The Love Traces of RAHWANA

Quarry 21.

“Why are you discussing that?” I immediately judged Awan as soon as my father and mother went to the shop to take a picture together.

“Why? Can't?”

“Cannot!” Hardikku with a soft voice.

“I'm just honest about my wish.”

“And I told you.”

“That color, I hope you'll wait for me until I finish college. By the time it arrives, your commitment is over, isn't it?”

I just gawked. I really don't know what to answer. Is that the cloud to me? Wasn't his feeling just a temporary feeling of a teenage man in general? I assume all his words are just ordinary unstable teenagers.

“When are you back in jogja?”

“Entahlah. I haven't asked mom.” I'm glad the Clouds switched the conversation.

“Then, tomorrow morning I will take you to a place.”

“Where?”

“Reclaration.”

I cringed in wonder. Use the secrets of everything.

As I looked towards the guarantee, Sister Susan waved at me. He also pointed to the Clouds then asked the two of us to go there.

“Ayo, taken photo.” Take me to the Clouds.

Then we walked to the pelaminan and took pictures with both brides. I'm next to Susan's sister. And the Cloud next to Mas Mahli.

Actually, I've been curious about the parents of the clouds. But I dare not ask. It's too bad the clouds are so big.

The night after the party, we stayed at the bude house. Because we're tired, at 8 we're all asleep in Susan's room. I slept in that room with my mom and my bude.

I barely hear when my phone rings. My hand automatically touched the nightstand and immediately raised it.

“Hem?” I answered half-conscious. I don't know why I could hear the clouds over there.

“You're not awake?”

“Awan?”

“Iya, it's me.”

“What's up?” Ah, it feels lazy to open my mouth when my eyelids can not be invited to open like this.

“Wake up. I'll be arriving in half an hour.”

And that sentence immediately awakened me. My eyelids, which had been attached like glue, were now wide open. I looked at the wall clock in Susan's room. Still at 2 past 10. What are the clouds?

“What do you mean arrive in half an hour?”

“You forgot I'll take you away?”

“Yes but not this blind morning, Clouds. Where are you going so early in the morning?”

“To a place that will keep you memorable for life.”

“Still too early to joke, Awan.” My grunts. My heart almost fell out of fear of waking my mother and bude.

“I'm not kidding. Quick wake.”

Not a chance to refute, Awan has turned off his phone.

“Why, Nak?” Mom's hoarse voice. I looked to the side and saw the mother who had woken up. It must be because I'm noisy.

“Ehm..” I doubt I told mom. Afraid mommy gets angry.

“Who was calling?”

“Awan.”

“Why call this hour?”

“She said it will come in half an hour?”

“Today?”

I'm nodding. “She said she wanted to take me somewhere.”

Mother is getting cringing. Prepare to protest.

“Most want to see sunrise at Bromo.” Celtuk. I don't know when Bude woke up and heard our conversation.

“Leave it, lah. There are many in the morning. Stay here, Ra. When else see sunrise at Bromo.”

That bude sentence made mom melt. The squeaking look was gone from his face. Indeed, I have never set foot on Mount Bromo. This is my first time to Malang because the new bude family moved here a year from Surabaya. And during that year, I've never been to him.

I know, which heart of a mother does not worry about her daughter going blind with a man that even mother does not know. Maybe with Yuta, I'll agree. But Awan, we don't know anything about the Clouds other than his family background.

“Bby, Bu?” I was half afraid to ask.

“Promise carefully. If there is anything, quickly call Mom.” Say mother.

I fell and hugged my mother. I immediately went to the bathroom to wash my face. Change your sleepwear with thick clothing.

“Wear a thick jacket. It's gonna get cold there.” Bude.

“But I didn't bring a jacket.”

“Just wear your jacket in the closet. Choose the one you like.” Tawar bude is back.

I smiled then chose a thick and long light brown knee-length jacket. I think it'll warm me up enough later.

Mom drove me outside the house to wait for the clouds. Not long after, there was a car that stopped in front of the house.

A cloud emerged from the back seat and immediately approached us. He greeted mom and bude with a polite bow.

“Bu, can I take Ara away?”

I was surprised to hear the words of the clouds. Didn't think she'd ask my permission from mom.

“Iya. Careful bring Mother's daughter, yes.” Mother's message that looks relieved when she sees a woman sitting in front.

“Iya, Mom. I will definitely take good care of it.” My heart even trembled at the promise. Embarrassing.

“Ara go first, Bu.” Pamitku salutes mom.

Apparently, there's not just a cloud in that car. Except there was a distant cousin of Clouds with his wife as well. I just found out when I got in the car.

“Hai.” A woman sitting next to the wheel.

“Include, this is Mrs Ratih. And this is her husband, Mas Arif.”

“I Ara, Ma'am, Mas.” I introduced myself awkwardly.

Before leaving, Mrs Ratih also had time to nod at mother and bude.

The car started driving in its tracks late at night. Over time, began to climb the road rather uphill.

“Where are we going?” My Whisper to the Clouds. Because the atmosphere in the car was very awkward and bored me.

“Ara have been to Bromo?” Ask Mrs Ratih.

“Numbered, Mbak.”

“This good opportunity, Ra. We'll see sunrise later.” Obviously, coach again. Arif rarely opens his voice. He seems to be a quiet guy.

“Good yes, Mbak?” Ask again.

“Bangettttt.” Ratih's mother lured me. I'm getting impatient.

“So this was your first time here?” Cloud Whispers.

“He-em.”

“I'll make sure you won't forget this moment.” Whisper again.

Oh, my God, what did he say?

“You've been dating for a long time?” Ask Mrs Ratih again.

A boyfriend? Wh who? Me and the Clouds?

“Mbak, please don't ask that. We're shy.” Cloud Speech.

What kind of answer is that?

“Hahahahahaha.”

I was shocked when Mas Arif suddenly burst into laughter. What's so funny?

“Ya. May you guys last, yes.” Said Mrs Ratih again.

Ah, thankfully it's dark. I'm lucky the clouds didn't see my face that would've been blushing.

The car keeps climbing the road that's going nowhere, I don't know. But not long after, the car had stopped in a parking lot that turned out to be quite crowded. I glanced at the watch, it was 04:25. It was also a long journey from home.