Tone & Sound
#88 [Bab. a surprise]
What the universe is going on. One question swirled within Nada's heart along with dozens of other questions. The one about how the person he had been looking for for so many years was in front of him now. The person who had been greatly missed, who had long been lost was in front of his eyes now. Happy smiling tone. A tear fell without ever being asked. I want my feet to go there. Touching that face, hugging that body tightly. Shed the sea of longing that he had held for many years.
Nada still can't believe that the person on stage is Mr. Karso. His papa. Tone is still not out of thought, confused why suddenly Mr. Karso is here, where all this time, or why the new universe brought them together now. Tone wiped the end of his eyes. All these questions are unimportant. The most important thing now is to get on stage. Hugging his Papa, letting go of the long-lost important part. Tone wiped the tip of his eyes once again. Drop by drop happy tears fell again. Sighs. Nada wanted to go on stage immediately. He could no longer bear that longing.
But, don't know why when Nada wanted to step, her footsteps got stuck. Tone turned. It turned out that the sound was pulling his hand. Nada almost forgot that she was with Sound. Nada had almost forgotten all about them today. Sounds approached, Tone forgot the stage for a moment.
"The universe brought us together at a time we never thought of at all or a place we never promised, Lea. Because it's the universe that rules everything." The sound of holding the hand of Tone. He also still holds the ring, which is then shown and becomes the focal point of their view.
Nada glanced at the stage for a moment then looked back at Sound again. Let it. Let the man finish his sentence first. Delivering the meaning of a special day to them even though Nada already knows where the phrase Sound will lead. There is no harm in waiting a few minutes. On stage there Mr. Karso will also not go anywhere else. Even now it seems to be preparing to perform with Cikal. They sit in two different organs. All the band members are also ready. On the big television screen, Ms. Mira was standing right next to Mr. Karso.
"Now, let me finish my part." The sound of lowering one leg-kneeling. Still holding Nada's hand.
On stage, Cikal started the show. Play one to three bar notes with a slow tempo. Friction of the violin welcomed after that. Walk side by side. All the spectators are silent. Anesthetized. No applause at all.
"This might not be as pretty as yesterday's twilight, but it might be the best. Because there's in it the most beautiful part that's ever been." Sound down for a moment. Holding the ring, he looked back at Nada again.
"Lea, will you be the most beautiful part of it?" The ring is in front of the ring finger of the Tone now. Sound prepared to put it there.
Smiling tone for sure. It turns out that special surprise is indeed about a proposal. His heart was happy not to play. Even so happy, Nada was silent for a while. Speechless. Although he had not answered, but from his face it was clear that Nada wanted to say yes.
"Nan," Nada said slowly.
"Before I answer, may I ask you something?" Face Shy tone. Smiling and then standing up completely.
Tone down for a moment. On stage, the instruments have come to the middle of the song. The mood is still quiet. But now a little weeping is heard. I don't know why so many spectators are crying.
"Why should it be now, Nan?" Tone asked slowly. Curious.
The voice looked right-left, "Because I think this afternoon Banda Neira deserves to be a witness about us, Leah." Smiling, "And---"
"And what, Nan?"
"I think now's the right time because Papa and Mama I'm here, Lea."
Tone scrunched his forehead. Papa's?
One song from the stage that might be the ending theme of the festival is over. And at that very moment Nada was directly staring at the stage. The audience's applause finally sounded again. Although it does not sound loud, it does not roar like before. But that's certainly not because the ending song of the festival is not good. Except because it's too good to end. There are tears everywhere. Cikal and Pak Karso finished. The festival is finally over.
"Actually the reason me and Mama came to Banda Neira to see Papa's first appearance after years of being at home. But it turns out the universe gives more." The voice explained with a smile. "It turns out the universe also gave you and everything about us."
Instantly Tone fell silent. His body immediately trembled hearing that.
"I can't wait for their response, Lea. Their response when they find out that the prospective daughter-in-law is you." A little laugh. Hand gripping Tone. Freelance smiling.
