Paper Dove

I Want to Be Your Friend

Nandes appeared at my doorstep in a cloudy afternoon. I was not surprised to see his arrival. Because the events of 1 day ago made me more surprised . 

The events of 1 day ago led me to conclude that Nandes was reckless. The day I was done attending school gym class hours, Nandes showed up without warning. Our vast sports ground is paved with an iron fence because it borders the highway directly, there is a large gate on that side of the field. The gate is only opened if there are special activities from the school. 

After the sports hours were over, Elsa and I tried to join the fry at the fryer outside the school through the school fence. Actually this is prohibited school, but whose name the students ever according to. 

Elsa and I were sitting under a tree on the sidelines chewing on a fry. We're busy gossiping and suddenly Elsa's lying around. 

" Dew, where are the students from?", Elsa pointed in one direction in the middle of the field. 

I looked in that direction, Nandes was standing there wailing for something. But she's surrounded by female students from my class who might be curious about her. I immediately coughed. 

" Sa, it's Nandes. He's STM's son. Where'd she come in?", I panicked. 

Elsa was panicking more. " What? Kids STM. This is not reckless but crazy".

" Let's run away.don't let him see me. Could be bad", I hurriedly packed our fritters.

" She looks like she's seen you" Elsa looked at me with a wry smile. 

I saw Nandes walking towards me casually, before he waved at the female student who was crowding him while giving him an unnecessary kiss bye.

I was glued to my place, hoping that the picket teacher wouldn't patrol it all the way to the field. I could've finished my High School career if I knew Nandes was coming for me. 

" Hi Nai¹", Nandes greeted me as I got closer. I saw Elsa smiling amusedly at the call.  Especially it means it's my mind.

" What are you doing here. It's still school hours", I admonish Nandes as fierce. 

" Want to meet you" Nandes answered lightly while picking fried food from the package in Elsa's hand. 

" Where did you come in from? It can't be from the main gate, right? mending you back now. Later you are caught by the picket teacher ", I babble while pulling Nandes' hand either I want to take him where. 

" eit . .bentar. I got in here hard-earned. I'd like to ask for your number", Nandes thrust his phone at me. 

I'm confused "you come in here just want my number?".

" Yes dong. I could have asked for your number from someone else, but I don't like that. If I ask you directly and you give me that means you want to be my friend", Nandes wiggled his phone in front of my face. 

Quite surprised by Nandes' absurd reasoning I just stared at Nandes.

" Snap dew, like the picket teacher is coming here" I heard Elsa talking frantically as she approached me. 

I panicked, and I quickly picked up Nandes' phone and typed my number. Nandes took the phone and saved my number. 

My phone shook, I took it out of my pocket. 

" That's my number. Thanks to Nai. We're calm now", Nandes still relaxed not seeing me and Elsa who had panicked to the top. 

I pulled Nandes' hand to hide but he whispered to me "later I'll play to your house huh".

After whispering he ran towards the corner of the field quickly and the next action made me and Elsa almost have heart failure.

Nandes climbed over our school fence unhindered and jumped out like a professional long jump athlete. Just then the picket teacher was seen at the end of the stairs. Some friends who noticed the incident took a deep breath. Elsa limps down, afraid of her latex, too. I saw Nandes was no longer visible outside the fence.

" Well, all of you are crazy and reckless. But romantic the hell ", Elsa was babbling at me 

I was silent, unable to see the picket teacher shouting noisily scolding the students who were huddling to hang out in the field while the lesson was in progress. 

So this afternoon, when I saw Nandes in my yard, it felt like a normal thing. He came to give me only one chocolate bar. 

" This is for you", Nandes thrusting the chocolate.

"Yes, I've come back, ", Nandes told me. He really just came and gave me that chocolate. 

" Eh. You don't want to drink coffee first", I offer a stale base. 

" Can you?", Nandes asked.

" No, I honestly broke my heart.

Nandes laughing. " Tomorrow if he comes again. Yes, bye", Nandes waved at me and left on his bike. 

I watched the chocolate in my hand in silence.  Looks like he's good huh. But his style is ngeselin. I went into the house and put the chocolate next to Juan's origami in the study desk drawer.

***

Retirement Day is approaching. I'm getting busy. Too many things to prepare. Elsa complains of fatigue, not to mention the schoolwork that is still given without humanity by the teacher. I can only breathe in frustration. 

Juan gave me a cold drink in the cafeteria. The rumors that had been spreading all along had become meaningless. It seems like they are starting to lazily discuss about us, they should have new prey to discuss.

" Busy, his face so thin" Juan examined my face. 

" Well, I want to lie down at home", I complained again while holding the cold drink in my hand. 

" It used to be when I was still holding government positions here it felt like this as well. That must be tired, tired but exciting. Try to enjoy it and continue to be an experience. Later one day if organizing for sure that I think it feels small", Juan gave input to me like a brother was advising his sister.

I nodded uninspired. I put my chin on the bottle Juan gave me. Drowsiness because of the end of lunch began to attack, human disease in general.

" Oh, sleepy again. What is the next lesson of Sociology... Hiks "I'm complaining again.

Juan smiled angrily "You have so many complaints", then he stroked my head fondly.

I was still motionless having a stiff attack due to the touch of Juan's hand on my head, my cheek was hot. People don't think what other people feel. I could have a heart attack if he keeps doing this.

" Sister.don't" I said slowly. 

" Hm? What?", Juan looked at me. 

I don't "It's okay. Yes already. I'm back first. Daa", I hurriedly left from there. 

It seemed Juan looked at me in confusion, as there was no explanation I gave. 

I put the cold drink on my cheeks and around my neck. The air was hot, it felt like the butterflies inside my chest would immediately spit out. I walked quickly to the hall hoping to see Elsa there soon. 

In the Hall Elsa was busy tidying up their training equipment. I wanted to rebuke but someone came to Elsa. That's Adam and Elsa looking happy because of Adam's arrival. I squinted my eyes.

" Because of you Elizabeth", I muttered as I walked over to them. 

As I neared, I rebuked "Elisabet.had done training" 

Elsa and Adam who were originally holding hands instantly untied their handrails and clubbing. 

" Hi Dew hahaha", Elsa reprimanded while laughing stiffly. 

I smiled, raising my thumb at them. " When's the deal?", I joked.

***

¹Nai (manggarai language): Heart