Jogja, You & Memories
Ninth Temple

“Dom, Dom..” I pulled the rag up which I was wearing as I hurriedly walked down the corridor of the hostel and knocked on the door of the last boarding room. Brutal I knocked on the door leaf full of signatures of boarding alumni.

My pair of eyes are looking for Pranata's signature but none. Whither? Pre? Your eyes are no sign of your hand nor is there, but scattered at this door the words of friendship of the three of us complete with the signature of confirmation.

“Dom... Where is Pranata's signature?” seruku stirred with a blue heart. My hand hung in the air as the door sprawled fast.

“Ras—” Dominic's sentence was severed slowly, he looked at me in amazement as well as annoyed. “I just changed clothes, Rastanty. You want to wait inside?” cengengesan.

I pursed my lips while turning my face away. Dominic only wears a towel and sometimes his annoying smile looks mischievous.

“Slip, don't take long!” grunting's upset. He could have given me such an absurd view this morning. Not having breakfast anymore. It was so bad to see him half-plain.

I'm scissoring. “Udah yet?” ask me when there is no sound of the door being closed.

Could Dominic feel the same way, he's awkward or ... Wait a minute, he's a bull, awkward boro-boro standing half innocent in front of me, he kissed his girlfriend in front of me and Pranata wasn't shy. I'm hissing.

“Why are you hissing like a snake, Ras? Sebel why?” Dominic grabbed my shoulder and turned it. Eyes squinting. “Think what you are?”

“No.” my lie while looking at him right in his eyes that are similar to his mother's eyes. And no one knows her pretty eyes except me and her ex-boyfriend.

The right corner of his lips lifted. ”Liar!”

I grimaced, O mirrors all over Jogjakarta, can it be lost for a while, I don't want to see my face now. This must be embarrassing.

“I just want to pass.” Both of my hands took her hands off my shoulders. Not a single word was spoken as I put my hand on his body but Dominic's gaze urged me to speak.

“Which is nice and has no shame make me hiss like a snake, Dom.” I finally, but am am amused once I admit my hiss looks like a snake.

“It must be me, Ras!” said cheerfully.

You jerky. I moaned, even so Dominic's gaze didn't move from all over your body.

“Beautiful, Race. Prana can be jealous of me seeing you wear kebaya while she just sees you wearing the same shirt jeans all the time. This only..” My arms automatically lifted as he was about to tidy up the kebaya and the rags I was wearing were so perfunctory with this outfit even though I actually had to start getting used to it.

Dominic puffed up after finishing fixing my rag while squatting down. “In the meantime, I have suprise.”

He crawled into his room, then looked down at the couch. His hands stretched out to reach... I cringe. Shoe box.

“Use this!” Dominic took out a tote from inside the shoe box which made me flicker. Either he stalks her when and where because we just went to the market earlier, but the shoes are impressive about the elegance of a real woman. As for me, to Dominic who looked at me expectantly I was inching. Those shoes are horrible.

“Racial Hunt in use. Do not appreciate my efforts you already buy last night so you do not wear your rotten shoes continue to be shy of your own business who want to move on from Pranata.”

“Not that the problem, Dom!” I pointed at his shoes, “Hak is too high, I can fall on and on plus more shy of my efforts!”

“Buahahaha... Iyo yo, Race. I forgot you were on the way!” Dominic. “But it's okay, you can hold my arm and go slowly, like that model. Slow down, no need to rush. Wong we're just not a sack race!”

Sempuls... Dominic restrained my right ankle while lifting it up a little bit before putting my foot in the shoe.

“One, Race. Let it look cute!”

Yeah, okay. I made her feel relieved after successfully wearing a pair of shoes that embarrassed me. This is how I feel my freedom is bound.

Momentary pause. Dominic stood up while cleaning his pants before his gaze ran all over my body.

Dominic exhaled loudly and smiled.

“Gini dong's. Heartbroken may be, but beautiful must still be, Rastanty!” Dominic pinched my cheek before entering the room, he picked up his sling bag before closing the door. “Come forage for free.”

“Kan we keep falling to? Free from where, the ease of your life wants free.” cibirku.

“Again all you can eat Ras, fallen at the beginning of the meal at the end. Wes, let's miss.”

I opened my shoulder before putting my hand on her arm.

People say having a true friend is the most beautiful gift we can have with all the advantages and disadvantages. And I'm serious about admitting Dominic is a real man who's more than a friend. I am unbalanced if the man who is leading me patiently and carefully finds the moorings of the heart and leaves me.

“Pra, we first unplug to the wedding of Setyo en' Putri. Ntar I brought lempers with sovernir for you!” pamit Dominic in front of Pranata's room. “Continue not pouting, your girl is holding my arm.”

I glanced at him, should I say so as if Pranata could hear it. We've been separated, but Pranata means something to Dominic too. But after two years passed, how could I still be a Pranata girl. No way, I just need to fall in love again to be better for the love that's there for me.

“It looks like Pranata is already cuey with you, Ras. He was quiet. Kasian to you!” dominic Ledek.

I clenched my hand on his arm while snorting. However, if Pranata is able to answer it, it is not even horrified. Substantial...

“Use the motor only, let sat-set, it's already half an hour late we!” I said before he opened the Pranata car cover left in the garage of the house.

“OK deh, more romantic anyways use motor.”

I put on the helmet while Dominic came back to the house and called my mother, asking for the keys.

“Ati-ati, Dom, Ras.” exclaimed my mother from under the window she pushed from inside.

“Berez, Buk. Rastanty is safe with me!” dominic is confident.

“Ndang ravened to, Le.” (hunting married aja, son) urged my mother. “That boy's canoe, hang on for sure.”

I glare. Why do parents tell us to get married, there is love from the look in our eyes so they tell us to get married. Suddenly my body became tense, is our closeness very close?

“Casual, Buk. Although mine also gondal-gandul continue for sure, I am sure there is a time later.” Dominic wears a helmet while sitting in the seat smiling. “Good, Race. Sitting tilted!” He lowered his footrest.

I looked at him, absorbed the attention he gave me and I started to worry we were getting closer than best friends.

“Dom..,” I said to—

“Grope, Race. Ntar fall and keep amnesia, would be so happy me!”

“Dark is so cute, Dom!” My right hand coiled around her waist before pinching her stomach. “You are so ugly!”

“Maybe.” Dominic touched the back of my hand while tightening it tightly.

...🖤...