I rent a car to go to my grandmother's house. I want to pick my belonging. My mom usually put some of my clothes here, in case we spend a night at my grandma's house. I already hate it since I was in highschool. It's not because of it's secluded, but something else.
We have vaccinated 4 days ago. Since the COVID-19, this world has already changed. I often see people returning to their hometowns because they haven't vaccinated. Once, I get inside the mall, security guard there suspend my visit because I haven't vaccinated.
It's a ridiculous reason to get kicked out, right? But that virus literally changed all the way how we looking at the world now. "Babe, why you… don't like to live here? This village seems calm and friendly." She said as she looking outside the windows, observing.
I took a glance. The reason I don't want to live here is one. People in this village are nice, but my uncle often brings a lot of men, and I end up punched them in the crotch. That's the reason they kicked me. I already negotiate with the elders here, so, if I came without their permission, I'll be dead.
"They kicked me." I said.
Rose covering her mouth and widened her eyes. "Are you serious? What have you done!?" I parked my car in front of my grandmother's house. It's been a long time since that incident. I unlocked my seatbelt, looking at her.
"I punched the elder's son." She widens her eyes. Not much people know about that. "I can't get out of this car because he was here." I'm looking at the person in front of me. He glared while holding a machete in his hand. Rose gets out of the car and approaching the house.
In this village, to get a signal is difficult. If I want to get them, full signal, I should get out of this village, or get out of this car walking to the back of my grandma's house. I turned off the engine and smirked at him. I guess, the rumor has already spread.
All eyes glared at the two people. I'm looking at my watch and occasionally playing games on my phone. I'm glancing at him. None of us expecting all of this. Typical my grandma. Rose approaching me with a plate in her hand.
I rolled down the window, and she gave me a plate of curry. "Your grandma told me they will put your stuff, but… she wants to meet you."
I picked the plate and nodding my head. "We should go back to Jakarta before sunset." We have an appointment with our photographer."
Rose nodding her head, then leave. I took a deep breath and exhale. I can hear people whispering about my abnormal relationship with her. Just like in the city and my family, we received some discrimination and… sometimes it kills me.
Oh, he sits on the chair, drinking his coffee. I don't have an appetite to process this food, but in order to pay respect to my grandmother, I should eat this. Even though I don't like it. I'm looking at my uncle carrying a box of my clothes and walking towards my car.
"You alright?" She passed me several plastic glasses of mineral water. I shook my head as I opened the trunk.
"I don't have an appetite, but I will finish this food quick." I have difficulties to swallow this food. My body it's like rejecting this food. Rose gets inside my car with a box of cookie. "It's from my grandma?" she's nodding her head, put the box to the backseat.
I gave the plate to my cousin, then rolled up my window. "I know what I did was wrong, but… if I didn't do that, my uncle keeps me sending a stranger."
What I did to them can't be justified. I should reject them or told them. I already discuss that matter with my parents, but they don't want to listen to me. They made me drink bottles of holy water, but not affect me. They bring me to the shaman and get rid of the bad omen. He said there's nothing wrong with me. Instead, he suggesting that they let me choose my way. "Do you want the cookie?" I'm glancing at her.
I bite the cheese stick and chewed them. I pulled over and closed my eyes. Okay, don't overthink about it. "Hey, you alright?"
I'm looking at her and shook my head. "I guess… my stomach acid raised. Maybe… it happened because we ate coconut milk processed food." Rose nodding her head.
"You right," she holding my hand and played with my finger. "Just… take your time. We can reschedule it, right? Don't need to rush, it's once in the lifetime, and my dream." She lowering her voice.
I leaned my head on her shoulder and closed my eyes. My stomach feels heat inside. It's because of the stomach acid!? Or maybe I just overthinking about everything. Stress can lead to an increase in stomach acid production. Maybe I just… overthinking about something.
"You know, right now I was thinking about… you." I stared into her eyes. "People might be say bad about you, but… today, I saw it otherwise. You came to the place you hate and faced that elders, that's need colossal nerve to do that, but…"
"You know, we haven't visit my grandpa's graveyard, we can… turn back and bring my grandma to the graveyard." I'm looking into her eyes.
I don't know where exactly he buried, but at least. His stubborn grandchild wants to pay respect. She nodding her head with a smile drawn on her face. That means she's agree.
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I put a tray full of my order on the table, then sit in front of her. "What you order?" I asked as opened the straw sealed.
"Satay with peanut sauce, and avocado juice. You?" She takes a sip. Glad this rest area has what I want. I have food poisoning with that restaurant, but inside I can't resist.
"Mango chicken pocket, root beer, cheese burger, three onion rings, and fries." I have an awful experience with that kind of food, but… yeah. this is not worth it! I wonder why the fast-food chain around the world doesn't want to have a routine to check their food quality. I squeeze my food and a gooey green liquid dripping on the wrapper.
I put the food on the wrapper and cleaned my hand with a tissue. "What's wrong?" I died inside.
"N-nothing." I want a refund! This is not food. How fritter inside this food!? Where's the chicken!? Whatever. I pray before I eat this garbage. "God, thanks for the food and don't let me die. Amen." I'm eating the food as I tried to find the spices.
Bite after bite, the flavor was still the same, bland. I took a deep breath and exhale. This is… "Lobak!? Is that you?" We're furrowed our brow. He was approaching us with a baby in his hand. "Do you remember me!?" I tried to remember his face.
I'm bad at remembering face if they are not too close to me. I guess he just… my acquittance. His clothes… why is he wearing clothes like that?! I took a deep breath and standing.
"Have a seat," I move to take a sit next to my wife. "I might be not remember…"
"I'm… Leo. D-do you remember me?!" Leo!? Wait. God! He is one of Eva's ex. Great. This is fucking great. He takes a seat and I'm looking at the baby. He already… moved on? Well, I should be careful with him. Fuck.
"Hey, everything is fine." She said to my ear. I took a deep breath and nodding my head. Maybe I should face him.
TBC