Lara's Admirers

Episode 33

Arka deliberately changed his plan suddenly. He decided to take them all to the night market near his house which was just opened yesterday. After all, amusement parks were already too mainstream for him.

Arka still seemed to be waiting for the answer from the girl. Although this time he still refused, an Ark was too difficult to give up in this situation. His determination was too strong for such a small refusal.

***

"Where, yes..." Said Arka while putting on a clear look.

I thought once more. But there's no way I should go with Renata.

"I don't want to be with Renata." Answer me with certainty.

Arka's body instantly turned limp, that hopeful smile slowly fading from her handsome face. He said nothing afterwards.

"And I had this plan from two days ago." Reveal it to me.

I felt sorry to see this man who had worked so hard to make me happy, but the way this time was wrong. I still can't accept the presence of that woman.

"Yes sorry but I really can't." I reply with a little disappointment.

"Come on sha.... This time it's...." Just talk about it again.

His face bowed, he really wished too high on me.

"I promise you'll be happy there even if there's Renata later." He's still trying to convince me.

"If for example I lie, you may beat me to satisfaction." He let out his death sentence once again.

I sighed heavily, this time I was completely confused.

"For this time, please make peace with your ego." Arka.

"But there are situations where we have to be selfish."

"And now it is not such a situation sha, if you continue to follow your ego your relationship will never improve."

"From today onwards, my relationship with Renata will never improve."

"Don't run from this problem sha, you have to face it and find a way out."

"I never tried to run Arka, I tried to finish this. But myself hated him too much. My heart is already sick and almost died of Renata."

"We try again, yes, this time we both find a way out. I'm sure there's sha."

Arka was embracing my shoulder trying to calm my feelings. Maybe Arka can feel the inner pressure that I've been feeling.

"But the problem is too complicated." I said with a soft tone.

"I'm sure there's a way out."

Why would this man take me to the night market with Renata. He knew it was not easy for me to forgive him.

"Yes, I want to." Answer with a heavy heart.

Though my intuition actually rejected all of that. My heart and logic aren't friends this time.

"Seriously?" Arka gawking in disbelief.

I nodded my head.

His cloudy face is now back to shining. The smile that had faded, now came back even wider. He looked so excited after hearing my answer just now.

"Yaudah tonight, I'm with Brother Sendy to your house huh." Arka.

His eyes glistened meaningfully, I could see a sense of satisfaction emanating clearly from there.

"Take it as you go." My hand to Arka.

"Okay, get it done." Said Arka while demonstrating the movement as if he was respecting.

***

"Lo, how long?" Ask Stefani.

"Udah, done the job?"

"Udah just now, it's your book in the drawer. Thanks a lot."

"Together."

"Lo hasn't answered my question yet."

I try to remember the question he was asking.

"Oh, there's Arka in front." My answer.

Stefani turned her body towards me, she leaned her body towards me. His face began to look more serious.

"Congratulations?"

I nodded weakly.

"Why should it be outside? How not to enter, usually also play nyelonong aja." Stefani.

"Well, I used to be with him too."

"Keep he answer what?"

"He was ashamed, he looked at the same children."

"Well, because it's doang. Kirain why."

I shrugged both my shoulders.

"Eh, sha." Stefani.

Both my eyebrows raised up.

"Gue wants to move to work." His word.

"Why? You worked there long enough."

"Gue wants to be waiters at a cafe or restaurant. If my current job will have to be a cashier at the minimarket, pegel tau can not sit. Gotta stand up mute, long time can varicose my legs "She complained to me.

"Well, if you want to be a waiter, you can sit down? Can you hongkang-hongkang feet that?"

"No, but I want to be a waiter."

"Where do you want to apply for work?"

"Well...."

He deliberately did not finish his sentence just now, and provoked my curiosity.

"Well what?"

"Cariin dong, the cafe that is looking for employees that is."

"Me?" I asked while pointing at myself.

"Yes yes. Who am I talking to now?"

I turned my head three hundred and sixty degrees to make sure that the girl sitting in front of me was indeed talking to me.

Stefani patted her softly, seeing my behavior just now.

"Please look for it..." He said in a pleading tone.

"Related." Refuse me.

"Let's go please."

Damnit damnit! What's with them today. Why is everyone forcing me to comply with their wishes, my God!

"Where do I know, which cafe opens the vacancy." Ketus.

"When in Jakarta you never go to a cafe. What else now you're Arka's boyfriend."

"What if I'm dating her?"

"Yes, of course, you guys often do it in that cafe."

Suddenly I was nauseous because of the sentence uttered by Stefani just now. Arka and I have never done it before, or maybe it was just me who did not think of it as the thing in mama date.

"No, I don't want to be busy."

"Ih, bad lo same temen yourself."

"Come sha.... Eresha.... Eresha Caitlyn Ananda's..... Pleases..... Help your friend this one."

Stefani took my hand and shook my body.

"Ih, it's off. Dizziness knows."

"Makanya helpin' dong."

I'm clucking, it wasn't my dream day all along.

"What if I don't work, I can't eat?"

"Work in the old place."

"Gue wants to move."

I let out a long sigh, I tried to increase my patience level to face this girl. Why did God send this little girl to be my best friend.

"Well, I'll try asking you at Cafe Star." My word.

It was the only cafe I went to most often, and I happened to have played there with Kak Sendy. Who knows, one of the cafe staff who took care of our event at that time still recognize my face and I can ask him for help.

"Seriously?"

I nodded, saying his words.

"But, though,...."

Now it's my turn to provoke her curiosity.

"But what? You ask for a deal? Okay." Okay."

"Not."

"Keep what?"

"Yes, you should come with me there. You don't need me, I'm just helping."

Suddenly the girl hugged me tightly until I couldn't take a breath. I tried to let go of his embrace, but my efforts were in vain. His body is as hard as a rock.

***

As usual, I waited in front of the school gate. But this time I pulled a little under a fairly shady tree there. The weather this afternoon was really scorching, not to mention the noise of the crowd created by the thousands of vehicle horns. Arka hasn't come out yet, from earlier in there hasn't been through here.

But this time the girl is still with me, usually he immediately rushed home and then returned to his workplace. Stefani seemed to wag her hands so that a little bit of air swept her skin smooth.

I have to admit, even though we were under that tree it didn't help much.

"What are we going up there?" Finally the girl opened her voice first.

"Street it." Answer's short.

"Street? In this hot weather? Which is really lo sha."

I immediately silenced the girl's mouth before she clogged my ears with all the words she had uttered.

"Udah diem." My speech.

"You've only been on a hot road this hot. No one is forbidden either, right?" My word.

"Eresha, I'm serious."

"Yes, I'm serious too. We are walking. But later if it's not so hot. It's close from here." I clearly.

"Sha, let's go up. Loh, is Stefani still here?" A voice suddenly appeared.

Who else if not Arka. Looks like he had to wait for a little quiet parking, because there was quite crowded when he returned to school. He is the type of person who does not want to run out of oxygen because they have to swarm. Many students parked their motorbikes there, including Arka.

"Ka, mending you go home first. I'm the same way Stefani goes to the cafe." I was clearly on Arka who was waiting for me on her motorcycle.

"Well? Want to hang out, or ride free WiFi at the Cafe to perform tasks." Arka tried to guess some of the reasons.

"Stefani wants to apply for a job there." I answered directly to the point.

"Lo fired the old boss?" Confirmation of Arka to Stefani.

"Have a son, yes. I just want to get a job that's higher in salary." Stefani.

"Oh, so because of his good salary." I said with a slightly insinuating tone.

Stefani didn't tell me about this one bit.

"Yes, understand me. Fate of kosan children yes gini." Reply while grinning as if innocent.

"From you work at the cafe, yes, I have a good job for you." Arka.

"What work?" Ask Stefani.

"Mending lo be my baby, how? Haha." Said Arka in a mocking tone.

***

Stefani did not expect if in the end his best friend's boyfriend who had been annoying from birth even mocked him. Stefani took Arka's words seriously.

***

With emotion already at the end of his crown, Stefani clenched his hand firmly to bully Arka with his deadly fist. He warns Arka not to play around like this again with him, otherwise Stefani can be sure if Arka will run out in his hands.

I held my head that was not dizzy looking at the behavior of the two of them. When can these two get along, even though they are the people closest to me.

***

"The boy who sang here yesterday, didn't he?" Ask the cafe staff I don't know for sure what their position is there.

Stefani looked at me in confusion as soon as the staff spoke to me. Both of his eyes were glaring at me.

"It just so happens that we do need about five more employees."

Stefani's face turned so excited, she was so excited at the time.

"In that case, the mother can go directly to the manager room of this cafe for interviews." Said the staff.

"Now is the interview?" Ask Stefani.

The staff just nodded.

"Let me drive her to her room." Said the staff.

Stefani nodded her head so excitedly. He immediately followed the staff from behind, ignoring me.

While waiting for their interview, it's good that I drink a little at this cafe.

"Mas!" I pointed my hand at the waiter in the corner of the room.

He then approached me immediately.

"Mas, moca latte's two yes." I said before he even gave me a menu.

He nodded quickly and then went to the back.

I gave one to Stefani, he must be tired of walking from school to this cafe. Actually, for me, walking is common and I never protested a bit about it. But it might be different if that person was Stefani. He is a loyal user of the bus, it is natural because the distance from the school to where he works is quite far.

***

"Where was the interview?" I asked while enjoying the moca latte I ordered at the cafe earlier.

We walked on the sidewalk. The day has turned into an afternoon. Once at the crossroads there, maybe I'll turn right. I'll just go home on foot. After all my pocket money today is up because I have to take a photo of the task of the group, also to buy this drink. But it's not a bad thing, it's not a big deal. Like I said, if I'm used to all this.

"Dad."

***

"Sha, did Arka tell you about tonight?" Asked Renata who had not since when he was there.

"Udah." I answered briefly and then continued watching tv.

"So you want to?" Renata made sure once again.

"Hmmm.... Forced anyway." I answered with a little doubt.

"Jude, it's okay if you have to. What matters is that we go there tonight."

"But I'm the nothing."

Renata was silent for a moment. Maybe the sentence just now was enough to make her realize if it was impossible for me to accept it.

"Thank you so much for leaving with us." Renata tried to shift the subject.

"Yes, it's up to you." Answer me in a sharp tone.

"Eh it's like this. Let's get ready." Without a second thought, Renata pulled my body up from the sofa.

"What the hell." I took my hand out of his hand.

I can clearly capture the meaning of his eyes so deep. Her spirit disappeared somewhere. He almost gave up on my attitude that never softened on him. I tried everything I could for it, but the results still didn't match my expectations.

But with great perseverance, he pulled my hand back and led me into his room. He told me to sit in front of his dresser. Honestly I'm pretty awkward in my position right now, this thing Sam never had in my room. And the same with everything I've never touched.

"You're doing it anyway!" My exclamation.

He did not budge at all, Renata was busy removing all the contents of his closet. He seemed to think for a moment while staring at the pile of cloth. Then take a plain white sweater with a black knee-length pleated skirt.

"Tell, try to wear it." He said while pointing that thing at me.

"What the hell, what's it doing?"

"Oh yeah, cobain."

He put the clothes in my hand without my prior consent. Then I pushed my body to try on the clothes she gave me in the bathroom. I tried to hold back my footsteps, but still I lost to his overpowering strength.

To be honest, I was a little awkward wearing these clothes. I usually only wear skirts to school, after that training pants i'm coming!!! As I recall the last time I dressed like this when there was a dance competition, it had been a very long time. And now I have to take her back.

"Sad."

I clucked resentfully at Renata's treatment of me.

I put this dress on my body. Not too bad, but only the top of her is not with her subordinates. I came out so awkward.

"Well, gini dong. It's more beautiful." He praised my appearance.

"Beautiful from Hong Kong."

"Ih, seriously tau. Like this, you know not the Korean ullzang. Well this style fits you." Evidently.

"What the hell is this really about?"

I was still wondering what Renata would do to me next.

"Udah, sit here."

He brought me back to the place I had been to for a few seconds.

"And later you want to ngedate the same Arka, so it must be beautiful." He played with my hair.

"Ah, no."

I immediately shook his hand for a moment.

"There's no date in my dictionary. The point! It's just a normal walk anyway." Connect me.

"Jaudah whatever his name is, what matters is that you sit down with him." He said with a little element of coercion there.

Whatever it is to him, I'm tired of fighting with him.

He was seen picking up some brushes that I thought were no different from each other. Then Renata reviewed the creme-colored powder on my face. Then continue with lipstick that looks like baby pink.

"Brake!" His order.

"Why what?"

"You need make in eyeliner in your eyes."

"Eye liner fuck, anyways it's a marker!" I said pointing at an object he was holding and said it was eyeliner.

The truth is, the period of the marker is to write in use for the area around the eye. If my eyes are irritated and then blind because of this thing, what? Does he want responsibility.

"It's Eresha's eye liner." Say it again.

He again tried to make some small scratches in my eye area without my permission. Is this part of his plan. He wants to make me die! Just look if it's true, if I die then I will continue to haunt her life.

"This what else?" My toot.

"Mascara."

"Make what?"

"Yes make your eyelashes nebelin."

"Curtain! Why is it so complicated."

After she applied the mascara on my eyelashes, it felt very uncomfortable. I wanted to rub my eyes like that, but Renata said if I did that then his mascara would be everywhere and it would be a mess.

"Remember, beauty needs struggle." Her speech.

"I don't need that." My reply.

After he finished his work, Renata sighed. It was as if the things he had done earlier were truly exhausting work.

"Where do you want the hair model?" Ask me.

"Bond one to an ordinary kayak."

I was getting tired of answering all the questions he kept asking me.

"Don't dong. That's too plain."

"She wants to be in something?"

"What if it's braided to the side? Let's get Elsa."

"Where's elsa?"

"Yeah, those Disney cartoons. The one in Frozen, you never watch."

"I'm not a kid who still watches cartoons!"

"Not at all have you heard."

"No!"

"Jude, I'm braid ya."

"Whatever!"

"Such a joke from earlier with his own brother, smile dong."

"Bodoamat, I'm badmood again!"

Renata's hands were busy beautifying the look of my face, now rushed to switch to the hair. He seems to be very good and skilled at doing all these things. Why doesn't he work side jobs at the salon just to find extras. Ah, it's none of my business anyway. Whatever he wants to be, he determines his life.

"Well, it's done."

I looked at myself in the mirror. Totally different one hundred and eighty degrees from the figure of Eresha I know. Even I myself pangling to see the drastic changes that happened to me.

I am quite satisfied with the results of his make over, yes it can be said pretty good. If asked to choose from numbers one through ten, this appearance is quite worthy of a number eight for me.

"Down with the shoes of the snikers. Do you have shoes?"

"Yes, I used to wear that when I left."

"Who knows you've thrown it away."

I snorted, how can I throw away my favorite shoes. Fuck up! I no longer understand the human mindset on this one.

"Udah, get out there."

Again he pushed my body slowly.

"I want to get ready first, I'll come out." The link then closed the door.

I haven't been able to say anything yet.

"Sabar sha's... Patience." I said to myself.

"He's your brother, but.... Arghh!"

I almost got my hand hurt because I almost punched the teak door that was about two inches thick.

I immediately went downstairs to put on my shoes. I glanced once again at my appearance from the reflection of the window glass.

"Tin... Tin... Tin..."

The horn distracts me.

"Have they arrived?" My muttering.

I immediately ran towards the gate, it turned out to be true if it was Sis Sendy and Arka. Is there something wrong with me, to the point that they are highlighting me from the bottom up. Did Renata make me like Annabelle's doll in front of them.

"Why?" I asked with doubt.

"No, I'm just pangling. You don't usually look this feminine." Said Arka innocently.

"Oh, I know. So that means I'm a tomboy? Never really been a real girl?" I immediately cast an all-out Arka.

"B-bu-not that." He stammered while scratching his non-itchy head.

"Cieee, who wants to date already and all out." Tempt a man beside Arka.

"It's all Renata knows!" My leg.

"You guys are better?" Ask Brother Sendy.

"Who said that? It's not." My reply.

"Keep why would you want to be groomed with him if you're not well?" Ask Sendy again.

"Forced." Short reply.

"Hi!" Greet someone from behind who suddenly grabbed my shoulder.

I'm sure that this is the woman who holds the status of my sister right now. Without looking back, I immediately let go of her embrace.

"What the hell!" Ketus.

"Well, rather than later we go to night, mending we leave now yes." Bring Arka.

"Renata is with me, Eresha is with you." Said Brother Sendy.

Me and everyone who was there at the time just nodded and reluctantly said a bit.

***

The atmosphere here is quite crowded, even though it was only opened a few minutes ago. I spread my eyes around me. Highlight colorful lights really spoil my eyes. Everyone there seemed happy. But somehow with me. I hope Arka didn't break her promise.

We went around exploring the night market for a bit, to decide what we were going to do there.

"How about a merry-go-round?" Renata Proposal.

"His body is big, but his soul is children." My reply.

Of course I can say such a thing because there is a reason. The first he looks really understand about cartoon characters, what else is a Disney cartoon film production. And second, you see. He innocently invited us to ride the carousel. What he can not see clearly, if the ride there are all children. What would others say if we were desperate to play that ride. It does not rule out the possibility if we will be laughed at and become the center of attention of all visitors.

"Other ones!" My leg.

"okay." The reply.

We went around looking for a game we could play.

"What if the haunted house." Proposed Brother Sendy while pointing towards the entrance.

"May also." My reply.

Arka nodded in agreement, agreeing with both of us.

"Where?" Ask Brother Sendy to a woman older than me.

He seemed hesitant to come with us.

"All of you." He said a little nervously.

"Why? Scared?" I said with a slightly soft tone.

Renata immediately shook his head quickly.

"Elah, anyways be afraid anyway. They're not real ghosts, they're just ordinary humans just like us." I clearly.

"But still they look creepy." He said while shuddering in his own horror.

I lead the way ahead, spontaneously they follow in my footsteps. Renata didn't seem really sure to follow our game this time.

We entered the entrance area, and the game has started now. Like a haunted house in general that seems horror. But this place is no more horror than yesterday's bridge. The atmosphere was deliberately made in such a way with minimal lighting, as well as mysterious sounds that I believe the source of the sound from the sound system is hidden in this area.

Just a few steps from the entrance, Renata was already terrified. I offered my hand to hold onto it to reduce her fear a little. Renata with a look of disbelief immediately grabbed my hand and walked beside me. He stuck with me all the way. While the two men were busy conversing alone in the back, there was a personal business possible.

Suddenly a laughing voice of a female demon who liked to hang on a tree at night, was heard so clearly in our ears.

"Curtain!" I'm clucking bitterly.

At the same time a girl who had been walking closely beside me immediately shouted and hugged my body tightly. He closed his eyes tightly, he was really scared here. Maybe I shouldn't have brought her here by force. Ah, but earlier she also forced me to wear these clothes and dress up. Let's just say this is revenge because he has forced his will on me and our position is now a series.

While the two men who were busy talking behind me earlier, they immediately ran away to leave us. They are too excited to finish this game immediately, come enjoy the atmosphere first. An atmosphere you cannot feel every day.

I sped up my pace to catch up with the two men who were already dozens of steps ahead of us. On one hand, Renata who was already dead in fear asked me to let us leave this place immediately.

"Rush! Brother Sendy!" My leg from behind.

Finally they stopped their steps as well, so that I could catch up with them without having to walk in a hurry.

The two of them were still seen adjusting their breaths which were hunting the moment it had approached them.

"Where the hell were you guys playing this game." I said in a tone as if underestimating their guts.

"Hoshis... Hoshs... Mum-not me. Sendy's brother who stepped on." Said Arka who is still bored.

"We were shocked to know, not afraid. It's a ka." Brother Sendy tried to defend himself and Arka.

"Yes, we are still busy talking even suddenly there is a sound. No excuse me, if he says he wants to laugh, we won't be surprised." Arka Timpal.

"If they'll excuse me first, no one's afraid." My word.

I don't know where we are, maybe it's already in the middle of the labyrinth. We continued our journey to the exit. The four of us decided to hold hands with each other. Just in case there are scary things that come suddenly like before.

"Aren't you afraid of Sha?" Ask Arka to me.

"Because I know they're not real ghosts and I've been suggesting that since I was a kid. Because my mom used to take me to this place if there was a night market there." I clearly.

I honestly miss both my parents who used to hate me because of Renata. But never mind, forget about that problem.

"That means indirectly, your parents have instilled a brave soul in you since childhood."

"Maybe." Short reply.

I never really understood any of that.