Taint

Daniel's Plan

I turned around in a trembling manner, looking at the face of Mother who was looking at me.

"How is it, I'm not ready to explain it now," my inner self.

"Ra, there's no notice when the power suddenly goes out, are you late to fill it?" ask Mom who made me flabbergasted.

I just remembered that my mother gave me money to buy electric pulses. But because my mind was too upset, it ended up being forgotten.

"Oh yes, ma'am, I forgot." I scratched my head while carving out a bland laugh.

"It's okay, but ... Can you buy it now? It's a dead iron of Ra, and there's still a lot that hasn't been rubbed." Mother said as she glanced at the pile of clothes beside her.

"Yes ma'am, I'll buy it now." I nodded, then walked away from Mom.

_____

The morning breeze hit my face which was standing in front of the entrance of Trijaya University. I stared at every thing that was there, whether it was the clattering of steps that passed by, or just the swaying red shoots.

After a three-day absence, I set foot here again. Although I haven't found a way out yet, my mind is a little calmer. Although I do not know what my life will be like, but one thing I believe in, I will not leave my religion.

The only thing I have ever hoped for is Daniel. Every breath I always pray, hope that his heart will melt and follow my faith. That way, all of this complexity will be easy.

"Austenance!"

I turned my head when I heard someone call my name, it turned out to be my Nindi-friend.

"Ra, what's wrong with you?" Ninda asked while clasping my arm.

"I'm fine" I lied. Although we were close friends, I was reluctant to tell him about my problems.

"I saw you standing here, and .. your look is tangled. What's up?"

"I'm fine Nin, just a little tired, yesterday's journey was quite long" I replied without honesty.

The reason I didn't go to college was to travel to Jember, because a brother died there. At first I wanted to reason sick, but I was afraid that Nindi and Mayra would come to the house. I don't want that, I'm absent because it takes time to be alone.

It takes a thousand lies to cover one lie, and I have done just that. In the parents, in the lecturers, in friends, I made various lies to cover up disgrace.

"Can daydream again" said Nindi.

"I thought about the task. Because of yesterday's trip, my task is still not completed, but it must be collected tomorrow." Another lie I told my best friend.

"Let me help you. How about going home from school I go to your house, study together and help you finish your job" Nindi bargained.

"Thank you for your good intentions Nin, but no need, I know you're tired too" I said, declining Nindi's offer.

"All right, I understand" said Nindi, and I responded with a smile.

Then we walked into the campus. For a long time we kept quiet, until Nindi finally opened her voice after arriving in front of the class.

"By!"

"Yes Nin." I nodded while looking at him.

"I'm sorry Nin. You're right, I have a problem, but .. I'm not ready to tell you," I said quietly, almost like a whisper.

"All right, I get it. Whenever you want, I'm ready to listen. Kirana, whatever your problem may be, I hope you can deal with it hard. I believe you can" Nindi said encouragingly.

"Thank you, Nin." I covered a big smile, memamirkan gussul teeth and dimples.

"Ciee's taking a walk, where's his souvenir."

I turned my head when I heard Mayra's teasing. I don't know since when he came, it was suddenly already standing between us.

"That's why I'm tired, May," I replied with a false laugh.

"Hmmm you are, Ra," said Mayra.

"Kirana did not lie May, but look at her face, really tangled like a clothesline that is not ironed," said Nindi.

After hearing Nindi's words, Mayra ruffled my hair while laughing loudly. Maybe he thinks I'm really tired from the trip. Compared to Nindi, Mayra is an insensitive girl. Although he is cheerful and likes to entertain friends, but he is not too good at understanding someone's sadness - which is deliberately hidden.

Seeing Mayra laughing cheerfully, I laughed too, although this heart was reluctant to do that. I wasn't ready to tell her, so it was better if she didn't notice.

But not long ago we joked, suddenly Daniel came over.

Daniel and I looked at each other, as if peeling back memories of a few days ago. His steps drew closer, and the faint fragrance of bvlgari began to smell in my nose.

"Morning, Niel, it's just fine!"

"Without three days of Nin, longing to know."

Mayra and Nindi teased me, but it didn't make me smile. Daniel's presence reminds me more of the big problem.

"Kirana, I want to talk." Daniel clasped my arm, without taking a look.

My voice seemed to be stuck in my throat, so I was only able to answer it with a nod. Then he took me on a walk leaving Nindi and Mayra. I followed and followed his steps. I ignored the screams of Nindi and Mayra who kept teasing me.

We stopped at the back garden. Daniel invited me to sit on a long bench, under a mango tree. Among the colorful bougenvil flowers, we sat together in silence. There was not a word that we said, for a few seconds only the rustling of the wind filled the void.

"Austenance!"

After a long time of shaking, Daniel finally opened his voice.

"What's wrong?" I'm with raucous. In my heart, I really hope that she will change her decision, but I don't know, seeing the dull look on her face, it seems that she doesn't bring good news.

"I have a solution to this problem, I hope you agree, Ra," Daniel said.

"I don't want to leave my religion" I said slowly, but firmly.

"No, Ra. You don't have to abandon your faith." Daniel answered while holding both of my hands.

"Do you mean .. do you follow my faith?" many doubt.

Seriate...