What a Beautiful Divorce

86. Thank You Phrase

The mood was silent again. This time it was quieter. No one spoke out of surprise. Only Mr. Purnomo who looked relaxed while smiling at one by one the people he made shocked.

Bu Rena finally spoke up. “Will I think first.”

“Alright,” said Mr. Purnomo, smiling. He doesn't discuss that further. “Then, we say goodbye first, afraid of nightfall arrived in the village.”

Mr. Akum drove them to the fence.

“Sorry, Kum, but I seriously want to marry your sister,” said Mr. Purnomo quietly, after everyone got in the car.

Mr. Akum smiled. “Already, don't think about it, Pur. Even though we just met, I believe you. If Rena agrees, I will support you.” Mr. Akum extended his hand.

After greeting Mr. Akum, Mr. Purnomo went up to the steering wheel. They drove Ronal first before returning to the village of Kejora.

***

Today Lapen Oscario has arrived at his grandfather's house since early morning with Taro and Lennon. As his grandfather's door closed, Lapen invited Taro and Lennon to paint in the courtyard with a wooden branch first until his grandfather came out.

“Say Grandpa Purnomo, painting on the ground with a twig different way by painting on a canvas or book,” Lapen explained to his two friends.

“When? You're bragging again, aren't you, Lapen? I never with Kek Purnomo said that. You ever heard of it, Taro?” Lennon looked at Taro.

Taro shakes. “No, Lennon,” answer. “Perhaps you misheard, Lapen.”

Lapen wrote the last line of the picture of the house he made. “Which you will know. Time Kek Purnomo said it was you guys sleeping.”

Lennon and Taro laughed. From the fence of the house, appeared Mr. Purnomo. “You guys have been here a long time? Tumben early in the morning.”

“We want to join in releasing the fish that Uncle Prapto brought to the river, Kek,” Lapen replied.

Mr. Purnomo approached the land painted by Lapen and his two companions. There are pictures of cars made by Taro, pictures of houses by Lapen, and pictures of fish made by Lennon.

Mr. Purnomo smiled. “It's getting better that you guys paint. By the way why don't you go straight to your grandfather's back, Lapen? Most also him in the garden.”

“It's okay, Cake, while playing we just wait for him to open the door,” Lapen replied.

“Yes already, I live first, yes, I want to see Oscar.” Mr. Purnomo stepped through a small walkway beside Mr. Oscar's house leading to his garden.

Mr. Purnomo stood at the garden door. It seems Mr. Oscar is examining the leaves of the plant while singing over the chirping of birds.

“Mr. Tambourine Man's. You're sure the birds you sing with know Bob Dylan's Oscar?” Mr. Purnomo stepped over to the long bench in front of the pool, sat down, then lit a cigarette.

Singing Mr. Oscar stopped. He turned around and smiled at Mr. Purnomo. “Of course they know, Purnomo. I used to play rock songs in this garden and they always followed.”

Mr. Oscar then sat on the long bench. He ignited the shell while staring at the pool. He did not ask why Mr. Purnomo came early in the morning, because he could have guessed what his best friend would say.

“Since what age are we friends, Oscar?” asked Mr. Purnomo without looking, he was also staring at the pool.

“I think it was four years old, Pur. You came to my house with your father. Our father chatted on the porch while we went to the garden to look at the cattle and make cars out of wood,” replied Mr. Oscar.

“Since then we have been friends, Oscar,”, said Mr. Purnomo. “You forgot that I'm smart? It's not too hard for me to finally know that you're in the middle of trying to get me. What don't I know, what are the plans you're putting together with Prapto and Nimo?”

Mr. Oscar laughed. “Not complicated. I just asked them to find a female teacher then see how Purnomo.” responds

“How old is he, Pur?”

“Fatty five years.”

Mr. Oscar nodded. He understood, by coming here early in the morning, that was how Mr. Purnomo thanked him. The expression of gratitude should not always be spoken, but can also be shown through attitude and actions.

***

“When would Bu Rena say her decision, Boss? Arini kept asking me when will begin the lesson of making clothes naturally in Kejora village.” Nimo leaned his back against the bench after igniting a cigarette. This afternoon the sun was so scorching that they took a break gardening faster than usual.

“If he agrees to stay in the village of Kejora, he will not give any news, Nimo,” Prapto replied. Then he lit a cigarette.

Nimo turned to Prapto with an astonished face. “Why is that so, Boss? Then how to do?”

Prapto laughs. “Bu Rena is a woman, Nimo. Agreeing to teach at Kejora village means she agreed to marry your uncle. He must be ashamed to tell your uncle. At most he will only give code.”

Nimo nodded. “True too, Boss. Should we tell Uncle that he asked Ms Rena?”

“No need. Your uncle must understand this. You took the fish we bought yesterday to the river, Nimo?”

“No, Boss. I leave that to Lapen Oscario and her two best friends,” Nimo replied. “Bos tagged?”

“Not really, Nimo.”

***

Ms. Rena doesn't make fabrics today. Since the morning after taking care of the flowers in the garden he just sat pendopo. The tea in front of him was over. From Pak Akum's house came two dishes of fried rice.

“Eat first, you've been too busy thinking since morning. I'm the cook,” said Mr. Akum after putting the fried rice and sitting in front of his sister.

“Thank you, Bang.” Ms. Rena smiled. He took the fried rice and fed it. “How do you think Mas Purnomo's man, Bang?”

“I think he's a good guy, Ren. He's cool too. I love his paintings. I also called Ronal last night asking about his village Purnomo. Ronal had been there to attend Prapto and Nimo's wedding. Ronal said, the village of Kejora is peaceful and beautiful,” explained Mr. Purnomo.

Bu Rena held back her laughter while chewing the fried rice. “Masa’ just once there Ronal can already make sure the village is peaceful and beautiful, Bang?”

“It could be, Ren, if the Ronal were to closely observe. Have you made up your mind?”

“Already, Bang. Looks like I will be the villager,” replied Bu Rena blushed.

Mr. Akum laughed when he saw his brother was embarrassed. “Then you call Purnomo now.”

“Do not, Bang! Masa’ the woman who said first? Let Mas Purnomo question me later. Brother don't tell her anything, yeah.”

Mr. Akum nodded. “Good. We wait for them to contact.”

Shortly after that Mr. Akum's phone rang. “From Purnomo, Ren.”

Mum Rena stopped chewing. “Try lift, Bang,” said.