A Thousand Flowers
Chapters 3. Stopovers

From a distance, Yudha and Fadhil's motorbikes were parked on the right side of the courtyard of a small house at the end of the village to which they were going. The house looks beautiful even without a fence. Just surrounded by neatly formed bluntas plants. The plant is what functions as a fence. On the left side of the yard there is a beautiful small pond. The shape is like an island surrounded by stone steps arranged very neatly. In some corners of the pool is decorated with several types of beautiful forest flowers. I don't know what the flowers are called. What is clear, the arrangement of the pool decoration shows that the homeowner has extraordinary artistic abilities. If the owner of the house lives in the city, it could be a famous exterior designer.

Yudha immediately stopped her chatter as soon as Ihsan parked her motorbike. Jhony immediately joined in and sat down next to the welcoming home owner.

“How long ago, San?” asked Yudha with a slightly worried tone. “There are obstacles huh?”

“Not really. Deliberately relaxing so you can enjoy the scenery during the trip.”

Again Ihsan lied. Though the truth, he could not bear to look at the intimacy of Izzah and Fadhil. Recalling that, Ihsan's heart again throbbed pain. Johny pretended not to hear Ihsan's answer and chose to be involved actively chatting with the owner of the house, Mr. Burhan.

“Thank God then. If in ten minutes you and Johny did not appear as well, I had planned to turn around to pick you up,” explained Yudha.

“Truely. Same Izzah too,” timpal Riris supports Yudha while plucking fried bananas on the table.

“What?” Izzah.

He never said anything like that. Almost all the books he was holding fell. Really the nerd. Anytime and anywhere, only books were on his mind. As now, while others are busy chatting, eeeh. What a motto of life, no day without books. It is appropriate to still hold the title of acute jomlo despite having attended college at the end of the third year. The same dating book continues anyway .. hahaha .…

“Ya clearly Zah .. among us is only you who is a candidate doctor, he said,” continued Riris relaxed and did not pay attention to the face of Izzah who met a little red when accidentally his eyes collided with Ihsan's eyes.

Izzah quickly turned his gaze back to the book, while Ihsan only smiled faintly and sat down next to Johnny after thanking his friends for their attention. His heart rippled.

After a casual chat and a little talk from Mr. Burhan, they were ready to continue the journey on foot.

“Amen udi bi sapei nak dam be, dak mi deu uleak au .. men crito tun tuei bloo, nakdi o penan ne bidadari mendei*)” Pak Burhan reminded again.

“Au, Wan**)” Yudha and Johny answered almost simultaneously.

Among the six of them, only the two of them were one hundred percent native to the local population. So, it is only natural that from now on they are the ones who dominate the chat with Mr. Burhan. Nevertheless, Izzah and the others understood the meaning of Mr. Burhan's words. Do not forget they greet Mr. Burhan before leaving the yard of the house.

***

The mentari began to rise as a part of. The hour hand has shown at eight past fifteen minutes. If there are no obstacles during the trip, they will arrive at the waterfall before ten. The trail is still a little wet and must be kept running carefully. Yudha was at the very front, serving as commander of the army.

The further you go, the more steep the path you walk. The air is getting wetter and cooler. The tall trees rise ever more tightly, limiting the entry of sunlight. Nevertheless, the glow of light that sneaks in the cracks of the branches and lush foliage, becomes a very beautiful natural painting.

Izzah buttoned his jacket to give more warmth to fight the invading cold. Occasionally his hands are busy playing the phone to capture the beauty of nature that makes him fascinated.

While in the distance is often heard spoiled whimper Riris, diimpali scolding ketus Yudha. However, it will still end with Yudha succumbing. Yes .. that's it. Yudha is the kind of guy who never has the heart to see a girl suffer. He was very loving and devoted to his mother. That's why he also always be gentle and warm to girls, except Riris.

Those small rumblings made Izzah laugh amusedly at heart. Remembering Riris is a spoiled girl who always tries desperately and willingly do anything to conquer Yudha. Although Yudha continued to avoid and never gave her hope, Riris never gave up. It is very sad for Riris. The spirit!

his ears could not hear all the noise around him. It seemed that he was only focusing on the path he was going through with both hands hidden in his jacket pocket.

Fadhil enjoys each step by pampering his eyes to see the various trees and unique flora he encounters. Sometimes he stopped to take a closer look at the plants, then immortalized their beauty and uniqueness with his camera. Sometimes he stopped and looked back

making sure that Izzah keeps following in his footsteps. Sometimes he also rested for a moment waiting for the emergence of Izzah.

Ihsan, who always chose to walk behind Izzah every time he traveled, still kept faithfully watching Izzah from behind. Secretly he was always at a safe distance and made sure to always be alert to everything that happened to Izzah.

***

The density of trees is starting to decrease. Sunlight also freely illuminates the forest they explore. The goal heard the sound of water splashing. Giving tranquility. Sink into the whole soul. Expel all fatigue and burden of the mind because of the daily routine that is tiring and saturated. Along with the increasingly clear sound of splashing water, in front of them now emblazoned a very clear stretch of river on the left side of the path. Ah, without feeling they've reached the dam. Yes, this clear river water is used to irrigate the rice fields of the small village communities they stopped by earlier.

“Waah .. Cool!” riris shouted excitedly.

Hurriedly he took off his shoes, then a moment later was sitting sweetly on a rock while playing his feet in the clear river water.

“Your backpack! Busty bickering chick!” omel Yudha while throwing Riris backpack.

“Hei! The truth dong. If until my backpack tadpur, I will not apologize you,” spray Riris.

Almost the backpack was sliding from the rock where it landed and plunge into the river if only his hands did not immediately grab it. Riris pissed.

“Stupid highly!” reply Yudha cuek. He was just about to get close to Izzah when Riris called him back.

“Yudha .. bukain dooong ..” whine spoiled Riris while holding out a packet of spicy potato chips towards Yudha.

“Open it yourself!” yudha answered without looking.

His feet kept moving closer to Izzah. It seems he began to lose patience to face the spoiled attitude of Riris during the trip earlier.

***

PS.

*) Amen udi bi sapei nak dam be, dak mi deu uleak au... Men crito tun tuei bloo, nakdi o penan ne bidadari mendei = If you have arrived at the dam later, then, do not do much, yes, according to the story of the old man first, there where the angel took a bath.

**) Au, Wan = Yes, Uncle