THE END OF OUR STORY

First Experience

Saturday finally arrived. As per the promise made earlier, today it is time for Awan to accompany his friends in search of a bicycle.

The clouds headed towards the Blaak Markt on a bicycle, while others took a tram. They promised to meet near the entrance of Metro Station (subway).

As usual every Saturday, Blaak Markt or can be called Blaak Market is always crowded. This market only exists twice a week, Tuesday and Saturday. Markets in the Netherlands generally only last one day a week, except in major cities such as Rotterdam.

On Saturdays, more goods are usually traded, including used bicycles. Areas that sell vegetables, fruit, and fish are separate from areas that sell used goods, clothing, and household appliances. Outside the market day, this location was just an open field.

After choosing, trying, and paying for a bike that suits their individual needs and tastes, they plan to immediately try out a newly purchased bike. Understandably, the three of them are not bicycle users in Indonesia. The last time you used a bike was probably as a child, the furthest fit teenagers.

The clouds propose to ride a bicycle to Lake Kralingse, a city lake surrounded by lush trees. “Most 15 minutes to there,”pers Cloud.

The clouds cycling in front also act as a guide. It turned out that it did not take long for them to adjust to cycling on the available paths, but still needed time to adjust to their respective bikes.

Occasionally their trip was accompanied by laughter because Singgih who sometimes oseng because they had not mastered the bicycle brakes using the feet.

Entering Kralingse Lake with the trees that were seen tightly around it, they could immediately see a large windmill on the side of the lake. The trees around the lake some of the leaves began to change color, a sign that this time began to enter autumn. The clouds stopped his bike which his three friends followed.

“That's it... Doesn't look there? The building whose model is Minangkabau house?” cloud asked as he spread out his hands pointing towards the front at the end of the lake on the side where they were standing.

Almost simultaneously, Aurora, Saras, and Singgih replied,”Eh yes.. ada.”.

“That's what, Mas?” ask Aurora. They never knew that in a city as modern as Rotterdam could find a traditional Minangkabau house.

“Restaurant,” reply Cloud. “The restaurant name is Minang Kabau Baru,” he continued.

“Ha? Restaurant Padang?” Saras asked in a surprised tone.

Clouds chuckling. “Neither siiih..the menu has been mixed, Indonesia menu ama Europe,” he explained.

“Ooh... kirain,” Saras also laugh with his friends.

“Funny also yes there can be a typical house like that here. Feel in Mini Park.” Singgih also commented on the presence of the house that was like it was out of place.

“To there, yuk,” invite Aurora. They also pedaled back their bikes approached the Minang Kabau Baru Restaurant and were immediately amazed to see the building that was exactly with the house in West Sumatra there.

Surrounding watching this wooden bear house, Aurora was curious. “This restaurant is expensive, isn't it, Mas? Did you ever eat cloud here?”

“Mahal anyway if for the size of us students. Yeah but I've eaten here the same temen-temen first. Let's not be curious, want to know what the food is,”clear Awan.

“Enak?” This time Saras asked.

After going around looking around and being satisfied with taking photos, they decided to sit down to rest while looking at the calm lake.

From his bag Awan took out a stroopwafel, a type of thin dry waffle cake with caramel sugar, and offered the cake to others. Each of them has put out a bottle of drinking water trying to wipe the thirst due to fatigue with a bicycle today.

While enjoying the crisp and sweet stroopwafel in his mouth, Saras let out a voice that sounded spoiled.

“Mas Cloud must be responsible niiiih…. Making sure we come here, pretty tired as well. It must be taken, Mas,” Saras said while lashing his calf with one hand.

Aurora glanced at the Clouds to look at the Clouds expression and waited for her answer.

Clouds laughing. Not yet had the cloud answer precisely Singgih's voice was heard.

“Here I am the incandescent. But ntar replace ya mijit me too.”

“Yes, that's my incandescent again. Pegel because it mijitin you,” said Saras with lips that are pushed forward a few inches while pretending to be upset.

Singgih responded, “Gakpapa.. trus ntar I was taken again, but. Trus replace. Trus replace again. That's how we incandescent until the front!”

Then he chuckled.

“No need ah! Ntar I was invited again the same in Bali. Meningan pegel deh Saras chimed in with Singgih by raising her shoulders as if she was goosebumps and putting on a face mimic pretending to be scared.

They were all laughing together at the joke between Saras and Singgih. Both of them are fun and happy to joke.

“Ddddeuh, why the hell is he so sweet if again laugh?” The clouds could not hold his mind when he saw Aurora laughing freely, showing off her neat rows of white teeth complementing her dimpled face.

If only he was unconscious, perhaps his hand had already moved to pinch Aurora's cheek. “Hold, Wan. Patience..” The clouds tried to calm themselves from the turmoil in his chest.

Seeing the sun getting higher they decided to get enough rest and return to the apartment. The first experience of cycling was quite pleasant for Aurora, Saras, and Singgih. True said Awan, had to ride a bicycle to really feel living in the Netherlands.

Arriving at the apartment they kept the bike in the available bicycle parking lot not far from the entrance.

“It's safe no, Wan?” tanya Singgih while locking the chain padlock that ties the front wheel of her bike with the parking backrest.

“Gak guarantee 100% siih,” replied Clouds with a big smile.

“Can only tomorrow the rest of the front wheel is the same chain or even the one that is missing is just the saddle.”

Aurora jerks. ”Ha?”

His mouth was wide open making the Clouds chuckle.

“But I was safe from the beginning anyway.., “ujar Clouds quickly tried to calm down.