The drama-filled dinner session was over. Everyone continued to gather in the family room. Turning his wrist, Arif saw a black clock that was neatly coiled there. It's eight o'clock, I have to go home, he said to himself.
Permission to say goodbye to the Khanza family, he was grateful to be able to get a precious moment that he did not find in his family.
"Uncle, Aunt, Sis Zay, Sis side. Arif is home first, thank you for the dinner," said Arif while shaking hands with four people who were older than him.
"We are very grateful because Nak Arif has been willing to help and take Khanza home," said Papa Khanza.
"You often play here, Son Arif," Mama Khanza added.
"Okay Auntie, I'll stop by often."
Reviewing a smile, he now turned to Big Brother Khanza.
"We'll play Play Station together later," said Zay.
"Ready sis." It's like he got the older brother he's always wanted. Cool and busy when gathered, can be invited to share about anything.
"Be careful on the road," said Sisi—the wife of the ignorant Zay.
"Shall I take you to the front?" bargained Khanza.
Escorted Arif to the front of his house. Khanza still feels nervous when he is close to that sturdy body.
"Thanks for everything," said Khanza when they were beside Arif's big red motorbike.
"Why are you still thanking me earlier?" Arif protested as he poked the girl's sharp nose. He felt that Khanza and his family had overestimated the small amount of help.
Khanza suddenly smiled embarrassed to be treated like that. "Yeah, yeah. No thanks again," he corrected.
"That's right. Remember, Za, in friendship it's only natural that we help each other." Grabbing the helmet on the iron horse, he put it on his head.
"I'm going home, okay Za?" goodbye Arif.
Khanza nodded. "Be careful," he ordered.
"Hm. Good night," he said.
Arif said goodbye with a smile that was so sweet, it made Khanza's heart want to jump from its place. If this continues, I might fail to fortify myself not to fall in love prematurely, thought Khanza.
Turning the gas, the handsome young man began to leave Khanza's yard.
"Be careful on the road, huh, Rif?! See you tomorrow!" Khanza shouted at the motorbike that was starting to move.
Arif slightly turned back. Just answer with a thumbs up, Khanza will also not hear due to the noisy exhaust.
Waving, Khanza continued to wait for his friend to disappear from sight. Only then did he enter the house with a smile that never left his face. Immediately said goodbye to the room, Khanza also reasoned that he wanted to study.
The red thread from the morning he stretched again. Due to an accident he meets Arif, who turns out to be a new student at his school. Helped to wait for an invite until from there they decided to be friends. Exchanging cell phone numbers, making them more intimate in touch. And unexpectedly in the afternoon they rode together and still continued until dinner.
"May I admire her figure?" muttered Khanza. "It's rare for you to have a good man with a girl indiscriminately like him."
So far, Khanza has always been bullied by men for his appearance. only a few who want to be sincere friends, even those who already know what Khanza's real appearance looks like.
Today everything just happened, unexpectedly or predictably. Throwing her body onto the bed, the little girl was still busy sailing in her daydream.
Arif didn't even think that he would be able to meet and have dinner at Khanza's house. At first he wanted to get rid of the thought of the cute girl that kept dancing in his mind, but in fact he met the person and had dinner together. Khanza increasingly disturbs Arif's memory, making him unable to concentrate on riding a motorcycle.
Shit!
"Damn it! I almost hit a cat," he cursed.
Speeding up his motorbike again, Arif struggled to get rid of Khanza's shadow. "Why do I keep on thinking that little girl?"
***
Turning around at eleven o'clock at night Khanza's eyes refused to close. Can't wait for the morning, he wants to see the face of the man he now admires.
"Please Za. Don't be like this, you must remember the purpose of your school. Dreams are not tempest of love."
Forcing his eyes closed, Arif's image was getting clearer there. His smile, his laugh, even the naughty hand that poked his nose.
"Arghhh!" Sitting down, Khanza grabbed the phone on the nightstand. "I'd better play a game, so I don't think about Arif all the time."
There was a shootout inside the sophisticated object that Khanza was holding. Occasionally shouting, cursing, and cheering. Finally the girl forgot a little worry in her heart.
***
A different view can be seen in the large black room. Arif has sailed a long way to dreamland. But Khanza's shadow still followed.
"Khanza."
"Khanza."
"Khanza!" she screamed, waking up.
Rubbing his face roughly, Arif also neutralized his panting breath. "Crazy why did I dream of that little girl?"
Shaking his head, Arif inched down from his bed. Heading to the bathroom, he immediately washed his face to freshen up. Staring in the mirror in front of the sink, he saw a disheveled reflection of himself from a dream.
"There's no way I fell in love with that little girl," he said.
Love is present indiscriminately Rif. It could be that from the very first meeting the cupid has put that love in your heart.
Whispers from within him made the young man even more confused with his inner war. "Argh. I'm going to be crazy if I keep this up."
Coming out of the bathroom, Arif checked his cellphone on the nightstand. .reviewing the smile there were several missed calls from the mother.
"You're asleep yet, aren't you?"
Called back the woman who had labored to give birth to him. Arif sighed as his eyes glanced at the clock on the wall.
"It's eleven o'clock. That means it's twelve o'clock in Kalimantan."
"Maybe you're asleep already," he was disappointed.
But before he turned off the connection, it turned out that his mother answered the phone. Suddenly a happy smile appeared on his lips.
"Mother," Arif greeted cheerfully.
"Mother's son. How are you, son? You miss Arif." The vibrating tone on the other side made Arif touched.
"Okay, Mom. How are you and Dad? Are you okay? Are you healthy, Bund? Arif misses you too."
Like whatever the nature of the child. They will always be crewet if they have to deal with their parents. Including Arif, even though he is a tough man, he is still spoiled by his two parents.
"Be patient, son. Soon Mom and Dad will also return to Jakarta." It was just a word of reassurance, in fact his father's work was still waiting there.
"Where's Father, Bund?" Arif didn't respond because he knew it was impossible. For a moment, Mother said, in fact it wasn't just a day or two. Maybe two or more months they'll be there.
"Dad's staying at the office, son. He's working late."
A harsh snort escaped from between Arif's lips. Such is the reality. His family is too dependent on wealth, to neglect him.
If only my family were as warm as the Khanzas, he thought.
And the little girl came back into the memory. Continuing the chat session with the mother, it's the only way to get in touch with them. .at least the longing will be a little less in the hearts of both.
"How's school, son? Have you found a good girl, haven't you? Remember Mother Rif's message, don't look at her appearance, it's important to be kind."
Degh!
The mother's words flicked Arif's kidneys. is this a green light sign for a taste he turned down for Khanza?
See how it ends later.
Happy reading!