THE END OF OUR STORY

Celebrating the Universe

The last week before the trainees completed their training, Awan and his friends invited Bima to dinner together in Warung Java. As is customary, upon the arrival of another friend from the same homeland there will surely be a banquet, either for welcome or separation, or both. This time they chose to eat together in Warung Java only, because in addition to Bima they all returned to longing for Indonesian-flavored cuisine.

The clouds still feel the effort of the approach made by the Milky Way on the Aurora, although actually Aurora has begun to limit themselves when talking to the Milky Way. Aurora herself also does not want Bima to consider it giving hope, only she has not found the right time to directly say or show Bima if she and Awan are lovers.

When they together go to Java Warung, it's a pity that Cloud has to follow because there is something he has to finish first. On the way by tram, Aurora immediately sat down to place herself next to Saras who had sat first. He was worried that if he sat alone, Bima would sit next to him. Aurora's guess is true. Bima tried to take a seat opposite Aurora, only separated by an alley, although next to him sat a stranger and in another part there was a seat that was still completely empty.

Arriving at the restaurant, it was fortunate that the atmosphere was not too crowded so they could easily get a seat. But unfortunately for Bima, he did not get the opportunity to be able to choose a seat near Aurora, because Singgih continued to invite him to talk so he inevitably forced to sit next to Singgih. His last attempt was only to make it through his position that he could still pay attention to Aurora.

Not too long ago, the clouds came and joined his friends. Seeing the arrival of the Clouds, Saras who was originally sitting next to Aurora immediately stood up and asked Luke to move so that he could sit in front of Aurora. The self-conscious Luke relented and moved to sit in front of Singgih. This exchange of seats was seen by Bima and caused a little question mark in his heart.

As long as they ate and talked, the proximity of the Clouds and Auroras could not be covered, even too real to be denied there was something intimate between them. Bima only noticed with the corner of her eye how the Clouds look very sweet and attentive to Aurora, how the Clouds take tissue and wipe the rest of the soto sauce at the end of Aurora's lips, also how Awan placed his hand on the back of Aurora's chair while occasionally his fingers touched and stroked Aurora's shoulders.

Other friends have been used to seeing the scene so that it is no longer a matter of attention or temptation as before. They look ordinary and the guess of Bima just now when the new cloud comes seems to start leading to one conclusion. Curiosity to confirm his conjecture made Bima ask Singgih to be sure.

“White, it's them, dating?” His eyes only glanced towards Clouds and Aurora to tell Singgih who he meant by ‘they’.

Luke who also heard immediately snatched, “They?” her question while pointing her thumb pointed at the Clouds and Aurora sitting at the table next to her. Bima just nodded.

“Oooh, they are twins dempet.” Both index fingers side by side attached to give gestures that he called with twins of putty, then chuckle which then followed Singgih who was even stunned to hear Luke's comments. Bima just smiled.

Singgih's laughter made Saras immediately set his eyes on Luke by asking. “What's up?”

Luke was just grinning and trying to cover up what he had just said. “Neither. That's Singgih again ngetawain cave. No importance!”

Luke's answer did not satisfy Saras, but he did not want to ask further and returned to the conversation with his classmate.

Singgih who since his first meeting in front of the coffee machine with Bima had a suspicion, actually knew why now Bima issued a question about Aurora and Clouds. Singgih casually added information even though Bima did not ask for it. His voice was lowered so that it would not be heard to the next table.

“Iya, they've been dating since the end of last year. The basic cloud, very clever he was looking for a moment. Another is if the S3. By the way like to Aurora just have to wait to ride Eiffel first.”

Lukas just smiled at the slow sentence Singgih, acknowledging that what Singgih said was true – Clouds are really smart looking for moments. While Bima only beards by trying to smile, although it can not be hidden if the smile looks forced. The hope he had built, was dashed. Fortunately, next week he has returned to Indonesia, can forget his feelings that apparently will not be realized.

Returning from Warung Java Bima no longer have the desire to be close to Aurora. Besides being aware that there is no hope for him, there is no possible opportunity because the Clouds are always attached to Aurora. Just like Luke said, they were like twins.

The clouds are deliberately overdone today to demonstrate their closeness to Aurora, even though their friends are unaware. The clouds just want to clearly show the Milky Way that the Aurora already has and there is no chance for the Milky Way to approach the Aurora. When they split up at the station, Awan knew that the message he conveyed could be captured correctly by Bima, as seen from his movements while saying goodbye to Aurora.

--

Before the month of February ended, Awan and his friends did not waste ‘National Stargazing Days’ held by Sonnenborgh Museum and Observatory located in Utrecth City. There are two days for anyone to enjoy the planets and stars at night with a cheaper admission than usual. In addition there are additional events such as a lecture that they can join to get more knowledge about the universe.

As usual when visiting other cities, do not forget the Clouds and friends do exploration, at least can spoil the eyes and heart with a different view and atmosphere. From the station they enjoy downtown Utrecht on a leisurely walk to the mid-afternoon atmosphere on the banks of a bustling canal with an array of restaurants and cafes. Unlike the canals in Amsterdam, the canals in Utrecht have been dammed so that the banks of the canal are right on the waterfront and under the road can be used as a seat for restaurant visitors.

They continued to walk to the Dom Tower, a church tower with many bells that became the main landmark of Utrecht City. It is 112 meters high with 465 steps to reach the top, making it easily recognizable even from a distance. The number of stairs that hundreds of dampened their intention to be able to climb to the highest peak and enjoy the view from above. “Boro-boro can see the scenery .. until the top directly fainted!” comment Saras.

Although it is a church tower, but in fact the Dom Tower is separate from its parent building, the Church of St. Martin, the storm. The church building with this gothic style is indeed beautiful and also interesting because there is a small garden neatly arranged, Pandhof Domkerk. Unfortunately they were there when the day was too late to be able to enter and enjoy the park.

Their activities that night, enjoying the cluster of stars, the moon, planets, and life beyond Earth at Sonnenborgh Museum and Observatory became a valuable and unforgettable experience for the Clouds and their friends. The Sonnenborgh Building also gives the impression of its own because in the 16th century this building is actually a fortress. The beauty of the universe reminds them of the greatness of the Creator and of themselves as small beings who really have no power if not for His will.

It was very late when they returned to Rotterdam. Once sitting on the train Aurora immediately use the shoulder of the clouds to rest her body. Among the sound of the carriage being heard, the Clouds started talking filling up the chatter with Aurora. “What do you think of the experience earlier, Au?”

“Hmm ... very nice, Mas. Very cool ... not expecting to have such an experience, this is the first time I went to the observatory,” Aurora replied as she closed her eyes.

“Iya, nice yes,” reply Cloud briefly then fell silent. After a brief moment of silence, the voice of the clouds was heard again.

“I'm lucky yes, Au.”

“Why, Mas?”

“I actually do not need to bother to the observatory if you want to see stars.” The clouds smiled, but Aurora did not see it. He simply replied with a murmur of Cloud's statement. “Hmm?”

“I will be able to see stars every day .. can be morning, afternoon, or evening even, no need to wait for night.” The clouds turned their heads towards Aurora who was still closing her eyes. His mind had yet to catch the direction of the Cloud's conversation.

“But the star is now sleeping, the light dims.”

Hearing the word ‘tidur’ then Aurora understood that what Cloud meant as ‘star’ was her. Aurora immediately straightened her body and looked at the Clouds who were also still staring at her.

Their eyes met, Aurora developed her smile. For a few seconds they did not let go of the eye contact that occurred, as if there was a magnetic field of mutual attraction between them.

Aurora then made a sound but with an amused smile. “I'm aurora, Mas .. not a star.”

Hearing Aurora's words, Cloud immediately laughed softly and pulled Aurora's head back onto her shoulder. Smiles slanted on both of their faces, both closed their eyes, and Cloud's hand had already taken Aurora's hand to hold it, until they arrived at their destination.