Cempaka Bride

Rima and Eric

Three years ago, right at the beginning of a cold January, Rima moved to the boarding house owned by Wahyu with delivered by Kang Fahmi, his oldest brother and Kang Irwan, respectively, the young man who at that time was a lover and his coworker in a well-known department store in Indonesia.

They departed from Bogor in the morning, and reached Bandung a few hours later.

The atmosphere at that time was only a few months standing still quiet. There are only five residents there, namely Hasni, Dinar, Afni, Karin and Yono.

Yono is his co-worker in Bandung. It was from Yono that Rima found this kosan. When taken to this mansion a week ago Rima immediately fell in love. He likes the quiet and beautiful atmosphere here.

When moving Rima did not bring much stuff. After finishing transporting some luggage and dus into the room, Rima immediately headed to the furniture store to buy cabinets and beds.

"Are you the same, Neng?" ask the brother. His hand pointed to the small dresser.

"The money's running out, Kang. Neng would like to nyetok rice and others," said Rima. Though in his heart he was eager to buy the dressing table.

Irwan who saw the view of his lover secretly bought the dresser and immediately paid it to the cashier.

From the furniture store they went to the shopping center. Buying groceries and other necessities for Rima. Then they had lunch at a typical Sundanese restaurant.

"Cock eat it a little?" ask Fahmi.

"Neng remembers the mother," said Rima.

"Don't be too upset. You have to focus on working here" Fahmi persuaded while embracing his sister's shoulders.

"Bandung Distance to Bogor is also not far, Neng. You can go home when you have a work holiday," Irwan persuaded his girlfriend who began to miss home.

It's only natural that Rima is. He had never been far from his family. When offered to move to Bandung as a condition to be able to rise to office, he thought dozens of times before finally accepting the offer.

"Will be here often. The project is not finished yet. You are strong, yes," comfort Fahmi.

"Yes, Kang. Take care of the mother as the father as well, yes," between Rima while shrinking tears with the tissue that has been loved since.

"Surely," replied Fahmi.

After performing the Magrib prayer, Fahmi and Irwan went home.

"Titip Rima, yes," Fahmi's message to the other residents.

"Iya, Kang," jawab Dinar sambil menggamit lengan Rima yang mulai menangis.

"The saying goes, yes, Neng. Keep health. Don't eat late. Pray in time" Irwan said as he stroked his lover's head.

Rima nodded. Staring at the car that Fahmi drove away until it was no longer visible. Then he cried a hiccup on Dinar's shoulder.

***

Day by day passed. Rima who is busy with work little by little can finally forget his longing for family and lovers.

The residents of the room began to grow. Hasan, a patient man from Purwakarta, has always been a loyal listener of all the misfortune of Rima.

Nani, a young woman who looks forgetful has always been the joke material of other residents.

Amanda, a young woman of Chinese descent who is jolly became Rima's closest friend in kosan.

Fahmi keeps a promise to his sister. Every month he must visit Rima while bringing a lot of souvenirs from making a favorite princess.

Irwan and Rima regularly meet every two weeks with each other alternately visiting. Their relationship is getting closer.

Then Rama went to Kosan. Rima is like getting a substitute figure Fahmi on Rama's wise self, so they become very close.

"Mas, early next month come to Bogor, huh?" pinta Rima one night. At that time they were chatting in the garage with other residents.

"Hmm .. I'll check my schedule first. Hopefully not clashing with work schedules" said Rama.

"Don't want to know. Anyway have to come! The engagement period is good but her sister is not present!" sulk Rima while throbbing.

"Deey. Don't lash out at all." Rama looked at Rima's cheeks with anxiety.

This beautiful little girl next to him was indeed very adorable. His style reminds Rama of the figure of his two younger sisters in Malang.

"Who would want to come?" ask Rama.

"Just like Dinar, Karin Tea with Amanda. Others can't come because there are other events" replied Rima.

"Noginep no?"

"Nginep. Ntar mom ngambek if you guys nhgak nginep."

Highlight the lights of a car that entered the yard of the house made their chatter stop.

"Shop!" amanda shouted as she ran to welcome the arrival of the Chinese man who just got off the car.

"Hello, Honey." The man returned Amanda's embrace by kissing both cheeks of the sweet girl repeatedly.

"Everything. Meet me, this is Ko Eric. My oldest Koko just came back from Taiwan." Amanda pulled Koko's arm and introduced her to the others.

Then they walked towards Amanda's room and continued the conversation with their ancestral language.

The others eventually disperse and enter their rooms.

***

The next day Rima was surprised by the warm greeting of Eric who had just finished bathing, after last night staying at the boarding house.

"You want to go to work?" asked Eric kindly.

"Yes, Mas" replied Rima quietly.

"Where's the office?"

"In Dago."

"Well, the truth is I'm also going to Dago. Want to come along?"

"Nerepotin no, Mas?"

"No. All the way," said Eric who smiled sweetly.

"OKAY. I'm in. Wait a minute, yeah. Take the bag first." Rima moved back into his room. After picking up the bag he followed Eric to the front of the boarding house.

"I go first, yeah!" rima shouted at Nani and Karin who were heating their motor.

Along the way Eric became a good listener all of Rima's stories. Sometimes he changes his story. The speed of vehicles that slowed down due to traffic congestion they do not complain because of the fun of chatting.

"Thank you, yes, Mas for the ride" Rima said sincerely.

Eric nodded and waved as his car began to run towards his office.

Since then, Eric has been to Kosan. Not infrequently he also stayed overnight when he was late.

The longer their relationship is closer. Rima began to feel Eric's attention being a little excessive on her.

"Koko likes you. Wh why? Wrong?" eric said as he drove Rima to the office.

"No problem. Fiancee does not mean definitely married" said Eric.

Rima snorted while throwing a glance out the car glass.

"If we're a match, what?"

Eric Goda.

"It's not possible, Ko. Of all our aspects this is very different. From ethnicity, religion, even political views are also different. The same may just love singing, watching movies and favorite foods. The rest is different," said Rima.

Somehow lately he seems to be stuck in the charm of Eric. This handsome man was indeed very good at playing with Rima's emotions. The romantic attitude that he often shows makes Rima sometimes forget the figure of Irwan.

It made him feel very guilty. It felt like he wanted to be able to get away from Eric, but it was difficult because the man was always present almost every day to pick up Rima after work.

"Mas notice now that you walk more often with Eric than with Mas" said Rama as they chatted in the night.

"She often invites me to work, continues to eat nganterin home," said Rima.

"I think he likes you."

Rima. Slowly his head nodded. He could not lie to Rama. His foster brother seems to have a radar to detect lies.

"Don't play with fire, Deck. You may burn" said Rama. His hand moved stroking the hair of Rima that was leaning on his shoulder.

"Yes, Mas. I'll stay away from her and focus on my relationship with Irwan" replied Rima softly.

"Mas just wants you to be able to see with a clear mind, Dek. Eric's charm may indeed be very shiny at this time. But diamonds like Irwan are hard to come by. If you release Irwan later you will definitely regret it. Believe the same."

Rima nodded slowly. His tears began to drip and wet Rama's T-shirt.

***

In the days that followed Rima completely stayed away from Eric. When Eric comes to pick up at the office, Rima will hide or run away before Eric comes.

The phone connection was never picked up. The message was never read, let alone answered.

It apparently made Eric riled up reckless to come to Rima's room. Rama and Hasni were out of town. Hasan and Yono are also at work. In the boarding house there are only Dinar and Affni and Amanda.

"Open the door, Rima. We need to talk!" eric from behind the door.

While Rima remained unmoved in her room. Closing his ears with a pillow and hoping that Eric's voice will not be heard again.

"I'll stay here until you get out!" firmly Eric while sitting in front of the door of Rima's room.

"Koko, stop. Conscious, Ko. Rima's engaged. In a few months he'll be married" Amanda said. A little desperate in the face of this stubbornness of his coco.

"I just want to talk to Rima. After that I'm definitely gone" Eric remained insistent.

After twenty minutes, Rima finally gave up. He opens the door and invites Eric to come in. Amanda and the others returned to their rooms to rest as the night got late.

"Go home, Ko. It's almost eleven o'clock" Rima said as she yawned.

"I'm going to stay in Amanda's room" Eric looked at Rima with loving eyes.

"I'm tired and sleepy. We'll talk tomorrow, yeah."

"OKAY. But don't run away again. I don't like it when you do" Eric got up and walked out of Rima's room.

"Tomorrow we will go together. Don't dodge!" continued.

Rima nodded and closed and locked the door when Eric was out of his room.

***

"Where are we going, Ko?" rima asked as she realized Eric was driving in a different direction from her office.

The man remained silent and focused on driving. While Rima was getting restless in her chair.

The car drove to Lembang and stopped at a luxury resort. Eric went down and asked Rima to come with him.

Rima stepped up hesitantly. Followed behind Eric who was booking a room.

"Well, why are we here?" rima asked as Eric invited her into the room which was very luxurious decoration.

For a moment Rima fell silent and began to enjoy the panorama from behind the wide-open room window. Slowly his feet went to the balcony. Lean on the balcony walls while breathing fresh air several times.

"Rima, sit here," Eric pointed at the empty seat next to him. Rima complied and sat down while still circulating his gaze around the beautiful-looking resort.

"I miss you" said Eric softly. His hands clasped Rima's fingers tightly and kissed her gently.

"Don't do this, Ko," said Rima. He pulls his hand but Eric does not let go.

"I'm really in love with you, Ri. If you want to marry me, I'll do everything you ask!" with very hopeful eyes.

"I can't return your feelings, Ko. My heart belongs to someone else."

"Forget her. We can get married in Singapore. There interfaith marriage is legalized."

"God, Ko. Until whenever I will still choose kang Irwan!" rima Strictly.

"Why? What are the advantages I don't have?"

"He's the best candidate for priest for me. I must admit I was glared at by your sparkle. Trapped by your charm. But then I realized that this was all just a sham."

"We're different, Ko. Forcing to marry will never be accepted let alone approved by my family. I don't want to live like that. I want to marry the one who gives me peace and quiet. Not even add to the dizziness and complexity of life," explained Rima.

Spontaneous Eric threw his hand and hit the edge of the chair to make Rima gasp.

Momentary silence. All that was heard was the roar of Eric's irregular breathing holding back the emotions. Rima started moving away. He was a little horrified by Eric's temperamental nature.

The knock on the door shocked both of them. Eric slowly stood up and walked open the door of the room.

A hotel attendant came in while pushing the train. Arrange dishes on the table in the room. Then rush out after being given tips by Eric.

"Come, we'll eat" Eric asked in a heavy voice.

Rima stepped onto the table, pulled up the chair and sat across from Eric. They eat in silence.

Finished eating Rima rushed towards the bathroom. After taking the wudu he performed the Zuhr prayer. Eric lay on the bed.

"Ko, can we go home now?" pinta Rima slowly.

"I'm sleepy. Go to bed for an hour. We'll just go home" Eric answered, turning his back.

Rima sighed and exhaled slowly. He leaned back against the couch while playing on his cell phone.

Slowly the drowsiness began to appear, Rima finally broke down and closed her eyes. Falling asleep in the natural cool air.

She vaguely felt her body being lifted up and carried by someone. The soft surface of the mattress hit his back. Rima felt her body covered in a blanket so as to make her feel warm.

"I love you, Rima. Until anytime will still love you." A gentle whisper from a man sounded in his ear.