DEAR ARDHAN
OUR SHOES AND OUR MEETING

Jakarta, Indonesia 2016

Prangs!

The toad-shaped pants are now left in the form of debris and debris. Among the clay rubble were piles of pennies of a thousand, two thousand, five thousand, and small coins. Teen esters collected them nicely so that none of them would be left behind. Even though it is only five hundred rupiah, it can make him lack of money. Better be careful than now.

"Why did you break the piggy bank? Want some junk?"

Mr. Dirham, his stepfather stared with a cynical and insulting look. For a long time he always said Esther was the most useless burden of life. Even though mom often defends and even threatens divorce if she still acts bad, Mr. Dirham never cares.

"Divorce you said? Just eating can't pay if it's not for me, how do you have money to sue for my divorce?"

That's right, ever since Babap left them 4 years ago mom and Esther were hanging out in no direction. The owner of the contract that has been blinded for 3 months can no longer accept the presence of the small family. Be now no choice but to join his grumpy and smacking stepfather.

"I'd like to buy a book, sir,"

Ester pocketed all the money and a shred of piggy bank. He was already impatient to buy the book on Microcosmics that he had wanted for six months ago.

"Book again again! You think books can be used in the stomach if you're hungry, huh?"

Esther just ducked. If only he could fight back he was dying to say that the book was indeed a stomach bump when hungry when night came. Or when you go home from school and there is only an empty hood.

"Excuse me sir."

Not waiting for the continuation of his stepfather Esther's words to leave immediately. Someone must have been waiting at the usual place they met.

***

"Well, a long time ago! Where'd you go Ice?"

The man pursed his sweet and small lips. Even though he was pouting his cheeks that were not as fluffy as mangroves were also very tempting to pinch.

He Haringga Ardhan, Esther's upperclassman at High School where he studied. They were reunited two years ago when Esther became one of the new students who was punished for not wearing black shoes as recommended.

"Why are his shoes pink?"

At that time Ardhan who became the head of the Mos disciplinary stood with a jutek face in front of him. Esther who actually basically has a jutek attitude returned the mock look of the jutek.

"If I said I only had Pink shoes how?" Esther asked back.

"Why not buy?"

"If I say I don't have money?"

"Why are you answering all my questions?"

"Because it's a question."

"Stop answering!!"

"You stop asking then."

"You!"

"What?"

For a few seconds they looked at each other. Esther with her flat face and Ardhan with a face that is increasingly wrong behavior. He's not actually a man to fit into such a disciplinary commission. Especially with his cute face he actually became the temptation material of new students.

Because it was not strong enough to hold the hue of the cheeks that turned red, Ardhan turned his face away. As much as possible not smiling. Nentra Hazel is too annoying to see for longer.

"So bangaimana?"

"How's what?"

"Your shoes?"

"I told you already"

"I know, but in there the Disciplinary Commission is more ruthless, do you want to be punished?"

"There's no other choice."

And I don't know why Ardhan took off his shoes. Ester's flat face looked a little shocked. Her beautifully curved brows rose slightly.

"More,"

"What?"

"Wear it."

"Why?"

"Of course because of the rules, stupid boy! Fast to wear."

Esther did not think, she finally took off her old Pink shoes and she wore her very new black shoese basketball.

"All right, thank- hey? where's she?"

Before you can say thank you, the man has walked dulua while carrying Ester's pink butut shoes.

"Hey! Wait!"

"You'll give it back later, okay? After school I'll wait there."

He returned Esther's cry without turning around, still walking leisurely even barefoot. Pink shoes may be small because the shoes that at that time Ester used were also oversize on his tiny feet.

***

After the MOS Esther hurriedly ran towards the gate. Waiting for that guy she didn't even get to ask his name. During the event inside many times he saw the man go to and fro with the other Disciplinary Commission. Putting on a jutek face for Esther just looks funny. Especially if you remember how the man covered the red hue on both cheeks. It's adorable!

"You waiting for me?"

As he was taking shelter under the Angsana tree near the gate, the man's voice was heard again. Esther turned back, the man raised an eyebrow without smiling.

"Eng .. well, this is yours." Esther gave me those shoes. His feet did not stop pinching because of the heat.

Ardhan noticed the tiny feet that did not stop grinding, just like a hot worm. I don't want him to laugh either.

"What's so funny?"

"You."

"What?"

Ester snatched, this man why should he pay attention to his feet. Isn't it weird that the feet are hot in the sun like that?

"Have it on again."

"What?"

Ardhan took the shoe from the pale-faced girl's hand and dropped it right in front of Esther's feet.

"How do you think?"

"Don't you see I'm wearing slippers?"

"Sandals?"

For a while the girl was silent, as if thinking what was missed.

"Hey! Where's my shoe?"

Hearing the girl ask, Ardhan cuek sipped the sweet tea inside the plastic cup. Hot weather like this is good indeed a cold drink. After being drunk by him he flipped the straw and placed the cup on Esther's cheek.

The girl was surprised. Shocked by the cold touch on his hot cheek.

"You're nothing at all? Didn't answer my question?"

"You wear your shoes first, keep drinking this. Hot weather, dehydration later." he said relaxed.

Esther clenched her arms in annoyance. Who the hell is this guy? Just met this morning already treating him so casually? Which normal woman would want to drink a straw together with a man who is not even known by name?

"Worn out! You want blistered feet?"

Although half-dead he finally complied, wearing shoes that he had since removed it. It was true, his leg condition improved after no longer touching the parking lot castings that were hot for mercy.

"Look, I've got the shoes on, now please answer, where are my shoes?"

Again Ardhan put the plastic cup on Esther's cheek, "let's drink, your lips are so pale."

Although annoyed half-dead Esther finally relented, she tiptoed and pulled the straw into her mouth. Ardhan's much higher position made it somewhat difficult.

Watching the girl stomped down Ardhan lowered his body so that the position of the straw was more easily sucked by Esther. Their net was parallel, Esther's pupils even enlarged in shock.

He hurriedly removed the straw and took a step away. Her cheeks were hot burning, beating the cold of the sweet tea that entered the esophagus. Ardhan smiled looking at the misbehaving face in front of him. She looks so sweet.

"Se ... now can I get those shoes back? That's the only."

"What is historical?"

"Not."

"It doesn't matter if it's gone?"

"What?!"

"You're! Couldn't it be that his eyes don't jump?"

The girl twisted her lips with a hunch, until when did this man want to tease her?

"Seriously dong, where are the shoes?"

"Lost!"

"How do you think dong?"

"Well, aren't you wearing shoes?"

"But it ...."

"Udah is not to be thought of. I don't like those shoes, they're like girls. Mending you just wear it yes, let's not get the law tomorrow."

He threw a sweet smile that looked sincere, Esther's heart trembled, this was the first time anyone would be willing to do so well to her.

"I don't even know your name?"

The man raised an eyebrow, startled by the words coming out of the girl. Since then, he has thought of the best way to ask his name.

"Ardhan, you can call me that. What's your name?"

"Ester, Esther Liem."

"Well Ice, nice to meet you." The man waved his hand and then passed. Leaving behind Esther who was sculpting, watching her strapping back that was getting away. Esther doesn't know the line of smiles on those lips, 'Ester? what a beautiful name ....'

***

"Where did you go Ice? Long time!"

Esther sat next to him. The garden bench where they used to meet felt cold, maybe the rest of the drizzling rain this afternoon.

"I broke the piggy bank."

"The money's not enough?"

"Enough, yuk ah!"

The girl got up and turned her arms towards the man who was currently coolly immersing her hands into the pocket of the white sweater she was wearing.

Ardhan received the helping hand and stood up. They walked casually through the platform of the store, looking for a bookstore that is usually visited.

"Your stepfather still likes nyebelin?"

Hearing that question Esther simply sighed without answering, her gaze glaring.

"I just want to graduate quickly, go to college while I work, so I can help you."

Ardhan smiled at the girl next to him. Since meeting her two years ago, Ardhan knows that the girl's life is very hard. Esther was able to enter High School because of her merit scholarship. Her father ran away when Esther was still in Primary School, and now she is forced to live in the throes of a sickly stepfather.

"Yaudah please look for the book, we study so that you pass the scholarship selection."

After graduating high school and college, Ardhan changed the role of his mentor. Twice a week he always took the time to guide Esther in her selection preparation.

"Thank you Ar, I'm not too happy if there's no one's life." Esther throws a smile. The man in front of him only replied with a half-hearted smile.

'Yes I can never imagine it either.'