The Sun Becomes a Star

Ice Cream

Papa called me many – times. At the hour that I was supposed to be at my school, Jell and Trisakti called me. In addition, dozens of WA messages went to my HP. At a time like this, I want to be alone. Not really, I miss Aaron. Maybe this is called soul mate. Everyone yearns for others who are willing to link their lives. But he's sick.

So I stayed there, I did not feel hungry, nor thirsty. It feels calm, feel the wind caress your face, see the vast expanse of grass and the city of Malang at the base of ‘bangkok’. Here quiet, rarely heard the sound of cars and then tares or motorbikes that race fast. Only I hear the sound of leaves – tree leaves rubbing against each other, the sound of birds that sometimes – sometimes comes, and the sound of music ice cream sellers who usually pass in housing – housing. And the sound of the ice cream music was getting closer and closer. Mr. ice cream seller stopped with his bike near the tree where I was sitting, he didn't go – go.

My composure is disturbed, but this is a public place, I have no right to ask him to leave. But I want to calm down. And the ice cream salesman started saying,

“Mbak ... Ice cream Mbak ..”

I tried to be polite by saying, “No Sir, thank you.”

Then the Father began to ring his trumpet. It was a kind of trumpet with a rubber valve at one end and was used as an announcement to the whole housing, in addition to the music, telling me that it was coming. ‘Tet toty .. tet tot,’ many times he sounded.

“Mbak ice cream ... delicious ... seger ..” he said again.

Especially what happened to my life. Even the ice cream salesman wouldn't give me a little peace in my life.

He's back to my men tet tot. Many times – times and I gave up. I stood up, took the money in my wallet and walked up to him.

“Four Sir!” I said and the Father smiled widely. He took four ice creams and he put them in a crackle bag and gave them to me. “Thank you Ma'am,” he said then pedaled his bike away.

I finally got my peace back. I opened an ice cream and started eating it. Mr. ice cream seller with his big smile still reflected in my mind. I only bought four ice creams, which cost me well below the money I earned from working in Kevin's office every day, but the Father was already smiling happily.

The Father's life must be heavier than mine. To get a buyer who bought four ice creams alone, he had to mentally clash with me, not go – away from where he stood until I finally gave up and bought his ice cream. Maybe he had some kids at home waiting for him to give pocket money or money to buy books or money to pay for school supplies. Maybe many times – times his son asked for ice cream wares but he did not give. And I'm sitting here alone with four ice creams, one of which is about half. I heard the sound of a car approaching, but maybe it was just one of the cars that used to pass here.

“I know you are definitely here,” arrived – arrived his voice came and surprised me. Not likely. Aaron's been standing next to me, saucy with jeans and a t-shirt. Looks plaster in one of his hands, plaster used when you finish infused.

“Hah, why are you here?”

“Ngapain also you are here?” he asked mischievously.

“You can already get out of the hospital?” I asked curious. The last message from Aaron asked me if I was going to the hospital to see him.

“Neither, but I maksa.”

“Means?”

“I am addicted, not suffering from a disease that must be treated long in the hospital. All I need is rehabilitation, not a hospital with – drugs. I was there a long time would not influence I guess,” he said while sitting next to me. “Party here is an ice cream party, cook I won't come?” back he smiled mischievously. That smile had been overshadowing my thoughts these past few weeks.

“Take what you want,” I pushed my ice cream bag. Both of us enjoyed the morning that had begun to go that afternoon, the wind that caressed our faces and the sound of birds that sometimes came to change. If the ice cream salesman comes again, I'll throw him in my shoes for ruining this beautiful atmosphere.

Aaron took my hand.

“Your father is looking for you,” he said. “She told me what happened this morning.”

Then my tears broke again for the umpteenth time today. I cupped my two hands in my face and Aaron grabbed me. I cried in his chest.

“It should be in – times like this, I can support you. I feel what you feel. You have to be dizzy with my addiction, you have to work to meet some of your needs, which makes me like a soft and spoiled child, then your Papa who has a boyfriend, which I know you have a hard time accepting. When Kevin said he wanted to get married, I also kind of didn't accept it. After all this time, he had to divide his attention between me and his new family. And I'm sure he will prioritize his new family. He's a good brother, but I knew that would be the way it would be. I understand how you feel.”

I still cry. But there was a corner in my heart that wished that I was still pretty when I cried, because I didn't want Aaron to see me in such a bad state. In one of the lectures that Jell gave me, there was one course that explained how to stay beautiful when crying in front of guys. I giggle.

“Ngapain you laughing?” Aaron asked.

“What's – what. I'm reminded of Jell.”

“Review what?”

“Ga what – what,”

“Ah the chick breaks down a romantic morning only,”

We both laughed. I'm releasing myself from Aaron's embrace. I sat straight back looking at the poor city at the bottom of the giant bowl.

“And now May, you have to deal with your Mama who you haven't seen for a long time. I feel guilty for not being able to be your strength in – times like this. I even became one of your burdens. I'm sorry May,” Aaron said slowly.

“Don't say that Aaron. Of the many things that have happened in my life, you are one of my happiness. I don't even regret slapping your face when I met you first.” I imagined my first meeting with him.

“Iya, I also have no regrets kissing you at that time,” he smelled naughty again which I immediately greeted with a tonjokan on his shoulder.

“Let's go home, Your papa is looking for you.”

We both stood up. I'll get my bike.

“Now, I'm booing you,” I said. Aaron seemed unsure. The car was still on the side of the road, the driver was in it. Aaron seemed to have one of his drivers pick him up and drive him here.

“We take the car,” he says. The driver put my bike in the trunk and we passed. That guy squeezed my hand, I love it. 

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The Sun Becomes a Star