Les Laches

57.

Tian opened the door of his rented house carefully, but his attempt to get inside the house without making a fuss failed thanks to the loud thumping sound of the aged door. Not long after the sign of his presence reverberated, there was the sound of several footsteps galloping on the ceramic floor of the building. Tian raises his arm filled with a plastic bag filled with cooking ingredients and formula for Marcela in anticipation of something that will happen next, but still couldn't help but stagger back when three pairs of girls' bodies crashed into his feet and sank spoiled there.

“Kok came home a little late, Sis?” asked Joan curiously.

“So buy milk first for Marcela, same ..” Tian walked towards the kitchenette and unpacked the contents of another plastic bag he carried, “flash for them Lidia stay up, snack for nemenin Joan watch Korean drama, same Nyam-nick for Marcela.”

Tian pinched the golden cheeks of the youngest brother he called last. The little girl chuckled as she ran away from Tian after successfully snatching the snacks that were placed on her.

“Udah to eat?” tanya Tian alternated to Lydia and Joan. The two girls nodded in unison.

“Mama cook what?” tian asked again as he stepped towards the refrigerator to store the ingredients he bought.

“Mama did not cook,” Joan replied while sitting in front of a television tube in the living room.

Tian scrunched his forehead. “So, what did you guys eat?”

“Brought the same food Brother Afgar,” replied Joan again.

“His TV Chilin, Jo. Lidia is learning again. Marcela wants some milk?” Alternately Tian watches his younger siblings who are scattered into all corners of the house the most comfortable version of themselves.

“So who did you say you brought it, Jo?” tian asked back after managing his three younger siblings.

“Kak Afgar,” Joan replied as she pursed her lips, hurt by being reprimanded by her brother.

“Dibawain what?” ask Tian again.

“Ayam grilled equal salad, Kak.” It was Lydia's turn to answer. “That's allotment for Kak Tian under the hood of serving, but it was dikelekin the same Joan.”

Lydia did not continue as Joan ran to her and curled her neck in an attempt to shut her mouth. Tian decided not to divorce the two because he knew the quarrel between his sisters never lasted long.

He then walked to the back of the house and opened the door that directs his steps to a small porch equipped with two rattan chairs in his left corner. He swiped his phone screen and searched for Afgar's name in his contacts. After pressing the call button, he placed the smartphone in his right ear. It didn't take long for Afgar to pick up his phone.

“What's up, Ti?” ask for a voice on the other end of the phone.

A familiar musical sound in Tian's ears faintly flowed from across the phone, making the girl forget her original purpose of calling and asking for the familiar title of the song in her ear.

Afgar was broken. He knew full well the reason behind Tian's laughter. Since childhood, Tian has always mocked that God is fair enough because he gave everything to Afgar— handsome face, intelligent brain, rich family—but not with a singing voice worthy of hearing.

“Udah, ah, laughs. You ate, right?” asked Afgar, giving up his laughter.

Tian was a little uneasy at hearing the young man's question. If the one who asked was someone else, perhaps Tian would rush to hang up because he did not want to waste time with someone who thought he had a chance to extend the conversation with him using those small talk. However, because the one who asked was the figure of a friend he had known since childhood, he brushed off the uncomfortable feeling that was afflicting him and recalled his original purpose of calling the young man.

“Not yet,” replied Tian while trying to feel whether he was still hungry after having had time to eat three slices of pizza brought by one of his colleagues in order to celebrate the payday. 

Tian himself received a salary allowance this month even though he had only joined for less than a month. Of course with a nominal that is not too large considering the amount of whole salary offered to him is very small. The amount will only be left a little after deducting the cost for the monthly spending money and rent for the rented building.

“I brought the food that I sent to WA you know. Not in part?” ask Afgar worriedly.

“Part of kok.” Tian chuckled lightly at Afgar's hasty demeanor. As if the one who didn't get the food rations was himself. “By the way, in what order do you bring food home?”

“Oh. Not in any order. Just like you were curious about the food I photographed earlier,” explained Afgar.

“Still yes, Gar. But I'd be even more grateful if you don't do that next time.” Tian tried to remind the young man carefully. He was a little annoyed by Afgar's actions, but he did not want it to make Afgar hurt.

“Why?” ask Afgar after a long pause.

Tian let out a long breath. He had expected Afgar to question his decision, but it was not easy for him to give the answer he had prepared long before calling.

“I don't want to owe you too much ..”

“Another debt you discussed. Why is my intention to help you as if you consider it an act to make you feel indebted?” asked Afgar with a vexation that sounded clear from his voice.

“I can what, Gar? My feelings are very burdened with all the help from you. I know your intentions are good, but I cannot persuade my heart to constantly assume that all these gifts from you are natural,” Tian explained.

“How do I feel, Ti? Imagine that I am in a position of distress. Can you see me through all this without help? That's what I'm feeling, Ti. My heart hurts when you and your family are hit by a disaster like this. I can't help you solve this problem directly. All I can do is support things like this. So, yeah, this is what I do. Am I wrong, Ti?” cerca Afgar long.

Tian sighed again. He felt guilty after hearing Afgar's words. However, his heart still felt uncomfortable with the free gift given by the young man. Therefore, he tried to find a middle ground so that no one was hurt in this matter, both himself and Afgar.

“Gar. You need help in your apartment, right? I won't protest about this anymore if you let me help you with the work done in your apartment.”