Tidying Up Asa, Inviting Hidayah

56. Drama Joking

🌹Have joking intentions, but taken seriously by the interlocutor. Is that a joke?🌹

Stringing

Since the beginning of college in Jogja, I have never been anywhere myself. Campus business is delivered to pick up the same om Dito. If I have needs outside, there is Aina who faithfully accompanies me. Also Ghufron and Nalini who never mind when I ask to be accompanied anywhere.

Remembering the ghufron mas, making my chest feel tight again. Sad, but must be forced sincerely, because he is happy at the side of God. I certainly must not make his stride toward heaven faltered, just because of my inattention. I had to be willing and try to adapt to living alone, independently by going to campus on public transport. Wasn't it before I got close to Ghufron I was used to myself?

For the first time during college, I got a schedule of classes during the day and had to depart from Magelang. I estimate the trip by public transport, it takes at least 2 hours to get to campus. So after the dzuhur prayer, I immediately set out so as not to be late.

Angkot from Aneesha's house to the highway only comes at certain hours. Mas Faiz said, if the day is usually long. I should have asked to be delivered, but everyone is busy. Even the Irkham mas which is usually the most relaxed, also does not appear to be the trunk of his nose.

If Mr. Hara had not offered me a ride, I might have been late for class. Good heart, Mr. Hara gave me a ride to the campus, even dropped me off in the parking lot closest to the building where my class.

If you recall, it was the first time I had a lot of conversation with Mr. Hara and just the two of them in the car. What is it that makes me not afraid? Maybe because Mr. Hara already knows about my hobby. So I already believed him, he couldn't possibly do something that would cause my trauma to recur.

Mr. Hara had already replaced the deodorant, as he had said before I was willing to get in the car. Nor was he under the influence of alcohol, for I did not smell that disgusting smell.

On the way to college, like dejavu. I seem to have experienced something similar, like a car with Pak Hara but when? I don't remember getting along with each other. I only knew him as his personal assistant, Reyfan, we rarely met before my brother got married.

I ignored that memory, because I was too busy taking classes and some campus activities until I had to go home at night. Thankful that Aina was willing to come home with me to Magelang. From the time the boarding house closed the gate, he said, because we had come home too late.

Be that night, I have friends at home, not only Mbak Sayumi whose snoring sound at bedtime, can be heard filling the entire house.

It is fun to have friends spend the food sent by Bude Sari. We watched the drama while eating snacks made by Sayumi and chat is not clear, just eliminate fatigue after inviting the brain to think hard.

Too fun to enjoy being with friends, until I forget the phone that has been in the bag ever since. If Aina doesn't show me a chat, maybe the phone will still stay in the bag until tomorrow morning.

“Mas Akbar chat you, unopened. Said it was important.” said Aina.

“Mashaalloh! I forgot to share hp because I was busy chatting with you.”

“Assyik chat or fun to eat?”

“Two kal”

I darted into the room to look for a bag, leaving Aina who was enjoying a fried banana while watching the drama.

“Yes, Alloh! Until it runs out of battery.”

Immediately I connected the phone with a socket to charge. While waiting for the phone to turn on, I tidied up the bed. As usual, the room I occupied was only neat when I would wear it. After that more mess, mbak Sayumi until tired of tidying up every day.

Once the screen is on, many notifications are coming in. Hundreds of chats and dozens of missed calls stopped by, because I hadn't opened my phone since the afternoon.

I ignored another chat, immediately I looked for the name of Akbar mas, a good friend of the late Ghufron mas. After reading the long message, I replied with a single word that represented everything.

[Insyaalloh.]

Mas Akbar said the progress of the cafe opening was almost complete, just waiting for a deal with investors. I was asked to come to a meeting with investors. Because I hold the concept of the interior cafe, so I have to explain.

Uh! Just one step away from Ghufron's big dream will come true, our dreams are both true. Also the dream of community friends, unfortunately, Ghufron can not enjoy it. However, I remain grateful, friends want to continue that goal. May it be our charity.

My finger moved to unlock the missed call feature, which attracted attention was the number of calls from the same number.

Mr. Hara

What'd he call me for? What's the matter?

Unfinished question in mind, the flashing phone screen shows an incoming call.

Mr. Hara calling ….

My finger moved to slide the green button to receive the call. My mouth was already open to say hello, but the panicked voice from across the phone made me gasp.

“Where are you? I'm on the phone from earlier why not lift?”

“I'm at home. Why did Mr Hara call me?” answer me in a relaxed tone.

“You've come home?”

Successful high-pitched questions made me frown, “have come home from earlier, sir. It's ad-”

The phone connection was cut off before I could finish the sentence. Mr. Hara closed it unilaterally, without explaining anything. Something seems wrong, but what? What made him call me so many times? Is he mad at me? What makes him angry?

Still keeping the unanswered questions, I put the phone on the study table. Then out of the room, approached Aina who was still faithfully watching the drama series.

“Udah replied chat mas Akbar?” aina asked as soon as I sat down beside her. I just nodded in response.

I didn't really hear what Aina was asking then, as I was trying to find an answer on my own. About the possibility of Mr. Hara calling many times.

“Hei!” I was shocked to the point of muttering Istighfar, when Aina elbowed my arm. Taken me from the daydreams.

“Think what, anyway?” tanya Aina later, “diajak says instead bengong.”

I just shook my head slowly, not immediately answering her question. My brain is working hard. Sorting what I did from morning until tonight. There is nothing strange, except ….

“Astaghfirullohal’adzim!”

Reflek I patted the forehead with the palm of my hand. Then immediately ran into the room to pick up the cell phone.

“What's up, anyway?” ask Aina. It turned out that he was following me, probably out of curiosity I suddenly left him just like that.

I was sweeping my fingers over the phone screen, looking for Mr. Hara's number to call him. Connected, but not lifted. I tried again, but it was direct.

“Whose phone do you want?”

A moment of attention from the phone screen, looking at Aina's face full of question marks. He moved his eyebrows, as a sign asking for answers.

“You called Pak Hara but it was not lifted,” I replied while returning to focus on the phone.

“Who's Pak Hara?” ask Aina.

“That, which I told you yesterday .. which we met at the boarding school. His personal assistant is my brother.” I explained, still by sticking a flat object in the ear. A little later I took off, because my call was not connected.

“Oh! That was with you, huh?”

I nodded in response to Aina's question. They understand and stop asking. Until I exhaled a long breath, while putting the phone back on the table. Aina moved an eyebrow, I knew she was waiting for an answer.

“Ngot lifted too?”

I shook my head, with my fingers busy typing something. This was the first time I was confused about stringing sentences, even though I only wanted to send a short message. Don't know where to start.

Many times I removed the letters I had typed, then chose more practical and short words. However, neither did I find the right sentence.

Finally, there's only one sentence I sent to Mr. Hara's number.

[Pak Hara wasn't picking me up, was she?]

I waited a while for the message to be sent, but the two-tick mark did not change to blue. Makes me sit in the doldrums.

“There's a problem, huh? You, really, seem confused?”

Not the answer I found, but the question pitched unsure, “ joking? Since when do you like to joke?”

“Absolutely I never joke?” I threw another question at Aina.

“As long as we are friends, I think you are the most serious girl and do not like to joke.”

Aina's answer managed to make my forehead wrinkle, “masa, anyway?”

“Yah! Not aware of him.”

I'm silent. Groping attitude and behavior all this time. It is true what Aina said, I am not the type of girl who likes to joke. It seems like I haven't made a joke in all this time, but I honestly wasn't serious about what I said.

About that ... purely I just wanted to joke. The sentence came out just like that after seeing the flat face of Mr. Hara. I just wanted to tease him.

Just be right! There's no way I'm asking to be picked up. If you need an invitation, I better ask Pakde Teguh or mbak Nanda, it is impossible for Mr. Hara. Who am I to ask him to pick me up? Just being sent to college was enough to make me feel bad.

“In your opinion, if I tell you about what time you get home from campus .. is that a code you ask to pick up?”

Aina laughed, until she was broken. I don't know what's funny in that sentence, so it could make her laugh. Is my question too obvious?

“Don't say you gosthing-in sir Hara,” said Aina in between laughter.

“Gosthing what?” my many. I didn't know much about the slang words of today, so I didn't understand what Aina meant.

“Yes, Alloh, Jenar! Gosthing don't know?” I'm shaking.

“Wah! No slang you. Most play in the library, but the reading is less. Googling there!”

That night I was willing to spend time just to find the meaning of the word gosthing. It turned out that many new vocabulary words that I did not know meant, but had become commonly heard and spoken by many people.

I told Aina about what happened this afternoon. It's possible that Mr. Hara was angry with me for not keeping his word. About the joking intentions that might be taken seriously, to the point that I was giving false hope.

I didn't think I was joking about this dish.

***

I sent a message to Mr. Hara again the next morning, apologizing if he might take my joke seriously. Although I'm not sure Mr. Hara actually came to pick me up. Wasn't he too busy with all his work?

[I'm sorry, yes, Mr. Hara. Yesterday I just wanted to joke, not seriously ask to be picked up.]

Since that day, we have never communicated. The message I sent was never replied to, not even turning into a blue tick. It doesn't matter to me, however, we are not two people who are familiar and often send short messages.

However, his attitude that seemed to dodge every one of us accidentally met, was a little disturbing. Though every day he came to the house to take care of the renovation that has begun. Either just my feelings, or indeed Mr. Hara is trying to stay away and does not want to interact with me.

He deliberately turned his eyes when we passed. Also throw away the face, when I prepare drinks and snacks for her. Mr. Hara refused every time Pakde Teguh or Mas Faiz invited him to lunch together. My feelings say maybe because there is me.

If there is no Teguh pakde or Faiz mas, Pak Hara will leave money for renovation purposes to the Sayumi mom. Though there was me, but he chose to look for Mbak Sayumi. Why not just give it to me? As if more trust in Mbak Sayumi than the younger brother of the owner of this house.

At first I wanted to ignore Mr. Hara's attitude, but if it goes on continuously, of course my feelings are disturbed. Is it possible that this attitude has something to do with the events of that time? Now I'm the one who feels hosted with him. Although it is common actually Mr. Hara behaved cold and expressionless. But given that we had a lot of conversation, and now we are silent, it feels strange. As if there is less, tends to disappear.

The highlight, when I was present at the pre opening cafe meeting. We met there. Among the few people sitting in a circle on the carpet, in a room that was still cluttered by things. I just found out, if it turns out that Mr. Hara is the investor referred to by Mas Akbar.

Did we say hello there to each other? No. gabe. Mr. Hara Takacuh, focus on talking about the concept of a cafe that he thinks is not yet mature. He was stuck reading the proposal, when I explained about the design of the cafe layout. Just nod after I'm done explaining. He even prefers to talk to Mas Akbar, even though he is correcting the interior layout that I just explained.

Is that how angry he is? How should I apologize? It is painful if we do not know each other, even though we often meet.

“Jen!” mas Akbar's call managed to wake me up from the reverie. Immediately I changed my mind, listening to Akbar's words well.

“Pak Hara said, if we will use the concept of book store cafe, the location of the bookcase must be adjusted. So as not to disturb the view and comfort of visitors. According to Mr. Hara, in order to reach all people, not just those who like to read or buy books.”

See, right? Why should it be delivered through Akbar mas? If Mr. Hara wants to protest my concept, he should be able to talk right away after I'm done, right? It was obvious that he didn't want to interact with me at all.

“Mas Ghufron designed this cafe as expressed by Jenar. They both make the concept, so I think we still use the concept mbak Jenar.” said Nalini who sat beside me.

I saw from the tail of the eye, Hara was paying close attention to what Nalini said. He also immediately expressed his opinion after Nalini finished speaking.

“You are right, this is indeed a cafe designed by Ghufron. But, if you want this place to be a field of income for you, this is not the way. We can't just live the dreams of the dead. Then can-can this cafe will only last a month, then go out of business.”

Mr. Hara even spoke with a direct gaze towards Nalini. I feel his attitude is unfair. How could he not ignore me, while towards Nalini he cared?

“But Mr. Hara, our target market is students and students. Our goal is also to increase people's reading interest.”

“True, but can reach even wider, without deviating from the destination. You have chosen a strategic place, you know. Unfortunately if the concept is not fixed.”

“So according to Mr Hara should how?”

“Maybe can be combined. Two concepts in one building. Cafe and bookstore, but there is one corner that can be used for visitors who just want to enjoy food and drinks only, without wanting to glance at the collection of books.”

“How? How can run two concepts while the room we have is only this?” said mas Akbar who did not understand the direction of Pak Hara's proposal.

“Can only.”

I just quietly listened to Mr. Hara and the others discuss the concept, room layout, layout and menu plans that will be sold. Not because it does not agree with the plan that must be changed and improved, but disturbed by the attitude of Mr. Hara who always avoids meeting me.

It feels like leaving soon, but of course I have to wait until the meeting is over. What kind of decision will be taken, because I have invested here. I have the right to agree or refuse.

I can quite endure the attitude of Mr. Hara. Not so worrying, but there's just something else that makes me careless.

While being focused on listening to the debate between Nalini and Pak Hara, the annoying scent came. Until I have to cover my nose with the tip of the hijab while looking to the right-left. Yeah, Alloh! This unpleasant smell, why should it smell now?

On the left were two people, I saw a white canned drink with the anchor logo. I know, it's a low-grade alcoholic beverage, but the smell makes me uncomfortable.

Yeah, Alloh! Give me the strength to finish this meeting until the end.

Just now I muttered do’a in my heart, someone's screeches managed to grab my attention.

“Ouch! Yes, Alloh!” Nalini hurried, avoiding the liquid that spilled, flowing towards her.

"Sorry! Pardon me! Not intentionally nagging."

I who was sitting next to Nalini sittan back. Along with that, the pungent smell was smelled even more intense. It made me feel uncomfortable and I started to panic. Yeah, Alloh! Not now, please!

I tried hard to dispel the panic, while continuing to close my nose so that the annoying smell was not so smelled. My left hand reached into the bag, groping for instant coffee in the sachet I always carry. Unfortunately, I did not find it soon and I could not take it anymore. If I don't leave immediately, maybe I could have a panic attack or worse be able to faint here.

Nah! Not now! I don't want to relapse when I'm among a lot of people.

I murmured the Istighfar in my heart, continuing to try to quell the turmoil. Laa haula walaquwatta!

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Seriate....

Hi guys! I do not want to reason new can be up because there is no reason. 😊 Just peg says, next chapter don't wait, yes. 😂🤣