Garden Benches
Missing Contact

Missing Contact

If only happiness could be bargained without injury. Maybe I'll be more courageous to make a decision.

"Gie!"

Ardi exclaimed from the top of his matic who was speeding into the gate. I stopped my activity to take care of your favorite rose, red bud buds began to pop between the green leaves.

Red dates other than Sunday, we usually fill with each other. Ardi stopped his motor slowly in front of the stairs to the terrace. Making sure Lidya and her baby came down perfectly, then rushing up to me. Lidya walked into the house. I still heard his greeting which was then greeted by hysterical cries of Ghifa who was excited.

"Gie! You really are!"

His solot was fierce, his face looked annoyed.

"What the hell?"

"Insensitive! Why do you let the image marry someone else?"

I gasped, how did the news get to Ardi's place? Didn't I just come to Citra's house two days ago to fulfill her parents' invitation?

"What do you mean, Ar?"

"You don't feel sorry for Citra? He?"

I took my breath, and sat on a chair under a mango tree.

"I care about him, so I set him free, Ar."

"You're outrageous, Gie. What do you mean by liberating? Do you think his heart is then free to accept all hearts that want to intersect? So naive of you, Gie!"

I'm woken. Ardi looked at me with a concerned look.

"I know, Laras's still in your heart, but do you know that you've been in Citra's heart since High School?"

"Don't overestimate, Ar, I appreciate your empathy. But Citra deserves better than me."

Ardi breathed out slowly. Patted my shoulder and his tone began to soften.

"Ar, you're the best for the image according to him."

I mute, my chest feels sore, Citra's parents affirmation yesterday back ringing.

Did my decision break the heart of Citra?

"What does Citra tell you, Ar?"

I stared at the young man in front of me. Citra and Ardi are close since High School, they follow the same extra activity, Art Theatre. While I'm more happy at eskul basketball and nature lovers.

"Not from the image."

I waited.

"The one who called me, surprised him. Why isn't the invitation in your name?"

"So all this time, you've been arguing with me to match Citra?" suddenly growled.

"Eits, hold your emotions! Aahhh, how to explain to you, you geeky!"

"Enak, why am I geeky! Are you not?!"

Glug

"Basic silly!"

"Explain to me now!"

I stared at Ardi with my mouth closed. The guilt that had been tickling, now mingled with baseless emotions. Just darting away.

Ardi glanced at me, his eyes looking very annoyed, his hands outstretched to take the iced lemon tea that I had not had time to drink.

"Stop! Don't drink my lemon!"

Late the contents of the long glass had been drained away.

"Basan you're a bully, so early I prepare to unwind, even you spend!"

"Hot!"

"Reason!"

"Yes!"

"Well, now explain!" my murmur.

Ardi rubbed his long hair, glanced at my beard, his lips still pouting. I slap with my lips tightly clenched.

"I'm sorry, Gie. But actually serious imagery of you."

"Nhd!"

"He loves Ghifa selflessly!" my protest.

"Either that! He never showed his feelings. He doesn't want to mix his affectionate sincerity for Ghifa and his love for you."

I was really annoyed, since I came home from Citra yesterday, my heart became upset. Even more, Mother was smiling at my behavior. To this day, I still bear the guilt. I need to talk to Citra, but how?

"Ar, I don't know what I really feel for Citra, but obviously I need to talk to Citra."

Ardi furrowed his brows.

"I have not heard the decision from Citra, I feel Mr. Cipto decided to spread the invitation after hearing my decision," I said with a lowered head.

Ardi punched me in the shoulder.

"What did you break?"

I looked at Ardi's eyes that were glaring at me. Like a brother scolding his sister.

"Pak Cipto asked, Do I not want to marry again? I answer you, that problem has not crossed my mind. Finally He asked me again, So Mas Gielang does not mind if Citra married Anto, right?"

I also told you about the event when drizzle came down, back then.

"Gie! And you answer what?"

"You think?"

"Shit!"

"What am I supposed to say? There's no way I'd mind, right?"

"Dassaarrr!"

Ardi scratched his thick curly hair, then ruffled my jet-black hair.

"Let go, what the fuck are you Ar!"

"Gielang then, why do you want to meet Citra?"

I turned my face away from her scary face. Staring at the buds of roses that swing called colorful butterflies.

"I wonder if he's happy with that decision, Ar. Is she expecting her marriage to Anton."

Ardi's voice swallowed, he played the device with both hands, reversing the original.

"Have you tried calling?"

I'm nodding.

"I lost contact. These two days are not visible online. Usually he sends a message asking about Ghifa. But since that afternoon, no more messages from him. Even the last time it was seen was the day I went there."

Ardi was silent, he was busy thinking.

"In the meantime Ar, if wa Citra is inactive, how does Agung know the update information about Citra?"

My investigation suspects.

"Try me to call Agung."

Ardi said slowly. Squeeze the handle on one contact number. Heard a few calls. But no one raised. Try again a few times, but the result is the same.

I began to get impatient, then headed into the house, carrying an empty glass of lemon tea that I did not enjoy.

"Where's Gie?"

Ask Ardi who is still trying to contact Agung.

"Take a drink, will you?" ledekku without looking.

Ardi did not answer, his face seemed to focus on the call he made, but I saw his reflection following my steps. I went straight to the kitchen. While Ardi is new to the middle room, back out when the dialing tone stops replaced with a sahutan across.

I passed by Mom and Lidya who were joking with Ghifa and Adam in the living room. Lidya nodded with a cursory smile, before again teasing Adam who chuckled stomping his feet. Ghifa was excited, jumping around clapping her hands.

And Mother. Mother glanced at me with a hilarious look, full of innuendo. Looks like Mom felt my anxiety these two days. He did not ask or comment. Just as comfortable as a meaningful smile when I see me a little misbehaving.

I don't mind, I pour tea to make lemon tea again. Bik Nah offers help, I ask to make a drink for Ardi. Soon Bik Nah executed him with agile. A glass of black coffee with milk mixture, served on the dining table.

"Gie!"

Ardi who suddenly reached the connecting door of the middle room to the kitchen, when I put a slice of lemon into my glass.

"Hem, what's wrong?"

I looked at his face, something I wanted to convey

"Quick! You should know this, Agung gave information about Citra!"

......