I MISS A SIMPLICITY

part 29's

I saw the clock on my HP, it's almost seven o'clock. After worshiping together with almost all the residents of this house, except the Gita of course, me and Mr. Ahmad, the guard and in charge of this house, chat on the front porch of the house. A warm conversation was between the two of us. Accompanied by two glasses of warm sweet tea and a few snacks, it was like talking to you.

Pak Ahmad told a lot about his youth which turned out from childhood living together with Grandpa and Grandma Gita from Mother. You could say similar to Me and Mba Endang. Because from his explanation, Mr. Ahmad is a distant brother of his Grandpa Gita. He was considered his own son by his Grandfather Gita. And now, Gita has been considered like her own biological child. Until now, at the age of the marriage of almost twenty years, they have not been blessed with a child.

Gita herself is now inside helping Ms. Rini, preparing dinner for all. It was like, me and Gita are a couple, she was helping Mom in the kitchen while me and Mr. Ahmad were waiting in front. If it is shadowed it feels very beautiful. Haha. Slither again.

Returning to this house, this house is the legacy of Gita's grandparents to her Mother Gita. And, now Gita's home after her mother entrusted this house to her. You could say, this is a memento left by his grandfather, grandmother, and mother to him.

Although it was simple, I could feel the warmth in this house. He said this house was the place where he went home and took shelter. But, why did he say that he had not felt this warm atmosphere for so long? Or does he want that warmth from his special Papa family? But is the one in this house like his own family to him? I don't understand the boy any more.

"Son Ian, how long have you known Gita?" asked Mr. Ahmad to break my daydream.

"Eh, uhmm.knownya already half a year more sir, but know the new deket this month," I reply.

"Owh..so what do you want if you can know?" ask her again. Rich is interrogated.

"Ehmm.that's.." I interrupted for doubt as to what.

"Do not be confused, you just want to know," he said again while looking at me.

"Yes, like a friend, sir, nothing more" I replied.

"Mr can you ask me something for Ian's ride?"

"ask for help? Ask for help sir?"

"From the baby, I've been with his grandfather neng Gita. You could say, you have a lifetime debt of gratitude with a large family neng Gita," he explained while looking forward. Splitting the torrential rain that fell along with the memories of his past.

If asked, anything you will do for the happiness of Gita neng," he continued by looking forward. I just kept listening to the story.

"For a long time I did not see the joy of the Gita neng like this afternoon, the last time you saw it was probably about seven years ago before the late Bu Ratna died" he said again with sadness. I could feel how much she also felt the loss over her mother Gita.

"Bapak also does not understand why neng Gita can change like that. You don't know how their family's personal relationships are, but both Mr. Weily, Ms. Ratna, are equally good. Equally generous and humble. Equally considerate with his two children, neng Yohana and Neng Gita," he explained again.

Wait a minute, equally attentive? What afternoon was Gita's confession? Why is it different like this? I feel Gita was not making it up, but I also believe Mr. Ahmad did not lie. I'm getting more confused with this family.

"Back to Neng Gita, whatever the relationship of Ian with neng Gita, please father Ian want to stay with neng Gita. Take care of him, accompany him, and make him happy, you believe that Gita neng will be happy with Ian's son" said Mr. Ahmad.

"Wow," I said spontaneously.

"Son Ian isn't ready?"

"Not willing, sir, but I'm afraid I can't, and I'm not sure if the Gita really needs me because we were close too not long ago" I explained.

"No problem, son Ian just walk like now, no need to try to get closer, but do not get away from neng Gita," he asked again.

"If it is, God willing I can," I reply. Coinciding with that came one of the children, I forgot his name, from inside the house made our serious chat stop.

"Change, brother Ian, was told to eat, he said, "he said innocently. Me and Mr. Ahmad both responded.

"Ayoook, abah also has this laper, son Ian, let's eat," asked Mr. Ahmad.

"Let's sir" I said with a smile.

The three of us went in to eat together. I am hungry, too, this stomach. But my mind was wondering again. After the surprise of this house and big family, I was confused by the story of Mr. Ahmad and Gita who were opposite each other. But yes it is. Maybe as time goes by I'll find out.

***

As I thought before, this joint meal will definitely take place in the living room because it is impossible in the kitchen. It won't be enough. Two mats are held in the middle room which is quite spacious this. One large rice place is in the middle. Beside him was a pot of vegetables that looked very tasty. Then around him there are some dishes containing tofu and fried tempeh and also some small dishes cooked sambel. Lastly a large jar filled with crackers. This is really what I thought.

Come on Ian sober yes, do not hesitate, just eat at home alone," invited Mr. Ahmad who began to scoop rice.

"He is mah krupuk, sambel, same soy sauce also seneng sir," said Gita interjected. I was just about to answer it but it was Gita.

"I'm sorry Gita neng ya nak Ian, sometimes like that person," he continued

"No ma'am, I'm used to being persecuted by the Gita, so I'm immune" I joked. But the look on Gita's face seemed to change. Does he feel shunned? Well, this kid likes to sneak but baperan too.

"My fuss is delicious, you know, hehe, so I'm just fine, hehehe."

"Eh, what the hell is a good mistreatment, boong bu, Ian ngaco tuh," refuted gita while sticking out her tongue. He seemed annoyed with my jokes. But it also seems that he knows I'm just kidding.

Ms. Rini just smiled as she shook her head. While Mr. Ahmad is still busy with his plates and rice. But I feel like something is strange. But, what is it? Ah, yes. Some of the children, especially those who were already quite large, looked at me suspiciously. I felt uneasy then glanced at Gita. Not long after that Gita realized but also did not understand why they were staring at me. Then suddenly a child slapped sinlessly in front of us all.

"Sir Ian is dating Gitaaa?"

"HUH?" me and Gita were both flabbergasted by the boy's question.

Andri what the hell? Brother Ian's brother is a legitimate, so we may not be dating," elak Gita.

"That oracle, that brother is his best friend Gita ndri, but a mistreated friend, hahaha," I joked again.

"But is there a song that friends become love?" reply andri again with a smile. Gita and I were both confused by the statement of the little boy who was not even ten years old.

"Andri, eat first yes, ngurusin love later if it's big, understand?" reprimanded Pak Ahmad firmly but still relaxed.

"Hehehe, yes bah, but, Andri same other friends have a request for Ka Ian," he replied. Well, what else do I think.

"Andri..," said Mr. Ahmad again.

"Let's just a Pak gapapa, ehmm...andri and the other sisters want what? If you can definitely love me," I reply with a smile.

The children looked at each other for a moment. Some of them also smile at each other. A typical plain smile for children.

"We" Andri said stopped.

"All of us, want Ian to always take care and protect Kak Gita no matter what happens, take care of Kak Gita for us" said Andri as a representative of all of them. I suddenly bengong. Then glanced at the gita as if in disbelief. Gita also looks a little shaken sign of not knowing anything.

"Udah-udah, you are angry if you ask for something strange. Not-time. Now it's time for you to eat, study, then spoil," said Mr. Ahmad again.

"But bah" another boy spoke.

"Lisa!!"

All speechless. All the children were afraid of Mr. Ahmad. Mr. Ahmad is actually not wrong, because for this kind of business is not the time for them. But, maybe I should mediate.

All right," I said cheerfully to the children, giving a thumbs up.

"So I promise you all. Brother will always protect, guard, and always be there for Kak Gita, everything for you, because you know you love the same sister Gita right?"

"Yes, sister, we all love Gita," they replied cheerfully.

"Yes, now we eat yes, brother is laper, hehehe," asked me. I hope they all start the meal.

"And Ian, hahaha" said one of them. Lah, said mbul.

"HAHAHAHA" another laugh.

"Husss, it can't be that, it's not polite," said Mr. Ahmad. The child just smiles. I still don't know who just said what his name was.

After Mr. Ahmad finished scooping his rice and side dishes, it was my turn. I take enough rice, vegetables are also enough, one piece of tofu and tempeh, sambel, and lastly crackers. After I finished scooping, it was only the children's turn to scoop. As I salute, none of them are fighting. Everything is orderly waiting for its turn. After the children finished, it was only Gita's turn and Bu Rini's last scoop.

I remember Gita saying the other day that she missed this kind of eating. If he's honest, then what is this now? It's impossible that this was the first for him. Then, is he lying? Wh-wh-what for? Draw my attention? Trapped me?

Or, what she missed was the one with her family. Surely so. But if it is like that it means Mr. Ahmad who lied dong. I'm getting confused with this family. Mending to eat. Let's keep getting full back home.