Aksara Taste (For Flavors That Will Not Be Perfect)
Chapter Sixteen
As is customary, the ritual of copying with the Arfian always ends in the car. With the yellowish glow of the Arfian car lights, we could spend hours of the sleep we had. Let go of longing by saying many things. Sharing stories. Secret sharing. Share questions and give answers.
Even though it's just an old sedan car, there are so many memories I can't forget in it. In the sedan car, we had the opportunity to watch Kung Fu Panda together, eat fried rice one plate together. To taste the snacks that Arfian bought outside the city, we also did in his old sedan car. Not infrequently we watch comedy dramas to laugh out loud.
I don't know, this is how many times we watched together in his car. Not an animated film or comedy drama, but a re-broadcast of the Arfian game during the 2017 Australian Open.
Despite not dabbling in the world of badminton, there were many familiar moves in my eyes. Dropshot, backhand, drive, and jumping smash. The commentators covering the course of the match became my source of knowledge for those movements.
From Afian, there are some characteristics that he has when playing on the field. The young man was calm and calming. Not many smiles and rarely ask for a challenge. Arfian said, playing alone it needs more concentration. Do not complain too much when the service is said to be fault or our ball is declared out. Do not overdo it when the match point is first obtained. Do a celebrity like a rehearsal. If not in a precarious situation, continue the game with confidence. If it is rash, the opponent will easily find a gap.
The one thing I like about that young man when he plays, is when he puts the shuttlecock on the lip of the racket. His thumb and forefinger held onto those fine hairs with a thin touch.
“You have a technique from where do I hold my shuttlecock?”
“Atlet-other athletes are also like that, kok, Al.” should be light.
While I don't care what he says. My gaze leads to the soaring shuttlecock. Slowly rolling and falling off the field. Ensuring the Arfian struggle that advanced to the quarter-finals.
“Al.” Reply Arfian.
“Hm?” I said lightly without taking my eyes off. Waiting for what Arfian has to say.
However, he just kept silent. The ball is not moving. It froze just after our sight met. I smiled thinly. I rubbed his face with both hands. If the child has hair on his forehead. He made a thick jacket he was wearing. I looked at him as closely as he looked at me.
Until my body weakens. Especially when the young man approached slowly. Pulls me in his warm arms. Hinting of a stifled longing. It ended with a brief kiss on my forehead. After that he placed his chin on top of my right shoulder. I let him kiss my hair. Smelled the smell of vanilla that was so familiar to him. One of the smells she likes.
“Fian.” scolds me softly as Arfian tightens his arms.
“News, Al. Bentar aja.” sahut Arfian raau.
I saw the night wind blow. Fly the dry leaves. Dropping the twigs swinging precariously. Make them poor old rubble. Dropped my tears that I had been holding back.
Although being with Arfian makes me happy, but I don't want to lie. I don't want to keep secrets. That's why I was hurt too.
But, what could possibly be? A relationship like this is back to perfection?
*****
I almost called my mom and dad to ask them to come. But, Mas Rudi forbade. He said he'd be home soon. Though I doubt a little of what he said was just two days of vacation. This time on their honeymoon in Bali. It was impossible if he could keep his promise.
“I can't add to that script today. I'm busy.”
I took a deep breath as soon as I read Satya's message. That young man is unbelievable. He promised to send her the writing this afternoon.
“Do not contact me again if you do not want to die.” reply me excited.
After a few seconds, my phone vibrated again. “Oke.”
Piqued. I can just squeeze my own phone. Lazily serving the contents of Satya's message, I diverted my attention by calling Hanif and Alif. Ask them to take a shower and enjoy breakfast.
And what was left now was how to deal with them when the lunch hour arrived. I don't know what menu I'll be serving on the table. I will not order food from the outside. Fear of poisoning last year is repeated.
*****
Although not as smart as mother or mother Aina, my chicken curry should not be underestimated. Father said, I can open a cattering business if one day I get tired of working. It's just that sometimes I'm lazy to wiggle in the kitchen pantry. Not wearing a cooking apron.
But, for Hanif and Alif's sake, whatever I'm willing to do. I don't mind the cooking apron I've been wearing since. My hair that was tied carelessly, leaving her strands falling carelessly. Making my appearance this afternoon looks very messy.
“Bi Alya, make hodgepodge?”
Alif's voice made me sigh. The boy sat on the stairs and looked at me with a question mark.
“Mana there make hodgepodge use stove.” sahutku sober.
“But, said the father, the apron had a hodgepodge.” replied Alif origin.
I glanced at him. “Not just a hodgepodge guy who wears an apron.”
From outside the kitchen, the footsteps of people running led me to the TV room.
“Aibi, there is a father guest in front.” Hanif said as he approached his twin brother.
While Hanif and Alif were busy playing at the dinner table, I played down the stove fire. In a bit of a hurry I walked to the front porch. Meet the guest Mas Rudi referred to Hanif earlier.
*****
Time has its own way of bringing together whoever it wants.
It took a few seconds to realize who Mas Rudi's guest Hanif had said earlier. I thought it was not only me who was stunned, the young man standing in front of me also seemed to be in disbelief. He looked at me with two eyebrows raised high.
“You-“
“I am not here to meet you.” sela Satya in a hurry.
“I am also lazy to meet you.” I say annoyed while pulling the doorknob. Intend to scan the dispute with him. So we try not to meet again.
“Eh! Uh!” satya's two hands immediately held the door that I was about to close.
“I am a guest.” continued, looking at me with a face not accepted.
I almost cursed our meeting this time. Moreover, knowing it turns out Satya is an interior designer who has been told by Mas Rudi. Without diminishing my respect for the young man, I finally allowed him to enter. I'll have him sit down. I served the iced tea I deliberately made in a big teapot.
“I was left alone, so?” satya exclaimed for a moment after sipping my iced tea. He seemed to mind when he saw me go into the kitchen.
“Keep what you want?” I'm not impatient.
Since then my steps have been held back, even though Hanif has called my name many times.
Satya smiled at sumringah. His eyes sparkled brightly. “Phone you make sure I eat together, right?”
I took a long breath. My bolamata looked at Satya sharply. He seemed to be observing something. And I have no hesitation in saying that he is watching me.
Feeling uneasy from being noticed, I looked at the young man getting sharper. “Why?” ketus.
A sweet smile was etched behind her thin lips. “Nothing.”
“Bi Alya! Can you eat what yet?”
Lucky Alif's shout made my step immediately pass. Leaving Satya sitting alone. I don't know what he's doing there. I certainly didn't invite him to eat together. Just drown.
As soon as Satya walked around the TV room and I prepared chicken curry at the dinner table, our views met. Just just that. Without a single word we said. Without the intention of his eyes that I can confirm.
