The Shah of First Love

YELLOW RICE

Now Kani is at the Library with Amarendra. Amarendra is confused because Kani still looks moody, yes he knows because Reva does not stop bothering but if he sees Kani weak like this, Reva will be more reckless.

Amarendra dropped his cheek on the table so that his face and Kani's face were facing. Kani silently looked at him, and vice versa.

“She interfered again today?” amarendra asked in a raucous voice.

“What after graduation, we can still meet?” asked Kani and Amarendra speechless, distancing his cheeks, why didn't he think about that? “You work or college?”

“Mother wants me to go to college, where's the money? Mother always felt our lives were still as before. I'm going to work. You, proceed where? I think it's still possible to meet, if you're willing.” Amarendra looked down miserably and Kani grabbed his hand, clasping tightly.

“Meet me and don't stop, I just have you and.I'll stop here, Maren.” Kani stared blankly and Amarendra swept around, she shifted closer.

“Kani...what does it mean?” amarendra whispered in the girl's ear. Kani turned her head just like that and the man's eyeballs widened. He retreated because he felt their faces were too close.

“I have to quit school,” whispered Kani. “Father is sick, Maren. It costs a lot while her work worsens her condition, I can't keep stubbornly chasing dreams and ignoring people I love.” His lips twitched and Amarendra closed his lips. Confused what to answer.

A moment later he replied. “Kani..”.

“Malang once, right?” Kani smiles, interrupts her speech then her smile changes with a small laugh and her tears fall. Amarendra looked down and Kani left. The bell has called to come in.

Later that night, Kani enjoys her dinner without saying much, her mother secretly notices. Kani is so good at eating yellow rice with omelet, tempe orek, and sambal. Mother cooks to celebrate her birthday that has passed because there is only money from the tandur porters to the rice fields today. Before eating it, Kani even took a picture, immortalizing it.

“Bu, I want to add.” Kani asked again for the third time.

“Not wrong, Tea?” Kenanga did not forbid but Kani had eaten too much.

“I feel too thin and have to eat a lot.” Kani smiled widely but her eyes were watering. Ms. Ismi covered her lips, holding back tears, she gave what her son and the other child were busy wondering inwardly. “Very good, I like.” Kani smiled with quivering lips, Miss Ismi bribed the food and swallowed the distress.

Time passed, it was 12, the house was quiet. Kani lay on her side facing the wall, crying silently. He sent the photo he took to Amarendra and Amarendra where he smiled.

Amarendra:

Happy birthday, I forgot, the best prayer for you. Just because one thing you want is paused, doesn't mean your other desires are gone. Believe that your life will still be better even if this one has to stop here, I love you and ILY! ^^^^^^^^^^^

 Kani did not reply and Amarendra who lay down his body continues to mind about Kani who will break up until here, will not continue. Let alone helping, comforting only he felt unable.

Amarendra continued to look up at the sky without stars, sighing fretfully and if he could call for demands on God to improve the life of his idol, would it be granted?

“You are the most powerful woman, the one I just found in this world, Kani after Mother. I love you.” Amarendra now looks at her picture with Kani on her phone screen, she makes wallpaper. He hopes that his existence and support can treat the heart that is afflicted by his puja, although a little is fine.

Besoknya di sekolah, Kani duduk di antara tiga laki-laki. Dia bersebelahan jelas dengan Amarendra.

“Nomormu bullied again?” amarendra and Kani asked.

“Si Om the?” Amarendra bit his lip, he provoked his own pain but Kani shook her head. “Means?”

“I've stopped connecting with him.” Kani turned her head as Amarendra stared fixedly. “Do not get bored when I bother you, I am confused to send a message to who else if not you.”

“I don't mind even if you interrupt every time.” Amarendra smiled with excitement.

“Huh?” Kani raised both eyebrows and Amarendra shook his head.

“Go, enter soon,” Amarendra said after staring at his watch. Kani stared for a moment, the man loved to wear a watch, it might be normal for those who are used to seeing but for Kani, it was the new thing he saw. Kani smiled and got up, someday, he would buy a new watch so that the man could manage his time better.

Amarendra tilted his head, staring at the girl's departure until Yana and Raihan looked at each other then glanced at her who continued to be glued.

“Like it's the same Kani?” chirping Yana and Amarendra were surprised, quickly changing where his eyes were headed as well with his thoughts.

“Friends only.” Her lips held a smile.

Yana and Raihan laughed mockingly at Amarendra's lie.

***

A few days later, Yana was silent, observing Kani who continued to write what was on the board. The others were noisy, boisterous, the teacher was not around. Right behind Kani, Teti and Reva continued to speak. Insinuating, cussing, and Kani opens the IPS thick packet book. He prefers to read but still cannot concentrate with those behind who continue to babble.

“Sok beautiful him when the Maren just pity the poor girl just a building porters child!” lantang Reva quipped and Kani started to get hooked. He put his ears on well and Rere who had started spreading it felt guilty.

“Arif just said, really, no one will be interested in him. Cucel, smell, dekil.” Reva added.

“Feel the smartest whereas the smartest in class is not him doang.” Teti.

“Now he's alone, yes, no friends. Who told you all kinds. Proud to feel defended by Maren, why did Maren also buy him, Tet?” Reva grinned and Teti quickly chimed in.

“Dikelonin times, it is very often he was piggybacked, do not know tuh brought where the same Maren.”

“Most to the bushes, install what rate Tet about?”

“Kan Maren handsome, like he got special service, do not have to pay instead can play around as much, Rev.”

“Bid, boil, indeed the Maren lust, so?” Reva looked up at Kani's hair, her hand now pulling the girl's hair. Kani pulls the package book, she gets up, and Reva whims back.

BRUKKKK.... Kani smashed the thick book right into Teti's face. The drops grimaced and cried. He was not theatrical, it really hurt, his nose immediately felt painful and the whole class panicked.

“YOU DARE FIGHT AING!!!” Reva hysterically screams, challenging Kani with harsh language. Kani had already pushed the table to continue in satisfaction of being challenged but Rara and Rere held her back.