When Potatoes Fall in Love

24

I don't have a quota, how am I going to download the app and ask ojol to pick me up ? nadin thought as soon as the talk was over with his mother.

Brrmmm

Nadin turned to the sound of the car and saw Dira's pickup car was about to leave the school gate. He no longer saw Dira with his friends. A familiar pain in his heart quickly resurfaced once he knew his relationship with Dira was not okay. Again, no, this was the umpteenth time he had been abandoned by his friend. Tears were willing to flow to represent her feelings of sadness. However, Nadin did not want those tears until he immediately wiped them off with a rough swab on his face.

I am indeed pathetic, inner Nadin along the road that began to heat up.

Every now and then, the long-sleeved girl wiped away the sweat that began to pour from the heat because the sunlight this afternoon was like a fire that had melted ice. How not, the thick clouds that had blocked the sky had disappeared without rest thanks to the sun who had just appeared at one noon. It is possible that Nadin's teeth will dry up if he does not bring water and drink it on the way home.

Time has shown at 13:40 and Nadin is still one step at a time to walk the usual path he went to go home. The sun was already starting to make his feet feel hot. He really wanted to open his shoes and socks and then nyeker to the house. He did so when he reached a large banyan tree on the side of the road.

“Ok. Staying next to her again,” shrewd Nadin began to open his black shoelaces.

My God, is that girl going to do something silly again ?

Why did he open his shoes ? Is he hurt ?

Aidan who had stopped his steps and muttered to himself while watching Nadin from a distance finally decided to approach him.

“What are you injured ?” tanya Aidan crouched down to face Nadin.

“Just !” Nadin was shocked when Aidan suddenly sat in front of him at a very close distance.

“Are you a ghost ?! Always showing up suddenly and making me surprised,” nagged Nadin.

Why are you always emotional every time you talk to me ? inner Aidan who then looks sullen.

“Stupid. There may be ghosts in broad daylight. And why did you take off your shoes ? Did your leg hurt ?” ask Aidan.

“No, my feet just feel hot,” replied Nadin getting up from his seat.

“If you're not hurt, why do you look like you've been crying ?

Again Nadin rubbed his face in a quick motion after hearing Aidan's question.

“My eyes are just juicy,” replied Nadin then leaned over to pick up his shoes lying on the street.

“Do you have any problems ?” Aidan pulled Nadin's hand that would move his leg.

“Nothing to do with you,” Nadin timps with a flat face without looking at Aidan.

“Do you have a problem with Dira ?” asked Aidan again to confirm his guess because the two of them had never been seen together as usual.

Nadin immediately looked at Aidan's curious face.

“I told you, nothing to do with you,” replied Nadin forcefully pulled his hand from Aidan's grasp.

“Ok, it's okay if you don't want to answer my question. But, put your shoes on first.” Aidan turned his eyes to Nadin's bare feet.

“Didn't I say my feet are hot?!” ketus Nadin's.

Not wanting to argue for too long, Aidan immediately picked up the shoes the girl was holding.

“You install it yourself or I put it,” said Aidan did not care what the girl in front of him said.

Nadin sighed heavily and took back his shoes. There is no point in fighting anymore because Aidan has shown a grinning face that seems forcing to him.

“I will install myself,” said Nadin then squatted put up his shoes.

Wonder why I always give up on him ? Is it because of the love ? nadin's mind while putting back his shoes.

Crusty krik krik krik

“Hehemmm hehehemmm, hemm hemm hemm,” Damara hummed a little with the crickets he first heard. Tonight, the widow is making cookies for her only daughter.

In the midst of his busy life, he took the time to look at Nadin who was watching TV in the living room next to his kitchen. He began to feel worried about the change in expression and attitude of his son who since yesterday was just silent and gloomy. He was afraid that his daughter was having problems with school affairs or his friends. So, on this occasion, he would find out the cause of his son being like that.

“Honey,” call Damara while carrying a plate containing food that he had made.

Nadin turned his head and gave a wry smile to his mother who then sat next to him.

“Let's eat,” get Damara to put the plate on the table right in front of Nadin.

“Waah.” Nadin's smile immediately expanded as soon as he saw the chocolate cookies in front of him. His hands immediately picked up some pieces to eat.

“Thank you, Mom. But, why don't you invite Nadin to help ?” nadin asked after he finished swallowing what he was chewing.

“Mom doesn't want to bother you watching tv. So, I do it myself. What does Nadin like ?” Damara embraces Nadin who is unceasingly eating his cookies.

“Enak. Nadin likes his chocolate,” said Nadin still with a smile fluffy. He dropped his head on his mother's shoulder.

Damara is grateful to have seen cheerful Nadin back, at least the chocolate that is currently eaten by his son can change the look of his face that looks sad.

“Nadin why love watching movies U & I ?” damara asked astonished to see Nadin who did not tire of watching a film from a neighboring country that tells of two bald twins, even though he thought that at the age of his son now, he was, he would prefer to watch movies about romance like girls in general.

“They're cute kids. Mom can't see how cute the U & I twins are when playing with her friends ?”

“Of course mom saw it, Nak.”

Both of them were in the Malasyian-language film.

“Nadins love the tolerance they show. They come from different backgrounds, looks, and characters. But, they can accept each other and keep playing together. How can Nadin be like those kids, ma'am ? Nadin wanted to have a lot of friends. Even if you can't, it's okay if Nadin only has one friend, as long as he accepts Nadin as he is. But... Why does it feel so hard to make friends like that ? What's wrong with Nadin ?” Nadin immediately wiped his tears that returned to flow, he was always powerless to stem his tears if he had spoken or remembered the problem of ‘friend’ which he thought was difficult to get.

Damara immediately hugged Nadin who involuntarily recounted his complaints. He hugged her tightly and kissed her head occasionally. Now he already knows the cause of his son to be a beggar these few days.

“Nadin mom's son, there's nothing wrong with you. Nadin's a good boy. Nadin just needs to be patient and learn to hang out with other people or friends at school,” Damara explained after he tried to control his emotions that were also sad to see Nadin. He must be strong and encouraging to his son.

“Nadin was scared, Mom,” replied Nadin while wiping his tears.

Damara stroked Nadin's hair and turned his face to his so they could see each other.

“Mom understands, Son. Try slowly, you can. Nadin had to be brave. I'm sure, Nadin will definitely get a very good friend someday,” Damara explained then gave a big smile to Nadin.

There was a feeling of relief and pleasure to see her mother's smile. He smiled and felt confident that later he would make a really good friend, a friend who accepted him as he was even though he was always followed by the shadow of his gloomy childhood.

Next Day

Byurrrrr byurrr

“Aarrrrggghhh ! Dingiiiin !” nadin shouted from the bathroom as he poured water on his body.

Why does the water have to be this cold ? If not school, I will not want to take a morning shower, grumbled Nadin while wearing a towel after he finished bathing.

A few steps after entering the school gate, Nadin stopped and was stunned there because he was confused about where to go. There is no place where this is meant to be at the moment. He walked slowly thinking about where he was going.

I shouldn't be like this, I'm used to it myself. Why should I lose my way when no one is with me ? I'd better go to the park, Nadin's mind then go to that place. He walked straight without looking left and right. At this time he did not want to greet anyone, he decided he would speak if someone asked him to talk. Moreover, he did not want to aggravate his feelings of sadness by thinking about the things that had already happened to him. So, he decided to play his favorite game before the game started.

“Nadin !”

Nadin was shocked to hear his name being called out in a loud voice. The phone he used to play the game fell. Nadin breathed a sigh of relief when he did not find the slightest crack on the screen of his phone that landed in the paving block.

“Nadin, thankfully I found you here. Let's go to the field, the other participants have gathered,” invited Alan chattering.

“It's only half nine, what will we do there for half an hour ?” nadin asked after he saw the clock on his phone.

“We will wait. Now, let's get up. If you are lazy quickly get there, we can slowly walk.” Alan now pulled Nadin's hand slowly so that the girl would lift her butt from her seat.

Why did the boy pull Nadin's hand ? And why would that careless girl want to be held in her hand ? gerutu Aidan who always happens to see Nadin along with his class leader. He looked at Nadin with a sharp look. Meanwhile, Rudi who was currently sitting nearby was looking to find out where his friend's eyes were looking. He also smiled faintly when he knew the direction Aidan's eyes were on Nadin who was walking in tandem with Alan.

Actually what are you talking about with him until you laugh beg*i**tu ? Ok, I'm still watching, dumel Aidan again.

“Hahaha, want until you will pout like that ?” asked Rudi who had chuckled since.

Aidan immediately changed the look on his face upon hearing Rudi's question.

“I don't feel that way,” said Aidan while scratching his non-itchy neck with his index finger.

Plok plok plok

Waaaa

Plok plok plok

The cheers and applause of the students filled the basketball court where the match was held. Most of the students there filled the field to watch that last match. They could not wait to see who would win the race of eating spicy food.

“Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullohiwabatuh, good morning children-anaaaaak,” greeting Pak Yon who served as vice principal of student affairs.

Students who were there also responded simultaneously. After that, the class representatives headed to the field and sat in their respective places as soon as Pak Yon called them.

Nadin was nervous about being in the crowd, he did not dare to raise his face and kept his head down.

“Nadin ! Spirit !” alan shouted waving his hands to Nadin.

Nadin smiled wryly looking at Alan from a distance. His smile faded as his eyes accidentally caught the figure of Aidan standing beside the basketball hoop. He did not expect Aidan would watch the match he was currently participating in.

“Everything, please calm down. You will announce the prize that your class will get if your representative wins this match,” said Mr. Yon who was standing in front of the participants.

No need to speak twice, the students who were there were immediately silent.

“So, the winning class will get a free lunch card for one full month and valid after this semester break is completed.”

All the students shouted and clapped in joy at the gift they were about to receive. After being told the rules of the match, the OSIS in charge of bringing the spicy superfood then put fried noodles in front of the participants. Aidan raised his eyebrows when he saw only Nadin's plate that was a different color to the other participants. However, despite his suspicions, he did not want to think things through and hoped that no one would prank Nadin on this match.

“One.... two... three... Start !”.

All participants including Nadin immediately ate the noodles in front of them. However, Nadin coughed as soon as the red noodles entered his mouth, he could not drink the water as it would definitely be disqualified.

Oh my God, it's so spicy ! nadin shouted in his heart. Unfortunately, he immediately hiccups because of the spicy food to make it a bit difficult when eating.

“Come Nadin potatoes ! Potatoes ! Nadin Potatoes !” ela shouted looking excited and excited. It was a good time for him to humiliate Nadin.

Aidan who heard the nickname Nadin immediately went up. It was so bad he squeezed the mouth of his underworked upperclassman.

“Come potatoes ! Spirit !” other students also encouraged Nadin with frills behind his name thanks to the work of Ela.

Nadin was surprised to hear his nickname. However, he must stay focused on eating minya if he wants to win the game.

Come on Nadin, you can do it. Defeat his class Ela, so that he can't eat for free in the canteen, inner Nadin eats his minya as quickly as possible.

The teachers and all the students there were tense and kept shouting to see the participants who were trying to eat the extremely spicy noodles. And......