Started In Paris
Baritone Voice Owner

"Yes-iya Van, here I am on the road, soon to arrive. No need, yes, okay"

I walked down the lip of the road. Just called Vani, she said Miss Bill was looking for me, but I had permission. He was noisy about to pick me up, but I refused. I feel lucky because my family cares about me.

It was almost night time, the sun had already started to drown itself, dimming its light. The street lights started to light up, as well as the vehicle lights. The sound of the roar of the motor that has since passed on the road makes the atmosphere of the highway become crowded.

The hustle and bustle of this city has been seen busy. It's time to go home from work, no wonder the highway is crowded like this.

Before I go home, I stop by a minimarket. I felt thirsty after walking thousands of meters since then. After the meeting this morning, all day I was in that marvelous mosque. I did the murrotal of the Koran, adding to the memorization over there. By late afternoon I had just risen from there.

I opened the fridge, took 4 bottles of juice from there and put them in the basket. I walked again combing the entire minimarket. After buying everything I wanted to buy, I took it to the cashier. After paying the cashier's bill I'm out soon, Vani and his family must have been waiting.

In my left hand, I carry a plastic bag of four bottles of juice and a sausage of beef. The plan is tomorrow I'll make breakfast for them. Actually I don't know what I want to cook tomorrow either. Very silly indeed.

The cold air started gripping, I tightened my coat again. Regretting that I didn't have a scarf, my ears and neck were cold. I accelerated my footsteps, unable to stand the cold air.

Arriving in front of the apartment unit I pressed the bell on the side of the door. Moments later the door opened, mistress Bill appeared behind it. He smiled with satisfaction, perhaps because he saw me coming home.

I immediately went in, then sat down at the dinner table. Take all the contents out of the plastic bag I'm carrying.

After giving one by one a bottle of juice to Bill's family, I sat back at the dinner table with Bill's mistress.

"Oh Zulfa, I'm sorry that I actually have nothing to eat" Bill said. I looked up, after opening the lid of my juice bottle.

"At work last night I was very tired and wanted to go home soon, it felt like my body was somehow, so maybe tonight we don't have dinner like yesterday" he continued in a slow tone. I smiled at him.

"It's okay Madam, I don't feel hungry anyway" I replied which immediately made her smile as well. I gulped my juice, then I remembered something.

"Oh yeah, I bought a pack of beef sausage at the minimarket, it's going to be a bit of a stomach bump for tonight" I said.

"Oh yeah?"

I nodded confidently. "I'll cook it now" I said as I got up from my seat. I walked to the refrigerator, then picked up a packet of sausage I had bought earlier.

"Do you need help?" Ask Mrs Bill.

"No need, Madam just rest, you look very tired, I will make green tea later" I replied with a smile towards him, which was then also returned a smile by him.

I heard the sound of Mrs Bill walking away, maybe she went to her room. I gave a wedge in the middle of the little sausage, then put it on the plate. After that I cut onions, red and green chili, and garlic that I sliced smooth.

I took a teflon put a little oil on it then put it on the stove. I light the stove then I put two eggs that have been beaten into it and scramble it until the eggs are destroyed, followed by slices of onions, chili and others.

It smelled, then I put the sausage in and stirred it flat. After a while, I added the sauce in it, I stirred it again until it was flat.

I don't really know what I'm cooking. I don't know the name of this dish either. During my stay with Abah and Ummi I never cooked this type of cuisine. Huh, I was worried that it would be messy, because honestly only this time I cooked dishes like this. You stupid fool Zulfa.

I tasted it on the tip of my tongue, I don't think it's too bad. Ah already.

When it's cooked, I put it in a bowl. Then I switched to making green tea for Bill's mistress. The woman looked so exhausted, her eyes had thick eye bags. I thought, how hardworking are overseas people. A high lifestyle makes every citizen have to work hard to buy needs that are not cheap.

Moreover, Mrs Bill and her husband had to pay the apartment bill as good as this, and had to take care of Vani who was still in college, which also still costs money.

And Me?

What am I doing here?

Just hitchhiking in people's homes, maybe they don't mind if they have to accommodate me too, not to mention I enjoy the complete facilities in this unit. Eating is also free, AC, washing machine, I'm very burdened by their kindness.

Maybe I'll come pay the bills for this apartment, just to thank them.

I sip the green tea in a tiny cup. Then I walked towards Vani's room, knocking on her door.

"Yes, sister, I briefly called Uncle Bibi first" he said as he closed the door to his room.

Mr. Bill and Mrs Bill are now stuck at the dinner table, I'm nervous not playing. I brought the dish I just cooked earlier, followed by a cup of green tea that I specially made for Mrs Bill.

I sat on an empty bench. My hands were cold hot, my sweat was pouring out, but when the temperature was low, I clasped the tip of my hijab, biting my lower lip.

They started to eat, one mouthful there was no reaction whatsoever, even their faces looked ordinary. Mr. Bill looked indifferent. As soon as I curled up in my daydream, it must have been a mess, because obviously I didn't know what I was cooking.

"Oh my God" said Mrs Bill, slamming the spoon she was holding. Then he held his head. I was surprised and worried at once.

"It is very delicious" he said with an expression that I thought was very surprised. Then he put the slices of sausage on his plate back into his mouth.

"Yes, this is delicious" added Vani.

Oh, my God, I can't believe this.

"Where did you learn this right?" Ask Mr. Bill to me, as if to flirt. I blushed embarrassed, awkward not playing.

I picked up a few spoonfuls of sausage I made earlier, and then I ate it. It doesn't feel so bad, thank God they like it.

After eating and washing dishes I did nothing. Just stay in the room playing with your phone. Actually want to contact Abah and Ummi, but Luluk may not be at my house, after all Abah and Ummi must be busy serving buyers.

I snorted angrily, slamming my phone in bed. I'm so bored.

I stared out the window, the sky was dark, the sound of the motor was still buzzing. I got out of bed, walked to the window.

I looked at the dark sky, there was no moon there, only one or two stars appeared.

I pinched my eyes down, outside looked crowded, many people were walking on the sidewalk.

"Sister Zulfa!" Beware someone from the door.

I looked over and saw Vani standing in the doorway.

"You wanna take a walk? I heard in the park a lot" he said.

Ah can too. I'm so bored in here anyway, just staring at the plain ceiling, it feels like my eyes are really itchy. I nodded steadily, he smiled then left, perhaps taking a coat.

Soon I grabbed a coat hanging from the closet, put on shoes, took a cell phone and some money and I put it in my coat pocket. I walked out of the room.

It's so cold outside, I walked along with Vani. The cream-colored coat I used was enough to help withstand the cold from the outside. From earlier Vani looked at his phone, to the point that he almost hit the trash can on the road, I rebuked him, he chuckled innocently.

Arriving at the park, Vani and I sat on a white bench near the lamp post. Snagat park crowded, even though the air is very cold like this, not infrequently children also, they run to and fro, their screams screeching like rats wedged to the door.

"Sister, I'm looking for a warm meal first huh, Brother wait here, Brother what message? Let me buy you" the cerocos while standing.

I thought for a moment.

"Stick potatoes yes, same warm tea. That's it, I'll change your money" I reply.

He nodded, then left me alone on the park bench.

"Don't forget the sauce!" I cried out to him who was many meters away from me. I saw him raise his right thumb without turning his head, meaning he heard me. I let out a breath.

I leaned my body against the back of the bench, staring blankly at the dark sky.

Abah and Ummi's faces were there, smiling at me. I miss them so much that I see them in the sky. Masayallah.

What are they doing?

Have you eaten yet?

Definitely deserted?

Not feeling suddenly my tears fell, dripping from my eyes, I immediately rubbed it, afraid of being seen by people. But Allah knows all that is in my heart, may my longing be given to my two angels.

"Excuse me!"

Someone's baritone voice surprised me, I was aghast. I looked at the person's face, no stranger. I try to remember where I've seen it.

I'm appalled. Oh, it turns out this guy again.