See You Tonight

Chapter 19: Cindy

"Oiya it's Cindy, let's just go there" Ahsan said.

"You know Cindy?" ask them.

"Of course, we're classmates. How the hell am I? Eh you mean," replied Ruben.

"You mean familiar?" ask again.

"We used to be one Junior High Lang. Even in 7th grade, I, Ahsan, Cindy was one grade. So, we are quite familiar" said Ruben again.

"Jaudah let's get her samperin" Ahsan said.

We rushed to get to him. Cindy doesn't seem to have noticed our presence as we walk toward her. Cindy was very focused on reading the book she was holding. Even some fallen leaves, perched on top of his long hair. For a while, it was like I was seeing myself in him.

The cover of the book she was reading was a bit dark and read "The Last Woman from Venus". From the title, it seems interesting.

In class, Cindy was sitting right on my right and right in front of Ruben. He was not very active in class. Often, he just sits in his seat while reading a book or novel that he carries. He also always brought his goods from home. He is often seen alone in class.

"Oi, are you alone, Cin?" said Ruben as usual who was always blunt.

"Oh you guys, I'm alone" Cindy replied as she closed the book. He immediately dropped the leaf that was above his hair. The voice sounded soft and slow.

"Can we join?" this time it was Ahsan who asked.

"May, please," retorted Cindy who now put her book on the grass.

We sat under this big tree. It feels so cool sitting under a tree at these times. Maybe now around 15:00. Mid-day time between noon and afternoon.

"Where did you guys run out of, all of a sudden in a park like this?" ask Cindy.

"We are out of... Vee... Venus" Ruben said, reading the title on Cindy's book cover.

"What the fuck is tuch? Do you know where Venus is?" ahsan.

"Haah? You underestimated me, huh? Of course I know. Actually, what do you think I'm so stupid?" reuben Reply. It seems like they will start a debate again.

"You sure you know? Where is Venus?" reply Ahsan again.

"Just like Venus is a space planet" replied Ruben.

"Exactly next to what planet?" ask Ahsan again.

"Is that something important? I answered that Venus is in space. That's enough. No need to add such unimportant things" replied Ruben.

"From your answer, your stupidity is very clear" Ahsan said.

While they were arguing, Cindy was seen laughing. Maybe not a laugh, but a smile. The braces attached to his teeth were at a glance visible, let alone the dimples of his cheeks that looked so clear.

"You haven't changed yet" Cindy said with a slight smile.

"Haaa? Whatchu mean? Of course we changed, especially me" Ruben said with confidence.

"Don't mind that fool Cin, you'll just be wasting your time" Ahsan replied.

Cindy was smiling at their answer.

"You come here often, Cin?" ask Ahsan.

"Yes quite often, if I am free I often spend my free time here while reading a book or novel," replied Cindy who had her dimples occasionally seen.

"That means your house is near here, dong?" ask Ahsan again.

"Yes very close. You see that orange house across the street? That's my house" Cindy explained.

"Wah means your house is close to Galang dong. Galang said his house is also close to here," Ahsan said.

"You know the flower shop 'Lily' ?" my many.

"Oh yeah, you know, your house is close by?" ask Cindy again.

"My house is right next to that shop" I replied.

"Wah means you're Hana's sister? Hana once told me that her house next to the 'Lily' florist, '" Cindy asked again.

"I-yes I'm her sister, you know Hana?" I asked again with a little surprise.

"Yes, I started to know him about a year ago. At that time I was sitting reading a novel under this tree, and then Hana and her friends came. After they played for a long time, Hana came up to me and said that I looked like her brother who likes to be alone and read books. After the meeting, Hana and I would often chat or play together if we happened to meet again at the park" explained Cindy

"Oh yes," I replied briefly. I was a little surprised that Cindy could get to know Hana.

"I didn't think you had Lang's sister, I thought you were an only child" Ruben said.

"Ah yes, I'm sorry I haven't told you about my sister" I replied.

"Later tonight we want to have dinner at Gilang's place, you want to come along not Cin?" ask Ahsan.

"Sorry, I can't seem to. I have something to do tonight. Maybe next time I can come."

"Oh, what a pity, yes, maybe next time" Ahsan replied.

After that we didn't talk for a while. We enjoyed the cool breeze.

Cindy picked up the book she had put down, then started reading it again.

***

The sky is getting dark. The garden lights start to light up. The park that had been quite crowded, slowly began to desolate. There are only a few people left.

Cindy, who had been reading, closed the book again. It seems a bit difficult to read with the light that began to dim like now. Not long after that Cindy said too much.

"Friends, I'm first. Sorry I can't come. Maybe next time, I'll see you later" Cindy said as she left us.

"Oh yes, no papa. Be careful Cin..," said Ruben as he waved his hand.

"Since there's nothing left in the garden, let's go to your house now Lang? Let it not be too dark until your house" Ahsan said.

"Come, come on" I replied.

We stood up and rushed straight to my house.

***

A few meters away, we reach my house. Looks like there's no one in the house, because there's no visible light coming from here.

Sure enough, when we entered the house, there was not a single light that was lit when the sky was dark. Maybe Mommy and Hana are still in the store.

The first thing I do at home is turn on the lights.

"You wait here first. I want to turn on the house lights first" I told them in the living room

"Oh yes, think of it as your own home" Ruben said as he began to sit on the sofa.

"Oi behind Ben, it should be Galang who said so," Ahsan who was also seen sitting on the sofa.

***

Seriate