Behind The Lies
Choose You

Iyash stared at the window of Aruna's room, usually the wooden window would open until eight, but after the maghrib the window was tightly closed. Aruna had made him worry.

Aruna herself is trying to get permission from her father, she is afraid that her father will be suspicious.

“This what?” asked Mr. Ridwan while looking at the paper that Aruna gave him.

“That's a study tour permit to Jakarta, Dad. Dad just sign here,” said Aruna while pointing to the right corner.

“When to leave?”

“Besok.”

“Why sudden?”

“Yes, Runa forgot to give the letter to dad. Just remember fitting dyingetin same Iyash.”

“Oh. How much pay?”

“This.” Aruna pointed to the top number. “If Dad is nothing, use Aruna savings only.”

“There, Dad,” said Mr. Ridwan as he got up, then went to the room to take the money. Not long after he came back. “All of you are equal.” He put the money on the palm of his daughter's hand.

Aruna smiled. “Still, Dad.”

While Iyash has not said anything to Grandma, nor to his grandfather. She was afraid they would ask Miss Mirasih. Iyash is still thinking of ways to get permission.

“Iyash,” call Aruna in a thin voice. Iyash immediately looked out the window. Aruna looked at him. “Where?”

Iyash shook his head. Instantly Aruna scowled and it made Iyash feel guilty. “I haven't got permission, I'm confused what to say.”

Aruna seemed to think. “You said stay at Umam aja,” Aruna said.

“I'm an exemplary student. Child well. Grade champions. You told me to lie.”

“Once in a while do me a favor. You still get the reward.”

“Year you who give aja.”

Aruna took a breath. “If you don't want to. I can leave alone.” The girl then turned around and took a step.

Iyash doesn't like to see Aruna disappointed. He jumped out of the window. “Ya already Yes.”

Aruna smiled at once. Slowly, then he turned around. “Still, Iyash.”

Iyash wet his throat. Heart's beating.

Aruna quickly stepped back, then turned around, then ran to the window of her room. Before going up to the window, he turned to Iyash. The young man waved at him, yet he just smiled, then went up to the room.

Iyash himself was stunned. From that moment on he did not want to lose Aruna's smile. Iyash returned to his room and went to see Alma's grandmother in his room. Slowly Iyash knocked on the door.

“Grandma, this is Iyash,” said the young man.

“Iyash, come in here. Grandma is massaging your grandfather.”

Slowly Iyash turned the door knob. Juragan Hartanto was sleeping on his stomach and Grandma Alma was applying massage oil to his back. “What's up, Yash.”

“Besok Iyash departs early in the morning. There is an event at the friend's house.”

“What way?”

“Friends Iyash birthday,” lies. “You give me a surprise, keep the night Iyash stay there.”

“Exciting is for sure,” said Granny Alma.

“So, how, Grandma?”

“Ask Grandpa.”

“Kek, can yes, a day kok.”

“Bby. Go,” said Juragan Hartanto while remaining on his stomach and without turning to his favorite grandson.

Iyash jumped in excitement while swinging a fist. “Loved, Cake, Nek.” He then stepped out.

“Eh, but, Yash?” call Juragan Hartanto and this time get up a little while looking at Iyash. “Your friend is a boy, ‘kan?”

“It, Cake. Our grandchildren stay at the women's house,” said Grandma Alma.

“Not, I mean grandpa, whose birthday is male, ‘kan?”

Iyash. He then took a breath. “Iya, male, Kek.”

“Ya already.” Juragan Hartanto is back in his original position. “Be careful you.”

“Ah, most to the next village. No problem,” muttered Granny Alma while pressing the back of the husband with the palm of his hand.

“Iya-iya.”

Iyash himself heaved a sigh of relief. Almost got caught. It turns out that Aruna's idea got it out. It's just that he's already sinned for lying to parents.

***

That morning Aruna looked very free. His smile continued to expand, as if he would get answers to all his questions all along. All Aruna knew was to try, she might not know what kind of results she would get.

“Run, what are your goals?” asked Iyash while looking at Aruna who was busy enjoying the view.

“No idea, maybe a lecturer of Literature.”

“Why possible?”

Aruna sighed, then turned her head and looked at Iyash. “I'm afraid I can't go to college, Yash.” He shook his head. “School is there just because of the mercy of your grandmother.”

Iyash was stunned and Aruna looked back at the train window.

“If there is a scholarship program, I will help you.”

“Iya, thanks,” Aruna said without turning her head.

Iyash kept looking at him. Actually he was curious what the purpose of Aruna to Jakarta, why suddenly. If not for Iqbal what? Iyash wanted to ask just that he was afraid of offending Aruna.

“Yash,” call the girl.

“Hm?”

“That time I ran out of the tomb. I had a fight home with Dad and kept leaving the house. I went to the river to calm myself down. None of this has anything to do with Iqbal.”

A clarification that relieved Iyash's heart. “Continue because what?” ask the young man.

“Because I lied about mom's grave,” replied Aruna honestly. “For the years I considered it to be mother's tomb, I prayed there every Sunday, but it turned out to be someone else's tomb, Yash.”

Iyash's heart paled at Aruna's words. The girl even hid her sadness and was unable to face Iyash.

“My book may still be alive.”

“Why can you be sure?”

“I found a photo of mom in Dad's drawer, I think I can look for clues.”

“Why in Jakarta?”

Aruna looked at me. “You said RSCM was Jakarta, ‘kan, Yash?”

“Iya-iya.” Iyash was excited to see the anger in both of the girls eyes. “Iya. You have a right to be angry. I know how it feels to be lied to for years. You must be heartbroken,” Iyash said without intending to pump it. Iyash understood that Aruna only needed recognition for how she felt.

“That hurts more Daddy didn't explain anything. He's just apologizing. I think there's something he's hiding.”

“I think you're old enough to know the truth, Run.”

Aruna stared at Iyash.

“I mispronounced?” ask Iyash.

“Still, Iyash.”

Iyash smile. “I think it's a love affair,” god.

Aruna shakes. “I don't have any feelings for Kak Iqbal,” muttered Aruna while looking back at the window. “Before going to Jakarta, Kak Iqbal did express his feelings, but I could not consider him more than a big brother. I admit he has sacrificed a lot and I thank him for it, only I can't repay him.”

A confession that really makes Iyash happy, so happy he said, “Alhamdulillah,” while wiping his face.

At once Aruna frowned and looked at him. “Why?”

Iyash. “Hah, it brags again nyampe,” lie.

“Serious?” Aruna looked enthusiastic and looked back out.

Iyash just smiled anxiously at Aruna's behavior. “Run?”

“Hm?” sahut Aruna without looking.

“You know, ‘kan Dennis, Umam same Bagas like you?”

“They also like Naya. I think they like all the female students,” replied Aruna.

Iyash smiled cynically. He was sure that Aruna knew about it. Knowing Aruna was not an innocent girl as innocent as her shadow was a shocking thing for Iyash.

“Who do you choose between the three?” ask Iyash.

“Choose you,” replied Aruna without turning her head.

Iyash smiled. However, he did not want to be fooled. “You sure?”

“The proof is only you I invite, only you know my secret,” said Aruna as she turned and looked at Iyash.

Iyash took a breath while holding a smile.

“Your cheeks are red,” said Aruna while facing the window again. His lips are thin. While Iyash quickly turned his back to him. In soap operas or in novels, red cheeks are common in female characters. However, why could Aruna see the red hue on both of Iyash's cheeks? Is it because of the white and clean skin of Iyash, so that the color looks striking?

***