Kei And Layla

Chapter 11: News

From last night Kei did not sleep at all, he kept Layla sleeping on her shoulder in a shop to rest until morning.

"Layla, wake up in the morning." Kei patted Layla's cheek gently.

Layla slowly opened her eyes and looked at Kei's smiling face.

"Ah, apparently it is morning" said Layla rubbed her eyes slowly.

"Let's go." Kei helped Layla get up and stand up. Then they walked to the terminal not far from where it was. Kei saw there was a chicken porridge seller. Then Kei invited Layla for breakfast before continuing the journey to Puncak Bogor. Kei and Layla agree to stay there so they can't track down their parents. And Kei thinks that there are a lot of visitors on vacation. That way Layla can offer her services to paint on those who come later.

After finishing breakfast porridge, Kei and Layla go straight to the terminal and take a bus majoring Puncak Bogor. Throughout the trip Kei and Layla chatted and joked until the time did not feel they had reached their destination.

"Where are we going?" layla asked while scratching her itchy arm because she had not taken a bath and had not changed clothes from last night.

"We go to the store, who knows Grandma there is a place to live that we can rent" Kei replied as he pulled Layla's hand and approached a grandmother who was selling.

"Excuse me, Grandma" said Kei. "She wants to ask, is there a house we can rent?" kei asked an old Grandma.

"Who are you doing it for?" ask the old grandmother named Karsih.

"Make both of us." Kei glanced at Layla for a moment, then turned to look at Nek Karsih.

"Where are you from?" nek Karsih asked, noticing Layla and Kei looking messy.

"We're from far away, Grandma. We're looking for luck here." Kei lied a little to get a place to stay from Nek Karsih.

The old grandmother nodded her head, she happened to have a home and just lived alone without relatives. And the Grandma offers Kei and Layla to stay with him without any rent. The grandmother was kind to Kei and Layla because she felt lonely at home. Two of her Grandsons who were the same age as Layla had just died. The offer of Grandma named Nek Karsih was also accepted by Kei and Layla. They were allowed to wear clothes belonging to their deceased grandchildren.

Then Nek Karsih closed his shop for a while and showed Kei and Layla the house belonging to Nek Karsih. Nek Karsih's house does look ordinary but for Kei and Layla it's not the most important problem that they have a place to stay.

"Thank you, Grandma, for letting us stay here" Kei said politely.

"It's okay, kid, Grandma, I'm glad you're here. If you're hungry in the kitchen there's rice and stuff. Please cook for yourself. Consider this your home too." Nek Karsih showed me all the rooms in his house.

"Sir, thank you so much for believing in us." Layla hugged Nek Karsih for a moment.

"Same, Grandma to the store first, tomorrow you can help Grandma in the store, later Grandma your wages." Nek Karsih.

"Well, Grandma's very nice. Of course we will help Grandma without having to be paid. As a token of gratitude we are allowed to stay here." Layla smiles.

After introducing each other and telling a little story. Nek Karsih was also pleased to return to his shop. While Layla and Kei clean themselves after each cooking in the kitchen Nek Karsih.

"Kei, tomorrow we'll help Grandma at the store, while I offer you a painting. But the tools are not there yet" Layla said as she chewed food.

"We buy Layla first, after this we find a place that sells painting tools." Kei smiled as he pinched Layla's cheek.

Layla nodded her head. When they finished eating. Kei and Layla go to meet Nek Karsih to ask where there is a nearby market. But Nek Karsih said around Puncak there was no market.

"Already, you help Grandma. Next time you can find a store that sells painting tools. "

"All right, Grandma." Layla smilingly looked at Nek Karsih.

That day, Layla and Kei helped Nek Karsih sell until nightfall, around 9:30 Nek karsih store just closed. Then they went back to their home.

***

The next day Kei and Layla had already opened the store before Nek Karsih came. When he was finished, Kei told Layla to go to the market to find a painting tool for Layla.

"Where's Kei?" asked Nek Karsih for not seeing Kei in the store.

"Kei goes to Nek's market, he wants to buy me a painting tool" Layla replied as she cleaned up all the cakes in the store.

Nek Karsih nodded his head, smiling at Layla. He was helped by Kei and Layla.

"You're beautiful, son, and you're still a child" Nek Karsih looked at Layla. "Aren't you guys running away from home?" ask Nek Karsih.

"Uhukkk!"

Layla coughed, "no Grandma." Layla glanced for a moment at Nek Karsih then she resumed her work.

"Grandmother was also once young, son." Nek Karsih laughed. He knew that Layla was lying.

"Hihi.iya Nek" said Layla slowly.

"Grandpa himself where's Grandma?" ask Layla innocently.

"Grandmother has long been separated from Grandpa, because she was forced to marry another woman." Karsih's eyes are glassy.

Layla was stunned, she looked at Nek Karsih. How many lovers must suffer?

Layla walked over and approached Nek Karsih and hugged him.

"I'm sorry Layla, it's made Grandma sad."

Nek Karsih shook his head, "no son, that's not a sad thing. But Grandma's wonderful memories." Nek Karsih chuckled softly while rubbing her tears on her already wrinkled cheeks.

After they are satisfied, they resume their work.

Two hours passed, finally Kei came home with the painting equipment Layla needed. Kei smiled his eyes radiating happiness, as Layla greeted him with a cheerful face.

"You're home yet?" ask Layla.

"Yes Layla, this is the tool you need. It's all complete." Kei gave Layla two plastic bags containing tools.

Layla took the two plastic bags out of Kei's hand, "thank you dear." Layla laughs lightly at Kei.

"Let's go in" Kei said, embracing Layla's shoulder, entering Nek Karsih's shop.

***

Early in the morning, Layla and Kei had opened Nek Karsih's shop, then cleaned up all his wares while waiting for Nek Karsih to come.

Soon Nek Karsih came to the store. He saw Layla and Kei ready with his painting tools.

"Are you going now?" ask Nek Karsih.

"Yes Nek, it's still early" Layla replied.

"Yes, be careful on the road, and don't go home tonight." Nek Karsih rubbed Layla's back.

"Okay, Grandma, we go first." Kei kissed Nek Karsih's hand, as did Layla.

Nek Karsih stared at Layla and Kei's back and disappeared from sight. Then he went back to work as usual.

Fifteen minutes Layla and Kei walk towards the Peak, a place where many villas. They finally arrived. Kei instantly installed all the painting tools while Layla sat on the bench watching Kei.

"Amin" said Kei glanced for a moment at Layla.

When they are done, they wait for someone to use their services. Layla and Kei sat on a bench under a shady tree. Layla chants some verses for Kei.

From behind one woman and one man were listening to Layla. Then the two men approached Layla and Kei.

"Hey, you guys are painting?" ask the woman.

"Yes, Brother, am I willing to paint?" ask Layla.

"Of course I can." The woman smiled then looked at the man beside her. The man nodded his head.

Layla then asked the two to sit on a bench under a shady tree.

Layla prepared all her tools. Then Layla began painting the two men.

Kei watched Layla paint seriously, Layla occasionally looked at Kei and smiled.

Thirty minutes later, Layla finally finished painting, then the two men came down from the bench to approach Layla and examine Layla's painting.

"Wooow! how lovely!" she looked at Layla's painting.

"How Brother? Brother satisfied? ask Layla.

" Of course." The man smiled at Layla.

"You turned out to be talented at painting huh Dek?" ask the woman.

Layla just smiled in response to the woman's words. Then the woman gave Layla some money, and they brought the painting home.

"Alhamdulillah." Kei and Layla give thanks at the same time.

Layla gave a small laugh staring at Kei. Then Kei hugged Layla and kissed Layla on the top of her head.

"Are you hungry?" ask Kei.

Layla nodded her head, "yes" Layla replied.

"Sit down." Kei pulled Layla by the hand to sit between the tea gardens, then Kei opened his small bag and took out the food box.

"Here, eat." Kei took the fried rice with a spoon and fed Layla. Apparently before leaving this morning, Kei had prepared some food for Layla.

"It's your turn now." Layla takes over Kei's hand, then feeds Kei.

The cool peak atmosphere, the breeze that blows as cool as possible adds to the situation to be very romantic.

As they were eating, two women came to visit Kei and Layla. "Sir, you painted my friend?" ask the woman.

"Yes" replied Layla.

"We want to, too, can we?"

"Sure Sister" Layla got up and stood up.

"Here, drink first." Kei stood up and gave Layla a bottle of mineral water.

Layla took the bottle of mineral water and downed it. After that Layla again went on to paint the two women. While Kei only helps things that Layla can't do.

When she finished, Layla made money from her paintings. Today Layla got four people painted.

Time continues to run, until it does not feel the day starts in the afternoon. Layla and Kei decide to go home. After everything was done, Layla and Kei went straight home to Nek Karsih's shop.

***

Every day, Layla and Kei would go to Puncak where many people stayed, from which Kei and Layla earned income. Over time the visitors of Puncak Bogor have memorized with Layla the painter and poet.

This news was also heard by Abdul and Surya. They got this news from a friend of his who visited PUncak Bogor.

"Is that Layla, sir?" ask Anita.

"Mother doesn't know yet, but to make sure we have to go there" replied Surya sitting on the porch of his house.

"How about tomorrow morning we go to the top of Bogor Pak?" ask Anita.

"Yes, I agree. It just so happens that you don't have a job tomorrow." Surya looked at Anita.

"Hopefully the news is true, and Layla is there." Anita's eyes are glassy.

"Yes ma'am, just pray." Surya rubbed Anita's hand gently.

"I miss Layla, how she's doing now, sir." Anita's voice sounded trembling.

"Father is the same Mom, I hope Layla is okay." Surya looked at Anita for a moment, then turned his gaze to a garden where Layla used to paint. Shaded by Layla's childhood surya who is still spoiled and innocent.

"When time can be turned." said Surya softly, "I don't want to quickly see Layla growing up as a teenager now." Surya lowered his head while rubbing his eyes because of water, his eyes felt hot and sore because they held back tears that almost spilled remembering the memories of Layla's childhood.

"Please Sir, the Almighty must have a wonderful plan for our Daughter." Anita stood up and approached Surya and hugged him.

"Yes ma'am, sometimes we misjudge the plans of the Almighty." Surya looked at Anita's face.

Anita smiled gently rubbed Surya's cheeks. "Sure sir, it may all seem painful, but there are other, more beautiful plans. Even if it's death."

Surya nodded his head, gently rubbing Anita's hand that was coiled around his chest.

As hard as the mountain, it will also fall with affection. As hard as the heart, will be soft with love. True love comes from the depths of the soul. Able to sail the ocean even though the storm hit non-stop.

***

While elsewhere, Abdul and Alya were planning to go to Puncak Bogor tomorrow morning, after news broke about two teenagers who used to paint at Puncak Bogor.

"Bring two of our men, ma'am, so that we don't miss anymore" said Surya as he placed the newspaper on the table.

"Yes sir, who knows the news is true, if the two teenagers are Kei and Layla" Anita replied gruntingly.

"It's a good thing that Judah doesn't know about this, if he does, we're done ma'am." The sun's teeth are cluttering.

"Right sir, if Kei is found, we can't delay the wedding. Otherwise, Kei will run away again." Anita takes a glass on the table.

"That's all because of that crazy girl, she's a bad influence on Kei."

Anita nodded her head, confirming what Abdul said. Different families with Surya and Anita are always responded to with patience and understanding.