Garden Benches
Shackled Heart

Shackled Heart

No one can force the heart. In fact, when body, soul and desire try to make. The heart persists even in its own pain.

****

"Gi ..."

"Yes?"

I put a mouthful of chicken in my mouth and chewed slowly. At lunchtime, Yu Yem's cafeteria in the corner of this office building, was full.

"What's wrong?" ask Sapto who did not immediately continue his words.

"Emmm ...., don't you want to get married again?"

I swallowed my chews quickly, and I swallowed them with a sip of warm lime.

"What do you mean?"

I don't like it.

"Sorry Gie, I know there hasn't been a year of Laras going, but ..."

"Laras never left, he's still with us. So forget Sap, whatever you want to say,"

Sapto relented, then continued eating.

"Sorry, Gie."

I nodded not wanting to extend. Of course, I can't force them to understand that you're not completely gone. In fact I still found you in the Garden Bench. They'll say I'm hallucinating, depressed any more, mentally ill? Ahh, can a soul be sick?

"Eh Gie, Sap, here, tho? Don't look around, do you know that first?"

Retno came with Nania and Wulan. They then sat on the empty bench one table with me and Sapto.

"Sorry, ma'am, that was no time for breakfast!" elak Sapto's.

"May find a wife, let someone take care!" ledek Bu Retno, Sapto bowed while grinning the horse.

"Yes tho Nania, Wulan ... You too, do not long be single, later become a spinster you know ..."

"Shih ..." I saw Nania and Wulan blushing in shame.

"Bu Retno, this is ah ..."

"It's like pumping ....!"

"Yeah,"

Ms. Retno replaced the chuckle, attacked by three singles who were skipped.

"Since you guys are weird, already beautiful, handsome, clerk again. Less what try, yo to mas Gie?" attack Bu Retno for support.

"Truly open," I drew my smile wide. You will surely also giggle at the sight of Sapto who is white, his face becomes as red as a boiled crab.

"Not yet to meet Buk's soul mate" elak Sapto.

"Wanted yet?" sindir ma'am Retno does not want to lose.

We chuckled, then immediately I gulped the remaining warm oranges, then panted ahead. Sapto immediately rushed to follow, certainly no longer wanted to be cornered by Bu Retno's banter. At first glance I saw Nania and Sapto with each other, as I passed them before paying at the cashier.

"You got a taste for Nania?"

I asked to the point as we walked out of the cafeteria. Sapto jerks.

"Where do you know that?"

"Well, Miss Retno, it's time you ventured, Ayokk," I said.

We walked to Mushola which was on the front side of the buildings which were divided into different sectional spaces. Around the mosque there are colorful paper flowers

"But ...."

"Stay sure, don't hesitate,"

I said while sitting on the porch and taking off my shoes.

"But Gie .. I'm afraid of experiencing the same thing as you ..."

Deg

I'm speechless.

"I'm afraid my heart will be shackled like yours, when I have to lose someone I care about,"

Sapto. I let out a long sigh, then headed for the ablution place silently. Did this mean the question a moment ago? Laras, what do you think?

***

You must remember, Ardi lives with his grandmother, Eyang Sukma, a retired teacher's widow. Both of his parents have died since he was still Junior High. So imagine how happy Eyang Sukma saw his grandson's happy day? Ah, if you were here, I would be happy to see your smile for Ardi and Lidya.

"Gie!!!"

A shrill voice rang out interrupted by the boisterous jokes of friends at the end of the reception. A woman in an ivory white dress attached to the body, approached by lifting her dress slightly up.

"Gie!!! Remember me, right?"

The round eyes of the woman blinked. Both of his thick brow feathers were almost linked at the base of his pointed nose.

I furrowed my brows while stepping back, as both of his hands held onto both of my arms.

"Iu ..., sorry?"

I hesitated, waving the corner of my eye in search of Ghifa. On the edge of the stage, Sapto is seen holding her, and Nania asks her in a joke. Aman, I'm smiling.

"I'm Citra, Gie! The image! Remember, you?"

"Eh ... Oh, Image?"

"Obstraight, we're high school class mousos forget?"

The girl pouted, but then pinched my waist. I dodged, taking a slight distance when he then pulled me to sit next to him.

"How are you, Gie? Where's son? Said your wife died after giving birth, huh?"

The girl named Citra was mercilessly nyerocos, I stared at her at a glance, is it true that the image of my classmate? Is this the same image? The tomboy girl who likes the ceplas ceplos, that?

"Eh, .. yes, Laras ...."

"Ohhh, Gie, I'm so sorry ... Sorry I didn't attend the funeral."

Citra's face turned softly while stroking my shoulder.

"I .. yes, that's okay, thank you ..."

"Eh know no, I got this sad news, from Agung. Remember the Great, right? Our class leader?"

I nodded, Agung still visits often if he goes home to his parents. He currently lives in a different city with his family.

"I met him at the airport. She told me all about you, oh, a very sad story, I heard it that day,"

I lowered my head, while Citra patted my knees.

"Gie, you're patient, yeah. Remember, life must go on. You should be able to move on, especially if you already have children, right?"

"Yes Cut, thanks for the attention,"

"Name ...."

"That's my son!"

Point me at Ghifa, while releasing her hand that rests on my knee.

"Aihhhh her beauty ..."

The image waved his hand.

"Excuse me yes, sorry Ghifa's time is falling apart" I said.

I immediately moved while reaching for the small bag where my son's needs were stored. Then rushed to Ghifa who was in Sapto's arms. While Ardi and Lidya are still busy serving the requests of friends who still survive to reminisce.

"Report, Gie!"

The image moved on and nimbly followed me. Although her dress was a little tight, her movements were nimble as she wore sporty shoes. You weird girl!

"Ghifa, baby .. bobok first yokk,"

"A .. yes ..." Ghifa greeted me by holding both of her hands.

"I brought you sir,"

Nania quickly picked up the small bag I was carrying, so both my hands freely grabbed Ghifa. But before little Ghifa Kuraih, both slender hands were outstretched.

"Here, sweetie's mom,"

Sapto and Nania were simultaneously chatting with each other, while I was surprised that my mouth was slightly open.

"Mama?"

........