Spend the Night with You

Pe(r)sona

The afternoon, the number of visitors to Cafe Sita & Rama continues to grow. Most customers who come are couple couple young children. The waitress swiftly serves and directs guests towards the seats that are still available. I think this place will be crowded until tonight.

Shortly after, Kato approached my desk. He had finished his sif and was preparing to go home.

“You're not home, Na?” ask Kato.

I'm shaking.

“I still want to wait,” I said.

“Do you want me to?”

“Terden,” replied me.

Kato pulled out a chair and sat down next to me. Our distance was very close, even I could smell the perfume that this girl was wearing. The fragrance reminds me of the spring flower fields.

“Your shoulder pinch.” He leaned his head against my shoulder.

“Kato?” call me.

“Iya, mas Nana?” saith.

“What are you doing again?” I said.

“Again to the shoulders of a man who is very cold cake refrigerator,” he replied.

“Tasteful looks people know. What if a friend of yours sees it? They can misunderstand,” I said.

Kato sat straight up to me.

“So, if for example no one sees this, then I can tender to you, then?” godanya while smiling ignorantly.

“Yes that's not it,” I said out of words.

My face feels hot and red like a boiled crab. What is this feeling? Why am I even ashamed. Moreover, for a moment, my heart was beating rapidly. I don't get it. Kato looked ordinary. He probably thought his attitude was common.

“Funny,” said.

“What's funny?” my sergeant.

Kato stood up. “Nothing. I say yes first. Oh yes, later we play with the mallem again yuk. I know a cool place to play.”

“OK. Need me to pick it up?” I said.

“Neventless. Anyway, I'll pick you up,” he said then go to the exit.

After Kato left, I tried to contact one of Anna's colleagues. I was hoping for some news about my editor. Unfortunately, I got word that he hasn't been in the office since morning. It was strange, even though Anna was the most punctual person, and disciplined.

It's getting dark. Maybe my editor won't come. I'll call him later. So I decided to just go home. However, not long after, Anna finally came.

“Sorry Nana. I'm late!” he sat down opposite me. His breath went up and down and his appearance was a mess. He looks like a man who wakes up. His face was crumpled and his eyes were swollen as if he was crying.

“This is my script for a new novel, Ma'am.” I turned the flash disk containing the draft file on it.

“I check now yes,” he said then busy turning on the laptop.

Anna hasn't changed much since we first met. Her petite stature made her look like a junior high school student. Although in reality, this year she was even three-headed, she still looked like a jolly teenager.

But today he looks different. Other than her unreasonable appearance, I did not capture her usual carefree aura. In addition, I found his hands shaking unusually.

“Mbak Anna why? If Anna is sick, let me take her to the doctor,” I said.

He was stunned for a moment and then looked at me. A second later, she cried. Of course, Anna's mbak's cry attracted the attention of the people. She was crying pretty hard.

After a few minutes, he was finally able to calm down. I ordered him chocolate milk shake with extra ice cream. That was his favorite drink. I hope it calms him a little.

“Still, Na. You wis most understand how to entertain me,” he said while as much as you like.

I let out a breath.

“So mbak Anna why?” ask again.

He's sticking it to the table. His hand held tightly to the milk shake glass.

“I'm lan my fiancee's breaking up, Na. Dheweke. He cheated on my own best friend. We are planning to get married by the end of this year. Jarene nrima me for who I am, ready to be faithful. Nanging buktine? A lie! B*ll ****!” revealed.

Then, Anna was immersed in the story. He spilled all his disappointment and sadness. He curses his fiancee and best friend in Javanese who will not pass censorship in any media. I just found out that Anna can say all that.

I can just sit quietly listening.

It is not my responsibility to comfort the sad. However, seeing Anna's usual cheerful mother change this way, I became filled with excitement. I'm not good at entertaining. The only thing I could do was to shift her focus elsewhere.

So, I was trying to shift the direction of our conversation to work: discussing the draft novel. It takes a little effort, but it works. It is not enough to heal the heart. But at the very least, Anna could forget for a moment the problem.

Now, he focuses on reading the writing on his laptop screen.

“Can't. It's also still not good, Na. I feel there is something lacking in your writing,” he said with still as much as he pleased.

“What's less, Ma'am?” my many.

Anna's mother took a tissue and rubbed her wet cheek.

“Feeling. That lessyou. I don't think there's any greget in your writing right now, Na. Different from your previous writing. The storyline is also very cliche!” said.

My heart hurts as if it hit a hammer.

“But that groove is the most sold in the market, Ma'am! Sales of my novels are smooth. Anna's mother also got a bonus because of that, right?” I said defend myself.

The editor breathed out with an annoyed expression.

“Yes you are right. As long as the sale is good, it's not really a problem. But, as a senior, I should have advised. I wis moco hundreds of works during my time as editor. All the authors nduwe potency, but most even stuck there aja,” he said.

“What's Mbak mean?” I said.

“I mean .. if you want to succeed! You must grow!” said.

Afterwards, the woman lectured me on how to put feelings into writing. The editor's soul immediately stirred. In my heart, I smiled. At least, Anna could forget for a moment about her fiance.

The session ended at six in the afternoon. We both left the cafe. I drove him to the waiting taxi. Before leaving, Anna gave me a suggestion to repeat my writing from the beginning.

“I can't make you write from the beginning. All decisions are on you, Na. You can continue the current script or write a new one,” he said.

“Iya, I will think again,” I said.

“One more ... Thanks to Na. Thanks to you I can forget a moment about my problem. I don't know if you were on purpose or not, but I'm really grateful,” he said.

“Iya, ibbak. You welcome. Continue ... plan mbak Anna after this what?” my many.

There's a moment's silence.

“I don't know, Na. I want to cancel my engagement first. I also have to apologize to my parents. Honestly, actually I am confused what to say to them,” he said with a bitter smile.

We also say goodbye to each other. The taxi he was riding then drove across the street.

I didn't go home to the boarding house myself. I chose to travel around the city to let go of the burden of perching minds. However, the burden is not completely gone. I'm not thinking about a revision of the manuscript, but a piece of past memory that comes back to the surface.

Meeting with mbak Anna successfully trigger the dark memories back. In fact, I had desperately forgotten about it. I don't want to remember it anymore.

The sky of the student city slowly began to darken as the sun set. The cold air immediately ambushed the entire city. A group of motorcycle rickshaws and andong that are used to run in the zero point area of Malioboro has dissolved themselves. However, still, the zero point still remains crowded by travelers.

As a person who has lived in this city for a long time, visiting Malioboro is not special anymore. I pass by here often and almost nothing changes. This 2-kilo-meter long road is still the same as it used to be.

After parking the bike, I chose to sit around zero. I lighted a cigarette. I suck slowly while enjoying the atmosphere here.

Suddenly someone closed my eyes from behind.

“Come guess who?” said the man.

Her spirit's familiar.

“Kato!” my answer.

Kato had dressed up to be his usual private. The color of the clothes is predominantly dark. In addition, she also wore the exact same makeup as yesterday. I wonder why she likes to dress up gothic.

“Mau?” I offered him a cigarette.

“Thank you.” He took a stick and donated smoke.

There is no conversation between us. Kato did not seem interested in starting.

“Know where am I here?” askaku open the chat.

Kato pointed at his nose.

“You. I can track people just from the smell!” he said proudly.

“What also includes your mysterious power, Kato? Similar to a bloodhound?” my cock.

Kato's expression instantly turned tangled.

“Nana! What did you say just now? I look like a dog?! I'm usually a nabok who talks like that. I'm a cat know!” his nag.

Eh? A cat? Whatdoes thatmean?

“Sorry-sorry,” I said.

“OK I'm sorry, but don't repeat it again! Promise?” he pointed at my nose.

“Appointment!” sahutku.

Kato smiled with satisfaction.

“Yosh! We let's go!” bring him.

“Where?” my many.

“Festival!” he replied while pointing at the direction of the square.

Every June, in the third week, there is a festival organized by the tourism service. The event usually lasts for a week. As I recall, today is the last day.

“Come!” Kato took my hand and we went there together.

We were greeted by the festive atmosphere of the festival. Flickering lights are installed almost every corner of the square. Dozens of food stalls and rides are ready to welcome visitors.

“There is a game that makes me curious at this festival. I really want the prize,” Kato said as he led me to a shooting game.

The guard immediately offered his wares as we approached.

“Please try. Shooting games train focus. Only 20 thousand for 3 occasions. The main prize can be chosen by itself. There are dolls, PS5s, and Smartphones! Monggo try, Mas-Mbak.”

I found Kato's eyes sparkling staring at the main prize array on the display table. He seems to be very interested in giant panda dolls.

“I want to try sir!” kato said to the guard.

Soon Kato loaned a toy rifle with three rubber bullets.

This game is actually simple. There were several duck-shaped targets with different distances. The further the target that the player can shoot, the points are also greater. But, to get the top prize, the player must hit the farthest target three times in a row.

“See me, Na! I must have got the prize!” he said with confidence.

“Major gift, come to mama!” he pulled the trigger.

Nahas, let alone hit the target, the bullet even deviated far away. I can't hold my laughter. Kato looked at me fiercely and then continued shooting. He must have felt annoyed and embarrassed for being overconfident.

As expected, none of them were affected.

“That's it I give up!” Kato butts.

I took a deep breath. I put two pieces of 20 grand on the table and the guard gave me six bullets.

“Spirit Nana!” exclaim Kato. “So there's nothing to do, you have to buy me cotton candy!”

The girl is just there.

I'm aiming for the farthest target. It's less than five meters. I can't miss. So, I'm gonna put the breath down. I focused my mind completely. I'm pulling the trigger. Rubber bullets then shot grazing the side of the target. However, it was not enough to subvert it.

“A little more!” Kato looks geregety.

There are five bullets left.

I'm aiming for the farthest target. I just need to calm down and focus. I'm pulling the trigger. The muzzle of the rifle instantly spewed out bullets. However, my shot missed quite a distance.

Shoot me to the next target. This time I already know the wind patterns here. I need to be more calm and focused than before. I'm pulling the trigger. A flying bullet dropped my target duck.

I repeat the pattern, until the last bullet. I managed to hit all the ducks furthest. The owner of the stall can only look at my actions. He swallowed.

“Nana! How you are so good! I don't know if you play ginian!” Kato's happy not to play. He shook my body.

“Can stop no? I'm dizzy!” I said.

“Ups!” Kato finally stopped.

“You chose the gift there,” I said.

“Eh? Really? I'm the one who chose?” He seemed to be in disbelief.

“Truly, Kato Wito. I'm not lying,” I said.

He immediately approached the stallkeeper and collected his reward. Then, he came back with a box containing PS5. His face was beaming as if he had just won the lottery of hundreds of billions.

I let out a disappointed breath. I thought he was gonna get a doll. Kato is still Kato. She is an eccentric and mysterious girl. It's only natural that I can't guess the direction he's thinking.

“Anu .. thank you, Na. I didn't think you were this good,” Kato smiled.

For an instant, my heart beat fast and my eyes could not escape from it. This girl is the worst. I didn't know Kato could smile that sweet. I hurried to look away to hide my reddened face.

I admit Kato is beautiful. I mean, he's got bright, sharp eyes. The parasites are quite charming, a bit thin, with thin lips. Cool girl the term. Even so, I never thought I could be fascinated by him.

“We go on! I'm thirsty!” Kato tugged at my jacket.

Suddenly from a distance, someone called my name.

“KAKAK!”

I looked for the origin of that voice. I found a teenage girl in a white jacket running up to me. Immediately, he hugged me tightly.

“Sister! I miss you so much! I didn't expect to meet you here. I'm happy to see Brother here,”.

“Niki? Why are you here?” I was half surprised.

“Kakak not read my email yet anyway? I told you that Nika and I celebrated her birthday in this town. In a large hotel at the end of the road there,” he explained.

That means other than Niki, those people must also be here.

I swallowed spit.

Sure enough, two other figures appeared shortly after followed by three large-bodied people. Nika and Mama came together. There is no greeting or greeting. Both Nika and mother looked at me with the same gaze. There was dislike and disgust emanating from their eyes.

“Force Niki to go home,” command mom on one of her guard satubody.

Niki took cover behind my body.

“No! Mama! I wanna be with my big bro!” reject Niki. But she's a little body less powerful than the guards. They dragged him home.

Mom's still here. He looked straight at me.

“The man dragged to a quiet place and beat him there,” his orders to the rest of the guards.

The atmosphere became runyam quickly.