LOVE SONGS OF LOLOBATA

BOTH

The third day at the grandmother's house was getting colder. Breakfast was with grandma. Uncle Hasan left early in the morning with Gufron. Aunt Marina never showed herself downstairs. Imron returned to Jakarta yesterday evening.

"Grandma often has breakfast by herself?" askaku while taking seafood fried rice, breakfast menu this morning.

"Not often. Sometimes your uncle has an appointment with his colleague early in the morning like today."

"Aunt Marina?"

"He rarely had breakfast. More often he was at home in Jakarta with his son. Tomorrow he leaves for Jakarta with Gufron." replied the grandmother straightforwardly and flatly. There is no tendency to any of that answer.

I was prejudiced okay. Hopefully only I feel the atmosphere of this house is not warm. Those who are at home are used to this condition. That's how it is.

The night before going to bed I remembered the death certificate of the grandfather who became the attachment of the inheritance handover letter that I handled in the notary's office earlier. Grandfather died of heart disease and kidney failure 3 months before baba died. That fact is the background of Grandmother's defense of the inheritance of baba rights given to me because at the death of my grandfather was still in a fit state. I don't know if Baba knows the news of Grandpa's death or not. But before his death, I once found a sad baba pensive on the porch of the mosque. When I asked him why, Baba said he wanted to go back to Makassar but didn't have enough money. Maybe at that time baba had heard about grandfather's death but did not want to tell me. Or maybe baba has a bad feeling about grandpa.

I don't know. Meeting Baba's family even added new problems for me. There is a mystery I do not understand.

"Miss, yesterday's grandma said baba and grandpa were at odds. Fifa can tell why?" Finally I asked the grunts who disturbed my mind since 2 days ago in breakfast this time. Like just the two of you, I can ask you something sensitive.

"cause your dad won't help with Grandpa's company."

Just because of that problem they were at odds? It feels weird.

"Are they at odds until the end of their lives?"

"No, Fifa. Your grandfather had long realized what kind of life your father wanted and made his life choices. Your father was a simple, honest and peace-loving preacher. He's also an independent and hardworking man."

Grandma's right. That was how Baba was during her life.

"We once told people to go to your father and ask him to come home when your grandfather was seriously ill. But that guy never came back."

"Disappeared?"

Grandma nodded.

I can't ask you any more. I saw Grandma's eyes start to glaze over. I don't want to see Grandma cry anymore because I remember Baba.

"Later in the evening I'll invite someone to the tavern ya, Grandma" I said, switching the subject.

"Who?"

"More boss. Jakarta People. It just so happened that there were activities in Makassar and we didn't meet."

"You and Brother Sharif?"

"Yes. Who else is my partner here besides Brother Sharif. It's annoying but here or in Lolobata I'll always deal with him."

"Not eating for free, right?"

"Boss cook eats free, Grandma. I'll have him pay the bill. It was precisely my goal to invite him to the store so he was hooked to come to the store and recommend to his colleagues."

Grandma held up her thumb. "good. This is grandma's granddaughter. Descendants of the pure Bugis tribe who are smart trading strategies."

My heart blossomed to that praise. Hehehe I know where my crafty talent is being passed down from.

Me and Andi had agreed to meet Bray at the tavern. In addition to the exclusive place and the food menu is good, it is important to introduce the store to business people. This store has a room that can be used as a business meeting place with a relaxed atmosphere.

I leave to be escorted by Mr. Rodi since noon because I want to finish the job while tasting the menus served in the store one by one. Grandma said if you want to succeed as a culinary businessman his tongue must be adept at reading consumer tastes. That skill has to go through the training process. No one is suddenly proficient without going through the training process. My tongue must be accustomed to sensitive tasting something and can distinguish which good food is preferred by the majority of consumers who usually come to the store. If you have to develop a new recipe, the research and product development section must be sensitive to this one. As an owner we can't just say yes. However, in addition to comfort and service, the most important thing of the culinary business is to pamper the tongue of the customer.

The afternoon table on the second floor is full of visitors, especially those facing directly to the beach because from inside the shop one can see the romance of the sunset. At this time office workers who do not want to go home usually stop by to relax for a moment to enjoy the delicious food while staring at the beach and hear the strains of popular music.

I learned by direct observation. Before a full visitor I had time to invite a casual chat of employees who happened to be leisurely. Today I had a chat with a senior chef who had worked for many years in the tavern. We chatted casually while cutting vegetables and preparing cooking ingredients so as not to keteteran when visitors are full later. His hand moved quickly. In an instant one job is completed and then switch to doing other work very deftly. I can't keep up with the speed at which he cuts meat and fish. His experience has been a lot. I worked at a hotel restaurant as well.

"If the master cook, why do not the master chef open his own restaurant." ask a prank.

"Jago cooking alone is not enough for culinary business capital, Non. If we are not good at marketing and culinary business management it is difficult to go forward. I am happy to be a chef here. Salary enough. Work happy. This is more properly called a paid hobby. No need to worry about employees, suppliers or marketing strategies."

Andi told me that she would be late because she had to be the host of the traditional activities of her relatives, namely the inauguration of the proposal by being given a shipment of jewelry to the women who became one of a series of famous Bugis wedding customs eat expensive costs.

Towards dusk I returned to the room and tasted the tavern menu which was an adaptation of western food, which was spaghetti cakalang, fruit salad and a cup of warm espresso. I've sent a message to Bray that I've made a reservation at VVIP Anoa 1 and I'm waiting here.

A waiter escorted Bray into the room after azan maghrib. Still wearing suits, ties and formal wear.

"Hi, Fifa. I put my stuff here. Want to pray maghrib first." he said with a heavy voice and not excited. His face looks tired.

Bray opened the coat in front of me who was glued to look at him. Slowly he draped the suit on the back of one of the chairs and rolled his shirt up to his elbow. Although it looks thinner than the first time met but the style remains cool and elegant. I kept watching what he was doing with unblinking eyes like a fanatic fanatic who suddenly met his idol actor. Stunned. Today he is acting like a star. In my eyes everything that was in him was flawlessly perfect.

Bray doesn't care about my eyes. After removing the watch and placing it on a marble table, he went to the mosque with the servants and personal guards accompanying him.

Ten minutes later he returned with a fresh face and hair still wet by washing ablution water. Cool addition. But I didn't dare to look at him as intensely as before. Embarrassed.

"Where are you?"

"Ijin came late because suddenly he was appointed as the host of the traditional party of his relatives."

Bray considers my answer the wind then. He took the menu list that the waiter presented and asked the best seller menu in the store. Without looking at the other menu, he immediately ordered conro soup and Toraja coffee ice cream.

"Have you ordered first, huh?"

"It's almost over" I said with a faint smile revealing the food plate in front of me.

Our eyes looked at each other. He looked at me in more detail and commented, "Your appearance is different tonight, Fifa."

I blushed because of her seductive smile.

"During here I have to wear the clothes that Grandma gave me." I said honestly.

Today I wear a shirt suit and pastel-colored culottes combined with a black pashmina hijab. Grandma chose for me clothes with classic fashion, she said, timeless.

"Your grandmother's taste is good. I think your appearance is much more elegant now. Looks smart and sporty."

Cook anyway? Means Bray's taste is the same as Grandma dong's fashion sense. Classics. I was happy and proud of his comments, but my little heart was disappointed because his judgment was different from my favorite to appear simple. Cook for the sake of praise Bray I have to switch to follow the taste of classic fashion grandmothers are expensive. That's not Fifa. Not according to my character and identity all this time.

"How's your grandma doing?"

"good. He was already old, Bray. Everywhere you have to use a wheelchair. His legs are fragile due to osteoarthitis. But his life spirit is still high."

Bray did not comment. His slightly indifferent attitude further tickled the curiosity. This time I was really alone with him. Without intermediaries. Without an assistant or other friend. His guard sat outside the room.

My heart dag dig dug is not bad. You want to be afraid of being wrong. So wrong too. I repeatedly looked at the mineral water so as not to look too agitated. It takes a lot of oxygen so I don't run out of breath because the charm makes my heart work too hard.

The scent of her masculine perfume ventured into the air. Up close, Bray looks more perfect. The smile effect is more powerful. His warmth spread directly to my heart and my deepest heart.

I justify the sitting position and try to be as normal as possible, "Mas Bray what's the business in Makassar?"

"Tomorrow there is a meeting of the nickel mine entrepreneurs association. Supposedly today there is a plan to sell pepper plantations. The buyer was ready but failed the transaction due to legality issues."

Bray smiled stiffly. "Not yet windfall" he said later.

Frankly, I was confused about what other topics to talk to the man who seemed to be in a bargaining position. What are some interesting topics that are mild but improve mood? I'm not good at entertaining. At a time like this I need Andi. If there is him, everything can be liquid instantly. Maybe even the north polar snow can be conquered with his ridiculous behavior. Why when needed this way he did not even come. Getting upset itself.

We were quiet for a few minutes. I am confused as to how.

"How's Maudy doing?" Although my neck was choked when I mentioned that name, I also asked a personal question that could be the material of my teeth Jim.

"Okay." she replied briefly.

"When are you married?"