Chandanas

Keez (7)

The evening sky that had originally spouted a beautiful orange flame was now gradually darkening, signaling the night had arrived. Hustle and bustle of the city at night was full of felt, the lights that had been lit since the afternoon were now starting to see the light.

Satisfied with having fun on the trampoline rides, Kiran and Chandana rush to change clothes then go to the last destination they will come to today. Although Chandana doesn't know where Kiran will take her, she can't wait for another surprise.

Before going to their final destination, Kiran had taken Chandana to one of the restaurants to just fill the stomach after throwing a lot of sweat and energy in the trampoline place. Although Chandana initially refuses and says she is not hungry, Kiran keeps turning her bike at a vegan restaurant not too far from where they visited before.

They were walking in tandem to enter the restaurant when a waiter greeted them at the door with a friendly smile, "Good night" he said, bowing.

Kiran smiled then nodded briefly, "Good night."

Chandana looked at Kiran not understandingly, "They are so to all the visitors?"

Kiran shook her head slowly then stopped at one of the empty tables and pulled out a chair for Chandana, "This place belongs to my father."

Chandana sat quietly and gracefully in the chair that Kiran had prepared. He looked at Kiran who was now sitting in front of him while slipping her hair behind her ears, "I do not understand what kind of family has a house as big as a palace in Bandung then also has this popular restaurant? I really don't know you apparently."

Kiran shook her head softly, "All belongs to father, not mine. Besides, I brought you here not with the intention of showing that my family is rich, but so that we can eat a lot and do not need to pay," Kiran smiled wryly as she saw Chandana chuckling.

That night at the restaurant, they didn't say much. Kiran is busy with her thoughts while Chandana is busy thinking about what problems she will receive after parting ways with Kiran and returning home.

Alluding to the big house of the Kiran family in Bandung, some time ago Kiran had brought Chandana there to visit her mother, sister, and grandmother. At that time, Chandana had rejected Kiran's invitation because she felt afraid and was not ready to meet with members of the Kiran family. Chandana felt that she was nobody so Kiran did not bother to introduce her to the male extended family.

Despite being rejected at first, Kiran tries to persuade Chandana. Kiran had long wanted to introduce Chandana to her mother. Kiran wants to introduce her mother to a girl who has managed to change lives and give color and smile to Kiran's dull days. The girl who has introduced the longing, love, and affection that Kiran has never felt for someone other than her family and best friend - Roka-.

With a little extra effort, Kiran tells Chandana how her mother's character and nature are. How friendly and motherly the figure is so that Chandana does not feel afraid, so Chandana wants to meet the woman who has given birth to Kiran.

Although it was difficult at first, Kiran managed to persuade Chandana. He managed to make Chandana melt and willing to come with him to Bandung even though with mixed feelings and fear because he never met the parents of friends let alone loved ones.

If I can be honest, Chandana is not afraid of Kiran's mother, of Kiran's family. He was just afraid of making a mistake, he was afraid of doing something that would make the Kiran family hate him. Without experience, Chandana does not have the guts to deal with the Kiran family especially if later he does things that he should not do.

Of course, it is an honor for a woman when a man who likes her wants to introduce her to the large family of men. But any woman also agrees that in addition to happiness and honor, she, this is also one of the biggest fears because the first impression he shows to the family of the couple is generally the main value that will determine the continuity of how their relationship will continue.

This dilemma also disturbs Chandana's mind at first until Kiran is able to convince her and make her more confident. Kiran convinces Chandana that the girl just needs to be herself, Chandana just needs to do what she used to do without trying to look good because Kiran knows very well how good Chandana is. Kiran tells Chandana not to worry about how her family will look because Kiran believes her mother, grandmother, sister, and father will accept Chandana as she does. His family will accept the girl he loves as Kiran accepts the girl.

With all the confidence and support that Kiran gave, they went to Bandung using a car driven by Kiran. That morning, as usual Kiran picked up Chandana in front of a minimarket, the place where the girl wanted to meet them. Kiran herself does not understand on what basis Chandana forbids Kiran from going to her house. But curiosity does not make Kiran lose her mind, she still tries to respect Chandana's decision without asking much because Kiran believes that Chandana will tell her everything later when the girl feels ready. Feeling Kiran was worthy enough for her to share stories and secrets.

Kiran drives her car at a low speed when she arrives in front of the minimarket - where Chandana is waiting for her. From a distance, Kiran can see a girl in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt looking down while playing her fingers, ignoring some people who look busy going out and in the minimarket.

Kiran sidestepped her car then stopped right in front of the minimarket. He then opened the car glass and waved at Chandana. The girl walked quietly towards Kiran's car then entered and sat in the front seat.

Kiran closes the windshield and says, "Hi."

Chandana smiled hesitantly then replied, "Hi."

Despite being preoccupied with driving the car, Kiran realized that Chandana was nervous. From what Kiran caught all this time, whenever Chandana felt nervous, scared, or agitated, she would always play her fingers and hide her face. Although Chandana never shows it directly through expression and words, Kiran understands this naturally.

Kiran is not good at comforting someone, she is not as good at improving someone's mood as Roka. Kiran therefore drove her car carefully while occasionally glancing at Chandana. Shortly after he entered the toll area, Kiran removed one hand from the wheel of the car and then grabbed Chandana's wrist, making the girl look up in surprise.

Still watching the road in front of him, Kiran said, "It's only natural that you're nervous. I'd say so if we want to meet this is your parents. Tell me what to do to make you feel better?" Kiran rubbed Chandana's fingers gently, occasionally glancing at the girl and then refocused on the highway.

Chandana did not immediately say, he was trying to think about what would reduce the nervousness in his heart and anxiety in his mind. With a faint smile, Chandana informed Kiran of her request, "I want you to sing."

Kiran turned her head, "Singing? You kidding me, huh? I have never sung!"

Chandana sighed, "I think you want to help me overcome this nervousness."

Kiran removed her grip from Chandana's hand to return to hold the steering wheel. He really doesn't know anything about the songs of today. In fact, he never listened to music if it was not for someone else playing it or for accidentally hearing a song played by a store.

"I don't know what to sing. I really don't know the songs of today" Kiran said, glancing at Chandana who was still looking at her from the side.

"Have you really never sung in your entire life?" Chandana asked, he looked at Kiran with his right hand as a chin support.

Chandana knows Kiran isn't lying. But he still wants to hear Kiran sing because he no longer knows what he should ask Kiran to relieve his nervousness even if it may be honest, ever since they started talking, Chandana's anxiety has gradually subsided. Actually just by hearing Kiran's voice, he had been successfully calmed down. But Chandana did not want to waste this opportunity just like that. Somehow he really wanted to hear Kiran sing for just this one time.

"Everything. Children's song as a child," Kiran answered Chandana's question hesitantly. He still remembers the lyrics for the children's song.

Chandana smiled impatiently, "Okay, the children's song is okay."

Kiran sighed softly. If not to help Chandana through the difficult times, Kiran would never have been willing to do this.

"*Twinkle, twinkle, little star..

How I wonder what you are..

Up above the world so high..

Like a diamond in the sky..

Twinkle, twinkle, little star

How I wonder what you are..

When the blazing sun is gone

When he nothing shines upon

Twinkle, twinkle, all the night

Twinkle, twinkle, little star

How I wonder what you are*."

Chandana smiled, her eyes sparkling at Kiran who was now looking straight at the street, hiding the shame after finishing her song.

Doubtfully, Chandana moved her hand, stroking Kiran's reddened ear in shame, "Your voice is so good" she said.

Kiran smiled faintly, "Indeed!"

Chandana pulls her hand then asks Kiran to sing once more.

"Huh? Any more? No," Kiran rejected Chandana's request frankly but kept a smooth and calm tone. Enough for him to feel embarrassed until his face and ears reddened, Kiran could not resist the shame if she had to sing one more song.

Chandana nodded, "One song from you is enough to make me not nervous anymore. Thank you, yes," said Chandana who then leaned her back on the car seat.

Kiran glanced at Chandana who was now leaning back while looking out the window.

"*Take the month, Mom

Get me the moon, Mom

Which always shines in the sky...

In the sky.

It reaches the stars

Get me the moon, Mom

To illuminate

My deep sleep

In the dark night

Get me the moon, Mom

Get me the moon, Mom

Which always shines in the sky

In the bright moon sky

It reaches the stars

Get me the moon, Mom

To illuminate

My deep sleep

In the dark night*.."

Kiran felt her ears blushing at this moment. With her heart beating so fast, Kiran glanced at Chandana who was still looking out the window.

Kiran wonders if Chandana is angry with her so the girl doesn't say anything after Kiran finishes the second song. He was about to ask Chandana as the girl's head twitched and then turned to look towards Kiran. He's asleep.

Kiran smiled, almost laughing.

Doubtfully, Kiran stroked Chandana's hair with one hand then whispered softly, "I love you, Chandana."

---

Kiran smiled as she recalled that after all her difficulties and singing, they arrived in Bandung without being able to meet with the Kiran family because at that time Liliana and Arda had to attend an arisan that could not be categorized as close when drawn from her grandmother's house. Kiran's grandmother was in the hospital doing blood washing.

Although in the end they were unable to meet anyone other than the workers, Chandana and Kiran did not feel the slightest remorse. Because with the trip, the two felt one step closer than before. Many talks are exchanged during the trip so they get a lot of facts and new things from each other.

Because of the trip, Chandana can hear Kiran's voice while singing. If described, Kiran's voice when speaking sounds masculine and deep while Chandana's voice is the opposite. The girl has a thin and soft sound color that is soothing when heard.

"Why smile?" Chandana clears the corners of her lips with a tissue.

Kiran shook her head slowly, "Just remembering old memories."

After finishing their dinner at Kiran's family's vegan restaurant, they return to the motorbike to continue their journey to the final destination that will be the cover for the long night.

"Udah?" ask Kiran to Chandana who just got on the bike.

After fixing her position, Chandana said softly, "Have it."

At a slightly faster pace than before, Kiran led Chandana through the streets of the city that night. It was time to arrive at a place he hoped would make a deep impression on Chandana. The place where he hopes that Chandana will share and answer Kiran's curiosity about many things.