Boyfriend Lies

Hugs in Cooperatives

Arriving at the class, Riska welcomed my presence with a warm embrace. He patted my shoulder gently while whispering the words. "Everything is gonna be alright, Babe. Patience, not pa-pa."

I nodded, surely what he meant by blasphemy in the class group. I don't know why I feel I can live it well, as long as they don't play physically. The hug came off because the morning bell rang. Riska walked me to the bench to save my backpack and pick up a grey hat.

"This is what, Ris?" My gaze was fixed on the Pharmacy special course package book stacked on his desk.

"Eh, I haven't told you yet, have I?" He remembered something. "When it's Wednesday, homeroom teacher saranin we make a package book pinjem from the upperclassman."

"Oh, huh?" I who just heard it was clearly shocked. "I haven't pinjem, you know."

"Cpa-pa. Come with mine, aja, make it today."

"Who are you pinching from?" As far as I know, Riska doesn't have many classmates. My gaze stopped from the stacked book, as soon as I kept the backpack and took the hat inside.

"From the Princess' acquaintance."

"He only has two acquaintances?" I was just making sure.

Riska who chuckled quickly explained. "There are three, anyway. We only want Dara to have Bebeb. So ...." His words hang with eyes. I who can guess what he said next just exhaled a heavy breath. Duh, not necessarily Kak Bagas want to pinjemin his book!

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

Rest hours I have been guarding the table in the cafeteria, waiting for Riska and Putri who were waiting in line for rice field. Tumben once the son of a myriad of information was adjacent to us. He suddenly followed Riska, even willing to change seats so that one row with us.

My eyes stopped staring at those who were busy joking while waiting for the lessening of the queue. Slowly someone shifted my eyesight. Two lovebirds so blessed a million people were walking together out of a meatball stall. Their hands carried two bowls with the jago chicken logo. Cecilia, who had gone roaring first, looked for the remaining bench here. I who do not want to be considered KEPO, choose to look away and act as if I do not see both.

The act of pretending not to see it ended, as I felt the presence of someone from the right side. The corner of my eye caught a figure wearing a skirt and trousers, in his hand were two bowls of meatballs. Believing that they were not Riska and Puput, I chose to ignore and concentrate on sipping orange ice.

"Ra, the bench next door is still empty, right?" That voice still doesn't want me to show it.

"Sir, we're gonna have to, okay?"

Cecilia's voice made my eyes round. Without commenting on the smile I moved and looked at the two who were already standing before my eyes. "I'm waiting for you, they're still in line." Hope they understand that I don't get a ride for anyone.

"Nasi padang, right?" guess Arfan who has already memorized the face of Riska and Princess. "Yes, we've been nebeng first, besides your friends are still in line."

"What's up, huh, rame-rame?" One by one the netizens highlighted us while whispering. They still look at me like the biggest enemy when I'm alone here.

"The problem of the dining chair, aja, until splashy. Yeah, well, it's just sharing," said the others.

"Secil, sit down! That gatel chick has to be shaken."

Not wanting to endure the furor any longer, I was quick to take a step back. Just stay away from the table, right? Easy! Arfan, let alone give me a canteen table. The glass of juice belonging to the Princess and Riska had been moved to the edge of the table so as not to hinder them.

Arfan, who put down the bowl first, chose the opposite position to me. Feeling that there was nothing more I had to do, I looked at all the faces that witnessed this dispute before ending up sitting down again.

Not even a minute of sitting, my eyes suddenly startled with the face of Kak Bagas. His bent body caused the distance between us to be only ten inches. Her smile was so beautiful with a deep look. Honestly, this position is quite dangerous for me. My heart could be uncontrollable if it constantly looked at him closely.

"Come brother, yuk!" invite him who has distanced his face while grasping tightly my hand.

"Where are you going?" I still have time to ask before I move on.

"Don't eat it here, Brother has nowhere else."

Thank goodness my protector is coming! Without further ado, I quickly went to follow Bagas. My head was bowed as it passed by the many people who were gawking towards us. A little embarrassed, but a lot of fun. Sis Bagas did come at the right time.

...***...

I thought he was going to take me out to eat on the roof of the school, but it turned out we weren't walking that way. His steps must have led me to the backyard, past the seats packed with students without looking at them even once.

"Where are we going?" I asked because it predicted the direction that Bagas was heading. He seemed to want to take me to the Student Cooperative located not far from the backyard chairs.

"Eat at the Cooperative, yes, yes!"

The answer made me pensive, As short as I know the Student Cooperative only provides school supplies, personal medicine, student concoction products to copier services. What will Bagas eat there? Maybe just eat the wind?

She finally took my hand off, pulled the key out of the pants pocket, then pulled the rolling door to the left. Ah, there are two more additions that they sell here, namely snacks and various packaged drinks. My breath was blowing slowly, trying to calm down because today I had to lose my rice for mental health. Yes, it is better to chew a snack than to eat a heavy meal, but it must be accompanied by Arfan and Cecilia.

"When Monday-Tuesday never go to the cafeteria. Must take care of the cooperative dressing Bu Nurmala."

Ah, so. "Why are you going there today?"

Brother Bagas who had entered the store turned back, looking at me fixedly. "Dapet chat from Vishnu. Adek bullied couple a million people, he said." Hearing the words, my heart felt trembling. "Sorry, yes, my late brother! It had to close the store first, where forgot the key naro. Praise God for running away."

The breeze of daylight passed through my face slowly, making the originally fine eyes turn to heat up. I smiled as I gulped to neutralize the throat that felt dry. My head nodded towards him as if signaling that I was fine even though he came late. His wide back was again visible as he turned around, walking into the shop while keeping the keys on the cashier's desk. My feet also stepped to approach him, so carried away the atmosphere I took off my shame and hugged Kak Bagas from behind.

"Thank you" I whispered. "Thank you for coming. I am grateful to have a brother."

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