Let Me Fall in Love
20. Banana Effect

"Wadidaw, 5 minutes to vicall." Ami is on her own. Rushing shut the window as it was staring at the dense sky without the decoration of stars. Being lazy to scroll medsos or reply to chat in a group. Not expecting his prank action fishing Panda, fruitful video call.

"Ah, Doraemon shirt time. Replace...replace!" Ami monologues in front of the mirror looking at her appearance. The time must immediately replace Doraemon T-shirts with other t-shirts from the closet. Randomly until a pile of partially folded clothes fell to the floor.

Quick motion recalls video call time in two minutes. Immediately set the length of the tripod legs in front of the sofa and then the phone was installed. Along with that, the name Panda appears on the screen. Ami did not immediately shift the video icon, he ran to the front of the mirror. Sweeping the powder thin and polishing the lips with lip serum. Lastly, clean up the pass. Just trust yourself.

"Ami, where else is this?" Sapa Akbar after answering the greetings from Ami.

"In the room, brother. Below again there is Kak Panji apple to Aul Tea." Ami also examined the same background Akbar sat on the sofa and look wall decoration abstract painting.

"Sama dong's. Akbar is also in the hotel room. It was at the Coffee Shop. But can chat from Ami so want to mojok deh same cute." Akbar smiled knot.

Ami smiled as she folded her lips. Resist the taste of the nose that is cramped.

"If Ami is no one?" Akbar asked deliberately fishing in a private direction.

"No. SMA is forbidden to date! That's a mandatory rule in my family. Focus on science. There will also be a time for courtship if you are mentally ready to get married. So the unwritten rules that he said were mandated by his late father." Saying with a serious face.

Akbar. "A very good education. Akbar agreed with that rule. Because there are many students out there dating, even since Junior High. And the kebablasan of free courtship."

"That's right, brother. Yesterday after the second day of the exam there was a birth in the school toilet. But not in my school. His friends thought all this time that guy was a regular fat. It turns out to contain a baby of free courtship." Ami shakes her shoulders. The news was viral until it entered the national news.

"Well it will be a messy school, disgrace spread, and the more pressing mental it domino effect. Families are embarrassed, neighbors' gibbah material, plus legal and social sanctions."

"That's right." Ami mangosteen agreed with Akbar's opinion.

"But if Ami's waiting to graduate High School, can't he?" Akbar asked with a big smile.

"What do you mean, brother?" Ami frowned. Feeling ambiguous.

But for a moment must pause because there is a knock on the door of the room. Ami was shocked. And spontaneously towards the door heard Bi Ela calling out.

"What's up, Bi?" Ami just opened the door a little, just to bend his head.

"There's a guest, Neng. Said Neng Ami's schoolmate. His name is Almond." Bi Ela Sahut.

"Oh, yeah. Tell me to wait, Bi. I'm gonna get off." Although astonished to come without confirmation, Ami decided to meet Almond.

Ami again sat facing the screen where Akbar was still loyal to be there. "So, sorry to have to make it easy. There are friends coming," he said with a sorry highlight because he was forced to end.

"OK deh. What kind of girl friend is a guy?" Ask Akbar. Although disappointed because the question has not been answered.

"Turkey. Friends of class. Just friends, nothing more." Somehow Ami felt like explaining that Akbar did not misunderstand.

"alright. Though still at home, but what can do." Akbar took a long breath.

Ami chuckles. "Tomorrow, Akbar is here again, right? We will continue to talk on the ground. But bring the banana here. Can, Brother?"

"What can't do for Ami. What banana would you like?" Challenge Akbar.

"Banana.pick me who you love. Hihahi. Yea....Pandas." -." Ami first turned off the video connection. Intentionally do not want to see the reaction of Akbar's face that has been tempted.

Rushed out of the room to meet Almond. But only two steps down the stairs, suddenly stop the step. Suddenly surprised. "Why did I call Panda. Keceplosan deh," said his inner. His face was grimacing, ashamed of itself.

Passing through the living room, there were still Aul and Panji who sat on a sofa and were busy talking. It was unclear what her brother said. What is clear, Panji listened while staring at full attention. Ami walked leisurely towards the wide open main door. Sure enough, there was Almond sitting on the terrace chair accompanied by Ibu Sekar.

"Ami, get Almond to talk inside!" Said Sekar's mother who had met her friend Ami for the first time.

"It's okay, Auntie. Let's just talk here." Reject Almonds politely.

Mom Smiles wisely. "Alright, I'll stay first. Almond, don't call Auntie. Call Mom aja. All of Ami's friends who play here call her Mom." He always embraces whoever is a friend of his children with the tenderness of a mother.

"Hehe yes, Mom." Almond nodded and smiled.

Ami took over the seat her mother was sitting in. "Willfully here or by, Mon?" he looked at Almond's face.

"Deliberately eating at Dapoer Mothers equals Beben and Reza. They're waiting in the car." Almond pointed with his chin towards the side of the road. "Again what, Mi? I'm not bothering you?" he looked at Ami.

"A little disturbing anyway. Just now vicall same sodara." Sahut Ami relaxed. At first glance pay attention to the row of motorcycles parked next to the house. A Dapoer Mother visitor.

"Mi, honestly. Usually people like to answer a guest. Oh no bother, no trouble. That, right?" Falat Almond with throbbing lips.

"Eh, I'm different. Honestly her guy. Why jaim. But I can sit here, which means gladly accepting your arrival, Emon." Ami flattered Almond who now turned a big smile.

"Yes. I never win when I talk to you. Betewe, what date is it going to Jakarta, Mi?" Almond diverts the discussion.

"It's not certain that he's left. Why emang?" Ami raised one eyebrow.

"Hey, you think I'm comedian Rina Nose, Mon." Ami rolled her eyeballs. "I can't answer yes yet. It could be to Jakarta before it is shared report. Who took the report is the same old man."

"OK deh. But then you will hear about the decision!" Almond stared with pleading highlight. Which Ami answered with a nod. He glanced at the clock in his left hand.

"You drive yourself, Mon?" Ask Ami who drove up to the half-open gate. Almond just said goodbye to Ibu Sekar.

"Yes. Wanna have a weekly night around town. Enjoy brain independence after the test. Come along, Mi?" Almond asked, pessimistic. Because the possibility of his invitation being accepted is very slim.

"Ogah ah's. Meningan tambahan while eating kuaci. You be careful, Mon. Don't speed! Where doesn't have a SIM, right?" Asked Ami with a squeaking look.

"Ready, Mi. 18 more days sweet seveneen in Jakarta. You must have invited me. Ortu promises to give you a car plus SIM gift. So, class XI can bring your own car to school." Almond said proudly.

"Thankful Mon, born to an affluent family. You have to be low profile, don't be arrogant. Sorry Mon, just reminders. Not with nasehatin. Because we're friends." Ami raised two fingers.

Almond smiled as he raised his thumb. "I like them with you, Mi. See you monday at school. Hours of rest I buy you a snack. There is no rejection! We're friends." Said firmly. He waved his hand when he saw Ami opening her mouth to answer.

***

The clock became slow moving towards the dzuhur time for Akbar who was waiting for him. He could not wait to leave the hotel immediately to the house of Ibu Sekar. This morning had tried to try running early in the city area of Lake accompanied by Tommy and escorted by two staff. Now just wait for the time to come home.

Akbar ruffled his waist in front of the mirror. Chuckling itself accompanied by head bobbles. A fool? Might as well. Crazy one? Could be. In order to meet an Ami, he reasoned to go to the Lake. Rela cancelled the follow-up slalom event at the Sentul circuit which is currently underway. His friends to contact and regret his absence.

Last night was made anxious by Ami who turned off the video connection unilaterally. Again fooled by the serious face of Ami who asked for bananas.

Banana.choose me whom you love.

Akbar grinned looking at the reflection of his face in the mirror. Gombalan Ami was accompanied by giggling last night, ending up being insane. Heard a grin while lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling. Though the ceiling of the room is just a sweep of white paint without any funny pictures.

Akbar realized, just felt in love again after ten years ago had felt it. Unfortunately, dating for four years from the time of college at the same campus should run aground. No wind no rain, the girlfriend suddenly asked to break up. Destroyed have all dreams of building a joint venture that is ready to be realized. His girlfriend was not ready to go from zero. A month after the break up, her ex-boyfriend married a mining businessman with a seven-day, seven-night party. That is why he became selective in choosing a partner.

"What's up, Tom?" The phone call from Tommy disbands the running wishful thinking recalling all the ami's memories and past memories.

"Well to have lunch on what menu, sir? Chef will cook a special meal for Mr. Akbar" said Tommy, whose day off is at the same hotel, to serve the boss.

"No, Tom. I have an invitation to lunch outside. Come home later." Akbar keeps his phone on the couch after Tommy answers.

Finally that time came. Inwardly ask God for forgiveness if there is anything wrong with intention. Because eagerly waiting for the Adhan in order to be able to pray immediately, in order to quickly meet Ami.

At a crossroads, Akbar's view accidentally captures the figure of an old merchant selling bananas on the sidewalk. He asked the driver to pull the car over.

"Wait a minute, Mr. Sob. Then pull back the car. I'll buy a banana first." Akbar rushed down without waiting for his driver to answer. He walked quickly on the sidewalk to the banana merchant earlier. Until then crouched in front of the banana trade.

"What banana is this, Mang?" Akbar looked at a banana comb that was a large size that was ripe ready to eat.

"This is the king's banana, Aden. The taste is guaranteed raos, sweet legit because mature trees are not carbines."

Akbar. "What price, Mang?"

"This is thirty thousand one comb tea. The price of that tea is exactly the same as it tastes, Aden. Use organic fertilizer. It's teu aya sober-kesed." Said Mamang banana seller that most people do not buy because of the cost.

"By nawar ya, Mang. Fifty thousand one comb. I bought it all, Mang!"

"HUH?!" The elderly banana seller gawked at Akbar's offer. The forehead that has been decorated with wrinkles is getting multiplied due to astonishment and surprise.

"Not confirmed, Mang? Or is it less high? How much do you want?" Akbar asked while holding a smile because the seller was still hypnotized.

"Eh anu eta, that's not it. Is it usually cheaper instead of higher?" Mamang banana sellers are still planga plongo, confused and do not understand.

Akbar smiled. "Low roses are common. I want an unusual nawar. Sok Mang, how much total? Help get in the car, Mang!"

Mamang with sprightly as well as counting the number of bananas that turned out to be 20 combs. The wrinkled and jet hand from the sunlight trembled as it received the ten red sheets. His eyes were full of tears. Until he opened the shabby skullcap and kept the sheet on his head. Moisturized in dew.*

"Alhamdulillah yes Alloh. Only this time the sale of bananas until it runs out in half a day. Usually two days out the fastest. Plus this unexpected windfall." The sepuh mamang said gratefully with a hoarse voice because of the novelty. Not expecting to get a fortune.

"Aden, Emang pray mugia rejekinya more blessed. Replaced with double wrestling. Mugia all affairs are facilitated. Aden's wishes were immediately granted. Aamiin Ya Alloh." Mamang banana seller with both hands up, praying with sincerity.

Akbar reassured and smiled. Immediately carrying a bag of crackles containing bananas that he can carry. The rest is carried by the seller who follows his steps towards the car that has been pushed back by the driver.

The car again drove in heavy traffic smoothly towards the Ciamis border. So shortly afterwards, the car with executive class comfort was arrived on the shoulder of the front road of the house of Ibu Sekar.

...****...

*Sundanese proverb. Named in dew-dew \= gladly accepted.