The Sun Becomes a Star
Dating To Grandma's House
I missed a few weeks visiting Grandma's house. Although often scolded Grandma, but if long time no kangen taste it appears as well. And after some of my time with Aaron, I think it's also a good time for Grandma to meet Aaron.
As usual, Aaron drove his car very fast. I hit him a few times in the head. Up to a few kilometers to Grandma's house, she just slow down. About 20 miles per hour. He opened the helmet letting the cool breeze of Sunday waving his unflappable hair. I did the same thing. I felt the cold wind blow my face. We are the same – equally enjoy that trip …
“You can't stay in this place May ?”
“I will bear it if I have to,” I replied accordingly. I wrapped my hand around her waist and propped her chin on her shoulder.
“I want to stay in a place like this. Maybe I'll be May's farmer. Have a garden and a garden. I also want to raise chickens and ducks. What do you think ?”
“Beautiful dream actually. But you know khan .. dreams will definitely not be as beautiful as reality. Also parts ... ”
“What part?”
A couple of motorbikes were milling around us. The road to Grandma's house was a big road. Many sugar cane trucks passed by. So we have to be very careful – hearts if again the way here.
“One of my childhood dreams was to go to Jakarta. Might work there.”
“And so far you have never gone to Jakarta?”Aaron looked at me through the rearview mirror with a look of disbelief.
“Never at all. Aged – years, my life has always been in Malang. The furthest I go to Grandma's house or to Surabaya to Papa's office.”
“I didn't expect your life to suffer from that,” he grimaced.
“But you are dating the same girl suffering it khan?” I grimaced back too.
“Well I hope my presence can reduce her suffering,” I hit her shoulder.
“You're the one who should be grateful for me. Independent and not spoiled women even though they have never seen Jakarta.”
“Of course, I'm very happy. I think I need you more than you need me,” Aaron took one of his hands off the wheel and squeezed my hand.
I am melting ... melting …..
“Grandma what is May ?” Aaron switched the conversation. I'd rather we talk about our love. Uhuk …
I took a breath and answered.
“Actually she's a good Grandma. But you won't be able to feel his kindness with just one visit twice,”
“I often meet people like that,”
“And it will help you to understand it,” we both have arrived in front of Grandma's house. Aaron took his motorcycle in. Grandma seemed to be at the door, welcoming us with a smiling face.
“Granny misses you Har. Your dad called if you want to come here with your girlfriend..” Grandma kissed my cheek while glancing at Aaron who was busy locking his motorcycle.
“Wah ... dashing well .. it's not wrong you chose him,” I'm so embarrassed to hear the words Grandma. Everything related to the boyfriend, it always feels embarrassing to talk to Grandma or other adults.
“What's the father of work ?” Grandma asked me. Fortunately, Aaron has not yet entered.
“Two of his parents are dead, Grandma. She lives with her sister,”
“Oh ..” Grandma pause, “But she comes from a good family – well khan,”
“Aaron,”
“Wah .. western person name is used. Our country does not have enough name supplies until it has to export abroad. Just like your Papa was Har,”
“Ya Nek,” indeed said – words what can I say at that time other than yes Nek …
Aaron nodded his head to Grandma. Exactly as I expected. And at that time I was so grateful that Aaron's hair was not long, his body was not full of tattoos and his ears were not pierced. Aaron's been the perfect show for me in front of Grandma. If only Grandma, I could share a story about Aaron. I will be so relieved for sure.
Grandma took us inside the house, letting Aaron sit in the cozy living room.
“Make Har drink,” Grandma repeats traditions that I believe are passed down from every generation. From the mother, to the daughter. Make a drink of the guys who like them. But khan I don't have a mother. So it's not a necessity that I have to follow that tradition. But what made me have to do it was the fact that I had a grandmother. Indirectly, Grandma has an obligation to pass it on to me. Aaron smiled with matchless satisfaction. Seeing me made him drink, and sweetly served him.
“Thank you May,” Aaron held back his laughter.
“Please drink,” I say a word that must be said all girls who serve drink.
“There is cake in the kitchen Har. Get me Aaron,” again – again Grandma passed down her tradition and I saw how happy Aaron's face was. I almost heard him laughing. What do I do other than follow Grandma. As I walked into the kitchen I heard Grandma slowly ask,
“Nak Aaron mind if Grandma calls with another name ? Aryo for example ? Understandably ... This granny lives in the village .. her tongue is stiff when speaking unusual ..”
And I heard Aaron flutter ...”Ehm .. oh.. Grandma's proposal could be too. It might be good if I was called Aryo. If May was called what Nek ?”
“Granny call him Today. His father preferred a strange name. Thank goodness her last name is Indonesia once.so well mending Grandma call the last name only,”
Then I came carrying a tray full of cakes that apparently Grandma had prepared. A banana and a cake that was still warm when I touched it.
“Please Mas Aryo, eaten ..”
“Thanks Mbak Day,”
I admit he won.
For a while we talked about many things. Especially Grandma who asked Aaron a lot. Question – questions that will definitely make me uncomfortable if asked by someone I just knew. But it is usually – people as many as a generation of Granny naturally ask things – things like that. Question – questions like, “How much is your brother ?” “What do your parents work for?” “You still have blood ties with the palace family ?” or even more extreme “You have dinosaurs at home ?”. I'm grateful Aaron has a lot of patience for Grandma.
Apparently, in addition to having a legacy for me, Grandma also wanted to leave something to Aaron. Holding the philosophy that every man in our family is always respected and viewed for their ability to work, Grandma said,
“It just so happens that Nak Aryo is coming. Grandma again wants to clean – clean house. Want to help yah ..?” Aaron has no power to refuse a woman's request.
Thus began our work all that day, especially Aaron. His job is heavy. Tasks – tasks typical of men. Fixing precarious, patching the leaking roof, lifting this, lifting it and lifting another – others. Amazingly, sekan – will Aaron never tired. He always had the energy to solve everything. By late afternoon, when the sun was leaning west, Grandma's house was as big as the ball was right – was clean. Even Aaron asked Grandma,
“There's more ?” Grandma thought it was a joke. Aaron had gained Grandma's heart that day. Moreover, he has gained my heart. In fact, without him doing all that work, he has my heart.
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Check out other stories written by Eveningtea81 in Noveltoon
1. Play your guitar, Sophie
2. The Sun Becomes a Star
