The Shah of First Love

HONED

Elsewhere, in a city with very hot air stung the skin, it did not make the building workers who were building a shop. One of the workers was Mr. Muji. A 36-year-old man struggling to make a living to support his family in the village. A man who is notoriously friendly at work, in association, especially in his village. A simple figure, pious, never leaves his obligations when busy or tired. Although sometimes, the foreman always scolded him, allegedly berleha-leha.

“Pak, a virgin married yet?” exclaimed his friend Jarwo who heard that Mr. Muji had a beautiful virgin child.  

With a small laugh he replied. “Still school, SMP.”

“Kirain has finished school, want me to match with my son.” Jarwo chuckled as he glanced at his son who had come to work with him. Mr. Muji was silent, still smiling even though he looked a little forced. “No need to SMA, Sir. Girls do not need high school, the most important thing he understands after marriage about his obligations on the mattress, in the well, in the kitchen.” He continued then laughed and Mr. Muji shook his head while putting on a warm smile.

“My wife and I were stupid, not in high school, just up to Elementary School. If it's kids, I want all high school. Life is getting more advanced, important even though the edges of women at home. So a wife and a mother, right, have to be smart, sir.” Mr. Muji retorted cautiously, afraid that his friend was hurt. Sure enough, his friend was snorting violently.

“Ah, Mr. Muji. We are just coolies, we have to be a lot of self-conscious. Realistic course, sir,” he said then throw his face, away while muttering cursing.

Mr. Muji just laughed insipidly, trying to be okay even though his spirit was broken by his friend's words.

In his heart, Mr. Muji was willing to let the biggest and most beautiful child to his friend's child. He doesn't want a life like this for his grandchildren, there's nothing wrong with Mr. Muji's wishes. All parents want the best.

****

“Why are you late?” said Teti with Kani who just came out of class.

“I woke up late,” replied Kani while holding a book that she should immediately return to the Library.

“WOY! Come jajan!” reva and Teti shouted.

“Ayo..,” says Teti but Kani interrupts.

“I have to go to Library.” Kani steps away and Teti sighs.

Kani continued to step up even covering her head with her gray hoodie jacket that had worn off. After he entered the Library, he explored, looking for the next book for him to read. Kani was silent for a moment when she saw a book called Animal Farm Novel George Orwell that caught her attention. His hand was raised to grab but someone else took it first. Kani was silent when she saw the new student with her friends. He even accidentally touched the back of the man's hand.

“Kani, what a pity, our friend took it first.” High School student Raihan was a little mocking while embracing Amarendra's shoulder. Kani snorted and passed.

“Wait,” said the young man who embraced Raihan was chasing. Kani turned around and looked at him. “Ambil.” He stretched out the book and Kani shook her head.

“I've read it, just saw.” He smiled widely and moved his hand, Kani never accepted. “Amarendra.” The young man introduced himself, pointed to the name on his uniform and Kani received the book. His face slowly lowered as he found that both of Amarendra's eyes were fixed, Amarendra smiled subtly as the two eyes turned away from him.

“Thank you,” said Kani flat then she melengos. Amarendra nodded and turned his head as Raihan embraced his shoulder.

“You know him, Rai?” Amarendra asked as he continued to pay attention to the girl.

“We are from the same village, yes, I know. He was quiet,” Raihan replied and Amarendra glanced at the head of the girl drowning behind the steps.

In the days that followed, Amarendra always noticed Kani every chance, the girl was different, sour but sweet, jutek but innocent, quiet but firm, he had never found such a girl. Always alone, struggling with various books until he knows that Kani is one of the outstanding students.

Amarendra was silent as Kani passed by, the girl always passing in front of him but never looked back at him in the least. Amarendra does not know that Kani is beginning to realize the gaze she always gives and Kani does not like it. The more he looked, the more he avoided.

“He's handsome, different, lah. He must be a rich man,” Reva whispered. Keep looking at Amarendra.

Teti frowning. “What rich people do to this school? The school is a lot of good, he also uses a bicycle, high school children who we usually see cool take a motorcycle. Lah, him?” cibir Teti and Reva chuckled.

“Yes maybe he's a really simple guy, Tet.”

“Ah shut up you, if your boyfriend Arif hears, break up later cry.” Teti sneered because Reva and Arif's relationship was broken.

The two nudged each other and laughed, then separated.  

***

Monday is a shitty day. Kani is sun-dried with seven other students, there are Junior High School and High School students. Kani was five minutes late, teacher BK had pulled him into the middle of the field because it was late, even though the ceremony had not been started. Kani lowered her head, she felt glare with the sunlight that doused her. The neatly lined up disciples whispered, making fun of those who were punished.

“Plate hold him,” whispered Rara to her sister Rere. Both are twin brothers.

Reva and Teti blink their eyes, although Rara's words do not corner Kani.

“Sama sister class, anyway, no shame. The shame is seen by the Senior High School brothers. Ish, ish!” said Rosi.

“Ah you are also often late.” The image chuckled and Rosi could not cope with it, only belching and Yana the head of their class next door glanced over for the women to shut up.

After the ceremony was over, everything dispersed, chatting for a while, the bell had already rung. Amarendra and Raihan walk in the middle of the field. Returning from the Hall. The girls in the class stood up, peeking, the teacher had not yet entered their teaching hours. Also included in Class 3 Junior High. Reva reached out on her tiptoes to see Amarendra.

“Sit.” From the front Kani pulls her arm and Reva gasps to see the teacher enter.

“She's handsome, you know, Tet.” Reva spoke to Teti next to him. Behind them Kani and Citra stared at each other. The image shows a dislike for Reva's attitude which is flirtatious with every man while Arif is her brother.

“Sabar,” whispered Kani and Citra wasting a rough breath. She wanted so much to rebuke Reva, she could not bear her brother who adored Reva so much but Reva always did. Only desire can never do it, Citra dare not.

During the usual break, Amarendra still noticed Kani. The girl was completely indifferent and uninterested in him, the more she wanted to get closer.  Kani who is always silent, sometimes runs away when Heri is about to drive his way, explained Amarendra aware that Kani is not comfortable being approached by Heri who is annoying and likes to talk about stupid things in class. Amarendra was even astonished, why could such a girl have a relationship with Heri, what was urged? He was very sorry. As a man, he knew the wildness and filthiness of Heri's thoughts and mannerisms despite having just seen the boy. Amarendra was afraid that Heri was using the very innocent Kani.

While Heri is always upset when Kani moves away, she even repeatedly urges Teti to give Kani her mobile number and Teti can't, neither does she. During the dating, Heri and Kani never close for long let alone send messages to each other. Heri feels Kani really does not really want to be with him.

Returning home from school, Reva and Teti invite Kani and Citra to meet their respective girlfriends behind the school. Unvoluntary like his friends, Kani always looks forced, she is in touch with Heri because of her matchmaking by Reva and Teti. Heri knows only she has the taste but she won't give up.

Right now, Kani is busy with books and clogging her ears with songs. Than talking to him. Reva, Teti, and Citra are either on the other side, perhaps under a banana tree, down there by the river, or in negotiating bushes. Kani is not innocent, she knows what her friends like when dating.

While he, imagining kissing with Heri alone felt nauseous. Her lips are still a virgin like her crown. Her father said that every inch of her body must be well guarded and only deserved to be given to her husband later, and Kani obviously would not want if Heri would be her husband. He's better single. Honestly, Heri is not ugly very, quite popular, but Kani's heart is not that easy to knock let alone stop by.