The Shah of First Love

DISILLUSIONED

At home, Kani sits on the porch of her house, lazy inside because her mother continues to urge her to sell her cell phone quickly even though Mr. Muji has said that Kani does not need to sell it. Honey also because the price must be much cheaper, mending if you are satisfied to wear it. It's only been a few weeks, Mr. Muji couldn't bear it.

Kani raises her face when Dahlia comes. His face was ready to spout fire at his sister who was slow to go home.

“Where were you going, Dahlia? Or you're the one who accused me of dating but you're the one who is?” the accusation was a toilet and Dahlia shook her head in disbelief at what she heard.

His hands pointed from the bottom up. “Who would like me, Tea? Appearance like this, which man is interested in women who wear all the used goods of others let alone his sister!” she exasperated and Kani snorted.

His hand violently pulled Dahlia's bag. Dahlia prevents and confuses what Kani is looking for. She also asks Kani why she came to class just looking for her bag. She suspects Kani put in the trash or animals she fears because she was angry because of the fight that day.

Kani takes out a black plastic from the smallest bag that the zipper even jammed never used Dahlia. He knew very well the bag was because of its former.

Kani passes, ignoring Dahlia's questions and accusations. Dahlia hissed and entered, when her brother bodo wanted to go where.

***

Already half an hour walking in tears, Kani hastily, occasionally wiping her cheeks wet with tears. He was tired and paused for a moment, holding onto his two sore knees. He used to walk a long way, why in this crucial moment his legs felt heavy for him to move.

His mother urged him to sell his cell phone. He quickly tried to keep going, not stopping crying until he reached the Terminal, right across from the biggest cell phone booth in the Terminal. Kani squeezed the plastic bag she had hidden in her shirt bag, her face scared, her eyes observant observing around. He looked alert and alert, worried about everyone, even though no one cared about him. Not with a man in shabby clothes who works at Pak Haji Salim's shop. He recognized Kani.

Kani held her thigh, her knees felt trembling, heavy to cross and get there to launch her intention. His common sense says he should return but his worries push him to confirm his intentions. Rotten intentions and Kani is forced, she crosses over, almost gagged. He would wait for the booth to be quiet because there were four people in line, had also glanced at him. Kani felt it was a look of suspicion when they were ordinary.

The man walked to his employer's shop, saw Amarendra was serving the buyer because his brother was not there.

“Maren, I saw the girl in Ahmad's booth, what was she doing? Looks chaotic to cross alone not careful!” The man was standing in front of the storefront. Amarendra frowned in wonder and his Abah came in.

“Maren.” He called her and she looked. “Do not make trouble. Look at the boy,” Abahah's word and Amarendra nodded.

“Why is that girl too.” Abah grumbled, sitting down to count the groceries they had been waiting for.

“Custom, Mr. Haji. Children today love story ribet. Maybe another fight.” The man grinned and Abah shook his head.

Back at the booth, Kani had already given her what she had brought. The owner of the store looked at him.

“You sold how much?” tanyanya and Kani felt her hands sweat.

“700.” Kani stammered and the man put down the phone.

“Paling 450, new price only 800, Neng. The juice is also not.” He lowered the price no kidding and Kani exhaled a heavy breath.

“550, Sir. The price is far.” Kani protests, urges and the man holds his chin up looking at her.

“You're Mr Muji's son, yes? Not only a few weeks he bought a cell phone for you, your father bought it from here because the price of the phone in the city is expensive and also I again kepepet need capital. Who is this HP? I have known your father for a long time. He loved telling me about his family, especially his biggest son. Who are you telling to sell HP?” The man named Ahmad even interrogated because he felt something was awkward. He knew how the economy of his friend, Mr. Muji his good friend, and Mr. Muji often told him many even difficult situations because he believed in Ahmad. Ahmad even came to Pak Muji's house several times but it seems Kani forgot.

Kani gulped, lowered her head, almost cried then she was shocked when the phone was grabbed by someone.

“Saya yang menyuruh. Saya nggak jadi menjual ponsel ini, Bang. Maaf.” Amarendra menjelaskan sambil menatap tajam Kani. Ahmad kenal siapa pemuda tersebut dan dia percaya. “Tolong jangan bilang-bilang sama bapaknya Kani, Bang. Dia akan terkena masalah nanti.” Amarendra melemah dan Kani semakin menekuk wajahnya.

Amarendra went into a quiet alley, Kani cried hysterically and Amarendra turned around, raising his hand.

“This is Reva's phone, right? You're crazy...Kani!” Amarendra snapped and Kani continued to cry. “Why, anyway? You stole.” Amarendra stared fiercely and Kani kept her head down.

“I need money, I can't sell my phone, I just got. My father is sick that's why.” Kani explained in a choked voice, continuing to cry and Amarendra stared in disappointment.

Amarendra pulls Kani's hand rough and Kani defends herself. “Go home, I'll drive home.” His voice trembled, not expecting even he would not look at Kani for now and Kani who realized it was getting louder with her cries.

Kani sits limp, pleading with Amarendra not to tell her parents or anyone else, which would ruin the family's good name and everyone would look down on her.

“You think this way can solve the problem? Did you bring your sick father to treat him with stolen money? Look at me, Kani, look!” Amarendra was angry that the girl kept her head down, she pulled Kani's chin so that their eyes would look at each other. “Soften, Kani. This is not how it works!!”

“Maren, I beg you. I promise I won't repeat this.I can't imagine my family's upset reaction if they know I'm like this.” Kani clutched the man's shirt, pulling it until Amarendra who was crouching in front of him almost hit him. Kani kept gripping then crying with her face leaning against the young man's chest.

Amarendra felt dizzy and confused. He was silent and felt the girl's tears pierce through to wet his chest. Kani won't let go until she promises she won't divulge this incident to anyone.

Amarendra finally agreed, half-heartedly. He's very disappointed. Asking to be released but Kani continues to cry. Amarendra looked down who was staring out of nowhere, he could smell the scent of the girl's hair. After hard-earned convincing him, Kani finally loosened his grip and followed where Amarendra was walking.

Kani observes around, she is asked to wait in front of a Bank and Amarendra enters to take the money.

Amarendra has inserted his Atm card. He looked at Kani who was standing there. Amarendra confirmed his heart, he entered the PIN. Withdrawing his allowance which he always ironed so that he could save a little for the sake if there was something urgent. The ATM card belongs to his mother, he holds it and his mother has another.

Kani turned her head when she heard the sound of the ATM door opening. Amarendra put in his wallet and took him away to pick up the bike he could take from the Workshop today.

Kani hugged Amarendra's waist tightly. His cheeks were resting on Amarendra's back.

“Do not cry or I drop it here!” firmly Amarendra reprimanded when he felt his back wet and Kani quickly wiped her tears.

Before long, they stopped and sat down on a fragile chair, under a guava tree, staring at the expanse of rice fields and rivers far away. Kani never drank the drink given by Amarendra. While the man had finished gulping and silent silent. Both of them hesitated to talk. Disappointed Amarendra and embarrassed Kani.

Slowly, Kani turned her head, looking at Amarendra who would not look back at her. Kani ventured to speak, her mouth open but she was stopped when the man's hand was outstretched with a red sheet of money.

“Take.” Amarendra still did not want to stare. Kani shook her head and Amarendra placed it forcibly on Kani's lap. He stood up and held his bicycle handlebars, ready to drive the girl home.

“I can't accept it, it's weird and will invite a lot of questions from my family. I don't want.” Kani approaches, gives the money back and Amarendra looks down. “I can also go home by myself.”

Amarendra raised his unfriendly face.

“Don't piss me off, Kani.” His gaze was sharp and Kani threw away her face. Amarendra's attitude managed to make his chest tight and he was eager to cry but he held it.

Finally, Amarendra drove him home without speaking and without saying goodbye after Kani got off her bike.

Kani stood up, looked at her friend's departure and her cheeks wet again.