Autumn In Kent
Goodbye, Mike Gray

The phone that Puti will not arrive later. Mike's phone is still inactive.

Is Mike Busy? Sick? or is the phone broken? Perhaps Ma'am Tanti and Mas Don have seen it wrong,’ Puti calmed his worries, he said,

When the fourth day Puti still did not receive a call from Mike, Puti called Nancy Gray, Mike's mother who for a dozen years Puti had considered as his mother.

‘Okay, Puti, I almost called you. You haven't had any news in a long time. How are you doing, hon?’

‘Alright, Mom. I've been very busy lately.’

‘You can go home next weekend? If I can pick you up later.’

‘I can't go home yet, Mom. I have a part-time job now,’ replied Puti. Then he started talking about his new job. It's also about the people who work with him.

‘If you can't come, sometime me and Dad will come visit you,’ Nancy promised.

‘Mom, did Mike just get back to Salem?’ ask Puti when she finds an opportunity to ask.

‘Yes. Last week. Didn't she go to Kent too?’ answer Nancy. An answer that Puti did not expect. So Mike actually came to Kent? But why didn't he see me, thought Puti upset.

‘Puti, are you still there?’ nancy's question immediately dawned on Puti.

‘Ya,’ sahut Fast Puti.

‘Did Mike not see you?’ nancy began to worry.

‘Perhaps Mike is too busy,’ entertain Puti. He had no idea who he was trying to entertain. Himself or Nancy.

‘Too busy?’ reset Nancy. ‘Come on, Puti. Mike told us to meet you in Kent. How could he not have time for you?’

‘Well .. There may be something sudden,’ Puti is still trying to find justification for Mike's actions. ‘So now he's back in Maryland?’

‘Kurasa yes. Why don't you just call him?’ nancy's Advice.

‘I tried four days ago, but the phone is off. Maybe he is really busy and does not want to be disturbed.’ kilah Puti.

Nancy was silent for a moment. The feeling is starting to feel bad. ‘Where did you know Mike was in Kent? You saw it?’

‘I didn't know Mike was in Kent, Mom. I miss him and would love it if he was in Salem,’ Puti lied. She doesn't want Nancy to be upset about knowing Mike didn't find her but instead comes to Professor Miller's party. Nancy laughed at Puti's response.

‘Why don't you get married so you don't have to live far apart?’ ask Nancy. ‘Moreover what are you waiting for? You can continue your school after marriage.’

I'll think about it, Mom. I promise,’ replied Puti. After talking to each other, the time has finally come for them to say goodbye to each other.

Nancy sat down in the kitchen. The feeling is not good. He had a feeling that something was not right. Mike always took the time to come to Kent when he was in Salem. And the first person he wanted to meet was Puti. But now he went to Kent without trying to find him. How odd.

Nancy called her son. Mike Gray has to explain his actions. Unable to make a phone call, he called his office.

☘️

Day after day passed softly like leaves shed by the season. Without feeling it has been ten days Puti worked at the Belmont Drugstore. He likes his job very much. His concern about Mrs's badness. Belmont turned out to be completely unreasonable. Old lady so sweet and attentive.

That night, before going home, Puti calculated the amount of money in his cash register box. Then he matches the copy of the receipt he printed from the computer. He repeated it again to ensure the accuracy of his count. After feeling sure there is no mistake he gave the money and copy to Mrs. The Belmont.

‘Thank you, Put,’ said Ms. Belmont after checking the money and details. ‘You have tea with me before you go home?’ continue offering.

‘Thank you, Mrs. Belmont, but I have to get home soon. There are school assignments that I have to complete,’ reject Puti.

‘Alright then. There's still another time.’

‘Ya, next time,’ Reply Puti. Then he picked up his jacket and walked towards the exit. ‘Good night, Mrs Belmont,’ details.

Outside Belmont, Puti can feel the cold night air in mid-October. It was cold that signaled that winter and snow were coming soon. Puti stood for a long time in front of the store entrance while paying attention to the other shops in the Arbor Circle complex. Winter clothes began to be displayed in every storefront. Suddenly Puti's eyes caught the movement of someone who was out of a parked car not far from where he stood.

‘Puti!’ call that guy.

‘Mike!’ puri exclaimed in excitement while running towards Mike. Mike hugged her then landed a light kiss on her lips.

‘When are you coming, Mike? Why not call first?’ ask Puti.

‘Call is dead. Six o'clock I came to your dorm and got information that you worked in Belmont until eight. Well now I come to pick you up,’ Mike replied as he opened the door for Puti. Puti. A moment later Mike was already sitting next to him behind the wheel.

‘You've had dinner, Put?’ tanyakanya.

‘Not yet,’ replied Puti while staring at old Mike. How much I love her, thought Puti happily.

‘OK, we eat first,’ Mike decided.

They had dinner at a Chinese restaurant across from the main gate of the University of Kent. As they eat, Puti realizes that Mike often steals a glance at her. He also realized Mike was eating only a little and seemed dispassionate.

‘You haven't touched your food, Mike,’ Puti reprimanded. Mike was surprised then hurriedly he developed a smile.

‘I just remembered that I had eaten in Salem,’ he said while trying to feed food into his mouth. Puti laughing.

‘Don't force yourself, Mike. If you are really full you do not have to spend your food,’ said Puti softly. Mike smiled and obeyed Puti's orders. He put down his fork and then watched Puti eat. Suddenly Puti realized that Mike's view was somewhat different. In his eyes Puti could read a heavy burden.

‘There's a question, Mike?’ ask Puti while touching Mike's hand. Mike shook his head in a doldrums. Precisely in the headband Puti saw the problem. But he didn't press Mike. He knew if Mike really wanted to share his problems with him, sooner or later Mike would tell him. That's why he also didn't ask why Mike didn't contact him when he came to Kent the other day.

After dinner, Mike and Puti take a walk in Student Park. Puti gilded spoiled in Mike's arms while enjoying the moon in the sky that was shining full. Its light rivaled the bright lights of the garden. Occasionally the night wind blew and the dried leaves floated down on the leaves that had fallen before.

Tired of surrounding the garden they sat on a concrete bench under a buckeye tree. Mike took Puti's hand and then held it tightly in his hand.

‘Puti, there's something I have to tell you,’ whispered Mike heavily. Then he was long silent unable to continue his words. Puti looked at Mike eagerly.

‘Yes, God, I can't bear to say it,’ jerang Mike while covering his face with a palm. Puti touched Mike's soft shoulder.

‘Say, Mike. I'm ready to hear it,’ whispered Puti lirih. There was tremendous worry in the whisper. Mike shook his head many times.

‘I can't, Puti. I can't.’

‘Is there anything to do with our relationship?’ ask Puti. The question came from his little heart. Mike nodded then hugged Puti tightly.

‘I'm sorry, Puti. I'm sorry,’ Mike whispered many times while stroking Puti's hair. Puti breaks away from Mike's embrace suspiciously.

‘Mike, you have not said the deal,’ Puti said. Although he knew for sure that the news he would receive was bad news, but Puti wanted to hear it. Mike was hesitant. He had to fight first with his conscience before having the courage to come forth to Puti.

‘I want to marry Cathy Kates,’ said Mike Lirih. But the soft one sounded like lightning in Puti's ear. For a moment he was still motionless as if he had not heard Mike's words. He already had a premonition of hearing bad news but he did not expect that it was this bad. He thought Mike would delay their marriage for a while longer or even wanted to speed it up. But it turns out Mike is going to marry another woman. Cathy Kates, her assistant.

‘Puti, I know this isn't fair to you. But I love Cathy. Me and him .. ‘

‘Stop it,’ snapped Puti gusar. Mike tried to hug her so that she would calm down, but Puti swiftly dodged. ‘Not so long ago you still expressed love to me,’ Muti whispered.

‘But it's true, Puti. Ilove you. I can't deny it. I have loved you since the first time I saw you. I still love you. But the thing is I love Cathy too and I can't part from her,’ Mike tried to explain. Puti almost got on board hearing the confession. But he quickly closed his mouth with his palm while regulating his sudden heartbeat rumbling like a rising sea. He blinked his eyes which felt very hot.

‘We better think about this, Mike,’ he said calmly.

‘I've thought about it carefully, Put. Ten days ago I came here with the intention of telling you this. But I am not capable. For ten days I thought the way out was best for us. And there's only one way I can find. Saying honestly to you,’ whispered Mike. Suddenly Puti saw the sky above him crumbling down stockpiling himself. And no one can help him. Puti gasps for breath.

‘Puti, I beg your understanding,’ pinta Mike weld.

‘You got it, Mike,’ replied Puti. ‘Don't I have no choice but to let you go?’ continue with no emotion. Resignedly. He begs for love. It's been proven Mike loves Cathy more than he does. He had to accept that reality with a chest. As forcefully as he held back the crying that wanted to burst out in his eyes. Your crying was over years ago, Puti.