The House in the Middle of Sawah

Febi's Birthday

I was sitting in the SPBU prayer hall where Mr. Ndori was working, waiting for Irul who was going to the toilet. After hurrying away from my house full of offerings, I and Irul plan to go straight to Oslo steak to meet Febi's invitation. But after entering the city area, the kunyuk Irul asked to stop at SPBU. Kebelet pup said. Maybe so afraid of stepping on the offerings earlier to his stomach mules.

I felt my anger towards Father and Mbah Kadir overflowing. Why would they conspire to do such things? What rituals did Mbah Kadir perform? Don't-don't, my family's been doing the wedding all this time. Lik Diran is also involved, isn't Lik Diran very rich for the size of the farmers in the village? However, if you do the assignment why my family life is mediocre? Ahhhh, I don't understand. I have to ask you later, I have to!

"Son, it's not good to daydream like that", greet someone next to me, friendly. I was quite surprised, because I did not feel the presence of someone, and he was Mr. Ndori.

"Eh uh, mr. Ndori. . .", I stuttered a little.

"Nglamunin what the hell is son? Pity you where young but kayak has a burden, think of the world. .he he he", Mr. Ndori chuckled.

"No sir, there are many more college assignments" I look for excuses, it is not possible to tell a stranger, my house has its offerings.

"Well, the name of the person must have the burden of each other's minds. Maybe when we have a problem we feel the most unlucky to live in the world, and we feel like alone to endure it. We are not alone, I, you, we all have our own problems. Today we may get a test of the problems that exist, but it could be a blessing and wisdom tomorrow. Because tomorrow is a mystery, the important thing is that we have tried our best to live today. Cheer up Nak, spirit up", Mr. Ndori patted me on the shoulder.

I fell silent, digesting what Mr. Ndori said. Wise advice from a father I just met. Advice never given by my own father.

"Did? Why bengong? Kesambet?", A loud pat on the shoulder, the kunyuk Irul the culprit.

"Sick nyuukk", I stroked my shoulder, it was hot.

"Nih again chat with Mr. Ndo. . .", My sentence stopped, because when I turned my head, Mr. Ndori was no longer beside me.

"Huh? Who are you talking to?", Irul frowned, there was no one else but me.

"So, there are the officers of SPBU my acquaintance, maybe he is serving consumers again", I explained to Irul who was still confused.

"Udaahh, come home. . .eh, to Oslo steak", I take Irul in a hurry.

Irul scratched his head, then followed me, trailing behind me. We finally glided to Oslo steak, although I was still lazy to meet Febi, but I already agreed to Irul's invitation earlier.

...* * *...

Arriving at the Oslo steak parking lot, there are already Nita, Hasan and some other classmates. It seems that not all came or not all were invited. There were also children I didn't recognize, apparently BK's and some from other majors.

"Njiirr, Ayuk's saucy", Irul enthusiastically, saw Ayuk, one of the prima donna girls in BK's program, Febi's friend.

"Ilerr mu nyukk, on lap sono pack tissue", I pushed Irul's shoulder, so that Irul immediately turned away. Right now Irul looks like a cat looking at a cob.

"Hyualah Rulll, do not be shy ta laahh. .", Nita approached us, followed by pushing Irul invite him to immediately enter the place to eat.

"Like acarane gedhe yes, many invited, more money nih son of a tenacious boss", Hasan muttered, join me, Irul and Nita.

"It doesn't feel right, our friend Erni still hasn't woken up at the Hospital, Febi instead did a game-like game show", Nita muttered, looking sad.

"Yes, you really" I agree with Nita. However Erni is currently struggling in her pain, as a close friend, Febi does not fit it feels like rejoicing in this way.

"Heh. .you don't destroy the atmosphere of doong, Kasian Febi later. I'm sure Febi is also sad about Erni right now. But yes, again, it's his birthday. And legitimately celebrate the age of accretion . . .", Irul sounded sewot, defending Febi.

"Erni our friends, Febi also our friends. Yes, it is our duty to pray for Erni's recovery, and it is also our duty to be happy for Febi. So the temen is fair dong", again, Irul nyerocos is not clear.

"We?? Lu aja kalii. .", I still argue.

"Suuudaaaaaaaahhh. .ayooo masuuukkkkk, steak and cold burrow in the dalem", Hasan mediates this coachman debate. Take me and Irul to get inside. Erni follows in the back of the sequence.

It turned out that Febi was already inside, sitting on one of the chairs, with a very long table in front of him. Seeing us coming Febi immediately ran a small welcome run.

"Thank you for coming" Febi smiled looking happy. This time she wears a pink t-shirt with beige jeans, her lips wear lipstick in matching color with her t-shirt, fits. Uh, why am I paying attention to him like this anyway.

"Happy twentieth birthday yes Feee. .sweet 20", Nita hugs Febi.

"Congratulations Fee", Irul and Hasan compactly congratulate. I just shut up.

"Yes, you sit down, just sit down" Febi invited us to sit down. Hasan, Irul, and Nita immediately took a seat, leaving me both with Febi standing by the door.

"Emmm, and thank you for coming" Febi said softly, his hand holding my arm, soft.

"Yes", I answered briefly.

"Daann, I'm sorry yes, if I'm wrong with you", Febi looked at me, I glanced at her, and averted my eyes.

"Yes", again, I answered short, not wanting to prolong the conversation.

"Sit yok, anyway I'm very happy you've come, I want to go ahead first, it's met you-men", Febi asked me to sit down immediately, with half a run he came out and ran to his other friends.

I dragged my steps, sat in a chair with the others. Can we have fun like this, when one of our friends is fighting for his life, his recovery? Or did Febi not think of Erni as her best friend? I don't know, I'm not smart enough to judge friendship rates, let alone girl friendships.

"No pesen what?", Irul thrust a menu list at me.

"Sego pecel nyuk", I answered flatly.

"Mbahmuuu. .mbok thought this was the canteen e Mak Emi deket campus", Irul was annoyed with my reply.

"San, you know, the Sogo Girl account that sent you a photo at that time, in her bio listed the date of birth of April 4, today", I said to Hasan who was in front of me half-whispering. Suddenly I remembered the account of Sogo Girl.

"Huh? Real ones? So, Sogo Girl the Febi you mean?", Hasan was strangled.

"Sst! Don't be so loud!", I put my index finger in front of my mouth. Hasan reflexes shut her mouth.

"What the hell? What account?", Nita who heard, join the drift. While Irul was busy flipping back the menu list.

I was going to tell Nita. But I did not open my mouth, Febi and other friends rushed in and joined us. The atmosphere became very boisterous. And the one who immediately looks the most enthusiastic for the current caper is the Kunyuk Irul. He was so eager to try to be funny in front of other prodi girls. Fuck the Kunyuk. While I feel lonely myself in the middle of this crowd.