Love is Not Finished

CHAPTER 6: Tito, As Fast as That ?

Saturdays.

Not sure, today is the last test.

As usual, I go to school every morning. When I got to school, I went straight to my exam class.

And the exams begin.

Not half the time the exam was running, suddenly came three younger siblings carrying small basket-like containers.

"Excuse me ma'am, can we come in?" ask one of them for permission from the exam supervisor.

"Please," replied the supervisor in a soft tone and with a slightly frowning expression.

Other than the supervisor, me and the other friends, might be a little surprised by their arrival.

Not usually the exam is ongoing there are those who come carrying baskets.

I saw one of them approach the supervisor and explain something in a soft voice. Suddenly the watchdog's face turned mellow.

What was? What the hell's going on?

That must be the same question in my mind and friends.

"Kids, I'm sorry I interrupted the exam for a moment. Today we get sad news from one of your friends who should have taken the test today" said the superintendent's mother stammered and was careful in delivering the news.

"Innalillahi Wainnalilahi Roji'un, has passed away your friend and student Mother named Ahmad Tito, died yesterday at around five in the afternoon. May the charity and worship of Tito be received by Allah SWT, aamiin," said the supervisor's mother, sobbing.

The class became silent. Moments later, the classroom atmosphere turned violent. Some were wondering and some were crying, including me!.

********

#flashback

Tito was a close friend of mine when we were in seventh grade. In third grade, we were different. Even so, we still greet each other.

In the past, I was so close to Tito, friends thought we were dating. Though it was purely a friend, without any feelings.

Prang....!!

"Tito.!"'S CHAT...!" I shouted from far away.

I saw Tito speechless and turned his gaze towards the window. One of our classroom windows broke in the back.

The culprit is me alone. I pelted Tito with a broom and accidentally hit the window. So it's broken into pieces.

"Tito, how's this? Because you are Tito. Will the class teacher know how?" I panicked, and I started crying.

Feelings of annoyance, anger, fear and fatigue while chasing Tito around the classroom, becoming one. I blame Tito completely, as a result of his behavior that always bothers me almost every day.

Me and Tito are like Tom and Jerry. There was always a little commotion in class.

"Already Zanu, we just clean the glass. We let it go, if the teacher asks, we answer and admit it," said Tito calmed me down while taking a broom and rushed to clean the glass scattered on the floor.

There was a slight relief, but I remained terrified.

"I'm sorry Zanu, because he likes to disturb you, it's like this. If you want to be angry, just be angry. But after I finish this first yes," said Tito later.

I just nodded and sat in my back seat. I noticed that the other friends were also helping out and they were willing to silence the day.

Days change, months change. Every day I think about that glass. And ever since that incident, Tito has rarely bothered me.

I wonder, why is no one discussing that broken glass anymore? No teachers asked? Until we finally got to second grade and moved out of that class.

It remains a mystery to me to this day. Did Tito admit it to the Headmaster? I haven't found the answer yet. It was the most aesthetic memory I had with Tito.

And now, the sad news came at the time of the final exam. Just yesterday he asked me about the answer to the test. I was shocked to hear this news.

He was a good friend even though he used to be ignorant and bother me. Ah, my friend Tito, why are you leaving this world so soon.

*******

#presenttime

"Well, for friends of Tito who want to donate, please put it in the basket that our sister brought," said the supervisor who surprised my daydreams.

I wiped the tears that I didn't notice seeping through the uniform. And I put a little money in the basket that was proffered. I can't say anything more.

"Make friends of the deceased who will serve, we can go together after the exam is over today" said the younger classmate with a slight sob.

The younger siblings of the class are Tito's co-founders in Scouts. Yes, Tito is active and becomes the Scout leader at our School. So no wonder many are sympathetic and feel lost with the departure of Tito.

"Good kids, the test we continue again. Stay focused even though we are currently in a state of grief. Back to school we went to Tito's house," said the superintendent's mother still in a sad tone.

And the younger siblings of the class went out to the next class.

*******

Krieg.....! Bell rings.

"Zanu! Yuk we are together. You're going to Tito's house, right?" ratna yelled at me who wanted to leave class.

"Yes Ratna. I have to go to Tito's place" I replied slowly.

Ratna knows that I really lost Tito, because I, Ratna and Tito were in class. So you know exactly how we used to be.

"Hei Zanu's! Wait!" dice shouted from a distance while running small.

"What's Dice?" many wonder.

"Vincent is waiting for you in the cafeteria in front of the school. He wants to go with you to Tito's. Ratna's told you about this before?" dice asked a little frenziedly as she glanced at Ratna.

"Wooh! How yes.. I'm scared and if Vincent's girl knows how?" my answer.

Just remembered Ratna's message back then about Vincent meeting me on my final exam.

"aleah.. That's easy to set up. Vincent wants to tell you something. Don't know what it is, you just meet it first," said Dice a little pushy.

"Yuk Ratna, we go. That's the other one in front, we'll be late!" dice shouted as she pulled Ratna's hand and walked quickly leaving me alone who was dumbstruck.

I finally ventured to the front cafeteria of the school. There I saw Vincent sitting waiting for me. He sees me from a distance.

"Zanu, sorry to interrupt your time for a moment. I want to talk to you and ask you something. Can I get you a cold drink, Zanu?" ask Vincent in a soft tone.

I'm nodding. Vincent ordered two cold drinks. I see Vincent still has his taste in me. For almost two years we didn't talk like we used to.

I actually liked Vincent, but my heart refused to date when I was seventeen.

I know Vincent cannot accept such a thought, because for him he is used to having a partner.

"Zanu, why are you daydreaming? We'll go to Tito's. Don't think we're gonna be late there" Vincent surprised me.

"Zanu, I'm sorry I may not be what you want or you don't like my attitude. But I want to say that I really like you. And sorry my best friend once vilified you at that time, making you avoid me even more" said Vincent to the point.

Maybe that sentence has been prepared Vincent for the last two years. And only now can he deliver it.

"Yes Vincent. I'm sorry about your friends. Sorry for my decision two years ago. I don't dislike you, but I'm not ready and uncomfortable with going out. Let people think of me as old-fashioned or kuper. I'm sorry yes..," I said softly while looking down.

I didn't dare look at Vinvent, because I knew this was what made Vincent sad and tried to stick with his own taste all along.

"Zanu, I'm trying to understand your decision, even if it's hard. When you're ready, will you take me back?" vincent said expectantly.

I was surprised by Vincent's statement.

"I dare not make a decision. If we are a match, God willing, we will definitely meet again. But if not, I hope you get a better replacement. Try to forget me" I replied.

"Yes Zanu. I-i understand. Later, I'll look for you and I won't lose again" Vincent said.

"Yuk, we're going to Tito's. It's been a long time since I've taken you on my bike" Vincent said.

I just kept quiet and followed Vincent.

I got on Vincent's bike and moments later the bike drove towards Tito's house.

"Zanu, thank you for today! I really like you Zanu!!" chanted Vincent while looking back.

I just smiled looking at her behavior. Looks like the eyes of Vincent who is so happy to be with me, even though we do not know if tomorrow will meet again or not at all.

********

Arriving at Tito's house, there are many people who want to visit. There the presence of my school friends is more dominant.

When Vincent and I got off the bike, many of my friends saw the surprise of us. Some already know that Vincent's girlfriend is not me.

But many don't know that I was Vincent's girlfriend.

"Zanu, I'll take you home later, I'll wait in the parking lot for the bike" whispered Vincent.

I'm nodding. We go inside Tito's house and say condolences to Tito's parents. Seen the look of the sad face of Tito's parents are deep, especially Tito is the eldest child in the family. Must have been very lost.

Everything was dissolved in grief, my friends, Master, Principal and the underclassmen and Tito's foster sister in Scout.

Finish reading Surah Yasin and short verses, many say goodbye to permission to go home. Me included.

"Dice, Ratna, I'm coming home with Vincent" I said as I met them in person.

"Cieee.., is this called CLBK?" goda Dice blinked his eyes.

I smiled in response to Dice's temptation.

"Be careful on Zanu road" Ratna said.

"Okay, I'm first.. Bye,"

From a distance I saw Vincent in the parking lot talking to his gank friends.

I don't know what they're talking about, it looks like the look on their faces.

When they saw me, they reflexively walked to each other's bikes, then went away from Vincent. I smile, it looks funny in my opinion with Vincent's gank behavior.

"Yuk go home.., your mother will wait a long time," said Vincent.

"What are you talking about?" manya curious.

"Nothing, I just said I'd take you home" Vincent replied with a smile.

Vincent turned on the engine and I got on the back seat.

The motor runs slowly, heading towards my house.

A glimpse of his girlfriend Vincent looking at the two of us from a distance.

"Your boyfriend" I said, patting Vincent on the shoulder.

"Let's go, I'll explain to him later" replied Vincent cuek.

"That he's angry again,"

"It's okay, if he wants to break up, it's not a problem for me, either" Vincent said.

"You can't be that Vincent, explain to him carefully and apologize. I don't want to, you know, it's gonna take a toll on both of you,"

"Okay Zanu, I'll do whatever you want. As long as it's you who said, not from anyone else,"

I just kept quiet to hear Vincent.

The story between me and Vincent is not as complicated as imagined. As long as you understand each other and dare to talk, everything can be resolved well. Even though it is actually in the depths of my heart, there is doubt there.

********

Vincent's motor stopped in front of my house. And I saw that there was a car I knew parked there.

"Thank you for taking me home. Want to stop by first?" hail me to Vincent.

"No need Zanu, I have a promise with my gank earlier. We want to hang out somewhere" Vincent replied.

"Okay, be careful with the bike. Don't speed on the road,"

"Zanu, remember about our conversation. I'm waiting for you, bye,"

"Bye Vincent,"

Vincent revived the bike and looked at me, as if he was hard to get out of here. Then he smiled meaningfully.

Vincent left until he disappeared from the corner of the house alley.

I put my foot inside the house. It was seen that the figure was chatting with Papa while fixing his fishing gear on the porch beside the house.

"Hi Zanu, how late is it?" ask Bang Angga.

"So he went to a friend's house" I answered briefly.

With a cry I rushed into the house.

Why does he know I'm late for school? Why did he come here, not work?

I went straight up to the second floor to the room. I saw Zuri was sound asleep. I put the bag on the study table. After that I wash my face, wudhu and pray.

Then I went downstairs for lunch.

...****************...