K&K (Taste Features)
28. Too Long Alone
Niko is getting better at playing the piano. He can write almost any children's song. Kirana can improve her performance better with a salary than teaching and playing the piano at night in the restaurant.
Although sometimes his fingers are tired and the bones in his wrist protrude from playing the piano too often, he is grateful for the talent that still remains today.
Sometimes too much life he played the piano in the restaurant makes Kirana open her mouth and close her eyes want to sing. He soon realized that nothing had come out of his throat.
“Kak, sent to Bandung dong,” Haikal pinta on Neny while watching Kirana who is teaching Niko.
“Ngapain?”
“There is no marriage.”
“Your married friend why take sister?”
“Well let there be friends there.”
Neny laughed at his sister's explanation.
“You are funny huh? masa’ to ngajak ngajak own brother who is married and has a child? usually invite beautiful girls who are both single.”
“Ya hold who?” Haikal was a little upset.
“Tuh..” Neny gave the code to the direction Kirana was. Haikal sighed bitterly with his brother's attitude.
“If you don't want to. Take the girls on the side of the road. To be sure sorry, brother ogah nemani you and enjoy the party alone.” Neny smiled cunningly at his sister, he left Haikal who was still upset.
Haikal was hesitant about his brother's offer. He became a coward not to attend the party of his men because he had promised.
But true also said his brother, it is not logical if he invited Neny. At least he should have a partner. Haikal has lost contact with friends in Jakarta since moving to Australia. He notices Kirana teaching Niko. Could he have brought the mute girl? why is it only Kirana?
Niko's piano lessons are over. Kirana immediately tidied up her things and will be home soon. Haikal is getting nervous between inviting him or not, while tomorrow morning he must immediately go to Bandung.
Neny drove Kirana to the door. Haikal is still agitated in the inner upheaval with a sense of prestige. Before Kirana stepped away from her house, half ran after the mute girl.
“Eh, Hey wait!” shouted Haikal. Kirana stopped and looked. “Err... tomorrow you have an event?” haikal asked awkwardly as if he would invite him ngedate ala young man.
Kirana shakes. On Sundays, he always takes a break at the restaurant. Since becoming a private teacher, the manager got others as an office girl in his stead.
“Gini, tomorrow morning I'm going to Bandung to attend a friend's wedding. Because alone, can you not accompany?” haikal asked with sweat pouring out suddenly in his sweat.
Bandung ? this is where my mother and sister live today. He could have a chance to find his family there. Thought Kirana. Without thinking long Kirana nodded her head in agreement. Haikal breathing relief. She greeted Kirana with gratitude. Instead Kirana is also grateful to be there to find her family.
***
Sunday morning, Kirana was preparing to go to Bandung with self-restraint for a long time. The more days he is smarter to dress up, because it is influenced by the style bu manager who is very concerned about appearance.
Haikal had stopped in front of an unopened restaurant. And he parked his car and honked twice.
Kirana came out gracefully wearing a maroon green long dress with a white ribbon on the waist circumference. With twelve-centimeter high heels and white matching ropes. Hanging on his arm a small light blue bag.
Kirana's black hair was curled high and it made Haikal barely recognize her so fascinated with it. Haikal tried to trick himself by greeting him first.
Kirana smiled and made Haikal swallow more and more when he realized that Kirana had a very charming dimple on the right when smiling.
Throughout the journey they were silent. Somehow Haikal felt himself getting nervous and sometimes he stole a glance at Kirana. He was used to seeing beautiful girls.
Even Marry's famous classmate is almost physically perfect, like a bullfighter, he is ordinary.
In order not to look clumsy and silent, Haikal turned on the music. Kirana herself was a little awkward with Haikal's nervous behavior. The figure that is always cool and cold to him at this time seems different attitude.
Kirana felt that something was wrong with her. They struggled with each other's thoughts until it was not felt about 3 hours later they had entered the city of Bandung.
***
Indeed, the event is not held in the building or hotel ballroom but, all decorations and food served quite entered the middle class. Kirana looked with pleasure and seemed amazed, because for a long time she had been unable to attend an Indonesian wedding.
When going inside, Haikal swiftly took Kirana's hand. Kirana was a little surprised, she was led to walk towards the area of the guest ayu-welcome fence. With a silent happy smile tucked in his face, he followed Haikal's steps.
They were seated at the very front where Haikal was given a place of honor along with several other foremen.
Guys as well as people who knew Haikal on the project were also present. They seem to whisper to each other.
“Newly come sir?” another foreman came to his seat and greeted Haikal and Kirana. He came with his wife.
“That's who's amazingly beautiful, sir? not introduced to us sir ?” seda the foreman asked what some of his friends were very eager to know whispering.
“Ah...this.” Haikal looks great. “Ya, this is my friend,” replied Haikal of origin. Some who hear it.
“Ya. from friends can be a couple right, Mr.” The foreman was greeted with murmurs agreeing with his other friends.
During a project in Bandung that took months, his men never heard Haikal talk about women in the least. Especially telling stories about girlfriends and prospective wives. There was a bad rumor that he liked the same sex.
Now it seems that Haikal's men feel relieved and happy if their project boss who is very admired and respected has a partner, especially Kirana is so beautiful today.
Next up was the welcome session, Haikal was given the opportunity to give a couple of breaks to the audience and the bride. He was confused what to say in front, if to lead a meeting or presentation is common, but this is another thing. Haikal looked riled up before his turn forward.
Kirana held the back of Haikal's hand trying to calm down. Haikal turned his head, and a beautiful smile seemed to radiate warmly from the corners of Kirana's lips.
The warmth of Kirana's smile turned out to be able to enter her, so Haikal became a little calmer. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He went forward with courage. A short spirit from Kirana gave an incredible positive energy within him.
“Guardines. I am neither an ustadz nor a religious preacher. I am not a person who talks about marriage. I myself as you see unmarried and I..” Haikal sentence interrupted, he looked around. The audience is waiting for the continuation of his sentence. He swallowed spit.
“And I have not been so experienced. As a man, the past and present Harmawan are no different. He was a hard worker for his family. And now he has a new family that has to make him work harder. As a boss, I really appreciate his hard work in supporting the family, and he has to keep working hard. Because a man's success is only by hard work. As a friend, I wish you a happy new life and may you be given the happiness that always accompanies you. Thank you.” Haikal received a standing ovation from the audience and also the bride.
He sat back down and had whispered “thank you” to Kirana will support at a glance.
***
Since the wedding, along the way home Haikal now talk a lot. Stiffness and pretentious attitude are believed to be leaking. He told me a lot about Harmawan and the other workers. Kirana felt the warmth and happiness that Haikal experienced.
Until he forgets that his other destination to Bandung is to find his family. Haikal repeatedly thanked Kirana who was willing to accompany him and provide support when giving the speech earlier.
Although Kirana was mute, he did not embarrass Haikal in front of his men.
Haikal returned to his home with a happy feeling of contentment. For a long time he was not happy just by attending a wedding.
It wasn't as bad as I thought so far. She was so traumatized by her own marriage that she hated other people's marriages.
“Ma, look. Lately Haikal looks different not heh?” Neny started gossiping on the porch of the courtyard accompanying the mother who was arranging flowers.
“What's different?”
“She's getting cheerful and as if there's a new spirit in her. Neny remembered that ever since he came home from the wedding in Bandung with Kirana, his smile spread everywhere. And he became more familiar with Kirana, not as cold as the first woman,” story Neny.
Ms. Anna was silent, but she was still continuing the flower arrangement.
“What.. lest Haikal has started to like Kirana?” Neny.
“Don't ngawur you. How could Haikal want to be with a mute girl like her. Moreover, its origin is unclear.” Anniversary of Anna's mother as stated before.
“Ma, why do you always take Kirana lightly as just a mute girl? and what does it mean to call the origins unclear? mama is the founder of the foundation of disabled people why do not have a sense of humanity and consider Kirana also as a good girl who might be able to replace Kezia. Do you want Haikal to be forever slumped over Kezia's passing? why is it that mama is so picky while Haikal might just accept Kirana as she is with her sincerity? the most important thing is that Kirana is a good person, can make Haikal happy like before, she is also a beautiful girl and has talent. Just because he can't talk doesn't mean he's bad total.” Neny left his mother.
Anna put down the scissors. He breathed and looked far away.
