TWENTY
SIDE STORY ~ NALA

The bright sun out there was inversely proportional to Nala's gloomy-looking aura. A few days after Rio expressed his invitation to date, since that day Nala tried to think hard to find the right reason when permission to his parents. Even all night he was wrapped in his blanket, thinking about the possibilities that occur if until his house people know that he is dating.

Drrr... Drrrtts

The sound of mobile phone vibration on the nightstand resuscitates it. Immediately he got up and found out what notification came up. A second later his eyes perfectly rounded after knowing that it was a message notification from Rio.

Don't forget the beautiful dress! At one hour I will take you to your house.:)

"Great!!!" Nala poked herself on her bed. Can increase the length of his business if Rio comes to the house.

Not for Brother! Meet at the Mall. That was the reply Nala sent to Rio.

His eyes then glanced towards the wall clock. It's six in the morning, meaning less than a few hours he prepares the right alibi to come out later.

Nala's smile then broke. In times of such urgency always popping ideas. "Why not from yesterday the nongolnya nih idea," he grumbled.

Then she went downstairs to help her mother cook. While making small talk, he began his action.

"Ma."

"Hmmm..." Her mother's eyes were still focused on concocting the seasoning.

"Later in the afternoon Nala will come out!"

"Where are you going?" Now her mother's attention has been fully focused on Nala.

Being stared at like that makes Nala so not have the heart to lie to her mother. But she desperately wanted to come out with Rio. With a heavy heart he lied.

"You go to Ma's Mall, find the materials for the task." Seeing that her mother was about to issue an argument, Nala immediately said again. "Just like a rendi!"

This was the idea that came to his mind earlier. Invite Rendi so that her alibi is more easily accepted.

"Oh, yes, that's it." Just like Nala thought. If Rendi comes along, it will definitely be allowed. And now he lives to persuade his annoying best friend.

While carrying her mother's artificial sponge this morning, Nala was preparing to go to Rendi's house. It did not take long, on foot he had reached the courtyard of Rendi's house. It is easy to find his home. Just look at the biggest and most luxurious house, it is definitely the family home of Rendi.

"Assalamu'alaikum!" nala said after arriving at the door of the house which happened to be wide open.

"Wa'alaikumsalam!" A voice sounded from within. Nala had already memorized properly with this voice, who else if not her good-natured mother Rendi.

As already considered her own child, Nala was immediately welcome to enter. The middle-aged woman had guessed that Nala had come to meet her only son.

"He's sleeping Na, wake up if he can." Yes, even to enter the room only Nala is allowed.

"Yes Tan. Oh yeah, this is Mama's sponge cake." The cake was handed over and warmly welcomed by his mother Rendi.

"Thank you Na."

"Yes Tan."

After making small talk, Nala immediately decided to wake the lazy buffalo. In the room, he was ready for the action. First take the roll that has fallen from its place, then hit the clock to Rendi's body to get up.

"Wake up!! Whoa!! Kebooo rendition!!!" The noise and the blow of the bolts were apparently still not enough to wake him up.

"B.ck.ck. It's so fucking people!"

Not short of sense, he headed straight for the toilet and carried water in his palm. This is a great way to wake people up.

Nala poured water from her hand right into Rendi's face. Makes the owner of the room jump in shock and wake up too.

"Haishh!!! What the hell are you Na! Disturb people for their hobbies!" ketus Rendi while wiping his wet face.

"Wake woy! It's this afternoon! The chicken came out of the cage. Well there, it's still good sleep." Nala didn't lose.

"Ck. Yeah-yes. What the hell is going on? Tumben's coming at this hour?" Right too. It's only eight o'clock, usually Nala comes always noon.

Nala's ketus face instantly turned into a special weld face to melt people's hearts. He also took a seat on Rendi's mattress by putting a roll on her lap.

"Rin! Help me dong! Please!!!"

"Help what?"

"Temenin me to the Mall in the afternoon, huh? Yea? Yea?"

"That's a doang?" Nala nodded quickly. "Kirain asks for help until this hour comes. Rich don't usually just me nemenin you shopping."

"No! I'm not shopping!"

"Continue?"

Nala was silent for a moment, then gulped her saliva roughly. "I want to watch," he said.

"Oh, watch? Come-ayo then! There's a good movie this week."

"Don't watch Ren!" Nala is not out of thought with her best friend who is very confident. "I want to watch Rio" he continued.

Rendi's gaze instantly changed. I don't know, like I don't like it? "Why then don't you ask the Rio to pick you up at home?"

"Yes!!! You know I can't date! Later if he comes to the house can be found out!"

"Udah knows it's forbidden, but it's still done too." Rendi grumbled as she moved out of her bed.

"Not to start!"

It was not Nala's intention to break her parents' ban. He has been fond of Rio since he first entered High School and saw Rio as the ideal OSIS chairman. And the beloved shoots also arrived, it turns out Rio also likes it. And at his current age he would also want his name to date like his friends. Right now his faith is not too strong to resist his lust.

"So how's this? Want to help me get permission from Mama?" His gaze followed the motion of Rendi who was tidying up her bed.

"Yes." Yeah." That one word already made Nala feel happy.

"Thank you Ren! You are the best friend!"

"That's tuh. Muji if you want to." Nala simply replied with a grin.

"Yes out there! I'm gonna take a shower."

"OKAY. A clean shower!!" ledek Nala after being in the doorway of the room.

*****

As planned, Nala is currently in the Mall along with Rendi. His eyes looked at the cell phone and checked where his girlfriend was.

"Ren, Brother Rio is waiting in front of the cinema. I'll go there first!"

"Well, how am I?" Nala slicked her shoulder.

"I don't know. Wait at the cafe, or where. Hehe."

"Basic!"

Nala immediately left Rendi who was busy condemning him. After arriving at the area of the cinema hall, his eyes swept over every corner to search for Rio's whereabouts.

"Nlade!" Seeming someone was waving at him, Nala immediately approached him.

"Hi Brother! You been waiting for her?" tanyakanya.

"No. Yeah, let's go in. I bought the ticket."

"Yes." Yeah."

They walked side by side into the cinema. Rio's eyes from earlier were staring at his hands with Nala's hands still free. Slowly he linked his fingers to Nala's fingers. While Nala who was focused on looking around was surprised to get a sweet treatment from Rio. He could only look at the man and smile sweetly. In her heart she was screaming with joy.

*****

Nala has been in a relationship with Rio for months. And lucky he has a friend like Rendi who can cover his alibi to his parents. She is very happy to be past her colorful High School.

It was up to the moment where Nala had to willingly part with Rio because the day of the twelfth grade parting had arrived. Nala as a lover of course accompanied Rio's special day. So he waited while observing the event from a distance.

When the day had gone by and the farewell was over, she got a message from Rio. He invited her to meet in the back garden of the school. Nala rushed to that place.

The sound of dry leaves being stepped on by the shoes rang out loud due to the atmosphere being so quiet. Large trees also grow a lot of shade here. Add a shady but also spooky impression at the same time. Like most of the back-of-school parks that are rarely visited, so is here. Makes Nala a little creepy.

"You have come apparently."

Nala's heart seemed to want to jump from its place. It was fortunate that Rio suddenly appeared in front of her, not behind her. If that were to happen, he would definitely scream as loud as possible in shock.

"Yes Brother. What's up, huh?" ask Nala to the point.

Rio then invited her to sit on the park bench, while sitting opposite him he grasped both hands of Nala and placed them on his lap.

"Na, do you know I love you? I told you I wouldn't leave you either." A sad look clearly appeared on Rio's face.

That obviously made Nala confused. "What's up, brother? Did something bad happen?"

"Yes. I'm going to college Na, and we don't seem to be seeing each other anymore." Rio's speech certainly struck Nala's heart so deeply.

"But why? Didn't you say you were going to college and still get to see me?" A thread of tears began to fall from his eye sockets.

The tears that washed Nala's face. This made Nala even more hysterical. Rio who was also sad then pulled Nala's body in his arms. Luckily the back garden was very quiet, so there would be no one to disturb them.

"You don't cry! I'm sorry!" The apology continued to be spoken from Rio's mouth.

"Ma." Then she let go of his embrace and made Nala stop crying and look him in the eye. "Indeed we'll split up, but my feelings for you remain the same. Nothing will replace your name in my heart. After I finish college, I promise I'll see you again."

"really?"

"Yes. I-i promise. So, are you gonna promise to wait for me or not?"

"Yes. I want to" Nala said confidently. I don't know if this will affect his future life.

*****

The crane! The crane! The crane!

The sound of the alarm clock that continues to sound and vibrate on the nightstand does not make the owner of the room wake up from his beautiful dreams. Not even the sunlight peering behind the gap of the curtains could make a person who rolled under the blanket feel the morning air.

Until the sound of footsteps approached and immediately opened the entire curtain until the sunlight fully entered the room with shades of pink. The ignored alarm clock then turns it off.

"Woy! Wake up! Wake up!!!!!" Rendi's loud screams suddenly startled Nala from her sleep. Even his surprised face was still loyal even though he had already opened his eyes.

"Join! Really good rese!"

"If I don't rest you won't wake up. Don't see what time it is?"

Nala's eyeball immediately twisted and looked towards the clock. It was seven in the morning. But he was still not fully aware of the intention of Rendi's arrival in his room. Then he looked at Rendi's unusual appearance.

"You want to apply for Ren's job? Tumben neat very." Neat what Nala meant was the look of Rendi who wore a white shirt, black material pants, and also had socks. Like people would apply for a job, Nala thought.

"Basic senile! Don't you wonder if today entered the beginning of college?"

One sec.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

And in the next second Nala immediately shouted and automatically came out of her blanket to get ready. Quickly he put in the things he had prepared last night to put in his beloved pink bag. Rendi who saw that could only shake her head and sneer at her.

"Eat him, so the girl wakes up at dawn. Clean up the room, help mom, not fun!"

"Diem deh Ren! This is the sleep prayer!"

"Reason."

"Yes, if you don't believe. There out! I'm gonna take a shower!" drive Nala out after preparing her needs and pick up a suit similar to Rendi's.

"Do you want help?" Next to Rendi's eyes was squealing mischievously.

"Help your head! It's out there!" Unpatiently, Nala immediately pushed Rendi's body out of her room and locked her up.

It had been almost half an hour of Rendi waiting in the living room. Luckily there were snacks and cookies provided by her mother Nala, so she did not die of boredom. Repeatedly checking the clock that circled in his hand, hoping that the woman who was waiting was finished from the grooming event.

The clattering of feet from the top floor made Rendi inevitably raise her head, a sigh of relief immediately sounded as Nala's step down into the dining room. He took the toast his mother had prepared, ate it for a while and drank a glass of white milk to replenish his energy today. Not to forget also he said goodbye to his mother who was sweeping the kitchen floor.

"Yuk Ren is leaving!" With the spirit of four five Nala held Rendi's hand out of the house.

"Start." The steps of the two of them stopped as Rendi said that. "Are you sure you want to wear that bag? It's the same color as our clothes."

Of course Rendi asked that. The color of the clothing with a monochrome theme was Nala added with her pink backpack. It would obviously be very interesting for the other Maba if that was the way.

"Related! The rest of my bags are all pink too. Nothing is dark."

"But right-but,"

"Udah, let the hunt go! Get the hunt late!" With resignation, Rendi follows the pull of Nala's arm that leads them to the front yard, where Rendi's motor is located.

That day was the first day Nala felt the new world of college. Time continued a few years later. New experiences, new friends, the twists and turns of campus life he's been through all. All that makes Nala's personality gradually began to change. Not too childish, willing to give up, and start weighing which is important and not too important.

Although time has changed a lot, there is still one that remains and adds tightly. His friendship with Randy. Even though they are different faculties, still argue when meeting, still often fight like a child, but it does not stretch the bond of the two.

As of now, Nala is busy pestering Rendi who is busy eating rujak lontong at the front stall of the campus. He continued to chatter incessantly, telling her what had happened to him lately.

"So what do you think? We fit in?" Rendi still has not responded, staying faithful to the little lingkak lontong.

"Sh Ren!"

"Start!" Rendi immediately finished her lunch menu, the cat hunt beside her turned into a lioness.

"No. Alif is too good for you who are bar-bar!" Rendi said so casually while sipping her order mango juice. Yes, Nala told me about her closeness to Alif. Though maybe it was according to him that their relationship was close, somehow Alif considered it.

"Now that is it? It's so bad you're a friend!" Nala's face instantly turned one hundred and eighty degrees. He drowned his face between the two hands he crossed on the table.

Seeing that made Rendi so anxious herself. He even scrambled Nala's bangs which were greeted by a cynical look from his best friend. "Handest times! You guys fit in. Complement each other. The other is kalem, the other is installment. The right combination."

"Gee! Bummer! Muji fell into the deepest trough!" ketus Nala's.

"Hyperbole!"

"Belgium!"

"Indeed, on what basis are you so sure that Alif likes you too?" This question of Rendi even pissed Nala half to death. Means from earlier he story was not listened to by the man sitting next to him.

"Haish! Where did I tell you from? Sebel!"

"Yes sorry! It was the same focus as food, so not too horrified the story," honestly Rendi.

"Hm. Yes, on the basis of yesterday, he made a decision to break down my motorbike." Nala repeats her story with a short, concise, and clear-cut version of the sentence.

"It could be that he was just doing his duty as a social being. Helping others. So don't be too PD first."

"But I feel different Ren."

"Yes gapapa if you think so. But obviously, here I want to take care of it. Love can, but don't overdo it. Same hope. If you already know that Alif already has, you will go crazy because you have too high expectations."

"Hmm, yeah. Thanks for the advice."

The conversation made Nala think a little about Alif. True also what Rendi said, do not be too hopeful with him who is not sure. So Nala will try to live her day as it should. But the KKN activities they do together are very contrary to Nala's will.

Nala thought, she should not fall for Alif too much. But in reality, his feelings like being pulled by someone whose full name is Alif Muhammad. Alif keeps his attention on her, but he also seems close to Salma, his new best friend. Wanting Nala not to hope, but the small attention that Alif gave as if giving hope for her. Nala is confused.

Until he is at the point where their KKN activities will be over. He was afraid that his relationship with Alif would end as well. Considering they were found in this activity. The more days together, the more stories that are woven, the harder it is to forget.

Alif suddenly came to him. Reveal something Nala never thought possible. Boldly Alif expressed his feelings and gave a promise to Nala. It makes the girl confused herself. Why did Alif offer a promise to be together when he was close to another woman? Yes, Salma. Who else is it?

But basically Nala who likes to conclude her own prejudice, does not want to ask to clarify the reality. Too scared of an answer that will likely give her more pain. At the same time, the feeling of happiness was also embarrassed to mix into one. In addition to being happy because Alif apparently also harbored the same feelings, he was also embarrassed because he had assumed himself about the relationship of Alif and Salma which was apparently only a friend. Just like her with Randy.

The "yes" answer from his mouth made a glimmer of hope for the relationship of the two. Until the appointed time, they waited two years until they ended together on a guarantee. Fingers are interlocked, a sweet smile is always revealed, channeling the longing that has been hidden.

"Darling!"

"Eh?" The call from someone beside him made Nala aware of his memory that ventured far away a few years ago. Along with his hand holding the album containing photos of himself from childhood until now, photographing various togetherness that he will always remember.

"What are you daydreaming about? I just called no nyahut." Alif who felt neglected showed a pretended sulking expression.

"Sorry! What's wrong?"

"That's Zafran I made it to bed."

"Continue?" Both of Nala's brows furrowed, indicating that she did not understand Alif's intentions.

"So there's no gift?"

The cup!

Nala kissed her husband's lips. A little routine that he does both before and after sleep. Although simple, in fact, small things like this are getting closer to the relationship between the two.

"Kok that's all?"

"It's usually like that too."

Now Alif close his position to Nala, also sitting completely on the bed. The photo album he previously held was now on the nightstand. She watched her husband's goal. Acting pretentious not knowing what Alif wants at the moment.

"Glam, gini. Zafran is now big, so I think it's appropriate to have a sister. So then... How's it? Want it, baby?"

Alif's face-glaring manner made Nala desperately hold back her laughter. Despite having been married for several years, to have sex like this Alif is still very careful and asks well for him. Never forced it.

"But today I have Mas" whispered Nala right next to Alif's ear. Make her look her husband's face turned into pias in a few seconds.

"But lying!" A second later Nala's laughter broke out instantly. Making Alif who was originally lethargic become excited. Without the ba-bi-bu he immediately hugged Nala's body and tickled her to the satisfaction. Wrong who dare to be ignorant with himself.

The two of them dissolved in laughter that broke the silence of the night. Make anyone who hears it must think that the two are a happy couple. It's true, Nala is very happy. Being a wife and a mother is Nala's dream when she first looked into the eyes of an Alif Muhammad. And now his dream has been fulfilled after a long, precious wait.