Autumn In Kent
Conditional Gifts

I owe Steve dinner, thought Puti as he tidied up the books on his college bench. But do I want to see him again? Actually he is good to be a friend, unfortunately his arrival is not on time. She came in when I was cynical to everyone, Puti shook her head with a smile.

‘Hey, why smile for yourself?’ suddenly a voice sounded near him. Puti saw Billy McCroom walking up to his stool and then sitting on a chair beside Puti. Billy McCroom smiled showing off his perfect teeth.

‘I'm remembering a funny incident,’ Puti said.

‘How is the result of Mr. duty. Bilunka?’ ask Billy. Puti shook her head in concern.

‘Very ugly. Mr. B rebukes me because my duties are getting worse and more. Nothing is right. Maybe it's time for me to wake up and fix myself.’

‘Hopefully you will soon be aware. Sooner or later you have to get out of your grief,’ advises Billy. Puti.

‘I should have listened to your proposal to leave Mike. So it was not me who was left behind, but rather I who left,’ he said while trying to laugh. ‘But both are equally painful,’ error is fast.

‘You still cry?’ billy asked attentively.

‘No longer I guess. If I cry, I cry for myself.’

‘Ayo, Puti, don't crybaby. I know you as a very strong girl. Show that you can find happiness in other men. There are still many men waiting for you.’

‘It's not that easy, Billy. But trust me I've been and am trying.’

‘Yes, I believe..’ says Billy. ‘Mrs. Belmont said that there is a guy who has a crush on you,’.

‘Yang right? How could he know better than me?’

‘Gold-haired chowok who comes every before sunset and pretends to buy a brush and toothpaste..’

The Laughter exploded. Ughhhh.. Mrs. Belmont talks about Steve Carroll. And he knew that Steve always bought brushes and toothpaste. But she could not stop her laughter.

Billy is happy to hear Puti's laughter which he thinks has been lost forever. He watched Puti closely. He saw the pretty glasses Puti was wearing.

‘Hey, you've been wearing glasses again,’ Billy switched the conversation. ‘Can you buy new glasses? What about your job at Belmont’s? Want you to get off?’ ask Billy. Puti is confused which one will be answered first.

‘I won't give up my job, Bill. I am happy to work there,’ finally Puti was able to also answer.

‘You know, Mrs. Belmont is proud of you. He told me you were the best cashier he ever had.’

‘Did he also tell me I made a lot of mistakes when Mike just broke up?’ ajuk Puti's. Billy laughs.

‘You used to say that you only need a job until you can buy glasses.’

‘I think I'll need money for a long period of time, Billy. Unless you can find me a rich husband,’ said Puti Becanda.

‘Yang driving Porche 911 less rich?’ Ask Billy. Puti surprised. How did Billy know about Steve Carroll and his Porche 911?

‘He is not an ophthalmologist.’ Puti pretended to ignore Puti's question.

‘If you need money, why don't you just sell your engagement ring?’ ask Billy. Puti looked at him in disbelief.

‘Billy!!’ Puti Protest.

‘He dumped you. You don't want to wear that ring anymore. Why not just sell it?’

‘That ring I've returned to Mike.’

‘What...!!!’ Billy's turn to yell in disbelief. ‘Why did you return it to Mike. The ring is yours. Mike already gave it to you.’ Billy was really curious.

‘The ring was a conditional gift, Billy. Conditional Gifts. Mike gave it to me as a gift because I was willing to be his wife. Since there would be no marriage between me and Mike, yes I returned the ring to him,’ Puti tried to explain why the ring he returned to Mike.

‘Omong empty,’ reply Billy fierce. ‘I didn't think you were so stupid. If you leave Mike, you can return the ring. If Mike left you to marry his assistant, you sold the ring. The money you use around Europe the rest you buy a car so you can be free to go anywhere and forget your heartache,’ continued Billy fiery.

‘Billy, I'm sure the price of the ring is nothing. Boro-boro is enough to travel around Europe. To go to New York also I think mediocre,’ said Puti kalem.

‘In your opinion, how much does the ring cost?’

‘Two thousands. A maximum of three thousand,’ replied Puti. Billy shook his head.

‘Minimum 80 thousand dollars,’ said Billy sure.

‘No way,’ hiss Puti.

‘Last night I watched the final of The Bachelor, the ring given to the winner cost 80 thousand dollars. The diamond is not as big and pretty as yours.’

Puti doubts Billy's information.

‘I can sell it 50 thousand dollars easily. Request the ring back and I sell it to you. 5 percent commission for me is more than enough,’ said Billy sure.

☘️

Puti walked towards the bus stop. The cold air made him lazy to walk up to the dormitory. Fortunately, he did not have to wait for the bus. As soon as he reached the stop, a yellow bus emerged from the corner.

Arriving at Puti's apartment still finds Emma lying on the sofa in the living room..

‘Not leaving for work, Em?’ tanyakanya.

Emma had a textbook covering her face.

‘I took a week off,’ he replied.

‘Taking a week off? For what?’

‘Thursday to come is Thanksgiving, Puti. Don't you remember? And I want to go home to Youngstown,’ Emma reminded him.

‘Didn't Thanksgiving fall on the last Thursday of November?’ Ask Puti.

‘Thursday Fourth of November, Put. Next Thursday is the fifth Thursday,’ Emma replied while sitting down.

Puti. He miscalculated. He thought the last Thursday in November was Thanksgiving. When Mike and Cathy were supposed to have their wedding.

‘Why did you take so long off?’ Tanya Puti tried to forget her thoughts about Mike.

‘This semester I rarely go back to Youngstown. And I want to set up my show for the TV program. Next month I will be able to use studio facilities.’

‘What way do you want to show?’ tanya Puti was interested.

‘What if you display fashion from countries on the other side of the earth?’ Emma asks Puti's opinion.

‘Kukira will be very interesting. ‘

‘You want to help me?’

‘If I can afford I'm willing.’

‘Good! What I want to show you first is the fashion of your country. I'm going to need a lot of Indonesian information. I already have a picture of your stories, but I want a more real one. You wouldn't mind if your stuff I borrowed for my show ‘ would you?’

‘Of course not,’ Reply Puti.

‘If you want more complete you can borrow from Tanti and Don. They carry a lot of Indonesian fabrics. And if you want a video about Indonesia, I think I can lend it to you from Abdullah's family who live in Akron. They have a complete collection.’

‘Puti appreciate your brilliant idea,’ praise Emma. ‘After this Thanksgiving holiday I will soon be putting together my show.’

‘Hopefully succeed,’ Puti said as she sat on the sofa beside Emma.

‘Em, may I ask you something.?’

‘Ya..’ Reply Emma.

‘Do you think I should return my engagement ring to Mike?’ ask Puti carefully.

‘Of course not,’ replied Emma quickly. ‘That ring Mike gave you. Did Mike ask for your ring back?’

Puti. ‘I returned it to Mike as soon as he said our relationship ended.’

‘Mike received it?’ Ask Emma. Puti.

‘Basic stingy!’ Comment Emma. ‘You will get a nicer ring later, comfort Emma while hugging Puti's shoulder. Better than an 80-dollar ring? I don't think it will, thought Puti

‘Thanksgiving later you will go home to Salem, Put?’ asked Emma to shift the subject.

For a while Puti was silent. Their past years: Nancy, William, Mike and himself always gather on Thanksgiving day to pray a prayer of gratitude together. This year Puti believes Mike will definitely go home to Salem, while he is not ready to face Mike. Especially if this year Mike intends to invite Cathy and.

‘Kurasa no,’ Reply Puti. Emma looked at Puti for a moment and understood that answer.

‘How about celebrating Thanksgiving with my family?’ Emma offers.