I'm Not a Wild Grass

On Cake Table (POV Laila)

The next day, I went back to work. And, for that one week I went through my days as usual.

Now, I have started to get used to calling the Conch by its real name, Kiyano. It's a real horror if Nunik has to accept a complaint from Kiyano if until I still call him the conch.

My relationship with Kiyano is getting closer. I also began to realize some of Kiyano's traits which he rarely displayed in front of others. Like the spoiled nature he showed in our conversation one Wednesday afternoon.

"We're going to yuk beach, La, on Sunday?" Take Kiyano in the afternoon.

"Currently.have you forgotten? I want my best friend on her wedding on Sunday. That's loh Nunik. Remember right?" I reminded Kiyano.

"Oh. Aye yes. Hmm. means Sunday I can't see Lo, dong!" The conch complained.

"Lha is why? Just one day without seeing me. On Monday, she went to work again, "I tried to cheer up while wiping the surface of the table in Kiyano's room.

Kiyano seemed to notice me cleaning the room. He leaned against the chair while crossing his hands in front of his chest. A deep sigh was exhaled with a loud enough sound.

"Hhh... I come every holiday. I have no friends or relatives here. So I often stay at home. If I'm so angry, I don't feel very productive."

"Idihh. if I am really happy every holiday comes. About him I can be leha-leha at home. Or help Mama make her sale. I rarely get quality time with my mom. Mama also left early in the morning, came home late in the afternoon like me. Sometimes Mama even comes home more nights than me" I told Kiyano.

"Keep me how's dong, La? Did I grow up in the room again? I'm like a virgin!"

"Diihih. it's up to you! You can also lay eggs in the room. But obviously you can't pretend to be a virgin, Kiy. You've become Duren Long!" My congratulations while cheering.

"Long duren? Duren mah round or oval, La. where there is a long duren!"

"There is!"

"Nothing! It's a ruler, it's long. Or the Jhon. It's long."

"Jhon? Long? Who is Jhon?" I asked back, looking at Kiyano with a confused look.

"Err. well. I was wrong. Sorry." which."

I saw the conch looking embarrassed and turned his gaze away. Seeing that gelagatnya I finally understand who it is Jhon who is meant by her.

"Fuck you, Kiy! It's still late in the afternoon, fill your head!" I threw my washcloth in Kiyano's face. But Kiyano managed to dodge and catch the washcloth.

Kiyano shamed back. Then back to questioning about the long duren.

"Eh, so is there a long duren?" Kiyano asked as he handed the lap back to me.

Hearing his question, I immediately said, "there is!" While covering far towards the door.

"La, where are you going? Here was my friend!"

"Wouldn't! It's still working hours, Kiy. I still have another job. Focus on work!"

"Danish.. Lo hasn't been clear about that long duren La. I mean, what's the long duren, La?" Cecar Kiyano was still curious.

As soon as I held the door handle, I turned around to face Kiyano for a bit. Then I gave him the answer he wanted.

"You're a long duren, Kiy! Cool widower, established and single!" I said in a hurry before darting out of Kiyano's office.

Somehow Kiyano's response to my new call on her was. Hihahi.

***

Now, my relationship with Kiyano has also become a material consumption of friends in the office. People are now more respectful of me. Either because of a sense of reluctance, or even the intention to lick. Obviously I no longer worry about people talking, now.

That's right Kiyano said. If we follow what people say, then the distress of the heart will feel endless. As a result, I focused on what I was doing everyday. Enjoy it with a feeling of gratitude.

Moreover, I slowly began to forget the feeling of tightness that plagued me every time I remembered Erlan's name. I don't know. I feel like I've never known anyone named Erlan. Because my former co-worker suddenly disappeared into the earth.

I once tried calling Erlan's number. But once I heard the voice of the female operator who answered my call, I never again contacted Erlan. Because the number is no longer active, now. Either he changed the number, or he blocked my number. Obviously, I don't want to be dizzy anymore.

Let me just think of Erlan as a friend who just passed by in my life. Although still, there was a part of me that regretted that unflattering attitude.

Hhh...

***

And finally, it came Sunday.

From the morning around six and a half, I was already at Nunik's house. I was busy helping this Nunik while watching him be narrated by the MUA (Make Up Artist) team.

At about six o'clock, after breakfast there, I also participated as Nunik's bridesmaid. Kebaya pink salem that was given by Nunik last week was finally used by me as well. Even though I felt uncomfortable with this kebaya dress, I spread myself. I only wear it for one day.

I saw Nunik. My best friend looked so beautiful after her makeup was done. He looks very different from his usual appearance.

Usually my best friend is rarely smearing his face with make up. So once her decorated, I almost pangling her made.

"Oh my goodness, Nun! You are real beautiful. Isn't that right?" I asked one of the MUA teams who had been decorating me.

"Yes. Her skin is very healthy. Surely rarely get cosmetic tools yes everyday?" Terka the Mama.

"Yes, Mom! This nunik is a virgin native village here. Most commonly he only uses lip moisturizer. Talc is rare!" Answer me in flames.

"Nun put on lipstick with powder, il, every time he went to campus," Nunik defended himself.

"Yes. But I never saw it. And let me guess! You must immediately remove that lipstick from your campus right? What are your terms about not being able to over-decorate yourself, Nun?" I was busy remembering.

"Tabarruj?" Nunik helped me remember the Arabic term for overdoing it in the decoration.

"Well! Yes it is! In fact, today it seems like if not wear lipstick the same powder, feel like not that girl. Yeah, don't you, Ma'am, huh?" Ask the mother again.

The mother smiled and did not speak to me.

"Hihihi.. lha continues to Nunik what is dong if not a girl? Ah, Lail is-there is! After all, the woman should be decorated only for her husband. If the intention is to make a table or attract the attention of men out there, it's wrong, il.."

"Admudu, Nun. please deh. You can't talk a day. This could-can make up I fade you know because of the heat of your hospitality dengerin!"

Nunik smiled sweetly, not feeling angry at my words. While the MuA Brothers who are now tidying up Nunik's hijab also smiled as well.

"Lais.. Lail.. Nunik does not mean to patronize you know, even though the profession of Nun is indeed a teacher. But because Nun cares about Lail, so Nun often chatted about religion. Lail's not mad at Nun?" Nunik asked with an apologetic expression.

I hurried to reach Nunik's fingers, which were now decorated with white hena.

'Ah. lovely nian this hand decoration. When can I be beautiful as Nun gini..?' my mind was far away.

"Lais? il? Iih.. instead daydream, again!"

"Accuse me!" I woke up from my daydream when Nunik pinched the back of my hand.

"So, Lail sorryin Nunik right because Nun often chatted Lail about religion?" Ask Nunik to me.

I squeezed Nunik's wrist back and gave him a warm smile.

"Oh my goodness, Nun. I suddenly apologize. You are not wrong. I know that you really care. So I'm not angry at all about your hospitality. Thank you very much, because you often care about me. This sinful servant.."

I'm a little lebay. Both of my hands were purposely held and I held them under my chin. Like a woman who suddenly converted and regretted all her sins.

Instantly, the ornate room was broken by Nunik's laughter and the three MUA Brothers who were there.

"Eh, it's ah. Mostly talking, the stomach is hungry again," I said suddenly.

"Lha, Lail just had breakfast, right?" Tanya Nunik astonished.

"Yes. It's just breakfast. But the dessert isn't yet, Nun. I'm going to back behind ya. Nengokin, there's no cake yet on the table.

I got up and walked towards the door. Leaving Nunik with the MUA Mothers in the room there.

I then went out to the courtyard of Nunik's house which was decorated with a pink tent.

"Where are you going, La?"

I turned my head and greeted Mother Nunik.

"Eh, Mommy. Go find a snack, Bun. Make Nunik the same Mother of MUA.." let me scapegoat blacken Nunik. Hihah..

"Oh.. No cake yet in the room? Yes already. Take a lot of it. Fear of hunger. Please La!" Said Mrs Hajah, before she finally left.

"Yes, Mother.."

Right now, time is showing at nine. There is still about an hour left before the marriage contract procession is held.

Some guests have already arrived. Usually, those who come at this hour are the closest people to the bride and groom who want to participate in the procession of marriage contracts.

I don't care about the crowds around me. And just go straight to the dish table near the entrance.

"Dira, for the cake dong make Nunik the same as MUA in the room?" I asked Dira, my neighbor who is now in charge of guarding the table that serves traditional wet cakes.

"Why not take what's inside?"

"Males ah's. Meet her same mothers. It must be bombarded with questions, 'when did you marry La?' and blah blah blah blah.for mental health, mending avoid mothers first for a day this yes, Dir!" I suggest with a serious expression.

"Oh.. Is that right, Ma'am?"

"Yes. I've had a lot of experience with this, Dir. Believe me!" I convinced Dira.

"Gue believes it. It's a very good experience. Especially about nyomotin cake at the buffet table. Great, dexterous, and can be a lot!"

I jumped in shock when I heard the voice of someone who was quite close behind me.

"You?!"

***