Romance In Makara Orange
Worn a Place in Heart
*kangen
Kosara Dwinanta
The research with Matsuoka Sensei was beyond his estimation. Not expecting to have to enter an area that is not reachable by vehicle, walking through forests and large rivers just to meet the community and local rural elites. Only once did Kosa feel the heavy fieldwork.
Remembering Prof. Ibrahim who willi-wanti reminded not to complain while helping Matsuoka Sensei. This experience could be the entrance of his career in the academic world. If the performance is good, Prof. Ibrahim will ask Matsuoka Sensei to make Kosa his prospective student at the master's level.
“Kosa-san, mou tsukareta [tired]?” matsuoka Sensei asked as she looked at Kosa, who had put two large backpacks and was sitting on a boulder by the side of the road.
Sensei laughs lightly. “iie, Sensei [no, Sensei], Kosa replied. This question is one that Matsuoka Sensei always asks when Kosa pauses to unwind. A no answer is one that is perceived as more polite than frankly admitting to exhaustion.
“Mou sugu kimasu [just a minute until],” said Matsuoka Sensei with a loud voice encouraging.
Kosa laughed again hearing Matsuoka Sensei's words that were like shouting even though she did not understand the meaning. But from his intonation Kosa believes this is a kind of encouragement to keep going.
After sipping water from the mineral water drink bottle, Kosa raised the Matsuoka Sensei backpack on her back and the Kosa backpack itself the front of her chest. His feet began to trace again in the dense and dry land that became a connector between villages. Walk towards the next village that becomes a meeting place with the driver who will deliver Kosa and Matsuoka Sensei to Anyer.
I remember Vira who loved to go up the mountain. Walking a long distance and going up and down makes Kosa spirit. Vira who is thin can get to the Himalayas, he should not lose especially to complain tired for a trip that contours relatively flat land.
It was seen by Matsuoka Sensei who walked leisurely and cheerfully by occasionally shooting the scenery around. Making Kosa smile and spirit continue the journey.
The road they went through was no longer solid ground but an uneven mixture of asphalt and many holes here and there. Poor quality and no periodic treatment seem to be contributing factors. Kosa had to be more careful about stepping her legs. They walked for about an hour to the Leuwidamar District Office, the pickup point by which Mr. Hamid promised from Untirta.
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From the Leuwidamar District Office, they were picked up by a driver to the Anyer area. The trip is quite long as it takes almost three hours. Passing small streets that are sometimes damaged and perforated. The conditions are very different from the Jabodetabek area whose infrastructure is good.
Kosa often compares the condition of this research area with the bordering Province. It is very different when the distance is quite close to the capital of the country which is the center of government. Even Banten there are many companies and beach tourism destinations that can be used as a source of native income of the region. But unfortunately, its utilization has not been maximized so that development cannot be felt by the people of the region.
The million-strong black SUV hired continues to clash with the silence of the night. The journey is quite long but Kosa does not fall asleep like Matsuoka Sensei. Passing the quiet road, rarely seen the house, and without lighting, only rely on car spotlights. Only when passing through Rangkasbitung to Anyer, the road began to see many vehicles and signs of modern life. They reached Sambolo, Anyer at about eight p.m.
Mr. Hamid was already waiting for Matsuoka Sensei and Kosa in the old beachfront villa that was rented for two nights. There are three rooms available. Kosa got a room with Mr. Hamid on the front with glass facing the sea. Matsuoka Sensei himself got a room in the middle of the room as he requested.
From the window of Kosa's room, Matsuoka Sensei and Mr. Hamid sat outside the villa enjoying the breeze of the sea and laughing at each other. Kosa immediately tidied up the items and cleaned her body first. Remembering all day he walked with tired body and sweat. After the bath and fresh body returned, Kosa joined the event to burn fish, seafood, and corn that had just been prepared by the housekeeper.
“Sa, he said again thesis huh? Same Prof. Ibrahim?” ask Mr. Hamid who began to put the grouper fish whole and some large shrimp ready to be roasted. Seen in the container there are squid, some fish that have been weeded and also the corn is still waiting in line, ready to be burned. Meanwhile, Matsuoka Sensei begins to struggle with his computer.
Kosa nodded. “Yes, Mas Hamid!” Then he approached Mr. Hamid and helped fan the coconut shell charcoal that began to meet red embers ember.
“I was his assistant Prof. Ibrahim in Rural Politics. I know Matsuoka Sensei because of Prof. Ibrahimian. My master's time is guided by Matsuoka Sensei but the doctor's time is the same as Mizuno Sensei,” explained Mr. Hamid.
“Oh, the distance between the master to his doctor is not long huh Mas?” ask Kosa
“Directly, it should be the same Matsuoka Sensei as well but that time Sensei again sabbatical leave (teaching leave) so transferred to Mizuno Sensei.”
“Kyodai (Kyoto Daigaku - Kyoto University) Yes Mas?” ask Kosa about which university Mr. Hamid studied at.
“Not, I am in Doshisha, in front of Gosho Imperial Palace (Emperor's Palace). Ever been there?”
“Hehe…. Not yet Mas, I just research in some areas only Mas. Never been abroad.”
“Craftsman-same Prof. Ibrahimian. Said you were his assistant at the Japanese Study Center?”
“Iya Mas.”
“Usually every year there Japan Association of Indonesia loves scholarships to study in Japan. Who knows you next year you can follow,” said Mr. Hamid encouraged Kosa.
“Mas Hamid scholarship through the Indonesian Japanese Association also yes Mas?” ask Kosa who's getting excited. It was as if the future had stretched before his eyes.
“I am on a Japanese government scholarship, monbukagakusho. You if you want to also be able to pass the path,” explained Mas Hamid while applying ketchup sauce on the newly turned grilled fish.
“Use monbukagakusho scholarship is hard huh Mas?”
“Hahaha, don't hopeless. You certainly can. But I became a research student first, a language school, a year before his university entrance test.”
“Use the entrance test also yes Mas?”
“Yes, so be a research student, learn the language. Sa, this is the one who has died, love to Matsuoka Sensei and Mas Yadi, kasian she drove back and forth six hours.”
“Doumo arigatou [thank you],” said Matsuoka Sensei when receiving a plate containing a grouper grouper flavored soy sauce from Kosa.
Kosa then handed the other plate to Mas Yadi who was busy with his phone. It seemed like Mas Yadi was writing a text message for someone.
Seeing that, Kosa remembered how long she had not news to Vira because of network problems and busyness during the research. The plan after this barbeque event, Kosa will call Vira to let go of the longing and listen to her voice even if only for a moment.
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Ganindra Mahija Sasongko
Remembering the message her sister gave, Lydia to ask Gani to contact Vira. Invited Vira to her house on this Sunday.
“You can invite her if you want. I don’t mind. She’s a good girl. This is your last chance before you go [You can invite him koq, I don't have a problem. His son is good and this is a chance for you before going there],” said Lydia.
”Yeah, this is closed party, but it’s okay if she comes. I really don’t mind [Although the party is closed but it does not matter if he comes],” continued Lydia.
Remember when Vira suddenly asked himself to deliver to Depok without going down first to his house. A face full of anxiety and fear. Is Vira currently taking care of this matter? Is it possible that Vira is with her lover or just fighting?
Lydia reminded herself that Vira was in a relationship with her older sister. So no need to expect much. But he felt so good to be around that woman. Maybe just being friends with Vira was enough for him.
Or maybe Vira has fallen asleep because she's tired? Either there are many possibilities why Vira did not try the phone and chat messages.
Gani feels so strange about himself, why he thinks so often about Vira these days. Maybe he was overcome with longing even though he had just met Vira last night. Maybe also this is just a syndrome that occurs because he will soon go far. Someone who ties his legs so he can't go far. I don't know.
Two hours since Gani last called Vira there was no sign of Vira calling back or replying to her chat messages. It was a desire to meet him in person. Gani still records well the address of the house and place of Vira boarding that he came yesterday.
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Adjie Tjokro Pambudi
Now Vira is really in his arms. Vira who had disappeared from him was now in his arms. There was nothing else that Cokro had expected all this time other than what was happening right now. As her longings flowed loose in touch to the woman who was now filling the empty space in her heart.
“Mas kangen Vira,” whispered Cokro slowly, with a raucous voice that was barely audible.
The woman in his arms is silent now. Cokro doesn't care how long he has to hug this woman. The wait to meet Vira has now paid off. He knows for sure that Vira deliberately avoided. Intentionally not wanting to meet him. The will that tormented his heart. Now it's gone.
“Shortly. Let Mas hug Vira in a moment,” pinta Cokro.
Cokro felt Vira was not trying to pit her body strength anymore and was no longer stiff. It was as if Vira was melting in her embrace. Replenish his long-dry heart with touch and hope.
The chocolate relaxes his hands. He saw the face of Vira who looked down with two hands clenched in her chest. Cokro then releases his embrace, takes Vira's hand and then leads her down.
Cokro believes that Vira is ready to talk. They then sat on the edge of the perimeter with their legs hanging. For a moment they were silent.
“Vira hungry?” tanya Cokro started the conversation.
Vira remained silent, seemingly unwilling to speak. Chocolates smile.
“If Vira remains silent, Mas will not take Vira home,” threatens Cokro pretend.
“Koq Mas that's it, It's already night. What else do you want to talk about?” This sweet lady finally replied despite her fierce tone. Chocolates smile.
“Mas wants to talk about our relationship.”
“What relationship is Mas? Vira has nothing to do with Mas Cokro. You know that!”
Cokro breathed. He thought Vira would say this. Cokro wants to know for sure the true feelings of Vira directly and Cokro also wants Vira to know his growing feelings.
“Mas wants Vira to be honest with what Vira feels. Since we last met, Vira has always stayed away from Mas. It was because Vira felt guilty. Because Vira has the same feeling that Mas felt.”
“Mas Cokro what's the talk? Don't assume all this with your thoughts alone. It was too naive,” said Vira in the same tone.
“Vira means naive what is it?” Cokro tried to examine the answer of the woman before him. He doubted what Vira had just said.
“Vira feels guilty for sure, because indeed what happened the last time we met it was not supposed to happen.”
“But that's what happened isn't it?”
“Iya happened, but that does not mean Vira love the same Mas Cokro,” elak Vira.
“Really? Try Vira says no love once again and look into the eyes of Mas let Mas believe,” challenge Cokro and then turn Vira's body to face him.
Vira fell silent. Eyes down. Didn't want her to return the look of those pair of sharp, dark brown eyes.
“Vir, take a look at Mas's face and say that Vira does not love Mas,” sue Cokro once again.
“Vira not in love with Mas Cokro.” The woman spoke slowly with a still-subjected look.
“See the eyes of Mas,” Demand Cokro non-stop.
Vira raised her face and looked at Cokro. “What does this chocolate want? Can't Mas Cokro understand what Vira said?” There was a tinge of anger in Vira's words.
Unable to power Cokro looked at the face of Vira who was now staring at him. Although angry and not a love speech that comes out but the longing for this woman is increasingly unstoppable. Enfolded Vira's face with both hands and then Cokro kissed Vira's lips slowly and full of tenderness.
He doesn't care about Vira's argument. No matter how angry Vira is. Cokro believes that actually the reception of Vira from every kiss is the honest answer to the feelings between the two of them.
