Flashbacks

Chapter 17: Letter From the Prince

In my daughter's dress, I walked to the bathroom. The performance of the drama has just ended, it is time for the chorus boy to perform. I've been holding this since the last scene. To the extent that the scene ran towards the prince only I changed it into a brisk walk. Even so, I don't think anyone knows what happened.

When I came out of the bathroom and looked. Next to me was the mother of one of the upperclassmen. He saw me, I smiled. "So you look good."

"Thank you, Aunt."

"I've heard stories about you a lot."

"I mean Auntie?"

"Say, you're good at cooking. Aunty has also tried your handmade rainbow cake."

At first I was confused as to the direction of the conversation Aunt whom I didn't know her name was. However, when rainbow cake spoke, I understood who he was. Without thinking I kissed her hand. "Your homemade cake is delicious, you know."

"False, Aunt. It's a recipe from my mommy's friend."

"Yes, Auntie knows. Jihan's mom, right. He's my brother."

I forgot that Brother Ryan and Jihan are cousins. "Oh yes, Auntie. Jihan never told me."

"Later, after the show's over, wait for Aunt in front, yeah."

"What's up, Auntie."

"Later you know. Aunty first, well," said he who came out of the bathroom.

I don't know what the aunt's gonna do to me. All I know is, I'll have to see her later. When returning to the seat next to the stage, the Headmaster will mention the student with the best grades during the 3-year study.

"The best disciple of the class 2019-2020 is Ananda Ryan Mahardika" said the Headmaster who was greeted by a standing ovation.

That's Ryan's name. I saw him standing with his lips curled in his face. I don't know why I smiled and clapped for him. He went up on stage, standing in front of the mic. But I could see that his face had changed. Like he wasn't happy with what he got. Well, I remember. He said he didn't like the same lesson. He only likes to be told to act. "Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh."

"Waalaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh."

"I never dreamed or even expected to stand here as the best student. Because all I know is that I'm just a stupid student who has to like what I don't like. However, I am also proud of myself, being able to be the best student that my beloved Mama is proud of. But, one thing I want to say, never do what I have done. If you don't like, don't like, then don't do it. Because what is done by force is not good for the time to come. So, wasalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh."

"Waalaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh."

The two-word adage he said was his protest action to his Mama. I remember telling her once, if I was gonna help her say to her mom. Maybe it's the right time.

"You waited a long time?"

"No, Aunt. What does Auntie say? I also want to talk about something."

"Speak up first. I'll listen."

My lips are a little frozen to make a sound. But I think I should do this. I've said it before and what I'm saying is like a promise. "All I know is that Ryan has never been interested in anything that has to do with science. Ryan's brother prefers entertainment and once said if he wanted to become a famous actor. I also know that Auntie is forcing Sis Ryan to like what Sis Ryan doesn't like. He's been following what Auntie wants, can Auntie follow what Ryan wants?"

Mama Brother Ryan smiled at me while stroking my cheek. "I always knew that my son always chose what was right for him. Stupidly, I told him to like what he didn't like. Because of you, I realized that I had been too pushy to Ryan. I will not force him anymore either. Thank you for being my son's confiding friend" said he who then hugged me with tears. I was just stuck in his arms.

After Mama Sis Ryan left, someone patted me from behind. He, my prince I haven't seen this close in a long time. Although I once said he was no longer my prince, but still I could not lie if he was my prince. Until whenever it is.

"Lo read, well, the deck," he said giving her a piece of paper that he had folded. After I took it he took his leave.

~•~

You know princess, if I really thank God for meeting me with you. God does have a surprising scenario and can never be guessed. Like our first meeting. God told the playbook to fall so you could give it to me. A signal immediately connected as you patted my shoulder. In fact, you without the princess costume are like the princess in my eyes. That first meeting made me even more curious about you. The only thing I remember is a mole on the tip of your nose. I have long forgotten the face of someone I met. I have to find a sign for that guy. Like you, the sign in your nose that I don't know how many times I've pinched.

Our second meeting. You said a tribute could eat with the prince. I should have earned that honor. Can accompany a princess like you. At first I thought I was only interested in you, but somehow you are always present shadowed me make me have to approach you. You think approaching you is easy. Difficult princess. I have to find a good topic to make you laugh, but I once said I was tired if I asked.

You remember the song I asked you to sing. That's my favorite song and it feels so honoured to be able to duet with you. I still keep the video, even I form it in cd which I will play later if I miss you. Later we can roll with our children in 10 years.

If I tell you what our precious story is to me, it will be a long time. Most importantly you should know, if my race to you never goes away. In fact, even less can't.

I know, it feels upset when I have to endure longing. You think when uprak I don't miss you. I miss you just as much. Long to pinch your nose, long to be accompanied by eating your homemade cooking, miss your boncengin. Thank you for the super delicious rainbow cake in this world. Thanks for the first hug and the one that will never be the last. Thanks for all your selfies with disgrace behind my back. Hopefully I can treat my longing when we're far away.

Tomorrow, I'm going to Jakarta. I want to chase my dreams there. Awaiting your arrival, my bodyguards and I left at 9am. So get up early, well, I'll eat your cooking before we go our separate ways.

~•~

I left at about 7 a.m. Last night, I decided if I didn't want to waste this breakup. Afraid that I'll regret it later. With my bekel box, I was ready to meet him even for a farewell that didn't know we'd see each other again next time.

"Mang Agus, a piece of dong," said Anye who sat in front with Mang Agus. I did ask my best friend to take me to the airport because Papa was out of town so no one would take me. Well, they're gonna take me.

"It's still stuck, mbak."

"Then is the clock jammed?"

"A lot of people go to work, ma'am. Relax, it won't be late. Mang Agus guarantees, deh."

"Really, yeah? Until Tia can not meet with Sister Ryan for a separation of true love, watch out Mang."

Farewell to true love. Is it true if our love is true love. I think it is. When I tried to forget him and forget his taste, but still I fell in charm. The photo of me with him gawking at my jail when he came home to teach me physics was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes. The photo I printed was large and I stuck it behind the door, which was exactly where I slept. Every time I look at the photo, my heart always shakes until the memories with him come back. Maybe it's because I always forget to take that picture off.

Arriving at the airport, I immediately went down and ran away from my friends. I'm afraid that Brother Ryan has left, because it's almost 9. Jihan said, Ryan's brother departed from terminal 2. It's my first time to the airport, but I'm not stupid. I can read from the directions.

There, I saw Brother Ryan sitting with Randy, Mama, and his Dad. As I approached they stood up and seemed to be about to get into the plane. "Sister Ryan!" my screams made him look. I saw him smiling at me and walking towards me. Soon I ran and hugged her. I felt how comfortable it was to hold her body. "Give me time to smell the body, brother," I said in his arms. Again I'm not strong enough to hold back the fucking tears that always get away.

He took off my arms. I looked at my face long enough and laughed. I hit his chest because what he did was really annoying. "But crybaby. But I like the same cute girl like gini," he said pinching my nose which I immediately hit his hand. Again he laughed. "Gue don't think you're going here, deck. I guess you're still angry and don't want to see me."

"No. As hard as I try to make angry with Brother, the results are nil. God always makes me fall in the charm of my brother. Falling down."

"That's because you're my owner, the deck. I beg you, never try to forget me even if we have no relationship. After this, I can not take care of you anymore, can not temenin lo around the city or just buy ingredients for cooking. It was heavy when the prince had to leave without the princess by the side. But this is to pursue my dream, so you can see me on the cinema screen. Although we will be far away, I will never forget you. In fact, no matter how far apart we are, we still feel close because we will trust each other if we will be together forever. Still believe it, right?"

"still. Take care of yourself there, don't forget me. I will miss making breakfast for Brother," I said with tears that continued to slide. With her fingers, my tears were wiped away. He told me to smile.

"Feel me for a farewell there, right?" tanyakanya. I nodded and gave the bekel box that I had been holding. "What is this menu? Just rice with chicken penyet? Nothing special, huh?" tanyanya closed the box again.

"That's special, there's the same chili as Brother's favorite, plus for him to use love," I replied. He smiled and stroked my hair. "Say the prince set off with the bodyguard, where's the bodyguard?"

"Pray you" he answered. I raised my hand, and he also raised his hand. "Oh my God, watch over the prince. Good luck to the destination and hopefully the ideals can be abominable in Jakarta. Let it be a good husband and father for our princess and son."

"Aamiin," we said at the same time.

Before he left I hugged him again. Although it feels hugging him for 1 hour will be less. But I don't want to be a hindrance for him to pursue his goals. "Gue remember, you never cry when watching a movie that scenes parting. Please, don't cry. I want to smile, I just want to pursue my goals. Back to the future."

Because of his request I smiled in my sorrow. He had walked away with a wave of his hands and a farewell smile. "Wait for a surprise from me, deck."

~•~