From Duren Down To The Heart
Chapter 7. Brother Aldo

****

I'm still racking my brain thinking of a way to get rid of the duren seller.

My brain is pretty smart this has really lost any idea.

Maybe it's because I'm panicking too much. So, should I not think too much about it?

Ahh.. fortunately today my sale is selling well, so I am not too bete! At least a little treated..

Mending I cleaned a table full of bowls and scattered glasses.

Yep! this is from my customers. And I know, this is the risk when I sell..

I was so focused, that I didn't have time to turn my head when I realized there was a motorbike stopping right in front of my storefront, it seemed.

"excuse me.. Excuse mbak.. I want the soup" a man's voice sounded.

"yes?" I replied while looking at the end. "want how many packs of mas?"

But I did not hear an answer from the man.. In fact he tilted his head and frowned. "Clara..? you're Clara, right?"

"i.ltya..!" I said confused, "who is it? Do we know each other?"

"it's me, Aldo. Your upperclassman at High School. You still want to?"

Aldo's? a upperclassman?

ohh yeah! brother Aldo! I barely recognized her because, with a different haircut, and a whiter complexion, it was only natural that I didn't recognize her after we hadn't met for years.

"oh yeah.. Brother Aldo. I want to! Sorry I barely recognize my sister."

"yes, gapapa. that's quite natural, because it's been almost 6 years we haven't met.."

I smiled, " oh yeah. How many packs?"

"three packs!" he said. "uh, but. is that you why wear a brace on your nose?"

"oh, this is. because of that!" I pointed to the duren shop next to me. "i can't smell durian, or I can be nauseous all day."

"but it doesn't hurt?"

"yes, it actually hurts a lot."

"wah.you are a big fan..!" he said, while stroking my long hair which this time I let it unravel.

Whatisthis? The feeling, I'm not that familiar with him. Even in High School!

Butwhy? why is he now daring to hold on? And moreover, this was only the first time I had met him after so many years.

Ish's..

I tried to pull my head back so that his hands would immediately come out of my hair. "what a sister, I'm used to."

Finally he let go of his hand.

"Clar.. Why are you selling here?"

"why indeed, brother? Can't you?"

"that's not it, but I didn't think it was, a Clara that wanted to sell like this? I meani.. You're not prestigious? Your parents are rich!"

"why should prestige? Selling is a good way to make money." I let out a breath. "I just want to be independent.."

"yes, it's true." pause "I'm amazed by you."

"don't be shy, ordinary people!"

I continued making her ordered fruit soup. Until I realized, it seemed like someone was looking at me so closely.

I reflexed the groping of my face.

"why Clar?"

"Is there something strange on my face, brother? how does Aldo think I'm like that?"

"oh, that's nothing weird, actually you look very beautiful, even more beautiful than the time High School used to."

"sister Aldo is fighting again? Sorry, brother, I'm not going to have a fight like that.."

"I'm serious!" he replied as he continued to look at me, which was visible from the corner of my eye.

"I want to play here a lot, can't I?"

"make what?"

"yes, play, nengokin you!"

"is Aldo not busy? Not working that way?"

"yes, if that's up to my brother, I can't deny it because it's a public place. Who can come here."

"okay if that's it.."

"uh, but.. If it is not important, it is very important that you do not need to be frequent, the work of your brother is more important. It's for Aldo's own future.."

As much as possible I prevented him from coming here often. I'm actually less comfortable with being 'intrusive'. Especially when I work.

"yes, but you are also my future candidate.."

Whahuh? What'd he say?

Fix it! he's stressed! You can talk like that!

I didn't respond to what he said, I'd rather take my eyes off.

"hahaha, I'm not kidding, and don't take my words seriously!"

What the fuck? He said he wasn't joking, but he kept laughing like that. I still don't respond to his words.

"that's it, I'll go back!"he said, and I turned. "so how much is it all?"

"24 grand" at least only that word can come out of my mouth.

"this is." he handed me a one hundred thousand note, and then he headed for his bike.

I took the change in the drawer, but when I gave it to him, he just passed.

"sister Aldo! Sis!!"I tried to chase him, but he couldn't be chased.

****

After I got home, I called Ririn, and told her about the incident.

Predictably, Ririn was shocked. And he was very enthusiastic when he heard the name Aldo, because it used to fit Ririn High School had liked it..

Ririn wants me to bring her and Aldo's brother together. I could not refuse the request of my best friend who had accompanied me since childhood.

The time was 20:30 and I began to lay my body in bed.

Eh? What's this smell? I seem to know.

Yep! your guess is just right. I smell the duren smell that's out of the way.

Why is that duren always interfering in my business? why is he always around me?

It's so exhausting!

I tried to avoid him, but somehow he always followed me wherever I went?

Is my life this bad?

I decided to find out the origin of the durian smell. Not forgetting the clamp on my nose.

And as soon as I came out, I saw a durian skin in the garbage bin, precisely in front of the room next to me.

Wahh this is it! I have to crash it, or I can't sleep all night.

Tok tok tok tok

I knocked on my neighbor's room, and someone opened the door.

kreeksk..

"who? What's up?"asked a girl my age to open the door in a slightly staggered way.

"i'm Clara, your neighbor." I held her arm because she almost fell. "you why?"

"i think I'm drunk, mostly eat duren!" he said with half-open eyes.

"is there still skin?" I said. Then he pointed towards the table that had durian skin there.

I took water with a container of durian leather, and gave it to the woman.

"it's drinking!"

ppppp ahhh..

"well, this feels fresh! It seems my hangover is decreasing. Oh yes, my name is Nadia. Thank you, you helped me."

"same-sama. But if you can you don't throw the skin in the front trash can huh..! I can't smell durian.."

"oh, okay.."

He immediately wrapped it in a crackle bag, and dumped it in a public trash can.

At last.. Tonight I can sleep in peace!!