The Sun Becomes a Star
Recognition
Aaron drove me to Grandma's. I don't want Grandma to see him. We're just friends. We're still friends. So it does not feel good if there is nothing – has immediately recognized him to Grandma.
Tonight arrived – arrived power outages. One of Grandma's employees said that one of the power lines collapsed in the rain. No electricity, no TV, no light. Arrived – just felt I went back to a few decades ago. When people – people here still use oil lamps for lighting.
Even though it's night but I get clear skies. The stars shine brightly without a hitch. It was amazing when I first realized that the light I saw from a sparkling star was actually emitted millions of years ago. Starlight took a long time before I was born to actually – can reach my eyes. Nature has many wonders.
The air was cold because it had just rained. I'd rather sit on the front porch because I can't stand being in the house with the darkness. Frog singing unpretentious – sahutan. And I sat down while playing my HP, contacting Jell and Trisakti. But it seems they have – activities each. Well that's okay. I open – open medsos and hope my battery does not drop quickly. In my heart I thought that in Malang, in my house, even though the power went out I would not be this tortured.
Grandma's not asleep yet. He forced himself to patch my clothes with oil lamps. I told you not to, but he insisted. What can I do ?
Arrived – arrived my HP vibrated, then rang. Papa called.
“May, you're at Grandma's house now ?”
“Iya Pa. when will Papa get home?”
“Still not necessarily May.”
“Not so next week ?”
“Hopefully so. You good – fine khan ?”
“Good Pa. but at home Grandma tormented so bad Pa. Sepi ... May can't stand..”.
“You're in trouble with Grandma again ?”
“Gak Pa, even Grandma is very good. But that bike was Pa. Not to mention if the power goes out now. Lucky for Papa to call. If Papa doesn't call, May will die of boredom ..”
“Ih ... so just say – talk dead all. Here May is, Papa, see that life is so cherished. Many people survive by all means. They do not want to die just because of boredom and power out ..”
“Iya is Pa. May khan joking ..”
“Not kidding May. It was his name spoiled and overrated – over ..”
“Papa is that anyway ? Cook never met May kept calling once talking is not good like that?”
“Sory. Papa's been lacking rest here. Papa misses you May. You must not miss Papa ..”
“Yah kangen is Pa. May can't send SMS. May's pulse is running out. May's money is enough to make way. In Jakarta how Pa ?” I asked while repelling some of the mosquitoes that tried to perch on my body.
“Everyone is at a loss here May. Papa look around the scene, the road is not as crowded as usual. Even an electronic market is empty of visitors. Papa thinks everyone is reluctant to leave the house ..”
“Papa not afraid ?”
“Gak is May. Papa here help each other friends – other Papa friends. If there is information, we will tell each other. But then it was May, Papa rarely rested. Every second there must be new news ..”
“Iya tuh Pa's. Same here too. Although it may not be as extreme as in Jakarta, but some of May's friends also feel fear. In fact, last time May went home to Grandma's house with May's friend, May saw some police check the ID card of people – people who passed ..”
“Wait .. wait ... feeling you've never been piggybacked on a motorcycle friend before?”
“Oh .. uh ... ehm ..”
“What girl may ?”
“Cowok Pa..,” I said doubt – hesitate, fearing Papa's reaction.
“Sister Kevin ?”
“Iya, yes Kevin.”
“Not Pa. She's not. Kevin's brother didn't get on the bike, he got in the car. The May bell was her sister”
“Oh .. that's well .. can't his brother want to get his sister just?” Papa seduces.
“Well, please Pa”
“Terms really this ?”
“Do not know Pa. Kevin's brother apparently wants a fiancee next month. May already has no place anymore khan ?” I let out a disappointed tone while snorting.
“That's May, why Papa doesn't want you fast – quickly decide before everything is for sure.”
“Iya Pa's. May knows kok.”
“Good. Heart – be careful May. The important thing is you can take care of yourself and Papa is sure you can. Don't let Papa be disappointed and worried about leaving you alone May. Papa does not want you to be a girl who has no stance and easily seduced by a guy whose heart is evil,” not only this once Papa gave me such advice. Every time I hear it, it makes a different feeling. Sometimes I feel like a child, bored, feeling underestimated but other times I feel happy, cared for and proud to have Papa like Ndaru Pambudi. As of this moment …
“He Pa. May promise…. “
“Kok answer ‘iya deh’ seems like you are not very willing May?”
“Iya .. Yes Pa. May is not just a promise. But May assures Papa that May knows how to take care of herself. Remind us when we watch Discover Channel about Zebra who can run from the Lion?”
“You remember that ? Papa almost forgot that you do not ngingetin ..”
“Papa said that May's body was equipped to protect itself,” I said to Papa. My ears are getting hot.
“More than that May. I hope you can protect your heart other than your body. Papa is sure you understand. You know May ? It's sad to see so many tears here. Papa is sure that all this can be prevented as long as everyone starts to care for each other.”
“Iya Pa ..”
“It was May. Say hello Papa to Grandma yah.”
“OK.” Papa hung up. I see on my HP screen that is still on my battery is almost gone. I decided to turn it off, he said, so that my battery would not drop easily.
I looked at the sky again. Still showing the same bright. It's still not too late actually, but under these circumstances, I'd rather go to bed early. I saw in Grandma's living room there was no more. This big house is right – really deserted. Especially with a dim oil lamp not too successful to get rid of the dark. I'm afraid to sleep alone in this big, dark house. I peeked at Grandma's room. It seemed like she was already sleeping, but her eyes were so quickly opened when I tilted my head in her room.
“What's Har ?”
“May scared Nek,” like know my heart Grandma said,
“Already, sleep here with grandma.” I lay my body down next to Grandma. Grandma's bed is a kapok bed, given camphor on each side so that no lice are inhabited. Still clear sounding frog – frogs singing. Maybe they sing in the fish pond that's behind the house. Usually, about – about one month after November, I will get – tadpoles small black tadpole swim – swim to and fro. Tadpole – tadpole it will change shape. His hind legs will grow, his tail will disappear until long – long tadpole shape I will not find again. All I found was a frog – little frogs jumping here and there. With the thought of a little tadpole turning into a cute frog, I slept. Next to Grandma who snores softly. I didn't get to say good night to Imelda, but I'm sure she was partying after a mosquito hunt. Good night everyone.
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Check out other stories written by Eveningtea81 in Noveltoon
1. Play your guitar, Sophie
2. The Sun Becomes a Star
