Joe William
Pungency
A motorcycle rickshaw carrying a young man appeared to be breaking down on the side of the road.
Feeling sorry, the young man helped push the rickshaw towards the nearest workshop.
His white clothes had already turned slightly brownish as it continued to be soaked by sweat.
It seemed that some of the other students were laughing at the young man who pushed the rickshaw.
***
Returning from school, Joe who did not have a vehicle had to go back to Kuala Nipah by riding a motorcycle rickshaw.
Every day he had to spend twenty-five thousand rupiah to go home with a motorcycle rickshaw that became his subscription and is no exception today.
But what do you want to say?! Today his fate is less than fortunate. Because the motorcycle rickshaw that was always his subscription broke down outside the school gate.
Because of pity, he also helped push the bike rickshaw. This is what makes him the lips of other students.
"See that. You bule kissin. All the way from abroad, just to be a pedicab driver." They said whispering.
"Mom... Not so good. You glanced at him until he crossed. Now you're insulting. How the hell?"
"Goddess. You're the same, right?"
"Eh Lia's. I'm not insulting ya. You are that."
A male student appeared to approach the boy who was the debate between the two girls and asked.
"Need Joe's help?"
The one who was reprimanded immediately turned his head and replied.
"Udinone. No need for Din. I'm worried that later the clothes you're wearing will look dirty." Answer the boy called Joe.
"It's okay. You just calm down. Let's help." Udin.
Then the two of them immediately helped the driver push his rickshaw.
"Udinone. Are you hungry? If you're hungry, I'd be very happy to invite you to a meal." Said Joe.
"Haha... Your language is so stiff Joe."
"Yes I'm hungry. But you have no money?" Ask Udin.
"Yes I exist. You don't worry." Joe said while taking out a few hundred Dollar bills with a picture of a bald gondrong man in front.
"Is this a practice?" Ask Joe with a face full of questions.
"Crazy lu Ndro. So much of your money. Asem. This one is quite Joe. We'll find a gold shop. We exchange there." Udin said with wide eyes to see some of the hundred American Dollar bills.
"Take this one Joe. The others you keep again." Udin.
"Father driver. Do you want to eat something? I'll bring some for you."
The driver just smiled shyly.
This was because he was not scolded by Joe alone was already very grateful.
"Yes son. Eat anything halal origin you will accept." Said the rickshaw driver.
"Real?"
"The father was Muslim Joe. No longer discussed. Let's find a gold shop. Then we exchange this money."
"Let's go ahead." Said Joe.
After exchanging a piece of paper money, they went into a shop and sat there.
"I can eat anything, right Joe?" Ask Udin.
"Yes. Please. I don't mind." Answer Joe.
"Lia... Princess..., Here!" Call Udin by waving his hand.
At first the girl hesitated. But after seeing Udi's earnestness, the two of them finally crossed the road and walked along to the stall.
"Tumben you have Din's money?" Ask Princess.
"Not my money. It's the new kid's money." Udin answered honestly.
"Huh? Got her money?" Ask Lia.
"That's you Lia. You judge people by appearance. Uh. But not really. The new kid's look is cool. Look at the shoes he's wearing. That's Nike, right? If it's compared to your shoes, it's one to ten." Said Udin making Lia's face red.
"You're sure he'll be able to pay if we eat here?" The princess hesitated a little.
"I don't want to be arrogant. The money is not mine either. But to be honest. To buy this stall too I think the money will be the rest of the lot." Answer Udin.
This was because he had seen a lump of dollar fiber money in Joe's hand earlier.
Shortly after, Joe returned from the workshop and invited them to sit down.
"Let's Miss Lia and you Miss Princess. Please sit!" Joe said with a sweet smile that made the two girls elbow each other.
Seeing the two girls still standing with facial expressions filled with doubt, Joe stood up again and pulled two chairs and then again allowed the two girls to sit down.
"It seems you have to swallow your words earlier Lia." The princess said as she whispered into Lia's ear.
The princess with the sweetest smile she had finally accepted Joe's invitation and sat on the chair face to face with Udin.
"Are you at home just standing by Miss Lia? If you don't want to sit with us, then you can order to pack." Said Joe anyway.
Lia stuttered a little then by suppressing her feelings, she sat down on the chair side by side with the Princess.
The four of them are now enjoying the meal together.
Because the food was a little spicy, then Joe's expression looks very funny with lips that are dimmed and turned reddish.
Sweat kept flowing down his forehead.
"What's wrong with you Joe. You can't stand the spicy, huh?" Ask Udin.
"What is this food Din? It feels really weird." Joe asked pitifully.
"It's called rujak pecel. You really want to be asked spicy pake ngokguk everything. Rasain is suffering you." Udin.
"Din Water. I was very hot. Please give me water!" Said Joe.
"Modar nih bule stray. M3ncret nih son." The princess said while holding back a laugh.
"Why don't you eat your food Joe?" Ask Udin.
"Sorry Din. I don't appreciate my food. But I can't stand it anymore. It was like swallowing freshly boiling water." Joe said as he continued to drink.
"Pity of the bule boy." Princess Said.
Then the three of them laughed out loud at Joe's suffering.
"Welcome to Indonesia Joe!. If you don't eat spicy, you'll suffer here." They said while stretching out their hands.
"Yes. Will learn. I'll learn to eat spicy food." Joe said with a funny face.
Now the rickshaw driver has arrived at the stall where Joe ate.
After paying the shop owner, Joe said goodbye to his three new friends to immediately return to Kuala Nipah.
"Come sir. Little quick. My stomach hurts a lot." Said Joe hurriedly sitting on the rickshaw chair.
The driver just nodded with a smile. Then they left Udin, Lia and Princess who continued to look funny at Joe who had passed away.