K&K (Taste Features)
23. Back Clinked
Three months ago, Kirana became an employee at a French restaurant. He was familiar with all the waiters and cooks there. Little by little the restaurant people understood his sign language. So for something easy, he does not need to write in notes.
The manager likes his job. He often takes Kirana out to shop for food ingredients. It was as if Kirana was his assistant now. Carry things when accompanying the manager shopping.
Kirana is obedient and easy to tell, this makes the manager more to ask for help in many ways even outside of work than his assistant manager.
Restaurant Familial is increasingly crowded because of its strategic position adjacent to the French Embassy building and affordable prices for luxury classes. The interior design is also very unique, the French restaurant became a byword among the people of Jakarta.
Following the French custom, the restaurant only serves food for breakfast in the morning with a menu of cafe au lait (coffee with hot milk), brioche or toast smeared with jam. Other variations can be steak (bifteck) and french fries (pommes frites), during lunch hours served with hors d’oeuvre (appetizer), quiche (egg pie), and, Croque Monsieur (open-coated bread filled with ham and melted cheese) or crepe (fill pancake), remoulade or fresh celery with mayonnaise. At dinner are provided crudites (fresh marinated vegetables) or charcuterie (cured meat), piece de resistance (main food), salad, cheese and desert.
In addition to serving meals that fit the eating schedule of French people, the restaurant provides a special menu that is L’cargot for apetizer, L’oyster, Carpacio de st. Jacques, and what children like is the Mouse au Chocolat and various crepe. All materials are imported directly from France.
Most visitors themselves are French citizens who are around the embassy, but the local community around also began to like because it is adjusted to the tongue of the Indonesian people.
The manager's getting busy, and so is Kirana. The morning before the restaurant opened a large pick up car stopped right in front of the Familial Restaurant. The one being transported was a large piano in black. The piano is placed in the center of the restaurant, where all visitors can see it.
“Yes nice put it there. Kirana please bring me the flower vase I just bought yesterday,”command bu manager.
Kirana immediately took it. The manager put a flower vase with tulips made of crystal.
“Yah.. perfect once.” The manager smiled with satisfaction. He ruffled his waist in amazement at the newly purchased grand piano. The piano will add a classic atmosphere in the restaurant where he works. He did not want to disappoint the customers and also the restaurant owners.
“Is this just a display of bu?” ask Marno the morning shift waiter. The manager took a deep breath.
“For a while let's make a display first. If there are visitors who want to play, they can wear it. While waiting for me to find a new pianist,” replied bu manager. “Already, finish your work,” continued bu manager then he went to his room.
Kirana was still glued to see the black piano. The piano is very similar to the property of his father who is at home, only this one still looks new and shiny. Kirana stroked the keys without ringing them. There was an overwhelming sense of longing in him for that thing.
It was so seductive of him, restoring the times they once united. He and the piano keys. Ever so warm and warm. The Tuts awakened the passion of his musicians.
For a long time he did not touch the musical instruments that lead him to become a musician.
“Kirana..bu manager call you,” reprimand a waiter. His daydreams ran out, and he wiped the edges of his eyes before meeting the manager's mom.
***
“Hhh..already almost a week I have not found a pianist who wants to work here. The reason is classic, the salary is too small. I myself have not dared to pay dearly because I just tried,”curhat bu manager on Kirana when Kirana helped sort the financial statements files of cashier restaurants.
“Two weeks more restaurant owners want to come,” he continued.
Kirana wanted to offer herself, but she didn't have the courage. The manager won't believe it because even he doesn't have a clear origin. To date, he has had trouble getting an identity. Administrative affairs and complicated bureaucracy cannot be fully in control, because he himself is busy working every day without holidays. Moreover, he did not have the connection of sub-district or population service.
***
At ten o'clock the restaurant closed. Kirana took out the trash and turned off the lights. All the officers had gone home less than eleven in the evening. Kirana headed towards the center of the restaurant slowly in the darkness. He sat in front of the piano.
Slender.
To his knowledge everyone had left and he was alone guarding the luxurious restaurant.
Tuts that every day he always cleaned when never used, now sulking to him. Once again teasing him.
The piano was as lonely as he was. The piano wants to get its partner, the pianist.
What is the point of being an expensive musical instrument but only as a display? He wants to be played.. He wanted to make a sound, just as Kirana wanted to get back into her voice and sing.
The piano was silent for a long time. He wanted to sing, comfort and reconcile the ears of every listener. The piano wants Kirana to help him, and Kirana wants the piano to help. Kirana can't sing like she used to, let the piano represent her through the tones that come out of her jaw.
Conversely, the piano strings would not be able to sound without the role of Kirana's fingers on her keys. Although a little hesitant, Kirana pressed the ebony keys or the white one with the right index finger. Then ivory-black keys with left index finger.
After feeling getting the tone and fulfilling the call of the soul, his fingers danced freely nimble to play Fur Elise. Kirana seems to go back to her childhood, when she played the piano with papa. Nostalgic as a young pianist trying to switch professions to a seriosa singer who is his second talent. Kirana as if bewitched.
His fingers were so familiar with all the unseen keys. Both eyes were closed even though the lights of the room were dark. He even repeated the song twice in a row.
Finished on the last note, suddenly the lights of the room lit up and there was a sound of applause from one corner of the room. Kirana looked surprised, scared, and anxious. The manager smiled and looked at him.
“Why didn't you ever tell me that you have a talent for piano?” ask the manager astonished. The forty-five-year-old woman walked over to the center of the restaurant where the piano was. The sound of his heels is hoofed. It shows how quiet that is right now. Kirana was embarrassed. “I know you are not a mediocre person. But I don't know what's great about you,” bu manager already holds Kirana's shoulder.
“Listen and see you play that piano, I see your real self. Will you tell me a little?” pinta bu manager with an unusual tone.
They sat at one of the guest tables.
The manager brought two glasses of hot chocolate for her and Kirana. The manager's attitude is more friendly. During this time he only regarded Kirana as a useless girl, but the second when I heard and saw vaguely the girl playing the piano, she turned soft.
“I am a Seriosa singer who is also a Pianist. But an accident four and a half years ago left me mute and lost everything my dream of life.” Kirana.
The manager raised both eyebrows while reading four lines in Kirana's two sentences written on the torn notes.
He did not give details about who he really was, how the accident happened and family and others. And the manager was wise enough not to ask.
“Tomorrow at four in the afternoon I will take you somewhere. Finish all your work before then,” said bu manager.
Kirana looked up in wonder. Bu manager smiled, “You will see tomorrow.” He again sipped hot chocolate until half was left before deciding to end the conversation and rushed home.
***
“Please find a suitable outfit for him as a pianist,” he told his subscription boutique clerk.
Kirana was confused by the words of the manager. The officer nodded. Kirana tried on some models of clothes. In the end, she wears a white knee-length dress and short sleeves.
The V-neck cut makes her neck gracefully upright with small lace around it. Minimalist dress is coated furing nude so as to create an elegant impression. Beautiful, she is like a princess. The manager took a few pieces of clothing with heels.
He took Kirana to the salon. Kirana's hair is longer. And the manager wants his hair in the blow. After waiting for an hour and a half, Kirana had dressed up neatly complete with clothes bought by the manager.
“Why did I not realize that you are a very charming person,” exclaimed bu manager amazed.
Kirana's cheeks are red with dimples that make her look sweet.
“What is not too much bu?” ask Kirana.
The manager understands the meaning of sign language. He shook his head and immediately took Kirana back to the restaurant.
Some visitors and waiters seemed fascinated by the presence of the manager who came carrying Kirana, the restaurant's ash-upik.
Kirana seemed timidly walking followed by the glances of many eyes. The manager looks proud. He walked towards the center of the room where the shiny black piano was waiting.
Visitors who noticed Kirana's entry changed their sitting position to be able to see. The manager clapped softly to the attention of the guests and everyone in the room.
“Thank you for your attention. Let me introduce you to our new pianist. She is Kirana,” said bu manager in two languages followed by applause from restaurant guests.
Kirana is confused, she does not expect the manager will appoint her as a restaurant pianist in public. “Give us the best. I believe in you,” whispered the bu manager when peeking at his right cheek before leaving.
Kirana's back bumbling.
He then sat down gracefully and tried to control himself to relax. He opened the party. Choose a song that is suitable for the night atmosphere. He looks around. More lovers or spouses from local guests and French Caucasians than in the morning and afternoon that contains business people and families.
.
He took a deep breath, and his fingers began to dance on the keys playing romantic songs.
Some visitors forget to eat their dinner because of being hypnotized by the song played. After playing for up to six minutes, the sound of a standing ovation was heard. Kirana stood up and nodded in thanks. The manager was watching from one corner, smiling with satisfaction. Kirana turned to the manager.
The manager's hand allows Kirana to continue her game, while she returns to work.
***
“Thank you yes. Your performance tonight is amazing. Although I do not really understand about music, I and especially the guests feel entertained,” praise bu manager after the restaurant closed.
Kirana blushed in shame. Actually, he made some mistakes due to nervous tones, but it seems people do not know about it.
“From now on you don't have to work too hard as a shackle officer. Just do your job as usual, but only until lunchtime. At lunch you have to rest, take care of yourself and prepare interesting songs during the diner menu. You start playing from seven o'clock until the restaurant closes. Because in my opinion the more late at night, then visitors will be more lazy to go home and linger here to hear the song while sleepy,”ujar bu manager followed by laughter.
A strategy to attract the attention and interest of visitors to feel comfortable and at home in his restaurant.
“Your salary, of course it will be doubled. Because you work for two different things, you continue bu manager.
They go to each other to agree. Kirana is of course happy, she can return to channel her talent and get a better job. At least although he could not become a famous musician and play on stage entertained many people, he could entertain visitors in a luxurious French restaurant.
