THE END OF OUR STORY

Warmth in Winter

This week is the last week before the exam for Aurora and her friends. Individual and group assignments must be completed on the sidelines of lectures and exam preparation.

Aware that this week will be a tough week for Aurora, Awan never miss giving spirit every morning through text messages. Not enough just with text messages, Awan always accompanied Aurora to leave along with the tram to campus even though he did not have any needs on campus.

They are now no longer using bicycles because the wind in winter blows quite strong and cold temperatures are often bone-chilling.

In his conversation with Aurora, Cloud must always ask how Aurora prepares for the test. Whether he had time to learn, whether he had completed his tasks, whether he had not forgotten to eat, whether he had enough sleep, and various other worrying questions.

Everything makes Aurora flowery but at once amused because the Clouds worry about her as if the test this time determines Aurora's life. This was the second test for Aurora so that she actually understood and could adjust to the limited preparation time.

On the third day of the exam, Aurora and her friends make a promise to study together in the units occupied by Singgih, Lukas, and Iqbal. Tomorrow's test is in the form of several questions that have been shared before and can indeed be discussed together.

To make it easier, they agreed to have limited discussions with Indonesians. This means that the discussion can run smoothly without language constraints. In the afternoon they had gathered in Singgih's room, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, each ready with a question sheet in hand.

Not only were the five of them there, but the Clouds included. He sat apart from his friends, already preparing with the book he was going to read while listening to Aurora and her friends discuss.

Sometimes the cloud chimed in, gave his opinion or helped understand the question. He was actually there to accompany Aurora and make sure Aurora could solve the exam questions. If other friends are also helped, it's a bonus from the Cloud for them.

After the discussion, Awan sends Aurora and Saras back to his unit. Saras had already entered the room, while Aurora and Awan were still standing in front of the unit door.

“Come in,” says Clouds in a soft voice.

“Iya, Mas. Thanks for helping us.”

“Help you, kok.” The clouds put a smile on his face.

Aurora laughed softly. “He is, whatever...”.

“Yes already, go in there,” right hand Raised cloud holding Aurora's shoulder, “ rest, it's done all.”

His hand dropped slightly then gently rubbed the upper arm of Aurora. The movement is slow, channeling warmth to Aurora's body and heart that only Aurora can reply with a smile on her lips.

“Until tomorrow yes,” connect Cloud.

Aurora nodded. “Still yes, Mas.”

A wide smile spread across Aurora's face as she opened the unit door and disappeared behind it.

Still standing in front of the door, Cloud's voice spoke.

“Awan... Awan... You were willing to hug and cry his forehead, right?”

The clouds were also grinning as they walked towards the elevator, considering how the defense had almost collapsed.

--

Today is a long-awaited day for Aurora and her friends as the exams are coming to an end and are a sign of the year-end holiday starting. Since morning they have been excited, although the air outside is increasingly biting. By noon, the Clouds were already preparing to wait for Aurora in the Social Room. Accompanied by a cup of tea, Clouds was alone there watching TV.

A low boisterous voice started to sound, meaning that Aurora had already finished the exam. It did not take long, Aurora and her Indonesian friends were seen at the door that was wide open.

A look of relief on their faces gradually turned into a cheerful look. The clouds smiled broadly welcoming Aurora's presence. Impatiently waiting, he walked up to Aurora.

“Where is the test, smoothly?”

“Currently, Mas,” Aurora replied.

Come closer and tempt them. “I'm not asked, Wan?” His lips pouted, looking at his face pretending to be upset.

The clouds laughed lightly at Singgih's actions. While acting as if he was seducing Singgih, the Clouds also returned Singgih's joke. ”Bli Singgiiiih.. the test is smooth, right?”

Aurora and her other friends also laughed at the behavior of Singgih and Clouds. It's fun to laugh after almost two weeks of having to get tired of the task and learn.

While walking side by side towards the seat, Awan wrapped his arm around Aurora's shoulder and then patted Aurora's arm softly, “Good job, Au.”

A soft pat on her arm made Aurora smile and her heart touched, a warm feeling radiating throughout her body.

“Ya ampuuuun, Mas Awan sweet really... just finish the test just not out the value already ‘good job’.”

--

As the day approaches, the clouds and Aurora arrive at Delft Station. Cloud had an appointment to meet his friend, James, who was studying Ph.D. at this place. Since Aurora had never visited Delft, she did not refuse when the Clouds invited her.

Aurora did not expect that this afternoon the air felt very cold. The gloves and thick jacket he wore seemed unable to withstand the cold that felt piercing to the bone. Aurora stood up while shaking her legs, trying to get more warmth from there.

Seeing Aurora who was busy blowing her hands while her legs and body did not stop swaying, the clouds shifted forward to face Aurora.

“Sini,” said as he put Aurora's hand into his grasp and rubbed Aurora's hand slowly and blew it.

The warm cloud penetrated the glove and reached Aurora's skin, feeling a rush of warmth.

Aurora raised her gaze, trying to glance at the Clouds.

At the same time the clouds were staring at Aurora followed by a smile engraved on her face.

The deg!

Aurora quickly lowered her gaze again accompanied by a beating heart that was racing faster.

“Had, it looks so saltingnya,” ruuk Aurora in the heart.

The bus they were waiting for had already arrived, Aurora was relieved. That means his hands can be free, and his heart can return to normal.

But it turns out he was wrong!

The clouds had not given his heart a chance to rest. The clouds only let go of Aurora's one hand and still clasped her right hand, leading her up into the bus until they sat down.

Just as they sat down, the sound of HP tremors rang out from within the pockets of the Cloud jacket. With just one hand, Awan opened his jacket and reached into the pockets on the inside of his jacket, giving off HP. Name “James PS” visible on screen.

While answering the phone, Awan did not realize that his thumb that was united with Aurora's fingers moved slowly began to stroke the back of Aurora's hand.

Aurora tensed in silence like she was out of breath. “Yes Allah, this still wear gloves I already want to faint.”

Suddenly Aurora felt her hand that was within the grasp of the Clouds lift up. The clouds tried to scratch the itch on his forehead, without letting go of Aurora's hand.

“E-eh, what the hell is this? Jeez, this Cloud Man why??” Aurora screamed in her heart.

He quietly took a deep breath, trying to gather oxygen into his lungs.

The clouds were still relaxed without feeling anything was wrong. Finished putting HP back in his jacket pocket, he said, ”That's James. Nanyain we already nyampe what not.”

“Oooh.” Only that was able to come out of Aurora's mouth.

The clouds thrust their right hand with their palms open towards Aurora.

“What else is this?” thought Aurora. His confused face was pointing at the Clouds.

“Here is his hand one more. It's still cold, right?”

As the buffalo shuffled its nose, Aurora handed her left hand over the Clouds palm which the Clouds instantly brought together with their other hands.

After both hands were clasped, Aurora regained consciousness.

“Eh, I'm doing it?”

The desire of his heart turned out to be currently dominating before his mind.

“Wire!” Aurora closed her eyes, trying to resuscitate herself in order to think healthy.

However, Aurora was not too sure because the happiness in her heart was like jumping up and down wanting to control her entire body.

In the next few hours on this cold day he would still be with the Clouds.

“What other stuff is this from Mas Awan? Quiet Aurora. Come you can Au, calm down..” neatly in the heart, whereas his heart still continues to beat fast.