Go home

Prank

Renjana Kanya's

My conversation with Araz was still spinning in my mind as we were on our way back to Jakarta by evening.

"How about if I know who you call? Will you accept me as a companion or hate me?"

"What does that mean? Did Araz really know Arez?"

"Jawab is my question. Would you hate me if I told you about my life that might be related to that guy? Or maybe just the opposite?"

"Yes depends. It can't be said, Mom. About how I felt about Mas Araz. Or maybe it's about Arez."

"If so, I'll make you fall in love with me first."

"Mas, I've long lost contact with him. There was something between us that ended without farewell. So if I may know, what is your relationship? Why am I doing the same thing every time I'm with Mas Araz?"

"Then let's just say I'm Arez's shadow."

"Where can it be. Obviously you're two different people."

Silent. Our conversation stopped. The man did not respond to my statement. I was busy guessing about them. About Arez or Araz.

So what does that question mean? Did Araz really know Arez? Are they brothers or just know each other? If so, why didn't Araz tell me?

The man was more silent on his return from Sukabumi. Didn't answer my questions about their real relationship. Even though I half forced him to tell stories.

"Everyone has his own wounds, Kanya. So do I. I'll tell you when I'm sure you won't leave me. Because of Putra or Arez," he said last time before being completely silent and focusing only on the wheel.

I can't force him. Araz has the right to share his story or not. But I don't know why I feel so claustrophobic when I find out that he's hiding his wounds from me.

Though I always spill annoyed even crying on him. Strange, we only met for two weeks. At first I felt uncomfortable being around him, but now I am more comfortable with him. Sharing complaints even hugs I can't do with just anyone.

"Mas Araz really doesn't want to tell me?" ask me before getting out of the car. The man just smiled while shaking his head.

"If you're going on a date with me tomorrow, maybe I can change my mind. I'll send a chat to bill you for your answer" he said before leaving me in front of the apartment building.

My face feels hot. I don't know why I often blush when I'm dealing with Araz. It was even uncomfortable when he really didn't want to talk about his relationship with Arez.

"Huuffttt... Why am I now a melancholy gini because of Araz?"

I complained before heading to my apartment unit on the fifth floor.

***

Saturday Night

It should have been an hour ago that I was out with Araz, but the man canceled it fifteen minutes before the appointment on the pretext that there was business that could not be left.

I smiled wryly as I reread the message sent by Araz. Very short and enough to stick the pain in the heart.

Alcatraz

Sori Kanya, there are things I cannot leave behind. Maybe next time.

Hufftt... is there still a man who canceled an appointment before the appointment time? I was angry in my heart.

I lay my body down on the living room couch and grabbed one of the books from the shelf. Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood shifted from its original place when I kept it. Could it be Araz who took it yesterday?

Araz.

The name of the man made me feel claustrophobic as I remembered it. The shadow of his warm and friendly demeanor, evaporated just like that when I remembered how he canceled the appointment all of a sudden. What can I do now? I even rejected Vina's invitation to come out to keep her promise with Araz.

"Arrgh.. kesel me, why try malming at home," I shouted to expel fatigue. "Did I call Almira? I haven't talked to that mummy for a long time either."

I grabbed the device lying on the table and made a call to Almira. Before long the woman greeted me with Damar beside her.

"Tumben video call first? Get it, Buk?" greet Damar even before Almira had a voice. "Why don't you, it's impossible to miss us."

"Hahaha. Uh you two how are you?"

"Boss, pleasantries. What do you want our VC? I don't want to pay money, do I?"

"Jeez, you think bad about me. That's why Almira is?" I asked when I realized Almira had just been quiet ever since.

"Oh, we just talked to you. Eh, just nongol the guy." Alisku interlocked in response to Damar's statement. What are they talking about me? "No need to be hurt, we are not talking about the ugly. Just talking about your disgrace."

"So gini His, Temen-temen SMP make group chat. Then they asked me to share your number. Well, before that, it's like Alfian found out the address of your apartment to Audya," Almira's story made me put together the events that happened yesterday when suddenly Putra appeared in my apartment lobby.

"Oohh. At first I thought you were telling me. It's Audya."

"Tumben your answer is very flat," commented Damar. "Padalah Almira has been wary you will rampage if the Son to appear in your apartment."

I smiled cynically. Yes, because in fact I have not been able to make peace with the pain caused by the man. But to this day, the Son did not appear to me and it made me quite relieved.

"Thankful that's it. If I could give you some advice, then. Stop running from the Son. Solve your problems now. It's not time for you to be hostile to each other. When are you going to be alone?"

My laughter broke upon hearing Damar's repeated admonition. But I still remain stupid. In reality, it is not easy to turn away from the love that has been exposed, right?

"Where's Aldo? Not out lo malming gini?" Damar is still in control of our conversation. "You guys haven't been together yet?"

My face turned moody. Remembering the date call that was canceled fifteen minutes before the appointment time and made me carefree, before deciding to make a video call with Almira and Damar. I wonder why I was so disappointed just because I canceled a date with Araz.

"Him, you're okay, right?" Almira's question breaks my daydream. I just smiled forcefully. Almira is always sensitive to what happens with people around her. "Yes, you just want to say that Mas Aldo is married."

"Huh? What, he's off an appointment to see you tonight?"

"Oh, so that's why you're our VC? Just to kill time for failing a date?" seductive Almira after a long time let Damar master the conversation.

"Yes that's not Mir, ah you're not fun ah. I do know. Confused how should I be?"

"Ciiee, who said no but secretly expected. Are you starting to feel the same way as Aldo?" Almira is teasing me.

"Not that, Mir. I wonder if she is related to Arez. The more here they look like, the more they look like?"

"Oh yeah? I also felt that at first, but when you ask, I pretend to deny because of the same kelas lo," protested Damar did not want to lose. He really didn't let me and Almira talk together. "So how do you come to a conclusion that they know you?"

"So, yesterday I was abis from Sukabumi same Araz. Btw, his name is Alcatraz woi, not Aldo."

"Playing into Sukabumi?" tanya Damar interrupted.

"Running from the Son. From the past if there was a problem with Putra - after college, he would run to Sukabumi. Thank goodness there is a winner, up to Gede him."

"Oh yeah? I never know, honey?"

"Where have you ever understood the same Kanya. Arez tuh who's going everywhere take care of him."

Damar and Almira were busy arguing about me. Without caring if their romance makes me amused and envious.

"You guys haven't had a debate for long? Finish your business first, I'll tell you."

"Sori deh Nya, will make your belain too." Almira laughed in response to my cynical sentence. He stopped his joke with Damar and refocused on me. "So what about Arez?"

"So right in Sukabumi, Araz asked me how if he knew Arez, would I hate him or vice versa?"

"Why did he ask that? Did he kill Arez?" asked Damar to make my fur suddenly goosebumps. What if that was the case, so he was afraid that I hated that man.

"Where did you get Arez's address, Dam?" I asked him to think of a terrible reality.

"Temen sekampus first. Different majors, but quite familiar with Arez. Why?"

"When did he last meet Arez?"

"Two years ago. Why the hell is emang? You can't think Araz killed Arez, can you?"

"It could be, Dam. He even said it was the same with me, then suddenly canceled a promise. He could tell me, but he was scared. Not because I'm afraid I'm gonna hate him, but I'm afraid I'm gonna get a report from the police."

"Well, he said Yang. Gini if you have lived alone for a long time. I like his paranoid exaggeration."

"It's all possible that could happen, Dam. Two years, then what? No one has ever heard of Arez. If you forget that."

"Him, plis!"

"What if it's real, Dam?" I began to panic at the thought of something terrible happening.

Across the street, Damar looks very nervous. If only he was in front of me, I would not hesitate to hit him on the head. "Okay, I'll find out, but whatever the outcome is including if your fantasy is real, you can't run away from this problem anymore."

After saying goodbye, my seat on the living room sofa became restless. I was busy guessing what happened between Arez and Araz. What makes Araz afraid to admit their relationship to me?

Until I fell asleep, I still could not find the answer.