The First High School Love

Chapter 24 Retirement 2001

Matari stared at the school field that had been transformed into a pension stage as well as the separation of 3rd grade. It was so crowded. The demands of the event are repeatedly shown on a projector screen mounted in the center of the stage, and some points are affordable enough to be read by visitors. The show has not started completely. The opening greeting from the vice homeroom class 3 had passed an hour ago. The Element band was still preparing in the impromptu VIP room, which was located near the Headmaster's room. The plan, Element only sang 3 hits. As planned by the committee.

This time the committee was assisted by a large EO, because if only relying on the committee from the school environment, of course the HR was inadequate. Moreover, calling a big band like Element. Security must be observed. Given the event is open to the public even though it is subject to HTM (Entrance Ticket Price) which is cheap and affordable among Junior High School students.

“Nyokap lo dateng right?” ask Matari to Lisa.

“Datengs. In addition to him I have booked for managing our performance rich before, doi also get an invitation from the committee. Biases, sponsors,” said Lisa without the slightest intention of bragging.

“Element what time does it appear?” ask Thea.

“Say the committee and in the rundown event anyway should be at 2an. Abis schedules ishoma and breaks during the day. The opening band is Kak Nana's band. There are still rich local dancers that are performing. Abis gitu Element,” said Matari at length.

“Your guys?”ask Thea. “Kaya lately want to disperse anyway?”

“Dad, we got the draw rich. Papalah. Mostly while waiting for Acoustical training only in class. Even good to be able to watch Element first,” replied Lisa calmly. “Lo how, Ri? This will be more people watching than

yesterday's poetry race. So you kudu mental prepare huh?”

“Gue is actually a bit groggy. It's only eleven but it's a real race. And the heat of forgiveness. Fortunately the committee is willing to fan the water at some point, if it can not be very hot in front there,” said Matari. “And I'm afraid of interfering with my performance.”

“In fact, if it is late afternoon or near the end of the event tuh usually yes, not how crowded. People just waiting for the guest star. Most surviving of our schoolchildren. I'm just a bit parno, afraid of being ruffled,” Thea said later.

“How row?” ask Lisa.

“Kaya last year, also rattled. So if towards the end of the event that the guest there are children from other schools right. Sometimes not even Junior High kids. Some high school students also enter. Today we are free clothes, subordinates who can be uniform. Sometimes it is not known which child. So they must have been

berantem\, for example accidentally nenggenggol or how. So this year use EO\, the request of your parents with Kak Gita 3rd class who is the son of the property entrepreneur you know. He did*-dance* before closing the show. This year we can also hire security officers. Pretty well. Let's be a little orderly. Last year was really bad\, someone got puncture\,” replied Thea at length.

“HAH? SERIOUSLY LO, THE?” ask Lisa and Matari at the same time.

“Yes, but not our schoolboy. Only the school will be affected because it is negligent in terms of security. So this year I said earlier, use EO and hire more security. May it be safe yaaa!” thea said while closing the conversation.

***

“Ri, buy what?” davi asked when he saw Matari was buying snacks at a food stand that was mostly opened by parents of students and school cafeteria officials.

Food stands overrun by many visitors. Because in addition to the affordable price also when it has been ahead of ishoma and lunch hours.

“Buy batagor aja, nih. Want?” tanya Matari while watering her batagor with the bean sauce that has been provided.

“No like my attitude. Hahahah..,” says Davi. “You want me to buy you a drink? I am thirsty. All of you.”

“Hmmm, please. Mineral water yes. You see, I have not performed,” said Matari while sitting in chairs provided by the committee to enjoy food.

“Ready, boss!” exclaim Davi as he passed towards the drink stand located at the end.

When he returned, Matari had sat down while enjoying his batagor. His eyes did not turn from the retirement stage in the distance. To Davi's delight, Matari prepared an empty bench nearby, for him. Given that it was crowded, finding an empty bench was very difficult.

“This is the water, ak bawain yes. You eat first. Thank you for looking for a bench,” Davi said as he sat next to Matari.

“Full thing. Pity you will stand,” said Matari while chewing his batagor.

“Eh, which other child?”

“Who?”

“Temen-temen. Thea and Lisa? Trus kids band your other classes?”

“Oh, they're in class. I haven't eaten and laper yet. Actually we get rice kotakan from the committee, only have me jatoh kesenggol. Apes bye, hahaha..”.

“Trus, are you full of batagor doang?”

Matari. Although that's not entirely true. But at that time, only this brick price made sense with his pocket money. Especially the possibility that today will be until the afternoon. He should be able to set aside an allowance until it can be used up to two meals. Remembering the incident of the box rice earlier could not be avoided.

“Oh yes, how much mineral water was it?”

“Yeah, Ri, no need. That's the same thing I bought a drink too.”

“Don't do it dong. Don't like to owe me.”

“Hmmm then, pay the debt I ate.”

“Hah?”

“Yuk, ah. In the canteen. Lonelier there, no queuing.”

“Gue ngabisin batagor first.”

“Oh, yes. Forgot, hehehe.”

Davi sat down again. “Let you around what time is the gig?”

“Jam 4an. Ahead of closing.”

“Wah, really late afternoon.”

“Iya, get raffle at that hour. How are you doing again..?”

“Yes too yes. Btw, later when Element play, watch me ya?”

Matari's heart feels like it's about to be dislodged. Although it wasn't the first time Davi had invited her. This is the second time Davi has watched Element. Matari certainly remembered, even though she did not want to mention him first.

“Iya...”.

“But, you eat first yes all me later.”

“Gue has eaten batagor kok.”

“Eat again. Later you will gig, need energy.”

“Hmm. See later yes.”

“Can pay the debt?”

“Hah? Meaning?”

“Pay the same debt I bought you mineral water. You let me eat. He said yes.”

“Must eat!”

Matari took a breath. “Iya, yes...”

***

“Lama really? Cured Davi huh?” asked Lisa while playing her Walkman, the latest model in pink, limited edition, only rich children can buy it. Because the Walkman sold is usually a dark color or silver.

“Kok know?” exciting Matari.

“So she came here. He said there were no on the field. Yes there is none. Heat. The kids who survive the most are grade 3 doang kids. Why is it not available in the multipurpose building?”

“Kaga suffice, Lis. It is open to the public. How the hell is it?” thea was playing a guitar that she couldn't really play.

“Yes too anyway. Next year at GBK. The senayan indoor. Can it be anyway?”

“Whits bokap lo ye? Difficult procedure in part. Most high school kids play there. Or the top EO-EO,” chirps Gilang who is sleeping in a class seat that is aligned to form a long bench.

“Udah-already. What the hell, Lis? Also good at school. No need for preparation. Easy transportation. Yes, no?” sahut Matari while sitting on his stool.

Matari looked around her class. Only a few female students were sleeping on their desks while chatting. The rest were their class bands including Thea who was lazy to the field.

“Sepi very, where to?” ask Matari to Lisa.

“Neither. At snack times, or watch on the sidelines,”sahut Thea. “Sejam again Element gig, we go there huh? Don't want to practice again?”

Matari looked at Gilang who was fast asleep. Ricko also seemed to not care and still play the snake game on his phone.

“Tuh kang guitar on bobo,” says Matari.

“Kalo would like, How do I practice?” ask Rocky who suddenly appeared while carrying batagor for his twin brother, Ricko, who immediately got up and devoured batagor without pause.

“Bby, can. Ri, there Exercise,” says Lisa approves. “Day in new fish Exercise once this morning.”

Matari. Then follow Rocky who was sitting near Ricko while picking up an acoustic guitar belonging to Gilang which was deliberately brought today to practice. While the acoustic guitar belonging to the chapel has been returned since yesterday before the pension took place.

Rocky started playing the intro. Matari was flabbergasted at the sight of Rocky's soft guitar playing and somehow, fittingly filled the quiet classroom atmosphere. Matari believes, Rocky must have mastered the acoustic guitar for years compared to Gilang. Although Ricko is the same, and Matari has seen him during the band's rehearsal session at Lisa's studio the other day, Rocky looks different than his twin brother. The game is smoother and flawless.

“Come on, go to the song, Ri,” Rocky said as he looked at Matari who was still silent in her place.

“Sorry, sorry. Your guitar game is very good,” praise Matari who is asserted by Thea and Lisa together.

“That's it, he's the first one who can compare to me, Ri. I recently used a music teacher. If he's self-taught. Trus because he can, I was also told to be my ortu, finally we are equally dilesin,” replied Ricko without moving a bit from his comfortable sleeping attitude.” Uday, you help him practice. We'll save energy for later. But don't be slow, Ri. Fear of lo abis voice first before gig.”

“OK, I repeat yes..” Rocky said as he strummed his guitar again.

Without any difficulty adjusting the rhythm, Matari got into Rocky's guitar line. Rocky is secretly happy, able to accompany the person he likes since he first entered the school. Quote after quote is deliberately played nicely, in the hope that Matari can see the good side in him. They didn't feel like they were training for an hour. Even Rocky plays other songs that Matari can sing.

The practice was stopped when Davi had already come and knocked on the classroom door.

“Ri, ease of singing. I was invited to watch Element. Yuk, we refreshing also see them,” invite Lisa while patting Matari's shoulder.

“Oh, sorry, sorry. Shrimp huh, Rock? Very thanks. Your guitar playing is terrible. I got to sing mulu,” Matari said with a smile on Rocky.

Rocky just smiled and turned towards Davi who was standing outside their classroom without any expression. Rocky knows out there, there's a boy who becomes his toughest rival. Moreover, Matari was always beaming

when faced with Davi. Rocky knows he's lost despite not fighting.

“Hai, Dav. Sorry, it's been a while?” ask Matari.

“Hmmm, passable. Good thing your singing is good,” said Davi with a smile.

Davi walks next to Matari. Behind Matari walked his two companions who did not want to go ahead at all and laughed amusedly at the two. Wondering when the two can officially become lovers?

Rocky and Ricko followed a few yards behind. Watch with reluctance.

***

In the field, all visitors pensi spilled. Full and very jostling. The hot air made the entire audience cheer even more. Element vocalist had just taken the stage and greeted the audience. Typically try to remind each other to stay orderly and keep security. The rest of the band followed behind him and prepared for their respective sections.

Matari, Davi, Lisa and Thea took a gap so as to get a good spot standing in the middle of the audience, but still could see clearly towards the stage. Although crowded, but the maximum functioning water fan makes the air around it quite cold.

The intro of their first hit song, according to the name of their album, Kupersadikan Nirwana began to stomp. The audience began to scream hysterically. And pushing each other was inevitable. Lisa and Thea are pushed back unintentionally, away from Matari and Davi. Davi iba see

Matari seemed confused to keep herself because the audience seemed to be prancing around irregularly nearby. Sweaty forehead. It seemed like it was the first time Matari had been in the midst of such a large crowd.

“You're not papa?” whispered Davi in Matari's ear. “You go aja?”

Matari. Davi knows, Element is the girl's favorite band he likes. Davi also quite like their songs since they know Matari likes them.

But the song Kupersadai Nirwana is a fast tempo song belonging to Element directly makes the audience want to prance to listen to the song. The horde of students out of nowhere swayed violently making the line in front of them retreat abruptly. Davi had already taken this into account and quickly held onto Matari's arm and rewinded his steps. Matari said, watching his arm gripped by Davi so tightly. He can't say anything. But his heart was racing.

Davi does not want to hold or embrace Matari, because that is not his right. They have no clarity of relationship. Staying polite, Davi just gripped Matari's arm. Not too strong so Matari wouldn't be in pain. And to keep Matari safe beside her. At least that's what 13-year-olds think. Troubled, he continued to do so until the song Kuperspresakan Nirwana ended.

“Friends, stay orderly yes. Remember there are also brothers watching. Now, we get into song two. Go Adinda!!” exclaimed Ferdy Tahier, the vocalist of Element at that time.

The second song, Go Adinda, is a slow song. Therefore, the audience began to calm down. Just shake hands up with a slow and shahdu movement.

“Sorry, Dav, sick...” said Matari, grimacing at his arm still gripped by Davi.

Actually it's not that sick. But Matari was embarrassed. Moreover, he felt behind her, Thea and Lisa were laughing about it.

“Oh, sorry, sorry. It's been a mess, Ri. But you're not really papa, are you?” sahut Davi while releasing his own hand.

Matari. He knew the hue of his face was flushed. Hopefully this hot air temperature can be the alibi later.

Go Adinda's song passed quickly. The vocalist spoke briefly to the audience and the committee. Then the last song is Never Afraid to Love Me. Setau Matari is a song that tempo fast again but not as fast as Kuperspresa Nirwana. Afraid of rioting again, Matari reflexively held the end of Davi's shirt sleeve.

Davi certainly did not reject that. He was even confused as to what to say and what to behave like. But finally, he whispered to Matari.

“Ri, if suppose you are at home again free, you are listening to this Element song yes,” said Davi.

Matari looked at Davi for a moment, but immediately turned her gaze to the stage. An awkward feeling peaked in his head.