MYS 13
...
What I didn't expect was that when I saw Stefie, she was happy not to play, so she was prancing like a child to buy balloons. He immediately said goodbye to his aunt and would come to my house instead of cooking and promised to come home before four o'clock in the afternoon.
Of course, I'm confused about not playing. Apart from that the rented place where I live is small and doesn't have much room, nor is there anything that can be used as entertainment material such as a TV. Stefie still insists that she will not have a problem with this. As long as he has friends, because Duo R every Sunday there is always a family event whether it's recitation, social gathering, invitations, visiting sick families in the next town, or something else.
You could say poor Stefie. He lives in Prembun with his aunt alone because his uncle works in Jakarta while his two aunt's children study in Yogyakarta and Semarang. That's the real reason why Stefie always asks me to come over to the house when I don't have any other friends to invite.
I am the last stock among many of Stefie's friends who she always looks for at the last moment. I don't mind that either. It's just that yesterday I had an appointment with Ana at her house to help her mother's weekly social gathering.
I had to take Stefie with me to Ana's house because the distance between GOR and Ana's house was closer than mine. He intended to take a bath, as usual.
Carrying a heavy Stefie automatically made me struggle to carry my bicycle, which if I could talk, I would scream, unable to support the heavy load. My father bought me a used bicycle but it was suitable for use and could be used to give people a ride. Stefie was the first person who was given the honor to try it. However, the strange sound that the bike makes when I pedal more and more worries me.
Luckily, on the way, I met Jono, who was instructed by Ana to follow me, who didn't come. So Stefie ended up riding a ride on Jono's red sports motorbike, while I still rode a bicycle. After that, I don't know what happened between the two of them to make Stefie not stop smiling strangely until this second.
"Then it's up to you, Stef," I said and left the boy.
When I arrived, the field was already crowded with children who were going to take part in the competition except for Andi, maybe he was still sulking because of yesterday's decision.
"You can come if you have time," said Amad while handing out flyers for the Rohis event. Weekly Qur'an recitation, provided a headscarf for those who are not yet veiled, that's what I caught at a glance. From the leaflet, I learned that Amad was the deputy chairman of Rohis.
"Thanks, Amad. God willing, I will." I said carefully to the vice-chairman of the school's Rohis. I didn't forget a smile, even though Amad could tell that I was forced to do it.
"His attitude is normal, Anggi. You don't have to be so stiff. We're in the same class." said Amad with an amused grin and walked away.
"Oh, I found out." I squealed softly and Amad couldn't hear because he was already quite far away.
It's nothing, I just feel shy about children who have positions in an organization at school, be it a club, extracurricular, or student council. For me, only children who have abilities, personalities, and self-confidence above average can occupy these strategic positions. While I do not have any one of those criteria.
I just want to live peacefully, relax a little, be myself as I am, and don't want to be preoccupied with that kind of thing. In the previous years, I felt that I was living in a cycle of life that was chased and demanded in almost every inch of my life. Now is the time to enjoy the hard work of my sacrifice so far. For example today. I want to be able to practice in peace.
Kembang tebu ing kabur kanginan...
(cane flower that runs away in the wind)
Until the voice I have to admit was quite pleasant to hear echoing on the school's indoor badminton court, until when he said my name it was clear enough and made the other children immediately turn their heads towards me standing. This is no longer a nuisance, but a tempest that I have neglected in vain for the past few days.
"Anggi, I want your answer now..." shouted Andi who walked closer.
"What answer?" I'm pretending to be stupid. Why this one creature is not yet clear.
"You have to be my girlfriend."
"Why are you being like this Ndi?"
"Because my love is not ordinary love," Andi said seriously. However, the quote from someone's song made me laugh. I laughed out loud as if I had been holding back from yesterday. Funny. I feel like I'm filming an FTV called Forced Love.
"Andi, my good classmate. You know that feelings can't be forced." I said after I managed to stop laughing.
"You can. And starting today you are officially my girlfriend. Period." Andi said. I could tell from the look in his eyes that he wasn't joking like usual. But hey, why decide it unilaterally like this?
"Ndi, I don't like you like this," I exclaimed annoyed. "I don't accept your jokes like this" I shouted again which Andi wouldn't hear. He was already far away on the other side of the field.
Today, I feel like crying.
️I'm sure the news has reached the class, making me reluctant to step foot to just take my bag and go home. I want to be angry, cry to my heart's content in the room. But I also don't want my parents to know that I'm being bullied by the new model. Being forced to be a girlfriend with someone I don't know well can be categorized as a form of bullying, right?
"Anggi..." Ana's voice from behind managed to stop my steps which were just about to start moving.
I turned my body towards Ana who was standing beside Jono, Edi, and Ebi. Ana smiled widely through the sweat that trickled down her face.
"Already finished?" that's the only thing that came out of my mouth, suddenly gasped when I found a savior angel for my day who had just been hit by a tornado.
"Let's eat. Upfront. Nasi Padang Nggi, I'll treat it." Ana exclaimed because I was still standing on the spot. Silence. I almost cried and ran to hug Ana but realized there were three Caucasian guys that today I don't want to deal with as much as possible. After all, they are still one species with Andi Munandar.
I can only nod and then follow those who have turned around to go to Pak Somad's Padang restaurant in front of the school. Maybe eating rendang and a glass of orange ice can drive my sadness away.
"Slow down when you eat." Jono sighed from across the table. Shaking his head.
-TBC-