KANAYA
03. Amora Kanaya.

I turned towards my watch while sipping the apple juice I ordered earlier. Many times I turned my head but never saw the figure of Uni and Arief. Uni immediately called me when I got to Jakarta and asked me how I was doing. Then today he asked me to meet him at the cafe. His late habit was never lost but I was still patient waiting for him even though I had spent two drinks. Shortly a voice greeted Uni. She and Arif came up to me who were looking at her irritatedly.

“For so long, anyway?” i'm annoyed.

“Sorry, stuck on the road.” Arief reasoned.

They sat down on the chair opposite me and ordered two drinks for them. I was still busy stirring up the ice cubes that were inside my glass that were starting to run out. Even though I didn't see it, I knew Uni was looking at me with a sad look.

“Don't do it, I'm nothing, kok.” My word.

Uni grasped both of my hands suddenly and I saw her tears flowing. Several times she wiped her tears with the tissue that Arief gave her. Arief also asked me to tell him about the incident I experienced. I also told him everything. They listened to me carefully without saying anything until I finished my story.

“Yes, Nay. Patient ones, yes, Honey.” Uni Say.

“You don't have to be sad, Nay. You should be grateful, God tell you that man is not good for you before it is too late. I'm sure, God will love you the best mate later.” Arief assured me.

Uni agreed with her husband's words. I smiled without saying anything. I agree with Arief.

“Keep, what are your plans now, Nay?” ask Uni.

“Maybe I'm back tomorrow. I called Dody.”

“What you should not rest first. Relax yourself first so.”

“In this situation, I'd rather keep busy than stay at home. Hmm.. I miss my job.”

“Asperse to you deh.”

Uni told her how her office friends were about my wedding annulment. He suggested that I should get ready about the attitude or questions of the office colleagues later. Our office is not very big and only has 30 employees including me. So, I think there's going to be a furore in the office and all sorts of reactions from them.

“Oh, yes ,Nay. I got word Julian said back to Indonesia.” Arief.

“Masa? When?” many surprised.

“I don't know when, which I heard not much longer. You still have contacts?” ask Arief.

“No, he changed his number just as he left without news.” Angry say.

“Who Julian?” ask Uni.

“He went to college with me and Naya. I know he lives in America now. Yes ‘kan, Nay?” ask Arief.

“No idea! I'm sprained with him.” My word.

It was getting late and I decided to go home. I need to get my clothes and equipment ready. In the morning I woke up to the sound of my phone alarm and rushed to take a shower. I checked the house and I made sure everything was locked. Then I got out of the house in a taxi to the office. The distance from my office is not too far and only takes 20 minutes. Sometimes I use a bike to work but today I don't want to bike. Upon arrival at the office, I saw some of my office friends had arrived. When I came in, some of them were staring at me. I'm sick of this look, of pitying me. I know the problems I face are difficult, sad, and painful but I don't like being pitied just because of these problems. I walked over to my chair and sat on it. I saw Uni's bag on the table, but I didn't see it. I removed my discomfort by playing the phone until work started. Suddenly someone surprised me by patting my shoulder. I saw Uni who was laughing because it managed to surprise me.

“I don't think you're serious about going to work.” His word.

“Why should I also be in the house.” My word.

I saw that Mr. Dody had already come to the office and asked all the employees to get ready for work. Mr. Dody immediately walked up to his room. I was just about to start my job when the phone on my desk rang. I heard Mr. Dody's voice asking me to go into his room and meet him. I hung up the phone after he closed it and I rushed to his room. Knock the door slowly. Then I heard Mr. Dody's voice recite from within and let me in. His eyes were busy staring at his laptop screen but he stuck out his hand as a sign to allow me to sit down. I sat there silent until he started the conversation. Mr. Dody sidestepped his laptop and looked at me with both hands propping up his chin.

“Nay, aren't you still on leave, huh? Why did you get into work?” he said with his thick jaw-dropping accent.

“Let's, Sir. I think it's better I work than at home alone.” My answer.

“Unfortunately you are ready to start working again after..”.

“Aih's... Wong wadon I was fierce (Woman don't be fierce).” Said again.

Mr. Dody and I are quite close, of course as superiors and subordinates. He always relied on me with various tasks. More like bothering me. I never spoke formally to him except in front of other employees. I'm even close to his wife and son, Alika. Mr. Dody is not just my boss. I think of him as my own uncle. I'm not sure he thinks of me as family, which is obviously the most presumptuous employee for him.

“Nay, are you sure you are ready to work again?” ask again.

“Already, Sir.” Answer's short.

“Ya already then, you go back there to your desk.” His order.

I got up from my chair and walked out of the room without saying a word. I didn't even turn to look at her because I knew she was looking at me with pity. I hate this thing. I hope everything passes quickly and no one remembers the matter anymore, except me.

It has been a month since the sad events of my life passed. I had also forgotten the sadness and regret even though the hatred for Rian could not be eliminated. At least I'm trying to get back to my old self. My work is going well as usual. I thought everything would be as smooth and beautiful as I imagined it to be until my mother finally contacted me. I was at work when my mom sent me a short message. He wants me to go home this weekend to talk about something important. I didn't know what he meant so I called him. I told Uni to leave my desk and then I walked to the back of the office that was used as a kitchen. I called my mother and her voice soon snapped from across the phone. I think he was waiting for me to call him on the phone.

“Bu, what's wrong? Why should Naya go back to the village?” my many.

“Neng, I want to talk to you. Anyway mah you have to go home yes, Neng.” His word.

Then my mom decided to call me without giving me a chance to ask. I know what my mother is like. When he does that, it means he doesn't want to argue and I have to obey him. Mom and I have the same nature, which is stubborn. But the thing is, I've always been at odds with him on anything. I had no choice but to obey him. I also contacted the travel office that I use often and booked a seat for my trip later this weekend. After contacting the travel agency, I returned to my desk. I sat down and took a long breath. Uni, with her super duper-high coco-nature, instantly tightened her seat near me.

“Why? What's the problem?” he asked while whispering.

“Nothing, Un. Mom called to ask me to come home this weekend. Yes, that's it.” I clearly.

“Tumbens. Usually your mother never told you to go home. I don't think we've been home for years and your mom is so cute. Do you think it's not weird, huh?” uni said.

Uni returned to her desk again after saying something that made me think hard. What he said has a point. I never went home for two whole years and my mother never told me to go home or to say I miss other mothers because I know my mother's nature. But this time my mother asked me to go home without telling me why. I wondered if something was happening in the village. I immediately found out the answer to my uneasiness by the time I got there. I climbed the ojeg to the house and saw my mother standing on the porch. It seems like he's been waiting for me after I've been preaching it will be a few minutes ago. He waved his hand at me while smiling. Ojeg stopped right in front of the gate of the house.  Mom half ran up to me when I paid ojeg.

“Mother why, anyway? Sumringah really looked at it.” I suspect.

“Emang why if the mother looks at her own child coming home? After all, someone wants you to be the same as you. Come in.” Bring along.

Mother held my right hand, still with her grinning smile. We sat in the living room. I haven't even had a drink or a break for a while but mom insists on telling me something.

“Nay, your uncle and aunt would like to see you. Later tonight we go to his house, yes.” His word.

I just nodded without understanding what it meant. So I decided to just follow what my mother wanted. In the evening my mother and I went to my aunt and uncle's house not far from my house. Dad and Tony were at home and it didn't seem like they knew what my mom was planning. I saw my uncle and aunt's house a little crowded. I think they're having guests. I told my mom to visit her tomorrow morning but she insisted and told me to go inside. Guests inside the house looked at me as I entered the house and shook hands with my uncle and aunt. Auntie immediately pulled me to sit next to her while my mother sat down next to uncle.

“This is Naya, she's 29. Already working in Jakarta and not married.” Aunty said to a middle-aged woman sitting in front of her.

I felt it by kissing her hand. I saw the man sitting next to the woman smiling at me. I finally understood what this meant. I think my mother, uncle, and aunt are about to introduce me to this man. They talked about me as if they knew everything about me, and I just sat there. I kind of hated this idea but I had to. After all, there was no harm in me getting to know a man even in this way. His name was Ardi . He is the same age as me and currently he works as an elementary school teacher with the status of a civil servant. For some people in this village, men who have civil service status are well-established men and perfect for their prospective children. Same with my mother's thoughts. Several times I saw Ardi glancing at me with a smile. I think he likes me but somehow I don't like him. The night is getting late. They went home and left the house of uncle and aunt. Before leaving, Ardi asked for my phone number to call me again. I gave it and I saw a happy hue on my mother and aunt's faces.

“Nay, kumaha? Teu casep? (Where? Bulls?).” Aunty.

I just nodded with a smile. My mother and aunt looked happy. I knew they wanted me to get married because I was no longer young. For some of the people in my village, I'm too old and have to get married. It's only natural that many of my average schoolmates are married and have even more children than two. That's why my mother and aunt plan to find a mate for me, like Ardi.  Mom and I went home. During the trip home, she kept praising Ardi as if she had known him for a long time. I just listen and nod.

“Nay, I hope you can match Ardi. Do not date for long, the introduction continues directly married. Free long courtship but not married too, like you are the same Rian.”

“Mother, don't talk about Rian anymore. Males.”

“Iya, mom apologize. Anyway mother always doain the best for children mother.”

I threw myself in at home. I don't know how I'm feeling right now, whether happy, happy, or even dislike me in their own way. I think I should obey my mother's wishes as long as they don't impose their will. Cellphone's ringing. I saw a short message on the screen. When I opened it, I saw the message from Ardi. He wants me to see him in the morning. I accepted his invitation and then I turned myself back. I hope my decision doesn't make me regret it. It felt like my body and soul were tired and I had unwittingly fallen asleep.