Holy Marriage
Emergencies
“It's night, not day. There are many street men who can disturb you. When you came home crying because you were bullied by street thugs, what did your father say? I picked you up, Anna. And I'm not returning you in good condition. You understand what I mean, right?” said Alan.
Anna nodded.
“Smart. Come, come with me!”
Alan's words made Anna feel like a child. Anna stood up to follow Alan. His steps then stopped. Alan turned to realize Anna was stopping her steps. He raised both eyebrows.
“Don't you want to take me to your house, I don't want to,” whine Anna. “Now you said you wanted to take me home. Tau-tau, the car is heading to your house.”
“Anna, I'm not a child. I don't like to mess around. You think I like it the way you say it?”
Alan walked up to Anna. Just as his mouth opened about to say something, his phone rang making him immediately reach into the phone in the pocket.
William called.
Alan looked at Anna and then answered the phone.
“Yes, Pa? Sorry, I can't go home now. And sorry, Anna can't be at the dinner tonight.”
“Loh, why? But Herlambang says you've picked up Anna and you're on your way?”
“It's an emergency. Anna can't come there, Pa.”
“But why?”
“Let's be at home.”
“What the fuck are you? Everything is waiting. You guarantee you can take Anna tonight, but why is this? The kasian of those who have been waiting since, they want to get acquainted with Papa's first son-in-law, right?” William whispered so that his voice would not be heard by the others. His magnificent home was crowded with large families, ranging from Alan's grandmother and grandfather, four pairs of uncles and aunts, thirteen nephews, and other relatives were present there.
“Now I'll take Anna home. Papa and the others start their dinner.”
“You know, what's the purpose of dinner tonight? To introduce Anna to everything.” William's disappointed.
“Sorry, Pa. Sorry.” Alan hung up. He looked at Anna and said, “Do you hear?”
Anna nodded. Now he's sure Alan will return him.
Anna accompanied Alan's steps. They walk side by side. Both mute.
“That's it!” Anna jumped pointing at the chicken noodle cart that Mang Ucup was pushing.
Alan's gaze was fixed on the designated wagon. What did Anna mean pointing at the cart with chicken noodles?
Mang Ucup occasionally tapped the bowl with a spoon to cause a loud thump.
“That's my favorite chicken noodle, Mang Ucup's Chicken Noodle. Buy, yuk!”
Alan just silently looked at Anna who was whining while stomping his legs, not forgetting the girl was sticking her cheek into Alan's arm. Alan's gaze was now directed at Anna's hand that was writhing in his arm.
“Eating chicken noodles first anyway yes, pliiiiis..!”
Alan nodded.
Seeing Alan's head nodding, Anna immediately dragged Alan across the road leading to the chicken noodle cart.
“Mang... Ucup Mang! Buy his chicken noodles.”
Alan let Anna run after Mang Ucup.
The middle-aged man in a round hat turned his head and stopped his urge. He smiled then pulled the cart over to the sidewalk.
“Meet again we, Neng Anna,” said Mang Ucup with a sparkling face. He knew Anna very well, a chicken noodle customer every time he passed in front of Anna's house.
“Cock's rarely through the front of the house now?”
“It's quiet there, Neng. Mamang mah salenya around here aja, quite the income. Eat here what is wrapped?”
“Eat here, Mang.”
TB