I'm Not a Wild Grass

The Arline (POV Laila)

After a few days of rest at home, thank goodness the injury to my arm gradually recovered. After feeling that my hands were better, I went back to work at Mama Ilmaya's house. And I realized the waiter's treatment of me was starting to differ.

I don't want to worry about what the waiters think. I did nothing bad in this house. I'm not harming anyone either. And most obviously, I don't tease any man in this house.

Except maybe Erlan alone is the most often the subject of my temptations every day. That's also if occasionally he appeared in the middle of the afternoon or afternoon before my return.

Like when working in a textile factory first, Erlan returned to serve as my subscription motorcycle after I worked. I obviously didn't reject him. I got a free ride. Hehe..

One morning, I was taking Oma for a walk in the courtyard. Suddenly I was surprised by the appearance of a petite woman who seemed very familiar to me.

Her face is oriental. With lentic eyelashes on her eyes are round beautiful like almond fruit.

"You're the new Oma's care taker, aren't you?" Ask the young lady kindly.

I stared at the woman.

'Where have we met? I think I really recognize his face! hmm.' I'm busy remembering.

"Hello! Are you here?"

I was surprised when the woman in front of me was shaking her fingers right in front of my face.

"My name is Arline. You're Laila right? I told you a lot about you!" Arline said in a row.

Trings..

'Arline? Hm... Like I've heard his name. But I also never seem to. Ah tauk ah!' I rush to buy my daydreams.

"Hay, Miss Arline! Yep. I'm Laila. Mama?"

"Enough Arline. Ja. Mama Ilmaya," correction Arline.

"Ooh.."

I looked at the face of the woman in front of me. And I just realized the resemblance to Mama Ilmaya.

'Oh! Looks like she's Mama Ilmaya's daughter. I feel like I am no stranger to her face. I think we've met where.' my own inner murmur.

"Hay, Mom! Sorry Arline yes, Oma. Arline just played again. The lab work is a bit more. Oma feel better?"

I observed Arline's interaction with Oma Ruth.

Oma Ruth doesn't talk much. He often answers the greetings of others with a smile, a nod or a headband.

According to Mama Ilmaya, Oma Ruth used to be healthy. But since Opung died, Oma Ruth's health suddenly declined. He had been unable to walk for a year and relied on a wheelchair to get anywhere.

"Arline..eat?"

I'm stunned. Just now Oma Ruth spoke to Arline. I remember what happened yesterday, when I told Oma Ruth at length about my mother's daily activities, I suddenly heard Oma talking to me. "Patience.. Lilly.." Before that, I had more monologue conversations with Oma Ruth.

Oma Ruth spoke to Arline.

'ah. of course. Arline is his granddaughter. So surely Oma also had the zeal to talk to him, I muttered again.

"Hey! Laila!"

I woke up from my short daydream.

'Duh! Laila! Your bad habits that like to daydream should be quickly eliminated!'nih!' I rebuke myself.

I looked embarrassedly at Arline who was looking at me while grinning. Unknowingly, I also returned her grin.

"Can you please get me the crackers? Oma's like to snack!" Arline asked for help.

I cringed, before finally saying.

"Sorry, Miss--"

"Call Arline, Laila.." Arline corrected me again.

"Err. yes, Arline. I think Oma should avoid eating crackers first. Crackers are dry snacks, right? Eating it too often worries it could make Oma's esophagus blister. It could be because it was also so Oma rarely spoke.." I laid out the reason.

"Oh. That's it. But Opung used to love to eat crackers so Oma also became like. I do not think that it can make Oma's esophagus blisters.." muttered Arline regretfully.

Then, I sat down crouching until my gaze was straight with Oma's eyes. Then I spoke directly to the old lady.

"Well, Oma, the crackers are replaced with fruit? What is a papaya or watermelon? That's a lot of water, fresh you know, Oma!" I persuaded Oma.

At first Oma frowned, a sign of dislike for my proposal. But after a while, he finally replied as well. "Yes. Watermelon.."

I smiled broadly. I was happy because my attempt to persuade me was successful. I just got up standing.

"If so, I'll take Oma for a second, Lin. I'll get some watermelon first. Yesterday I asked Buk De Yanti to buy it."

I could not hear Arline's words and rushed to the kitchen. I only had a chance to see the astonished look that Arline had aimed at me. I don't know for what reason.

***

In the afternoon, I was sitting with Mama Ilmaya's entire family. There's Mama Ilmaya, Mr. Gilbert, Arline, and also Oma Ruth.

I sat next to Oma who was still cool to see the television show about cooking shows. And I took a serious look at the show with Oma.

"Laila! Geez! Do you really like to daydream?"

I gasped in shock as I received a fairly firm pat on my left shoulder.

"Adidadidayda!" I accidentally became a talker.

"Arline! Keep your attitude! Poor thing Laila was shocked!" Mama Ilmaya reprimanded Arline.

I saw Arline shaming in shame and apologizing to me.

"I'm sorry, La. It's a habit."

"I'm sorry, Laila. Arline is indeed his son likes to flick here and there.."

"Err. It's okay, ma'am."

Soon enough, everyone's attention was on me. I also became misbehaved and speechless.

"Ke..why yes? Did my mascara fade?" Ask me who.

The next second, Arline let out a small laugh. While Mama Ilmaya and Mr Gilbert just gave me a friendly smile.

I unconsciously scratched my head that didn't itch. And then I realized that it turns out I was holding a piece of cake that is a snack of my employer's family. I don't know since when it turns out I've been with them.

Like holding a hot iron, I apologized immediately. "Sorry!" And hurried to put the rest of the cake in my hand into my mouth.

But then I realized that my attitude must be impolite.

'You are out again, it feels more rude! Duh, Lail! I watch good tv while snacking. But this is not in your own house! You're working, il! more work!!' I screamed and got upset at myself.

In the end I could only look down lethargic and say my apology again. "I'm sorry, Mister, Miss Arline.. Laila was not aware that she had eaten the cake." said me with a resigned tone.

And, the next second, Arline's laughter broke out.

"Yahaha! Mama! Laila's really funny huh?! Arline can't imagine that he's actually the same..!"

"Hushy! Anline!" Mama Ilmaya looks panicked while reprimanding Arline.

Unfortunately, I've heard Arline's remarks and seen the suspicious behavior of Mama Ilmaya.

I frowned. Trying to guess the direction of their conversation.

'with.. who? Who do they think will be with me? Do they want to fight me with someone?' my mind started to run wild.

"Laila! Don't listen to Arline! He likes the origin of the talk. We like to play with people. Just playing around! So please don't take heart, Laila," Mama Ilmaya tried to calm me down.

But I haven't calmed down. Out of curiosity, I finally returned wondering.

"Who are Mama Ilmaya and Arline my friends?" Ask Mama Ilma.

Mama Ilmaya looked confused and a little panicked. I became suspicious. But then Arline said.

"That's the same officer here too. Our driver, what is his name? Oh, yeah, Erlan!" Said Arline with a tone that was too excited and strange in my opinion.

As soon as Erlan's name was called, I spontaneously returned.

"Erlan?! Dihh. Don't be, Lin! The level is different with Laila. He's mah cabe ijo. Except being seduced, Laila doesn't really like chili ijo!" I said ceplas ceplos.

All of a sudden, the three people in the room fell silent and looked at me strangely. Feeling ashamed of myself, I hurriedly quibbled to immediately leave the family room.

"Er.. Oma is asleep. Laila wants to take Oma to the room first yeah, everybody!" I was in a hurry while pushing Oma Ruth's wheelchair.

Shortly after, from a distance I heard the sound of Arline's laughter breaking again. This time his laughter was louder than the second one.

I vaguely heard him say, "Pity, Brother.he got the same weird partner as me!"

I can't understand what Arline said.

'Ah. Surely they are now gossiping about others again. Haduh. Rich people like to gossip too!' I murmured in silence.

***