Secret Alit

Naya - Part 2

Today, I was determined to leave early in the morning so I could stop by Naya's house before class. Finished breakfast, I hurriedly picked up the school bag I had prepared on the living room sofa since last night.

"Everyone, Alit went first, yes" I said as I ran outside the house.

"Oh my goodness, tumben is so. Leaving in the morning?" Ask Brother Luni.

"Too leaving in the morning can avoid traffic pollution" I said with a grin.

When I arrived at the first park after the court of grandmother's house, Arlo's motorbike was heard. I remember the sound of the motor because I used to ride it. I looked around the corner, it turned out to be true, it was Arlo's bike.

"Kok tumben anyway, so early has it reached my house?" My toot.

I'm so happy to see Arlo. By leaving with him, I could get to school faster.

"I thought, Alit must have left earlier than usual because he wanted to see Naya, your new friend. So I'm going to take you off the road" replied Arlo.

"Thank you, Arlo!" I said with a smile.

"Together! I am happy to leave in the morning too. There is no traffic jam, and there is still plenty of time to chat with friends" he said.

The morning walk was very good. In just an instant, I had already arrived in front of my school stop. I saw Naya sitting there.

"Naya, what are you doing here?" My toot.

"Eh, Brother. I ran out to take the angkot, mama" replied Naya.

"Oh..." I was so moved to hear it, my tears fell.

Children of that age are left alone at home every day. Time with his mother is precious. To the extent that Naya was willing to take her mother to go on public transport. It's so moving for me.

"Alit, nih, wipe your tears first," said Arlo as he thrust a tissue after he realized I was shedding tears.

I took the tissue one sheet and wiped my tears. It's a little embarrassed. I didn't realize my tears were suddenly dripping!

"Oh yeah, later in the day I can't pick up, nothing," said Arlo.

"Ok, yes, nothing," I replied while nodding and looking at Arlo who was riding on his bike.

Naya and I waved to Arlo as he went to school. After Arlo disappeared around the corner, I grabbed Naya and walked towards her house.

"Sister, come in yuk," he said.

I walked into the tiny house and sat on the pandan mat with Naya and Kiko. I look around. This house is so quiet.

"Naya's home alone like this every day?" I said.

"Ngga always, brother. There's Yayu who cleaned up the house. Yayu deket house," answered Naya.

Naya suddenly got up from her seat and walked outside the house. I followed him too.

"That's Yayu's house" exclaimed Naya as she pointed at the second house to her left.

"So early this morning, before my mother left, Yayu came to the house. Usually it will be noon, Yayu comes again," he said.

Yayu is another call to 'brother'. So, I suspect, when the mother was not at home, she left Naya to Yayu.

"If the one who always accompanies me is Kiko, brother. Her friend. She's very kind, sister," said Naya, holding Kiko's small hand to greet me.

"Good morning, Brother," Naya said in a different voice as if she was Kiko.

"Forward, Kiko," I said in return.

Not noticeably, the time almost shows at 7 am. It was fortunate that I accidentally saw a wall clock in Naya's house. If not, I may forget the time and be late. They left early in the morning.

"Sister has to go to class first, yeah, Naya. Later if there is time, Brother play here again," I said.

"Promise yes, brother. I promised that there would be time to play at Naya's house" he said.

"Yes, I promise," I said as I hurriedly put on the shoes on the porch of the little house. I waved to Naya and ran towards the school.

Arriving at class, I met Monet and Ara. Apparently this morning, Monet saw me coming to school with Arlo. After putting his bag in class, Monet went back outside the school and looked for me who did not come to class.

"Yes, I went to the shop but there wasn't. Where are you going? It suddenly disappeared" asked Monet.

"There's deeh, just want to know," I said with a grin.

"Ih, use secrets. The most courtship used to be with Arlo," Ara said with a laugh.

"I think you're truant today" Monet said.

"If you want to skip your morning commute to school first," I replied.

This morning was so happy. The three of us laughed making trivial things as material to joke. I deliberately didn't tell Monet and Ara about Naya. I don't know Naya yet. So I thought, it would be best if this secret was unknown to them for a while.

***

The school bell rang. Finally, the time to go home has come. I plan to stop by Naya's house first before heading home.

"You go home first, yeah. I'll wait for Arlo to pick you up first" I said lying.

In fact, Arlo can't pick me up today. I feel a little guilty for having to lie with them. But what can be done, for a while, it feels okay.

"Cie.cie.have not wanted to be together again, nih, same us," said Monet teasingly.

I just cut myself out while smiling. After Monet and Ara took public transport, I walked to Naya's house.

"Sister's done with school?" Said Naya who was sitting on the porch while combing Kiko's hair, her doll.

I answered his question with a nod. Naya pulled my hand to sit on the mat with her and Kiko. I looked around the front room of the house. This time, Naya's house looked neater than it had been this morning. I suspect, maybe Yayu has come and tidied up her house.

The house is small, but quite occupied by for Naya and her mother. There is only one bedroom and two small rooms that are not blocked, namely the family room and kitchen. From the kitchen, there is a translucent door to the open space at the back of the house to dry clothes. In the living room, there is a 32-inch TV and a rocking chair. Meanwhile, on the terrace, there are two chairs and one small table.

In front of chairs and patio tables, Naya often held a mat and sat there with her dolls. From there, Naya could see straight into the street of the alley I used to walk through.

I watched carefully, there was something strange about the rocking chair that was placed in the family room. But I don't know, what yes, that's weird?

"Naya, who likes sitting in this rocking chair?" My toot.

"He is the one who often sits there, Brother," Naya replied as she pointed at Kiko.

My feelings are getting weird. I suspect, that rocking chair has something to do with Kiko.

"Don't you ever sit in that rocking chair?" I asked back.

Naya replied by shaking her head. He also continued to comb his doll's hair.

"No one has ever sat there, sister, besides Kiko. Naya never did either, because her seat was too high for me. So, the chair is for Kiko, too" said Naya.

I was silent for a moment, trying to digest Naya's words. After that, I tried to talk about something else.

***

When the clock was showing at almost 3pm, I said goodbye to Naya. Naya looks sad, but smiles back when I promise to play again tomorrow.

"Be careful, brother. Soon, Yayu may come to cook," said Naya.

I hugged Naya and rushed home. I want to rush home because I have to wait for public transport first. Today was tired because I woke up too early from yesterday.

Traveling by public transport is boring. Plus with the traffic jam. Not to mention, I imagine having to walk for approximately ten minutes when getting off the angkot to the house. The sun was shining very bright, making the atmosphere become sultry. It's almost afternoon.

It seems I'm too used to going home with Arlo. I sat quietly until home. Plus, I can chat with him on the bike. So, the trip was fun. Not bored like this. I was grumbling myself. Fortunately, this grunt was only in my head. If there were words in my mouth, maybe the people on this public transport would think me crazy for talking to myself.

Up to the court of my grandmother's house, I ran small so I could quickly arrive and change clothes. The uniform I wore was all soaked with sweat. Plus, I'm really hungry because I haven't had lunch yet. I imagined Grandma's cooking at the dinner table. It must be delicious.

After I thought about it again, I don't deserve to grumble. My fate is much luckier when compared to Naya. When I was a kid, I was never home alone. When papa and mama work all day, there is still a grandmother and Kak Luni at home. Although Kak Luni often sucks, she is also kind and dear to me.

Getting to know Naya has taught me a lot. That little boy is already living independently. I was so impressed with him.

I haven't told Grandma much about Naya. I still want to keep it until later, after I get to know Naya more closely.