Crush On You's
The arrival of Jefri Albar
Chapter 7
I sat down next to a wet mound full of flowers. Feels tight in the chest. Cold and silent. Only the sound of unpretentious birds greeted the morning sun. My eyes were on a wooden gravestone that read Devi Eliza. Never again will I see his war spoiled, confident and cheerful. For a moment I bowed my head and chanted the best prayer for him.
The wind blows softly. When I was down, I felt sadness, disappointment and suffering. Which I don't know where it came from. Maybe it's just the mood. Shivering, breathing falters.Cold sweat and the skin of the hands becomes pale. Death is a normal thing in my opinion. An atmosphere like this, I had experienced when my father left. Where the tongue becomes stiff and the chest feels tight. As much as possible I try to get out of this sad atmosphere, by adjusting my breath and trying to stand straight ahead.
Today is the seventh day after his departure. Later that night there will be a prayer together at the home of the deceased. There is no special preparation, just need to strengthen the heart, calm the mind and sincere. I was stunned astray, remembering the days before his departure.
***
Monday at seven. At the course after the meeting. Amir patted me on the shoulder, “All High School students have already taken the certificate. Except Devi has no news”
“You've tried calling or sending notifications to his parents”
“Already Mister,” said Miss Sofia turned her seat. “The number is also inactive and the house also looks lonely”
“Let's go to work,” Amir Command. “We discuss another time again”
It felt strange that his number was suddenly inactive. Three days ago, Devi was still texting. And we went together for a while. That afternoon he wanted to buy something at Roxy Square. I drove him home to the front of the house. Then there's no more communication.
I walked out of the meeting room and into class. Eight-thirty minutes of class ended and the children went home. My steps stopped near the admin desk. Some teachers look sad. Miss Sofia, who usually comes home early. Now he's dipping his face in the table.
“What's up?” I asked Amir.
“We just got a call, Devi accident and her life is no longer helped.”
My body seems to have no energy. I bit my lips against the wall. My chest is in pain. “I'll be there.”
“Yes, we're all going there now.” Miss Sofia got out of her seat and grabbed the key. No more talk. We're all there. It's hard to believe, but that's what happened.
Like being struck by lightning. The bad news was like a sharp pebble thrown on the wet ground. Stuck in. It was certain that the pain was inevitable again. Among the other teachers, Devi was closest to me. We were all sad and lost that night.
Early in the morning at the funeral. Devi's father and a woman walked up to me.
“We are sorry if there was a mistake that Devi intentionally did” said the man in a mustache.
“And thank you for being his friend” exclaimed the woman next to him.
“He definitely got the best place there.” I nodded and tried to smile.
The two people had already separated, but looked to strengthen each other during the loss. After they left. Stay by myself. My steps drew closer to my disciple's navel. “I'll keep seeing you for the next seven days.”
***
A week passed after his death. Really still stuck. I feel like he's still around me. Occasionally sound, “I will always count on you.” That sentence keeps buzzing every night. Devi once whispered that phrase.
Waking up all night. Pacing around in the room. Shivering and suddenly feeling sad. I tried to fall asleep but it didn't work. Finally the incessant chanting of prayer that was able to accompany me until morning. And by noon I must be sleepy accompanied by a headache that hit.
Before three o'clock in the afternoon, my eyes wanted to shut. Wash your face, still sleepy. I sit under a tree. Lean your head. Scroll clock on wrist. There are still twenty minutes before teaching the third semester. I looked up, Ms. Laras waved from the upper window.
The wind, the more it pulls me to sleep. Both eyes closed. Blowing cold air. Once the situation around is quite quiet and calm. Until I heard nothing. Bugh! A small dictionary hit the head. Who threw it? I'm looking. From above Bening gave a signal. His finger showed the clock on his wrist. Immediately I looked at my watch, it turned out to have been at three more than five minutes. ‘Sial, I should have been in class since last’ my grumbling in heart.
Two hours passed. The sound of third-semester students was very noisy when they left the class. Luckily in class, they were not too troublesome. I stepped slowly down the stairs. Head still hurts. The straight-haired man precedes me.
“Excuse me..sir” is friendly.
“Iskan!” call quickly.
“Ya”
“Did you see Bening?”
“Still in class. He always comes out last”
I was standing by the stairs. Waiting to restore the dictionary. There are no signs of his appearance. Again Della and Vita giggled down the stairs. Without a second thought, my steps moved quickly towards the lecturer room. It would be terrible to be caught between the two girls.
Throat feels dry. I'm moving slowly towards the pantry. Before opening the door. The sound of people laughing softly. I was standing not far from the door, I closed my eyes to make sure of something. The surroundings are quiet.
“The cruel barracks! How can you torture someone who loves you with all your heart,” he said excitedly. “I want to marry you” soon
“Dear wood, be patient a little. Just a few more months. I still haven't thought about what color kebaya I'm going to wear”
“Well, I hope you're not hiding something. Purwaka always looks nervous when I say your name.”
“What do you mean?” tanya Laras probing. “You think Purwaka fell in love with me?”
“More precisely crazy about you. He has crush on you.”
“What did he say that?”
“No. It's just that I know him very well”
“Yes, but I'm jealous”
“That guy is worth nothing. He easily agreed to work with Pakdheku. It seems he is in financial trouble. No woman can survive poor. Yes, I admit he is smart.”
The little laughter of the woman and Bayu sounded without burden. They seem to be celebrating something. I've decided to take a drink in the pantry. Coming home was the best move, before they found myself standing by the door.
Arriving at home. I have lost the love and friendship that I have always believed in. A fever burns all the blood vessels. Also, headaches are becoming more and more. This can't be allowed. I took the sleeping pills and swallowed them forcibly. Bitter stuck in the throat. Tonight I must feel the pain of betrayal.
The dawn slipped in the window. I woke up fresher than ever. A sick heart can still be hidden. Raga must stay fit. At six o'clock in the morning, I prepared to walk around the complex for some fresh air. The pain in the head slowly disappeared. Maybe I just need to find a cure, some kind of painkiller, wound, humiliation and the like.
Five hundred meters from the front of the house. My steps stopped near the security guard post. Momentary break. From a distance the little children in yellow uniforms lined up to the back and accompanied by his teacher. Some instructions were thrown out, but there was no reaction from the small yellow-clad army. They ran and broke up the line. One of the teachers was wearing a round white hat ringing a whistle. The children marched back and followed his instructions. A pleasant sight, my eyes still fixed on them. And it turns out that their school is not far from the security guard post. Turn left a few meters there is a warkop and next to it is their school, KB/TK Tulip.
Curiosity made me follow them. I stopped at the park and ordered a cup of coffee. My eyes are still not budging from adorable little creatures.
“Good morning Miss Bening!” yell them noisy. When the teacher wearing batik clothes opened the school gate. Then the yellow troops entered. He closed the gate back.
I flinched and stood up to make sure that it was Bening the fifth semester student. Without thinking long I immediately pay for coffee that has not been in session.
The guard laughed. “Sampeyan, kui piye? Buy a cup of coffee in wap”
“Iya me again rush”
“Lah wong is still morning?” ask the warkop guard's mother. “From yesterday ngeliatin TK school. His son went to school there, huh?”
“Not. My students are there. Clear name”
“Walah, Miss Clear. Later he also came here”
The warkop guard's mother told me a little about Bening. He said that Bening was diligent, tenacious, hardworking and polite. “Please Mas. He works because he wants to go to college. Indeed the nature is a bit quiet” he glanced at the mini bike next to the stall. “That bike is here”
“What time is he out?”
“Jam 9 later. If Friday and Saturday are not until noon”
Finally waiting for Bening to come out. I ordered food for breakfast. The coffee is not wrapped. See instant fried noodles and a cup of coffee. Makes me a little nauseous. This breakfast was too heavy. A sick heart needs energy to survive. Without thinking long I ate it slowly until it ran out.
He's a-comin.
“Have you gone Miss?”ask the warkop guard's mother.
“Upload, mom. Badhe mundhut bike”
“Iku you know miss, there are people who want to meet”
I was stunned to hear his polite voice. Soft and soothing. Feels light in the ears. It's like hearing the birds singing in the morning. “Hai..” my sap. “Are you done teaching?”
“Sudah” replied nodding. When our eyes met, he was downcast and hid a red hue on his cheek.
I stood up and paid for the food.
Bening said goodbye to the warkop guards. Then lead his bike. Before he got on the bike, he looked back.
Unknowingly, both of my feet followed him until they reached the side of the road.
“Mister want to go home?”
“Ya”
“Excuse me, I'm up”
“Wait..!” my hand pulled the bike. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Ya”
“I need your help a little. Tomorrow meet me at one o'clock on the long bench near the library. All your cell phone numbers. I'll call if you forget”
Bening nodded then took out a piece of paper from the bag. Write her phone number and give it to me. After that, he took a bicycle. While I walk by his side. My brain works hard to find the topic of conversation so that the atmosphere is not as awkward as it is now.
“Do you like children?” somehow the question suddenly came out. I want to ask that question again. But it just popped out.
“Of course. They're fun.”
I smiled hearing his words.
“Did mister have children?” he asked carefully and looked at me.
“Not yet. I'm not even married yet,” I replied a little nervously. It was very curious to dig up some of the things that were on his mind. But I don't want to rush. “My house is close. Thank you for your time. And see you”
He walked in front and started riding his bike. Before pedaling the bike, he nodded politely and smiled faintly.