Lara's Admirers

Episode 39's

Eventually these two people actually fulfilled their promise to come see me to the capital. Not much we talked about, you know for yourself how my relationship with my mom and dad has stretched since that incident.

They'll both stay here for the next two days. Mama and papa also just found out if grandma yesterday had fallen ill. So the two of them will stay at the grandmother's place until the appointed time. Coincidentally I was alone there, Brother Sendy was downstairs to buy food. Their presence could at least drive away my saturation even if only for a short while.

"We go home, baby." Said Mama then a short peek at my forehead.

Soon followed by papa.

"Be careful on the road!" I said when they got to the door.

The two people smiled briefly then left just like that. I went back to leaning on my bed. It's almost late at night, it's ten at night. About who's keeping Arka in her room, usually in hours like this I've been there. But not this time, because my own condition is not so supportive.

I decided to call her, I immediately grabbed the rectangular object next to me.

"Hello, Ark?"

I opened the conversation first.

"Tonight there's someone there to look after?" I asked directly at the core of the issue.

"No, that's why I'm walking towards your room again."

"Why what?"

”tutttt..”

Suddenly, he switched off his phone without answering my question.

"Basic freak!"

I grumbled in annoyance.

Shortly after I cursed about her, Arka came along with her wheelchair. He came alone without anyone to help.

"Where's Sendy?" Ask Arka.

I haven't had the chance to open my voice to answer, the person I mean has come here.

"Noah!" I said while pointing at the man.

He approached us with a plastic package containing the food he had just bought. Then he took out the contents of the plastic.

"This what?" Askaqua.

"Martabak the light of the moon." His word.

"A box of them?" Ask Arka while glancing towards the box.

Ah shit! The smell made me bend my knees to this one snack.

"Nights gini still there are selling start-ups?" My toot.

"It's still, near the intersection that's heading upwards." His word.

"Old message, just in front of the door." My reply.

Our hands scrambled into the box shortly after it was opened. We ate that food with great pleasure. I haven't eaten martabak in a long time.

"It's like eating this while watching something." I said as I glanced towards Brother Sendy.

But unfortunately the man deliberately took his eyes off me, he pretended as if he didn't know what I meant just now. The huft! Comeon! I want to watch the Korean drama, just one episode.

"Basic insensitive!" My grouse is upset in my heart.

I immediately smiled widely again, raising my patience level just a little.

"Sir, watch that drama...." Whine me to that guy.

He looked at me astonished and scared, actually he wanted to avoid my request. I knew clearly that, reflected so clearly in his facial expression.

"One episode only..."

I begged him while putting on a hard look.

Brother Sendy patted his forehead softly, then snorted in annoyance. He can't do anything right now to reject me.

My expression instantly turned gleeful, both corners of my lips perfectly lifted. In the end, my efforts were not in vain. Then he pulled his laptop out of the bag.

"But the promise is just one episode." He said while pointing his little finger.

I nodded my head quickly, like a child so innocent. Then I wrapped my pinkie with her little finger.

"It's only twenty minutes." I said while pointing at the screen time.

It wasn't a long time, just a minute. Very briefly. Sendy clicked the play button and the drama will start soon. I confirmed my position that was leaning on this small bed. Watching the drama comes with this kind of snack, wuahhh.

"Truly an incomparable perfection."

No one opened the sound, the three of us watched the drama carefully, listening to every second it happened. It seems that the story in this drama can be accepted by all people, including the two of them who are not Korean lovers.

I touched the martabak box, but found nothing left there. Inevitably I threw it at the food box, it was completely gone. I stared at the two men who were next to me.

"Basin a thick stomach!" I murmured in my heart.

Though I just ate three pieces, where else if not in their stomach.

"I still have one more meal." Said Brother Sendy.

It seemed like the man realized that we had run out of food in the middle of the drama.

"Where?" I asked with spirit.

Sendy then took out a food box made from styrofoam from the plastic earlier.

"This what?" My toot.

"Chicken's broth."

"Buy one?" Arka Timpal.

"Yes, you weren't going to come. That's why I say." Obviously Brother Sendy.

"His chopsticks are one too? How do you keep eating?" The Ark protest again.

I immediately took over the chicken noodles from Brother Sendy's hand.

"He ate it instead." Mouthed

"Replace?" Ask them simultaneously.

"That one mouth? Iuu... Not very hygienic." Arka.

"I used to think that I also often like PMR squads still SMP. Bayangin a PMR child eat it one spoon all. It's not about hygienic or non-hygienic, one lesson we can learn from it is the value of togetherness that can't necessarily be done again at another time." I clearly.

"Now, the opening arc is hygienic..." My word.

Then I took a pinch of noodles with chopsticks and then stuffed them into Arka's mouth to silence her, which I don't know since when it became this kind of pomel.

After that it's Sendy's turn, then the last one is me. This rule would be fair enough because we would eat the same portions, alternately. So there will be no more harmed parties here.

On the one hand I felt strange because it suddenly became like a mother who was feeding her children in the afternoon, who was running around with a smirked face because the original powder was swept away.  Just imagining it makes me laugh.

Suddenly I realized that from earlier these two men were highlighting me attached to a gaze that I could not understand the meaning. Do I look so stupid in their eyes for laughing to myself for no reason. But actually I have a second reason that can defend me in this kind of situation. Look at the mouths of those two looking so full and crowded inside. They haven't even chewed the tubmie since the first time it touched their mouths. These two guys look even funnier now, like the Japanese cartoon character Sinchan.

"Why? How do I think I'm so?" Manya make sure.

The two of them quickly shook their heads, then chewed on the food in his mouth. The two men seemed to have just regained consciousness from a betel. It looks like someone who is daydreaming, but it cannot be said so.

***

Arka could not believe that Eresha would treat her like this. Just this time her little elf was acting this sweet to her. Now it doesn't seem like a problem if he has to share food this way.

On the other hand Sendy turned out to secretly also have the same feelings with Arka. Tucked a happy feeling that was bursting in his chest right now. It feels like this guy is jumping for joy.

But of course he will keep his guard. What would a couple of lovers say in front of him right now, if Sendy did something like that. Maybe he will be stamped crazier than Eresha who laughed without cause.

He again confirmed his sitting position. Back to putting on his weird looks as usual.

This time only Eresha remained focused on watching the drama alone while feeding the bakmi into their mouths one by one. While both men's eyeballs are fixedly staring at the laptop screen, their minds are not here. They are busy with their own imagination, their own imagination.

***

The next three days I was allowed to get out of this place I hated. While Arka had returned home two days ago.

Today the Arka family held a small party at his papa mansion to celebrate Arka's return from the hospital as well as her delayed birthday.

The event was held at five in the afternoon and lasted until the evening.

I was preparing to wait for the online project I ordered. With a simple suit that I usually wear is a sweater with trousers made from t-shirts, equipped with a pair of snikers.

When I got there, a few guests arrived. Arka didn't invite too many people to this party. Only his close friends. This party seems more closed and private. But even so I'm sure that this will be quite fun.

I also met Stefani, Clara and Brother Sendy here. Actually Renata was also invited to this party, but he was still too busy with his college assignments that had been mounting because too often he delayed.

Not a few foreign faces I saw there. Maybe it was his classmate or best friend. After all Arka never introduced me to her friends.

Me, Stefani and Clara, the three of us were sitting on a long bench near the pond. Maybe it would be more suitable if we call it a park bench. The three of us were sitting there enjoying a picture of the universe so slick up there. The gradation of yellow, red and orange colors that blend into one plus a little dark color makes the view of the afternoon sky so beautiful. That incredible show lasted only a moment. It was then immediately replaced by an immortal luster that spread across the entire landscape of the sky, as far as the eye could see.

We have now entered the core event, which is the barbeque event. Many of the groceries we roasted over the burning embers lit up that night. I picked up a few skewers of freshly grilled chicken meat, then sat down with my friends on the steps to the porch.

Before long Arka came with a man with a blue sweeter dongker with food on their plates. They were sitting next to us, with slightly nervous faces.

"Know this is my brother, his name is Arsen." Arka.

The man named Arsen immediately extended his hand to me with a smile.

"Eresha." I said while returning his hand.

Two men came towards us. They sat beside Arka. I just wanted to enjoy this meal with Clara and Stefani. I'm not really comfortable with the current atmosphere. Actually, I also do not like the crowd, because I myself am the type of person who has an introverted personality. Adapting to new people is not easy for me.

"Eh, ka. Which is lo's girlfriend, we're in for." Said one of the two men who had just arrived.

"Know this is Eresha, my boyfriend." Said Arka while glancing at me.

Both corners of my lips were forced to lift so I smiled with such an awkward impression.

"Oh, this one... I can't believe that you pinter is also looking for a girlfriend." Said the man earlier.

"Oh, I know for those who don't know them yet. This is my best friend Adit and Titan." Arka.

"Hi, know Adit!"

"If I were a Titan."

"Why don't you ever go with them?" Ask Stefani.

"Who said we're always together. But in the class... Hehe..." Said a man named Adit.

"Yes, if invited out of class they are the most mager." Arka Timpal.

Ooo, now I can conclude if his best friend Arka is very rarely out of his beloved class that I rarely see him.

"Oh yes, Arsen planned to continue this lecture?" Ask Titan.

"Ask the same person. He's in front of idung too, why ask me." Reply Arka while eating her food.

Titan then ascertains the truth of the Ark's words. His neck extended, slipping into the person sitting in front of him.

"Oh yeah, hehe..." Said the Titan while grinning as if innocent.

He then patted slowly Arsen's shoulder which from earlier did not talk much indeed.

"How are you, bro..." Said Titan.

"How do you think?" Reply Arsen.

"Oh, this year you graduated. How's it? Want to go to college?" Ask Titan right to the heart of the matter.

"It's clear he's going to go to college. How the hell!" Timpal Adit who suddenly joined the voice.

While the figure asked just nodded slowly.

"Why did you get that scholarship?" Ask Titan seriously.

Arsen nodded his head again.

"This opportunity will not necessarily come a second time." Reply Arsen.

"Lo, so don't take that scholarship, do you?" Ask Arsen to Arka.

"Huh? Hmmmm.... Don't know either." Said Arka with a slightly hesitant face.

He scratched his unscratchy head.

"If Arka does take the scholarship as well, it means you two will study abroad dong. I will rarely see you." Connect Adit.

I immediately raised my head. This time I really looked at them closely, but I was just listening to their chat while enjoying my snack. But now that sentence really stole my attention.

Whahuh? Studying abroad? Whereabouts?

"Student abroad?"

I decided to ask you about this.

"Yes, Arka hasn't told you yet?" Reply Arsen.

I shook my head quickly, then looked at Arka sharply. It turns out that he had been hiding something from me all along.

"So gini, at that time I got a scholarship offer in Australia for winning the design competition. And I decided to take this scholarship after graduation, and then I'm going to major in interior design." Obviously Arsen started to tell me a little bit about the scholarship.

"Keep the same relationship with Arka?" Asked Clara who suddenly opened her voice.

"Before Arka's father died, he and Arka's mother had made a deal to lecture Arka abroad." Answer Arsen.

"Because mom and dad already know that being an architect is my dream from childhood until now." Add Arka.

"Why not in Indonesia?" My toot.

"Mama knew that Arsen got the scholarship, we had agreed to study in Australia. Later the majors I took are not much different from Arsen, still in the same direction." Said Arka with complete confidence.

I can only be silent. I have no right to forbid Arka from doing this anyway, even if I'm her boyfriend now. It was his dream since childhood, he was very determined to do so. I can't stop her from reaching her goal, it's just like I'm destroying her future.

Speaking of which where the other architecture majors are. He should have gathered here with people who are his passion. It feels like these two boys deserve the advice of their seniors who have already felt the black and white world of college.

I circulated my gaze all over, but the result was nil. I clearly saw him here. Did he come home early. Uh it's unlikely he missed the core event.

"Where's Sendy, how did you not look?" I asked everyone who was there.

"That!" Replied Arka while pointing her index finger.

Both balls of my eyes follow the direction in which the index finger moves. Uh! That's her! What was that man doing up in the tree house all these nights, all alone. Would he not be afraid if suddenly a kind of long-haired soft man in a white robe appeared behind him, then suddenly laughed with a sinister tone. Hhh! Just imagining it makes me shiver myself.

"Sister Sendy! Here!" Shouted Arka while waving her hands.

A man who was up there immediately turned his head because of the stimulation received by his receptors. He then nodded in understanding and came down to us.

"What's wrong?" Ask Brother Sendy innocently.

"Whether the above alone, how will there be ghosts." My word.

"That's what it is."

"Eh, I know this is Brother Sendy. Architecture major, my senior brother." Said Arka while patting Kak Sendy's shoulder.

"Wuihh cool! What semester is it, brother?" Tanya Arsen enthusiastically.

"You're on your way this two-year semester." Said Brother Sendy proudly.

"Oh, know this brother my friends. If this is Arsen, my brother."

"Hi, nice to meet you!" Reply Brother Sendy.

As I had previously thought. They must be busy talking about something that women don't understand. Finally the three of us went out of there to meet Arka's mother.

"Eh, guys? Don't you hang out with Arka?" Ask Mama Arka.

"No aunt, we don't know what they're talking about. Biasa chat guys." Stefani replied casually.

I collected some dirty dishes that were located haphazardly on the long table. We helped Mama Arka to cut some fruit as dessert. Also prepare some cups of syrup and fruit juice.

The event was held outdoors, so we could enjoy the beautiful night sky. But suddenly millions of sparkles were strewn up there in the halau by the gray clouds. It seemed like the rain was about to fall, thunderbolts had also been heard several times.

Inevitably we had to move the location of this party inside. The huft! I carried a tray containing pieces of watermelon into this mansion. Sure enough, the rain fell heavily on this great city. This much water discharge should be able to remove every trace on the streets of the capital and muffle the dust that flies freely.

My eyes were fixed on a sizable grand piano in the corner of this room. If you look at the layout and arrangement of the furniture, this room seems to be a family room or living room. There are sofas on the walls of this room.

I just realized there's a really big grand piano. When I passed out yesterday, I was in this room. Even this one is bigger than the piano in Arka's house. This must be the legacy of his father, the great man seemed to be very obsessed with this one musical instrument. This one thing looked black glittering elegantly, emitting an extremely alluring aura.

Although this is not the first time I came here, still I am still amazed by the design of this building. Same with all the furniture here. The concept used for this building will greatly amaze anyone who has ever entered it, unique and different from others.

The sound of rain penetrated into the room, making a little annoying noise in my ears. Likewise with the cold that shakes sharply.

***

I finally returned home, of course, delivered by Arka. Even though I tried to resist, the man still did not want to lose. He will continue to insist on driving me. Before returning to my nightly routine, especially if not hibernation. I stopped by Renata's room for a while to deliver the food that Mama Arka had brought.

"Simplons!"

I opened the door of her room carefully, afraid that my presence would disturb her. The woman threw her gaze briefly at me then got up from her position. All kinds of unmitigated books were scattered on his bed. Not to forget a laptop that accompanied him up there. His face looks sharp, his eyes are soft because he stared too long at the laptop screen. And in fact this is the reality of the life of college children. But you must be willing to feel the fatigue of studying, if you do not want to feel the bitterness of stupidity.

"Home home? What's the deck?" Renata asked as she rubbed her hot eyes.

"This was Mama Arka bring food for brother." I said while offering a packet of food.

"Wear it all."

"So much remains by chance, and Arka said to make a sister. You couldn't come." I clearly.

"Yaudah, say thank you very much for being with them."

"Pure. Yaudah I went back to the room first."

***

I lay myself on a bed whose bedsheets feel cold when touched. The rain had indeed subsided, but it still left the rest of the water and cold air.

I didn't even have time to change my clothes, or just to wash my face, hands and feet before going to bed. I raised my blanket, my eyes already felt too heavy to keep it open.

***

This morning I took the city bus. Not with Arka as usual. I made my move towards the classroom. I don't know, today I feel more confident than usual. But all my spirit was lost all of a sudden as I sat on this sacred bench. A bench that could always make anyone sitting here feel drowsy all of a sudden. Of course you don't know how my struggle withstood all those temptations as the lesson progressed. Luckily in two months, I'll be leaving the thing I'm sitting on every day. Because soon we'll be facing the test of class. Although actually this is not two full months anymore, it has been almost the rest of the month for more than a few days.

We are busy preparing for the exam. Filling in our empty values, and fortunately I as an exemplary student never did that.

Today we also came home a little early because the school was busy preparing various kinds of exams for the third grade students. At least today I can rest longer, watch movies all day. I thought coming home early would be as beautiful as it used to be, but it turned out that I had to drive around town again. The huft! I need a break from my daily life.

Arka invited me to go with her to the shoe store, then to the bookstore to look for some novels for the final task of the Indonesian semester, namely book review. I could have loaned her my novels. But it seems he is not interested in the genre of novels I collect. Arka is the laziest when told to read a book that is two hundred pages thick. Moreover, the novel book I have on average amounted to four hundred to five hundred pages, usually I read it during the school holidays so that I do not get bored at home.

First we went to the shoe store. He said later that night he and his mother had to attend a wedding of one of his mother's office friends. And he does not have shiny leather shoes like an office person in general. The shoes that he had on average were running shoes, sports shoes and snikers shoes just like most young people.

We went around the store looking for shoes that were in accordance with Arka's wishes. I can't help anything this time, because I don't know about it.

"How's this?" Ask Arka while picking up a black leather shoe up there.

He was tall enough to grab that thing. Understandably, he used to be a former school basketball captain and now he has retired from that position.

"Good." My word.

That's all I can say right now. No other words came to my mind, I was completely out of words. I don't know about men's fashion anyway. Let alone for men's fashion, women's fashion that is the latest and trending I do not know.

Then he sat on the long chair provided there with a mirror in front of him. He took the shoes off into his feet.

"Where? Pas?" I asked while folding my hands in front of my chest.

Arka stood for a moment looking at her appearance in front of the mirror.

"It seems a bit big." His word.

"Are you the same model?"

Arka nodded slowly.

"Okay, wait a minute." My speech.

I called one of the shop clerks who was standing guard at the other end.

"Sneaker models like this are approximately of what size?" I asked while pointing at the shoes Arka was wearing.

"Oh there are sizes number 40 to 43 mbak." Uajr the shopkeeper.

I grabbed the shoe he just removed, then checked the shoe size number.

"Size 41 is there a mas?" My toot.

"I'll take it for a minute."

The shoes Arka tried were forty-two in size. It may take a number or two below it to fit better at the feet of the Ark.

"It's mbak." Said the waiter who was carrying a shoe with the exact same model.

Without thinking long Arka back take off the shoes, then check his appearance. Arka nodded her head slowly.

"This one please wrap." Arka.

"Good on."

We headed to the cashier's desk to pay for the shoes. The shopkeeper thrust a plastic package in it containing shoes that are packed neatly in a box with a design that is no less luxurious. I don't know how much Arka was willing to spend on those shoes, but that sure looks expensive. I can't imagine how cool he would be when he wore these shoes with his white suit and shirt as an interior, at first glance he would look like a CEO. But who would have thought if he was actually a second grade High School student.

Next we went to the bookstore located in a mall near here. The bookstore was on the second floor, so we had to take the escalator to get up there. Though it was only twelve o'clock in the afternoon, but this place never seemed to be deserted.

Actually, I suggested that Arka buy books at the flea market. It will be much cheaper than buying a new one. Remember Arka is not the type of person who likes to read thick books. But Arka is still an Arka, he still wants to look perfectionist in all things. Even just for duty.

If I were in Arka's position right now, I would far choose to buy second-hand items that are still viable. I pay close attention to my spending every month. And it's natural for a woman like me.