
Daniel was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Without asking permission from the owner of the house, he threw his ass on the bench, then wiped the sweat that was pouring on his forehead. He never thought he would do something like this in his life. Selling which he usually only sees from people, now he can feel it. He used to think that serving buyers was an easy job, but after he felt it directly, he realized that the job was not as easy as he thought.
Serving others kindly is not his style. He kept holding back his emotions. How not. Besides having to help Khalisha put the cake in a plastic bag, she also had to smile listening to the babble of the buyers who were mostly mothers. Some of them even pinched his cheeks. He wanted to feel angry because they held him, but considering he was chasing Khalisha, he had to maintain his image.
"You tired? I'll get you a drink first, yes," Khalisha said, breaking Daniel's daydream.
"No. I'm not tired" Daniel replied, allowing his seat.
"I'm sorry, you have to help me like this" Khalisha said.
"Why are you sorry? I'm the one who wants to help you myself. This is my first experience anyway. I didn't think I could get this late. Even though only put the cake into plastic," said Daniel considering how noisy the buyers were.
Not replying to Daniel, grandfather came to them. Grandfather looked surprised to see his grandson who was currently supposed to be at school sitting alone on the porch with Daniel.
"Lis, Daniel boy, are you two here? You're not skipping anymore, are you?"
"At school again there is a meeting, Kek," replied Khalisha, then stood up and piled up the empty container.
"Oh, kirain you guys skipped school" said grandfather understood.
"If that's the case, Grandfather calm down. I wouldn't let that happen either" Daniel smiled.
"Grandfather trusts you. You're good kids," said Grandpa smiling, "Lis, you're in. Make a drink for Nak Daniel. The guest period from earlier was not given a drink."
"No need, Cake, Lis," Daniel refused in a hurry.
"Don't do that, son of Daniel. Guest time is not served. Come on in, Lis! Make a drink, "send grandpa, and sit down next to Daniel.
Khalisha nodded her head. Carrying an empty container, he stepped inside the house.
Both with Khalisha, Daniel can still relax. However, together with his grandfather Khalisha, he felt awkward. Although he knew that Khalisha's grandfather was very friendly to others, his heart was still beating fast.
"Have you been here long?" ask grandpa suddenly.
Daniel looked at his side. Nervously, he said, "Lumayan, Cake. Grandpa just got home from work?"
"Yes, Daniel's son. Later after eating, Grandpa returned to work again," said grandfather relaxed.
"What does Grandpa work for?" ask Daniel in curiosity.
"Grandfather is a gardener in a house not far from here. Actually Grandpa's work is not finished, just because it's time to rest, Grandpa went home first. Grandpa will be there again" explained Grandpa.
Daniel smiled wryly at Grandfather's words. Given his parents who are always busy working and rarely come home, he became jealous of Khalisha's life. As busy as Khalisha's grandfather worked, Khalisha's grandfather could still take time to go home, even if it was just a meal together.
"If only papa and mama were like Khalisha's grandfather, I would be so happy. Maybe someday my mom and dad will change?" his inner.
Grandpa looked closely at Daniel. There's something you've always wanted to ask Daniel.
"Son Daniel, Grandpa wants to ask you something."
"What do you want to ask?" daniel looked confused.
"What is Daniel's relationship with Khalisha?" ask grandpa curious.
Daniel looked confused. "What does Grandpa mean? I don't understand."
Grandpa sighed. Grandpa thought his words were very clear, but it turns out Daniel did not understand the meaning of his words.
"That Grandfather meant, you and Khalisha have gone how far? Still friends or have you reached the dating stage?" ask grandpa's own fat.
Daniel smiled a little, embarrassed that he didn't understand Grandpa's question. "Wants to be dating, Cake. But this is again an endeavor."
"You seriously like Grandpa's granddaughter? If you are not serious, you better stay away from Khalisha. Grandpa didn't want Grandpa's only granddaughter to be hurt" said the grandfather seriously. When it comes to his wife and grandchildren, grandfather cannot be ordinary.
He inhaled a deep breath of air, then exhaled it slowly, trying to calm himself down and gather his courage back.
"Of course I'm serious, Cake. If I'm not serious about pursuing Khalisha, how could I have come this far" he said seriously. He didn't want Khalisha's grandfather to think he was just playing Khalisha.
"What do you like about Khalisha? With that face of yours, Grandfather was sure that many people liked you, "asked Grandfather with a probing look.
Daniel seemed to think. "What yes, Cake. I'm confused too. But one thing is certain. Khalisha is different from other girls. He is what he is. Never pretended to be sweet in front of me. I feel comfortable around him, sometimes I don't even want to get away from him."
Hearing Daniel's words, Grandfather became convinced that Daniel really liked Khalisha. Grandpa was very sure that Daniel was a good boy. That's why my grandfather let Khalisha be close to Daniel.
"If you really like Khalisha, Grandfather will not forbid you from approaching Khalisha."
Daniel was shocked to hear that. He doesn't even trust his own hearing. So easily did he get the blessing of Khalisha's grandfather. He thought it would be difficult to get the blessing to approach Khalisha.
"Daniel!" call grandpa slowly.
"Yes, Cake" said Daniel quickly.
"Grandfather hope you don't get sickin Khalisha. Khalisha is not as strong as it seems. It was enough in the past that Khalisha suffered, Grandpa did not want to now and in the future, Khalisha suffered again" said the grandfather poured out his heart.
"I mean Grandpa? Why in Khalisha's past?" daniel asked in surprise and curiosity. All this time, Khalisha never told me anything about herself.
Grandpa sighed again. Grandfather actually did not want to tell Khalisha's past, but seeing Daniel who seriously approached his grandson, grandfather felt that Daniel deserved to know how Khalisha's life used to be.
"Have you ever seen Khalisha smile?"
Daniel shook his head slowly. Indeed, all this time, he had never seen Khalisha smile, on her or on anyone else.
"It was her past that made Khalisha never smile until now. Khalisha was actually a cheerful child and easily made friends with anyone. But, after his parents crash—"
"Grandfather, Daniel, come on in! The food is ready. We eat together" Khalisha suddenly cut off.
Grandpa and Daniel both turned their heads towards Khalisha, so excited to chat, they did not realize the arrival of Khalisha.
Grandpa got up from the bench. "Son Daniel, come in! We'll eat together."
"But, Kek—"
"There's no buts. It's already noon. Your stomach must be hungry. Moreover, you nemani Khalisha sales," cut grandfather did not accept rejection.
"Great grandfather knows that Daniel helped me sell it" Khalisha said.
"Of course your grandfather knows. He was there for you."
"But because of Daniel the cake we can ludes," Khalisha said looking at Daniel.
"How come it's because of Daniel's son?" ask grandpa wonder.
"Well, the mothers are here to see Daniel's handsome face. Buy the cake just the reason they came here" Khalisha said.
Daniel was embarrassed. But, he was also happy because he was no longer as cold as he had been.
Kekek laughed when he heard it. "Ah already. Yuk, we're in! Grandpa's hungry."
Grandpa stepped inside. Khalisha, who saw Daniel still motionless, grasped Daniel's hand and pulled him into the house.
Not only shocked, Daniel's heart felt flowery. Usually he who first grasped Khalisha's hand, but now even the opposite. However, he is still curious about Khalisha's past. He wanted to know why Khalisha never smiled. He wants to be a cure for Khalisha's wounds.
***