Anesta And Mahesa
Left Time

"Hai Bee, is today a list of thesis exams?

" So", I replied lazily

"It should be like dong, why is his face like that?"

"I'm not excited anymore"

"Lho, not from yesterday you want to quickly finish your college. Why not get excited now?" he looked at me with full investigation.

"Bee, what's wrong? I'm sure there's something"

"..."

"Bee..."

"...."

He lifted my chin softly with his thumb.

" Bee, look at me!, don't keep it to yourself dear"

"So I called my mom, and I kept telling her about my script exam registration"

I took my breath to take a pause. I think this is the hardest part I have to tell him. Although I have told you about how tough our relationship will be, but conveying something that was immediately said by the mother did not feel easy.

"Bee, speak... I waited", holding my hand.

"I told you about our relationship. I told you about you to my mom, including you who are a pure Javanese", I pulled a little corner of my lips.

"Mama keep her stance, mama does not agree with our relationship", I began to shed tears that I had been holding back. I don't want to be seen in front of Mahesa.

"Hi, here!", pulled my hand to sit closer beside him.

I wiped my tears with his thumb.

"Don't cry Bee, from the beginning I already knew the risks of dating you. If you finally say to your mom and mom disagree, don't we already know that's what you're going to say"

"I just thought my mom would change"

"He doesn't know me yet Bee, even if you meet me later, it's not certain that his decision will change"

"We've talked about this before, and I promise to fight with you. As long as you still want to be with me Bee"

"Am I the man you deserve to fight?", he looked at me as if asking for answers to his questions.

I just nodded, then hugged my body.

"Thank you Bee". Let go of his embrace and look at me.

"You coming with me?"

"Where?"

"Enjoy the night" he said with a smile.

I shake my head, I know what it means to enjoy the night for us. He and I would go on a motorcycle anywhere without a purpose. Sometimes me and Mahesa suddenly stopped somewhere enjoying grilled corn or boiled beans.

Sometimes we just sit around in the city park, talking about anything until we both run out of stories and just hold hands.

Then we would leave the city park in silence, hand in hand.

Where we are going tonight, for me both on the bike while hugging him gives a sense of its own.

"Bee, when is the thesis exam?"

"Next month, why?"

"After that?"

"I started looking for a job with a temporary graduation letter, next month I'm graduating"

"Then, if after graduation you have not got a job. What are you doing?"

"I'll wait two months here, and then I'll have to go home"

"Mama, I told you that she can't keep paying for my life here"

Mahesa just silently listened, held my hand and kissed it.

"I'm sure there's a way out Bee. Just trust me"

The more I hugged him. I don't want to leave him.

Warm night hugging

Fusing our love

Bias lamp say hello

Shake heart ask

Is there time left

Keep us soulful

And lagun also

Nanar you look at me

Our love is forbidden

Banging against a rock

Is there time left

Refuting all their prejudices

When the density norm

Selected as an excuse

They created a gap between us

Until the end of it

We're trying to hold on

Because love rejects differences.

Me and Mahesa, I often sing this song. When we both drove on the bike or when we sang in the cafe where we used to hang out.

"Tomorrow we go where I used to take you. Place of prayer"

"Okay, the clock's as usual, right?"

"Yes, I'll pick you up"

Mahesa once took me somewhere, out of town but not too far away. It is called the Prayer Hill. He took me as a surprise. I was shocked to fall in love with that place.

We finally went there a few times. The place is cold and shaped like a hill. There are rooms for prayer in the form of small rooms. The rooms are in the shape of a cave on a hill. And each room was filled with one person, they could offer a private prayer there.

I like to linger there, the atmosphere is soothing. Hearing the chirping of birds while looking at the flowers made me never want to go home immediately.

If Mahesa invites me there, it means that there is a burden on her mind. Right now it might be me and our relationship that he thinks so highly of.

Actually everyone can pray anywhere, but usually there are also people who choose a special place and feel more comfortable praying there when he has a very heavy burden.

*****

"We go home?", gently patted my hand.

"Yes, I'm also getting cold"

"Not to be too thoughtful, you just prepare yourself for the thesis exam next month"

"Maybe I cut down on the time to see you first. Let's focus on learning"

"If I miss how?"

"Yes just got on the phone, said.. Mahesa I miss, you come here yes" he said with a laugh.

"What if you miss it every day?"

"Seriously, kangen every day?"

"Well, every day dear Mahesa"

"Yes, you say it every day... I'll come, if I need to, I'll run to see you soon"

"Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously. When did I ever lie to you?"

"Eh, but wait... If I am sick again it is also difficult if I have to run to see you. Talking on the phone can still be done, right?"

"Hahaha, still!"

"Eh, I'm sorry kos. I still want to talk"

"Tomorrow we will meet. The story's saved for tomorrow"

"There's still tomorrow, and tomorrow and tomorrow again for me to see you"

"I go home, Bee, I love you" he kissed my forehead and put the top of my head on.

I stared at her figure until it was no longer visible to my eyes. Unknowingly I shed tears.

"Mama, he's the best guy I know. I just want to be with him now, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and until anytime".

"When will you understand how I feel?".

Soon I headed to my room. I don't want to sleep yet. Sometimes I paint his face on the ceiling. Remembering everything we talked about. Considering his treatment of me.

*****

"Tumben Nes, early in the morning already fragrant? Where you going?"

"To the Hill of Prayer, De"

"Same Mahesa?"

"Well, who else is the same?"

"Maybe your gank. Like they haven't been here in a long time?"

"If the same they there pray for a beautiful girlfriend, Cepet pass even though the males learn the same if playing ball with the village children can win hahaha!"

"Nhd!"

"They really like ngaco, De"

"You're the ngaco, Nes!"

"But, hahaha!"

"Kok, they haven't played here in a long time, Nes?"

"I forbid, I want to focus on my script. Maybe tomorrow I'll play at their boarding house. Wanna come?"

"Non ah males. What if you go to kos they do it anyway?"

"Chat, sing, watch football, play cards. That's it, but it's nice talking to them"

"It's just like you can stay there for hours"

"You'll never hang out with them so don't know how fun and funny it is"

Suddenly my phone rang, I saw Mahesa's name on my phone screen.

"Morning! Oh... You've been sorted out, yes I'll be right down"

"Mahesa has come, I go first. Bye Dea!"

"Bye Nes, be careful on the road!"

*****

"Where are you ready to go exploring with me today?"

"Ready dong"

"Close embrace yeah, let's get there fast"

"What's the connection?"

"Nothing, let you take a tight hug. I like it"

I pinched his waist, and he laughed.