Jogja At A Time
13. Jakarta

Sorting through the paintings that will be submitted for the campus exhibition selection is confusing Silence. Reading the literature on social criticism that was the theme of the exhibition made him look back and forth at his old painting collection. 

Time and again his yellow wiring cockfighting paintings were separated. But there is still little doubt to include him in the selection which is only a few weeks away.

The painting just flowed from his mind. The fight of the strong protects the weak. An early story that will not be easily missed. Always remind Seti who protects Bening and herself.

The sound of a knock on the front door distracts Silence from the narrative base of the theme of the painting story he is composing.

Standing at the door, the postman who had been sent quietly handed a letter from Seti. The letters were like water flushing flower buds in his heart. Keeping it does not wither in the middle of the busy Jakarta.

Not wanting to linger reading the contents, Silence shuffled into the room.

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Wishing himself well in Jakarta, Seti asked the first exhibition that Silence would try to follow. Of course the excitement Jogja rutu told Seti afterwards in his letter.

About the busy campus, about the Samirono boarding, about the Malioboro lap, about Joe, and then about the Mantrijeron boarding house that began to offend Asri.

Joe's plan to Jakarta if his painting passes the selection of the exhibition is also told Seti in his letter. 

Seti's line of handwritten paragraphs in the letter was enjoyed Silent, as was his pleasure staring at the photo of Seti framed on a study table. Reminds me of closeness in High School and Jengki house.

If only Jakarta Jogja was only a foot, at that time he would have stepped foot to meet him venting his long space.

There was indeed a hint of curiosity in Silence's heart when Seti offended Asri in the letter. Remembering Bening's words ahead of his departure to Jakarta, the feeling did not worry him much anymore. Seti promised to tell her directly.

Silent femininity felt Seti had made a choice. And he was prepared not to fall into a prolonged death sentence like Bening who made peace with his past. Even if Seti would say about his choice to Asri.

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Lunch at the same time requires patience to fill a hungry stomach. Warteg along the road Kali Pasir as usual crowded at lunch hour. Children who hostel around usually have lunch there crowded.

Looking to the left right, Silence entered one of the warteg who was not too tiled with a friend of his campus in the hot afternoon was a bit dusty.

Ordering fish vegetable rice and a glass of iced tea, the two women sat by the entrance looking for the blowing wind. At least reduce the stuffy taste in the narrow stall.

"Happy Hen, your painting escaped," the exhibition chat that was about to open was thrown at the table during the meal. 

"Thank Yun. Your painting also escaped, "Silent in response to Yuni's college friend. His hands were busy playing the spoon feeding the rice.

Yuni native Jakarta. His father was a painting artist in Ancol. Enter IKJ with Silence. Both are familiar after the perploncoan and equally in fine art. Beautiful with beautiful makeup.

"You deliberately made that painting for selection ?" ask Yuni.

"Long time. I just choose. I can't believe I escaped." replied Silently pleased.

"My tree I made a week ago. Suddenly passing when I see your friend to the sanggar asking for food." Yuni recounted a painting of a thin, white-robed man eating on a zinc plate she had painted.

"But I think it's a big deal" Silently commented on Yuni's painting." Urban." he continued.

Yuni laughing. " That's the art market. Choose to buy oil paint or canvas instead of buying food."

The art market diverted the topic of the chat between lunches. About your friend's stingy for the meal until the long queue on Sunday ordered a face painting. Yuni took Silence there sometime.

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After eating, Yuni stopped by the Kali Pasir boarding house. Helping Silence clean her room from the pile of paintings. 

"Many of your paintings. Just display it in the bapak sanggar. Who knows how to do." Yuni counted the paintings neatly piled up in the attic.

"Dant. Who knows I'll still need another exhibit." Silently closed the pile of paintings with bed linen. Put silica gell packs and camphor on the sidelines of the support wood.

"Truely you said. I don't even have a collection at all. Most people order." Yuni laughing. Sweat on his neck. 

Like father. Painting for Yuni is to make money. No wonder face painting became a hobby as well as his profession. From SMA his face painting is pretty good. 

Down from the attic Yuni's view was attracted by the photo on the Silent study table.

"Your boyfriend Hen ?" Yuni pointed at the photo.

"Hahaha .. I don't know .. we're close." Silent face was hot hearing Yuni's question.

"If not a girlfriend why are you showing up ? It must be more than a close friend."

"Yun, we're just close friends. She's good with me and my sister."

Yuni read the silent story about Seti. The chat turns to the man each expected. There was a laugh of excitement there about the differences in male perspectives that attracted each other.

Yuni is like a young Jakarta boy. Torn jeans shirtless oblong. There was a small rose tattoo on his white hand. Her cute appearance still did not hide her beauty.

Still about men. Yuni simply told me about her two break-up dates. Laughs proudly that it was she who broke off the relationship.

"I'm easy. Guys make me dizzy just break it." Yuni lit the cigarette she took from her leather bag. " Hen Cigarettes ?" offer to Silence.

"Enak ?" I doubt the offer of cigarettes.

"Just try it."

Interested in Yuni's offer, he took a bar. "Kok kayak candy ya." said Silent after trying to suck.

Yuni laughing. "Yes.it's a menthol cigarette. For a girl."

Since High School after his mother died Yuni knows cigarettes. One day, I caught him smoking in his room. But you're not angry. Just tell her not to smoke in secret and at school.

Mr. Yuni used to study at Asri Jogja. But it's not resolved. Moved to Jakarta selling face painting and settled in the art market after marriage.

"So now you're not dating Yun ?"

"Gak .. males only. Mending kayak gini. No one is banning this and arranging it ... I'm free..." Yuni laughed widely. "But your friend in the photo could be Hen." chuckles divert the conversation.

There is nothing more pleasant if in solitude there is accompanying emptiness of heart. Kesuh kesah Jakarta should not only be mourned. Making fun of it. Silence and Yuni felt no longer alone.

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