Home For My Soul

112|Give News

~Amarily~

After my sleeping habits began to settle down, Theo enjoyed a long summer vacation. He invited me to visit a historic place in the city. The thing I was waiting for. The close ones, we came by bike, while the far ones used public transportation.

I could finally taste the food sold by the food trucks that were on the side of the road. There are hotdogs, sandwich bread, cheese macaroni, pizza, doughnuts, and most iconic, pretzels. I like it all, or Amaryllis' tongue has different tastes. I don't know. But everything is delicious.

There was only one incident I regret. I was angry when Theo wouldn't answer my questions at the cabin. Even though he was right. His parents' past is none of his business. He has no right to reveal their secrets to anyone, including me.

It was only at bedtime that I understood my uncontrollable emotions. I came to the moon. As usual, I can't move. Seeing him bring me breakfast, I used the opportunity to apologize. He's not guilty.

Gift after gift he gave me, made me even more uncomfortable. I know where to live, bikes, cell phones, college books and notes, even food is all I need. Not with treatment to an orthodontic specialist.

But his persuasion was so tempting that I could no longer resist. It became a debt that I could repay later after I had my own salary. It took me a few weeks from the examination until it finally stuck tightly to the pearl of my mouth. The pain is incredible.

This method is quite effective if anyone wants to diet. I got into trouble eating because the front teeth hurt every time they accidentally bumped. I also avoided kissing in the area. Theo did not complain, instead being able to understand my circumstances.

It's been a long time since I checked the old phone, I activated it. Once I connected to the internet, there were so many messages, emails, and app update notifications. What concerns me is the message from Mama and Mommy. Oh, my God, I forgot.

“What are you doing there!? You want me dead? Two months more no news. How are you? The phone is off, a new number is not sent either. Next time I won't let you go abroad!” amuk Mother.

“Your mother is right. We panicked to find out through the local KBRI. We are calm you have arrived on schedule, but why not give word for a long time? Didn't the campus start yet? You came faster to meet the campus invitation, ‘kan?” nagel Mom.

“If it wasn't for your papa and brother being busy with their project, I would have already flown there! Naughty boy.” Mother looked at me with a light. “I'd love to pinch your cheeks.”

“I don't care if he's big, I'll hit his ass until he asks for mercy,” Mama said, not to lose.

I was forced to wear a headset so that their angry voices would not be heard until I left the room. I'm ashamed that Theo heard these two ferocious women nagging me. He will laugh as much as he sees my suffering. Even if it was my own fault.

Theo charm managed to take my mind off the family and longing for the homeland. I promised to tell them when I got here. I've got a new phone and a new number, I haven't told them yet. Idiotically.

“I'm sorry, Mother, Mama. I was completely unintentional,” I said while putting on my best face. “My first days of jet lag were severe due to a time difference of nearly twelve hours. When you remember your family, you sleep there. I can't possibly bother you guys.”

“If I know how things are going, I'd better take you. Being in a new place must be confusing. Do you have a place to live, a comfortable place? What about daily needs? Did you eat enough?” said Mother gently.

“What's that stuck to your teeth?” ask Mama. The two of them simultaneously frowned while staring intently.

“You got braces?” ask Mother not to believe. “Not it there cost more?”

I used the opportunity to tell everything, starting from the cost, length of treatment, and other details that have been described by the specialist dentist. I was relieved to see they had calmed down, not looking angry anymore.

I also showed the room I was in. Fortunately, I finished taking out all my clothes and personal belongings and putting them in their place. So, Mama and Mommy can see for themselves I take good care of myself.

They were taking turns telling me things at home when suddenly Theo kissed me on the cheek. My ears suddenly did not hear the voice of my mother anymore, only my laughter was the joy of my boyfriend. Strange, he can't see my phone screen.

“Who is that? How can any man freely enter your room, Kat??” peekik Mommy panicked.

“This why are you laughing? Hit her head hard. He has already abused you!” exclaim Mama. “We'd better call the police!”

The kiss that rained down on Theo was not the cause of my laughter that I could not stop, but the words that both my mama spoke. Did they forget I could protect myself? If I wanted to, I could take down this man I love in a few seconds.

“Theo, stop!” I had to laugh when I heard Mama and Mommy getting panicked so I had to take off the headset. “Theo, Mama and Mommy see us! Stop!”

They seemed to recognize the name, because they stopped talking. Not long after, they laughed. Only then did Theo understand my sentence earlier. I will not forget the look on her surprised face when she kissed me in front of her future mother-in-law.

Realizing something was awkward, Mama and Mommy began to interrogate us. Theo, who was the culprit, ran away, leaving me to explain everything on my own. But considering her pale face, I couldn't bear to call her back.

“Theo live next door, Mama, Mommy,” I replied half-truthfully. He lived next to me, his room, not his apartment. But I'm not entirely lying. “We're the only ones who know each other, so he helped me a lot.”

“You think I don't know anything, yes, young lady?” Mother squinted her eyes. “I know you and her are dating. Hey, remember, you can't cross the line. The room is a forbidden place. Don't let him enter your room again.”

“Nah yes. I looked like I had seen his face. He's Theo who kissed you in that viral video.” My mother looked at me sharply. “Listen, yes. I let you go to college there to go home with science, not bring a child.”

“Who wants to come home with a child?” my protest. “Mother already knows the reputation of Husada Family. Theo's a good boy, Ma. I explained everything. We didn't cross the line first, nor did we pass it now.”

I let out a loud sigh when the video-call relationship ended. I was tired of explaining this simple thing to them. I'm not a teenager anymore that they can still steer. I have been twenty-four years, it is time to be given the freedom to judge what is good and bad.

Theo stood restlessly near the counter when I came. He looked at my hand before returning to my face, definitely looking for my phone. He should have done that, not now. I wouldn't have scolded Mama and Mommy if she had been careful.

Seeing her worried face asking my mother's second reaction, I wanted to tease her, but I couldn't bear it. I'm not like he who easily hurts other people's feelings. Moreover, Mama and Mommy are really angry to realize Theo entered my room just like that.

“I'm an adult. My mother can no longer manage what is good or bad for me,” I replied casually. “What are you cooking? Smells good.”

“Lo seriously? They must be angry. I didn't remember the time I called. If you answer, none of this will happen.”

“We eat, yuk. I'm hungry.” It was early in the morning, I didn't want to fight with him.

Learning from my mistakes, I always call my family on weekends. So, they don't have to worry about my situation anymore. Since it was more convenient to call in the morning at their time, it was already evening at my place.

Feeling the difference in clocks like this feels awkward. During my undergraduate studies, I didn't experience it when communicating with Mama. Even though the distance between Depok and Medan is very far. America and the Field are further away. But only at first did I feel that, I got used to it after a few times of communication.

College started, I met new people. They immediately knew I was an international student because my race was different from theirs. But I was treated well by everyone, including the teacher.

There is only one thing that I need to get used to. Master's degree is different from undergraduate. We learn more in groups than face-to-face with lecturers. The task is also many and not easy to do. Theo helped to list the books, but he did not want to help analyze the content.

The first semester was hard. But don't call me Katelya if the trivial matter just gives up. If I get an active group friend, I'll calm down. Well, the problem is if one group with stubborn people who want to find easy.

“Casual. Although this is group work, our activeness is also personally assessed by lecturers. You don't have to be afraid of being left behind because of him,” entertain Nora, my new friend.

“I'm not worried about that. I'm just tired of arguing over unimportant things,” I complained.

“He intentionally did.” Nora lowered her volume while looking to our right and left. “You're not from here, so you don't know the gossip about him.”