A Series of Dreams
Panic in the Morning
“Ke city?”
Seruni looked at the puzzled. What answer should he give to Wisely who was looking from behind a coffee cup with smoke billowing white in the air.
The cold city of Bandung was unable to warm Seruni's suddenly frozen heart. His tongue was a bit mute, and he thought he would spend more time with Wisely if he nodded in agreement. The shakes that were originally pseudo, now feel real. He could hear his heart beating.
God, what am I supposed to do? How could I refuse when that choice never existed? But, if I accept .. of course prestige. I think I want it too.
“I pick up the end of the month.” No longer giving Seruni a choice, Wisely immediately decided.
“But, Aa. Do I have to get to Jakarta? Can't just be here. For example, the suit of Mr. Mother, Kak Anga and ..” Seruni bowed. Sudden chest pain when imagining a newlywed who just passed the first night. Caraka's name is still imprinted even though it hurts. True said people, the first love is still imprinted even though many names come and go—, and change.
“If the clothes of the Father and Mother together with the family suit .. maybe Mama will send the material from Jakarta. That's my mama's business. Later model and sew it here, no problem. Only, for wedding dresses and others, should be in Jakarta. All taken care of WO.”
“WO?” Seruni hesitated. He had heard the term, but was unsure of the opportunity to be taken care of by a wedding organizer on his important day.
“Yes, it's all taken care of there. Mama has started meeting with WO, determine the date and place. Because for the hotel it is at least half a year to one year booking process until H.”
“That's complicated, Aa?” Seruni looked at the astonishment. “Here only use the committee and ..”
“And his tent collapsed, guests were in disarray. The bride's family is rained, drenched. Big no's. That's embarrassing, Ni. Let alone family, invited guests are treated special. In addition to places, food, entertainment are also thought of.” Wisely explained in detail.
“Amusement?” From the direction of the kitchen looks Lasmi appeared while wiping her wet hands on her shabby negligee. The oversized clothes whose colors and motifs have faded it looks torn on several sides. Original dyed hair, some strands fell from the knot. “Like Anga party last night, yes?” tanyanya, make sure.
“Mother.” Seruni's upset. When his mother got involved, everything must have gone awry.
“No, Bu.”
“Oh yes. If the city people are definitely not village artists anymore. It was clearly a city artist. Can you ask?” Lasmi joins in, sits in one of the empty seats and engages in a chat. Forgetting the stove still burning in the kitchen warms up the rest of the chicken stew leftover from last night's Kenanga party that Caraka's relatives delivered early in the morning.
“Mom can ask his artist Ayu who sells fragrant oil?” Miss Lasmi while humming, singing the song of the artist who had risen.
“Ayu?” Wisely and Seruni looked at each other after blurting out the same word.
“Ya, can, ‘kan? The father of the rich man, it is impossible to invite only a single organ. At least there's a dangdut biduan. Not a village biduan.” The old woman smiled to herself, imagining the opportunity to take a photo with her idol. Will be displayed in the living room, exhibited to the people of the village.
“Can. I want Aldebaran to. All with Andin.” Sandi who just entered the house shook her head while glaring at his wife. “Bu, we people don't have. Don't want much. What candidates say. At least even if you do not have property, there is still self-esteem ..”.
Sandi was still clutching the enamel cup with a picture of the legendary rooster. Stopping to speak, the old man suddenly sniffed at something unusual.
“What is this, Mom? Looks like something's burning.”
Seruni's view circulated, Wisely also did the same. Lasmi who had been dragged by daydreams became the last person to realize.
“What is this scent, Mom? Mom heating something?”
Seruni panicked when she saw smoke billowing from the direction of the kitchen. Running as fast as lightning, he shouted to find the fire had engulfed the tiny cauldron on the stove.
“Please, fire!”
Sandi and Wisely ran together to make sure, while the late Lasmi subconsciously tailed from behind. Panic is spreading to everyone.
“Yes Lord, air-air.” Sandi yelling.
“Wet towel!” Wisely restrained the wrist of Seruni who was about to approach the fire.
Lasmi was silent, standing at the very back. In his shadow there was a lot of unrest. “My chicken was engulfed in flames. Though from yesterday I have not tasted at all.” The old woman put on a sad look.