Short Story (Cerpen)

Because of the Twins

Category: Romantic Love Short stories

Title: Because of the Twins

_________________________

'Tan, you don't want to be my girlfriend?'

Those words still ring in my ears. Short but direct words in the heart. The words that came straight from the lips of a man I had always admired. A guy who's been protecting me when danger threatens me.

Rico. That's name. The name I've mentioned most often in my days this past month. He's the most popular guy in my high school in this city of Jogja. His face was sweet, his body firm and tall, showing a charisma that made all women drunk kepayang made. Not to mention he was a platoon commander in a core platoon team at my school. But behind the perfectionist inherent in him it does not make him arrogant and haughty. That's what I like most about him.

Back to the words that came to me from Rico. One sentence a very question I did not expect would come out of the mouth of an idol boy throughout my High School, a sentence of questions that possessed the brain of an ordinary girl just like me. I, Rachella Nathania, don't look pretty like most girls in my school. But maybe I am one of the lucky girls who can win the heart of a guy who, in fact, is a perfectionist who is very popular with many girls. Hahaha, I laughed to myself.

And of course, from Rico's words, I accepted his love. It wasn't because of his charisma that made me clap and bend my knees in front of him, but I just loved him. He was someone who always protected me. And either poison or dope what has made me like this. Obviously, I love his heart. Not charisma.

A week has passed since I was with Rico. Indeed, the hell, many who sirik with me who managed to win the heart of an idol boy all girls in my school. Even until there was a senior from the age of Rico who hit me. But because of my courage and recklessness against senior in order to defend myself, the senior finally fell.

That night was Sunday night. Rico plans to introduce me to both of his parents. At first I was hesitant because I wasn't mentally ready. But with all his efforts he was finally able to convince me.

At home, I was warmly welcomed by both of my parents. His house is located in an elite residential area, but his house is the simplest when compared to the houses in the complex. As soon as I was invited in and sat down, I was asked many questions about myself, where I lived, where I came from, how many children I had, what my parents did, what my parents did, and there's so much more. Sometimes there are also questions that make me confused and take a long time to answer. When the clock was showing at 19:25, his mother who was a teacher at a favorite elementary school in Yogyakarta told me to have dinner with Rico's family.

I walked behind Rico who was walking behind his Papa, heading to the dining room. The dining room measuring about 5×5 meters was full of branded kitchen furniture. At the dining table located in the middle of the room sat a guy who was very similar to Rico. I already recognized that figure. Rio. He's Rico's twin brother, my senior too. Their faces and body posture are very similar. It's just that Rio's a little cold and a bit brutal. Her hair was allowed to grow original and disheveled, in contrast to Rico who despite the length of her hair almost touched her collar but her hair always looked neat and orderly. Not very friendly with girls. She was also an idol at my school. But his indifferent attitude sometimes made the girls in my school afraid to approach him, considering he was someone who did not like being mobbed by girls.

As usual, Rio was still putting on his cute looks like he did at school. But on the look of it, that night, at first glance it looked like there was something else I had never seen before. I who sat facing him watched him closely, trying to read what was depicted in his face. There was a sense of dislike emanating there. Does he not like my brother here? I tried to get rid of those negative thoughts and continued my dinner with the family.

Month passed. Me and Rico just got sticky. Makes all the girls in my school jealous of me. My face isn't pretty, but I'm lucky that a guy like Rico can fall for me. Not a few women fans Rico who changed direction chasing Rio, and there are some who switched to the chairman of OSIS, Yudha name. The guy is ordinary. Not good, but not bad either. But his friendly attitude is so much the same everyone finally he can also conquer some girls in my school.

That afternoon the sky was dark. Looks like it's going to rain. The clock was showing at 15:54 when I realized that the sky was beginning to rumble. I immediately tidied up my stuff scattered on the reading table in the library. I need to get home soon.

I walked out of the second floor and down the stairs to the first floor. I sped up my way so that I wouldn't get rained on when I came home. I passed through the first floor corridor adjacent to the basketball court. In dark weather like this looks like boys are still excited to play basketball. At first I tried to be indifferent to the guys, but because my eyes were on one of the guys who was enjoying the game I undo my intention to go straight home. I thought that guy was my girlfriend Rico, but after seeing her disheveled hair I recognized the figure immediately. The rio! Rio is a great basketball player! Seen from the way he plays so nimble and stunning. Gee.

I don't know what this feeling is, I would love to watch her face as she takes off her mask. Let go of all the 'attributes' he used everyday at school that made girls wonder why he could not want to deket same girl. Not because at that time he was just bare-chested so that his clothes were not exposed to his abundant sweat. But the other side is a bit mysterious.

Without me knowing it was raining. Slowly the rain began to fall, making me disappointed because I could not go home immediately. I can only hide in my heart. While waiting for the rain to subside I waited in front of the class 10-6 right facing the basketball court earlier. Instantly the children who were enjoying their basketball game disperse because the rain was getting heavier. When my eyes looked for Rio, it turned out that guy had disappeared somewhere. A little disappointed, though, because I don't see him anymore. Maybe the guy went home, I thought.

My digital clock shows at 16:39. The rain has not yet stopped. I used to go home alone on the bus. But it's too late in the afternoon, no more buses are passing by. I determined my intention to rain in the rain to get home quickly. But just as I was about to leave from where I was sitting, suddenly there was someone holding my hand, as if preventing me from leaving.

'Where are you going?' ask the guy. It turns out he's Rio!

'Go home, ' I replied briefly.

'What okay?'

'Bus.'

'Or is it still raining? Want to be a kid? Not funny, you know, if you get sick just because of the rain.' He looked me in the eye sharply.

I was a bit surprised by Rio's words. Why is he so concerned?

'It's none of your business that I'm sick. Are you ready for me?' I'm starting to sewot.

'No need to doubt. You're my brother's girlfriend. Don't kayak that. We'll wait until the rain subsides.' His voice began to soften.

I don't know, I was kind of drugged by his words just now. I just follow him. I sat down on the bench and he sat on my right. Silence began to exist between us. He's late with his android, I don't know what he's doing with it. I subconsciously noticed her face that was similar to Rico's. They are identical twin brothers. If Rio's hair is not disheveled for sure people will find it difficult to distinguish where Rico and where Rio are.

'Why do I want to? Likes, huh?' he said without looking at me. It seems like he's trying to tease me.

Rio just smiled a little. But there was something different about that smile. A sincere smile and did not feel contrived, as he usually did. I began to be interested in the figure of Rio, my girlfriend's twin brother. The cold and brutal Rio how could he show his different smile in my eyes?

'The rain has subsided. I'm anterin you go home, yuk? I'm sure there's no bus coming through at this hour.' He glanced at his watch that was patterned on that soldier. My digital clock shows at 17:12. Rarely do buses pass at this hour, even almost none. I considered his offer. And in the end I agreed.

Two months have passed since my relationship with Rico began. But a few days ago I had a fight with Rico. The news of Rio offering me to go home the same as him instantly spread throughout the school. The news made Rio fans angry with me. And it seems like Rico is a bit jealous. That's the cause of our quarrel.

Tonight is Sunday night. In order to get rid of my saturation due to my conflict with Rico, I decided to take a walk around the zero kilo meter point of Jogja city. I purposely went alone so that I could calm my chaotic mind a little. Accompanied by my motorcycle that I have changed the color to purple and full tank fuel I am preparing to surround Jogja tonight.

The atmosphere of Malioboro is crowded with visitors. It is a tradition that every night of Malioboro week is always jammed. But I still enjoy the view of this traffic jam. I stopped the bike in front of Mal Malioboro and parked it. I went into McDonald's and ordered McFluit. After I finished I went and wanted to enjoy my ice cream. My destination is the Oemoem Attack Monument on March 1. Arriving there I left my motorbike at the Beteng Vredeburg complex and searched for a place near the monument that was exposed to light. I stopped at the place, sat across the monument and turned my back to the highway and immediately enjoyed my ice cream before it melted without having a chance to enjoy.

From where I sit I enjoy the scenery around which is crowded with young people. There are hanging out, photos, even some are mojok aka dating. Of all the couples who were mojok, there was one couple who sat to the east of the monument that really caught my attention. A young couple who look very happy enjoy every second they go through together. But I seem to know that guy very well. Like.. Rico! No, it can't be Rico. It must be Rio. But my conscience tells me it's Rico. Seen from her neat hair and her distinctive smile. I tried to approach the couple secretly and, sure enough, that the guy was Rico. My boyfriend! Instantly I was shocked when Rico called the girl 'honey'. My tears are starting to melt. I came out of hiding and wanted to catch them both. At once also those I went to looked very surprised, especially Rico. My tears keep dripping.

'Tan, this is not what you think. I can clear everything.' Rico tried to get close to me and I slowly retreated step by step. But unexpectedly, out of nowhere, his twin brother hits Rico in the face.

'You, too, are outrageous, Ric! I am so disappointed as your brother! Totally cheating on your own girlfriend who you've been chasing! Come, Tan. We're getting out of here!' Rio who was filled with anger and emotion then took my hand to leave that place. For a moment the scene had become a free spectacle of people around it.

Rio brought me to the Corner of Beteng Wetan, a place that became the boundary of the Yogyakarta Kraton region. There looks empty of visitors. It seems like he already knew that I needed somewhere to shed all my emotions because of the incident I had just experienced.

'You were, suddenly, coming? Do you know your brother's there?' I asked while holding back the cry.

'I followed him, ' he replied.

I looked at her face that was not watching me. I am still in shock because the incident looks very messy.

He also looked. I found myself watching his face. Then he said, 'If you want to cry, cry as much, Tan. I wait until you are satisfied.' Rio walked a bit away from me so that I could calm down. But, for some reason, I need it. Needed it badly.

'Rio,' call me, still sobbing.

'What?' She's looking.

'Why should I believe it?' My crying is getting louder.

Rio's speechless. He seemed to be thinking hard because of this silly question of mine. 'It's all my fault, Tan. Sorry me.' He grabbed my body and buried my face in his chest. Suddenly this surprised me because Rio did it all of a sudden. But I let her do this, because I became very comfortable being in her arms.

'I should have told you about Rico from the beginning.'

I let go of his embrace slowly and looked into his eyes. 'Is it the same with Rico? Is something wrong?' ask me with a glare.

'You know? That girl was really my girl. They're cheating. I knew about it about two weeks ago. But I chose to be quiet because I didn't know what to do. Moreover, your position at that time is still fighting.' His eyes looked at me with regret.

My wounds are deep this time. Like slashed something sharper than even the sharpest thing. My head is down and my crying is getting louder. I don't seem to believe in reality. Rio re-embraced my body and stroked my hair.

'I'm sorry, Tan. Honestly, I love you. Since we first met. But I don't know how to get you. Until I finally got to Rico. I gave up and I finally found a girl, but I didn't feel like a girl at all. I'm real money, Tan, I'm sorry. I love you.'

Rio's outspoken confession made me flabbergasted. The figure of Rio that I have known all this time turned out to put my heart on me. For a moment I let go of her embrace and looked into her eyes fixedly. Justright. There are no lies there. There's only sincerity. My tears are melting again.

'Rio, as long as you know. I don't know since when I started to be interested in you. You look just like Rico. But the aura you are pointing at is very different. I feel that in Deket Rico is ordinary, but it changes when you are on my deck. I feel like you're like my real guy.' Finally my mouth confesses everything in my heart.

This time it was Rio who was flabbergasted to hear my confession. 'You serious, Tan?' tanyanya did not believe. I just nodded slowly while smiling. And he smiled wide too.

'Thank you, yes, Tan.' She hugged me for a while and, our lips met. A little while ago we did. Then we hugged back. Finally, from then on I understood the true meaning of the sincerity of love. Thanks Rio. Because of the twins.

FINISHED