Becoming Like My Mother
CHAPTER 26

Azein followed every step Melati made. Sometimes his gaze leads to Melati's face being slightly smudged. Makes her face more cute and cute. Not infrequently he laughed to see the face of Melati.

From a distance Aaz sees the interaction between his older brother and Melati. Seeing the face of Azein who seemed happy to be close to Melati made him undo the intention to go to their place.

He turned and happened to ring his doorbell. He immediately went to the door and opened it. He seems to be his best friend besides Melati. Well, he is Huamira.

"Assalamu'alaikum," Smile etched beautifully on Maira's face.

"Wa'alaikumsalam's chat. Come on in," Reply kindly Aaz.

"Is Melati here?" Ask Maira.

"Well, did Melati tell you?" Aaz invites Maira to walk to Melati and Azein's place.

"Yes, he asked me to come here. Sorry for not telling you."

"Hey why are you apologizing. I should've forgotten to take you."

Maira smiled, "Yes no problem."

But before that Aaz took Maira first to the kitchen to take a tray.

"Oh yes Brother, I'm sorry because at that time I took my groceries wrong so switched." Melati raised her face looking at Azein.

"Yes no problem. Before I got home I stopped by the supermarket again. So I bought it again."

Jasmine widens her eyes. "Really?, tell me how much should I change?!"

Azein shook his head and smiled at Melati. "No need, you know because of your groceries. My mom made me my favorite food."

"Oh yeah?, but brother I feel guilty because of that. Can you tell me how much I'm gonna pay."

Azein shook his head looking at Melati's behavior. "What to pay for it. Aren't my groceries for you and your groceries for me?, we're even because of that."

"But that's why you have to buy what you need before."

"No need to say." Firm Azein.

Melati did not listen to Azein, she took her bag and opened it. He took a check in his bag. And gave it to Azein.

"Write whatever I have to change."

You stubborn. Azein again shook his head and let out a long sigh. He did not budge from his seat and his hands continued to form clay.

Melati's hand is still in place. He was still waiting for Azein to take it.

"So why don't you take it?!" Said annoyed Melati who already feels sore hands.

"Whatever. I'm not gonna take it."

"I don't want to owe you!"

Azein stopped his activity and looked at Melati's face.

"How did you replace it by teaching me the piano?, I've heard Aaz that you're very good at playing the piano." Smiling faintly.

"Are you crazy?"

"Yes I intend to teach piano lessons. Than I used my money to go to piano lessons. You better teach me for free."

Jasmine thinks for this. Actually, he was very lazy if he lingered with Azein. But he also did not want to have a debt of gratitude to this man before him.

"All right, I'll teach you."

Azein smiled happily. Actually he just reasoned because this made him closer to Melati. He had no idea what feelings he had for Melati. What is clear is that he feels comfortable, even though sometimes the attitude of Melati is indifferent and gluttonous.

"Well, you are so good. Did you make it?" Aaz came with Maira beside him. With a tray in his hand.

"Of course I am, aren't I very clever because this is the first time I've made it?" Azein puffed out his chest and smiled proudly.

Melati stared at Azein's behavior. "Hey, that's also because I taught you. Look, mine's neater and nicer than you."

Aaz chuckled at the red face of his brother. Maira is fascinated by Azein's handsome face.

"This is what makes me so happy to ask you to make this Mel." Aaz embraces Melati's shoulder and is followed by Maira who sits beside Aaz.

Azein was getting less and less out of being among the girls. He stood up to leave them.

"Where are you going, brother?" Ask Aaz.

"Do you see my body?, it's so dirty because of the ground." Azein moved his legs towards the back of his house.

"Finally you're up to Ra." Pleased speech Maira. He was deliberately invited Maira because he did not like to visit people's homes alone. Especially since there was a man like Azein.

"Yes Mel. Oh yes Az can I know why you like this clay craft so much?" Maira looked at Aaz.

"That's when I used to love playing clay. My father often joined in too. It was he who taught me to make various forms of clay. Until now I like it and make it to just fill free time" said Aaz by bringing the clay statue to a hot place to dry.

"Oh yeah Mel, is there any rest of the clay you made. I want to make it too." Maira said to Melati.

"Of course it's still a lot. If you want I'll make it again and you follow me well." Jasmine shows a small bucket filled with clay.

"All right, Mel." Maira smiled happily and started picking up a lump of clay. Aaz who saw it also made with his two friends.

***

Jasmine stopped her writing activity, she circulated her gaze looking for the sound of notification marks coming from her phone.

Assalamu'alaikum's chat. ~ +62X

Melati scrunched her forehead. It was not uncommon for him to get messages from unknown numbers. But seeing the person who sent him the message said hello he also responded.

Wa'alaikumsalam. May I know what your name is?,~ Melati.

I'm Azein Aaz's sister. Do you remember now?. ~ +62X

Melati widened her eyes and saw the profile photo of the number. From the beginning, the photo was taken from the side using a short shirt and a black hat. So Melati still doesn't know that it's Azein. But for a long time he noticed that he realized that it was Azein.

Deg. Suddenly Melati's heart was racing fast. Thin mustache with a bangir nose makes Azein look Handsome. One word that was on Melati's mind when she saw it.

Melati immediately shook her head and started typing messages from Azein.

Yeah, what'd you send me a message?. ~ Jasmine.

Don't you remember what we were talking about this afternoon?, aren't you willing to teach me the piano in exchange?. ~ +62X

Jasmine frowned and began to remember what had happened in Aaz's house. He also patted his head, now he regretted his own words. It was his own fault that he just agreed to the requirements of Azein. But now what can be done, there he must be responsible after all.

Alright. I remember it, and now it's up to you to learn the piano with me. ~ Jasmine.

How about the day after tomorrow after you go to college?. ~ +62X

Melati seemed to be thinking about the time proposed by Azein. There was no activity at that time other than writing. Eventually Melati agreed.

Well, I was ready at that time. ~ Jasmine.

Good you don't have to worry about the piano and the place. I've prepared everything. ~ +62X

Yes yes. ~ Jasmine.

Alright. Assalamu'alaikum, and Good Night ;). ~ +62X

Jasmine opened her eyes wide at once upon seeing the last message from Azein. But he did not care about it and chose to continue looking for inspiration to continue his writing.