Constellations of Love

Chapter 6. Waveguides

The next day, like any other holiday time is a time to get better. Laras plans to clean the tiny fridge in the kitchen. Since last night he's been checking the contents. Almost empty. Just a few chicken eggs and a long bean vegetable and a little kitchen spice. So this morning after breakfast, he was going to the village market to shop for ingredients like side dishes, vegetables and fruit.

" Granny, after eating later Laras will market. Any deposit?" ask the girl.

The last meal of the egg fried rice menu this morning was over. A glass of sweet tea in front of him was half.

" Yes, please buy Grandma a pentul needle in a box. That's six dozen. Also red knitting yarn. Six medium size rolls. The stock in the store is gone."

" That's all?"

The grandmother laughed.

" By-by the sweet cake pandanus flavor, grandmother's favorite, can also. He he he...."

" Good grandma. Sure. Barrel likes that one too."

At half-nine, after Bik Jum came immediately the girl slid into the market with her white matic motor.

That day the village market which was two kilometers from the house Laras looked very crowded. The fresh material kiosk and the sembako on the first floor were packed. The shop is also on the second floor. In that section there are sellers of fabric, clothing and various clothing needs. There are several shops for kitchen tools from various plastics, aluminum and others.

Up to an hour later it had returned with two large goddie bags. The barrel honks before entering the fence of the house that looks half open.

On the home page there was a noise. It looks like from the top of the water guava tree. The barrel parked the motorbike and brought the two bags inside to the kitchen.

" Shelter, it's there's a guest outside."

The grandmother helped him pull out the contents of the two big bags earlier.

" Who?"

" Your two students bought pencils and a notebook. Then ask permission to ask for guava that starts to bear fruit."

" Oya, let it be Grandma."

Laras chatted with his grandmother while putting all the groceries near the kitchen table. There's spinach, a packet of sweet corn and two bundles of green mustard. Also some carrots and potatoes. There are two medium sized gourami fish. The chicken breast is about a quarter kilogram and two slices of tempeh is also a packet of yellow tofu containing four pieces. A packet of kitchen spices contains red and white onions, small peppers and tomatoes.

" This is grandma's order."

A white plastic bag contains sewing purposes.

" Eh, yes. Here comes the putu cake ....."

Three packs of putu cake in a banana leaf that is still warm. The barrel immediately washed his hands, took the dishes and opened a package. There are ten little finger-sized pieces in each pack.

" Come on, Grandma, let's try."

" Hd ..enak!'

The grandmother was silent to see Laras. In her heart was glad that her granddaughter had grown into a sweet adult girl. It's independent anyway.

There is one question that often gets stuck. At the age of more than twenty-four years, has never introduced a lover to the grandmother.

" Yes, grandma? Kok bengong only, this cake tasting dong."

Grandma took a piece, "Sweet and sweet huh."

" Buy it in grandma's big brother in front of the market gate."

" Ehm ....The barrel's got a Scout doctor with a kid in front."

Hearing one name called grandmother, Laras was shocked.

" Who, grandma?"

" Mister of Pandu ....."

" Lho, he said that was a student of Laras....?"

" Yes, two of your male students. Then something else came along. Maybe now they're climbing into the guava tree."

" What......?"

Barrel came out, leaving the grandmother in the kitchen.

The girl stared up at the top of the guava tree on the left side of the fence of her house. Turns out right.....

The sound of Kemal laughing while eating a full immature guava fruit. Budi with his high self-confidence seduces Pandu who is afraid of ants lined up on branches. The laughter of the three men of different ages was mutual.

" Come, kids.soon down."

The teacher's voice made the two children stare down. Similarly, Pandu is the lowest. On the largest branch and wood. More than four meters high.

" Come on, get off all!"

Not how long the three of them had been standing before Master.

" I'm sorry Mom, we had permission for grandma to ask for guava," said Kemal.

" Yes, the teacher's grandmother gave her permission. "

Budi bowed while carrying a small white crackle containing about six brown water guavas. Medium-sized and young guava.

Pandu smiles smiling looking at the actions of children. Laras looked at him.

" Right, Madam teacher. Grandma has permission. Sure."

Pandu said while giving his smile a conclusion. The doctor then scratched his right arm which turned out to be bitten by an ant.

" Lha sir doctor, don't hold on to the little branch on the right side. There are a lot of fierce ants," said Budi.

" Yes, the part that has a lot of flowers must be a lot of ants" added Kemal, not to be outdone.

" Come on, let's now wash your hands and feet. Wait on the porch yes, mom take a drink inside first. "

" Yes, Ma'am guru.

Laras smiled inwardly at the sight earlier. Especially considering the behavior of the guide.

Before long, Laras came out carrying three glasses of orange syrup. And a plate of putu cake and a box of tissue in a round tray.

The three men had been sitting on the terrace floor.

" Let's enjoy a drink and cake."

" Thank you Teacher ...'" they said.

almost together.

Kemal immediately grabbed his glass. Drink juice until you are left. It seems the boy was really thirsty.

While Budi left half the glass, so did Pandu.

The three then tasted a piece of light green putu cake with melted brown sugar and a sprinkling of coconut grater.

" Sweet and delicious. Thank you, Master," said Budi while again picking up another piece of cake. Put it in his mouth. Then the little boy's right hand moved to pick up a piece of tissue. Her lips and hands are covered in coconut grater.

It is famous for its pede style. But still polite. The father, who was the head of the security unit at the factory, gave his son a little confidence. The barrel is very perfumed about it.

Kemal follows the style of his friend. While Pandu chose to gulp the orange juice until it runs out.

" Ayooo, finished the dish" said Laras.

" It's full of our stomachs" said Budi.

The two students then came home. Towards the house of Budi which is three hundred meters from the house of the teacher. Kemal still wants to play to his friend's house.

" Pupil Bu guru, funny - funny, yes." said Pandu.

The young doctor stared at the departure of the two boys until they disappeared behind the gate.

" Yes, understand the children."

" Hmm, is your arm still itchy?" ask Laras.

"Ah, no....."

Pandu turned his eyes to Laras. The girl in front of him was still simple. Light yellow t-shirt and khaki color fabric pants. This time the hair in the midget with rubber hair maroon color.

"Well, don't you have any news if you want to stop by?"

" Let's be surprised" said Pandu, lightly.

" What's up here?"

" It's a duck bike....." Pandu pointed to a red-bladed duck motor parked on the right side of the store.

"Ooo that one. I thought the motor belonged

shopkeeper."

" Said grandma, just went to the market alone. Can I take you in once in a while?"

" sthat mean?"

"I may not later, I mean someday. Looks like it's a lot of shopping."

" Why know?"

" I see it from the top of the tree."

" Oya, right."

" How long in the market?"

" Lha.kan said he saw that my groceries are a lot."

" Ah, Heem. Aye." Yeah."

" Dok, yesterday afternoon we, uh meaning Bu Nur, Bu Ina and I swiped Gaby."

" Oya?"

" It's so sorry Gaby. His body looks thinner and still pale."

" The condition of leukaemia is generally like that. But over time with the right treatment will gradually improve."

" It's still as small as Gaby having to endure the pain that would make anyone sympathize. It doesn't feel like a thing .."

Baras was silent for a moment. His gaze changed softly.

Pandu looked at the face of Gaby's teacher, who looked still sad.

" yes. But we're sure Gaby's a strong boy."

" I hope, yes."

Pandu then elaborated on some of the success stories of the treatment of the disease, which he once knew.

He hopes Laras begins to understand well that the cure rate of cases like this is very high. More than ninety percent.

" I guess if it works, when Gaby can move back to normal activities like going to school."

" Ehm, for such a stadium it could probably be three months."

" Old too, yeah."

" The most important thing is that the patient really rests and has high spirits. Family support must be strong."

Laras also tells the story of his best friend during college, whose mother had breast cancer. Stage three and has been lifted the left chest. With sooth handling until now is still healthy. There's remission. It's been almost three years.

" For sure he is very passionate and disciplined in medicine yes," Pandu said in response to the story Laras.

Pandu's gentle gaze at her made Laras build optimism that Gaby would recover.

" right. Must be obedient worship anyway, "said the girl.

" That one is also an important supporting factor."

Nearly forty minutes they talked. It didn't feel like it was almost eleven o'clock in the afternoon.

Pamitan. He had to take his sedan to an official repair shop for regular service in town. Booked and at twelve thirty must be ready there.

" Thank you for stopping by.'

" same-same. Thanks for the treat."

Laras continued the holiday activity by helping the grandmother cook the lunch and dinner menu.

Bik Jum is in charge of guarding the shop. While sewing two guest tablecloths, ornate each of the small roses, customer orders.

Pepes gourami and sauteed green mustard vegetables.

" Ehm, the aroma of spicy pepes made by grandma has been fragrant.'

The barrel opens the lid of the pot where the pepes are steamed. While the green mustard vegetables are ready at the table. At half-time they had finished their lunch. After it is done - done in the kitchen Barrel turn to keep the store. Grandma and Bik Jum chat while fun watching tv.

Laras sat in Grandma's lounge chair in the corner of the store. He grabbed a small book containing info on herbal medicine and traditional medicine, belonging to the grandmother. Read one by one the colored pages in it.

A what app message is sent to Laras' phone. The ringing tone of the notification reads slowly.

Bu Nur sent a message.

" Day, mbak Laras."

" Please remember to bring some small pieces of banana leaf midrib for tomorrow's masterpiece."

" Okay, Mom."

" Oya, some dried banana leaves too. To cut cut cut into house image collage material."

" Ready."

The barrel will be prepared later in the afternoon all these ingredients. He will harvest the midribs and banana leaves in the garden behind the house.

It was as planned when the discussion on Friday, a week ago.

Usually, Mr. Yus will prepare everything. Because tomorrow is the immunization schedule of his youngest son, so he will have a day off. Be Laras replace duty Yus sir.

Back to message notification.

This time from the doctor.

" Day, Miss teacher." (emotion smile)

" What are you doing?"

" I'm in the waiting room of the workshop. Bored of myself."

Barrel, typing on his phone screen

" Patience, doc. I can watch tv."

" Yes, there is no good show "

" There's usually a ball rebroadcast at this hour"

" Oh, there's a little kid who chose the cartoon channel "

" Just watch. It's funny..."

" Can only. Where else, then,?"

" In the shop, dumb. Um, chat with you." (widely laughing emoticons)

" If you were here, it would be fun."

Laras. Long time no reply chat.

Mind floated. How could he quickly get along with that doctor. They had known each other for two or three weeks. It was because of Gaby's illness ....

There are no exaggerated thoughts in the mind of Laras other than to consider Pandu, a new friend who is quite fun. According to

Barrels, at work, Guide firmly and effectively seriously. But beyond that, he's pretty clumsy. Fun to talk.

" Hello, Barrel."

"M...."

There's a buyer coming. A teenage boy. He looked looking - look and pick items at two stationary storefronts. Ask the price of some selected items.

He bought three large drawing books and three pencils. And a small crayon. Pay for all his choices and then rush off on his bike.

Not ten minutes.

After that, Baras again looked at the phone screen. Jemarinya re-wrote the word, replied Pandu chat.

" I'm sorry, there was a buyer just now."

" yes. I'm the one who's sorry. Bother you."

" It's okay. "

" There's info my friend who works at the hospital, Gaby the day after starting at the chemo."

" yes? Is there no other way?"

" There are some oral medications. For the first chemo msh use low doses to see the body's response."

" Oh, it must be heavy too. Poor Gaby."

Silent moment. Pandu believes Laras must rearrange his heart to hear this update.

" How many times should chemo be used?"

" Possible four to six times. There's an evaluation."

" How many times a week should chemo be?"

" In the early stages, once a week first."

" Thx, info. Sorry someone else bought it.."

Mrs Fatimah neighbors three houses from here, looking for black sewing thread. The barrel picks it up on the upper shelf.

After that, the mother was engrossed in chatting with Laras. More questions about the girl's job . Baras answered kindly. Back asked why Ms. Fat's house was often empty.

The mother told me a lot about her two sons who had graduated vocational school. The firstborn became a migrant worker in Japan. Working on a vegetable farm. It's been two years. The youngest wander into the city working as a keeper of the famous minimarket. Just six months ago.

For more than half an hour, the mother was saying goodbye because she had to immediately sew the husband's slightly torn shirt.

The barrel is back staring at the phone screen. Still chat from Pandu.

" Please serve dlu. Let's connect."

(delivered more than thirty minutes ago.)

The last chat was about fifteen minutes before this.

"OK, my car is done with service. Jjs. Adios. See you next...."

Laras sends double Namaste emotion, at the end of their chat.