Waiting for the Light to Return
Chapter 7 - A Call From the Past
“Halo? Where are you, Win? Here I am at the gate... Oh, okay... Yes already, later when it reaches me yes... Careful, Darling.”
I hung up the phone and gave Nadiena a report.
“Beres, 10 minutes to.”
Nadiena nodded, somewhat panicking.
“Good. Kids already standby ‘kan, Wi?”
I patted her shoulder.
“Quiet, Dien. Class 7 is ready at GOR. Later when the examination has arrived at the last class, I call the children of class 8.”
Nadien wiped the sweat off his forehead.
“Okay, okay. Hold me, Wi. First time we make mass health checks like this.”
I laugh.
“Ah you. The event was tense, the event was tense. Relax, it will be alright. Don't panic dong, cook welcome guests with faded eyebrows so?”
Nadien is panicking.
“Eh seriously my eyebrows faded? Well, how's dong, Wi? My eyebrow pencil in the teacher's room. Far.”
I'm getting ticklish.
“Yeah, I'm just kidding, Babe. Looks like you don't fit in the school, Dien. Really groggy you if take care of event.”
Nadien twisting lazy eyeball.
“Set me where to? The curriculum? Ih amit-amit should cooperate the King and Andrew.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
“But at least with them ‘kan no need heartburn every want to start the event, Dien.”
Nadien laughing.
“Better heartburn, can quite reduce weight. Duh, when do our students have people who can be MC if there is an event like this?”
I looked up and answered.
“Maybe later if you are already the principal, Dien. Now we have to make do with you first. The koas have arrived.”
One of the perks of dating a med-student.
When Mr. Marco, our principal had an idea to carry out mass health checks as well as doctor care day for the students, I did not need to be confused looking for contacts to work with.
One phone call on Windra and everyone's happy. I'm happy, Windra's happy, Nadien's happy, Mr. Marco happy.
Windra and I are happy because this means a full day together for us.
Nadien and Mr. Marco was happy because the purpose of the activity was achieved without having to bother.
I couldn't help but smile as I watched Windra come down from the ambulance and run gleefully towards me.
“Hai, Honey! We're not too late, ‘kan?”
I had to try extra hard not to drown in longing and hug her tightly, this was the first time in a month that I saw her face.
His flap hair began to become bushy, as well as fine hair growing creeping on his chin and cheeks. Besides, nothing has changed from my Windra. Still handsome, charming, and energetic.
I answered equally.
“Hi too, Honey! On time, really. Meet, Babe, this is Nadiena. Head of Student Affairs here, as well as the coordinator of today's activities.”
Nadiena shook Windra's hand confidently.
“Halo, Windra. Goddess told me a lot about you. Finally we meet, huh?”
Windra smiled politely.
“Greetings, Dien. Goddess told me a lot about you too.”
“Dra! That Mr Radit asked, do we want to wait or leave?”
My eyes followed the source of the voice coming from behind Windra and found a man.
Just as tall and sturdy as Windra, it was just that her black hair was dense and her skin brighter.
Windra introduced us all.
“Wi, Dien, this is Andra. The head of the koas group is the same as me. Later if there is anything, contact us, yes.”
After a brief introduction, Nadien and I watched Windra and her friend return to the ambulance to guide their friends and pick up the tools.
Nadien was stunned until he gulped.
“Wi, which hospitals are these doctors? How handsome all the hell?”
I laugh.
“Dien, Dien. Her playgirl soul hasn't been wiped out either. Dude, Dien. Aristo your boyfriend wants to be kept where?”
Nadien glanced at me jokingly.
“This shirt has two pockets, Wi. Aristo here, (he points at the left front pocket) near my heart. The right one ‘kan is still empty, Wi.”
Then we laughed it out.
...
That was the year 2011, the first time I met Andra.
The next time I met him was when he was Windra's best man at our wedding, when he visited Tia at the hospital, and when he visited Tia's funeral.
And that’s. There's nothing else.
No long chat, no chat (of course), no contact of any kind.
So I was surprised not to play when he suddenly showed up, paid for us, and gave such a bold message.
Especially as far as I am concerned, other than my family and Nadien, no one knows that Windra has left me.
“Wi, we go to PVJ, yuk! I'm suddenly trying Sour Sally, huh?”
Nadiena's Celeukan woke up my daydream.
I looked at him.
“Here are you in a bad mood or what the hell, Dien? In the Paskal shopping crazy. Now you still want to walk again?”
Nadien smiles.
“As for Aristo out of town, Wi. When again?”
I laugh.
“One thought Aristo had a shopaholic wife like this.”
Yes, Nadiena Anggra Makarawung, a beautiful Chinese-Menado crossbreed woman like Sandra Dewi (with extra fat on the cheeks and chin) is indeed an amazing shopper.
From the time of college when he invited me to skip class to pursue discounts (maybe none of our students read this) to become the wife and mother they are today.
Nadien.
“Ya it's okay dong, Wi. Once in a while please yourself why the hell?”
I turned to the back seat that was already filled with shopping bags from Pull & Bear, H & M, Zara, and Uniqlo. Shaking your head is concerned.
“Saking stress so principal huh, Dien?”
Nadien laughing.
“Traditional. You yourself do not shop, Wi?”
I held up Zara's shopping bag with trousers and a blazer from between my legs.
“I've had enough of this, Dien. But for the sake of those of you who want to nostalgia for girls, I accompany you to PVJ.”
Nadien nodded with satisfaction.
“Well, so dong. We'll take a look at the Body Shop, Wi. I want to buy face cream.”
Hearing the Body Shop, I remembered something.
Nadien seduces.
“It's up or need more fragrant for dating?”
I cringed not understanding.
“Ha? Whose date? Same you? The same you use child soap is also enough.”
Nadien clucking.
“Ah, I don't understand. Same handsome Mas-Mas who was in the coffee shop dong!”
I grunt.
“Yes, Dien. Discussed again dong.”
Indeed, after the incident at the coffee shop, Nadien did not stop teasing me.
Start from : “So that's a doctor too? Whoa, handsome, Wi.”
Then : “Keren again his name, Andra. Similar to Andra and the Backbone. Don't play guitar too?”
Until : “Where is the number, I'll meet you in person. I'm so third wheel is okay deh.”
All of which I answered with, “Please deh, Dien. Don't overdo it ah. He's a nobody, too. Windra's friend, but not my friend. Chat it never.”
Which Nadien immediately answered with, “Means he admired you a long time ago, Wi. Fun that has fans.”
C’mon.
This is not right.
I think he's been to the brash and presumptuous stage.
For outsiders I ‘kan still his wife Windra.
“Means there are only two possibilities, Wi”, Nadien said as I delivered that.
“What possibilities?”, you are confused.
Nadien chuckles.
“Antara he is indeed a wrestler wife of people, or he loves to die to you, Wi.”
I shook my head.
“Start his imagination Nadien.”
Nadien laughed for a while, then said again.
“But seriously, Wi. I'm happy youho.”
I'm clucking.
“What's so happy, Dien?”
Nadien took my hand.
“I'm glad there's a handsome guy who admires you and expresses his admiration blatantly. So that you can be aware, Wi. Your life is not over. Your future is bright, as bright as your career and smile.”
...
I didn't answer.
Turned my face to the window, feeling my eyes getting hot with tears.
Not because of hearing Nadien's words.
But because I remember when I crossed Kidzoona Paskal 23.
Remembering my little Tia laughter that was running around cheerfully.
Recalling Windra's warm embrace and the crepes he fed me.
Remember the moment when I was happy.
...
I don't want a bright future.
I just want to go back to our happy past.
That'sallthatis.
***
I waved from the open car window.
“Bye, Dien! Be careful on the road, yeah. Remember that Baskin I bought for Kalyha (the only daughter of Nadien), you know. Don't spend!”
Nadien laughing.
“Iya, yes, chatty. Thanks for today, Wi! Bye!”
My hands were still frozen in farewells when Nadien's car disappeared around the corner.
Smiling, I was grateful for the little things I could still enjoy.
New clothes (i'll wear them on Monday at school), a refreshing strawberry shower gel, and a full stomach from Nadien's treat.
What could be wrong?
Trembling teased from inside my handbag.
Riding and pulling the phone out, I found an unknown number.
For a moment, I pressed the answer button.
“Halo?”
The heavy man's voice answered from there.
“Halo Wi, remember me?”
While walking towards the door, I tried to remember.
This voice is familiar, but...
The caller laughed.
“This is Andra, Wi. How are you doing? Sorry I called suddenly like this. But I'm waiting for a call from you not to come. About you there is empty when to make us catch up?”
I kept the phone away from my ear and widened my eyes of disbelief.
This crazy guy.
How rude of his attitude to his friend's own wife!
Meanwhile he kept talking.
“Omong-by the way, this Windra tipped greetings, Wi. Ask me to check on you, too. So what do I have to answer to him?”
Unknowingly, as soon as I heard Windra's name, I put the phone back in front of my ear.
“Windra send greetings?”
Andra said from across the phone.
“Iya. When are you empty? We catch up yuk.”
...
“Tomorrow Sunday is empty. Later just notify the place and time ya.”
I don't know what I was thinking when I said that.
All I know is that my chest is tight right now.
Stifled by longing, caused by hearing his name.
Tightened by guilt for myself.
Because after all that heartache, I can't deny that I'm still waiting for him.
Waiting for Windra to come home.
