Heart Fragment

Selection of Wife Candidates

Pov Devan

"Wife selection?" I asked half surprised. Almost all the food I had just swallowed was stuck in my throat. Rushing I grabbed a glass of water, sipping it slowly until the toilet was not left.

Mamah glanced at me, then said, "Try it first, Van. They come to the store one by one."

My forehead was frowning, it seemed that my mother was not joking.

"But Mah, Devan is still not ready, after all not having to go to the store either, right?" Refuse smooth.

"Where else do you want? All day at the store. Try it first, for Mama's sake. Okay?" He said before finally going to the kitchen. Bring the bowl of his breakfast the morning.

"Yamaahahhh!" My whine is spoiled for my old woman. Ah, yes, to whom else would I have spoiled if not with mamah. Given that at this ripe age, I am not married yet.

I don't know, I just want to enjoy my solitude. Although actually, I can not deny it anymore, nothing has made my heart beat irregularly like before.

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The streets of Bandung this morning feel so crowded. Various vehicles scramble each other, looking for gaps to quickly reach the destination of each passenger. The screams of the horn were unpretentious, followed by cries from motorcyclists who were impatient to get a turn. Not spared the hawkers enliven, the hustle and bustle of the increasingly irregular streets.

I opened a little window of the car door, gave a code to one of the hawkers to get closer.

"Mang, want to be equal to ten," I said as the merchant approached.

"What's up ahead? Pisan jams," I asked later.

"Oh, it was an accident A." In the sodorkan a black crackle, containing the food I had ordered.

"Take the change" I said after giving him a red note.

Friday morning. Many stories say, if Friday is the day of the day.

"Many prayers, more prayers, more alms, do not forget to read al-kahfi." I tried to follow one of my teachers advice.

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I observed various leather-based products in the storefront. Recalling about my struggle with Bagas until finally we can be as successful as this. How true life somersaults feel, especially when they are at their lowest point and fall into laughter.

Remember when we were repeatedly fooled by buyers, or when we had to turn the brain, where the price of raw materials skyrocketed, but consumers asked for low prices. Even worse, if the buyer bids until the lowest price but ends not so buy. I want to say, really too.

"Sir, sorry, for the delivery of goods to Kalimantan, the stock in the store is less. Mr. Bagas today didn't come, so how did you?" Question Arif, my shop clerk, makes the shadow of the past glow, scatter instantly.

"Oh, yeah. Let me take care of it later," I replied casually.

"Emm .. but sir, the consumer is asking for the goods to this day. If it can be sent as soon as possible," said Arif back.

"Have you asked the Center to send you here?" Ask to make sure .

"Oh, but no response yet. Consumers are asking for certainty now. Since then, I have not replied to WA. Nanyain to the Father."

"Okay, I take it now, you check what the fastest expedition, the total of all the same goods. Don't forget to reply to the consumer, today sent," I explained back.

The principle I built with Bagas is customer satisfaction that must be prioritized. Although not infrequently their requests are quite strange.

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At one o'clock in the afternoon, right after the dzhuhur prayer. I headed to my private room in the store. Enjoy a lunch made by Mom. Sometimes I feel, whether I or my mom, as a child. Tokoku with food stalls is very close. Even lined food stalls with various menu variants, but mamah always brought me supplies, and I never refused every one he prepared.

Once Bagas mocked me with the provisions I ate, "Ciyeee son of Mamah." So said. The boy was often ridiculed, not even rarely said me if it had dealt with women.

Once there was a buyer in the store, there also happened to be Bagas there. He watches over the buyer, giving value from head to toe. I'm not interested in commenting on it, but Bagas is always flirting.

Sometimes I laugh at myself seeing Bagas's behavior. Luckily today he didn't come, because if he knew, Mamah sent me some girls to the store, he must have been getting more and more on my feet.

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"Tokk! I'm sorry sir, there's a guest looking for you." The sound of Bayu calling from behind the door. Ah, these must be the girls.

"Go in," I replied, commanding while tidying up my former dinner table.

My mom is just weird. Why should I use it this way too. Am I as good as him? To the extent that my old woman had to step in to choose a wife for me.

"Huf." I let out a breath. Conditioning the heart and mind so as not to think. Think of it like a new employee acceptance interview.

All right, this room will be a witness. How to form also the character of prospective wives of choice mama. Could one of them interest me.

"Czech," the sound of the door opening.

A girl comes in. He smiled at the sumringah. Black-haired shoulder to shoulder, his body slim, his two eyes were also shady. He wears a purple top, with jeans as his subordinate. The girl is sweet, unfortunately the first point alone does not meet my criteria, this girl does not close the aurat. Kublacklist from my list.

Doesn't everyone have criteria? And what I'm looking for, is that he's closed to perfection. You know, emm, criteria.

Fifteen minutes we were making small talk, crisp chatter but he seemed to be enjoying it.

His name is Dinda, his age just stepped on the head of two. The girl turned out to be quite chatty. Lucky after thirty minutes, he finally rushed off. Because I myself don't want to linger with him here. Tired of starting to stumble. I thought he was too.

I folded both hands on the table. Drown my head between the two. Tiring off, also the heart that begins to die. Why am I so bad at dealing with a girl now.

"Tok tok!" Back door sound on knock.

"Come in" I said half-calling.

A girl came back in. Without further ado, he laid out some of the bushy structures that I had expected to contain food.

"It's my own making, you know," he said with a smile. "Say Aunty, Aa' likes the same vegetables asem," he added while opening the bushel.

"No need, put it first. I just ate" I replied.

The second girl looks good at cooking, the smell of food that made her make worms in my stomach immediately wrapped around. I deliberately refused it, besides still full, I also hesitated if I had to eat alone. Let me take my other employees to eat.

His face is sweet, he also wears a veil, deftly also good at cooking. Name's Rara. He was twenty-four years old. Still on my side, but it turns out he's a little weird and too chatty.

"Duh, this table was never on the lap? The chair is also dusty." He pointed to my chair and my seat.

"When you get married, I don't want to be dirty." He took a tissue on the table, wiping all the parts he saw dirty and dusty.

'Crazy, anyone who agrees will be with him.' I sat in my heart.

"The windows should also be opened, let air in." Rara walked towards the window, opening it in haste. I'm gawking, not married yet it's like this. Especially later? It can be like thinking of dust and dirt. He's too hygienic.

"Haaaatccciii..." He sneezes. "Hhhh his slob," he later.

I rolled my eyes, puffed up. Of course it was dirty, but the window was never opened. Near the sewer whose water stinks. That's why I'm so lazy to open it.

"I think you should take a quick trip home, Ra. That's your nose red, it's getting worse, you know!" I gave the order.

The girl squinted her eyes. Stabbed me with her sharp gaze, as if she was asking, "You're upset with me?"

He hurried to leave the room while wiping his watery nose.

Rara just left. No matter how long, reappeared the third mamah choice girl. Why the replacement is so accurate. Or maybe there are some waiting outside?

I scratched my head that wasn't scratching. Trying to throw away face after a few times this view looked at something too sensitive.

This third girl, the clothes she was wearing looked very lacking in materials. Plus the makeup is too excessive. I'm nervous, also very uncomfortable. Visible smooth white tiered neck that many times he deliberately wiped.

"Aa, marry yuk" he said as he stood up from his seat. Her lofty height, with a short skirt showing her smooth thighs made my face look numb. This girl is very brave, very aggressive.

Mamah, I'm sorry if I'm disobedient. Looks like I need to get out of this workspace, or rather leave the store. The selection was enough to reach the three girls just now. I'll find it myself.

"I'm sorry, I'm going to go first. There's a little business. You, don't be like that again. Not polite" I said before leaving the room.

I left the girl alone inside. To think a little and reflect on my words earlier. He has made me feel good, not only from his words but also from his actions.

Just getting to know him, he had already dared to approach so aggressively earlier. Even willing to give up her precious possession, he said. I'm blacklisting from my list. You know, back to the criteria.

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Black clouds hanging above the clouds. In the twilight wind, with a cool breeze special rain air will arrive.

The merchants along the way, began to put up their tents to protect the wares from the rain.

From where I sat enjoying a bowl of batagor buah, I saw a girl standing on a pedestrian overpass. His legs were raised up next to him, climbing the barrier that prevents road users from falling down. He, could it be that he would kill himself? Suddenly my mind drifted there.

Not far from where the girl was standing, there were two burly-bodied men in thick black jackets, looking at her intently.

The girl's black hair, slumped forward almost partially closing her face. The red dress worn, weaving in the wind.

"That's someone's suicidal!" Shouted someone while pointing up, where the girl was ready to field herself.

"Neng, not Neng!!" I heard screams prevented by some pedestrians. Followed by hysterical cries of some who witnessed it. There are also busy capturing in a mobile phone camera.

I don't know what made me so sure, then rushed to the desperate girl. Passing through the many crowds, after previously paying for the broth batagor I had eaten.

I ran up the pedestrian overpass, splitting rapidly the crowd crammed. From where I stood, the girl stared. Some saw no one trying to get close. Out of fear, the girl grew more and more reckless.

"Nobody's coming any closer!" He shouted after seeing me who was less than a meter away with him.

"Or what?" I asked him back. I intentionally use a high tone, just to make the guts.

"Jump mah, jump, don't make a scene here. Look down at the ngantri going through!" My jerk is getting higher.

The girl didn't budge. I could see a clear circle darting on his pointy chin. She cried. His hands were trembling, he was already preparing to jump. The other leg even climbed the bridge.

I ran to grab the stem of his left hand. I hope my calculations are correct and not wrong.

"Grabb!!" I grabbed the girl into a hug, then covered her head to half-body with the jacket I deliberately carried. He rebelled, trying to get away from me. There was pain in the heartburn, when he violently kicked my sensitive part with his knee.

"You shut up! Follow my footsteps. Never open his jacket. Or tomorrow your face goes viral, with a more ominous caption!" My whisper is still withstanding the pain. He could be like this.

But thankfully, my plan failed. I saw a lot of camera flashes start taking our pictures. How is it possible in the midst of conditions like this, there are those who intend to capture moments that should only need help.

The girl then complied. It starts as though. Let it be, let it ease its own cries. I began to walk, followed by his footsteps by hiding behind my back as well as the jacket he was wearing.

Along the way down the stairs, various views showed that they sneered at me. Maybe think I'm her boyfriend, or her husband, or something. I didn't respond too much. I led him into the car. How could you leave him here alone. At least stay away from the crowd of people who are still wondering. Why did this girl end her life.

After making sure everything was safe, he opened the jacket that covered his head and half body. The face poked, blasting the memory I had long harbored. That girl, isn't she the one I once hired?

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She looked at me for a long time, her little nose reddened like her two eyes were getting watery. Without a puff, without a sound, only the water droplets were flowing more and more rapidly on both cheeks.

I reached for the mineral water and tissue that used to be stored behind the car seat. Give it to him later.

"Can you drive the car?" the voice came out along with his movement grabbing the item I gave. The girl's voice sounded raucous and heavy. Like I'm under pressure.

I sighed, it was good to rule. This is my car, why rummage too? I disregarded it.

He looked at me with an I don't know look. There was a feeling of pity there, seeing the petals getting flooded with tears.

"OK, all right, all right," I said as I pulled the wheel of the car, and then started driving at her request.

I saw from behind the rearview mirror, the two burly men ran as if they were coming towards us. The girl's expression was also frightened, her hands squeezing her own knees.

"Thank you" he said after a long time we both fell silent.

I don't know where this car is going to take us. In my mind right now is just, hopefully he doesn't remember me.

"OK, equally. Next time don't do anything like that. Appreciate your life, whatever it is." I tried to cheer up, keeping my eyes on the street ahead.

"Two times," he chimed in.

Twice? Whaties? Suicide attempt?

"Two times, you helped me" he said later. The tail of my eyes caught it, looking at me with a sad look.

I'm slowing down the car, because up ahead, the red light is on. As soon as the car stopped, I took the initiative to reach for the seat belt that he had not yet worn.

My hand grabbed the left side where he was sitting, the shadow of the past came back. Dejavu, I immediately abandoned my intentions.

"Wear the seatbelt," I said, yelling rudely. I think back to my girl from the past. Shit right? so far I haven't been able to move on from him.

"Thank you, this, our second meeting," he said stammered but able to break my daydreams to the girl of the past.

Hey, does he remember me? Holy hooch!

"You remember?" many ensure. Both of my eyes immediately looked fixedly at him, does he really remember me?

Damnit damnit! The nod in his head proves that he remembers me. Back I felt guilty, yeah, guilty to myself. Because to me it is. Aib who has been past, even though he and I never did anything.

I chose the left-most highway lane, pulled over the car so I could freely talk to him.

"OK, let's just say it never happened. Don't think I'm like the striped-nose guy who used to date you. I was just, um, depressed, at the time" I said convincingly.

She shook her head. Even the trunks are very hard. I frowned confused, was my sentence wrong?

"You have misunderstood" he argued.

What's wrong to understand? Isn't she a comfort woman? You know what his job is like.

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flashback - Flashback

3 Years ago

"Ratih.ratiih.." Lirih voice mukhlis raved calling the name of his late wife. In a simple wooden house, with minimal illumination, lay a frail man, wearing a blanket all over his body. The man was cold, the night breeze that entered through the gap of the room of the house, making him even shiver.

"Please sir, istighfar, huhuhu." With the only daughter of his puppet trying to calm down.

"Bring Neng, to the hospital." Woman of forty, standing in the doorway with a knee-length batik negligee opened her voice. I could not bear to see the condition of his neighbor.

"Nay there's no money, Uwa." The girl returned. Confused to see the condition of his father who is dying.

The decision of both his parents to migrate from the land of birth in the value of wrong by him. He doesn't have a brother here. In a city known for its cold air.

In the past, his parents traded in the fish market every day. Nayla, who is just a graduate girl, only helps the family finances by working as a fashion store keeper. He was not highly educated, because his parents could not afford to pay.

His mother died a month ago, committing suicide due to depression in the face of life's realities that have left him worse off. Wrapped in debt, also can not stand the gossip of neighbors on the right left of his house.

Since his wife died, Mukhlis has been ill. Never once taken for treatment. Don't charge for the nearest hospital or clinic. To eat everyday, sometimes they do not have. The fate of the poor has always been like this. And the heart is forced to be patient, to face strange conditions.

"Huweeeeeekkkk!" Mukhlis spewed out the contents in his stomach. Tergopoh Nayla assisted the woman who was called Uwa by him. Sit Mukhlis and wipe his vomit marks. An unpleasant smell struck, plus blood also came out with him.

"Let's help Nay get me to the hospital." The girl continued to say, she could no longer bear to see her Father getting tormented like this.

He, it looks like he's about to accept a job offer. From his fellow fellow in the ordinary shop he was guarding. Very bad job according to him. But that's what he chose now. Because according to him, there is no choice anymore.

At 21:00

After making sure his father handled in the hospital ER well. Nayla rushes away, towards a new chapter of life. Dive into the black valley, for the sake of something called rupiah.

Now he's stranded in a room in a nightclub room. The dress she was wearing was so thin, it made whoever was looking.it must have had her blood rustling in an instant.

He realized what he was doing was wrong, but he deceived himself, trying to accept what would happen. About his honor, his glory, also about his future. All are broken and starting from tonight.

His eyes were on the face of the Father. Only the man in pain, he still had.

Nayla prepared herself, sat on the lip of the bed, crossed her legs. "Klek," The door opened. Nayla's heart beats countless times. He was scared, but tried to cover up.

The figure of the man walked over, half staggered even barely falling in front of him. Sort of, Nayla got up to hold the weight of the man in front of her. The smell of the drink gushed, making the girl's stomach instantly felt in the stir.

"You enjoyed your first night, didn't you? All right, let's finish it, " said the young man. Nayla was confused, she did not understand at all. The young man shoved roughly Nayla's body, making her fall into bed. There was pain in his heart, but he tried to accept it. He has received a reward, so his duty must be done.

"Dad! Crazy because you're Rani!" The young man shouted again violently. It's getting confused Nayla. He looked at the man in front of him. The two young man's eyes turned red, there was a clear warm flowing as Nayla tried to touch her cheek. The young man was crying.

"Go!!" Now the young man's voice was screaming higher and higher. "Go fast!" He added as he pointed towards the door, telling Nayla to hurry away.

'But I haven't even done anything yet, ' Nayla said. He does not know how to be, between happy or confused.

Glad that he didn't have to rip off his honor even though the thick money had been filled in his red bag.

Confused if she had to go out now, because 'Madam' would ask why Nayla left the room so soon.

Finally the girl chose to hide herself, hugging her knees in the corner of the room. The young man was also unconscious, if Nayla had not really left yet. Eleven o'clock at night Nayla left the room. Two hours of hiding in a corner of the room, made him think, if he would never want to do this kind of work again. Lucky the man who came, did not intend to touch him in the least.

- Flashback off

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"Misunderstand what?" I asked probing. Looking at this girl in front of me, it suddenly felt like there was a sense of pity whackling. A person who commits suicide does not have a very high level of depression.

"Drrrrrrttttttttttt," my gaze trembled, imitating the name mamah called out on the screen.

My hunch was suddenly not good, considering that Mama had told me to select her preferred wife candidates. Until the third girl, I was not tasteful at all. Even I chose to run away from the store and no longer go back there.

A little afraid when lifting the telvon, I can imagine you must be angry. Although I don't mind if I have to scold my old woman. But still, his current condition was different. There's a girl with me in the car. Although we do not know too well, the name of the guy must look gentle even though it is as mamah himself.

I picked up the phone, having previously coded for the girl next to me to be quiet.

"Cash, Mah..."

"........................"

A few moments later.

My butterflies are hot, but I can't argue. My guess is right, my mom is angry and disappointed at my attitude towards her prospective girls. Mamah ended the phone after I tried to convolve, looking for a way not to extend the selection problem of his future wife. This is just to save yourself, at least you won't wonder much anymore.

I breathe out slowly. "You want to be my future wife? Just pretend. Just a week," I finally said to the girl next to me, whom I didn't even know her name.

"There's a fee, just calm down. Just pretend. I can give you more, than your previous job, how?"