Tak Semanis Sugarcane Is Not Sepahit Coffee
Chapter 2
Dandi is the most restless person in my life. He took me to Padang three days after he said it at the cafe. I had to prepare everything in a hurry because of it, not to mention having to ask for permission from my father and mother. It really upsets this Dandi. Next week he was referring to three days later. You idiot!
Mama's permission is okay with me, because mama believes I can take care of myself. But dad, asking for dad's permission is hard. Dad always had an argument not to let me go. What else is this sudden departure. Later tonight we will leave for Padang but father still has not given the final decision of the debate yesterday. Uh, Dandi base.
After putting all the equipment together in two backpacks, I stepped out of the room to meet the cooking mama. I can hear my mom talking to -. The dandi? Since when did the guy come home? What did I do that didn't know he was coming?
"Cock here?" I was confused to pull the chair in the kitchen.
"You want to help you ask permission" said Dandi cuek. I hummed a smile looking at the mama who was no longer unfamiliar with Dandi's arrival home. The guy who owns the Coco Bakery Cafe often comes here.
"Where's the father, Ma?" I asked because I didn't see Dad this afternoon.
"Go with Dilla to photocopy. Get the plate first, you've seen mama cook instead of aided even silent." protest mama who made me stand up to take the plates for the place of food.
"That's what's ready in front, let's have lunch together in front" said the mother who automatically made me move without refuting.
My house is not big. We didn't have a dining table, so every time we wanted to eat together we would have a meal on a carpeted floor. Dandi comes to help, of course he has to help, if he does not help me with disrespect he will tell him to help me. For a friend it is not a problem.
Dad came with my sister Dila who was tailing in the back while carrying a full plastic grocery. Dandi approached the father to shake hands, then sat on the carpet that had been stretched. I quietly put on a smile seeing how relaxed the guy was to face dad.
I went back to the kitchen to help my mother and brought food back and helped Dila bring drinks. I can see Dad and Dandi chatting casually watching the news about corruption.
"Let's eat first" said Mama sitting on the carpet.
***
Done eating dad started chatting with Dandi about our departure later tonight to Padang. I just sat there watching television and occasionally joined the conversation when Dad asked. Dad looked once more at me and Dandi, then pulled the corner of his lips curling a smile.
"So tonight's the night?" ask me to make sure again.
"Yes, yeah, "I replied with a smile.
"Are you ready?" asked the father I immediately embraced with enthusiasm.
"That's a real passion. Yes you can go, but you don't take it. I'll call you back and forth there" said the father with a sharp look.
"Okay, no problem."
Dandi emang has a sweet mouth that can make people lulled with his words. I almost thought he would fail to ask father's permission but as it turned out, father was also devastated by his words. I guess I'm the only one who's not easily lulled by the sweet mouth.
While waiting for the night Dandi said goodbye to go back to the cafe and will come again at 9 pm to pick me up. We didn't just go together, there were eight people who were going to go and we used two cars. Not all I know, most only Rizka, Bayu and also Fina, two girls and one more guy friend Dandi I only know the name is, Sri, Risma and Bima. Fina used to go with Dandi and we would hang out at the cafe on Sundays. From what I know Sri is her new boyfriend Bayu, while Risma is her sister Bima who is a friend of Rizka and Dandi.
***
At Lake Toba we stopped for a moment to see the night view of this largest lake. The lights of the people's house make this lake look like it is surrounded by sparkling stars. Not wanting to waste it I took out the camera I bought from writing a book. Really, you have to come here and see for yourself how beautiful the night sky at Lake Toba is.
It's not just me who's busy shooting cameras here, they're doing the same thing that I do. The air was very cold, even though Dandi had draped the scarf he bought in Brastagi to my neck, the cold still felt piercing.
"Do you want a photo?" dandi asked to point his camera at me.
"No, thanks." I refused to smile at him.
Not Dandi's name if it doesn't suck. Even though I said no, he still took my picture. It sucks this human being.
After spending a few tens of minutes in Lake Toba we went to continue the journey, this time Dandi who drives a car and Bayu who sleeps. Yeah, I got a car with Dandi, Bayu and his girlfriend-Sri.
Because of Bayu's request I was forced to move forward. I leaned my head against the window. No drowsiness actually, just close your eyes. I got tired of picking up my phone and trying to browse social media accounts.
"Sleep, it's still a long way to go!" dandi said without taking his eyes off.
“ If I stay asleep for nothing?" I stared at him.
"What's up. As long as not to be left." he said chuckles followed by Bayu and Sri. Ignoring his words I chose to lean against the window while closing my eyes.
***
We arrived at 8pm in Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra. Missing the forecast time, this was because we had to stop several times to rest. It's really tiring, really tired but exciting.
Dandi approached me who was sitting in a food stall near Jam Gadang. We stayed at one of the inns near here. And now we're enjoying dinner.
"Racid?" tanya Dandi gave me a bottle of cold drink.
"Banget." I said sipping the drink in half.
"Tomorrow morning we go around Bukit Tinggi, then trip again." he explained.
I didn't answer because Dandi had said that many times since. Satay padang our order is coming. Actually in Medan there is also satay padang, I also often eat it, but the taste will be different if we eat here.
After eating we went straight to the inn. Dad really did what he said yesterday afternoon. Dad kept calling me and Dandi took turns, a little bit of a bitch actually because dad impressed me like a spoiled kid.
