Want a Life of Heaven

55. Old story

Agnia was already preparing, glancing at the fleeting clock. Half-time at four in the afternoon. Sitting on the lip of the bed, waiting. A smile on his face. Surprised at him who seemed eager to meet Akmal.

A message came, telling me if Akmal was waiting. Agnia immediately got up, glanced at her face through the mirror, then moved to get out.

Akmal showed his smile as Agnia appeared. Directly hand over the helmet for Agnia to use.

"Where are you taking me?" agnia asked, not yet wearing a helmet in his hands.

"Emh.. Whatever.."

"It's just here. More comfortable, and more appropriate."

"But Mbak is beautiful, baby if only at home." said Akmal, while riding his bike.

Agnia grunts, whatever.

"Yok Ma'am.. I'm taking you to a place you're sure you like.."

.

.

.

.

A lake with a night market atmosphere, crowded in the eyes of Agnia. Moreover, Akmal invited him to sit under the shade of a tree where not only those who shelter there, some even bring their children with them.

Agnia sighed, unable to bear the back and forth of the person before her. Menby Akmal.

"So this is the place you said I'd love to be?"

Akmal nodded, smiling widely. While Agnia snorted softly, not a single bit from this place was what she liked.

"I prefer a quiet place." mumbled Agnia softly, but was still heard by Akmal. Makes Akmal suddenly misunderstand the sentence.

"Emh.. That is to say.. You want us to be alone?" akmal asked, his eyes widened looking interested in flirting with Agnia.

"No that!" agnia's bully, half-screaming. Makes some people spontaneously look up to him. "Don't get me wrong!" agnia said again, lowering his voice.

Silent between the two, Akmal was busy watching Agnia's manyun face from the side. While Agnia was very upset why it had to be in a place like this, and wonder also why people like to gather there on an afternoon like this.

"Say.. What do you want to explain.."

"Everything. I'll tell you everything you want to know about me.."

Hearing Akmal's answer that seemed different from what he had said earlier this afternoon, made Agnia bend her face even more. "You invited me here to joke?" He was curious about Akmal's life.

Akmal shook his head quickly. "No. I don't joke. But.."

"I'll just tell you what you want to know from me. That's all.."

Agnia looked at Akmal in disbelief. Really am.. Akmal is good at making others follow what he wants.

"Kalo Mbak is not curious at all about me, meaning I do not need to say anything." said Akmal again, smiling even though the interlocutor always turned his eyes away.

"You are intent on kidding." complains Agnia, slowly.

"It depends Ma'am.. You want to make this moment pointless or not.."

"Okay.. Say it.."

"What?"

Agnia gave her lips for a moment, resentful in this kind of situation. And Akmal for the umpteenth time made himself again and again experience this kind of depressed feeling.

"Tell me the past you said I needed to know.."

"Mother curious about that?"

Agnia snorted bitterly, glaring sharply. Makes Akmal grin wide.

"I'll explain, but.. The condition is that you should try to look me in the eye throughout my speech."

"Gee.." Agnia was very upset, rotating her eyes, reluctant to fulfill Akmal's request which she felt even worse. It was furious, wanting to shake the head of this rancid boy.

Akmal smiled, enjoying Agnia's ashen face.

Agnia looked at Akmal flatly. It is impossible to imagine if the time is in vain. "Alright." said Agnia at last.

"Smile.."

Agnia sighed deeply, just according to her. Staring at Akmal with a smile as sincere as he could.

Getting such a gaze from Agnia, suddenly made Akmal nervous himself. "Emh.. If gini.." Akmal looked at Agnia with his trademark smile. "I forgot what I wanted to say.."

Agnia snorted in annoyance. I want to scream, so angry. Feeling played by Akmal. There was no smile or looking directly into the eyes after this, Agnia was really angry.

***

Akmal in his gray white uniform smiled excitedly, exiting his class at a quick pace.

A girl who was also wearing an ash-white uniform seemed to be waiting. Smiling, waving when looking at Akmal from afar.

"His length?" akmal asked, to the rabbit-tooth-wearing girl who looked at him attentively.

The girl shook her head. "I just broke up, too.."

"Judek... Come on.." Akmal grabbed the girl's hand, grasping it tightly.

The girl turned her head around, ashamed once others noticed them.

"Nobody saw.. Everyone focus on themselves.."

"alright.. But.." The girl raised her hand that was united with Akmal's, the other hand reached into her pocket. Take out two bracelets.

Akmal frowned, looking at the girl full of questions.

"This is a couple bracelet. There are initials A&U. One for you, one for me."

Akmal spontaneously removed his hand when the girl was about to put a bracelet in her hand. Makes the girl pucker her lips.

"You don't like it?"

Akmal of course shook his head. Any man he feels must not like an initial bracelet like that.

"But I must have used it.." Akmal said again, not wanting the girl in front of him to be disappointed.

"Promise yes.."

Akmal nodded.

"See dong.. A and U. Akmal and Ulya." the girl blurted out with excitement, looking up while smiling at Akmal. Akmal smiled back, shaking the top of the head of the girl named Ulya.

***

"So where's your boyfriend now?" Agnia asked hesitantly, looking into Akmal's eyes which seemed to lose her spirit after telling a long story.

Akmal looked up, returning Agnia's gaze. "There was. Here." he said, pointing to his chest.

Agnia snorted softly, loathing Akmal's grin. Shortly nodded. "Emh.. What is your purpose in telling me that?"

Akmal's gaze turned cheerful back, suddenly excited after Agnia's cynical question. As if one other thing could be ascertained. Agnian.. Of jealousy?

"Baby jealous? Take it easy. He's just the past."

"Whatever.." Agnia averted her eyes, regretting her question just now. Tired of being bullied by Akmal like that.

Not tired Akmal put a smile on his face, content to look at Agnia. Makes Agnia uncomfortable.

"Have the story sessions finished? I want to go home.."

"alright.. We're going home, it's my job to make sure Mama gets home safely."

Agnia got up from her seat, looking at Akmal before they left the place.

"Actually.. I don't feel like I have to know your past. I wonder why. But.. As I thought, I never had any hope for this relationship.."

"And.. Excuse me.. If you feel burdened by this match."

Agnia's words sound more like doubt than rejection. Akmal sighed softly, looking at Agnia who was stepping further and further away. It has not yet arrived at the main story, but Agnia has concluded herself. Honestly, as valuable Ulya to Akmal, Akmal did not cover up if he had fallen in love with Agnia, someone who was very different from Ulya. Both have their place in Akmal's heart.