The Staircase
The Match is Not Where

I'm like a fire ant left behind, figuring out where Aga is now. For example uncle did not tell me that Aga quit school, of course I can sleep peacefully. But tonight, after hearing from uncle this afternoon, I turned around a dozen times, having trouble sleeping. Mothers are uncomfortable, fathers who snore fatigue coupled with me who is not calm, become a spicy spice in cooking that makes the mother shift her body, away.

Aga is my best friend, just like Randi and Budi, although sometimes they do not get along. I don't know much about what Aga meant about Nina yet and the reason no one managed to get close to her. While regret is mysterious, people often think their decisions and choices are right but the opposite is true. I regret not responding to Aga when she told me about Nina in first grade. Not that I admire Nina. I'm just curious!

Around five o'clock in the morning, uncle and father were already chatting casually in the living room, as if agreeing to nod at the whispers of uncle.

"Congratulations, yes." Dad shouts uncle.

They shook hands for a very long time while hugging, father patted uncle's shoulder many times with sparkling eyes, happy and hopeful.

"Yes, thank you, man." Answer uncle lirih.

My father and uncle had been friends for a long time before I was born. It was his uncle who became our friend, family, and neighbors while here. Who would have thought, the uncle who was forty years old and above would start a new life with his chosen woman. We are delighted to hear that my uncle is getting married again. But I was worried that once at home alone without an uncle accompanying me.

Uncle said he'd move into his new wife's house if he was legally married.

"I'm sorry. Not meant to leave you. I just don't want my wife to complain that the house here's gonna trouble her." Said uncle judge his house is not worthy of a new husband and wife. At once the uncle explained the reason why he abandoned his son with his first wife first. Uncle didn't want it to happen again. For uncle, few women can accept him as he is. Once women know a few months or even a few years about our physical, economic, and mental condition as men-women will often act rashly. Uncle declared his disappointment with low voice intonation. Disappointment that had made uncle shut himself from change, association, and romance.

"Yes, Kil. We also understand. As long as you're happy, it's a decision and a choice you deserve to fight for." Answer me while sipping coffee. Uncle also took his coffee. Mom started to open her voice.

"So, when's the wedding, Cil?" Ask mom, join the buzz.

Mother's question made uncle not flinch. Uncle's mouth was muttering but without a sound. His face was full of consideration. The mother's increasingly curious eyes for a few seconds without an answer, repeated her question. The uncle replied, not knowing.

After a glass of coffee uncle and father left the black pulp, then they both went to the forest to look for maculata fish.

I arrived at school very late. But this morning no teacher taught. Me, Budi and Randi were chatting at the front desk. Randi who was surprised did not want to make the others to be busy interviewing me. They ask the same question many times, why?

"You're not lying, are you, Ki?" Ask Budi. Dozens of pairs of eyes swarmed over me like a high-class criminal caught off guard making a fatal mistake.

"Uncle says so, Bud." They shouted quietly, huuu. I smiled broadly. One by one they broke away, dissatisfied.

Indeed, the news I delivered to Randi and Budi that had spread to all corners of the second class; not necessarily true. I told you what my uncle told me yesterday.

"I know you're not in class, are you?" I told them to come along thinking the reason why, why?

It's no wonder that one or two of us quit school for some reason. Even in third, fourth, fifth and sixth grade, except first grade. Very rarely do we hear of first graders who quit school. Or maybe because the first grade just entered school? It could be the reason Aga stopped because he was tired of school-repeating twice in first grade.

"I think Mr. Mad dear Aga so deliberately let Aga repeat the class. Kan, Mad's first-class guardian." Randi makes jokes. We laughed softly.

"Eh. I just remembered." Budi bounced his right index finger on his forehead. "How did your uncle know that Aga quit school?"

Randi heard Budi's question as if asking the same thing, looking at me curiously. Wonder.

"Do you think it makes sense that your uncle would know without anyone else?" Be willing to answer his question.

I'm speechless. Come think hard. This is a question I haven't known the answer to since yesterday.

"I don't know either. But I'm sure that uncle said it was true. The proof today is that Aga didn't go to school." My answer made the two nod slowly while thinking.

"Yes, yeah." Said Randi.

The bell hit Mad sir very quickly, many times. As the goose of the Tibetan pack chased, the sixth, fifth, fourth and third graders at the left end of our class scattered out of the classroom.

"Gather, gather. Hurry." They shouted as if waking us who were still thinking hard.

Me, Randi, and Budi dropped out of class together. The three of us stood in the first row within the crowd of the school grounds.

"Kids. Today we teachers will be meeting." Mad sir said after we all gathered in the schoolyard. "You can go home." Simultaneously shouted, hurrah, behind me. Instantly the cry was silent when hearing the silence of Mr. Mad who disagreed they shouted.

I don't like the drama I've had when I left and went home from school. The reason remains the same from the month even the year before. Is correct. Tibetan pak goose.

I'm still being stalked by that goose. From there the goose of the Tibetan pack has flapped its wings wide and cannot fly. The Tibetan store is full of visitors. Some have seen his face but do not know his name, there are even completely foreign in my eyes. Their eyes followed my accelerated footsteps, about to break through the Tibetan goose that was facing me. Getting closer until finally boisterous laughter behind me released in the air saw me who ran zig-zag pursued goose. Damnit. Woe is in my heart. I'm a joke to Tibetan shopgoers.

It doesn't feel like it's night. The full moon is bright. We are ready to leave the house. My mother was busy choosing clothes that were suitable for us. In my heart I murmured, fun, walks. Now, mom and dad are busy looking for the right torch.

"Wear this torch alone." Mother offered the father who was comparing which torch was durable and bright.

"That's the oil, isn't it?"

"Oh, yes. The oil's gone." Mom chuckles softly.

Uncle dark house. Uncle wasn't at his house from this afternoon. Even the uncle's onthel bike that was usually parked beside his house vanished out of nowhere. It is impossible for a thief. Where is there a thief who can break the onthel bike padlock.

Since I could ride my bike, uncle has been more protective. The reed bikes were uncle padlocks at the stake of his house.

My father's torch fire was burning, dancing in the breeze. We walked past the Tibetan house. The sound of a goose in the cage of the Tibetan sir is earthy. Probably smelled my sweat pouring. I murmured in my heart.

Amazingly, the goose could tell that his nemesis was passing in front of his master's house. I thought we were going to the Tibetan man's house, watching television or paying the debt. Tibet is very crowded in the home. The door-wide television was lit up brightly. Behind the house of the Tibetan sir rumbles the sound of an electric generator. Tibetan man's house lights occasionally blink. Huu. Shouts of visitors cheered the lights that went out for a moment. Then it lights up again. The incandescent lamp was brighter than my father's torch fire. Dozens of pairs of eyes turned towards us who passed in front of the Tibetan man's house. Their eyes glared as if collecting debts. I don't know exactly how much my parents owe at the Tibetan sir's shop. But obviously the rest of the money selling rubber is not more than it should be.

After about a half-hour walk from the Tibetan man's house, we finally arrived at a stilt house that was no less crowded. Roof-roofed house, wall and floor of the wooden board, spacious. Petromax lights are brightly lit from the front of the house all the way inside. A dozen onthel bikes are neatly parked. Ranging from toddlers to the elderly gathered, nostalgic, joking, laughing. A little boy like me was chasing around the house.

"Yes, sir. Sorry we're late." Dad saluted Mad sir. Then get inside the house.

Gosh darn. Inner, shocked. Mr. Mad is greeting me. "Good night, teacher." Sapaku while smiling miserably.

"Good night. Please come in."

Mad's smile is wide. I thought how to teach Mr. Mad in school would be continuous here, but it turns out that my guess is not true. Mad sir is like a chameleon that changes colors quickly, adapts. It was even very friendly, offering me food and drinks. I sat near my mother. While my father was near my uncle. Again I was surprised so much. The uncle near my father rebuked me by waving his hand. I shook my head, embarrassed.

"Aki." Someone called my name. The same sound I heard at the screen show last year. I looked to the side.

Right in the front doorway. It is not wrong that it is Aga.

"here." Let him wave his hand.

I gave my mother permission. I got out of my seat after my mother agreed. I bowed deeply with my right hand out and said, Excuse me, walk in front of the old man sitting cross-legged.

"How are you?" Aga. We both embrace each other. Aga's eyes twinkled.

"Good news. You how? We haven't seen each other in a long time, where have we been?" I flooded Aga with the questions I had prepared all along if I met him.

"Good news, Ki. I quit school." Answer irent.

"Why did you quit school?" I asked again. This question will take away my guilt.

"Anu, Ki. I'm ashamed." His words stammered.

"Why should you be ashamed, huh? Aren't we gonna be best friends as long as you're in the same school as me?"

"Yes, Ki. But you saw my own house there." Aga pointed to his house that was not far from home, who? I asked Aga. I pointed at the house behind me.

"Neli's house, Mad sir's sister." Answer Aga.

It was only fitting that Mad sir welcomed us. Aga who is a neighbor with Mr. Mad can lobby him to go to class. But Aga says Mr. Mad is very consistent if the value problem.

"I helped my parents, Ki. It's nice to cover up the flaws in the kitchen." I looked into Aga's eyes and said in my heart, I hope your decision is right, Ga.

"You know what?" I widened my eyes, "Mad's sister will be your relative." Further.

Gosh darn. I was shocked the umpteenth time. Apparently uncle was the mastermind of all this. It is fitting that uncle first knew that Aga quit school. Mum Neli last week taught us only briefly. It's appropriate that Mr. Mad knows that Miss Neli used to sulk. And now, it is also fitting that Mr. Mad smile sweetly at me.

"Marriage is really about feelings. The affection. Love's. Blissfully. Like. And grief. Let's leave it to the two of them." Said my father who turned out to be the ruler uncle.

Silent. Alternately sipping coffee. My mother listened seriously. The female guard nodded. Ms. Neli in front of the uncle who was three meters away was bowed deeply. Uncle seemed to think hard once in a while glanced at Mr. Mad who wiped his glasses.

Petromak lights invite laron flying over the heads of the guests. My father sipped his coffee and sipped it slowly.

Aga and I were still standing in front of the house.

Aga elbowed me, "Ki, Aki. Look, tuh." Aga's smile that had been tasteless was instantly sweet, pointing to the main road.

"What's up, Ga?" My toot. Aga pointed in secret.

"There's Nina, Ki. That's." Said whispering.

Nina walked into Mad sir's house without looking, me and Aga like a wind that could be felt but not seen. Nina really didn't ignore us both. My eyes followed the footsteps of Nina who was greeting the guests near the door, then sat down next to my mother.

"Cieee, Nina is sitting next to your mother, Ki." Aga mocking.

"No, Ga. Just a coincidence."

"Not wrong, Ki. The soul is not going anywhere." Said Aga still making fun of me. He chuckles softly.

"I haven't thought about it yet, Ga." My answer is to stop the Aga laughter.

A round of applause in the middle room. Both sides agreed, greetings. Uncle smiled with relief. Neli looked at her happy uncle.

"Congratulations, yes. Good luck." My mother greeted Neli, followed by Nina next to my mother.

"Oh yes, Ga. I almost forgot. What exactly was wrong with Nina until no one managed to get close to her?"

"You haven't thought of it yet." Aga chuckled softly. Aga was silent for a moment seeing Nina glancing towards us. Nina's dimples were charming as she threw her smile at the two of us.

"Patience, Ki. You will know for yourself why, why." Aga is looking for his swapped head. "I'll go home first, Ki." After finding his own.

Nina went into Neli's house without hesitation. I went into the living room to approach my mother. From afar I glanced at Nina who was busy helping the mothers in the kitchen. Fathers and uncles chatted while munching on cookies, and drinking coffee.

"Is this what you want?" My mother asked, sliding a plate filled with biscuits.

Half an hour later, we went home, "Yes, I'll catch up." Said the uncle postponed the father's invitation to go home together. I peeked at Nina from behind the body of the old man who was standing in greeting. But I never saw him. Nor did Nina's shadow.