Asta Brata: Kartika

"Seventeen years,"

Today is December 31. Later that night, Ismaya will have a birthday. Gaby wants to take the guy for a walk. Even though Gaby is nice, she's pretty good too. Ismaya will also pretend to be nice to Gaby. He doesn't want Gaby to suspect anything. Earlier this morning, when Ismaya opened the closet again, the black crackle had disappeared. Honestly Ismaya is getting suspicious of Gaby. Let's not say the girl had bad intentions on him or on Grandma. But what good is it to destroy him. They are poor, not famous. This made Ismaya confused. So Ismaya intends to spy on Gaby.

"By, you why be good with me? " ask Ismaya as they walk hand in hand through the path on the lake tour. Ismaya realizes Gaby is glancing at her cynically.

"Gue's a good guy. So don't mind me being weird: weird, " said the girl cynically.

"The one who likes to talk to me, you yourself, "Ismaya shrugged.

"Ih, you know, yeah! " sad Gaby. Ismaya just laughed. But all of a sudden the guy's blocking Gaby's way. Getting Gaby to hit Ismaya. Ismaya put her hands around Gaby's waist. Both are hugging. When Gaby saw a ball hit Ismaya's back, she knew what Ismaya was doing to protect her. For a second, Gaby's cheeks turned red. But he immediately regained his senses and took off Ismaya's embrace.

"What's your hug me? " gaby's nagging. Ismaya scrunched her forehead.

"His girlfriend was nolongin mbak, loh, "clown a couple of lovers who sat by the lake and saw the incident.

A boy picked up the ball and apologized and went back to his picnic crowd. The person in the horde stared at Ismaya and Gaby. Gaby looked around. Many are watching them. Gaby is embarrassed. He was jumped when Ismaya suddenly grabbed him. "Sorry everyone. My boyfriend is very sensitive. Yuk, By, "Ismaya is pulling Gaby away. And get whistles from people. Gaby's getting embarrassed.

"Apaan anyway, Is, "Gaby took off her embrace when she was away from the crowd. Ismaya didn't know, her heart was beating faster because of that guy.

"A, sensian. Don't be mad, dong. I just want to nolongin lo. If hit by the ball continues to pass out, right, I am bothered, " Ismaya chuckles softly. Gaby pouting. Ismaya sucks!

"Well, go, "Ismaya will hold Gaby's hand. But the girl brushed him off. "Don't hold-hold! " message Gaby before leaving Ismaya. Ismaya chuckles to realize that Gaby is salting.

...****************...

After a walk, the two now stop by at an angkringan that provides fried rice. It's Gaby's pride. So since today everything was Gaby's plan, Ismaya just went along.

The atmosphere is crowded because it is on the eve of the new year. People are lighting fireworks everywhere. Street's jammed. The picture is full too. They had to wait an hour to get food.

"How much money, anyway, tomorrow?" Ask Gaby. Ismaya who was enjoying her fried rice turned her head. The guy chews his food and then swallows it.

"Later, Gaby, not tomorrow," he replied to Ismaya's comment.

"Yes, later," Gaby looked at her watch. Stab 11.49. Ismaya will be having a birthday soon.

"Seventeen years" replied Ismaya. When the guy looked at Gaby, the girl's expression was a little disappointed and then turned flat again.

"There's rice on your cheeks" said Ismaya pointing at Gaby's cheeks. Gaby laughed and rubbed her cheek. But not cleaning a grain of rice on his cheek.

"Not that," Ismaya's hand rubbed a grain of rice on Gaby's cheek. Gaby was too shocked by Ismaya's treatment. The girl was silent in her place. Even a spoonful of rice he just picked up, he dropped it back down.

"Try your hair dikir kayak usually. It must be beautiful" said Ismaya who even made Gaby salting.

Gaby stood up from her seat. "Gue's going to the toilet for a second" said Gaby. The girl disappeared among the crowd of people. Ismaya smiles. Gaby if salting is funny again. Ismaya continued eating. He did not realize that there was someone sitting next to him.

"Bro," call the guy. Ismaya looked up as the man took off his hoodie head. A handsome guy was looking at her.

"Lo was very happy today with Gaby" said the man. Ismaya. Who is this guy? Do you know Gaby's name?

The man chuckled at Ismaya's confusion.

"Gaby is beautiful. But you have to be careful with him. The girl is rich in eels. Slippery, "that guy was staring at Ismaya. Then pat Ismaya on the shoulder before standing up and leaving. Ismaya kept watching the guy wearing the hoodie again. The guy also runs into Gaby who is not conscious at all. The guy then disappeared in the crowd of people.

"Ismaya, bengong, "reproved Gaby who was sitting in front of Ismaya. Ismaya looked at the girl in front of her and thought about the words of the stranger.

"Anyone talking about the same thing? " ask Gaby on target.

Ismaya looked at Gaby then shook her head. "Nothing. "

Gaby mangangguk's.

Then loud fireworks were heard from a distance. People cheered happily. The words 'Happy New Year' sounded vague.

At that moment, Gaby looked at Iris jet black Ismaya who was also staring at her. Slowly, Gaby's smile grew. 'Happy Birthday' his mouth spoke softly. Ismaya nodded small. Her lips revealed a smile. By then, Gaby's lips will be reopened. But the voice of the incoming call on Ismaya's HP interrupted both of them. Ismaya grabbed the HP on the table. I looked at who was calling him. Ismaya.

Hearing what the person on the other side said, Ismaya's heart seemed to stop beating instantly. He looked at Gaby blankly. Gaby stood up immediately. Take Ismaya's HP and ask the person to repeat what he said. Gaby immediately pulled Ismaya away from the place after paying for their food and looking for a taxi to go home.

...****************...

Ismaya's world is grandmother and grandfather. Grandmother and grandfather took care of her from Ismaya. When Ismaya is banished by her parents, Grandma and Grandpa accept her. Ismaya as it is now. Ismaya is already big. Ismaya said the smart man. All because of Grandma and Grandpa. But Ismaya's world collapsed when grandfather left four years ago. So is the world of grandmothers. Ismaya brittle. World's gone. There's only one grandmother left for Ismaya.

Now, grandma is gone. Ismaya doesn't have her world anymore. His whole world was taken away. Why is the universe so evil to her? A kanapa?

Ismaya looked at her grandmother's body wrapped in white cloth. The voice of the man teaching the letter of yasin filled his head. Ismaya's view is empty. He's so helpless now. He's devastated. Devastatedly.

Ismaya wants to cry. But her tears were already dry to cry for her fate.

Ismaya didn't even cry when she saw her grandmother's body buried. When I saw the earth. Ismaya was tired of crying.

Grandma's departure this time should strengthen Ismaya.

...****************...