Heart Stethoscope
Twenty

So far, for almost three years I have lived in Jakarta, Monas will be the most beautiful place like it. Know why I made Monas the most beautiful place? Well, because the mirage managed to make my heart stop beating for a while.

The craziest thing that was never in my dreams. I have never even made a story in which the boy character proposed to a girl character in a historic place not only for her but for her country.

But until now, a few days after passing that night, I had not dared to make a decision between advancing or stopping. I haven't told anyone, either to Rani or to Mom and Dad. I prefer to keep it to myself. After that day, Galih's doctor didn't ask me about my answer again.

I need a moment's pause. Until I'm absolutely sure he won't play me. Falling in love with her is easy, but we've only known her for a month. We need more time to get to know each other.

Today I went back to Solo. As I wish, I will be allowed to go to college a week after the drama. Nine hours drive to get to Solo. Departing from Jakarta in the evening, so that until the morning in Solo.

I miss breathing the air this morning. The city that has been a silent witness to the process of my presence in this world, the process of my growth and development until I am this big.

Arriving at the Racing Station, I ordered ojol to get home to make it more practical. I can't wait to hug Mom and Dad. The longing is already tempestuous in the veins.

I smile when I get home. Slowly, this steady step walked closer to the main door of my house. My house was quite simple, although it was two floors, but the second floor was only my room and a small television room.

"Assalamualaikum, mother, son home." I knocked on the door of the house.

"Goddessalam..." Mom opened the door. His face was straightened when he saw me standing in front of him. We quickly embraced, letting go of longing after so long without seeing each other. "Oah Cah Ayu. You go home not to say it?"

I smile. "Will be a surprise for Mom and Dad."

"I'm bad of you."

I chuckle softly. "Where's the father, ma'am?"

"Your father, if this holiday is usually gardening. He again mowed the same grass to trim the stalks behind the house," replied Mother as she took off her embrace. Then look at my situation. "You're healthy, Na?"

"Alhamdulillah, very healthy, fresh plenary," my chortle.

Mother chuckled, embracing my waist entering the house. "Mom misses you" she said in a sad tone.

"Nana misses Mom, same dad. Kangen cuisine Mother let alone nengkleng same rice liwet."

"Then let me cook your favorite meal today" said Mother excitedly.

"Great, eat well today." I embrace Mom tightly.

"You sit down first, must be tired. I'll call you for a minute."

I nodded, laying down on the living room sofa. Mom stepped towards the back of the house.

"Dad, the girl's coming home." I can still hear Mom screaming for Dad.

"What, Mom?" My first love asked.

"Nana's home, Dad."

"My son's home?"

"Yes." Yeah."

I smiled at the conversation. My eyes suddenly warmed, especially when I remembered a month ago, when Dad had a rectal tumor. Thankfully, my operation went well. Mom said, Dad is getting healthy again.

"Sin'ana?"

"Yes, Dad." I immediately stood up to greet the arrival of Father who was followed by Mother behind him. I smiled my best smile at my first love.

"You're home and you won't tell me first. Your college off?" ask Dad when I kiss the back of his hand.

"No," my grin. "Nana permits a week."

"Lho, what permission, Nduk?"

"No papa, Dad. Permission will not affect the final value at all," I replied.

Dad just nodded. Invite me to sit back. "What time are you from Jakarta?"

"Nine nights, Dad."

"To the station itself?" The worried tone was clear from Dad's face.

"No, Rani's escorted, Dad."

"Don't go out the night by yourself, Na. Danger," said Mother reminded. A word I have heard very often.

Mom and Dad sometimes still worry if I go alone, especially at night. Often times I advise that for example going out that night should be with friends.

"Mas Dani also came home, yesterday looked at Dad. He asked you about it, too" Mother told me.

Mas Dani is Bude's first child and also his older brother Seruni. He was five years above me. He works in Borneo, returning home rarely. Sometimes it can be six months or even once a year. Among my other cousins, I was closest to Mas Dani. Maybe because Mas Dani is the first grandchild and I'm the second grandson. From childhood we were always together.

"Now is home, Mom?"

"Still."

My smile. It just so happens that I miss Bang Toyib that much. I quickly stood up to meet Mas Dani. "Yes, I went to Bude's house first."

"Mommy wants to make rice with a nape, anything else you want to eat?"

"That's it, Mom. Don't forget the link" I replied as I stepped out of the house.

Fortunately Bude's house is not too far away, only blocked by two houses from my house. I frowned seeing a big motorbike parked in the carport of Bude's house. Are there any guests? Or did Dani buy a new bike?

I knocked on the door of Bude's house, it was Mas Dani himself who opened the door. "Mas, my goodness Nana kangen!" I immediately rushed into his arms, hugging this tall man tightly.

"Mas' midget brother, when's he coming home?"

My lips pursed, my hands deftly smacked Mas Dani's back for daring to mock me. "Keep calling Nana a midget."

Dani laughed. "Yes, you're not a midget. Just less tall."

"They're going for a walk again" replied Mas Dani. "Mas is not coming because there are more guests. Go, in! Who knows you miss your guests too."

"Who?" manyu.

Instead of answering, Mas Dani pulled me into the house. How surprised I was when I found out that the guest Mas Dani meant was Bayu Winatraguna. My past. And I forgot that he was also a friend of Mas Dani from Junior High. I swallowed the saliva. Suddenly nervous. I don't know how long I haven't seen this guy?

"Well, there's Mas Bayu turned out." In the midst of nervousness I tried to say hello even though awkward.

"How are you, Na?"

"Ba-well, Mas," I answered stammered.

"The past let it be the past, don't you reveal it don't remind me."

My legs reflexively raised, stepping on the feet of Mas Dani who deliberately sang dangdut song to tease me and Mas Bayu.

"Your ex is fierce, Bay," said Mas Dani as he sat on the sofa. Then I followed him and sat down next to Mas Dani.

Mas Bayu's response just chuckled softly.

Shortened moment!

Easy, Na. Don't be swayed by the existence of Mas Dani who teases me constantly. And do not be surprised by the status of Mas Bayu as your ex-boyfriend. Now he's just a stranger. I cleared my throat slowly to relieve the throat that felt stuck.

"Mas Bayu said he wanted to get married? Uh, what's the wedding? You don't tell me again when exactly Mas Bayu married." Okay, open up a dangerous chatter. Don't let Mas Bayu judge me jealous because he asked about his marriage.

Mas Bayu was silent. His originally radiant facial water was now evaporating into melancholy. Looks like something's odd here.

"It's not gonna be, Na."

Booms!

So that's the answer to Mas Bayu's sad gaze? Jesus, failed? Butwhy?

"Lho, why Mas?" Forgive my curiosity that can't be prevented.

I felt uncomfortable with my question. Seen from the appearance of his face that was getting increasingly wry, a signal he did not want to be touched on the question. Butwhy?

"Come on, Na. We need to talk four eyes." Suddenly my arm was pulled by Mas Dani. I didn't have time to fight because the pull was too tight. "Bay, just left for a minute?" Mas Dani waved at Mas Bayu.

Dani took me to the yard next to his house. I looked at him confused, while Mas Dani was sitting in front of me. "What the hell is it, Mas?" many confused.

Dani looks worried. He looked towards the living room before answering. "You asked me about Bayu's marriage."

I cringe. "Lho's? Mas Bayu wants to get married."

Mas Dani showed his regret for my question. "Here I tell you." Dani brought her face closer to me. "The family of his future wife Bayu annulled the marriage."

"Cancel marriage?" I shouted spontaneously.

"Don't be loud!"

I immediately closed my mouth and turned my face towards the living room. I was afraid to hear my screams. "The reason why, Mom?" aska whispered.

"Yang Mas heard from Mama's story, he said his prospective parents only found out that Bayu was fired from his job. Mas do not know why, Mas also have not asked Bayu. Continued because of Bayu's status, they canceled the marriage unilaterally. Rumor is they are afraid that his son is not given a living with Bayu."

"Geez, why is that, Mom? Kasian Mas Bayu." I no longer have the same feelings of Mas Bayu, but hearing him accept this kind of ordeal, was sad as well. Imagine she was fired from her job when it was null and void? How is his heart?

"This is why I want to try Bayu fishing rod for a story. He hasn't told me anything yet. Just a story he wants to try to work in Jakarta."

"Working in Jakarta?" I repeat with my eyes turned.

"Jakarta spacious times, Na. Not necessarily Bayu can work in one location with your campus," said Mas Dani. He must have understood the reason I was surprised to hear Mas Bayu wanted to go to Jakarta.

"Or do you have a plan to reverse with Bayu after knowing he failed to marry?" Dani grinned.

I glanced sharply. My heart was not expecting Mas Bayu anymore. My heart has been expecting a lot from someone I hope doesn't disappoint me like Mas Bayu used to. "Mas Dani ngawur. Don't want ah, never turn it back twice."

Dani laughed. His ignorant hands have ruffled my hair. "Your style. Just be careful if Bayu is accepted again."

"Will not!" tukasku while entering the Bude house again.

Arriving in the living room, the atmosphere returned awkward, so many years without interaction made Mas Bayu a foreign figure in my life. As for my curiosity, I must apologize. Biting my lower lip, I hesitated to speak.

Dani is back sitting next to me. He looked relaxed with his back on the sofa.

"Mas Bayu, about my question earlier, sorry? I didn't mean to interfere with Mas Bayu's business."

Mas Bayu smiled. It was that smile that captivated my heart. It's not anymore. "It's okay. The rumors have indeed spread, even Dani just seems to know without me having to tell, right, Dan?"

Mas Dani's body stiffened, he scratched his head which I believe is not itchy. "Sorry, Bay. I just know a little, so I'm waiting for the full story from you."

"Mas Bayu who is patient yes, there are still many women out there. Must be many who want to be the same Mas Bayu," said I try to give him spirit.

Mas Bayu's eyes were aiming at me, I slightly held my breath on that. I quickly turned my eyes in the other direction.

"Yes, Na. Maybe he's not my soul mate." I can hear Mas Bayu's answer even though my eyes are not looking at him.

"Yes, Bay. You're just given the job of keeping people's soul mates." When Mas Bayu was sad, Mas Dani actually interrupted jokingly.

"Who knew my soul mate came from the past huh, Dan?"

Whats? What say?

Ouch, Na. Stop kegeeran, his ex can't be just me doang right? Handsome man kayak Mas Bayu certainly will not be difficult to get a partner.

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