I WASN'T...

New Bride

Gilang helped me tidy up the dinner table tonight. He did have to do that after eating almost our entire dinner ration.

"Feel Mom is the best!" praise Gilang while washing dishes.

"Duuuh, Son Gilang, do not wash all dishes!" mother's heart seemed to have been completely taken away by this one stone head.

"This I did in exchange for Debi. So Debi can rest."

Whoa... Smart kid, yeah!

"Mom is grateful that Nak Gilang likes Mom's son. Tell a good and reliable person. Looks like, you guys are a good fit, too, because you both love to read."

"Obviously, Mom! If we don't fit in, how could we possibly date." I glanced at Gilang as he glanced at me. "Tomping on the morning shift again?"

"Yes. Depart at half-time seven in the morning."

"For breakfast, let me make it," Gilang offered. I immediately coughed hearing it.

"No, Ma! Don't give Gilang cook!" I'm trying to prevent.

Mother's eyebrows shot up. "Why indeed?"

"He can't tell which sugar, which flavoring!"

Mom laughed hearing that. "For a long time also could definitely tell the difference."

"Debi's better at eating instant noodles."

"Let me have a chance, dong!" sahut Gilang intense. Apparently he's offended. I will not forget how he sprinkled the flavoring on the corn while roasting the other day.

"Yes, Deb. Love Gilang opportunity. Rarely, you know, there are boys who want to cook," Mother even defended Gilang. "Tomorrow you cook for Debi only. Mother is not used to breakfast when morning service. But, if there's any leftovers, I'll go home to eat."

"Ready, Mistress!" Gilang saluted, like a soldier. "Well, now I'm taking a break, yeah! I want to talk to Debi for a minute before I go home."

I was surprised by myself when I saw the plate had been wiped and neatly arranged by Gilang. "All right..." Mother dried her hands, then threw a smile at me before going to her room.

"Aren't you busy?" I asked as Gilang sat back in front of me.

"Yesterday, when I went to Jakarta, it was to sign my new novel contract. Now just harvest the results."

Oh... That's why Gilang cut his hair and groomed neat?

"Tomorrow you still have to rest at home," Gilang spoke to himself. "What do you have to do, so you don't get bored?"

"Lo doesn't have to do anything. I sleep all day."

"Can't do that. You have to eat."

"Yes, I woke up to eat."

Crossed his arms in front of his chest. "I'll wake up for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

"Gue will wake up hungry" I refused.

"We're like newlyweds," Gilang said. "Darling, I'll make breakfast tomorrow morning, okay?"

"Sobbly lo, I swear!" I threw the ketchup bottle towards Gilang. "Week, sana! I'm going back to my room!"

***

I opened my eyes because I heard a noise from the first floor. When glancing at the clock on the wall, it was still seven in the morning. I felt the table with the origin, looking for where the medicine I should be drinking this morning. As soon as I found the package, I sat down and opened one pill.

"Darlieiiiing!"

I almost took my own medicine. That voice, it must have belonged to Gilang. Did he really come in early this morning?

"Debi, are you still molested?" from the first floor. "How do you live a stove?"

Gilang did my orders. He stood still in front of the stove while hugging the bowl filled with dough. "Gue has been demed" he said.

"What do you want to do?" I looked at the dough he brought.

"Lo pretty."

I looked up, saw him grinningly flaunting his flat teeth. "Lo just realized?"

"Yes. Turns out your new face wakes up, beautiful. I thought I'd see a lion's mane."

I helped him turn the stove on. "Is this water?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"Lo what are you doing? Fried bakwan?" I assure you, because the dough is similar to the batter bakwan. Gilang nodded again. "Gil, his name is also 'fried', which is used it, oil!"

"Can't use water?"

"Ck ck," I can only shake my head. If I think gini, instead of rest, I even have to take care of Gilang so that my house does not fire. I snatched the dough from Gilang's hand, sipped it a little to know what kind of flavor it would have. "Where did you get this recipe?"

"Youtube."

After making sure the oil in the frying pan is hot, I ask Gilang to take a few steps back. I don't want if later I follow in shock because Gilang was shocked by the splash of oil. I only made three bakwan for starters. Obviously Gilang concoction must be watched out.

"Well!" I turned off the stove, then lifted the yellowish-ripened bakwan. "Try it!"

Gilang noticed the way I served the bakwan on the plate. "Can I eat?"

"Lo make this to eat, right? Or do you want to poison me?"

"Unfortunately, Snow White, you must be poisoned all?" Gilang cut the bakwan in front of him into small pieces. Thin white smoke billowed from the bakwan. "Hm!" Gilang smiled as he gave a thumbs up as one piece of bakwan entered his mouth.

I didn't believe it and chose to try. "Wow!" Gilang concoction turned out to be really delicious! Looks like breakfast this time will go well.

After we fried all the dough, Gilang sat quietly in front of me while waiting for the rice to cook. I deliberately cooked more rice than usual, because Gilang's appetite like a diabolical person will not be enough just by serving a plate.

"Tomorrow, how am I supposed to put on a face when I meet Satya?"

"As usual."

I lowered my head, not sure I could do what Gilang said. It's too hard to smile at the people we hurt. It was as if I didn't mind if she cried and I could keep smiling.

"If you can't, just avoid it."

"That's more suspicious," I refused. "Lo himself knows, right? Rena always stuck with me. If suddenly I avoid Satya, a new question mark will appear."

"Why don't you be honest with Rena, if actually Satya likes you? But you refuse because you attach more importance to friendship."

"If it were that easy..."

"Friendship of women is sometimes complicated, huh? If I was, I'd be, just a little creep."

I snorted hearing Gilang's confession. "Lo by the way, right, don't use a filter!"

"Speaking about the filter, I want tea," Pinta Gilang suddenly.

"Make it yourself!"

"Lo if you don't want to make it, I report Rena about Satya, you know!"

I got up from my seat and curled Gilang's neck with anxiety. This stone head that was as it pleased itself, should be taught a lesson! Gilang suddenly pulled my body, until I sat on his lap. "Eh, really like a newlywed," she grinned.

"Dream on!"

***