A Night Without Stars
Episode 6

I had a relationship with Ares for a month.

“Almost first Res. Dinner at my house aja,” take me when we just got home from work. As usual Ares pick me up from work, Ares just pick me up when I come home, while when I go to work I still use public transportation, I don't want to rely much on others.

“Neuropepotin?” ask Ares.

“It's okay. Instead of eating alone, Ares will stay alone,” I assure him. I think it's time to introduce Ares to my family, even though I've never known the Ares family, because Ares lives alone in his family's house in Bandung. Ares' father lives in Jakarta and is very busy with his work while his mother is dead. Ares himself sometimes still have to go to Jakarta for work. “Park in front!” my orders to Ares.

We got out of the car too. I let Ares sit in the living room, while I went looking for my parents. “Ma, emm it,” I said a bit embarrassed to say that I came with my girlfriend.

“What Nanta? Wanna eat? Shower first there!” my mother's response didn't know there was Ares.

“I came with Ares Ma, I brought him to eat first at home.”

“Ares? Your new boyfriend?” ask Mama.

“Iya so,” I replied staggered.

Mama who happened to be in the kitchen immediately pulled out the food she had cooked earlier this afternoon. While I went to the living room to tell my Papa then I went up to my room, before I entered my room, I went to Ken's room first to tell him to go to the dining room immediately. After storing the bags, washing my hands, and feet, I immediately returned to the living room. “Yuk Res, we eat,” take me.

“Ah yes,” replied Ares while standing from her seat. Arriving at the dining room Ares shook hands with Mama, Papa and My Brother.

“Add more nak Ares!” my mother said when she saw Ares just scooping a little rice on her plate.

“Iya Res, add more, do not need to jaim(jaga image),” I said while bringing rice again to Ares plate. “Nevent be shy Res eat aja aja aja much, later fit home stay at billih his bill. Hahaha.. kidding.”.

At first I saw Ares was a little nervous. Maybe the first time for him to eat in front of the prospective in-laws so it must be jaim, but in the middle of the chat, I saw Ares getting used to it, even Ares eating with greed.

“Res plus more yes!” i'm offering.

“Nevent need to be full. Aunty cuisine is very good, it has long not eaten such delicious cuisine,” praise Ares.

“Nak Ares can aja,” Mama said with a blush mimic.

“Nak Ares do not woo ex-boyfriend Om enough Nanta aja taken, hahahaa..” joking Papaku. We were all trying to laugh at Papa's crisp joke. “Nak Ares works where?” continued Papa.

“Event organizer Om,” Ares replied.

“Ares has EO Pa,” as.

“Great young is already an entrepreneur. Know where Nanta is, how Om just saw?” Papa's introgating Ares.

“Papa, let's know all about Nanta.” I don't like Papa's attitude, even though I know Papa's purpose well, for me to clearly get along with who and if anything happens to me at least Papa knows the background of the people close to me.

“We know in Jakarta Om, we happen to be met because of work. When Nanta's workplace office becomes a fashion show participant, EO I take care of the show,” Ares replied calmly.

“Great also EOnya until out of town too,” Papa responded.

“Jut Ares office in Jakarta Om, in Bandung, just help your business in the field of construction and building,” replied Ares politely.

“Di Bandung live where?” ask Papa.

“Cipaganti Om.”

“So the family is also in Bandung or Jakarta?” ask Dad.

“Dad Ares lives in Jakarta Om, if Mom is dead.”

“Iya Om is okay. Makasaih a lot Om, Auntie has allowed me to eat together. Since Mother died Ares never gathered again like this.” Ares's eyes were dim, his eyes holding so much sadness.

“So Nak Ares lives alone now?” ask Mama.

“Iya Aunt.”

“Nak Ares can come here anytime, eat here only. Eating food outside too often is not healthy,” said Mama.

“There are many Aunts. Ares is a hassle.”

“Nnothing, precisely so rame our family increased,” said Mama.

“Especially if you are married later stay together so it is not lonely,” said Papa hopes our relationship will be inaugurated but Papa's words make me embarrassed.

“Ah Yes Om Aunt thanks a lot,” replied Ares a little nervous. Looks like Ares is embarrassed just like me. “Om, Aunt, Ares came home first it was night,” said Ares while standing and shaking hands with my parents and Ken.

“Thank you Ta, I haven't felt warm with my family for a long time. Since Mommy died seven years ago, I only met Dad for work,” Ares said as he walked to the front of my house, with me next to him who delivered Ares home.

I could see the light of Ares's eyes full of sadness, the light was always visible every time talking about family. In my heart I feel sorry. Tanpan I realized my hand was moving to grab Ares' hand. I clasped Ares' hand tightly as if I was afraid Ares would break and leave.

Ares looked at me who was beside him and then he turned his body so that our position was facing still with our hands together because Ares was holding my hand tightly. I looked up a little to see his face. I could feel Ares's face like he wanted to say something, but he was silent for a few seconds until he finally said, “Ta, Monday I have to go to Jakarta for a few days, I have a meeting with a co-worker.”

“How long?” my many.

“Perhaps about two to three days,” replied Ares.

“Yes already,” responded to me with a feeling of sadness because I won't be meeting Ares for a few days.

“Don't be so sad, I'm just going for a minute. Nanta has to start preparing because I will often be served outside Bandung,” Ares warned me.

“Iya Res, I have also prepared myself. I know Ares must be busy,” I said understandingly.

“Thank you for knowing me. What time is it tomorrow?”

“Sore aja Res I want to finish first.”

“Oke.”

After I took a shower Papa called me into the living room there was Mama too. “What's Pa?” ask me while sitting cross-legged on the carpet.

“Udah how long your relationship with Ares,” asked Papa.

“A month More Pa.”

“Papa rather surprised the first time Ares came to Papa's house Kira Aruna. Why did Nanta break up with Aruna?” ask Papa.

I was confused how to say it. I'm afraid Papa is angry that I knew all along I never gave certainty to Aruna and I was dating Ares instead. I was silent thinking hard to be able to speak well so that Papa does not misunderstand or get angry. But before I could speak, Papa spoke again.

“Alright maybe it's a problem young Papa won't force Nanta, but Nanta don't choose men just because of his property. After hearing Ares Papa's background is sure he's a rich man.”

I'll talk to you right away. “Papa thinks Nanta is looking for Aruna because Ares is richer?! How much the hell Papa knows Nanta to think so,” I talk with a bit of emotion.

“Not so Papa meant. Papa is sure Papa never educated Papa's child like that. Papa believes in Nanta, it's just that Nanta has been convinced by Nanta's choice not to date too long Papa hope you guys soon more serious your age is also enough right?! Papa saw that Aruna was ready to marry Nanta, but Nanta was like buying time. Do not get Ares too like that if Ares is ready, Nanta wait what else?” Obviously Papa. “Daan, is Ares serious about Nanta? Don't let Nanta lose a sure one for the sake of an uncertain person.”  

In my heart I said, for though I also did not know Ares very well, we were only close to a month. But I don't want to prolong the problem with Papa so I'd better say “Iya Pa, Nanta try. What is clear Nanta will definitely take care of himself.”