Marriage Proposal: Ben & Bima
13 - A Strong Heart
(Arthite Kob Sok Ratanarak)
I saw these two men coming. This woman named Bima is very cheerful. L like it. Meanwhile, Ben followed her with a flat face as usual. Didn't he find the woman? Age if it has been 30 years more and too crazy work let alone a degree until this Professor does seem to lack passion for life.
Bima took my hand and kissed her, a form of reverence full of passion. It's different with Ben. Just shake my hand.
“Long time yes, Eyang Nungunya?” Bima was sitting in front of me. Ben followed.
“If take dinner why impromptu?” Ben complains. He leaned his body against the back of the chair. I want to take this kid. Instantly, Bima's hand was below. I think Bima signaled to Ben not to talk to me like that again.
I called them to dinner because I wanted to know more about my grandson, Ben. Since he decided a few dozen years ago to live in Bangkok and decided the last 3 years to teach at a university in Indonesia, it has kept me from knowing my own granddaughter's life. Even when Ben decided to teach here and only chose in a certain month, I rarely met him. Only Daria met him in Bangkok. That is if not forced.
“You still teach?” I saw Ben chewing his food lazily. I rarely see him eat. I thought Daria told me that Ben had been suffering from stomach ulcers for a year.
“Still. Next week I teach my last. Next I focus on making books only and not teaching full.”
I know Ben decided to open his business two months ago. I helped him find a building he's renting right now.
“You must be smart to divide the time. There should also be a companion that reminds you.” I glanced at Bima. Bima looks wrong and smiles.
I don't know Ben's orientation. He admitted that he was dating Bima. I know this woman, though not very deep. Only I know, this woman is the reason Ben ran away to Bangkok. I don't know Ben's way of thinking.
(Ben)
“Prof, so Eyang is Thai? How can?”
We're on our way home. Yayai's curiosity is huge. He always asked like a child. I don't know what he means, if he finds out about me or if this is his nature.
“Ya can. Why why anyway? My mom is Indo, my dad is Thai.”
“Oh, so Eyang is his parents Papanya Prof huh?”
“Do you ask too many questions like this?” chirping.
Yayai. Looking towards the street.
“That's when she was young came to Jakarta and opened a business here.”
Yayai enthusiastically returned.
“Which is married to which person?”
“Thailand too.”
Yayai nodded.
“Interesting yes.” He looks happy. Yayai did not ask again. Silent. When I stepped on the brakes because of the red light at the intersection, I turned to Yayai. He slept very well.
Maybe the question is to get rid of the sleepiness. I know he looks yawning all the time from morning. I watched him when I was the speaker this morning. He sat in the participant's chair, in a corner. Too tired to take care of my pain and make a presentation for me.
I turned off the engine and Yayai woke up.
“Prof, sorry I overslept. So, I'm home, huh?” She's shocked. I was very relaxed to hear it using informal language since the restaurant.
“Do you think?”
“Who owns the fence?”
“Do you think?”
“Sorry, sorry Prof. Should have Prof wake me.”
Yayai opened her seat belt and got out of the car. He opened the back door and took my bag. He took it into the house and put it in my room.
“Prof, tomorrow new occupants upstairs, what time will you come?”
“Not yet know.”
Yayai nodded.
“Oudah if so.” He went into his room.
“How much was the taxi cost?” I asked him. We were both at the door of each other's rooms. Yayai was about to open the door to her room.
“Taxi? Why indeed?” Yayai canceled to open the door and turned around.
“Everything related to me and my business, I'm in charge. I changed the money.”
“Nevent to Prof.” Yayai shook her palm.
“Will I add to your salary this week. Your debt has been paid seven hundred thousand rupiah.” I said. Open the phone and type something about Yayai's debt. “You need to get a reward. It's the first time I've matched the person I work with on campus.”.
Yayai smiled bitterly. Don't know what that means.
“Okay, Prof. Thank you.”
Yayai turned her body about to open the door.
“Wait. Do you want to eat out tomorrow?”
“Maybe. I'm going to sleep.” he said. He's lookingat me.
“Starting tomorrow, you can be my personal assistant. I want to eat something.”
I saw Yayai harden her jaw. He walked towards me. I also walked towards him. We met in the middle.
“Can I have a holiday first, Prof?”
“Can't.” ketusku.
“Why?”
“I'm a busy man. You should always be ready.”
Yayai.
“You can still work with your own work.”
“Tomorrow to eat what, Prof?”
She smiles. Forced.
Yayai stroked his neck and then his chest, then hit his chest. Very amusing.
“Good. What's taboo?”
“No.”
Yayai nodded.
“What Prof did not ask me, I can cook what not?”
“I don't care.” I shrugged my shoulders.
I know Yayai can cook. I knew it first. I don't know if her cooking skills are getting any worse.
The next morning, the,
When I woke up the next morning because there was a call from someone who came, it seemed like Yayai had woken up first. Because the living room window curtain is wide open. I ran towards the fence and saw a pick up car and a rather young man carrying a cage. I smiled broadly. Very glad.
“Chloe!” I greeted him. The sound of meowing is heard. Something inside the cage immediately swirled around happily. “What time does it arrive?”
“Tadi dawn, Sir.” The man gave me a paper and pen as a sign of proof that I received the package. Packet Chloe, my favorite cat I brought from Bangkok.
“Thank you, Mas.” I gave her the paper and she gave me the cage containing Chloe.
I walked towards the backyard. Put the cage down and open it. Chloe's calling.
“Khit thueng khun krap, Chloe!”** I'm squeezing Chloe's fur. This cat licked my face.
For a moment I saw Yayai standing up to see me playing with Chloe. Between her seeing Chloe or me. Ignored him. He looked at me for a long time and it bothered me.
(Five)
When I got home from the market, the gate wasn't as locked as usual. Looks like someone opened the fence. I immediately rushed into the house. The door is not closed tightly either. Wide-open. Still carrying the grocery bag I ran towards the sound. Backyard. Sounds noisier. I found Prof Ben sitting in the grass with a cat. That look blew me away in a matter of thousands of seconds. I'm speechless. Noticing Prof Ben laughing playing with a cat.
Like getting a blow from a surge, my face feels very fresh. My heart started to beat. Wh why? It felt like it was coming off and even I could hear my own heartbeat. I'm still watching Prof Ben.
“Why you? Never seen a cat?”
I'm sober.
Prof Ben returned to his flat face despite still leaving a slight smile. His face is very handsome. Then the cat that Prof Ben was holding jumped off of him and attacked me. I rubbed my feet with her body.
“He likes you.” chirps.
Prof Ben stood up. He grabbed my groceries I still hold. My mouth can't move.
“What do you want to cook?”
Prof Ben walked into the kitchen. Putting groceries. I'm still glued to the back yard sliding door. I walked up to Prof Ben in the kitchen and washed my hands in the sink.
“What cooking?”
“Ha? A cook? Oh cook. I want to cook chicken soto.” I replied stammering without seeing his face. My heart is still beating. Why me?
This cat is still approaching me.
“He wants to be carried.” said Prof Ben. He approached me. His voice was very close to my face. When I get away from him. He was confused to see his reaction. This morning I was very shy to see it. “Why you? Your face is so red. Pain?”
Red face? Pimply. I stroked my own cheek.
“Not sick, Prof. Just hot outside.”
“Hot morning it's good.”
I had to smile.
I finally got Chloe. A cat that is half a village cat in my opinion if in Indonesia and immediately slowly my heartbeat that beats fast slowly back to normal. I breathed into the cat's face until the cat closed its eyes. He's so calm.
Prof Ben smiled.
“His name is Chloe.”.
“Chloe?” I frowned. I think I'm very familiar with Chloe's name.
“Someone gave her name to Chloe. She may be fourteen years old.”
I widened my eyes. It's old. But this cat is still beautiful and agile.
“Stay healthy and live long.” I said slowly to Chloe's ear. Hopeful. I like Chloe.
“This cat is a cat from Indo. I brought it to Bangkok and now I take it home.” continued Prof Ben again.
I watched Prof Ben's radiant face. Today is so different. Maybe because his favorite cat came.
“So what time is the new occupant coming? I can customize the cuisine.”
“Nothing. New occupant huh Chloe's.” Prof Ben pointed towards Chloe.
I blinked my eyes. Aye? So meaning?
“But who is in the upper room?”
“Neither.” Prof Ben shakes. “What's in the upper room?”
I'm speechless.
“Out of cooking and lunch, help me clean the room above.”
Prof Ben snatched Chloe from my sling and sauntered away from the kitchen. When my hand came into contact with Prof Ben's skin, my heart was pounding again. From yesterday, I was holding his hand. Even hugged him when he was sprawled on the floor yesterday.
My face is heating up again. Maybe redden again.
***
*** I miss you, Chloe