I'm Not a Wild Grass

The Nunik (POV Laila)

I got home when the adzan maghrib had long stopped reverberating. I passed through a narrow alley that would lead me to a small contract where I lived with Mama for more than two years.

The owner of our contract is named Bu Hajah Mariyah. A very good middle-aged woman. There are times when the financial situation of my family is thinning, causing us to be late to pay the rent. Bu Hj's. Mariyah was heartened to understand our condition.

You could say, Mama and I owe a lot to Bu Hajah. Moreover, Bu Hajah also often distributed free basic food to the occupants of his contract. I wish there were many good people like Bu Hajah Mariyah in this world. So, we can often get free basic food. ha ha ha ha. What an optimistic thought, right?

Ms. Hajah Mariyah has a single daughter who is the same age as me. Name's Nunik. And I'm pretty close friends with her daughter.

Nunik also has a face and temperament that resembles his Mother. Because Nunik is also a very, very good person. Unfortunately, Nunik is now studying S3 outside the city. While visiting as a lecturer in Archaeology at the University of its alumni in the same city. I rarely see my best friend.

Only an occasional phone call or a short message conversation that makes communication between us still ongoing.

Usually only once a month Nunik comes home to visit his parents. And it just so happened that today my best friend just came home.

As I was about to get to the front of my rented porch, I heard Nunik's greeting calling me from outside the gate of his house.

"Brachim!" Call Nunik.

Hearing that familiar voice, I immediately turned my head and ran towards Nunik who also walked quickly towards me.

I was just about to hug her, when I remembered my dirty clothes being splashed by a dirty puddle. As a result I held back and only grabbed both hands of Nunik to invite him around in circles on the spot, like a Kindergarten child.

"Nuniiikk!! Kangenn!!" Reveal me honestly.

I looked at Nunik's tiny face and was covered in a wide headscarf along his waist. I enjoyed the cheerful smile that adorned my best friend's shady face. And I really admit that I miss my best friend very much.

"Yes! Aye! Nunik also misses Lail.. Lail's healthy?" Nunik asked when we had stopped circling like Kindergartens.

"It's healthy.it's just tired of just getting home from work."

"Lail's uniform is different? Moving to work again?" Guess Nunik very precisely.

Indeed, I admit that I often move to work because there are always problems that follow me wherever I go. Most of the time I often have problems with colleagues who sirik and bestow slander to me. Because of that, I can move six to eight times in one year. And Nunik knows very well about this.

I grinned the horse, in answer to Nunik's question.

"Yes that's it. Change the atmosphere, Nun," I always origin.

"Basic! Must be Lail first, right, who's causing trouble? Try deh il, keep your emotions that like to explode like firecrackers. Nun is worried that Lail has been bedridden in all places in this city and will have to move out of town because all the workplaces in this city do not want to catch Lail anymore!" Canda Nunik's.

"Damn you, Nun! I even spit out my own!" I was singing my lips, a sign of annoyance.

"Hh. but Nun's talk could be true, il.. Lail has moved to work. And almost all of them are due to Lail's emotional nature. Said the tuh, Lail's face is very sweet, but your mouth, il, very spicy like a mercon. Not many can hold your ngadepin, il.." Nunik came back with his wobbles.

I let out a tired breath. Have often faced Nunik and his wobble..

"Neggih, Ndoro Ayu. kulo manut." (Javanese: Yes, Tuan Putri. I will obey) said me with a courtesy attitude.

And Nunik also floated his dear pinch to my cheek that was a bit swollen.

"Deeyahh.. Lail is yes! Nunik give advice, often like this. Definitely in the right ear keep out the left ear!" Upset Nunik.

"Wild ah! Lail's still this single!"

"Damn you, Nun! I don't think you're single!"

And Nunik immediately thrust his right hand into my face. I found a silver ring on his ring finger.

"Nunik is already engaged, il! So Lail jomblo's just a little alone.." show off Nunik.

"HUH?! When are you engaged, Nun?! How can you not say it??!" I protested loudly.

"I'm sorry, il. The show was impromptu this afternoon. Nun aja did not expect there would be a proposal event," said Nunik explained.

"So, who's your candidate? I know-"

My words were cut short by Mama's call in front of our rented porch.

"Laila! You're home, son? Have you prayed Maghrib yet? Oh. The Neng Nunik. The candidate has gone home, Neng?" Ask my mother to Nunik.

"Udah Buk De. was exhausted ashar Mas Aryo and his mother said to go home first to the city of C," explained Nunik.

And I observed Mama and Nunik's conversation, with a still curious heart.

"Don't your mom know?" I protested loudly.

"You know, son. Mama helped cook this morning. The show is indeed impromptu, Neng?"

"Yes.."

"Continuously-"

"The conversation will continue later, son. You take a shower, pray first. Maghrib's time is short, La.." Mama rebuked.

"But I still want to talk to Nunik, Ma.."

"Laila?!" Mama raised her voice.

"Lail took a shower. Nun also wants to go to the shop first. Nengokin stalls his Abah. Later coming home from the stall, Nun stopped by Lail's house, God willing." said Nunik gave a solution.

"Review ya! Play it Nun! The problem is that tomorrow, right, you must go again, right to the city of C? And I'm also starting work early in the morning now" I said.

"Yes.yes, insya Allah later Nun play, il.. Yes it was. Take a shower, there! Smelly lail.. Assalamu'alaikum!" Pamit Nunik before passing away went to the sembako shop owned by his brother.

"Wa'alaikumsalam.I have the smell of heaven, Nun.." I replied jokingly. And Nunik gave me his resigned smile.

"Chelle.." My mom called me back.

It made me quickly step into the house. I want to shower and pray. So when Nunik comes later, we can chat at length about his impromptu engagement event.

***