The Sun Becomes a Star
Finally
“You don't want us to eat first?” he screamed in the middle of the sound of his motor.
“Cant also anyway,” I said
“Let's eat first while chatting – chat so” I see his face in the rearview mirror.
“How?” ask again.
“You are. Free food cook I refused. But I have another idea,” I replied.
“What?”
“We buy food on the road. Let's eat where I showed you.”
We stopped at one of the stalls we found. We both love the same food. Fried chicken krispi.
“Where ?” Aaron asked.
“Jalan aja deh !” I led Aaron to one of my favorite places in Malang. Passing the road – road that is also passed by the river, several turns and also the road – road that uphill, I finally arrived at this place. High place that gives a beautiful view to see the City of Malang. Malang city that looks spacious, is under a valley and surrounded by mountains. It looks like a bowl.
“Great, I never knew this place before” said Aaron amazed.
“This place is great. You see that Malang is actually surrounded by mountains?”
“Yeah, I see. Kira – kira, which one is my school well ?”
“That must be at one of the points there” I pointed at one place with a towering building and then sat on the grass. Aaron caught. He opened his helmet and let fresh air sweep across his face. He closed his eyes then sighed in – deep. And at this point, I am officially melted.
“May”
“What?”
“I still don't feel good talking something bad about your Mama the other day.”
“I've forgotten it Aaron. Don't think about it anymore. If I want to talk to myself, I want to say the same to you. But somehow I undo that intention.”
“Trims. How does it feel to not have a Mama ?” he asked me while spreading his gaze to the middle of the city where the sky was not bright. Too much factory smoke and cars.
“Do not feel anything – what.”
“Any,” she said.
“It's not strange at all. I didn't know my Mama even when I started to be able to remember my whereabouts. It feels ordinary.The complete family for me is me and Papa. I only knew my Dad was starting out small so it wasn't hard for me not to have a Mama. This fact doesn't hurt for me Aaron. Except for the moment – at a certain moment I like to chase Papa with questions – questions around My Mom.”
“Means you are lucky May, because you have no memory of her.”
“What do you mean ?”
Aaron was silent for a moment. I saw him trying to catch his breath.
“I have many memories to my Mom.” I remembered Trisakti's story the other day.
“I'm sorry for your loss Aaron.”
“You know that story?”
I'm nodding.
“Every time I remember the event May, I always get angry”
“Why?”
“Why wasn't I the only one who died at the time. I think I just want to go. Get the fuck out of here. Not meeting Kevin, not meeting my – friends, not meeting my – brothers.”
“Do not talk like that Aaron.”
“You don't understand May. Because you never feel lost.”
“Maybe,” I answered like that larena is the fact that I have never lost anyone. I hope I won't lose anyone. Especially Papa.
“If you lose someone, you will feel sad every time you remember him. Given that you ever let him down, you will remember the word – he said. In fact, you will again remember things – things that you never remembered before, before he did not exist. Often you'll wake up in the morning hoping it's all just a dream. And you will come back sad, and angry once you realize that everything is real. Not dreams. That's where you want to go, May. So that the memories you have of him also go.”
“I'm sorry,” I said to show sympathy.
“No need May. I'm the one who should apologize. I said things that shouldn't be your burden.”
“I'm always grateful to have Papa Aaron. But that doesn't mean my relationship with him has been smooth – only. I often quarrel with him for – things that we should not fuss about. I always regret every time I finish a fight with him and can't wait for the moment – moments to apologize.”
“That's also what I often think of Kevin. After Mama and Papa died, he took care of all my needs. I only have him now May. I don't want to disappoint him again.”
“You must be very naughty.”
“Indeed. Next month Kevin will be engaged.” I was a little disappointed to hear that. Good thing I'm not right – really fell in love with Kevin.
“I've never felt like I lost Aaron. But I often feel lonely. You know if I'm aka single ?” I want to quickly – quickly forget Brother Kevin because Aaron is now standing in front of me.
“I know ..”
“Can Aaron say you're luckier because even if your parents aren't around, Kevin's always there for you. Papa though always made time for me, but he often left because of his work. At home I have no friends. Ehm .. actually has the hell. I have Imelda ..”
“Who is he ?”
I hesitated to answer, afraid that he would laugh at me.
“Promise you don't laugh ?”
Aaron grunting. If there's nothing I should laugh at why should I laugh ?”
“Imelda it .. My best friend in the world. You've heard of imaginative companions ?”
“Pernah .. but I guess that kind of friend is only owned by teenagers in America. In the place of – places where someone is difficult to have friends because everyone around him is busy wearing appearance as a size for example. But I guess it's not that bad here ... or are you that bad ?” I know he wants to joke. I could feel the angina caressing my face. This place is indeed cool as there are some big banyan growing around it.
“Imelda is arguably an imaginative friend .. but actually she is real ..”
“I don't understand or your words that confuse May ?”
“Imelda the tortoise – tortoise ..” I did not mishear that now I hear Aaron's laughter exploding.
“Says you won't laugh ?!” I pura – pura menggras.
“What a strange Aaron. People used to keep cats or dogs. They often talk to their pets. I guess it's not wrong if I choose – turtles instead of ?”
“Not …. Not wrong ... I just realized that you said you were talking to a turtle – yesterday is real. I guess you're talking origin.” the laugh still sounds obvious, but it's starting to subside. “Maybe when – when I'll have an ehm ...” Looks like he's thinking “ …. Elephants maybe?”
I bumped his shoulder and I blushed.
“Well, disregarding the fact that elephants are one of the most protected animals in the world, I suppose your suggestion may be …” things – light things that we chatted quickly dilute the rigid atmosphere we had before. This Aaron who was in front of me was not the Aaron who had the angry eyes I saw at his house the other day. We finished our fried chicken with gourmand. The afternoon was real – in fact not too bad, at least for both of us.
“May. I want to get good results for the upcoming exams. I have no problem with any lessons other than English. I need your help ..”
“You're serious Aaron ?”
“Did my face show that I was lying?” I saw his face. Funny face. I'm laughing a little.
“What ?”
“You're funny.”
“Iya, but what's your answer ?” he asked with a smile showing his neatly lined teeth.
“I need this job Aaron. How could I refuse ?” I bumped his shoulder.
We stood up to the motorcycle. Leaving my favorite place. I get my nose wet from a drop of water from the sky. Point – point that was rare now increasingly docked, making Aaron faster forward his motor. Several times he made a sudden brake and I was again forced to hold on to his waist. I hope we don't get bored on the road.
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Check out other stories written by Eveningtea81 in Noveltoon
1. Play your guitar, Sophie
2. The Sun Becomes a Star
