Garden Benches
Calculating Seconds

Calculating Seconds

Counting seconds, like a knock of falling water seeping from between twigs on a leaf. Tests, tests. Can it be pulled back, when the count actually goes fast, sliding like down a roller coaster track?

Two alleys after a busy day at the big Citra house. I found a house with a large paving-covered courtyard on the main path to the building. On the right left paving a flat green expanse of Japanese grass. Cool. The shrubs grow on the edges of the fence and the flat grass follows the height of the ground. Neatly arranged.

I'm sliding down the paving track. Stop it right in front of the terrace of the house that decorated many plants in hanging pots.

“Hallo Bro!” Agung greets, down the terrace with a little running. Ardi took off his helmet then hugged each other patting the shoulders.

“Wahh just get fat, you!” ledek Ardi who was only greeted with laughter by a slightly stocky Agung. Actually fatnya not how much, just because the height is about 157 cm, then Agung impressed wider than me and Ardi.

“Hallo, Gie, how is your love?”

“Hahaha, don't you tease him, Gung. Have pity..”.

Agung pushed my back to step towards the terrace, after I removed my helmet. The laughter is wide.

“What did you say, Ar?” sulku.

“Hahaha, true too, new high sensi!”

Huhhhh! Looks like they're happy to have the materials to poke me. Watch out, yeah!

I sat on a rattan chair in the middle of the terrace. Agung and Ardi took another chair that circled the table. In the middle, there is a round table, above which there is a teapot containing chunks of ice that swim in green water, from the smell of melon. Around the teapot there are three glasses that are still on their stomach. Agung seemed to have deliberately prepared the drink before we came.

“How's your family doing, Gung? Didn't you take me home?” ask Ardi after we sit down.

“No, her mother's children will also have to work. Can't carelessly take leave.”

“How many days is the plan here?” sahutku.

“One week, there are some clients I have to meet in the next few days.”

“How do you plan friends, when to Citra home?” asked Ardi, while pouring the lemon syrup into one glass and immediately sipped it.

“Well, that's it!” exclaim Great.

I was silent, when Agung looked at me seriously. Especially when Ardi did the same. I feel judged by their views.

“Gie? Are you serious about releasing the image for Anton?”

I was intrigued, trying to string up words to answer questions that were always striking.

“It's not so, Gung. During this time there is no relationship between Citra and Gielang.”

Ardi spoke up.

“No relation what, you mean? Isn't this 3 years of full Image attention to Gielang? Every time he's in status, he's with Ghifa, your son, right, Gie? Don't you feel the same way, Citra, Gie?” berondong Agung's.

“I ... I ..”

Damnit damnit! Why did my tongue suddenly become mute, I took a deep breath. Why is this feeling so difficult? Guilt is different from love, right?

“You don't have the same taste Citra, Gie?”

The question repeated, Agung again urged me. 

“That feeling can't be forced, Gung.  Don't press Gielang with that question,”

Said Ardi, glancing at me.

“Begini, Gung, Precisely because of that problem I want your help.” Flat answer.

“What? You asked me to fail Citra and Anton's wedding, did you?” said Agung leisurely while chuckling.

My voice hesitated, ready to accept the bluff of the two young men before me.

“Gielang, Gielang, you are from SMA never change!” sentil Agung's. “Culun!” continued.

“I told you that, Gung.” Sahut Ardi's.

I scratch my head, some time I often do to throw clumsily.

“Listen. The image is his love for you! Thing you don't feel, it's your business, Gie!”

“That's what I want to know, Gung. I want to speak directly to Citra. I felt trapped to make a decision, which turned out to make Citra have to be in this situation. I want to apologize.”

Agung rubbed both of his faces.

“I already know the incident when you came to meet the invitation of parents Citra.”

Great punching my shoulder.

“Citra told him everything, and he doesn't blame you.”

“So right, if Citra and Anton's marriage is indeed waiting for my decision at that time?” 

I stared at the thick face of Agung in front of me, thick eyebrows, thick lips, thick nose. And the young man nodded.

“Ya, Allah ...”

We fell silent, I threw down my back. Suddenly I felt like I was carrying a heavy burden. If only I could count the seconds by walking backwards, of course I would find time to talk to Citra first before with her parents. My sloppy! Why didn't I ask Citra before that day?

“Can you help me meet Citra? I wanted to apologize. Regardless of how I feel about Citra.  But, if this decision is not what he expected, and he does not feel happy, then all my life I will feel guilty.” My word.

I looked at the two faces in front of me seriously. I'm not playing around. My heart's room is only for you, Baras. But hurting another woman's heart wasn't something I wanted to do. And that's why I never give hope, don't pay more attention to other women.  Whether it was Wulan whom Sapto had always arranged for me, or Citra who had been very good with me in the early days with Ghifa.

“It's hard to meet the current Citra, Gie. Anton ordered his relatives to always accompany Citra. Yeah, some kind of knitting? Em, that's kind of it. All communication must pass through others. The image does not hold the device, the HP is held Anton. Moreover, the day H stay 3 days more.“

I gasped, and so did Ardi.

“3 days left, you mean? Is it the end of the month, Gung? Isn't that 10 days away?” ask Ardi.

“That's his second reception, buddy! Wedding is tomorrow Saturday!” the word Great,

“So an invitation sent in that group?” Ardi looked at me with a look of pity.  His face looks upset.

“I was shocked too. But indeed Anton did not invite us and friends on the Day of Marriage. He invited us at the second reception, especially for Anton and Citra class friends. So explained Father Citra at that time, when I had asked. So tomorrow it's their parents' second guest.” 

Agung explained, Ardi snorted annoyed and I was stunned. 

“For Anton, our plans are not going smoothly, Ar!” great Speech with rage.

“What plan?”

I glanced intently at Ardi and Agung.

“Yes, bring you closer to Citra, Gie.  Dear Anton tough also he, do not want to let go of Citra for a second, I know that since college first.” Reply Great Cuek.

“Sorry, yes Gie!” tymphal Ardi's.

I smiled, trying to understand and think calmly. Then I looked at the eyes of the two friends in front of me, taking turns.

“Please help me meet Citra. I really want to apologize before the wedding is done. So that there is no wedge in my heart or in the heart of the image after. How about we just go there now?” my door.

“Now?!”

...……...