Not a Choice

13

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

...“You can dream, but fate must go on. I don't know who my soul mate is, but I'm sure God's plan must be the best”...

...~Arunika Pramesti~...

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

Cold air this morning in the city of Wonosobo, making Ata reluctant to get out of bed. The man still closed his eyes under the thick white blanket that gave him warmth. Ata couldn't sleep last night even though her body was tired. All day he was looking for Runa with zero results. In the evening the figure of Runa still filled Ata's mind. I don't know what time his eyes closed. The sunlight that broke through the gap of the curtains in the hotel room disturbed his sleep. Though Ata felt only for a moment she was lulled into a dream with her beloved girl. The man did not wake up, but instead got into the blanket.

The sound of repeated knocking from the direction of the room door, finally teasing his break. Ata could already guess who was behind the door of her room. With heavy eyes Ata got up and opened the door for David. His eyes squinted slightly when he saw David's neat appearance.

“Loh, you are not ready?” David was surprised to see Ata still wearing black training pants and a gray sweater with disheveled hair.

Ata did not answer her best friend's questions. He turned around and went back into the room, followed by David. After closing the door, David rushed inside.

“Eh, I'm sleeping again, anyway! Hunting shower ntar lunch. He said he wanted to find Runa,” grumbled David while pulling a blanket that wrapped the body of Ata.

Hearing the name of Runa mentioned, immediately Ata got up and opened her eyes. “Now?”

“Neg. Tomorrow day after tomorrow.” David glares and throws a blanket at Ata, “ya, right now. Do you want our time wasted?”

“Have, I took a shower first.” Ata rushed to the bathroom without knowing David's sly smile that was on her lips.

“Where do we start searching?” asked Ata a while after she cleaned herself up.

“We start from breakfast,” replied David.

“Loh, how about breakfast?”

“Eh, dodol. We need energy to start adventuring, tau!” furious David. After locking the room, the two of them came down for breakfast.

“This time we start the search from where?” asked Ata while putting a mouthful of rice into her mouth.

“Sikidang Crater,” replied David with sparkling eyes. Seeing the change in Ata's face, David immediately read his words. “Yesterday we failed to find Runa in the city. Today there is no harm if we look at tourist attractions. Remember the word waiter restaurant yesterday, Runa often visited Resto Madang. Later we go back there, who knows Runa is there.”

“Ben also,” Ata mangosteen-beard heard David's narration.

Seeing Ata agree to his proposal, David's heart was happy. Because he was so curious about Sikidang crater. It is not complete if you arrive at Dieng, but have not visited and photographed in the crater. Not that he does not understand the condition of his best friend, but David plans to, return to the Madang Resto at lunchtime. David hopes that his efforts this time to find Runa is not in vain.

...*** ...

They headed for Sikidang crater by driving the car they rented yesterday. David chose to use the services of drivers who certainly better understand the Dieng area. It was still early morning when they arrived at the location. After passing through the complex of Arjuna Temple and Bima Temple, David immediately pulled Ata towards the crater.

The expanse of barren land and small explosions that produce white steam are the main attraction in this place. David was so enjoying the natural phenomenon that he had just met this time, that not only once he took pictures at the location.

Unlike David, Ata's attention was on the visitors. He hoped that his Runa would be among them. Every group that comes is always the priority of Ata to scan it. However, until the sun went high there was no sign of his Runa being there. Ata finally approached David who was still taking pictures.

For a few moments they were there. Approaching lunch time David immediately invited Ata to come down. Their goal this time was to return to the Madang Resto. The driver was ready beside the car when they both arrived at the parking lot. They rushed in to continue their journey.

“Now where are we going, Mas?” ask the driver politely.

“We ate at the Resto which is close to the workplace Mr. only,” replied David.

“Oh, Resto Madang? Well, this Mas must have been addicted to the cuisine there, yes?” said the father while joking.

“Iya, Sir. The food fits on our tongue. Although the cuisine is unique, but delicious,” replied David.

“The Resto used to be quiet, Mas. The cooking is just that. Understand first who cooked Bu Mira. The widow whose husband died. To find busyness, Ms. Mira opened a stall. Though the treasures of her husband much. That's why Ms. Mira doesn't take care of her food stall business. Maybe just for entertainment, yeah, Mom. Being able to meet a lot of people who eat in her stall makes Bu Mira not lonely. Now after being passed on the younger one, his business smoothly and became big as it is today,” the father of the driver who responded to David by nodding his head.

“No, Mas. My real wife is here. I am from Parakan,” replied Mr. Driver.

“Oh.” Ata and David almost simultaneously responded to the words of the Father.

“Even this car rental business belongs to his son Bu Mira, Mas,” added the Father.

“Wah, great, yes Bu Mira,” David continued.

Without feeling they have arrived at the parking lot of Resto Madang. Again Ata was fascinated by the beauty of the arrangement of plants around the restaurant. Seeing the beauty of Tabebuya that is still in bloom and the most liked Ata is soon he will meet with camellias. Flowers that had brought memories of his past came to the surface.

“Mas, later when it's finished living my WA, yes,” pinta the Father.

“Loh, you come eat first!” exclaim David.

“Thank you, Mas. I didn't stay home for a while. My wife said today I cook my favorite. Well, want to ngajak his mas eat at home I fear ndak doyan. Understand only kuban anrap the same salted fish,” said Father made Ata and David laugh.

...*** ...

This time Ata chose a saung that was closer to the entrance whose position could see towards the door clearly. Not without reason Ata chose the saung. He wanted to be more free to see anyone who came without making a bad impression.

During the wait for the food they ordered, Ata's eyes were always vigilant to look at every corner of the room. Even David pretended to surround the park just to go down one by one the saung that was there. He thought maybe Runa was in one of the saungs in the park. After not finding what he was looking for, David returned to the saung where Ata was monitoring the entrance.

“Vid, I'll go to the restroom first, yes. Please, don't let your guard down to the front!”

“OK!” answer David.

Ata walked past some camellia trees. He actually did not want to go to the bathroom. However, his heart was piqued to return to the place where he saw Runa the other day. His steps were slow, he completely combed the place perfectly. I don't know why his heart feels bad. Ata stopped where she found Runa. He saw several women who were busy in the kitchen preparing orders for the visitors.

“There can I help you, Mas?” sapa Wati who saw Ata's presence.

“Oh, sorry. I'm going to the restroom. But forget which side, huh?” Ata stuttered to answer Wati's question. The man felt he was caught red-handed.

“Oh, it's straight only later turn right.”

“Thank you, Ma'am.” Ata left the place disappointed. Turns out the Runa isn't here.

After the restroom, Ata came to the park on the left side. There are other camellia flowers. Ata approaching. It was as if his heart was directing its level legs to step there.

“Iya, Darling.”

“OK, later tonight we eat to the place yesterday.”

“Bye, Khan dear,”

Again Ata was disturbed by that voice. He felt his sanity was disturbed due to thinking about Runa. However, what he heard this time was not a dream. It was the voice of Runa. Ata's approaching and sure enough. Behind the camellia flower sat a beautiful woman wearing a knee-length toska dress. Ata rubbed her eyes, was that her Runa?

They remember the last time they met. Wearing kebaya toska at graduation in the campus garden. Ata's heart blossomed, she wanted to embrace her Runa and shed all the longings she had been keeping in her heart. Just one step from where he stood, Ata froze. He remembered the word ‘sayang’ that Runa said a moment ago. Does he still deserve to call her his Runa? She is now engaged to another woman. And is the Runa in front of him still like the old Runa? Ata's head immediately felt like it was about to break. Ata was about to leave the place when Runa got up and turned towards Ata.

“Byakta Kalingga,” muttered Runa was no less surprised to see Ata's presence there. His body froze. They looked at each other without being able to say what was going on. A pile of yearning in the eyes of those who are forced to be dashed because of circumstances.

The love between them had to end. Not because they had been neglected, but because of such deep affection, and when they were reunited, all had changed.

“You can dream, but fate must go on. I don't know who my soul mate is, but I'm sure God's plan must be the best,” muttered Runa inwardly as she recalled Ata's last sentence before they parted.

...*****...

...to be continued...