Behind The Lies
Truth

Iyash noticed the change in Aruna's countenance. He immediately took over and relayed their purpose of coming to the place in such a blind morning. “Mother knows, where is Miss Goddess now?”

“That I heard Dewi continued her education. She studied in Singapore, funded by her now husband.”

Aruna's chest feels tight. He could not bear to cry, but I did not know what to cry about it.

“We chat at mom's house. Not good to chat on the road.”

They nodded and followed the mother straight to her house. Arriving at home, the woman who had just introduced herself as Yuli did not immediately invite them to chat, she instead went to the kitchen to put down her groceries, she said, then come back with two cups of tea and some bread. “Your father is healthy?” tanyanya sat down.

“Good,” replied Aruna briefly.

“After Gusman left this village, his father looked for him here. If only I knew where Gusman went.”

Aruna did not seem to understand what the woman was saying. He kept staring at Iyash. Iyash himself was saddened by Aruna's state, he could only nod while grasping the girl's small hand. Cold hands full of disappointment.

“Now where do you live?”

“In Surabaya, Bu.”

“When to go home to Jakarta?”

“Ngakt go home, we have to go back to Surabaya this morning as well,” replied Iyash while reminding Aruna because maybe they will miss the train.

“Mother knows why my father and mother separated?” ask Aruna.

Ms. Yuli did not answer directly. He felt that it was none of his business. “Mom don't know, Nak.”

Iyash's heart cringed at Aruna's flushed face extinguished holding back all feelings of anger, disappointment and perhaps he had just hated the situation.

“What because Daddy is poor?” guess Aruna with a vibrating voice and can't make my mother happy.”

“Mom really doesn't know, Son. What is clear is that you must understand that this is too difficult for your father.”

Aruna bowed and it made Iyash confused, he could only pat her on the shoulder to restore Aruna's strength and confidence.

“Mother is sorry,” said Bu Yuli. “Former mom volunteered to help Gusman take care of you, but Gusman didn't want to stay in Jakarta, she chose to go somewhere. Might heal yourself from all the wounds your mother gave you.”

Aruna was getting bowed, drop by drop tears fell on her knees.

“Mom still remembers when at midnight you cried earthily with the sound of rain, when mother entered, Gusman was crying next to you. Mother asked the Goddess where, she just said that the Goddess went to find her own happiness. He was no longer happy with her. Now Mom is grateful that she managed to raise you.”

Aruna sobbing. This time he understood what was really going on. The lie, not entirely the father's fault.

. “We go home.” Aruna quickly got up while looking at Iyash. However, Ms. Yuli held her hand.

“Don't tell me you met mom here,” said Bu Yuli.

Aruna fell silent and sighed, then she nodded. Iyash quickly got up to him.

“Better you don't talk anything about this same to your father, mother is just afraid he is becoming more and more sad.”

Bu Yuli stroked the top of Aruna's head. “You are indeed beautiful, exactly like your mother, but I believe that you have the nature of your father,” added the middle-aged woman.

Aruna did not answer, he was quick to say the same with Iyash. Along the way Aruna continued to cry. Iyash was getting confused about it.

“Run, have dong crynya shy.”

“Yash, it turns out that households are complicated. Then I don't want to get married,” the fare after it's enough. Luckily they were in the taxi, so all Iyash and the taxi driver heard was crying.

“You're just going to digress everywhere, after all we're still too small to think about that,” Iyash's nag.

Instantly Aruna scowled. Suddenly Iyash's phone rang loudly. The young man was excited to look at the name of the Grandmother listed on the mobile phone screen.

Aruna was no less surprised, she immediately stopped crying and tried to stay calm.

“Halo, Nek,” says Iyash slowly.

“Where are you, Yash?”

“Iyash is still at a friend's house,” lied the seventeen-year-old young man.

“Do not lie to you.”

“Cock lie?” Iyash frowned and looked at Aruna. He then closed the phone with his palm. “I think Grandma is suspicious,” whispered Iyash.

Aruna glanced at the eyes. He quickly sat up straight and put his ear to Iyash's head so he could hear Grandma Alma speak.

“From yesterday said you didn't go to school and no birthday friends, you lied to grandma?” fussy Granny Alma on the phone.

Iyash. Both of his eyes were puffed up looking at Aruna.

“Now answer honestly. Did you go with Aruna?”

Both of Iyash's eyes were rounded.

“Iyash, you want Grandma to report to your parents?”

“Grandma, Yes, Grandma. Iyash sorry.”

“Why are you lying?”

“Iyash just want to help Aruna, Nek,” he said as he glanced at Aruna who was still close to his head.

“Ridwan said that Aruna went to Jakarta because there was a study tour, but it turns out that at school there is no study tour to Jakarta. While you said you want to stay at a friend's house and instead your friends are here because they want to know why you are the same Aruna did not enter school?”

Iyash's heart is beating. He took a slow breath. “Later Iyash explain, Nek.”

“Now where are you?”

“In taxi, we want to go to station.”

“We are waiting for you at home. Be careful on the road. Later Mas Sugeng pick you up so you can quickly get to home.”

“Iya. Nek.” Iyash was stunned when Granny Alma immediately closed the call. “Even I, like Granny angry,” muttered Iyash.

Aruna took a breath and glanced at Iyash with the tail of her eyes. “Indeed already angry, ‘kan?” asked Aruna calmly.

“How can you calm down so, while from earlier you cry?”

“You'd rather see me cry?”

“Ngak.” Iyash took a breath. “Ngak.” He slammed his back into the back of the car seat.

Arriving at the station they buy food for supplies on the train. After getting two packs of rames rice they went straight in and looked for a seat. In the car Aruna did not eat, he was busy writing about his journey today.

Iyash was busy taking pictures with his camera. He was just trying not to overload his mind with Granny Alma's anger. After lunch, they ate.

Suddenly a message came in from Grandma Alma. “Let's Mas Sugeng pick you up.”

Once again Iyash's heart went out, it felt like Grandma Alma was in front of him. Alma's grandmother has never been angry. Iyash turned to Aruna who still looked engrossed in writing. He could only sigh as the journey home became unpleasant.

 ***