Starting From Grey

Study Tour and Pomegranate Virus

"Love is a feeling that will never go away easily. Because true love is neatly stored in the chest cavity and is in an organ called the heart."

•••

This morning seems to be a happy middle of nature, as evidenced by the sky that looks bright blue with white clouds adorning. I stepped into the library, the national exam had passed a few weeks ago, we as the eleventh grade entered the exam time, so I took the initiative to return the dikta book to the library early so that it would facilitate the requirements of rapping.

"Dlo Mut, are you here?" asked Vino one of my children, I know him only by name, besides that he also often borrow books if he forgets to bring books. Of course, not to borrow it to me, but yes he often in and out of my class so often see and know each other's names.

"Yes, go back to the book" I replied a little. Then I decided to go into the bus first.

After following the set of requirements I stepped towards the corridor of room BK, but before that I turned to the left and looked at the three letters stuck on the door. After a long look, I walked back and focused towards my goal.

"Hay," said Riska walking along my fingers.

"Hi, the bright.." Godaku, make Riska blush in shame.

"What the hell," he said, covering his face, we walked with his eyes until he opened his voice by asking a question that I thought was a little strange.

"Mut, Islam is hard, isn't it?" I turned towards him, until I stopped my steps, I was still silent.

"Why? I was wrong to say?" she felt bad, I smiled then looked at the watch on my wrist.

I reached her hand and invited her to sit in the front seat of a quiet room.

"Sorry," I said softly, I saw her smile and nod her head.

"I was just shocked when you asked me about my faith," I began to speak and faced straight ahead, in front of which was a shady tree that was deliberately allowed to grow large to shade. I smiled at the shadow the first time it met again. Ah, forget. It was an order of my mind but whether it was accepted or not by my heart.

"What a weird thing?" ask him and when I look he does the same thing.

I shook my head and smiled, I was just shocked. I've never faced anything like this, so I'm hard to describe.

"Actually yesterday I met someone, I liked him since I first saw him." He began to tell stories with a sparkling face, but for a moment his face was gloomy.

"After I approached, it turned out that he believed the same as you." I frowned at the still confused mark.

"I actually like someone who is Muslim. I'm deketin him. Want to know more." I looked in amazement at him, he smiled gently at me. A very beautiful smile, a smile that is able to make adam captivated in his entrapment, not excessive but so it is. I am the only one who admires that smile what else is a man?

"Gue has asked a lot of questions about Islam, but somehow every talk about Islam I always find your calm face that is strangely not boring." I frowned, I,

He mocking me or praising me?

That's the only question I've asked in my heart. I am still waiting for the continuation of the story.

"Gue intends to ask you many things, so that I do not have trouble deketin the doi," he said calmly, firmly and with a beautiful smile decorate. It made me choke my own spit.

I was confused how to explain to him, about Islam. I looked in all directions.

"Islam is binding, Ris. So in various aspects already have its own rules. Similarly in the mix. In Islam does not teach close introductions between men and women such as courtship, TTM and the like. But many still break it. I don't know, what matters is that Islam is a complete religion for me, there are rules that make us have to walk as directed." I looked towards him.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to boast about Islam. But everyone can strengthen confidence." He smiled then nodded.

"So Islam was restrained, yes" he said suddenly. I looked and then shook my head.

"Not really, every rule made must have a positive. For example, in Islam it is forbidden to drink while breathing. Medical science is finding that drinking while breathing can cause us to choke, because when we breathe the throat cavity valve of the respiratory part will open, because when we breathe, and when it is minun if the cavity is open then it can cause the water we drink to go wrong and cause us to choke. In addition, if we drink then breathe, when we remove is carbon dioxide and in the water content there is no oxygen." He stared in amazement at me, he nodded with a smile.

"I can't teach you about Islam just to approach guys. Sorry yes, I have a principle that may be a little coarse," I said regretfully, then I saw him nod in understanding. I took a breath, hopefully what I decided was right.

Without the alarm bells ringing for another five minutes, signalling that we should end this conversation, just before parting at the end of the corridor I repeated my apology repeatedly. I felt bad for him, but back to the principles I held, not one bit I wanted to loosen them.

I walked cheerfully into class, occasionally answering greetings from my classmates as well as juniors whom I happened to know.

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"Em Mut, I'll go to the gallery later" Shinta said as we were busy at the clothing store.

Yes, we are shopping for study tour needs. He said he wanted to buy a jacket, but the name of a girl is not an adult teenager if you have entered the store mah has forgotten its main purpose.

"Why what?" ask me while open-sleeved short clothes that look cute in my opinion.

Ah, just like teenagers today like disposable clothes that fit the body, people dress this cute inversely proportional to Islamic clothes. So more interesting. Well, this is PR for Islamic clothing designers to make clothes that are more attractive but in accordance with the standard of dress recommended in Islam so as not to lose with contemporary clothes.

"So aunt Nana asked for help to take a photo that has been printed," replied Shinta while taking a long-sleeved t-shirt.

"Good no?" tanyanya, I nodded.

"Couplean yuk," he asked with a happy smile.

"Come, oh yes plan I do not bring clothes for study tour, because buy there aja more simple deh." I took the same clothes as Shinta and looked at the size to determine which fit me.

"Why?" tanyanya. Make no mistake even though Shinta tends to remain quiet, but if it has been with me he has begun to ask a lot of questions and tell stories.

"Simple Shin, not much stuff. I just brought a srempang bag with a paperbag to bring a cake." We stepped towards the cashier, after paying both of us to walk out of the clothing store, we headed towards the accessories area.

"You want to buy?" I asked while carrying plastic. He shook his head and continued to pull my hand towards the gallery. A shophouse that opens photo printing services that still exist in one area.

"But, please, yes" Shinta said as she handed me her grocery crack. He was busy picking something up from the bag.

We stepped towards the front, which was bordered by a storefront.

"Can anyone help?" ask a woman. Maybe she's the saleswoman at this shophouse.

"You take a photo print," Shinta said as she showed a piece of paper.

"Wait a minute" said the woman kindly.

"Sit Mut," Shinta asked as she placed her butt on the armless chair she had prepared.

We waited in silence, Shinta and I were both observing some photos that had been displayed on the wall and also on the window display.

"It's Deck, please check." Shinta moved from sitting down and opened each brown album sheet that looked very elegant.

I stood up and watched, I don't know how curious it pushed me.

"See Mut, they look like nothing?" said Shinta showing Abi's face with a girl her age.

Ah, I think someone stung me. I still smiled and nodded in response to Shinta's question.

After seeing and no one was flawed, the album was put into a fairly large paper bag. We left the place after completing the transaction.

We both sat on the bench near the shopping area.

"He's Anandhi, Bagas' cousin," said Shinta suddenly, I knew the direction of the conversation but I remained silent. That name is the same name as the sender of the wall message. So they have a bond now.

Nyes, there's a cold, vibrating effect on my chest, I don't know what the sign is but I do know that I don't feel comfortable.

"Who actually chose between bang Abi and sister Hasan?" ask Shinta slowly.

"Choose?" many wonder. He nodded for sure.

"I choose whoever God has destined for me." I answered wisely. He smiled and told me I was always like that.

Yeah, I'm like this. I will walk down the road without having a definite purpose for my future. I just wanted to enjoy every surprise I faced on every road that was passed by footsteps.

"Oh yes, said aunt Nana 'thank you kadonya' he so not good, not bad even sent a gift." He said that with an unpleasant expression as well, I just smiled then we went back to silence waiting for the invitation to come.

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In the summer that's when sometimes pomegranates will crack.

Pomegranates crack due to temperatures that exceed their limits. Although the crack of the fruit in it is not damaged, in the sense of pomegranate fruit can still be enjoyed sweet sour taste.

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This afternoon, the rain seemed reluctant to fall, but I still carried a folding umbrella in my backpack.

"Remember, often give word to father," father's message when driving me, it turns out my father is still protective.

I took a seat behind the one-seater hose driver. Yes, I am currently leaving for a city that is famous for its apples–––Malang.

"Mut, you so bring a backpack?" shinta asked as she just put the bag in place of the bag that was on the seat.

"Yes, said Dad later his dirty clothes will be put where if not bring a bag, so." I had a four-night argument about my father's birth, and in fact I lost.

"Gue thought so too, so I brought a big bag," said Shinta sitting next to me and arranging the seat backrest to get the comfort she was looking for.

"Lo is perfect, Mut," said Shinta I took off the airphone in my ear and turned my head.

"Why?" to my astonishment, it is rare for a Shinta to judge the appearance of a person. He is a typical person who is what, whether glamorous or ordinary people he will not judge with one eye. But what's going on this time?

"See, you wear white t-shirts with a combination of purple and wear a long skirt and a matching colored hijab with a combination of t-shirt––ungu. Keep shoes wearing white bone color same as clothes, watches purple color and bags srempang purple color also." I saw whatever Shinta mentioned, then I just grinned unclear.

"Let's take it" I replied.

"Lo is beautiful, simple and fun. It's appropriate that you become a scramble," said Shinta who initially with a serious look turned into a tease.

"What the hell," I replied with a shy blush. Shinta took one of my air phones and put it in her ear and leaned her body and closed her eyes.

We were silent throughout the trip, the trip to Malang more than a day, we left in the afternoon and tried for the night until our hotel in. Then the next morning we will go directly to Jatim Park, Angkot Museum. Then back to the hotel in the afternoon. Ahead of the magrib we will go to Batu square and pray in the grand mosque then only to BNS.

I play my phone, I play my sodoku matching numbers. While hearing the lecture tape in my ear,

"Mutia's not sleeping?" asked Mr. Jono one of the guidance teachers, I saw the clock that had shown ten o'clock at night.

"Yes sir" I replied, turning off my phone and tidying up my water phone. I put the two things in my bag that I hung in front of me right on the back of my front seat.

I turned towards Shinta and confirmed the jacket she used for the blanket.

Jacket, I forgot to bring it I put in the seat of my father's car. I patted my own tongue, I turned to the side of all the children who had been crowded had begun to sound inaudible. I'm a little standing closing the AC that's on top, jacket problems maybe I can buy it later there.

"Lo why the hell Mut?" tanya Kamil is abis from the front of the bus.

"I'm cold Mil, but I forgot to bring a jacket," I said.

"Have you closed the AC?" ask him while checking, strange why ask if he finally checks himself.

He passed walking back to back while creeping holding onto the back of one chair with the other, as the bus was unbalanced while swaying.

I exhaled and closed my eyes straightening my legs, my hands folded over my chest hiding behind one another's arms so as not to feel cold.

"Lo want to wear my scarf, Mut?" ask April who is sitting in front of me.

"Thank you, you're cold. I'm not papa, it's been here awhile again also up," answered me subtly. I'm not good at using other people's stuff afraid he's just a pleasantie, let alone I don't know him, know his name just now asked Shinta.

He sat back down and I closed my eyes again, until I felt someone put something on my body, I opened my eyes. And what I saw was Kamil's hand covering me with his jacket.

"Sorry Mut" Kamil said as he scratched his forehead, I'm sure it wasn't itchy but he was misbehaving.

"No papa, what do you wear if your jacket lends to me" I said with a smile.

"Gue is a guy stronger than a girl," he replied with a jail face, if he was serious I would pick a jam, but this is him with his on-jail mode, should I see what dong?

The bogeman?

Or

A knife?

Hehehe, you Mutia don't know thank you.

"Gue was brought a blanket to mama" he said with an awkward smile.

"Oh," I answered briefly, yes Kamil besides letoy he is also famous as the son of the mother. Mom and Mama said.

"Gue to the back," he said as he returned to the back.

"Thank ya Mil," I said softly as I turned my head I saw him smile and nod.

I returned to my seat and used Kamil's jacket for the blanket. I closed my eyes and was grateful to be lent Kamil a jacket so I didn't get cold.

You want to know why Shinta does not wake up even though I move on, the answer is because he was before leaving to take small yellow granules medicine, he said anyway not to get drunk on the road.

Yes, Shinta said he could not ride the bus for too long, I don't know like a phobia that's the time if later in the bus. But if only for fifteen minutes or thirty minutes he is still strong but the rest he cannot. So he took the medicine and it looks like it's working right now and putting him to sleep on the way.

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The dark night was not an obstacle to our journey, after a long journey we entered the Batu area. Ah, you know what it feels like for my body to ache all, not only because of sleeping while sitting but also because of the winding road.

I remember the physics lesson in second grade Junior High about simple levers and complicated levers. In the chapter it is also explained about the inclined plane, and the road in the swirling mountains is useful to help us to get to the destination.

We go in one way or twins separated. Ah I find it difficult to describe it, which is clear this road is split into two that to the right are on the right and to the left are on the left.

We turn right at a crossroads there are traffic signs. Either turn or not but I feel straight, then I see in the corner there is an angkot museum, and we were still straight until we turned left and entered a hotel area that looked simple in front, not so wide, evident from the parking lot of the bus that had to be outside.

We finally arrived at the hotel. And now it's time to straighten out the body and rest gathering energy for tomorrow.

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