From Duren Down To The Heart
Chapter 14. equally matched?

"Mama Clara..?? Ahhaha..."

Yep! Such was Ririn's reaction after hearing my story.

"Gee.. But you already pantes kok called 'Mama Clara'..Ahhaha..!"

"Cih, you know how you react like that, I'm telling you the same story! I'm even surprised, again!" I was washing my lips.

"yes, sorry, sorry.. I'm release..!" said Ririn, who still left a laugh on her lips. "but how can it be, Mas duren's son called lo Mama?"

"that's it.. I don't know either!"

"maybe.lo is like his mother who died.."

"no! I'm the same as Mas duren, but he says it doesn't look alike."

"oh. I understand! It's code!"

"what code?"

"code from God if you will be a real Mama for his son Mas duren..!"

"Ha,,Ha,,Ha!!" I laughed expressionlessly. "It's so funny you..!" I pinched both of Ririn's cheeks, then moved them to the right and to the left, with the expression remaining flat.

It always is! Instead of getting a solution, there can even be a trick and become a laughing stock.

But I always felt more relieved when I told all my problems to my best friend. He was always there, and never turned me down, even though I knew, his job was pretty busy as a secretary at his company Om Arman.

But he never dumped me, from a long time ago we play hide and seek even jump rope, until now when we have become adults and have their respective activities.

He was always there for me.

That was also enough.

Thank you, Ririn, my friend..

Oh yeah..! Yesterday Mama asked me to meet to talk about my matchmaking with her aunt Riana. But not so today, because Mama wants to serve her friend who died..

Yep.. Good riddance! Means I can better prepare myself to respond to the words of Mama later..

****

"Good morning!" greet Keanu, with a very bright smile this morning.

"Good morning." I returned his smile.

Why did I get so nervous when he showed me his smile?

And, look now! My heartbeat sounded so noisy, with an erratic rhythm!

What the fuck?

I tried to show a mediocre expression.. In fact, in my heart, it's like there's the sound of a drum that wants war.

Uh, isn't that a song lyric?

Aish.. I'm becoming more and more slurred.. !

It's messy..!!

This is Clara's intro.. Just beginning..!

How about in the middle? What's gonna happen?

Control yourself, don't do anything weird!

Pull napaaass.. exhale!

Ahhe.. At least it makes me feel better..

"Keisya says you continue with my mother." said Keanu started the conversation again after finishing opening his shop.

"What's? What did Keisya say?"

"He said he'd meet his mom.."

"oh, huh? So what did your mom say?"

"yes. ordinary.. Mama asked Keisya about you!"

I was silent without expression.

"I'm sorry, Clar.. The problem is with gini.."

"gapapa.. Besides Keisya little boy, it's natural that he behaves like that. I mean, she seems to miss a mother a lot.."

"you're right Clar.. Keisya's mother died when he was 2 months old, so he never knew his mother.. He can only see in the photo.. Then he always asks, when did Keisya have a Mama like his friends?" Keanu smiled. "My mother always told me to get married, even she intended to make fools of me as her friend's son.."

"What's? At soul mate?"

"yes, but I'm not ready to get married, if to be betrothed. I want to find my own partner, a woman who can truly accept and love Keisya sincerely." Keanu sighed. "my mother once tried to introduce me to her friend's child, and also she always offered me a photo, maybe it was a picture of the woman.."

"maybe..?"

I nod my head. "I understand.. And I know exactly what you're feeling right now."

"You mean?"

"because I feel it too.. I decided to post and sell it, because I avoided arranged marriages from my parents.."

I did not expect, it turns out that my life story is almost similar to Keanu.

But we are sure, whoever our soul mate is going forward, it must be the best..

I hope it's like that..

****

Drrrrrrrrrrrrrttt Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrttt

Whahuh? a phone call from Keanu? Well, I'm nervous again. Then, shake before lifting it up.

'hello?'

'hello Ma..'

It was Keisya's voice..

'uh, Keisya..? What's up, honey?'

'Ma, I miss Mama, I want to see Mama..'

'well then, tomorrow you go home to your school, where you sell, how?'

'but I want to see Mama now..'

I heard someone else's voice on the phone, and it seemed like he was talking to Keisya..

'hello Clar..!' now Keanu's voice is heard.

'oh. hello Mas..'

'Clar. I'm sorry, Keisya bothers you these nights..'

'why, anyway I haven't slept either.' pause 'but that's Keisya how is Mas?'

'it's just a newin.. When you sleep, you forget..'

'but it's kasian.. Do I need to go there now?'

'it's almost 10pm Clar.. I'll see you tomorrow..'

'yeah, if so, now you give the phone to Keisya.. I'm gonna talk..'

I finally read the fairy tale and lullaby to Keisya over the phone..

Hopefully this will reduce his longing for me..

But I'm really happy to be able to do this for Keisya..

It's like, I did it for my own son..

Huhh..

I also seem to be able to fall asleep now..

And my eyes are almost closed, but..

Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrttt Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrttt Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

My phone is back vibrating. I finally opened my eyes again, and immediately grabbed my phone..

This time it was from Ririn..

Ririn told me that she would have a job outside the city, which was in Lombok.

Ririn had to come along, because she had to prepare the documents to take care of some projects there.

Ririn invited me to come, yes, all for the holidays, he said.

But I refused his invitation. Because right now, I just want to be here, and not go anywhere.

I am usually the most excited for a vacation like that.

For some reason, it feels hard to leave this city.

I told Ririn that now I can't go, because I'm in the middle of a sales pitch, and I don't want to miss a rare event like this.

Well.. You guys should know. I used to be lazy enough to do something like this..

I'm too spoiled, so all I do is play, or hang out at the cafe, or shopping, or whatever it is.

Everything is the opposite of my life now.

That's why Aldo was so surprised, right, I want to sell like this?