Engelskraft: Love of Wasted Angels

Dad's Coffee Shop

The expanse of rice fields and green gardens make the mind and heart calm. While looking at the clear sky, Ailey took in as deep a breath as possible to breathe in the clean air of the countryside. His flip-flop-flops feet walked slowly down the pebbled streets with a few motorized vehicles passing by.

“To be honest, I was shocked when you told me you were going home yesterday. Tumben once, this stubborn child will listen to the words of the Father to help in the store.” Said Ailey's father walking next to her while carrying a bucket of ice cubes.

“Oh, so you're sorry I came home?” Timpal Ailey teases.

“Obviously no! I'm glad you accompanied me in the village.” Answer the father happily.

“I also miss back home.” Ailey.

“Already, you are here only. No need to go back to Jakarta. You know life in Jakarta is not as easy as imagined.”

“Iya, Sir. I'm here, you're the same Father so that you don't fuss anymore asking me to go home.” Ailey answered while holding her father's arm.

Just walking for a few minutes, they finally arrived at a very simple coffee shop. Roof tiles that have not been arranged regularly and walls with green paint that has been peeled off a lot give the impression of unkempt. Since Ailey migrated to Jakarta, her father rarely paid attention to her shop, especially with his old age makes her tired quickly if you have to fix everything alone.

“It's been a long time that I haven't been here. Looks like I have a lot to fix.” Ailey said as she watched the tavern.

“That's later. Come on, we have to open this shop before the truck drivers come!” Cut the father.

In full spirit, Ailey helped her father open the coffee shop and neatly prepared the items in a makeshift glass display case. The situation brought nostalgia to the woman. In the past, every time he came home from school, he would always take the time to help his father in the tavern, complete with his school uniform. From childhood, Ailey was used to working hard to help her father because her mother had long died when she was 7 years old.

***

As the day grew sweltering, sweaty sweat began to drip from Ailey's forehead. It seems that he has to get used to working without AC as he experienced while working in the mall. Customers who come are not too crowded either. Usually, who stopped at the coffee shop was a truck driver who needed to rest for a while while drinking black coffee. Rarely do other customers visit.

“Coffee one, yes.” Said a male visitor.

How shocked Ailey was to see who was coming. The owner of the Engelskraft cafe was in front of him smilingly revealing his white and neat teeth.

“Milo? How can you..” Ailey said choked.

“Eits, how could I not know you're here. You forget that I..” Milo has not had time to continue his words, Ailey put her index finger in front of her lips as a sign not to tell her that she is an angel. Milo who noticed the signal immediately locked his mouth.

“What are you doing here, anyway?” Ask Ailey.

“I was in your shop this morning but Siti said you no longer work at Abram and returned to the village. That's why I'm flying here.” Answer Milo.

Ailey, who is worried that the identity of the angel is known, immediately patted Milo's arm and again gave a signal to be careful with his talk. But it seems Ailey is quite happy to see the existence of the angel in her shop.

“You sure you don't want to go back to work in Jakarta? This shop has reot once.” Milo Brief.

“You don't fuck around, yeah! It's not polite your mouth.” Reply Ailey while pinching Milo's arm.

His father, who noticed the arrival of a new figure in the tavern, rushed to the two of them. The old man's face looked curious about their closeness.

“Eh, hello om! I'm Milo.” He shook the old man's hand.

"So this is what makes my daughter not want to go home?” His ideal.

"Sir, it's not like that!” Ailey's rebutting while elbowing her father's waist.

Milo's face flushed red with embarrassment from Ailey's father's words. Sometimes he scratches his head because of misbehavior.

“Maclum, I have never seen my son dating. It is unexpected that your choice of seedlings excels, yes. Cute, youho.” Add the father.

“I told you it's not like that! Milo is nothing more than my friend. Right, Milo?” Reply Ailey.

"How, huh? You should be honest with your father.” Milo.

“You two really, yeah! You ordered coffee, didn't you? Wait a minute!” Said Ailey turning the conversation so shy and rushing back to brew coffee.

The two men of different generations laughed at each other's reaction. Some truck drivers who accidentally heard the conversation also laughed amusedly at the situation at the coffee shop.

"So you're really dating my son?” Ailey's father still asked curiously.

"No, um. We are just friends, kok.” Milo replied unwillingly as he wished the two of them were indeed dating.

“Sweetest. Though you are handsome and look good.”

“Om could have.” Said Milo still with his hand that scratched his head in embarrassment.

The father was silent for a moment while looking back to make sure Ailey was busy preparing coffee. He cleared his throat and looked at Milo with a serious look.

"Milo, do you know the real reason why Ailey went home?”

“Ailey not story on om?” Milo asked back.

“She just said that she did not feel at home with the working atmosphere there. But the details are not told. The kid just said not to worry about it.” Answer father.

“Oh, the... I also know less, om.” Milo held back the explanation from his mouth. Actually he already knows what happened from Siti, but it is not wise if the real reason is not conveyed by his son directly.

Ailey's father threw his gaze at the now-defunct glass etch with a glum look. He was not satisfied with the answer given by the young man. His finger was seen tapping on the table below as if he was thinking of something serious.

"Why om?” Ask Milo.

“It's okay. I felt that something was hidden by my son behind his smile. Never mind, maybe prejudice. Hehe.”

At that time Milo saw the sadness of Ailey's father. No matter how hard Ailey tries to cover her load with her laid-back attitude, the old man's premonition is never wrong. It felt like Milo was telling his father to be free from curiosity, but what Ailey would feel if her father knew it from someone else.