Flavour Bias

Misunderstand

The polar bear gave me seven days to finish this job. The first day he drove me to a furniture store that worked with his father's company.

As usual he said nothing and even when walking in the mall, we did not come together. I followed him from behind and as much as I could I did not lose track of him among the passersby.

When I was going down the escalator, I accidentally saw Arka who looked to be holding a woman. There was no other thought but, I went down and also held my superior arm.

Iyash turned his head and looked at me sharply. “Why you?”

I smiled dryly while looking at him. Then I pretended to be leaning on his shoulder.

“Ih.” Brother Iyash is about to let go of my arm. However, I held him. Suddenly when we were downstairs, Arka noticed me.

“Icha?”

“Hei,” my stiffener.

“Udah change again?” Arka then looked at Brother Iyash.

I smiled cynically at Arka's question.

“Known, Mitha my future wife.”

“Oh, hi.” I reached out and met the woman.

“Kalatin too, her name is Iyash,” I said as I stared at Arka. “Dia–”

“Your new boyfriend?” guess Arka.

“Iya,” answer me quickly. “New girlfriend.”

Arka smiled at me.

“Why?” I cringe.

“I still didn't expect it. You set your heart too fast, I hope you do not repeat the same mistake.”

Heart's sniffing. “Our business is done. I'm glad you already have a candidate.”

Arka took a breath, then nodded. “May you be happy.”

“You too.”

“Still. I go first,” said Arka.

Slowly as Arka left with the woman, I removed my arm from Brother Iyash. My chest gurgled in agony watching Arka leave. Not because I'm still in love, but because there's something else that makes me still feel guilty about that guy.

Two years I dated her and six months ago we ended it all. There was a big problem between us, even so Arka was still happy to forgive me.

I walked back and followed Brother Iyash down. I didn't want anyone else, including the man to see my sad face.

My legs felt heavy to step on until Iyash finally grabbed my hand, then pulled me away. It was as if he had just run away my grief. He held on until we stopped at the furniture store. I was stunned for a few seconds until I heard his baritone voice again.

“Don't forget your destination,” said the man.

“Sorry I shouldn't have said we were dating,” I said.

“You should say, if I am your future husband, let him–”

“Iyash.”

Kak Iyash's sentence was cut off by someone who suddenly called out to him from another direction.

Brother Iyash immediately released his hand from me, then went to the owner of the voice which was only two steps away from our existence.

“Kok unknown?” ask the man. I don't know who he is, but I feel his voice is familiar to the ears.

I immediately entered the store before Brother Iyash called me and introduced me to the man. I pretended to call her a new boyfriend.

“Search what, Mbak?” ask one of the officers.

“I came the same ...” I looked back.

“Oh, Mr Iyash?” knock the woman.

I'm nodding.

“Please, Mbak.”

When busy choosing some tools to decorate, Brother Iyash came closer. “I have to go. You take a taxi home and these things will be delivered tomorrow morning. For paint, you can only add a little. Let the others remain young ash.”

I let out a breath. “I was just thinking of changing the color of the paint, let it not cool like the owner.”

“Do not try. It was just painted a few days ago.”

“Iya, up.”

Finally without saying anything else, he left me alone. I think I just got out of his sight. I can choose while chatting with the female employee who asked me earlier.

“Mbak, Brother Iyash is here often?”

“Ser often. Usually he will buy some home fixtures.”

“Oh. Who does she usually come with?”

“Sometimes alone, sometimes the same Mr. Hasa, or the same Ando.”

“Hmmm.”

“Good, Sir.”

My heart was beating in shock and I immediately turned to the origin of the voice. “I am not–”

“Icha?”

I stared at that face for a long time, until I forgot to refute his guess just now.

“You forgot the same Om?” suddenly tanyanya.

I was still pensive and trying to remember who the middle-aged man really was.

“It's Om, your Mama's best friend.”

I smiled dryly and still did not find who the man in front of me was.

“Om has not seen you for a long time, maybe you forgot because last we met when Mama asked for help to find home.”

“Oh, Om Rudi?” I finally remembered it, even though I couldn't recognize it from my face. “I don't think so, Om. Pangling really because it used to be Om no brewoknya.”

Om Rudi laughed. “Padal only different here aja.” He felt his own cheeks and chin.

“Ngak ah, Om very different. Now bearded, there's his mustache, in the glasses anyway.”

Rudi again laughed. “Tomend again.”

“Iya, again.” I smiled dryly.

“If Mama meets Om, will she also forget.”

“As it is, try to go home.”

“Mama you are busy what?”

“Online sales.”

“Oh gitu.”

Om Rudi still left a smile on his face. “So, his future wife Iyash is you? Good if Hasa made the same Restu?”

“Hah? N-No, Om,” my rebuttal is quick.

Om Restu shook his head slowly. “Om shocked. The world is so narrow.”

“Om.”

“Mmm, shy.” He pinched my chin.

“Really, Om misunderstood. I'm the same with Sister Iyash just–”

“Sebentar.” Om Hasa brandished her palm and slashed my explanation. “Om can't stand it if you haven't talked about this same Hasa.”

Both my eyes are breaking when Om Rudi reached for a cell phone, but I want to say that I'm the same Kak Iyash is only limited to the same superior subordinates.

“Om, no, Om.”

 “Hasa,” shouts Om Rudi on mobile phone. “Congratulations. You didn't say that you were the same Restu would be besanan.”

Both my eyes are breaking.

“If Restu is still around, he would be really happy.”

“There, Iyash was here anterin Icha, hand in hand, I like to see young couples. Get married, Sa. Do not let go of dating for a long time, not good.”

“Om.” I still whine hoping that I can explain this misunderstanding.

Om Rudi laughed while looking at me. “Pulls caught, shy.”

“Bby, briefly.”

Om Rudi thrust his phone at me. “Hasa want to talk.”

I'm pensive.

“Quick.”

I wet my throat while receiving her phone. Then answer Om Hasa's call.

“Cha, you are the same Iyash.”

“Tadi. Iyash's brother has left again. Why, Om?”

“It looks like Om got the idea deh.”

“Om, Om Rudi not to be taken, he just ngasal.”

“Ngak-no. Not that, Cha.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Cirotain.” I returned the phone to the owner.

“Where?” ask Om Rudi while reaching for his phone.

“Ngak. Udah ah, I want to shop, will get angry again.” I waltz off and let Om Rudi, whatever he wants to think about me and Brother Iyash. Let later Iyash's own brother who will refute Om Rudi's assumption about us.