Behind Ayesha's Silence

Move over

Papa looked at Ayesha confused. Millions of questions arise from the subconscious, making him dizzy seven circumference. "Are you sure, Ayesha?"

Ayesha nodded steadily, smiling full of independence. 

"I mean Papa, does it matter if you have to LDR the same Papa? We've never been far apart, Ayesha. We're always together, right?"

How could he so easily accept the offer of the Princess Eyang? What about Ocha and Sachi, his two best friends who are like triplets? Especially school. Sure, he wants to move to public school? Does that not mean Ayesha has to work super hard to fit in? Not to mention Aunt Mika, what is she here for? 

Papa thinks something's wrong here. The whole world knew how close they were before this. Ayesha and Papa are like the earth with its rotation. 

"Don't you, Ayesha?" 

Ayesha shook her head, crossed her arms tightly and turned her eyes away from Papa. After being ready to say all about her heart, Ayesha returned a sharp and deep look.  "Since Mama died, Ayesha has been prepared with all the risks involved, Papa. Including if you have to separate from Papa. Yes, Papa, you can also leave Ayesha. Ummm, by reason of remarrying, for example?"

"Ayesha, please …!" Papa scratched his forehead which did not itch at all. His feelings are getting disturbed now. "It's not as easy as you think, Ayesha. We have to take care and get a lot done. Come on dong, came on …!"

"The Princess has said to Ayesha, Pa, Madam Nanas will take care of everything." 

Madam Nanas is the personal assistant of Eyang Putri. 

"So, you don't have to worry." 

"But, Ayesha, who's with Papa at home?" Without thinking, Papa asked that question. "Mama does not exist. Keep going, you're moving. It's not as simple as you think, Ayesha, please!" 

"Aren't there Aunt Mika?" Ayesha twists her almond brown big round eyeballs perfectly. "So, Papa won't be lonely anymore even without Mama and Ayesha."

***

Yogyakarta International Airport, May 14, 2022

The Princess and the Pineapple Mother pick up Ayesha. Both look bright like the morning sky in the dry season. Especially the Princess. Since leaving the house earlier, a sincere smile terkulum sweet on the lips that polished red lipstick saga. Adding an aura of beauty to her old face. 

"How much does the plane land, Nas?" Ask Eyang Putri expectantly while looking over there and here looking for Ayesha.  "We're not too late, are we?"

"Not yet, Ndoro Putri. Ten minutes later Ndoro Alit's plane landed. On the flight schedule anyway, so, Ndoro Putri. Hope on time." 

"Yes. Hopefully."

Ma'am Nanas concluded a smile. Quickly check Ayesha's flight schedule on the smartphone. Right, ten more minutes.

"We go straight to the arrive room, Ndoro Putri?"

The Princess just nodded. Without smiling. All of a sudden the ingtannya drifted to two months ago when Mama video call. 

"Mom, I really want to go back to Jogja!"

"Lho, why not Nduk, what's wrong?" Respond to the Princess calmly. "Are you having a problem with Vino? Yes, if there is a problem, mbok discussed carefully. Don't go home a little, ah! Not good, Ayumi."

Mama laughed a little. What the Princess was thinking was too far away. "No, Ma. We're fine, there's no problem. But what, it feels so bad, Mom? Want to hold the same Mother."

The turn of the Princess who laughed a little. "Oh, so? Is it okay if you go home? So, how's Ayesha's school going?"

"Oh, if so, with pleasure." Cakap Eyang Putri happy. "But what Vino, Ayumi? What if he doesn't agree?" 

Mama fell silent. Papa is mysterious, too difficult to guess, even. A face can be a smile but in the heart? Only he and God know. 

Once, when Mama got a job offer at Om Yuda company, Papa did not agree but his face looks happy. When Mama was about to go to work on the first day, she slapped him in the face. Without any signs of course.

"Mom, I miss you, Mom. I want to keep deketing with Mom." Mama was really heartwarming, begging that the Princess could help her. "A week, ma'am, I've only been seven months pregnant." 

"Yes, yeah. But if Vino doesn't give permission, you can't make it, can you? Remember, you belong to Vino completely, not to Mom anymore."

"Yes, Mom." Mama said briefly before adding, "Thank you so much, Mom?"

"Daughter!" Ayesha's cry gave her memories of Mama. Forced to focus on Ayesha who waved her hands cheerfully at the baggage claim.  "Daughter, Miss Pineapple! Wait Ayesha, huh?"

***

Aunt Mika had finished changing clothes in the room. Today she is wearing a short knee blue tosca dress with a tie ribbon on the front crate. He also added a silver dahlia brooch over his left chest, making it look sweeter and more elegant. 

Now he combed his short hair under the ears that were painted brown horsehair. Split the middle very carefully, pinning a colored ribbon hairpin with a brooch. In the next instant, Aunt Mika cleaned her face swiftly and completed the mission of dressing up lightning. Wearing a refresher, moisturizer, foundation, sweeping yellow solid powder all over the face and neck. Lastly, polish her thin lips with light purple lipstick. 

Perfect!

That's what Aunt Mika feels now. Not knowing why, Aunt Mika felt today she looked prettier than ordinary days. Is this a prolonged singles effect? Maybe yes maybe!

After dressing up, as fast as lightning, Aunt Mika went down to the first floor, meeting Papa. Darling, Papa is still soaking in the bathtub, enjoying a touch of soapy foam and warm water. Papa's really tired. 

"Mas Vino!" Greet Aunt Mika while knocking on the bathroom door. "Still long?"

"Emmm, yeah!"

"okay! I'm waiting in the dining room, huh? We had breakfast together, I ordered food." 

Unlike Mama, Aunt Mika does not like to cook even though she can. He prefers to buy food outside, snacks or culinary tours. Cooking just takes time and energy for him. 

"Yes!"

"Eh, you're okay, aren't you, Mom? I mean, even um yeah, right?

There is no lawfulness. Papa was closing his eyes, holding back the flow of Mama's shadow that continued to dance beautifully in his mind. Inevitably, in a crumbling feeling, Ir her eyes drizzled as well. 

Geck, tok, tok!

"Mas, Mas Vino! Are you OK?"

All of a sudden, without being prevented, Papa exploded. Like a time bomb that has reached number one. 

Duaarrr!

"Go you, Mika! Get out of this house! I don't need you, I just need Ayumi. Go, go you!"