Tidying Up Asa, Inviting Hidayah

112. The Tolerance Limit

🍁Jealousy and love are two flavors that come together and interrelate🍁

Hara's.

“Late this week the cafe will open,” I switched the topic of conversation, when Jenar told me about childhood with his family. Not dislike, I just felt my childhood was more and more unattractive after hearing the story.

Jenar nodded, “Tadi Nalini told me about it.”

I frowned, could the opening of the cafe be bad news for Jenar.

“You want to come?” my fanc.

Jenar shrugged, then replied briefly, “Not yet to know.”

“If you feel uncomfortable, there is no need to come.” I'm trying to make a suggestion.

“No problem for me to come to the tasyakuran event, just have not asked permission to father. So do not know yet can come or not.” replied Jenar while sighing long.

I understand, Jenar always ask permission of her parents if they want to do anything outside of college. Moreover, the opening ceremony of the cafe was held at night, can be blamed if he did not ask permission.

“Pak Hara is coming?” Jenar returned the question.

I nodded, “Ya. Akbar said I had to come, besides who filled the Gus Hafidz event so I all delivered. If you want to be together, I can pick you up first.”

Jenar nodded. I hope he considers my good intentions and immediately asks his father for permission.

“Tomorrow I will tell you, if you can get permission from father.” replied Jenar.

I nodded, picked up a cigarette, then lit it. Either the stem to how much I sucked up during waiting for Jenar salat, then eat. Although long, but did not feel bored waiting for him. Even want to linger watching him eat, face flushed because the spiciness I think is funny.

The conversation had already been a few days, but I still clearly remembered it in my mind. This morning I'll make sure to come back, whether he comes or not. Let it be late in the afternoon, I can arrange a time to pick her up, before dropping off Gus Hafidz.

For a long time my phone call was not picked up by Jenar, I have repeated the call twice. Yesterday he was quick to lift, why not this morning? What the hell, the kid?

After almost frustration call him many times, but not answered. Finally he called me back.

“What's up, anyway? From earlier my phone was not picked up.” cecarku once the phone connection is connected.

However, it was not the answer I got, but rather the greeting with a cheerful tone that I recently got every morning.

“Good morning, Mr Hara? How are you this morning?” senar sapa.

“Not good! This morning almost messed up because you didn't pick up my phone.” grumbled.

“Morning is not good nagging Mr. Hara, wrinkles on the face of the father are more clear if the anger continues.”

Reflex I feel the skin of the face with the palm of the hand. From the forehead, down to the cheeks, then glazed over the window. There are indeed thin wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes, but not very visible. Uh! Jenar pranking me, definitely.

“Do not switch the conversation! You haven't answered my question.” ketusku.

I heard a little laugh. Though invisible, Jenar must be laughing at me across the street.

“Sorry, Mr. Hara. I was on the bus, not feeling good to the other passengers if I picked up the phone. Lagian was afraid of passing the descent, because Mr. Hara if the phone must be long.” replied Jenar explained, the collision he had left at this hour.

I furrowed my brows, this kid is really smart to reason. When did I call him long? Every morning is no more than half an hour, isn't that just a moment?

“I have brought a stock of healthy food, water, umbrellas and sandals. No one forgot, last night Mr. Hara also sent a message. Because this morning there was an exam, so I left earlier than usual. I see, yes, at a glance info from me.”

Hearing the long words that Jenar said, the corner of my lips reflexively lifted up. That kid was adorable, every attitude and demeanor of his managed to grab all my attention. Makes me always want to know the news, do not want to escape even a day.

“It was, yes, sir. I want to go to class.” said Jenar disperse my wish that had just traveled.

“Wait!” prevent me, so that Jenar does not rush to hang up the phone.

“Just ask, later in the afternoon you so come to the cafe opening or not?” I asked quickly, worried that Jenar would cut off the conversation.

“Ehm ...,” the girl sounded hesitant to answer, “Have asked father's permission, anyway.”

“Terus?” my chase.

“Say dad can be the same friend leave and go home. Nah! I do not know anyone to invite or not.” continued Jenar.

“There is Nalini there, or you can also invite Aina,” my proposal.

“I am not very familiar with Nalini, if Aina said she has an event today, so can not join.”

“In conclusion, you won't come?” my guess.

“Not yet, Sir. If suddenly Aina wants to be invited, yes, I came.”

“Oke, then. Let me know if you want to come, yeah! Let me pick up.” does not have the heart to let Jenar go and go home alone. Although actually he can stop first at Aina's place after college, which is not too far from the campus and cafe.

“Insyaalloh.” the answer is short.

“If I do not tell you, it means not to come.” becomes the closing sentence that Genar said before our phone connection was completely cut off.

Although only a short and ordinary conversation, but calling Jenar can make my morning feel so bright. The blue sky, with only a few white clouds, looks like a brushstroke in a real-life painting. The morning sunlight felt so stinging, removing the cold, evaporating the dew that stuck to the foliage. Perfect this morning to start a busy day.

I stared at the phone screen for a moment, Jenar's name was listed on the top call history list. The corner of my lips lifted again, imagining that every day I could have a conversation with the girl. It must be nice to listen to him who seems quiet, but likes to tell stories. It seems like my shadow is too far away, not necessarily Jenar has the same feelings as me.

Immediately I sent the delusion by shaking my head, and turned around to enter the house. It has been too long on the terrace, if not immediately breakfast, Mbak Nabila must be nagging. Do not let my beautiful morning is damaged just because of the nagging of Mbak Nabila.

As soon as I turned around, how surprised I was. Because, suddenly Madam Nabila was standing right behind me with her hands folded in her chest.

“Mbak! Make me surprised.” I said while holding the chest, really surprised.

“Whose phone? These few days every morning you call with a smile.” Madam Nabila seems suspicious of me.

“Call a friend, Ma'am.” I replied honestly.

“Iya, Ma'am. The future of work.” I replied berkilah, do not want Mbak Nabila know the truth.

“It may not be a work problem, deh. Your aura is different from a few days ago, must be in love. Yes, right?”

“Mbak Nabila pretentious, indeed I have talked outside work problems?” back I give.

“You can't lie, Hara!” Mbak Nabila is always observant.

“Terserah Mbak only!” I said resignedly, while then entering the house. There's a little worry. If Mbak Nabila knew how I felt about Jenar, what would he do? Support, or oppose?

The not-so-large dining table with four chairs circling it, this morning seemed full of dishes. Just a regular home menu, a bowl of vegetable soup, flourless fried tempeh, sambal balado eggplant, and salted fish. Rice in a bamboo container that still reflects hot steam and the aroma of cooking that spoils the sense of smell, managed to make worms in my stomach protest to be filled immediately.

“Today is busy, Hara?” Mas Akmal opened the chat when I picked up an empty plate.

I nodded, “Padat, Mas. Morning until afternoon in Magelang, then to Yogya attended the opening of the cafe with Gus Hafidz. Later that night, Kyai Ali filled his studies in Bantul. Maybe before the morning just come home, if Mr. Kyai did not ask to stop by on a pilgrimage.”

Mas Akmal looks mangosteen, he talks after swallowing food, “If tomorrow there is no show?”

I thought for a moment, remembering the schedule of tomorrow's activities.

“It looks like nothing, indeed why, Mas?” not usually Mas Akmbal asked about my busy life, maybe he was in need of something.

“Begini, Hara ...,” Mbak Nabila replied, not Mas Akmal. My graceful older sister had sat down before me while cupping both palms on the table. I can only shut up and wait for Mbak Nabila to continue his sentence.

“Tomorrow is your therapy schedule, but me and Mas Akmal have to deliver orders. So can not nganterin father, about if mbak ask you how?”

This Miss Nabila, still feeling sorry for me. Even without him asking for it, if I knew my strength was needed it would definitely help.

“Iya, can Mbak. Where's the therapy?” all this time I did not know Pak Wawan routine therapy, what kind of pain did he have?

“Near from here, really. Later mbak give the address, but must be early in the morning, do you not mind?” Mbak Nabila answered at once asked.

I shook my head quickly, “Not at all, Ma'am. From me at home only Sunday, bored also.”

“Not really ngrepotin, is it? Good time you want to go to church or holiday where?” Mas Akmal made sure he didn't know that I hadn't been to church in a long time. Every Sunday morning I actually enjoy seeing the santri practicing archery in the pesantren field, rather than going to worship.

Suddenly Mbak Nabila also seemed to remember something, “Ah, yes! Don't you just call because tomorrow you want to make a date. Ow hell! Then maybe ngrepotin, dong.” said Mbak Nabila with a guilty face.

“What date, anyway, Ma'am. Tomorrow I have no agenda to go, so no nicotine at all. I'm happy to be able to drive mr.” replied I refute Mbak Nabila's prejudice.

“Yes, if there is a date agreement let all the fathers come along. Father, right, also jomlo.”

The sentiment of all eyes was on Pak Wawan who spoke after just being silent. Laughter exploded just like that, just because of a trivial sentence spoken with a flat face.

“Bapak want a date with whom, kayak is still young.” grumbled Mbak Nabila in between laughter.

“Yes, goods there are ABG who want the same grandfathers,” replied Pak Wawan lightly.

“Yang no father could be his mosquito repellent Hara same girlfriend.” seloroh Mas Akmal.

“No papa, I accept. Alhamdulillah, life of these grandparents is still useful even though only as a mosquito repellent for their children dating.” was stunned because Pak Wawan said the word child. If only I could hope that Pak Wawan would really consider me as his son.

Wawan continued eating after making us all laugh. Naufal, who was eating in front of the television, turned his head, wondering what made us laugh. How could I not live here? Small houses, even want to go backwards often collide with fellow residents. However, there is always a warm atmosphere of family created. Joking, light jokes, intimate chats, and food that is always good on the tongue. I don't want to lose everything, every detail in this house.

***

Saturday is the busiest day of the week. There are a lot of things I have to take care of besides Aneesha's house renovation work which is almost done. There is almost no time to rest, let alone relax.

The wrist watch shows at 19:30 when I parked the car in front of the cafe. There are several vehicles lined up neatly along the page, indicating that there are many people inside. I checked my phone before I got out of the car, but nothing. There was no message or call I expected.

Some time ago I had sent a message to Jenar, making sure if he wanted to come or not to the opening of this cafe. I deliberately waited at Aneesha's house, so that there was no need to go back and forth to pick her up. However, until the time of Maghrib he had not been seen coming home, not even giving any news at all. Maybe he still has class, so he hasn't had time to read a message. After all, this morning he said, if you don't tell me, it means you don't come.

The show started when we went to the cafe. People were sitting on the carpet listening to a man who was hosting a show.

“There Aina,” Mumbled Gus Hafidz.

While I followed her gaze, there was a girl in question sitting quietly among several people. I cringe. If Aina was here, could it be that Jenar was there as well? Jenar said that if Aina suddenly wanted to be invited, she would come. Another possibility, was that Aina replaced Jenar attending the invitation.

I spread my eyes around the room. The figure I was thinking about did not appear at all. Maybe Aina came to replace Jenar, I thought.

“Assalamu’alaikum .. has come, Gus?” Akbar chatted and greeted Gus Hafidz, followed by all the male guests who immediately stood up to welcome us.

“Please pass by here, Mr Hara! Just sit there.” Akbar pointed out where I should sit, because soon Gus Hafidz will be filling out the show.

The opening ceremony of this cafe is just a simple tasyakuran. Not many are invited, only people who are directly involved in the process.

From where I sat facing the invited guests, I could see one by one the faces of everyone present. Moments later, as people answered Gus Hafidz's greeting, I saw a girl coming. She wears a pastel-colored robe with a long matching color hijab. The girl I know so well, and I've been waiting all day for news.

Jenar walked slowly from behind the guest, then took a seat next to Aina. I saw the two girls whispering to each other, and then Jenar stared at me. The smile that formed a faint basin on both of her cheeks was etched sweetly. A simple smile that calms the soul.

I almost returned his smile, if not paying attention to who had just come. A man whose face was very familiar. What'd that guy come here for? For a moment I thought, a guess came to mind. He must have come for bringing Jenar. So this is why Jenar didn't tell me? Because someone's been dropping off, so it's not important to tell me.

Instantly I felt like I was the dumbest man, because I wished that Jenar would only depend on me. I forgot that he also had someone else willing to take him anywhere. Maybe Jenar was more comfortable when she was with him, than when she was with me.

The atmosphere of this not-so-large room suddenly turned hot. It was not because of too many people, but my heart felt neglected. The solemnity felt throughout listening to Gus Hafidz's talk, spoiled already. I want to get out of this place immediately. The sight in front of me made my chest tight, like it was hard to breathe oxygen.

It seems I have misinterpreted Jenar's attitude. Maybe now we have been at the maximum limit of taste tolerance. A feeling I was hoping to reciprocate, but now I realize. Loving someone is not as easy as I thought. Yeah, God! Why does this feeling have to wake up majestically in my heart if only I am disappointed?

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Seriate....

Sorry, late up, because of subconscious temptations. He he ... Happy reading and guessing what is going on.😊 See you next week. (May not miss again.)