Ranums

THANK YOU

"If there is another girl who makes you comfortable and she is serious, God willing I sincerely see you happy with that girl, Mas."

"Oh God, Ra. Why do you think that? I have no intention of getting close to another girl, right now all I have in my prayers is you."

"I don't want to hurt Mas Zav with this attitude of mine, but honestly I still don't have the courage to go any further."

Zaviyar sighed softly. His breathing sounded heavy even though he was trying to hold it. His hand rubbed the nape that now also felt heavy.

Don't want to make a beloved girl even more confused and sad. Although he himself felt the same way, he realized that he was the man who would become a priest and should be able to be calmer no matter what his condition.

"Ra, I do wish we could get married as soon as possible. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna force you. God willing I will wait for you, I am sure that soon will come. So, please don't talk weird."

No answer from across the phone. Both of them were silent with their hearts and minds. Occasionally there was the sound of Ranum's crying. Even though the girl was withholding all her might, but her tears were shed as well. Zaviyar was still trying to calm down even though only through a phone connection.

"Ra, that. Please don't cry anymore. Leave everything to God, ask him to take care of our hearts. Because I'm sure your heart is still for me."

The deg!

Of course Zaviyar's words were like a slap to Ranum. The girl again realized that true to what was said, her heart was already tied to the figure who was now talking to her across the phone. However, the shadow of the past why such a haunting continues, to make him afraid to accept the man who has been so patient waiting for him.

"Sorry, Mas. Maybe I've hurt Mas Zav a lot."

"No, Ra. As long as we both try to take care of each other. God willing, no one will be hurt."

"But, Mas ..."

"Please trust me and don't doubt me, Ra."

There is nothing happier than getting sincerity from the people we love. Maybe that's the way it is for some people. But, for Ranum at the moment it was very stifling.

Her guilt towards the figure of a man who sincerely loves her grew even greater. He knew that his heart loved him too much, but fear still prevented him from revealing the truth.

Only tears were able to describe Ranum's current feelings.

Hearing Zaviyar's words made Ranum more aware of how sincere the man felt for him. There is a haru taste in the sweet girl's heart, but again can not give happy news to the man she loves. And because of that, he did not want to make the shady-looking man wait for him any longer.

"Mas, is it okay in the near future that I go to Malang?" ask Ranum.

"Can it be, who is it?"

"alone. But, maybe I'll see Arvin later."

"Yes, careful. Hopefully after that you can be calmer" said Zaviyar with hope.

Zaviyar who has often shared stories with Ranum is no longer suspicious if the girl meets Arvin. Because Ranum also not infrequently tells about his friend from the cold city.

"Yes, Mas. Again, I'm sorry."

"Udah, Ra."

Zaviyar tried to comfort Ranum, switching the conversation. He tells about Radit and his wife who is now pregnant young. Sometimes Ranum who changed tells about the behavior of his students. And the atmosphere melted again. Until it was not felt the night was getting late and the two decided to rest and end the telephone connection.

***

The day keeps changing. That morning, the Surya poked from the eastern horizon with its distinctive charm at the beginning of the day. Ranum who had plans to go to Malang a few days ago, first prepare some items that he will bring so that later when he comes home from school is ready and just left. Mrs Ratih had prepared breakfast and had her daughter take breakfast before leaving.

School work is going on as usual. If there is not much data and reports done, Ranum will help fill the activities in the classroom along with other teachers.

Ranum is ready to go to Malang. The motor is next to the house. This time Ranum combines navy jeans, white clothes with small pink flowers, and a veil in line with the flowers on his shirt. Mrs Ratih waited until her daughter left before she herself took a break.

The cold city was in sight. The cool air greeted the soft face of Ranum who was not covered in helmet glass. Motor Ranum enters the parking area between Alun-alun and Masjid Jami' Malang. Yes, indeed the two places became the first destination for the sweet girl when she arrived in Malang.

Ranum sits on the grass of the Square area. Enjoy the atmosphere of the city of Malang and pay attention to the people passing by around it. Not long before Ranum was there, the voice of Adzan had reverberated. He rushed to the mosque. And before entering the mosque, a message was sent to Arvin.

"I'm going to your place. Please send me the address."

No need to ask or explain more, because Ranum had already told Arvin.

Ranum who has finished fulfilling his obligations, is now in the parking area walking closer to his motorbike. He rode a motorcycle and took it down the streets of Malang looking for the address that Arvin had sent in his message.

About fifteen minutes riding a motorcycle, Ranum has arrived in front of a cafe that Arvin mentioned. He parked his motorcycle and entered the cafe that looked like the house.

Ranum goes into the cafe which seems to be designed to resemble a house so that those who come to the place feel comfortable like at home.

The number of tables is not too much, about fifteen tables. Each table has a different capacity. Some are arranged for four to five people and some are prepared for two people.

Ranum looked around, looking for Arvin's whereabouts but he could not find them. His eyes looked at each table and looked for a comfortable place.

One table with two seats in the southernmost corner is an option. The table is right next to the window and facing the street. He took his phone out of his bag intending to notify Zaviyar. But, Ranum just realized it turns out his phone has run out of battery.

"Hi." Arvin's voice shocked Ranum who was confused because his phone died.

"Oh ... Hi." Hey."

"Udah from earlier? Sorry for praying."

"No, just now."

Arvin, who sees Ranum unsettled and stays focused on his phone, asks what the problem is to make it a little ignored.

"Ehm .. sorry, Vin. It's my phone off and I forgot I didn't bring powerbank."

"Well, let's get the battery here, pack mine."

"The thing is I want to tell Mas Zav, but ...?"

"Here, you can tell him this pack. Memorize the number?" Arvin gives his phone and one hand takes Ranum's phone to charge his battery.

Ranum who felt bad, did not immediately receive Arvin's phone. But, Arvin continued to force until Ranum could not dodge anymore.

"Thank you, yeah. Sorry to have your nicotine."

"Not a problem, sir."

Ranum quickly typed the number Zaviyar had memorized. A phone call was heard several times before the owner picked it up.

"Rho? This you?" zaviyar said after hearing the greetings from Ranum.

"Yes, Mum."

"What's going on? How, you call me with a new number?"

"Nothing happened, Mom. I'm fine, just my phone ran out of battery and it's recharged in Arvin's place."

After it was enough to tell Zaviyar. Ranum ended the call because he felt bad if he had to linger calling.

Arvin has returned from one of the rooms in the cafe to charge Ranum's cell phone. The sweet girl immediately returned the phone she had borrowed.

Arvin handed Ranum a menu book. One cappucino and a serving of French fries he ordered. The athletic man brought back the menu book and handed it to a girl who seemed to work there as well.

Ranum waited for the order at his seat. Before long Arvin brought food and drinks ordered by Ranum to his desk. They also chatted casually with a supportive cafe atmosphere.

"Where's the story?" said Arvin while fixing his seat.

"Well, that's it."

Ranum finally told Arvin his question. The man faithfully listened to the sweet girl's story before him with a gaze that remained focused on the girl's eyes.

“Reveal what I think of Aldi?” arvin.

Ranum just lowered his head weakly answering Arvin's words. Ranum's nervousness makes him unconscious if the man in front of him keeps looking at him.

"Convince your own heart. The man from Surabaya, who? Zaviyar?"

Think of small as the answer of Ranum.

"He's serious about you. Actually, what makes you doubt? Is it just because of Aldi?” Arvin asked full of questions.

"The more I love you, the more I'm afraid of losing her."

"Then, like this do you think you'll continue to be close to him?"

For a moment, Ranum covered his face with both hands. Think of Arvin's words. He exhaled, “I intend to tell Mas Zav everything in this week.”

“Everything? You mean?”

Ranum is silent again, then he re-opens his voice and tells about his past. Past events that make him worry will happen again.

"What happened has happened. You can remember it to be more careful, but that doesn't mean you're locked up in the past."

Arvin took a breath and exhaled slowly.

"Return to the present and your future."

"It's not just women who need clarity. Even men if they are serious, also need clarity from women," explained Arvin.

Ranum replied, A man with a black T-shirt bearing the name of the cafe on the chest called Arvin.

"Mas Arvin, he said he wanted to play. What's the way now?"

"Oh, okay. Now." Now."

Ranum frowned looking at Arvin.

"What song do you want?" ask Arvin to Ranum.

"I mean play ...?" Ranum thought.

"Do you play music and sing?"

Arvin nodded. "What song do you want?" Repeated questions that Ranum has not answered.

"Love out of love" replied Ranum.

"Ehm ... Fits." Arvin's smile was engraved at the corner of his lips as he walked away from Ranum's desk.

Ranum squinted at Arvin's reaction which he did not understand. Arvin immediately prepared to pick up his guitar and sit down in a chair facing the visitor's desk.

Guitar is ready to play. Slowly Arvin fingers strum the strings of his guitar, chanting the tones that make the listener lulled into the song played. Plus the melodious voice of Arvin who sang verse by song wholeheartedly.

Ranum kept paying attention. Enjoy the song performed by the man who has the nose pointed. But, even though his eyes were on Arvin, his mind was on the figure of a man in another city. The shadow of the Zaviyar continued to flutter during the song's play. Without feeling a single drop of clear slid down from the corner of his eye. Ranum looked down, rubbing his eyes with tissue.

Arvins. From where he played, his gaze was also not separated from the girl whose eyes began to turn red. Arvin continues to enjoy every note played. Fascinating. Until the last quote, he finished it beautifully.

Arvin who had put back his guitar, immediately headed for Ranum's desk. The girl tried to wipe away the traces of tears that had come out. But, still Arvin had already seen it since he sang.

"Why? Why ya?" Arvin smiled knot.

"Hmmm," murmured Ranum.

"Let's not until you're sorry, Num."

Ranum looked at Arvin for a moment. He took a deep breath, exhaling it slowly like trying to remove the weight on the chest.

"Mind coincidences. I married you too." Arvin passed by while chuckling.

Ranum just clucked in response to Arvin's joke.

It's getting late. Ranum intends to go home. Arvin who walked from the room where he charged Ranum's cell phone battery, narrowed his eyes to see the sweet girl was ready.

"Wanna go back now?"

"Yes, it's not yet Maghrib."

"Aren't you waiting for the Maghrib to end?"

Ranum shook his head and stood up from his seat and took the phone from Arvin's hand.

"Thank you."

"Hmmm. Careful."

They walked towards the place where Ranum's motorbike was parked. The helmet is worn and the motor key is ready in place. Ranum had been sitting on a motorbike about to start the engine.

“It seems .. I'm sure of my decision."

“Good."

When Arvin was back in the cafe. Ranum turned on his phone and sent a WhatsApp message to Zaviyar before he actually left the city of Malang that evening.

"Mas, no plans to play to Pasuruan?"

"Someone wants me to talk about."

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷