K&K (Taste Features)
17. Happy New Year!
The turn of the year awaits the day. Maroubra Beach is getting more and more visitors. Miss Asian, madam Joyce and Machita are getting busy at the cafe chasing overtime money. Similarly to Paulo, he was more busy delivering marine algae to be sent to factories.
Unlike the doctors Smith and Mr. Bruce played on the beach together. Evening is the time that Paulo likes the most, because he will invite small children to play ball.
Miss Asian always stared in amazement and pride at her adoptive brother, he could only rest on one leg and a cane that became a refutation of his body. Paulo was so agile, cheerful and full of enthusiasm and never once heard the sound of complaining due to tired work.
“I've always been happy and proud to see it,” said doctor Smith suddenly sitting near miss Asian.
Miss Asian is looking. Doctor Smith glared far to the shore. “Looks. He's a good boy. When I met him, he was still walking and running like any other normal kid. But, when the accident happened, he had to walk on one leg. I never saw him cry, he smiled and said ‘don't worry mum, I can do anything with one leg.’ It made me realize that disability is not the end of everything, ” doctor Smith told me.
I could not feel the tears of miss Asian slowly dripping down to hear it. Before Smith's doctor caught her crying, he removed her with the back of his hand.
Doctor Smith's last words were meant for her. It is true, all this time he lived in excessive despair.
It was as if the world had ended. Why is he so weak and cowardly to easily assume the world is over? while the boy who is at home with him is more resilient and considers his shortcomings are only small pebbles. He can still play the ball deftly, he can work well as a collector of marine algae.
Suddenly there was something that stifled the throat of miss Asian. He couldn't respond to Doctor Smith's talk about Paulo. Miss Asian got up from her seat, leaving doctor Smith who still saw Paulo's ball game with the little ones.
***
december 31st at night is what people from all over the world look forward to. This time Smith's doctor invited Maroon's family and miss Asian to see the fireworks and celebrate the new year's night on Sydney's harbor bridge.
Smith's doctor's car could carry six more people, because he had just bought a large used van. Many people have laid mats and even camp near the port to see fireworks.
They brought a lot of food and drinks while jokingly waiting for the turn of the year.
Haikal got tired of lingering with Marry at the Opera House. Marry is very petty and likes to tout the little things.
“I went to the toilet for a while. You can't come, right?” haikal was upset.
Haikal clandestinely managed to get out of the building without Marry's knowledge. He took off his black coat and sultryly loosened the neck buttons. He walked crammed with hundreds of people in Circular Quay around Sydney's harbor bridge.
It might be a little nasty to leave Marry in that opera house alone for a long time. It would be very disrespectful and Marry could fire him at any time.
Haikal pulled the phone out of his pocket, sending Marry a message that he had to leave first with a headache. Although less reasonable and seemed not gentle, Haikal just did not want to linger with Marry. Fortunately they left alone, so Mary could go home with the driver who was still waiting for her, while the car was still parked safely.
Exactly at nine p.m., Family Fireworks - a family firework devoted to children who can't wait for the fireworks to arrive late at night.
All cheering boisterously, Haikal searched through the gaps to get out of the crowd. The night, the more there is no room around Circular Quay. It also means that he will have trouble taking the car. Even so, he also could not rush home because the road was jammed.
Too bad he was trapped. He wailed to the edge. You should enjoy the fireworks there. “Huh,what’s a damn firework!” haikal complained when he succeeded on the side of the road.
Family Firework begins with shamed orange princess flower strokes as thunderous lights adorn the Sydney skyline. Then small white fireworks like splashes of water followed underneath. The family fireworks only lasted for less than ten minutes. Rousing applause from the children still sounded crisp boisterous even though the fireworks were over.
Many families who come with children soon to go home which Haikal actually hoped to be able to go home too. He refused to see the fireworks of the new year. There was nothing special about him, which is why he didn't like going out on new year's night. As expected, the more night, the more crowded the drunk adults become.
Just at midnight, the turn of the year had begun. The peak of the most awaited fireworks show finally arrived as well. Colorful sparks of fire began to decorate the turn of the year night appeared from various places. Ferries, new year's turnaround center buildings. People clapped each other and stared at the astonished panorama of flames dancing on the sky floor.
Unlike the case with Haikal who is still standing near the water guardrail even though it is far from the bridge. He could see the Opera House. Ten steps away from her, a woman stood up, doing the same with her, staring intently at the Opera House. The two of them were probably the only people who had no interest in fireworks that night. Their hearts and souls were drawn to the Opera House.
***
Kirana doesn't want to drag on in grief. He turned away from the Opera House. He walked alone through Haikal who was still fixated on staring at the classic building.
Damnit damnit!
It seems, Kirana lost the Maroon family. As more and more people celebrate the turn of the new year's night. He could not even walk freely due to the density of people. Kirana walks alone trying to walk back down the road to the Maroon family picnic site. He took a shortcut into the narrow alleys or alleys.
A bunch of drunk men in the hallway looked chaotic. Kirana paused for a moment. He saw five of them. Kirana has to get out of the alley. He went the wrong way and condemned his carelessness for being lost.
Kirana took a few steps back, but the swarm of ready-to-pounce lions seemed to find prey. Kirana tried to scream and ran with all her might from their pursuit. Late, his clothes were pulled so roughly that part of his shoulder was torn off.
“Hey Ladies. You look so beautiful. Happy new year,” said one of them whirling while poking Kirana's cheek.
Kirana. He was so scared of what was going to happen to him. Not long after the young man carrying a black suit passed in front of them.
“Hei... What are you guys doing? Isn't there a better job than flirting with women? You musty rats!” said the young man while slamming his suit.
The group of drunkards were very angry with his harsh words. But with lightning fast the young man pulled Kirana by the hand and grabbed her suit so they ran hand in hand.
Kirana was slightly surprised by the sudden reflex movements of the young man who was helping her. He thought the young man would beat the drunken mob as in dramas or action films. After running far enough and feeling safe, Haikal stopped because of boredom. And Kirana too. Unknowingly their hands had come off.
“Are you okay?” haikal asked after adjusting his breath.
Kirana nodded. He hinted at a thank you. Haikal frowned, instantly realizing that the girl he was helping was a mute girl. Haikal nodded in understanding.
“Where are you going? Are you lost?” ask Haikal.
Kirana explained with her hand. Haikal did not understand the sign language.
Kirana took a note and pen and wrote something down, “Thanks for your help. My family in Balmain Point.” Haikal read it he was a mangosteen.
“I'll take you there,” haikal bargain. Kirana was very grateful. That means he won't get lost and feel safe.“Err..missus, take it,” Haikal said before they walked over, Haikal glanced at Kirana's torn shoulder.
With a sigh Kirana received the black suit and put it on. The streets are getting crowded. With a jostle they tried to go against the flow.
“Excuse me,” Haikal said to Kirana, then he took Kirana closely to make sure the mute girl was safe nearby and they were not separated.
Along the way to Balmain Point, Haikal clasped Kirana's left hand tightly as if the girl's fingers were precious.
Out of nowhere came Kirana's heart suddenly rustled softly. Somehow he was so trusting and felt very safe and comfortable near the stranger. Though, Kirana herself could not clearly see the face of the man who was ten inches taller than her.
They pulled over to the sidewalks and the streets were a bit quiet, Haikal's phone rang. He reached into the pants pocket with his left hand and kept holding Kirana with his right hand. He walked back while receiving a phone call.
“Iya, Ma?” greet Haikal. “Happy new year too, Ma. Yes, I will be home soon and back home after this project is finished.”
Kirana took a good look at Haikal's conversation. It turns out that the man is Indonesian. After a long time hitchhiking in the country of people, he finally met with fellow Indonesians. Kirana's feelings were getting mixed up. His heart overflowing want to convey that he is also WNI.
“I also can't be here forever, mama don't have to worry. I must have gone home. I also miss my hometown and family. Ja. Surely soon I will go home,” Haikal said and ended his conversation right when he arrived at Balmain Point.
“I've been looking for you everywhere. You all right? Whose coat is this?” doctor Smith asked suddenly while patting Kirana on the shoulder from behind.
Miss Asian realized that the Indonesian man's suit had not been returned. Miss Asian did not even have time to ask the name and address of the young man. Miss Asian walked to where the Maroon family was located and left Smith's doctor without comment.
***
The Maroons take pictures of each other and Mr. Bruce seems really drunk right now. Madam Joyce was a bit of a nag at being overwhelmed with her husband's big body.
At 02:00 a.m., they left Balmain Point.
Mr. Bruce had fallen asleep, and so were his two children and his wife in the car. Kirana is still awake accompanying doctor Smith to drive. After arriving at Maroubra beach, the Maroon family collapses into their respective rooms.
“I want to talk to you about something. Can you come with me to the beach for a minute?” pinta doctor Smith during miss Asia escorts her to the doorstep of the house.
Miss Asia saw the beach was quite crowded despite the morning blind, many beachgoers who spent their new year's night making campfires, singing with guitar accompaniment, dancing obscurely due to drunkenness.
He nodded his ass, after all, his two eyes were still not sleepy right. Lately he has experienced severe insomnia and can only sleep above three in the morning.
“I really like the smell of the beach in the morning blind like this,” said doctor Smith while putting both hands in his pocket.
The wind was blowing fiercely and coldly piercing. Miss Asian creased the folds of both her arms. Miss Asian has been barefoot since the Maroon family home. His feet licked by the waves. Doctor Smith stopped at the beach. He is facing miss Asian.
“And, I love you so much miss A, oh No. I mean miss K,” said doctor Smith staring fixedly at Kirana's stunned face.
Miss Asian stammered. Both of his eyes widened in shock and he gulped. How could Smith call it miss K?
“You may wonder why I call you miss K. Because I know your first name must start with K instead of A, it shows when I see you writing K a lot, and that's what I do,” continued doctor Smith.
But that doesn't take away miss Asia's uneasiness as her identity begins to unfold.
“Will you marry me?” ask Dr Smith. “I speak from the bottom of my heart. I really love you at first sight.” Doctor Smith explains at once affirms.
Uncompleted by miss Asian's shock, she is shocked by Smith's doctor's comments and doesn't know what to do. It's so sudden! He had no idea that Smith's doctor had been overreacting to him since they knew him. But for miss Asia maybe it was just a doctor's attention to her patients.
“I love all the Maroon family and so do you. To be honest, I'm happy when I'm close to you, Doctor. But you are my doctor. You're my hero. I guess, I'm sorry. Because I can't,” Kirana said in sign language.
“Why? Why can't you love me as a man?” doctor Smith shouted, looking frustrated. Apparently he was also carried away by alcohol.
“We're friends. I'm your patient and you're the doctor. I think that's enough,” replied miss Asia.
He was confused as to why everything was so messed up like this. Moreover, he knew that Machita liked Doctor Smith.What would happen if Machita heard all that. Miss Asia doesn't want to linger on the beach. He immediately went and ran to the Maroon family cottage. He wanted to end the unpleasant conversation.
Doctor Smith is after him. He pulled the arm of miss Asia, and a second later the little girl's body was in his arms. More precisely now, his lips were sassyly touching the lips of miss Asia greedily.
Miss Asia, unable to resist Doctor Smith's sudden attitude, realizes that she is being bullied and mistreatment is approaching her, he reflexively pushed and slapped Smith's overly aggressive and rude cheek. With half a sob he continued running inside the house.
Early in the morning the Maroon family seemed to wake up late due to the new year party last night. But not for miss Asian.
Early in the morning he was doing the dishes and cooking and cleaning the house. Last night's incident made him not calm just to keep quiet. He didn't even sleep at all!
“Wow, you wake up once in the morning and prepare all this?” tanya Machita who just woke up and saw breakfast was served.
Haus,tok,tok.
Machita will open the door, but miss Asia has preceded him. He saw Doctor Smith standing in front of him. A little annoyed, miss Asia closed the door again, but doctor Smith had held her back.
“Wait, I'll explain about last night's incident,” doctor Smith pleaded.
Miss Asia sighed.
He went out the door and stood in front. He didn't want Dr. Smith explaining inside the Maroon family home.
“I'm sorry about the kiss,” said Doctor Smith. “I don't want to discuss about it anymore,” says miss Asia.
“Listen to me. It's spontaneity. Because I loved you for a long time. And I can't hold it.”
“I've told you. I can't, I like you like the Maroons but I don't love you. You make our relationship messy,” said miss Asia.
He immediately entered with half slamming the door. Machita stood with teary eyes and her hands clenched tightly.
“You've kissed doctor Smith?”tanya Machita stammered. Miss Asia was confused to answer.
“This..not as you think..”.
“Enough.. whereas you know I like it,” Machita said half-screaming.
His tears began to pour down his cheeks. Miss Asian tried to get close to Machita. Machita stepped back.
“I think we are friends, we are brothers. But why do you love me?” Machita is sobbing.
Miss Asia also sniffled. There's a misunderstanding here. And with his silence he could not explain freely to Machita.
“I swear...”.
“Don't say anything. You're hurting me. You don't know who you are. You just hitchhiked in my family!” Very sticky words finally came out of Machita's mouth full of annoyance, so miss Asia was fixated.
“Machita!! What is a damn you talking about? Why are you guys fighting so early?” madam Joyce shrieked so high that it made the two of them turn their heads.
Mr. Bruce and Paulo were also woken up by their commotion. Machita looked at her mother in annoyance. He entered the room and slammed the door very rudely. Miss Asia's knees are shaking. He sat down and sobbed.
“What's up?” ask madam Joyce. Miss Asia shook her head.
He was very disappointed with Machita's statement. It may be true that he hitchhiked to live in the Maroon family home and was raised as a family, but it really hurts Machita to bring it up.
***
