Aksara Taste (For Flavors That Will Not Be Perfect)
Chapter Nineteen

Do you have a dream home?

For some reason, Satya refused my invitation to have lunch together. Logically, I did not immediately give lunch rations because he had saved the cacti Aina Mbak. But, more than that. I thought it would be better if I could fix our messy relationship. Yeah, even though Satya is a little annoying. But that doesn't mean I can forget the good he's given me.

“You can eat chicken curry, right?” I asked when the young man arrived in the kitchen. He was busy moving some properties in the living room. Although Mas Rudi just returned the day after tomorrow, the renovation of our house will still start tomorrow.

“Neventless. I ntar nyari eat outside aja.” reject Satya while observing the kitchen.

“Or do you want to eat chicken? Want to eat pudding?” bargain the umpteenth time while stirring the chicken curry sauce on the pan.

“You cook also turned out.” Satya said. Sounded praised.

“Tau from where?” I said, adding a little salt. Then back to stir the almost ripe sauce.

The young man laughed crisply. Scratch him who is still busy scraping carbon pencils with thin strokes in his sketchbook.

“Don't like to conclude something. Because not everything we can sense is true.”, I reminded Satya. Skilled like a wise man in general.

“I don't have an answer to your advice.”

Now it's my turn to laugh. “Don't you cook too?”

Satya raised her head, looking at me who first looked at her. “I can't cook. Serius.” said Satya emphasized his last word.

“Bisanya yes, just make a home design. Design the room. Make them live.” continued Satya. Sounds sincere and honest.

“You want to have a kayak house how?” satya asked without taking her eyes off the sketchbook.

“I do not have a dream house or a future home. Because for me, the house is not just a building, not just a place to live. Maybe when we get old, we will forget the way home. But, we will never forget our purpose of going home.”

I saw a faint smile etched on Satya's lips as I answered her question. The young man looked at me while leaning his body against the wall of the wooden closet.

“Why?” many wonder.

Not wanting to respond so much to Satya's point of view, I was busy serving chicken curry at the dinner table.

“I think I want to eat hodgepodge again, deh.” that second I also laughed embarrassedly. A little incredulous when he heard what the young man said.

Is a cooking apron identical to a hodgepodge?

My fingers hurried to untie the aprons on my back. Just pulling the ribbon, my movement stopped instantly as soon as Satya reopened her voice.

“But, you are so beautiful like that.”

With great difficulty I swallowed. I was almost out of voice to speak. Not because of flattery. It's just that I think my current appearance is too messy. I don't know what Satya thinks. Almost similar to what you often say.

“Aibi, there are guests in front.” Alif said when he arrived at the dining table.

“Tuest?” many wonder.

“Says Bi Alya.” office friends Hanif.

“Ya, already. You guys sit down first. Let Bi Alya go ahead.” I asked Hanif and Alif.

Before coming out of the kitchen, I had a quick glance at Satya. “I don't like people making food. But, if you do not mind, please sit down to enjoy the dishes that I have prepared.” I said slowly.

Hearing that Satya laughed again. Closed with a sweet smile behind her thin lips. His steps left me. Stop by the dining table. Accompanying Hanif and Alif who are busy playing cars.

*****

Every secret has its own way of opening.

I thought there would be a warm welcome from Abas and Rayhan as soon as I opened the door. However, they seemed to want to finish me off that very second when we met.

“You want to kill me slowly, Al?” rayhan flat said. Face grimacing. Hair disheveled. He doesn't look bad.

I have no answer but to let them inside.

“Then you marry, continue to get pregnant. I will not be willing you permission for maternity leave.” said Abas while relaxing his body on the back of the sofa.

No need to ask what happened. Who else could have made Abas and Rayhan this frustrated besides our leader?

“Mas Zifran why else?” tanyaku carefully.

Rayhan exhaled heavily. “I was told to work rodi.”

Abas. “I was told to be subordinate to people who work rodi.”

“You should see how many manuscripts are stacked on the editorial table.” said Rayhan, his tone sounded resigned.

Abas added to the young man's grief. “Babeangin aja, nih, Al, my whole-age never nanganin script milan that, anyway. When I was beaten, I was scolded again. If it wasn't for Rayhan, I wouldn't have. ”

Rayhan laughed funny. “Thanks, yes, Bas.”

Abas smiled in agreement. “You owe a lot to me Ray. Partly I am confused, Mas Zifran why use the event thanks Alya permission leave all, try?”

I glanced at the two of them. “You guys finished this story. Now we have lunch first, yuk?” bargain me, try to melt the atmosphere.

I see, Abas and Rayhan are heavy. It's been almost a week since I went to work. Indirectly, the burden of their work increases. But, how else. I don't want this condition either.

Abas and Rayhan got up from the living room sofa. Their steps were heavy as they followed me to the dining table. Like people have no hope.

“We don't have to go home, Ray. Let Mas Zifran nyariin we ampe to the end of the world.” guyonan Abas makes me hold a laugh.

“Ray? Wh why? No trance, right?” abas' voice stopped my steps.

“Since when was there that jerk here, Al?” rayhan's question suddenly made me look at him sharply. Without knowing what happened, I immediately approached Hanif and Alif. Hurry up to prepare two rice dishes along with chicken curry for them.

“You dined in your room, yes.” I said slowly.

Thank goodness Hanif and Alif did not ask much. They entered the room as I asked.

For a few moments, there was only silence created. Rayhan's face, which was originally slurred, now changed like one who was ready to go berserk.

Satya cleared her throat, then smiled fakely. “Where, Ray? Can you forget Selma?”

I looked at Abas. I wish the young man could explain something to me. But, it seemed that none of them knew.

Rayhan laughed cynically. “How are you? Have you been to Ardy's grave?”

A split second after that, Satya unleashed a punch towards Rayhan. He punched his face all out. Making him fall down, the corner of his lips bruised with blood.

I don't know what happened after that. Rayhan got up and returned Satya's blow. Everything is happening at the speed of light. The brawl between Rayhan and Satya is completely out of control.

Abas tried to intervene. Trying to stop their fighting. I tried to arrest Satya. Hold the young man's shoulder. Clasping his tightly clenched hand. He was already prepared to drop another punch into Rayhan's face.

“Satya!” seruku warned Satya. Trying to dampen his emotions.

“Ray, done, Ray. Ray!” Abas held Rayhan who had been battered.

Her bruises are really too bad.

“Satya!!” I snarled the young man. He was upset because he wasn't listening either.

I don't want Rayhan and Satya's fight to be a spectacle for Hanif and Alif. Moreover, I also do not want any commotion in this house.

“We talk after this. Once you realize what you've done with Ardy!” ketus Rayhan then stepped resigned when Abas took him home.

It takes a while to understand the situation that just happened. My eyelids blinked many times. I think I'm standing in a bind of fictional characters. I thought it was all an illusion, just a coincidence.

But what happened to Selma? What happened to Ardy? Have I not perfected them both in the writing world?

So why are their names suddenly present in real life? It was even a topic of trouble between Rayhan and Satya.

“I'm sorry for making a scene in your home.” Satya said. I heard regret from his tone.

I rolled my eyes, looking at him who was grimacing softly. His face was not inferior to Rayhan either. All-out battering. Fresh blood flowed through his temple, yet he ignored it. His fingers were busy touching his bruised right arm. Perhaps the wound from his suicidal intent back then had not healed completely. And it had to get worse because of the fight.

“Obatin used to wound you.” I said reminded.

However, the young man paid no heed to what I said. He even walked right away, picking up his falling sketch sheets. Clean up writing equipment and design catalogs that had been scattered.

Without a word Satya said, he went straight home. Leaving me alone.

Busy thinking of something I can't even understand. What is the relationship between Satya, Ardy, Selma, Rayhan and Cinnamon?

*Universe Invitation

The universe has many secrets.

There are millions of stories you never read,

You hear it from the people of the world.

Dark universe.

Without light.

Silent.

Without Sound.

Frowsty.

Without air.

The universe is always decorated with giant clouds.

Free, never touched anyone in space.

The universe is a mystery.

Full of uncertain assumptions.

Without a trace of response.

Nor the remnants of hope.

There will always be questions.

To whom will the universe share its secrets?

Will the universe be alone forever?

Even though he's used to it.

But, believe me the universe is reluctant to be lonely*.