Taint

Why Exams Come in Tubes?

The warm sunlight became a silent witness to the fights of two men of the same age. Many times I screamed, asking Daniel and Reza to stop the action. But they don't care, my voice is only considered the wind then which has absolutely no meaning.

Reza beat Daniel blindly, I don't know what makes his emotions ignited in such a way. We are friends. Since first enrolling as a student at Trijaya University, Reza and I knew each other, but we were not too close. I never imagined Reza would defend me to this extent.

"Enough, Za! You're crazy, yeah!" shouted Daniel. He seemed overwhelmed to fend off Reza's hands that were incessantly punching.

"Crazy again you, Niel! Your boy's son is broken, think about his future, Niel, think!" reza won't lose.

"I'm in charge, Za! But you also know our beliefs are different!" answer Daniel.

"From the beginning of your faith is different, then why did you impregnate it! Are you that stupid, Daniel, huh!" reza said still in a high tone.

"Reza, I know we're friends. But I don't like you interfering with my personal matters. This is my business with Kirana, why are you acting so brutally!" I saw Daniel squinting his eyes, and clutching Reza's arm.

"You want to know why" said Reza. He approached Daniel and whispered right in his ear.

I frowned, trying to steal what Reza whispered. But no, his voice was too slow for me to catch. His voice had melted with the wind, before it reached my ears.

"You___"

I'm getting curious, Daniel looks upset after Reza talks to him. What exactly did Reza whisper?

"Your path is long, Ra. Don't get hung up on something that can only give you. Out there, there are still many who think of you as a jewel. Open your eyes, and leave behind anything that has a bad impact on your life." Reza patted me on the shoulder slowly, before leaving me and Daniel.

"What does that mean?" I said in my heart.

"Niel, what did Reza say?" I asked Daniel.

"It's nothing, just an insignificant thing, Kirana." Daniel let out a long sigh and threw it away violently.

I don't believe in the answer. If it wasn't something important, it would be impossible for him to clench his hands tightly. Ah, actually what Reza said, why does she seem to be asking me to play a puzzle.

Daniel remained unmoved in his place, only his chocolate bead looking at me fixedly. Not a look of love, not a look of sadness. A look I don't know what it means. I don't know what he's thinking, it's too hard for me to talk.

I glanced at the circular clockwork on my arm, it was already 08:00. Time goes by so fast, I have to go home.

"Niel, I'm going home. I've been here long enough, I don't want you to worry" I said before leaving.

_______

TPU distance with my house is not too far, that's why I chose to walk. Along the way, I just lowered my head, avoiding the gazes of those who seemed to be humbling me.

Shortly after the roof of my house was seen, a few meters away I arrived there. I raised my face, smiling at the mothers who were surrounding the vegetable cart. They talked to each other while choosing various vegetables sold by Mang Damang.

"Where are you from, Ra?" ask Ms. Darmi.

"From the tomb, Budhe," I replied.

"No stop first, there are young mangoes, there are water guavas too. Usually pregnant young nyidamnya this," said Bu Darmi with a smile that expands, as if his words are not something that hurts.

"Lho, is Neng Kirana pregnant? Isn't it still college?" Mang Damang asked while staring at me.

"Pregnant doesn't have to graduate college, Mang. Even without marriage, you can get pregnant" said Bu Inah.

I opened these eyes quickly, I don't want those clear circles falling here. I looked away, when they judged me with a look. I left immediately, without saying excuse.

"She's pregnant, her boyfriend's non-Muslim, so yeah .. can't marry."

"He was dead, because he was too shocked."

"No doubt yes, the outside is like alim so, ehh it turns out the inside is dilapidated."

"Prospective teacher, but really play the game. Why lecture everything yes, should just jump into place, dapet money."

"Pity his son later, don't have a father."

I speeded up this step to half-run, I no longer want to hear their gossip. I knew I was wrong, I knew I was despicable, but couldn't they think of my feelings. I've been sick, I've been devastated, why they've added to my burden.

My door is wide open, some relatives are already present there, helping prepare a banquet for the event later tonight. After wiping the slightly wet corner of the eye, I stepped inside. I'll be tough like Mom, I let her down, I won't add to her load.

I stopped behind a curtain that blocked the living room and the living room. There I was fixated on listening to the conversation of Mom and Mas Bayu. I had trouble swallowing the salivary, again the harsh reality that was approaching. O Allah, why do trials come so hard?

Seriate...