Hansa & Geeta
Chapter X

The piano came through my ear. Very calm. This melodious rhythm, I haven't heard it in a long time.

I opened my eyes. The ceiling of the room with ancient European ornaments greeted me.

The music comes from the first floor.

My short legs were trying to climb onto the wooden floor from the top of the mattress.

15 Years ago.

I ran down the stairs. There is a delicious aroma of cooking. Is it time for breakfast?

“Grandmother!” I looked at who was playing the piano.

Grandma looked over without stopping her game. She smiles.

“Available?”

I ran towards him. Eli who was preparing breakfast on the dining table glanced at me.

“Hansa! Don't run around,” the thrill of being anxious.

I slowed down and snorted.

“Follow, I've been seven years. I'm not going to fall that easy.”

Eli put down the last spoon, then ruffled his waist.

“You've fallen twice the day before your birthday.”

Eli. Besides being clean, her hobby is nagging me. No one defended it, though.

Dad, he's not gonna act at all. Keep reading his favorite book.

Mother, she only smiled silently as I was being nagged. Mother knows I only listened to Eli in this house.

Grandma, she's smiling too. Sometimes a little laugh. Justifying Eli's actions. He also knew that I wouldn't listen to him.

I am the type of child who listens more to the words of strangers than to those who are near.

Nope, no. Eli's not a stranger, actually we're pretty close. But he's not my family, so my body reflexively obeyed his orders.

“Come here, sit next to Grandma.”

I looked up at Grandma's shady face this morning. If I'm upset or sad, I'll look at Grandma.

His face made my mind and heart calm.

“Granny can teach me to play the piano?” I asked so sitting next to him.

Grandma nodded. “Follow the Granny movement.”

I noticed her deft hand movements. Although the rhythm sounds slow, but Grandma's fingers move quite fast.

“Nek, slow down dong,” lamented. Dizziness saw those quick movements.

Grandma laughing. He then paused for a moment, and placed my ten fingers on the piano keys.

“Begini, then follow Grandma's movements. This time slowly.”

I smiled cheerfully. Then focus on the grand piano in front of me.

Our fingers move together. I was a little troubled because my fingers were short and small.

We trained for fifteen minutes. Then Mother called me.

Breakfast is ready.

“Mother! Playing the piano is so fun. I want to learn piano!” I said while eating food.

Mother coughed a little. Drink a sip of water, only then commented.

I knew he would refuse at the beginning.

“Why suddenly?”

I put down the spoon and raised both hands in the air. It was as if he was touching that row of white keys.

“Because exciting. The sensation when I pressed the white blocks was very pleasant.”

Mother cleared her throat and nudged Dad's arm slowly. Requesting support.

Dad put on a confused expression for a moment. Then I looked at me seriously.

“Do you know the side effects of playing piano?”

I'm shaking. What side effects? Too happy? Too happy? Overzealous?

Dad grins.

“Well, if you want to learn piano, your fingers should be as strong as steel. You can't complain tired.”

He then shields his chin. His expression was the same as when scaring me with ghost stories so I didn't like playing out at night.

“Especially now you often learn to write essays. Just be ready those little fingers cried fatigue.”

This little me shuddered in horror. Then looked at Grandma, with the gaze of ‘Nek, is that true?’.

Grandma realized I was staring at her, but she wasn't staring back. He continued to eat breakfast as usual.

My eyes started to glaze over. Then what did Dad say was right?

My body was lethargic for a moment. Behind Eli laughed at my reaction.

“Come on, where was your burning spirit?” nosy.

Note, Eli's other hobby is teasing me.

“Follow! Can Eli play the piano?”

Eli smiled nosyly.

“If you can? What ‘Young Master’ Hansa will beg to be taught by me?”

Eli's tone changed. What is ‘Young’'s Master? Why did he slip that shameful mention in his sentence?

My face flushed with annoyance. It seems like after my seventh birthday, everyone is turning out to be more annoying.

Mother's rules are getting tighter. Dad no longer granted all my requests, he only granted a few.

Grandma, she rarely defended me anymore. And worst of all, Eli called me without ‘Dek’. He said I'm not a kid anymore.

I got off the dining table. Then go upstairs.

My breakfast is not over.

“Hannie! Your breakfast!” exclaim Mother.

I didn't listen to him, and continued to rush and full of emotions to the second floor.

Let it be, Mother did not listen to me either.

I faintly heard Grandma start to open her voice. But late, I'm already too upset.

“Why don't you follow his will? Learning piano does not harm.”

“Ah, I didn't mean it that way. But Hansa's son gets bored quickly. He will only attend tutoring once twice, then complain of tiredness.”

“Iya, mom. Then it would be even wasteful. Dear cost of tutoring. But, I feel guilty for having to lie about those fingers.”

...…...

I locked myself in my room for hours, until it was time for lunch.

My stomach was rumbling due to not eating breakfast properly. But I won't get out until they give up!

“Hannie..”.

Mother knocked on the door three times and called out to me in her soft voice.

I didn't lock the door. I think he knows that. But Mother already understood my attitude.

He'll wait for me to open the door first.

I drowned my face in the pillow. I'm upset. So upset.

“Hannie, are you hungry?”

Ugh, if this continues I will be eaten by Mother's seduction.

“Uncle Ren to come. He brought your favorite food.”

I immediately sat down. Uncle Ren?

“He brought sate~”

I swallowed spit. Come on. Strengthen your heart Hansa. Don't waver just because of satay!

“Oh, it looks like he has come.”

It seems like my mouth is starting to produce more saliva. I didn't stop gulping. And my stomach can't stay still either.

“Do not seduce,” my mumbling slowly on own stomach.

“Hansaa!!”

I looked quickly at the door. His voice from downstairs. That's uncle's voice!

“Hansa~ My most cute niece. I brought satay!”

I was already sitting on the edge of the mattress when my uncle's footsteps sounded on the stairs.

“Hey, sis,” say to Mommy.

Uncle Ren is my father's brother. He was in college, and very good. I love watching movies, eating in good places, and much more.

Usually Uncle will take a woman at that time. But what makes me confused, the woman invited by Uncle continues to change.

They said they were Uncle's friends. Why is his friend only female?

Then, when you get home, you'll nag him.

“Learn there! Mulu's courtship. Which was yesterday? How to change again now?!” So said.

“Han.Nie!”

Uncle was at the door of the room. I got off the bed and walked slowly to the door.

“Hei... Are you craving again? Then we eat yuk. Your feelings will be much better. Believe it,” persuaded it.

I grumbled in my heart.

Yes, without Uncle persuading me like that, the aroma of satay that filled the entire house had already captivated my heart.

.

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