GROWINGS
65

"Morning, aunt - Hassel.."

Sandra who was taking rice for her son, then turned her head. Throwing a smile at the sweet, oriental-faced young man.

"Breakfast together, Kinno?"

Kinno. Respond politely. "thank you. But I had breakfast at home."

"The rules in this house are not to lie." Chirps Hassel.

Not long after Nata showed up. But this morning he showed up with an unusual appearance. He was seen carrying a backpack and a tote bag that was not how big.

"Breakfast first. I don't want you to pass out." Nata said not really.

Nata sat next to Sandra. Sipped his warm milk and devoured the blueberry barley toast.

"Later to Bandung, aunt."

The three people near him looked. The reaction they showed seemed to be the same. I was not expecting what Nata said just now.

"What do you think we'll do better?" Ask Nata to Kinno. "It's just good as it is."

"But you said that today---"

Nata pulled out his phone. Open some important notes that have been stored. "Out of Bandung, we will go to Yogya, continue to Surabaya, and finally Bali."

"Kak Nata why not take a walk without me anyway?!"

"You're going to repeat, Hassel."

"Can't you wait for me?!"

"Nata, why are you saying it impromptu?" Sandra interrupted. "If you know you want to go, Auntie can prepare provisions for you."

"No, Auntie." Quickly answer. "Oh yes, in my tote bag there are clothes, the same writing equipment. Later, if anyone comes here looking for me, please love me.."

Sandra nodded in understanding. Actually he realized that some days, Nata's behavior is getting strange. Sometimes Nata does something out of habit and reason.

"Why not get in my car?"

Nata looked at Kinno. "You sure you can?"

"Ehmmm--" Kinno looked doubtful.

"OKAY. We'll take your car. But on one note, if you're tired, we should take a break."

The two began their journey to Bandung at 8 a.m. And just entered the city of flowers in the middle of the day. The drizzle welcomed the arrival of the two.

Along the way, the two did not talk much to each other. Only occasionally do the necessary conversation.

"Hmmm, we'll find a hotel first, okay?" Ask Nata.

Kinno looked up while nodding. "Can."

Kinno's car turned into a star-rated hotel. Not so big and fancy. But Nata feels that this hotel is very, very comfortable to live in temporarily, and strategic position as well.

"We'll eat first, okay?" Ask Nata.

Kinno nodded slowly. His face looks very tired. His eyes have also turned red.

"I bought it. You take a break." Connect Nata. "Your shirt size?"

Kinno did not answer. He was tired and sleepy. But keeping up and following wherever Nata went, was his main task.

After checking in and washing their faces for a while, the two went down again and went straight through the streets of the flower city at night.

Nata's travel plans are unknown to Kinno. All he knew from Nata was that he was required to prepare his dirimya because his days would be busier than usual.

Kinno was rather thinking about what Nata said this morning. After going to Bandung, they will continue their journey to Jogjakarta, then to Semarang, Surabaya, and Bali.

To be honest, Kinno had never driven a car so far. The farthest distance it takes is only up to the summit area.

Now they are entering the BIP. Although not a holiday, but this shopping center is quite crowded. What makes Nata shocked is, it turns out the temperature outside the mall is cooler than inside the mall. Even though in Jakarta, when we just entered the mall, the spray of cold was so felt, replacing the heat from outside.

Nata took some shirts that felt the size was very fitting, so comfortable for him to wear. Nata is not a voter. Want the shirt is expensive or cheap, as long as it is comfortable to wear, surely he will buy it.

"You take it, Kinno. I don't know your taste."

Kinno picked up a white t-shirt with a picture of a puppy on the front.

"One only?" ask Nata.

Kinno nodded. He took out his wallet and two hundred thousand bills. But unfortunately, Nata has already completed the payment.

"We're going to Hypermart first.." Said Nata.

Kinno quickly picked up the basket before Nata picked it up. Holding his heavy nape, Kinno patiently followed Nata.

Here Nata took two bottles of mineral water, a snack, bread, and vitamins. After getting everything she needed, the two came out.

"What does it eat?"

Kinno shrugged. "I think we're looking outside.."

Nata also agreed. The two walked down the sidewalk, looking for a food vendor. Nata looks very happy. Because the air in Bandung at night was very cold and fresh. Especially sometimes because the temperature is very cold, his mouth can emit smoke while talking.

"Sir, I want to poach him there?"

"She, A. Please."

Nata returned the friendly smile of the father of the cart fried rice seller. "What do you want to eat, order it."

Kinno ordered fried rice apparently. Without leeks and pickles. Because he doesn't like it.

"Tomorrow I want Trans Studio Mall. Want to see the location of the outlet that I'm going to occupy."

Kinno was a bit surprised to hear that. But now he already knew, the purpose and purpose of Nata to this flower city.

Their orders are done. Smoke from boiled kwetiau ordered Nata, steaming high. Spreading a distinctive fragrant aroma that is very appetizing.

Nata tells Sandra that she is currently eating by the roadside with Kinno. But when Hassel saw it, Hassel became envious and wanted to come along. Hassel became indignantly indignant on his own.

Nata's fault, too. Why would he have to make a video call with Sandra? Why not a regular phone call?

"I--" Nata's words came to a halt as his eyes caught two figures walking lethargic across the street.

Nata wait. It seemed like the two boys were about to cross the road. And sure enough, his guess. It turns out they did cross over and----

TINNN....!!!

The sound of the car's long horn, made Nata hold his breath. One of the two boys fell. Nata did not know whether the boy was hit or not. Because his view was blocked by an angkot who was walking slowly.

"LOOK AROUND IF YOU WANT TO ATTACK!! YOU MORON..!!"

Nata also rose. He saw the taller boy helping the boy who was now sitting down.

The shabby-clothed little boy walked down the street with a gulp. His face was pale and his thin body trembled.

Of the many people and riders, like no one cares about both.

"For example, I told you that crossing is a bad path!"

"I'm tired, Aa--"

"Come on! Later we can be scolded by father.."

Nata continued to pay attention. Clearly the state of that big-eyed skinny boy was not alright. The road was slow and weak. There was a beret wound on his left leg as well.

While the older boy, could not continue to hold the little boy. Because now, he had to bring a shoe polish box and a stack of magazines and newspapers wrapped in plastic.

"Because, my leg hurts.."

"But, Aa..."

Nata grabbed the little boy's arm. And the boy looked shocked. "Hey, what's wrong with you?"

"Yes...!!" the little boy screamed. The one who was called turned his head and thought that his sister would be spoiled by Nata.

"Whose brother?!"

"Don't you see your sister's leg is hurt?"

"Let's also be healed at betadine's love!" Said the straight-haired boy in his shabby red jacket.

"Have you eaten yet?" Ask Nata.

The two boys exchanged looks. Their faces and mouths can lie. But the sound of their stomachs cannot be lied to.

"We eat first. After that, we're going to the clinic to treat your wounds.."

"Lt's.."

Nata held the little boy's hand. He led her to a fried rice cart just a few meters away from her.

When he returned, there were only two empty seats. One of his. And one more chair at the end of the long table there.

Nata took a seat at the end of the table there. Then put it next to his chair.

"Sit down. What are you going to eat?" ask Nata.

The two boys still seemed to doubt. And at the same time, one hand reached out to take the empty seat.

"Nobody's sitting, right?" The girl said it was cute.

"There was. They." Answer Nata.

But the girl doesn't believe me. And even looked down on the two brothers.

"Don't have a papa, just sit here.." Nata.

The father of the fried rice seller also looked with a look of wonder.

"Sir, make them some fried rice. Let me pay."

"Well, A.."

The two boys finally sat down as well, albeit with timid faces. They put their stuff under the table.

"You can sit in my chair." Kinno.

"I don't need it, Kinno. My meal is over anyway." Answer Nata. He poured the warm tea from the teapot into two small glasses, and gave it to the two boys. "Anyone likes shoes, right?"

"Want me a polish, too?" said the little boy with his innocent face.

Nata. "My sneakers can be like zebras later, dappled."

The two boys smiled shyly.

"Your houses are far away?"

"Morning, Aa.."

"A lot of today?"

The little boy took out some crumpled banknotes from his shorts pocket. "Many. I got seven grand, Aa.."

Nata. Even the price of one serving of roadside fried rice, it costs twelve thousand.

"If you?"

"See, there are only four newspapers."

"Four newspapers so how many?"

"Three thousand."

Nata breathed. He does not know how the revenue sharing system if selling newspapers and magazines. But in this day and age, three thousand dollars is enough for what?

Two dishes of fried rice for them were ready. Nata reminded the two to pray first.

"Nata, yours isn't over yet." Kinno.

"Sir please just pack it."

"Good, A."

Although still half the plate, Nata did not hesitate to ask the father of the seller to wrap his kwetiau that was cold.

"Your parents are still there?"

The two boys nodded. Then the big boy said, "the father works as a broomstick in high school. If mamah, sell fried food in front of SD."

"You're school?"

"schools. But it stopped."

"Why?"

"Your mother wants to give birth and needs money so that my sister can get out of her stomach."

"We also buy food for your father and mother."

"Don't, A! Mine is wrapped. I'm not done either."

Nata. "You should spend anyway. If you want to add, say it to me."

"Thank you, A. Aa's very good."

Kinno did not take his eyes off Nata. This incident, it seems he has experienced. It's just with people and also in different places.

"That's so! Until my stomach blows!!" Said the little boy.

"Well, now-I can't ask for anything in return from you guys.."

The two boys were jerking instead of playing. Likewise with Kinno, the father of fried rice sellers and several other buyers who still eat on the spot.

"We have nothing, Aa.."

"You don't have money, do you? But you still have both hands, heart and mouth, right..?"

The two boys were confused.

"I want to open a cake shop here. So, I ask for prayers from you. I hope I can run well and succeed."

The two boys looked at Nata with innocent faces.

"In addition, please pray that I am always in your prayers and prostrations. That God may give me long life, that I may help more, those in need."

"O Allah, may Aa Nata be given abundant and abundant sustenance. To continue to help others. Aamiin's."

"Aamiin's." The little boy prayed with a funny look.

Nata kissed the heads of the two boys. Nothing can make him happy, other than by helping and helping people in distress and need.

Kinno's heart trembled looking at him. The figure who was now laughing cheerfully with the two boys - really reminded him of someone.

That request, that happy smile, the way he kissed those two shabby, dirty, smelly boys...

"Nata - who are you? Why are you so similar to him...?"

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