THE STONE THAT LOVES

Just a brother

I put the painting back in the drawer, but I realized immediately that there was something strange about it. I was curious and took it back.

I tried to observe him so deeply, getting closer and closer.

His thin lips were propped up by hands, his tiny nose, his black round eyes, his thick eyebrows were joined together like a caterpillar holding together, and I was like I was looking at myself.

"It's not me, it's me, it's me" I pranced

I jumped on the bed so excitedly, lying still looking at the painting with an outward gaze that I could not believe.

I was kind of crazy, I smiled and cried myself out and today is the happiest day I've never seen.

I remember once, on the night that I was studying with Abi, I started to get dizzy with my brain because of my so many school assignments. I sat on the living room table with a slight drowsiness, I used my hand, to support my chin so that the curves of my lips were like a manyun.

It turned out that at that time Abi painted me, because at that time I had a glance at him, busy doodling on HVS paper that he took from my bookcase.

"But why did Mas Abi paint me?" ask in my heart

"Well, maybe because he's a prankster"

Actually there was a sense of dissatisfaction when I realized myself, that my relationship with him was limited to sister and kaka.

I haven't been able to decipher what I really feel. My heart always said not to expect far because it would not be possible.

The happiness that I feel today is only because on the basis of loving each other like my own brothers. Concern, attention and affection that I had not had before.

I do not consider it more than that because I also know our age is adrift very far and besides abi also has a lover of heart.

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

The days I went through with the same circumstances where the atmosphere was quiet before Abi came and became a friend to share the story.

The End of School Exam (UAS) arrived, I began to focus more on learning and not thinking about something that could interfere with the workings of my brain.

After the completion of UAS, a few weeks later the time of the report, the end of the Semester began and the school holidays have arrived.

"Dreeet, dreeet, dreeet" the sound of the phone shakes me

I picked it up and it turned out that there was one message from the new number

"Beeel, it's Fatih. Can we meet up and talk alone before I go to town for college" Fatih said

I thought for a few minutes to decide

"Tomorrow I'll go to school" I said

"Yes Beel, thank you"

It just so happens that tomorrow I have to go to school to return the library book I borrowed and it's time to get it back.

The next day, I was at school and headed straight to the library to return the book and went to the cafeteria.

Dikantin turned out to be Fatih, sitting alone . I approached her, she widened her lips by looking at me.

I sat in front of him, he was unceasingly smiling looking at me making me feel uncomfortable.

"Went to the library?" ask Fatih to start a conversation

"Udah" I answered briefly

"Tomorrow morning I'm going to the city, to go to college" he continued

I did not reply to his words, just focus on drinking Avocado juice that Fatih had ordered for me. I don't know where he knows if I really like Avocado.

"I don't want to mince words anymore beel, you may already know the meaning of my gaze all this time. At first I hesitated to convince myself, but it turned out that this feeling exploded on its own. I admire you more than friendship status or just a class to his underclassmen, I like you Beel" he said

Fatih seemed to be trying to tell what she felt all along.

"I didn't get my heart thinking there Ka" I said

"I'm not forcing you to understand any further than now Beel"

"Right now I'm just focused on the mind, not the love Ka"

""I know your nature Beel, our obsession is the same. I'm focused on my love, but once I get my love, I'll come back to see you, Beel. Even when your mind is unresolved, I will be patiently waiting for you"

I didn't say anything back, I didn't know what to say for Fatih to understand.

"I just want to keep you with your love until I come back to see you" he continued

"I thank Ka Fatih for admiring a woman like me" I concluded

"One day I will still meet you Beel, bringing the same taste and different circumstances"

I ignored him, I walked away from Fatih. I'm selfish, but here I am, a woman traumatized by a relationship.

"Do, re, mi, fa," ringtone sounds from my phone

I saw that my mother called me, I picked her up immediately.

"Hallo, Assalamualaikum ma'am" I said

"Walaikumsalam deck, what are you doing?" ask my mom

"Well, this is again on the way to go home from school to return the book to the library because the holidays have arrived" I explained

"Ooh, you're on vacation here, yes, same deck Aksa" Aksa is my sister's name

"Well, ma'am, come there, Abeel doesn't have to"

"Looh, why? do you think your sister could be here alone?"

"Jaudah later Abeel asked Aksa first, willing or unwilling"

"Yes deck, later when it reaches home kabari mother yes, Assallamualaikum"

"Waallaikumsallam" I replied while closing the connection

Arriving at home I immediately look for Aksa, it turns out he was in the kitchen

"Why else?" much

"Egg block Mba, Aksa laper" he replied

"Lauk is over this morning?"

"So Mba, grandma's gone not home yet"

I really feel sorry for him who has to be sued independently beyond his age who should play cheerfully with his peers. But the circumstances that make it must follow the flow of life.

"Sa, the mother was on the phone, Aksa want a vacation to Jakarta, no?" ask me later

"Mau Mba, Horeee, meet mom. The streets are the same mother" he replied with excitement

I decided to go with me to visit my mother. I can't possibly let my sister go alone to the city.

At night we leave because mom has booked travel majoring in Jakarta. I saw Aksa who was very happy. Along the way he was reluctant to close his eyes, always inviting me to talk to him.

The clock shows at 16:45, we have arrived in front of my mother's house. My mother and sister deliberately bought a house in Jakarta even though by taking a mortgage just to gather with family.

Mother approached us, and embraced Aksa as if she had not seen each other for decades. Well reasonable, because Aksa's the only and last boy.

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

I didn't feel like a week I was in Jakarta, I was very comfortable here, maybe because there was a mother who at all times spoiled both of us. Mother always prepared our room neatly and fragrantly, watching us in the morning before she left for work.

"Sir, you will be with your sister for 2 days to live in Lia bude house first yes" said my mother when we were having breakfast together

Bude Lia is my mother's brother, Mas Abi's mother. I used to meet him before Aksa, maybe I was about 7 years old, when my father was still with my mother.

"Looh, why's mom here?" ask me with curiosity

"Mom should join the mother's boss for the product exhibition in town A, I can't bear you two here with your sister"

My mother worked in one of the most famous cosmetic products at the time

"Cuman 2 days on deck, later after returning from the city A mother immediately pick you up" he explained

"But Abeel doesn't taste as good as bude Lia bu" my cry

"No papa, I told you I was bude Lia"

After breakfast, Aksa and I packed up to go to Bude Lia's place. I only brought 3 sets of clothes to change during my stay there.

The distance between my mother and bude Lia's house is not far, it only takes 45 minutes on the way. Kitapun reached the destination.