TWELVE DAYS OF LOVE

First Meeting

The journey home begins. I was sitting in a chair on a bus that was taking passengers to my hometown. Approximately six hours drive will be taken from the city terminal to the village terminal.

At 2 am the time I choose to start this journey so that it is not too late to reach the village.

The air feels cold, further adding to the drowsiness that is still hit. Slowly I closed my eyes to go to sleep while waiting for the bus to fill up and go.

"Aww ... ouch .. sorry .. sorry yes Bang."

The faint voice of a woman accompanied by the collapse of some items she carried right at my feet opened my eyes.

"Once again sorry Bang, I didn't accidentally."

A young hijab-wearing woman seemed to be trying to pick up some of her things that fell earlier.

"It's okay, Deck." I immediately helped pick up a bag under my feet.

"Thank you Bang." After neatly storing his belongings under the chair, he inched to sit on the chair beside me.

I just nodded, watching him for a while but not clearly visible face. He wears a mask. The flu may be why, the nasal sounds indicate that.

"Where is Dek going?" tanyaku.

"Ke Kampung Manggis Bang."

"Oh, same."

My answer made him turn to me. It seems he's trying to observe me more closely.

"Abang is also a resident of Manggis Village?"

"Yes" I replied briefly.

For a moment he frowned, I don't know what it meant. Maybe because he doesn't recognize me as a citizen of his community.

It's clear, since High School I've wandered into the city, only coming home during a long holiday. Especially after work, only go home when lebaran.

After that, there was no more conversation between us. The girl also seemed to feel sleepy. His eyes were closed, so was I. The bus is now on.

A while later I was shocked. The girl's head is on my shoulder. It seemed like the head was unraveling there without realizing it. He's still asleep.

I let it stay that way, it felt sorry to wake her up.

At 8 a.m., the bus stops at the terminal. There were thunderous steps and the sound of passengers descending.

The girl sleeping on my shoulder finally woke up. For a moment he rubbed his eyes, then looked at me.

"Eh .. since when was my head on my shoulder?" The girl's eyes looked slightly glared.

"Why ask me?" I was a little angry with the question. It made my shoulders ache, even glaring at me.

"Oh .. oh my goodness. Sorry Bang! Means the time I fall asleep accidentally nyender on the shoulder Brother huh? But ...."

"But what?"

"But why didn't you move my head? Seems like you took a chance, huh?"

"What's? It's delicious!"

"Then?"

"Then just ask your head. Move me through."

My standing position made him tilt both of his legs. I passed it and walked down the bus.

Huffhhh.

Now is the time to find public transportation that will deliver to the house. When I was about to head to one of the angkot, suddenly a voice from behind made me turn my head.

"Awww... ouch!!!"

A woman fell to the ground. A cardboard box and two large plastic bags that had been scattered around him seemed to be the cause of his fall. The innards are too many, out of balance with its power.

"Thank you." Without looking at me the girl said while taking care of her luggage.

"Together." My head looked up at him. "You?"

It was the masked girl again!

"Eh ... Brother?" He lowered his head, probably regretting his previous attitude.

"Here you go, let me help you carry the cardboard. It looks heavy." I hurried to grab the cardboard next to him. "Which one do you want to ride?"

"The same number as your brother."

"okay."

I walked towards an angkot. He followed from behind.

"Come Bang, here are two more places." The angkot conductor said to me.

I looked into the angkot, making sure the empty place was enough for two people.

"Go ahead" I said to the girl.

He climbed into the angkot. I put up the cardboard and two plastic bags, and put my seat next to it.

Angkot is now speeding, down the road of Manggis village. One by one the passengers got off. The rest of us both.

"Left Bang."

The girl asked the driver to stop her car in front of a small hallway. Apparently the hallway where he lived next to the hallway of my house.

"You're down here?" ask her.

"Yes Bang."

"How's your stuff? Would you like to take it to your own house? Your house is still in the hallway, isn't it?"

"The kids will help me." His fingers pointed towards the swarm of boys and girls running from within the passageway.

"Sister ... Where are Brother's belongings? This one?" A boy raises his head into the door.

"Yes cardboard and two plastic ones" the girl replied.

The children then hoisted up the things. While laughing and joking, they carried him into the small hallway.

"Bang, I'm first. Hmm ... thanks for your help, and .. hmm .. sorry about that. I hope Brother ... doesn't get angry."

"OKAY. It's okay." It's okay."

The girl went down, paid her freight.

"Two people are Bang" he told the driver.

"Ehh .. You don't have to pay my rent," I ambushed upon hearing his words.

"What's wrong, as my gratitude for Brother ...?" His tone was like asking my name.

"Fadeel. My name is Fadil."

He smiled then said, "I'm Bang Fadil first."

His body turned around as he finally called my name. Walk forward.

"Hey! And you?" I was half screaming.

He turned back. "Scan," he answered.

Then he smiled, even though his face was covered in a mask. Then it completely turned around and passed, as the passing of the angkot that led me to the next hallway.

***