A Thousand Flowers
Chapters 7. Just friends

The sound of falling water rumbled to greet each other with the splashing of water flowing towards the estuary. The chirping of birds is interspersed with boisterous laughter of young people who are joking into a harmony of soul tranquilizers. Today visitors look crowded. A variety of different activities with a background of charming natural scenery such as a real painting, very beautiful and unequaled.

Some seem to be engrossed in swimming while playing with water. Others began to fill their tummies. While others prefer to be spectators, enjoy every detail of beauty in plain sight. There are also busy pacing back and forth just greeting other visitors. Thankful to be able to contact. His name is also young. As long as it is not destructive and detrimental, enjoy life while you can.

Izzah is in the third group. He did not want to throw himself wet and blend in with the crowd. For him, sitting sweetly on a big tree trunk is more interesting.

The tree collapsed. The trunk is transverse at the downstream edge of the waterfall pond stream. Underneath there is a rock cliff that is not too high, arranged like a ladder. Make it easy for anyone who wants to reach the tree trunk. It was slightly hidden because it was blocked by a large rock opposite it. If you look at the waterfall pool, whoever is sitting there, only the waist up will be visible.

Ihsan climbed up the rock cliff and took a seat about three feet from the left side of Izzah because he did not want to make Izzah feel uncomfortable if sitting too close.

For a moment Izzah forgot his books. Either because he did not want to read or because he was worried that the book would get wet. All it does is circulate the view, enjoy the various activities of visitors there.

Yudha and Johny eagerly swim and play the water, blending in with other visitors. Occasionally they do the salto after swinging from a large root hanging from a tree by the pond. In fact, some visitors display the action of salto from a rock cliff as high as two or three meters.

Riris simply bathed at the edges while chatting with her new acquaintance. While Fadhil remains focused on his photography hobby.

“They really enjoy life without burden,” sigh Izzah, sigh. Ihsan.

“What is your life full of load?” ask him to Izzah.

Izzah. Didn't expect his words to be loud enough for Ihsan to hear.

“Not .. so I mean,” the answer is a little nervous.

“Why don't you join them?” ask Izzah, divert the conversation.

Ihsan looks disappointed. It always ended up like that whenever he tried to find a loophole to be able to enter Izzah's personal realm.

“Not bring a change of clothes.” Ihsan. Actually, he just wanted to find a chance to be alone with Izzah.

“Zah, it's been a while yes we're friends. It does not feel like eight years more lo,” said Ihsan, re-opening the conversation.

“Yep. Continues?” izzah's response was flat and only took a quick look.

“But, you never tell me anything personal to me?”

Ihsan was no longer able to hold back her curiosity. Izzah smiled faintly at Ihsan's question to the point.

After a moment of silence, Izzah finally replied, “Sometimes not all the things we feel and experience should be told to others. Even to friends or family. There are things that are sometimes quite saved for yourself.”

His words sound wise. However, Ihsan felt a hidden bit of bitterness behind Izzah's rather heavy tone.

“Iya anyway, but there are times when we also need to share stories so that the perceived burden can be lighter,” he said.

Izzah stared blankly ahead. His facial expression was hard to guess.

“I really do not promise to be able to provide a solution to each of your problems. But ... If you need a friend to confide, I am always ready to listen to all your complaints,” continued Ihsan with a serious tone.

I don't know why Izzah actually feels funny to hear it.

“Hahaha ..”

Izzah laughed as he covered his mouth with the back of his right hand. Ihsan became misbehaved and scratched his head.

“Indeed my speech was wrong huh?” Ihsan asked naively. I don't understand Izzah's mind. However, it felt good to see Izzah laughing like that. Rare sights.

“Nagging. I'm just surprised. Since when did you switch professions to become a psychologist,” replied Izzah after stopping laughing.

“Special for you only. Others are not,” explained Ihsan.

“Neg. Entar no screen,” reject Izzah.

“Take it easy. Free kok,” reply Ihsan reassuring.

“Ah! That right?” Izzah can't believe it.

“Yep. What the hell is not for you,” he stressed again.

“Gombal!” refute Izzah.

Ihsan looked at Izzah with an elusive look. There was a small glint emanating from his eyeball.

“I mean it, Izzah. In fact, if you need a place to lean or cry. You can wear my shoulder,” Ihsan said with a serious tone and expression.

“Waah .. it looks like the Drakor victim increased by one nih,” Izzah still considers Ihsan's speech just a joke. However, when he glanced at Ihsan's face, he felt bad. Ihsan looked at Izzah questioningly.

“Can't you trust me, Zah?” Ihsan asked, but only in my heart.

“Actually what has happened until you have not had the slightest confidence in others?” Again only in the heart. He did not have the courage to ask directly.

“Sorry,” said Izzah felt guilty.

He shouldn't have considered Ihsan's remark a joke. Izzah knew for sure, Ihsan only called with his real name when again serious or angry.

“I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just want you to know that you're not alone. There are still people who care about you.” Ihsan actually said that.

“Thank you,” said Izzah. Suddenly the mood became quiet. Lousy.

***

“Yud, your hand hurt huh?” Johny screamed at the blood flowing from Yudha's right arm. They have landed from the water. Yudha immediately checked his arm. There's a pretty long scratch.

Doctor Izzah's instincts instantly reacted. He immediately got off his seat. Snatched his backpack, then approached Yudha.

“Try me,” he said to Yudha.

Yudha reached out her hand, revealing a wound near her elbow.

“Quite deep and long. Be seated! Let me treat,” Izzah's orders.

“Hold your hand yes!” continued.

Yudha immediately held her wrist. Izzah took out a box of P3K, picked up alcohol, and cleaned Yudha's wounds. He let out the dirt from inside the wound slowly and very carefully. Smear with betadine and cover it with gauze. Izzah worked deftly without touching Yudha's skin at all.

Yudha looked at Izzah fixedly. Feeling Izzah's gentle touch, his heart thumped. I want it to feel like he can linger staring at Izzah that close.

“Completed,” said Izzah directly standing. Yudha.

“Still. Free, right?” candelessly.

“How dare you pay?” challenge Izzah.

“Life,” whisper in Izzah's ear. Izzah. Yudha grinning.

“Izzzaaaaah ..”

Someone shouted Izzah's name. Izzah. A girl half ran towards him.

“Safitri?”

Izzah immediately greeted the girl and left Yudha without saying goodbye. Yudha looked at Izzah's back. Still standing in his place.

“I really hope to spend the rest of my life with you, Zah,” Yudha said inwardly.

“But, you are so hard to reach. What should I do to open the door of your heart?”

***

“Zah, I miss you so much. I didn't expect to see you here. You are getting beautiful wearing a hijab,” cerocos Safitri without letting go of her embrace.

“You are yes ... still bewit,” reply Izzah, pinch Safitri's nose.

He was also happy to meet again with his close friends when High School. They're looking for a seat.

“How come you never contacted me anyway, Zah? I'm already in college. Many can new friends .. eeeh .. old friends dilupain,” sukang Safitri. Izzah was amused to see his expression.

“Lo .. isn't it you who always avoid? Whenever contacted it is always the number is not active.” Izzah defended himself. Safitri gawked, thinking.

“So yes?” Ah, it turns out he was wrong. Safitri patted the eel as soon as he remembered something.

“Aiih .. sorry, my phone is gone and I changed the number.”

In an instant, they immediately exchanged mobile numbers.

“Ya is already. Nothing, the important thing now we can return to communicate.” Izzah.  It didn't feel like it had been an hour since they exchanged stories. Izzah looked cheerful. Time to split up.

“Zah, I went home first yes,” said Safitri as soon as he heard his traveling companion calling, then hugged Izzah.

“Who among the two boys is your girlfriend? Don't say both yes ...,” asks Safitri tease.

Izzah turned his head, following Safitri's eyes. Yudha and Ihsan turned away from Izzah's gaze. Revelations.

“Oh ... it .. they are just friends. You will know that I have been anti-dating,” obviously Izzah flat.

“Masa anyway? Very fond of. Looks like they like you lo. .. from earlier they just keep ngawasin you.” Izzah did not respond. Yudha and Ihsan looked at him alternately.

“No way,” denies Izzah in heart. “Safitri must be wrong.”

“See you soon, Zah.”

Seeing Izzah shut up. Safitri passed, waving his hands.

“Don't waste a good catch, Zah!” scream, wink. Izzah smiled wryly. Dumbly. His mind is haunted by Safitri's words.

***