Garden Benches
IMAGERY

IMAGERY 

It's about a story that has to wind between hostile and siding twists. Choice is no longer our right, whether we want to or not, the path to pass is simply to move forward. Because the footing that had been missed had collapsed.

“Partner, Gie!”

“What's with Citra, Gung?”

“Citra ..”

Tuttt

Tuttt

Breaking up? I'll re-attach the Supreme number, no response. Mental signal, or low bat? I opened Ardi's unread chat. My forehead is wrinkled, my molars are stiff, my chest feels tight.

“Ayaa..”

Suddenly Ghifa's voice called out and ran towards me, I spontaneously placed my salary on the table.

“What's the matter dear?”

“Come here, Ayaa!”

I said, following his little steps back towards the park.

“Ayunan, Ayaa..”.

“Ayokkk..”

I lifted up Ghifa and sat him on a round swing beside the pool.  Rinto sat in front of him, I could not see where Rani was. The two children swung face to face. Rani ran from the inside while carrying a pony doll, apparently the little girl had entered the house, when I received a call from Agung.

“Ayun! Swing out! Swing, Ayaaa!” his door showed off his white teeth.

“Hahaha ..” Rinto laughs.

“Iyaaa, Ghifa, Brother Rinto, happy?”

“Happy, Om!”

Ghifa gave a strong nod, I smiled to see her cheerful. But those round eyes, like they're keeping something. Spoons.

“Kak Rani alone swing, yes little sister,” persuade Rani gently while giving her pony doll. 

Now Ghifa's two hands are holding two dolls. Ghifa looked at Rani then turned to look at me.

“Ghifa equals Rani?” Ghifa only glanced but then smiled and nodded.  I rubbed the children's hair before saying goodbye to them to return to the terrace.

“Come to drink, Gie. Cold hunt later,” welcome Dikto as soon as I return to sit on a large wooden bench on the terrace of Abah and Ummah.

“Iya, Mas.” Kuteguk wedang uwuh served by Mbak Dewi.  It feels sweet spicy, the ginger feels warm, the aroma of cloves makes my chest become airy. Mas Dikto also sipped from his glass. I put down my half-living glass, then I reopen my salary. Not all the chat Ardi I read earlier, when Ghifa pulled my hand.

[Gie, there's news from Agung]

[Every night he has not been able to meet with Citra]

[Anton is still there]

[So morning, Great back]

[Apparently Image.].

Slapstick

My pay screen blackened, the battery ran out. Sloppy! Why did I leave Hp lying on the charger last night? In a crucial moment like this, it finally had to wait for the flat object to come back powered.

“Sorry, Mas Dikto, can join charg?”

“Oh, yes where Hpnya, Mas chargkan.” 

I gave my salary which then brought Mas Dikto inside. I looked to where Ghifa was playing. The morning air was still cool, the sun was still at a thirty degree angle. Dipping between the lush mango leaves, falling as a soft shadow. 

Not long ago Mas Dikto returned while carrying two plates of diced mangoes. 

“Mango nih, Gie. Harvest from the tree in front, let's be tasted!”

“Ya, Mas.” My solute.

Then I called the children who were still joking while sitting on the swing. I saw Rinto and Rani racing to tell Ghifa, so the little girl did not stop pulling her lips.  'Ah, had you seen this, you would have been very happy, Laras. Our little girl is here, at home, where you were born and grew up.'

“Kids, anyone want mango? Here first yok!”

Rani, Rinto and Ghifa turned their heads. They are like berbug before deciding to stop playing for a while. Rani helps Ghifa get off the swing, brings her a doll and holds Ghifa by the hand. Rinto followed from behind.

Kuraih Ghifa in my sling then I sat on a wooden bench.  Rani and Rinto had already sat there after washing their hands in the tap water near the flower. They are engrossed in drinking water that has been prepared by Mother Goddess.

“Ghifa want?” bargain me while taking a piece of mango on a small plate with a toothpick to pick it up. My curly haired girl nodded.

“Haa..” 

Ghifa opened her mouth when I touched her.

“Sweet right dik..” Rani smiles with her mouth still chewing.

Mas Dikto also chuckled, we enjoyed the sweet fragrant mango until the toilet was not left. I let this time run for Ghifa, her smile that expands enough as her gloomy antidote these few days. At least, since this house Ghifa did not ask about Mama Citra.

The excitement increased when Mother came out with Ummah, Abah behind her both.  Then busy flirting with each other, Ghifa chuckled repeatedly. Rinto is good at funny, Mas Dikto teases him with anxiety, and Rani so gently responds. 'Ah, Barrel. I'm back to remembering you. Such a warm family, is this what makes you always smile sincerely?'

Mother sat beside me, Abah and Ummah flanking Rani and Rinto.  The terrace is wide enough to hang out.

Drrt

Drtts

The mother's phone rang, Mother picked it up and handed it to me after seeing the call number on the screen. 

“From Ardi, Gie. Accept first!” mother's orders while taking Ghifa from my lap, to sit alone. I moved away on the other side of the terrace before I received a call from Ardi.

“Gie!”

“Slow, Ar. Sorry Hpku is dead. What's up?”

“Partner hurts!”

Deg.

I fell silent, setting my heart thump that suddenly roared.

“Sa – kit?”

“That time, Citra drop. Tensi down dratis. Anton forbade him from being taken to the hospital!”

“What!? What does Anton mean?”

“That's how, Anton asked Citra to stay cared for at home. Private doctor Anton who directly handles.”

I leaned my left shoulder against the wall by the window.

“You know what caused it? Why Image to drop?”

“Good words, a few days since the invitation was spread Citra hard to eat. It seems that Anton's possessive nature actually makes Citra depressed.”

There was a snort of Ardi's annoyance.

“Why do Citra parents not behave?”

“I don't know about that, Gie.”

We're speechless.

My mind drifted, unsettled.

“What's clear, Citra is still in a state of pain right now, Gie!”

“What, their wedding will be postponed?”

“No talks in that direction. But Anton further tightened the guard Agung.” said

“Means, Citra can not be visited?”

“Not by you!”

“Means?”

I heard another sigh across

“Anton allows Citra to meet some friends. That was the advice of his doctor, so that Citra is not getting depressed. But I think you will still be forbidden to meet him before the marriage contract takes place.”

“Why? Did Anton say anything about me?”

“Yeah, there you go..”.

“What is it, Ar?”

Quiescent. There was no response from Ardi. 'What the fuck? So the image is sick? What exactly did Anton do to Citra? Ahh … '

“What's the word Great, Ar? Great didn't you give you information?”

Ardi did not answer.

“Ar?” seruku asked for answers.

“Let's go, after you get home. The important thing is that you already know the state of Citra now.”

“Ardi?” my protest.

“I close first, you calm down. We are also still monitoring the state of.”

Clik.

Phone disconnected.

.............