Lara's Admirers

Episode 83

　

　

I just nodded, saying their words. No matter where you want lunch, it doesn't matter if you have to go to the cafe again. Even though I've been to that place to taste the coffee, but not with any food. So I guess it wouldn't hurt to stop there for a while, before returning to Jakarta again.

‘Ting!!!’

The bells of this cafe always ring every time someone comes in and out through this door. It made some people do reflex movements to turn their heads towards us. It's very common to happen in cafes, these kind of things. So no need to be surprised anymore, especially I am helped by people who often stop by the cafe just to sit or while doing tasks.

‘DRRTTT!!’

Damnit damnit! Suddenly, my phone shook slowly. Inevitably I had to turn all my attention to that rectangular lump.

“You pesen what sha?” ask mama.

“As for mom, just like I have mama.” reply me indifferent.

“Oh, okay deh.” Short reply.

I was busy with my postel on this one. Somehow lately the screen has become less sensitive with touch. Actually, this is making me very difficult. As I recall I have been using this phone since the third grade of Junior High, and so far I have never banged it at all. Maybe I should replace it with a new one.

“Sha, when to go home?”

“Gue there are important things that need to be said same lo”

“It's important and I can't say it on the phone.”

“So I hope you hunt back yes.”

So Stefani wrote in the short text message. I don't know what makes it like this myself. It seems to be quite a serious thing, so it should be discussed in person with four eyes.

“Later tonight I'm back in Jakarta.”

Type me on top of the phone's keyboard panel.

“OK, send.” my inner self in heart.

After pressing the send button, that means all my business is done. I kept that thing so it wouldn't bother me anymore. I never thought that holding a cell phone for a while would make me ignore the world around me for that long. I missed some of the things that just happened.

“Excuse me, here is the food.” said someone who suddenly came with a tray in his hand.

I then raised my head towards the waiter.  It turned out to be the same person I met yesterday. It looks like from yesterday only Bima became a waiter in this cafe. I don't know if he's going to wait or not, to handle this cafe alone.

“Thank you.” I said to him with a small smile, followed by mama and papa.

“Happy to enjoy the dishes we serve.” reply them kindly, then withdraw.

It turns out that mama ordered a sauce meatball, typical of this city. I have never tasted this food before. Usually only batagor, cilok, cireng, cimol or something. Although I often find this one food in Jakarta, but until now I have never tried it.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying the food solemnly. None of us even talked while eating that one. We were too busy to enjoy the taste, in a constant bite. Being hungry is hard to distinguish.

“I'll pay ma.” my proposal to that woman.

Mama just gave a short nod, while handing me a few hundred thousand rupiah bills. I then headed to the cashier table to meet with Bima, as well as pay the bill. I had to say something to her, which I had forgotten about. I want to thank the man for the breakfast he gave me this morning. I was in such a hurry that I forgot to just say thank you.

“Excuse me, may I have the bill?” I said slowly and gently.

“Of course!” reply while smiling.

“Sorry that this morning I just left.” I said while playing my finger.

“Nothing, not a serious problem kok.” reply casually.

“Omong by the way thank you for breakfast this morning.” I said with both corners of the lips lifted.

“How, do you like?” ask him.

I nodded enthusiastically, saying his words just now.

“My sister Dhea, used to also like red bean sandwich so. Because I think you look like Dhea, maybe you'll like that one.” he explained at length.

“This is the bill, a total of seventy-five thousand.” he continued while giving the bill to me.

I immediately took out one sheet of money with a hundred thousand rupiah. I don't have the right money, because this is all that mom gave me.

“I'll soon get you the change.” he said while struggling with the cash register.

I nodded again, for the umpteenth time. Soon Bima finally finished with his work just now, and immediately gave the rest of the change which became my main reason to wait here. The man also reminded me not to forget to come back here again tonight. In accordance with the promise we have agreed on together like last night.

Maybe I'll just take a few turns, so I can have a little longer chat with him tonight. I want to feel Brother Sendy coming back for tonight. Just one more time before I go back to Jakarta. Although I know if that person isn't really Brother Sendy. He was just a cafe guard named Bima who had a face similar to that man.

Until now I don't know for sure why I haven't been able to let go. Maybe I used to love her too much, so it was hard to be too hateful. Although actually on the one hand I really hate myself and him. Somehow the moans of fate had to lead us to meet. I never asked to be reunited with someone like him.

Loving her really makes me such a shameful person. I don't know what to do, everything just happened. These growing feelings and expectations, made me lose control of myself. It all happened outside my control for the first time.

People say love is beautiful, but not with me. I was the only person who contradicted that opinion perhaps. I argue too much about that one pendapt, because in reality all of those things are not as beautiful as I imagined so far. Expectations often happen so cruelly indeed. Sometimes expectations make us soar, flying us with wings of hope that will not necessarily be realized. When we fly to the top, reality comes to knock us down suddenly. In retrospect it is tragic, but that is how it works.

***

Today inevitably I was forced to use my kind, even though I was reluctant. My last contact lens was over in the hotel dumpster. There is no choice but to wear these glasses. Sometimes it sucks, having an eye condition like mine. I have to continue to rely on contact lenses or not glasses.

“Fiuh..”.

I wiped away the sweat that walked down my face. Finally finished also berberesnya, I have also made sure to all the rooms that are here if my stuff taka da left behind one. It seems like all the stuff has indeed gone into the suitcase, I'm pretty sure about that. But even so I had to keep checking it repeatedly. Because we will check out later tonight, it can be complicated if there are items left behind. This time I can't be careless anymore.

I turned my gaze towards the watch, which was beautifully circular in my hand, of course. It was only five in the afternoon, it still seemed to have time to get ready for a while. I'll tell mom and dad if I'll be out for a while. At least today I have to izizn, after yesterday play go-away. I think it's totally disrespectful to do that.

Without lingering, I immediately headed to the bathroom. Do not forget to bring a white towel that I threw away this morning carelessly like that. Sometimes I even like to shake my head at my own behavior.

‘SYURR!!’

A warm bath is always the best option. This one activity has its own relaxation side that is quite calming. Perhaps this is the reason why most heartbroken people always shower with warm water after they cry all night. It turns out that this warm water can be quite helpful.

‘Tok! Geck! Tok!’

“Ya a minute!” reply someone from within.

Soon someone with a towel still on his head came up to me to open the door for me.

“Eh, Eresha is ready? But we're just gonna check out tonight. Mama equally papa is also not ready.” explained the woman who immediately spoke long.

“I want to ask permission to exit for a while.” I said while trying to increase my patience level.

“Eh, where are you going? Do you know Bandung? What if stray? This is late at night, ” reply mama who immediately attacked me with her question.

I can only smile thinly, though somewhat impressed forced to do so. I tried to hold back my emotions that I really wanted to overflow at that moment. How not, just look at this woman constantly talking from earlier. He didn't even give me a chance to answer his question.

But reality brought me back to myself. I was facing a person who was clearly older than me. So inevitably I have to keep my attitude, even though sometimes they are no less annoying than Stefani.

I took a deep breath, then said,”mau to the cafe in front for a while.”

Mama seemed to understand. At least I can breathe a sigh this time. My mom stopped talking for a while. I don't know if he's running out of words or anything. But obviously that's a good thing for me.

“Ya already, do not over time yes.” said mama while confirming the towel on her head.

I nodded with excitement, smiling with satisfaction. Because finally everything was in line with my previous guess.

“Eh, wait a minute.” said mom suddenly.

I raised my eyebrows with questionable eyes.

“Mama-liat, barista cafe was like Sendy. Don't you want to see all of him?” accuse mama.

“Enak aja, yes enggak la.” refute me with sgera.

“It's not Sendy's sister, it's just like aja kali.”.

“Oh, so yes.” reply while nodding his head.

“Iya.” I replied briefly.

“Yes have Eresha gone first, bye!” I continued while running away from that place

I don't even want to hear back from him at all. If I continue to lengthen the conversation with that woman, maybe our conversation will not end later. I might be late to go there. So inevitably I have to make the decision first. If all the stories had to be finished, then I would end the story right now.

With a breath of breath, I slowed down. It's impossible if my mom catches up with me. I've reached the first floor, so I think the situation is safe. I can leave right now, without fear of being followed.

I tidied up my poniku that was no longer organized. It must be because I was running around like that. It's really tiring, it's a lot more tired than running around the basketball court during sports lessons.

‘Ting!’

Like last day and last night, these bells go off again. This place is also not too crowded every time I come here. I circled my eyes, looking for a comfortable seat in my opinion. After arriving at the seat, I again circulated my gaze to all corners of this place.

“Where is the man, why is he not visible at all? He said he wanted to meet me tonight.” my inner heart, while continuing to look for the stem of his nose that I never found it.

Now I'm starting to look like a dazed man who's lost his way. I didn't know I had to wait or decide to leave. One minute, two minutes, three minutes, I'm still trying to hold on.

“Where is he? Usually he always keeps watch in this cafe at all times.” I murmured slowly.

After waiting for about half an hour, I finally decided to leave this place. Waiting for him only makes my time wasted for free. Besides why suddenly he became such a shitty person like this. I don't think he's that person, but this time my guess is wrong. It turns out everyone just as annoying.

If he intends to prank me, then this is not at all funny. I don't like being played like this. I don't like to be made to wait by something that's not clear when it's coming. Because I waited too often, for uncertainty. And so far all I have gotten from waiting is excessive disappointment. I began to give up with every situation that forced me to wait.

“You go?” tell someone from behind.

Suddenly someone tried to stop me. He grabbed one of my hands suddenly like this. I turned my body around to see who this guy was. And all I found was that man, whom I had always called Bima.

“Sorry if I am late, it must be between orders first.” he said samblil lowered his gaze.

“Nothing.” reply me calmly.

I don't think I need to dispute that. After all he has come here, in accordance with his promise to me even though it is a bit late. I can understand that, at least the reason it gives is quite reasonable.

“Can you talk directly, what's the need? I have to go back to Jakarta.”, I said with a bit of hesitation.

“Oh, that's it. If only I had come earlier, surely we have more time to chat.” he explained so disappointed.

But I can't do anything right now. I said that not because I was angry with him, or something because Bima was late. But my mom called me when they were waiting for me in the parking lot. My mother also brought all my things down. We will be back in Jakarta in a few minutes.

If I could choose, I would really like to stay here longer. Seeing the real form of a pseudo-figure that had only existed in my mind. It's too magical for me, but sometimes the universe never aligns with us. At least I would like if today is my last day to see Kak Sendy in this tangible form. Although their body scent is different. I still want to see the soul alive once more, even though it has to be in a different body.

“This is a gift from me, as a memento if we ever meet before.” he said while thrusting a box wrapped by brown paper.

“Thank you.” I said while accepting the gift with pleasure.

“I will think of you as my sister until anytime, and you can think of me as your senior brother until anytime.” he explained with a small smile.

“That's for sure.” reply me with a thin smile.

“Oh yes, if you have reached Jakarta do not forget to open. Inside is my phone number, if you don't mind maybe you can tell me if you like the same gift. Don't forget to keep my number, so that next time we can talk without having to rush gini. Next time if you want to go to Bandung, you can tell me I also went through there. I can help you make a walk around Bandung all day.” he explained at length.

This man loved his sister too much. To the point that he thinks of me as his own sister. It is just a coincidence that our faces are similar. Poor Bima, this man must lose someone who is very dear to him.

Although her face looks fine, but I know that her little heart is crying. They never really let anyone go. Because leaving is something that can never be accepted easily. Including myself who did not improve after hearing the bad news. This lonely soul had never completely recovered after the pain had come cruelly.