Renjana Dusk Kala

Chapter 23. Dark Blue Shirt Man

Jakarta

Pocktail

"That's ... Grandma's home!" exclaimed Sasa while pointing towards the door.

"Grandma take what, Grandma?" asked Sasa who ran towards the door. Welcoming the arrival of Mamak with great joy.

"Fish ..." answered Mamak with a smile. But as soon as he saw the two guests sitting on the chair, Mamak's forehead immediately shriveled.

"Grandma has guests, Grandma," Sasa said. Seraya wrestled with Mamak's left hand. "Nyariin Granny ...."

"The end of Dekgam Aran," Sasa explained, as if to be the only person most aware of the latest information. And must deliver it immediately this very second.

"But darling ... The dekgamnya did not come," Sasa shrugged his shoulders with a deplorable face. "When Sasa has missed Dekgam ...."

Mamak smiled in response to Sasa's chattering. Then nod politely towards Mr. Setyo and Tama. Then walk up to him.

"This .... Mr. Ustadz just harvested fish," whispered Mamak with increasingly shriveled eyebrows. While handing over the bag of white crackle that looks heavy.

He received a white crackle bag from Mamak's hand and immediately saw the contents. Inside were more than ten tilapia fish. Most of which are still alive. Floundering in search of the presence of water.

Make him rush to tie back the bag of crackle.

"Sorry before ...." Tama speak up. "We came here without any news first. Maybe ... a little surprise Bu Cut."

Mama nodded back.

While he was trying to lift a teddy bear stored on a chair.

"Sasa ... The doll please keep it inside. Grandma would sit down" he whispered to Sasa, who was still clutching Mamak's hand.

Sasa immediately nodded and did his orders in no time. Half-runningly carried the teddy bear into the room.

"I'm sorry .. had to wait a long time" said Mamak who has now sat in the chair.

While the recently finished Mr. Setyo shrank in tears, only nodding without saying a word.

"Can anyone help?" ask Mamak.

But before Tama could answer, Mamak again said, "Does it please to wait a while?"

"There are freshly harvested fish. Can be cooked for a while," continued Mamak.

Tama turned to look at Mr. Setyo with a confused face. But Mr. Setyo nodded, "There are some things I want to talk about."

Mr. Setyo's words were a real relief. Because he could dodge for a while from the living room and the man who always looked at him.

But, it was also new to keep the still floundering Nila fish into the basin, one type of sound that he tried to forget suddenly sounded.

"Let me clean it up."

He who jumped in shock and never thought Tama would follow back, can only say nervous, "Oh .. no need ...."

"Where's the knife?" But Tama did not pay any heed to his refusal.

"Guest sit in front of me ...." His words are getting nervous.

"Papa seems to want to talk to Bu Cut alone," he reasoned. "Rather than bengong .. mending join the fish cleaner. Where's the knife?"

Sighing in disbelief, he was forced to turn his head towards Tama, who was also looking at him.

He again sighed with a broken heart. While his brain is completely dead-end. Can't think of the most reasonable reason. To deny Tama's existence here, behind the house, while offering to help her clean the fish.

With a frown, he was forced to move to pick up the sandals. Which used to be used by Agam when he came home. Then move it towards Tama.

"It's dirty here" he said stiffly. "Should wear san ...."

But not yet managed to finish the sentence, Tama had grabbed the sandals from her hands first.

But because of the movement is too fast, Tama's helping hand just touched his skin.

In that instant he immediately removed the slippers.

Luckily Tama was still able to catch him.

"Sorry!" his murmur was short with a half-pounding half-pumping heart. Then hurriedly stepped into the kitchen to pick up the knife.

"I cleaned the fish" Tama said as she received a knife from him. "You're ready for the other one."

He again sighed at the words spoken by Tama. Because his ears caught it as an absolute order that could not be bargained for.

He almost threw out a sentence of rebuttal. But as soon as I saw Tama grab the first fish. Then clean the scales. Cut off his fins and tail. Then it splits the stomach and takes out the entire contents. His mouth immediately closed on itself.

"Never seen anyone clean fish?" Tama turned towards him while making a smile.

He who initially almost laughed to see the flexible style of Tama when cleaning fish. Suddenly frowned and put on a shriveled face.

"For years I lived in a dorm" Tama said as she stared at him. "Just clean the fish is a small thing ...."

In that instant, he immediately put on a sour and hostile face.

"Who asked?" with a heart that returns.

"Isn't it natural, if a man can clean fish? Don't have to live in a dorm for years?"

"It's strange if someone claims to be a man, but something as trivial as cleaning fish just can't," he thought of the jumble between annoyance and shame.

Upset, because Tama was not as high-hearted as she had expected. Without the slightest awkward crouching to clean the fish behind the house.

Shame at once. Because their eyes are linked to each other. Who managed to make his whole body again bristled.

----- 

He was poking the condiment, when the corner of his eye caught the shadow of Tama's figure stepping into the kitchen. While carrying a basin containing cleaned fish.

"What do you want cooked?"

Even though he knew Tama was already in the kitchen. But the question heard by the ears still made him jump in shock.

He swallowed nervously. Before finally answering in a stiff tone of voice, "Sup and pesmol."

Tilapia brought home Mamak almost weighing three kilos more. Its size makes the number of fish look a lot.

At first he wanted to cook an easy and fast, which is pesmol fish. Just like Agam had brought home some time ago.

"It's a favorite dish at Anja's house," explained Agam, when bringing home a large goldfish pesmol.

But I remember, if Mr. Setyo had had a stroke before. Eating food by frying is clearly not recommended. Maybe even be avoided.

So he decided to cook two kinds of menus. Pesmol and fish soup. Both include a simple and quick-to-create menu of dishes.

Tama did not comment.

The kitchen was still quiet again. Only the sound of a clamor clashing on top of the sneaker. And the water in the pot was almost boiling.

To be honest, he felt even more pleased with this kind of atmosphere. Silent and silent. Without having to answer a question from Tama that makes her nervous and tucked away. Because it is so hard to say.

While from the direction of the living room, there was the sound of Umay babbling and the carefree screeches of Sasa. Accompanied by the crisp laughter of Mr. Setyo and also Mamak. I don't know what to talk about. Certainly more pleasant when compared with the atmosphere of a rigid and gripping kitchen.

To him.

I don't know for Tama.

Because the man who was sitting right behind his back was now silent a thousand languages. No longer wondering or just making unimportant comments to him.

And when he took the time to steal a glance through the corner of the eye, Tama was looking seriously staring at the screen of a mobile phone.

He hastily finished his cooking. Of course, so that people do not wait too long. And he could be freed from Tama, who from the beginning seemed to be imprisoning him. There was no room for him to escape.

***

Tama

He looked at the back of Pocut who was struggling in front of the stove. Where two furnaces are lit simultaneously.

The right side of the furnace contains a pot, which has released a fragrant aroma and the freshness of the almost cooked soup.

While the left furnace contains a frying pan. Where Pocut looks is sauteing seasoning.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Kitchen that is not too broad even tend to be small in size looks very simple in his eyes. No latest electric planting stove. Or elegant kitchen set with a certain brand. Or a refrigerator as tall as an adult. Even the most advanced cooking equipment that relies on electric power as its driving motor. There's absolutely nothing.

There is only one stove two furnaces, connected to a small gas tube that is typical like a green melon. And a simple set of cooking utensils even tends to be traditional.

Already, that's all.

A state full of limitations, which suddenly made his chest rustle.

And to divert a series of strange thoughts that begin to interfere. Like, actually Pocut is very appropriate to be able to have facilities and cooking equipment number wahid. Or, what happens if he presents the most up-to-date cooking equipment? Will it be accepted or rejected?

Waita minute.

Why should he give a gift to Pocut? What moment is there between the two of them? Is there anything important that requires him to give a gift?

But the most astonishing is ... why can he think so far?

Ah, dammit! His head must be dizzy from lack of sleep. Until he can think of something strange and ridiculous like this.

Pocut's attitude towards him alone was so cold and stiff. What happens if he gives a gift. Spontaneous response must have been a run down the ridge. He was very sure of this.

Okay, Tama. Calm down please (please calm down).

Don't rush.

Tama: "That's my boy (that's my son)."

Then send it to Kinan's number.

Then he re-typed another message.

Tama: "Congrats, buddy (congratulations, son)!

Tama: "Great achievement (extraordinary achievement)!"

Tama: "I'm proud of you (father is proud of you)."

Then send it to the Reka number.

Once sent, a new message has been sent.

Kinan : "Absolutely (indeed)."

Kinan : "He said: don't tell Dad (he - Reka-said : don't tell dad)."

Kinan : "And i lied (and I lied - to Reka-)."

He exhaled a long breath reading the reply message from Kinan.

Tama: "I know (i know)."

Tama: "Thank you (for your information)."

A few minutes later. Pocut has turned off the stove. And now it looks like putting fish soup into a bowl. But Reka did not return the message.

Make him decide to immediately install a photo of the designer who was standing on the champion podium, became a status in his smartphone messaging application.

My only pride (my pride).

Write it as status statement. Right under the photo.

I'll do my best (i'll do my best), her mind with a tired heart. Trying to act ordinary, as if not waiting for a reply from Reka. The little heart is so expecting.

***

Icad

He had just returned from Kioda's house after doing group work. When a guest was chatting with Grandma in the front seat. While Umay and Sasa were also sitting in the living room, occasionally speaking while laughing. It looks so familiar and fun.

The guest, who turned out to be Akung Dekgam, rubbed his head as he kissed the hand.

"It's big huh," now Akung Dekgam even patted his shoulder.

"My first granddaughter was also this big ...." Akung Dekgam towards Grandma.

After making small talk and answering the standard questions posed by Akung Dekgam like,

"What class?"

"Where's the school?"

"What activities are there?"

"What do you want to be?"

He changed his clothes and looked for food in the kitchen. Because the fragrant aroma of freshly cooked cuisine really tempts her empty stomach.

"Help Mama to prepare a meal" Grandma said before she left.

He also nodded. Then move on to the room to replace the sweat-soaked t-shirts. Because he had gone to Kioda's house by pedaling a bicycle. The blistering weather and a considerable distance managed to make his body bathed in sweat.

After changing the new shirt, he intends to wash his face in the bathroom. Eat and help your mom.

But only just arrived at the front door of the kitchen, his steps immediately stopped.

"When do you work in the office?" ask the man standing right behind you. The middle helps take some dishes from the shelf.

That guy?

"The end of the month" replied Mama briefly.

He was still standing in front of the door.

"Till the end of the month?" The man is now helping to pick up the spoon.

Mama looks to nod.

"Was the contract for a month?" The man asked again.

Mama nodded back.

I don't know. But from the gnarly read by his eyes, the man whose face he had once seen appearing on the television screen was clearly trying to get close to Mama. And this succeeded in provoking his anger.

He never liked a man who liked his mother.

Whoever it is.

For him, only a father can be with his mother.

Not for anyone else.

And there's no place for anyone.

But he's still riveted. Dare not to do anything to show his dislike.

He could only pay attention to his mother, who was busy putting the side dish into the serving plate. Take from the skillet that the man picked up.

"Not finished?" one question from my grandmother surprised me. With my mom and that guy. Who looked directly at the door.

Mom looked at him with a worried look. Before finally answering the question, Grandma,

"Already, Mother. We're ahead soon."

 -------

It eats with a pouty face and a bent face. Her menu is one of her favorite foods. Exactly like the food that was brought home Well beets to the house some time ago.

While Umay and Sasa were engrossed in chattering as if endless. Accompanied by the laughter of the adults when seeing the ridiculous behavior exhibited by Umay. Or a funny sash Sasa.

"You want to add?" mama asked him with a face full of worry.

But he shook his head. His appetite had evaporated out of nowhere. His stomach even felt full and full by itself.

"What class?" asked the man in the dark blue shirt, who he knew for sure had been staring at mama nonstop. And this further made his heart filled with resentment.

I don't know. He himself did not understand why he felt so upset. Though the man did not behave brash or overtly flirt with the mother. As is often indicated by other male guests who come to the house.

But just by paying attention to how the man looked at the mother alone, had made his heart filled with resentment.

"Seven!" the answer is short, mix.

"Child Om is also seventh grade" the man continued while looking at him.

But he doesn't care.

"Abang ..." Reprimanded Mama half-whispering. Maybe for the sake of seeing the expression of his regretful face that could not be covered.

"Yes ..." continued Akung Dekgam. "Same as Reka. Akung's first granddaughter who lived in Surabaya."

"Later to meet ya .. sama Reka at Akung's house," continued Akung Dekgam towards him.

This time he nodded politely. He just felt annoyed with the dark blue-shirted man. Not to Akung Dekgam whose attitude feels so nurturing.

"Yesterday Aunty Anja story to Om .. if here there are good at pictures," said the man as he glanced at him.

But he immediately lowered his head deeply with a pouting face.

"That is ... Brother!" exclaimed Umay while pointing towards him. "Any big picture, Om."

"Yes ..." said Sasa. "The picture of Abang baguuus is very Om ...."

"Yesterday I was drawn Little Ponny with Brother. So baguus. I like it," Sasa chanted in his forehead style.

"Of! Om want to be drawn with Brother also not Om?" sasa asked in a pretentious tone.

"Tante Anja also likes to be drawn with Brother. Said Aunt ... be beautiful. Hihih ...." Sasa giggled to himself, but according to everyone there was nothing funny.

"Since it was immediately answered the same Well bit same Brother together .. indeed originally beautiful," this time Sasa imitated the heavy sound of Yah bit. The voice managed to make everyone laugh.

"Can."

The answer given by the man further irritated him to hiss.

"Om also want to be drawn like Aunt Anja," continued the man.

"Now it's Om ...." Sasa soared with excitement. "Now he's drawing it!"

"Sasa ..." scolded Mama towards Sasa. Seems to know if he's feeling so upset.

"Abang just got home from a friend's house. Still cape," Mama continued.

"Yes" said the man. "When is it."

And when he decided to look up, because the neck began to feel sore because from that moment it kept down. It was timed to be with the dark blue-tongued man smiling towards her.

***