Home For My Soul

72|Yang Ikau

“Lo can ask for anything,” he replied.

Waw. It's a rare opportunity. Usually he decides everything and chooses whatever he gives me. But this time he let me ask for whatever I want. What should I ask for? This one or that one?

“I can rightly ask for anything, ‘kan?” ask me enthusiastically.

“Of course,”.

“Then, I want—” I said enthusiastically.

“Unless things are against morals, against the law, beyond the ability of my wallet, then you may ask for it,” he added, cutting my sentence.

“You intend to gift, no?” namelku upset.

He grabbed me by the shoulder, then took me out of the dining room. “Gue seriously. Okay. I will not be tempted again. So, what do you want?”

“Back as Katelia,” I replied enthusiastically.

He stopped his steps, forcing me to do the same. He looked at me with a frown. “It's beyond my means, dear.”

I was amazed to hear him call me dear again. “You misunderstood. I just want you to call me Katelia, just for today. A-aku—” isakku suddenly.

“Hey, you're okay?” tanyanya panic.

I don't know why I'm crying. Maybe because it was my deepest request. I haven't celebrated my birthday in a long time, but being Katelia is something I miss more. Although I didn't mind being called Amarilis, I realized it wasn't my name.

I miss being called Katelia again.

“It's a bit strange, but ..” He's clearing slowly. “Is there any place you want to go, Katelia?”

I smiled happily at it. “Come, we go to the city park!”

He rode his motorcycle to where I asked. Since it is still a school holiday today, there are a lot of people who are there. I took Theo for a walk around the place. Sometimes being in a crowd is fun. I was usually in the park to work, but this time to enjoy the green and fresh atmosphere.

Tired of walking, I took him out for iced coconut. Freshly. Seeing him just pout, I chuckled. I don't know why he doesn't like open spaces. Her skin was pale as a corpse. Even though he rides a motorcycle, he always covers all of his skin perfectly.

“Lo the weird. There is a cool place like a mall, even going to a cramped and sultry place like this,” he lamented. “After this, I choose a place.”

“I am the birthday, I choose a place, dong,” my rebuttal.

“If the place is crowded like this, mending me between you home,” threatened him.

So that he wouldn't complain about the crowds, I chose the museum. Let it be as quiet as in a grave. But I was wrong, there were also many people who brought their families to that place. Even engrossed in posing on every piece of art on display.

I don't want to lose and take her pictures together in a good location. He could not smile at all in front of the camera so the results were bad. It was like taking a picture with someone who felt compelled to be near me.

“Mistake yourself. I told you, I don't like to be photographed,” replied when I mocked him.

“You don't like this, don't like it. What do you like?” pissed me.

“Lo, dong. Who else?” He's grabbing my shoulder.

I elbowed his chest. “Gombal.”

That day we ended by buying fried rice on the side of the road and enjoying it together. I looked at his face. He was fine, not complaining of pain. That means he can eat less hygienic food. He was an ordinary human too. Similar to Jericho.

Brother could not eat carelessly, so he always chose the same restaurant he had been to and had no ill effects on his body. If the food is not clean, there will be rashes on the face, neck, and hands. He always has to be perfect for the job.

Me and Nolan are fine. Only Jericho has allergies. Papa and Mama don't have the same skin problem, so most likely he inherited it from Grandpa or Grandma. We never ate in restaurants whenever they were, always at home. So, we don't know for sure who is a less hygienic food allergy like Big Brother. I miss my family.

“What do you satisfied with today?” asked Theo when we were in front of my index fence.

I nodded quickly. “Thank you.”

I smiled happily at it. Katelia is my name. Even if only for one day I could hear that name again, I was happy. I feel alive because I can be myself. Even for one day.

Theo grabbed my hand, then pulled me closer. He didn't say anything, but I knew what he was going to do. When our lips touched, I closed my eyes and let him guide me. Yet he did nothing more than give a brief kiss.

“What have you done to me, Katelia?” whispered, barely heard. He always said that line every time he gave a farewell kiss.

“What do you mean, Theo?” many confused.

“Gue feels like taking you to the room and doing everything on my mind. This thought is crazy. I have never felt this for any girl. If it wasn't because we were in college, I would have married you this second too,” he admitted.

“If it's annoying, we can keep the distance—”

“No. I can be crazy for too long nothing near lo.” He tightened his embrace. “Do not be afraid. I can control myself. I will not break the promise.”

If it wasn't for me hearing it myself, I wouldn't believe an Altheo Husada fell in love with an ordinary girl like Amarilis. I understand why she can't like Katelia. I was so mean at school. Which good young man will fall in love with her?

Could this be the divine secret to the accident that happened to me and Amaryllis? Katelia and Theo are engaged, but cannot be together due to differences in principles. We meet again as Theo and Amarilis, falling in love in a strange atmosphere, but we are comfortable together.

Yes, we are comfortable together. Even though we fought, we never felt like being away from each other. He often pisses me off, but I'm glad to see his face. Because there are also times when we are one word and like the same thing.

“What will happen to us if your parents don't give you blessing?” askaku.

“Let me think the way.” He rubbed my hair.

“Oke.” I nodded slowly and smiled feeling her kiss on my head.

Hercules was with Matt, so I called my parents the next day to find out about my sister. It turns out that he also graduated and managed to enter the campus he was after in Medan. Mama sounded very happy because her two children managed to continue their studies.

Matt asked to be accompanied by re-enrollment and everything on campus, so Theo and I fulfilled his request. A few days with him, he always rewarded us with lunch and coffee or tea together.

Another long-awaited day arrived. Jericho diwisuda. Unfortunately, I only saw him from afar with his toga on his way out of the auditorium. There's Om and Auntie who don't know who I am. I don't know when I have the courage to admit my situation to them.

But Brother Jericho took us to lunch together the next day. Brother Nolan is also coming, so we can let each other miss. Only Theo whose presence felt awkward. But he relaxed, not caring about the protesting gazes of my two brothers.

“Why should he be here also with us?” kak Nolan's Protest.

“He's a good friend of Amarylis. Every time you invite him, then this young man will follow him,” replied Brother Jericho, half mocking.

I put on a smile, but the person concerned did not react after being made into a joke. He ate his food while reading the book he was taking seriously. The wrinkle between Kak Nolan's eyebrows deepened to see his attitude.

“You'd better go home, Theo. There are things we need to talk about without your presence,” said Kak Nolan, in a serious tone.

“Do you think I'm here for no reason?” theo said without lifting his head from his book.

“What do you mean?” asked Nolan impatiently.

“Gue and Amaryllis is an affair in people's eyes. In addition, we are first class mates at school and one major on campus.” He turned his head towards Kak Nolan, then glanced at Kak Jericho. “What do you two have to do with him so meet the three here?”

I looked at my two brothers. Yes, we have no close relationship when viewed from that side. Jericho and I ate lunch together a lot, but only college people know. Others never saw us familiar. Brother Nolan is also strange to be close to Amarilis.

“We are seniors also on campus,” replied Kak Nolan accordingly.

“Lo has not been diligent to campus when he just entered, Nolan. Richo's on leave. Even if you're an SMU, you're not friends with Amarilis. Rich people like you might want to be close to a poor girl like her,” Theo said, explaining.

“Why should such a thing be questioned?” protest Kak Nolan, don't understand.

I squinted my eyes at Theo. She was obviously jealous to see me and my two sisters eating together. Why not honestly say that's the reason? Why did he even give such a convoluted answer. It's not just Theo.

“Because one of you is a celebrity.” Theo glanced at Brother Jericho. “Didn't you guys see reporters covering your meeting?”