Constellations of Love

Chapters 14. Level up

Children's choir show for factory birthday celebration is getting closer. Next week, saturday afternoon. It is planned that children will wear clothes from various regions throughout the country. Happy children, enthusiastic parents. At least there will be memories in the moment of growth and development of his sons and daughters. There will be lots of interesting portraits at that time.

Exercise added to be Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday after school. So that children are fluent and more confident.

Today Bu Nur has almost completed the budget plan. Apparently he was determined to quickly send it to Mr. Kevin.

"Try mbak Laras see also who knows there is additional advice or input."

"Good, Mom."

The barrel reads and pays attention to the details of the plan's description. Because he didn't really understand the building, he believed it was the maximum.

Bu Nur has more experience because it is said that this kind of kindergarten school, he and his husband and team from the factory who contributed from zero. It used to be senior Laras was a state Kindergarten teacher who was almost ten kilometers away from here.

The company requested submission to the service so that Bu Nur could teach and become the principal here. Before Laras, there was another teacher named Seruni. Because her husband, who was a member of the army, moved the task to another island, became Laras who replaced.

"It's perfect in my opinion, ma'am. "

"Let's ask first yes, then there will be a correction according to their budget."

"Yes, Mom."

"Tomorrow morning will leave the father of the children to be given to Mr. Kevin."

After that discussion, Laras drove his bike home. It's been over two in the afternoon. Stomach wringing. Luckily, it was held up with a chocolate sponge cake given by Ningrum, his student. The boy's grandmother's birthday cake.

Arriving at the house Laras was surprised by Norman's brother, his cousin who became a soldier and served in the provincial city. There was another man with him. Dress with sleeves rolled up. Their hands and arms are stretched out. Healthy and fit indications.

"Well, there's a red Jeep parked outside" Laras thought.

"Hallo, my tomboy brother. Add the charlatan you..ha ha ha ha !"

The special style of the man who blak blakan already Laras memorized very well.

"When did you come, brother?"

" It's been ten this morning."

"Hey, this teacher's mother knows. Se letting's brother's friend. His name is Alvin."

The tall man with dimples and flap hair Norman's brother shook Laras's hand. Calling each other names. His firm grasp of his hand almost made Laras surprised.

"Have you eaten, brother?"

"That's it. With grandma. Well, you're waiting for our grandmother in the kitchen."

"OK I eat first, hungry heavy."

Baras Ngeloyor went to the kitchen.

"Where, Vin? Sweet right, my cousin?"

"May also."

"He's a ball jock, you know."

"Yes?"

"The princess futsal in her college first."

"I like that ..ha ha ha....."

The two athletic men then went to the yard. Harvest water guava. The heavy sounds of the two joking were heard all the way into the house.

After eating and changing clothes, Laras invited the grandmother to meet the two men. They were talking in the living room.

"Grandmother, does Laras have a boyfriend?" brother Norman, straight to the point.

Grandma laughed, "It seems not yet. But just ask him directly."

"Where, Race?"

Barrel fell silent, just smiling.

"If silence means not yet. He was closer to Alvin. Would you, Vin?"

Laughter they laugh.

"Have. How's Laras?"

Duh, why do they make this atmosphere. Instead of asking me news, my activities or anything, as long as no girlfriend problems.

"Not been quiet from that moment. You usually talk a lot too, Race. Salting with the handsome Alvin, huh? Ha ha ha......"

"Sister Norman how are bude and pakde? Also Herman's brother in Jakarta?"

Baras diverts the conversation.

" Their news is good. All healthy."

" Does your mother still like to make new menus for food stalls?", asked grandma.

"Of course, that's why our stalls sell out nek. Many innovations. Nih, the Alvin's subscribed there. But often ask for free.he he he he..."

The laughter of the two men broke again and boomed.

"Well, if free can continue to lose, dong!" Laras said rather loudly, pitched jutek.

"Handering Norman" said Alvin.

"Ehm, how's it going with Adelia, how's it?" grandma asked about Norman's girlfriend.

"Call for ya, grandma. Next year I'll apply for him."

" Amin, grandma is happy. I can see the great-grandchildren."

"Mommy, a healthy grandmother. Long live, let's see me, Herman and Laras get married later. Until I have a lot of great-grandchildren."

"Amin.." said grandma.

"Eh, the back end of that. I'd love it if you wanted to be Alvin's girlfriend. Yes, yes, it is,

Vin?"

Alvin smiles himself.

"Is this what it means or what?" said Laras, a little pouting.

"Don't jutek first. Get to know each other, be friends, close friends, very close new girlfriends. Isn't that right, Vin?"

"Rubber."

The barrel is well memorized by the nature of brother Norman. I like to force, even if it means good. Distant from his sister, brother Herman who is soft and very intelligent. The last news that Brother Herman is funded to study strata master, by the university where he became a lecturer, is certainly very proud. Great candidate of the economy.

"Ehm, grandchildren, please help grandmother harvest bananas from the back garden huh. All make souvenirs to the city later," said grandma.

" Ready, commander!" sahut brother Norman.

The three of them followed Grandma's steps towards the kitchen connecting the front room with the backyard.

There used to be a fish pond there. When his three grandchildren were young, he liked to play around. Fishing and harvesting fish. Since grandfather died no one has been able to continue his maintenance. So Grandma hoards up and turns it into a banana garden. Not far from there are some plants.

Different types of banana trees. Kepok, banana ambon and banana mas.

The typical souvenirs of a grandmother's house are those bananas.

Those two gallant warriors, harvest the fruit and banana leaves with vigor. Two large bunches have been harvested. Some are starting to mature. The rest will be saved for brewing. Maybe some days will be ready.

Continue the ubikayu harvest. When plucking it from the ground, it was enough to make the energy of the two men drain.

Alvin took more initiatives while Norman's brother only ruled. Maybe Alvin wants to impress Laras.

Their uniforms have now been opened. Leave the t-shirt in dark green that sticks to the body tightly.

Joking laughter and jesting sounds unrelenting. The sweat started pouring out. Grandma brought him all three sweet orange ice.

The barrel looks now familiar. Joking and throwing jokes. Sometimes Norman's hands randomly ruffled his cousin's sister's hair.

The tubers of the sweet potato crop are put in the sack of the former place of rice. The stacked banana leaves are tidied up and rolled. It's settled.

Grandma looked from a distance while smiling at their familiarity.

After washing their hands and cleaning themselves, they enjoyed a drink from their grandmother. Bik Jum was assigned to steam several sticks of wood yam tubers.

" Eh Laras, I heard you learned to drive a car. Grandma said, you studied with Kang ...Kamil, yes."

"Yes, by Kang Jamil I mean, our neighbor."

"Si Alvin is good at teaching driving. He is patient and knows the trick. Try to learn with him!" exclaim brother Norman.

"Come, if you want to practice," Alvin asked.

"Thank you, sometime, "say Late.

"It's Ayooo, try Race!" brother Norman came back a little pushy.

" Nothing Laras, there is someone to teach," the grandmother gave support.

Laras assented, though a little forced. Alvin looked excited. He took the girl into the car. Explain everything. He taught while showing examples. Then he asked Laras to change places and try the wheel. A few rounds up to a kilometer away from home.

Alvin praised Laras. Brave and firm. No hesitation in responding to the situation. Passing several motorbikes, the barrel drove quietly.

It is said that the way to drive a car from someone shows a little of the personality in question.

The front street of grandma's house is a little wide and quiet. Although not asphalted smooth but quite adequate if crossed. The road connects two villages.

The barrel tries to control the steering at a higher speed. New in gear aka clutch one hold second.

Suddenly the Pandu sedan car appeared from the direction of the turn. Stop by the shop. The barrel is startled and the reflex steps on the brake. Almost any. If Alvin's hand does not take over the steering wheel, there must be a little collision between the two cars.

Barrel closed his eyes. His heart is beating hard. His hands shook. Luckily Alvin won the girl.

"What's wrong, your reflexes are pretty good. Safe, really."

The hands of the two of them were still touching each other on the wheel.

Pandu get down immediately. Walk towards the red jeep.

The man was very surprised. The barrel? The girl was alone with a man. Their positions are close together. The hands of the two stacked against each other on the steering wheel. Pandu saw clearly all that because the car glass is wide open.

Laras immediately regained his senses after turning towards Pandu. Pulling his hand off the wheel. Closing his eyes and breathing a long sigh. Alvin smiles. The man also nodded towards Pandu. He did not know that Pandu and Laras knew each other.

Norman came to them all immediately.

" What's going on?"

Alvin explained his chronology calmly.

"Oh, sorry. My sister almost hit you."

" Aduuuh, mas Pandu forgive me."

There is always a guide. Why is he here every afternoon, Inner Laras.

" Do you know each other?" asked Norman.

" Yes," said Pandu.

The barrel immediately went down, and so did Alvin.

Still slightly limp and quiver, he introduced Pandu to the two soldiers. They shake hands with each other.

Norman took them all into the house. Going hand in hand, Norman's hands embrace Laras, as if to calm him down. Pandu and Alvin walked behind him.

Grandma greeted them in front of the terrace.

"Eh, there's a doctor Pandu again. Let's all go in, sit inside," Grandma asked.

They chat while enjoying a soft ubikayu stew. Grandma left the four of them to chat.

" So you're on duty at the puskesmas here?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"It's been a while?"

" These six months."

" Where are you from?"

" Jakarta."

"Ehm, if it's not wrong there used to be a pretty doctor on duty there."

Pandu knew what Norman meant.

" Yes, he's my senior and now moving into town."

"You've known Laras for a long time?"

"Lumayan."

"That means under six months, right? That's his new name !"

Oops....Pandu felt in the interrogation room.

Barrel just fell silent. Still shocked by this incident.

Alvin was eating boiled sweet potatoes. Occasionally glanced towards Laras. Pandu observed the moment. Chest rippling.

"Look, Dr. Pandu. You can play here, but please don't try to play my sister's heart."

Deg. Pandu was surprised to hear the words of Laras' cousin.

" Eh, Vin you've exchanged mobile numbers with Laras, right ?"

Norman tries to intimidate Pandu. Laras becomes annoyed with his cousin.

"Sister Norman, Dr. Pandu is a close friend of Laras."

Suddenly a spontaneous word came out from the mouth Laras saw the scene earlier.

Pandu was even more surprised.

"I don't know, you guys just got to know. It's only been six months..."

Let's just say brother Norman knows actually Pandu and Laras just know each other, less than three months ago.

The atmosphere is uncomfortable. Lucky grandma came. Cribs for souvenirs for bude, Norman's mother is ready on the terrace. The atmosphere was distracted.

Grandma also explained that Norman's arrival was a surprise. Next week he and Alvin and a platoon of other colleagues will be assigned to Papua for one year.

As the sun sets, Norman and Alvin say goodbye.

On the front porch, Norman still had time to whisper to Laras, to be careful. He did not want Laras' heart to be broken to pieces again by the promise of men. Pretty much.

Alvin is an option you can consider. Norman knew him for more than five years. There's no way he's gonna knock out his cousin.

The barrel just nodded. A few Scouts were still sitting inside hearing what Norman had said. The heavy voice of the soldier was still clearly up to Pandu's ears.

At the end of the moment, Norman asked the grandmother for a prayer. Also Barrel. The two of them were hugged in turn by Norman. Alvin is both.

By - by two sacks containing bananas and sweet potatoes Alvin had raised into the car. Until the red jeep turned at the end of the road, Grandma and Laras were still staring at their car.

The two whispered, may they always be healthy and safe during their time in Papua.

While in the living room, Pandu is between two flavors. On the one hand feeling a little angry was cornered by Norman but once Laras said that he was his close friend, it felt good. Plongs.

Barrel back to the living room.

"I'm sorry, but Pandu."

"Yes." Yeah."

"I didn't expect any of this."

" Once, Laras. "

"So it's not good with gold."

" Oh, but I like it when you say that I'm a close friend of yours."

"I'm sorry, one more time."

"Not to apologize anymore, yeah. I'm here to tell you that I have a duty to the hospital in the city, the day after tomorrow . Does Laras want to leave Gaby?"

"Oh, so. Why not just call."

" I want to see you ...."

"Now if you want to come, can't you tell me first?"

"Let's not be surprised anymore !"

Laras. I always seem to have the answer to everything. Almost the same as.

Oudpps....

"For Gaby, tomorrow I'll get you the books at school. I'll take you to the puskesmas."

"I'll take it here tomorrow afternoon. I want to teach you how to drive !"

" Lho?"

"Why, would you not?"

"Anytime, yeah."

" From now on, I'll teach you to be proficient. Not that Kang Jamil or Alvin!"

Laras understand the meaning of the word Pandu

sounds tough, this time.

The girl knew, Pandu was jealous of the two men he mentioned earlier.

Grandma came, took them to dinner. The barrel took a shower first, because he was harvesting in the backyard. So you need to clean yourself up. The brown toad pants and the yellow t-shirt he wore looked a little dirty.

Fifteen minutes later the three of them had enjoyed dinner. Soup tuna fish, fried krispy tempeh and mustard stir-fried vegetables. Sambal and white rice. Almost the same as the menu for Laras' cousin and his friend, this afternoon.

After eating and finishing cleaning the kitchen, Laras and Pandu resumed the chat in the living room.

"Tomorrow ball practice, yeah."

"Yes." Yeah."

"Please don't push yourself. You're still monthly, right?"

"Last day, it's okay."

" Have the supplements been taken?"

" Of course."

Silent for a moment.

"Better, may I ask what do you think is different from a close friend with a girlfriend?"

Baras was a little surprised. Not able to answer.

"Sorry, what do you think of Pandu himself?"

"If I make no difference. Like the palm and the back of the hand."

"I think different. Obviously the spelling is different. Maybe the commitment level is different."

Pandu smile. Smart.

" Well, do you like being in love?"

"It's like a quiz. Exams. UTS or UAS?"

The laughter both broke.

"May I be honest?"

"Please."

"To be honest I like you, I want to be your girlfriend, I'm in love with you..."

Laras was silent for a long time..........

"How's Laras?"

"What?"

"Your response."

"Thank you, I'm flattered."

"May you know how you feel now?"

" Don't you have heard that. There are even others who know. Mas Pandu is my close friend. That's enough of it."

" May I underline that we're almost dating now."

Ouch ...very complicated. All in detail. Like looking at a microscope.

Barrel, innate. Let everything go.

"It's late, Pandu must rest. Must be tired of checking out a lot of patients."

"I'm still checking on one special patient."

"This patient is healed."

"All right, I get it. Already been subtly expelled."

" I'm sorry if Pandu gets angry."

Want to feel pinch the cheek Barrel because of anxiety.

This time Pandu ventured to ruffle the hair Laras that was broken. He was mentally prepared when the girl was angry.

Apparently, no.

Barrel just laughed.

Pandu. Now their relationship is leveling up. Close friend. The guide must be patient in order to climb higher levels. Although in dreams the level of both of them was already much higher.

Um....