Not a Choice

10

...*****...

...“When the crown of camelia falls, the petals also fall. That is why camelia is called the symbol of eternity or devotion as well as loyalty. Later I hope, your love is like camelia. That will be eternal and faithful.”...

...~Arunika Pramesti~...

...*****...

Ata stared in awe at the restaurant that became her choice for dinner. “Her time,” murmured Ata with sparkling eyes.

“Why choose to eat here, not at the hotel?” asked David when he saw the restaurant of choice Ata so crowded.

“Feeling aja. It looks good, until the tiled visitor. Eating at a hotel is common. Don't we want to find a different atmosphere?”

“Benev too, sih.”

David scratched his non-itchy temple, feeling silly with the questions he asked. The two of them treaded the path towards the resto excitedly. Joglo nuanced restaurant with a beautiful view of course. Many colorful roses decorate the garden that is arranged so neatly in the right and left corners of the road. Some spruce trees are also lined on the side of the path to the restaurant making the atmosphere look cooler.

Yellow Tabebuya trees are on the right and left side of the entrance as if waving, welcoming the arrival of visitors. Entering the resto area, Ata and David are presented with a view that is no less beautiful. At each corner, there are bonsai of frangipani flowers of various colors. A sight that really refreshes the eyes.

The welcome from an employee of the restaurant sounded so friendly. The employee asked Ata and David wanted an indoor or outdoor atmosphere. It was with great pleasure that Ata and David chose the outdoor. Friendly, the employee took Ata and David to the back of the restaurant. Occasionally also chimed in David and Ata questions about the restaurant.

At the back of the restaurant, the view is no less amazing. Ata and David were stunned. They were gardening in a restaurant. There are many vegetable plants around the saung-saung where they eat food.

“Vid, look! Eggplants are big-gede,” exclaimed Ata as if he had never seen eggplants.

“Don't go to the city, Ta. I understand you don't have a hometown, but don't be that stupid.”

“Ck! Sucks.”

“Lagian, you never see eggplant. Doesn't it have eggplant?” ledek David while glancing at the area under Ata.

“Bacot!”

David laughed crisply at Ata's annoyance.

Missing is the adult impression they showed you earlier. It was as if they were coming back like young people under 25. The employee accompanying them only smiled in response to the furore of the two handsome youths who were behind him.

“Please.” The employee who escorts David and Ata directs them to a saung near the fish pond.

After Ata and David sat down comfortably, they immediately opened the menu book that was on the table. There are mi ongklok, nasi megono, and soto golak which are typical Wonosobo foods in the menu list. There is also a home menu that becomes a menu at the Madang restaurant, such as asem vegetables, rawon, lodeh, fried rice, grilled gurame, and many more.

“I want to try mi ongklok,” Ata said to employees of the restaurant who are ready to record orders.

“I rice megono.” David also wanted to taste the typical Wonosobo food.

“Drink what, Mas?”

“Teh purwaceng only.” David answered and got the approval from Ata.

For Ata and David snacks order carica, geblek, and cenil sweets. Although cenils can also be found in Surabaya, but Ata and David want to try the pencil from Wonosobo. In Surabaya, some people call it klanting.

“I go to the bathroom first,” say goodbye Ata.

David nodded. Ata immediately passed, following the direction of the arrow towards the toilet. Ata walk leisurely. His brown netra was endlessly scanning for colorful flowers that looked fresh. While at the end near the toilet, the net caught something familiar.

There, in the corner. It was as if there was a magnetic field pulling him closer. His footsteps suddenly swung closer. His heart is beating fast. The lust of longing rolls the heart. Makes him forget his purpose.

Ata is getting closer. He is no longer able to stem the taste of haru that calls. He grabbed and kissed the camellia flower that was the center of his attention. His memory goes back to the past. To someone who really likes the flower.

“Why do you like it so much?” tanyanya at that time when she found her puja girl so admiring the beautiful camelia.

“Because camelia symbolizes immortality.”

“Kok can?”

“I've read one article. When the other flowers of the crown fall from the petals, the petals will remain on the stalk. He will not fall like a crown. Camelia is different. When the crown of camelia falls, the petals also fall. That is why camelia is called the symbol of eternity or devotion as well as loyalty.” Runa looked at Ata fixedly, “then I hope, your love is like camelia. Who will be eternal and faithful.”

Unknowingly, the clear grain pressed out from the corner of Ata's eye. Still vividly remembered in memory how Runa's smile was so wide as she gave a bouquet of camellias on her birthday.

“It's been seven more years, Run. Howareyou? Where are you now? Don't you feel my big miss? Why did you just disappear without leaving a trace?”

All those questions always revolve around Ata's brain. Camelia reminds Ata of the love she was forced to leave behind. Satisfied looking at and smelling camelia, Ata moved to complete her wish. Her bladder feels full.

Finished with his business, Ata's phone felt ringing in his pants pocket. David's name was on the screen as he pulled out his phone. Ata answered the phone call immediately.

“Yes, it's done. I'm going there now.” Ata immediately turned off the phone because he did not want to waste time.

David was already starving from waiting for him, so asked him to immediately return to the saung. Also because their order is already on the table. Just as he turned about to head towards his saute, his heart was again made to pound. He even rubbed his eyes to make sure his vision was correct.

That figure, the figure he had just thought of was standing near the saung next to the restaurant kitchen. Using a knee-length dress in baby pink, Runa looks so beautiful. Ata sure, it was his Runa even though it had not met for so long. Ata could not be mistaken because Runa became a permanent inhabitant of his heart and mind.

Ata lost control. He ran small towards the figure he missed. This time he would not let his Runa again disappear from his life. Less than a meter ata stopped the steps. Confusion and nervousness instantly invaded his soul. Many things suddenly filled Ata's mind.

What Ata had to do when she first met her heart after seven years of absence. Directly hug and say longs, or just say hello like an old friend? Really, Ata was made confused with this condition. He was no longer able to step. Can Runa accept her presence back? Or did Runa hate him now?

Not daring to approach, Ata chose to pay attention to Runa. Looking at the face she missed was getting more beautiful and looking so mature. His body was still as slender as it used to be even though his cheeks were no longer chubby. That pretty face looks more slender than it used to be.

“Iya. Definitely miss.”

Ata did not expect to return to hear the crisp sound of Runa's. He waited for Runa to finish a new phone call Ata will strengthen her determination to greet Runa. Seeing Runa who was busy staring at the kitchen, Ata could enjoy that face from the side. The thin lips were smiling. The pretty face was so sparkling, even though Runa seemed oblivious to her existence.

“Why ask that, Khan? It's definitely darling. Yes, yes, go home now. Wait, yeah! Love you more, Khan.”

Ata petrified when Runa said the word love, but called the name of another man. ‘Khan’ one name that continues to buzz in his sense of hearing to make him unconscious if Runa has lost sight.

...*****...

...To be continued...

...Finally Runa met Ata. How did they react when they met, huh? Don't forget to click her favorite button, so you can order love from Runa 🥰...