. It is as if you are blind, deaf, and mute. STUPID!" not enough Sinta to attack Ismaya. "And you should know, I like you!"

Sinta galloped away leaving Ismaya. It was not only Ismaya who was angry. Sinta was angry too. Ismaya's insolence makes his patience at the end of his limits. Sinta was silent all this time. But, looking at Ismaya who was treated like that, Sinta could not stay still.

While Ismaya stared at Sinta's departure with anger. He wants to kill the girl.

"Ismaya," call Kartika who just dropped out of her class.

Ismaya turned her head and tried to smile as brightly as possible. And Kartika returned that smile wide. Ismaya looked at the class. And the class was empty. Remaining the supervising teacher who just came out. Kartika smiled and nodded politely at the teacher. The teacher smiled back and left them.

"Go home yuk!" Take Kartika. Ismaya nodded.

Both go hand in hand. And at the end of the corridor, stood five girls. Kartika stop. So is Ismaya. Until one of the girls from the gang approached the two.

"Congratulations to Kartika" said Mia. Behind Mia, the rest of The Rose looked down at Kartika. A slanted smile adorned their pretty faces. "Gue doain lo ranked this one time. Eits, but you don't expect. Because it's... Well, you know for yourself who's gonna win. Subjectly... Work with fraud. Kan guys."

The other members of The Rose cheered.

Ismaya stops the Kartika movement that will hit Mia. "Udah. Let's just!" Ismaya tried to calm down.

Mia laughed at Kartika's angry expression.

"Ups. There's a prince," said Disa.

"So scared, you know," Karina won't lose.

"Ah, not fun. Main protection," Lusi chimed in.

"Bye, cheating man,"

"Bye, Coward,"

Laughter to the five girls crept along with their graceful steps.

Kartika regulates her breath. His emotions are still high at the moment. And Ismaya told him to be patient. Slowly stroking his shoulder. Kartika brushed off the hand of Ismaya who was holding her shoulder. Grunts annoyed. The girl galloped quickly to the parking lot. Ismaya patiently followed him from behind. Honestly, something in Ismaya is turbulent. He felt uncomfortable when many people said Kartika cheated. Like, Kartika...

Ismaya immediately shook her head. Trying to shake that thought. Trying to convince himself, if things many people say - it's not true.

***

Tonight, sunday night. Ismaya is at Aru's house with Candra. This week, they never got together. Ismaya is busy with Kartika. Candra followed by Train everywhere. And Aru tries to secretly chase after Sam.

Tonight, they can only gather in Aru's room. The room is dominated by dark blue with white alloy. Ismaya was lying on Aru's big bed. Staring at the ceiling of the boy's room. Candra is playing ps-which Aru does provide for Candra. Aru doesn't really like playing ps. But Candra, who is quite addicted, bribes Aru to lend Maruta's ps. The girl likes ps. And sometimes play along with Candra. While Aru was sitting on the sofa in his room while eating chips. Watching tv that shows cartoon upin ipin.

"Woi. Again on what?" Maruta asked who suddenly entered the room. Aru and Ismaya just turned their heads for a moment. Then focus on each activity. Feeling unconcerned, Maruta went straight in and sat down beside Candra. Candra surprise.

"Astaghfirullah," Candra said. Alim once it was written.

"It's a habit of times" said Maruta who has taken ps sticks. "Mabar dong,"

Candra clucking. Stopping his game that has lost because of Maruta disturbed. Change the mabar mode. Both playing. Scoundrel himself. Shouts words that are commonly said while playing ps. Aru whose ears were hot heard the swearing of Candra and Maruta clucked in annoyance. The room is no longer holy.

"Well, can't you?" Upset Aru. The problem is that her parents are at home. Returning home yesterday after going to social activities party to remote villages in the far north of the country. Sumatran tiger meets orangutan. Or cosplay so tarzan maybe.

"No" answered Maruta. Aru clucking. Then turned to Ismaya who was still focused on staring at the ceiling of the room. As if Ismaya could get a gift just by her work.

"What the hell, Is?" Ask Aru. "Lo again raining money?"

"Gue see there is a future" replied Ismaya.

Aru turned off the tv and headed for her bed. Follow what Ismaya did. But he found nothing but white there and a light bulb that lit the room.

"Nothing," said Aru innocently.

But Ismaya was silent. Aru glanced at the guy. Then look at the sky back. And again the white color and the light bulb he saw. There was no rain of money or grace. Aru clucking. Then get up and sit down. His feet had already touched the floor when Ismaya suddenly said.

"Tonight, Kartika does not want me to take the road," confided Ismaya finally. Aru s

looking towards Ismaya. Watching that guy closely. "What's he doing, huh?" Ismaya stared at the glare. It was as if I could see Kartika.

"Gue saw him as Mark" said Maruta, staring at the monitor.

Ismaya sat down immediately. Staring at Maruta with a curious look. Likewise with Aru and Candra - who have forgotten the game.

"Where's Mark and Kartika?" Tanya Candra represents Ismaya. But Maruta focused on staring at the monitor without bothering to answer.

"Yak. Yup! I'm winning. Yeeee," Maruta throws ps sticks recklessly. Poked her tongue out to Candra who was still waiting for the answer to the question.

"Well. You lose again. I'm really cool," Maruta ruffled his waist. His expression was rich in evil witches and had just turned the prince into such a bad thing.

Candra clucking. "Gue nanya, boy," his hand knocked slowly on Maruta's head. Making Maruta complain even though he is not sick.

"Dwelling. Ngapain. I know you have a grudge for losing. But not violence either!" Maruta Protests. Candra's getting pissed. Maruta is magical.

"My most beautiful twin Maruta, was Candra nanya, you see where Mark Sama Kartika?" Ask Aru who is impatient. Having a sister model Maruta is a test of life for sane humans like Aru.

"But I don't like candra using violence_"

"Lo see where?" Three boys at the same time. Maruta looks shocked.

"YES, O God. I saw when I bought something with Edgar. Well, I'm looking at them. Keep Edgar with Mark greeting. Mark said he wanted to date. Satisfied?" Maruta is half-unclear. "Based on the cock-boys."

Maruta left the room. There were only three guys who looked at each other.

Update-out?

***