TWENTY
SIDE STORY ~ NOPAL

Cratt!!!

The test!

The test!

The test!

Fresh blood poured from his neck. Moisten the white ceramic floor that has been slightly crusty. His eyes were closed, his body suffocated. But not one bit affects the heart of the butcher with his cold hand that holds a sharp knife. His heart was satisfied after successfully making his victim die helplessly.

"Pal! The cepet the chicken was directly entered the tub!"

"Yes Buk!" Nopal also brought a chicken that he managed to slaughter and put in a tub that was filled with hot water. Aim so that the feathers on the body of the chicken will be quickly uprooted.

Being a child of a chicken butcher makes Nopal no stranger to slaughtering business like this. At first he felt fear and disgust, but over time he got used to it. And from that he was used to helping his parents. Starting from slaughtering, removing chicken feathers, to cutting the meat Nopal was an expert.

Then he helped his mother and other employees to pluck chickens that had been submerged in hot water. While working, Nopal planned to tell his mother something.

"Your!" Call her.

"Why Pal?

"When Nopal goes to college, what? Can't you?" ask carefully.

"What the hell is college doing? The cost of college is expensive, when so scholars are not necessarily able to get a decent job. Many college graduates who just become a lizard, even those who are unemployed are also many." It was not his mother who answered, but his mother's employees who were her own neighbors as well.

Nopal breathed a tired sigh. Here's the thought that needs to be straightened out. Such a negative stigma seemed to have already flourished. Especially in small villages such as the area where he lived. In addition, no one is in college. On average, after graduating from High School, you will get married if you do not work to help your parents. The rest chose to migrate to major cities such as Surabaya and Jakarta.

"Tuition is not just for finding Budhe's job. Nopal wants to find the highest knowledge possible. And the problem of scholars who are unemployed, many are also successful scholars. Just be sure, keep trying and pray," answered Nopal broke his budheya opinion.

"You sure Pal? Your sisters are also still in school, it still costs a lot too."

"Oh, now it's not necessary to think about expensive costs. There are many scholarships offered. Insha Allah Nopal will do his best to get the scholarship. Here Nopal only asks for the blessing of his father with his mother."

Nopal's mother seemed to think for a while while continuing to pluck chicken feathers. After pondering for a long time, he nodded. Seeing that Nopal immediately smiled happily. A glimmer of hope he had already obtained.

"Yes, then I agree. But don't know anymore about your father."

"Later Nopal tried to talk to me. And if you don't agree, I help persuade you father huh? Yes buk huh? Yea? Yea?"

"Yes." Yeah."

After several days of persuading his father to agree, also pumping his mother to help, Nopal finally got the blessing to go to college. Her happiness is unstoppable again. And he was determined to be earnest in order to be able to boast of both his parents. In less than a few months, the entrance test for public universities was opened. So Nopal prepared himself as best he could. Keep learning, follow many tryouts to hone his skills, and do not forget to also pray to God Almighty to ease his path.

He chose to enroll in one of the universities in Malang City.  In addition to being close to the place, Kediri, Malang is also famous for the education city that is not inferior to Yogyakarta. He was confident in the quality of his education. And Nopal really hopes to be accepted at the university he goes to.

Until the time came Nopal took the selection test together. Everything he learned will be tested. Although he felt there were some problems that he could not work on, but he was sure he would get a satisfactory result. Sure enough, his belief had indeed come true. His test scores were good and he was accepted at his destination university. He proudly showed an email from the university stating he was accepted as a student to his parents.

"Alhamdulillah! I'm happy, '" commented his mother.

"Good! A true college! Don't be shy alma mater! Make your mother proud!" Do not forget you gave advice to Nopal in the future.

"definitely. Nopal will boast of father and mother."

Shortly in the midst of the warm conversation of this small family, there was the sound of someone knocking on the door while saying hello. From his voice alone the Nopal family already knew who it was.

"Well, open the door! Same mom going to the cage." Mom and Dad left the living room.

Cclek

The door of the house is open. Featuring a girl with beautiful wavy black hair. Rabbit teeth also dimples immediately look beautiful when the girl smiles.

"Come in!" Nopal invited his guests who were none other than his own friends.

"Not to Pal. On the porch," reject the girl known as Ningsih. Nopal's friend secretly harbors a fondness for him.

After sitting on the porch of the house, Nopal immediately asked his intentions and poured Ningsih into his house. Because it is not usually Ningsih to his house without bringing a book to ask about.

"What's up?"

"Just want to say congratulations. Congratulations on being accepted to the university of your choice!" Ningsih shook Nopal's hand.

"Yes, thanks for what he said."

"Oh yeah Pal, when are you leaving?" tanyakanya.

"Front month Sih. Just re-listing."

"Wow! So this is a city guy?"

"Well, could you."

"real loh. Don't forget your own village. Later to meet the villagers here there immediately turn the direction again," he licked Ningsih and responded to laughter by Nopal.

"Yes! Why do I also turn the direction. There's even me samperin' the guy."

"believe me. And one more, if you meet a lot of beautiful girls there, do not forget that I am your friend! Let you just go home and forget again because I often see the clear-l Nopal forget it and turn to the beautiful girl of Malang city there.

"I will not forget you. Temenan people from Kindergarten too, time can forget?"

I hope so. Inner Ningsih.

"So, he's afraid of it."

"No. Oh yeah, how do you plan to end this?"

Ningsih sniffed her shoulders. He doesn't know what he's going to do at the moment. Want to continue college he was afraid of not being able to nor his parents who did not approve. I also get confused about where to work. He is not allowed to follow in the footsteps of his mother who became TKI in Hong Kong there. So in the meantime he's still unemployed.

"Not knowing either Pal. Maybe next month I'll look for a job."

"Good luck then." And Ningsih assures the prayer of Nopal.

"But you don't marry!"

"He?" Ningsih. His heart suddenly beat irregularly, like it was about to jump from its place alone. In his heart he had hoped that Nopal would express his feelings and ask him to wait. Similar romantic scenes on FTV that he often watched.

"Why is that?"

"Yes, don't just! I still can't find my own money to give you the envelope fitting into your condition, hehehe."

Jamb.

The claw from Nopal sounded not so pleasant in Ningsih's ears. His hope was soaring that the sky immediately fell to the bottom of the ocean trough. Wrong he was hoping for too much on Nopal whose incident never considered him more than a friend.

"Hey! Uhhh?"

"Eh yeah?"

"Why daydream?"

"No really! There's nothing." Then Ningsih turned around and picked up the jar she had brought earlier.

"Here, I'm just as willing to give nastar. Your favorite, right?"

"Well!! Thanks for bothering this."

"No bother," said Ningsih while forcing his smile even though his heart still slightly sore.

"By the way, are you doing it yourself?"

Ningsih. "No. I was helped by my mother too."

"Alhamdulillah!" nopal said later.

"Why?"

"That means it must taste good" joked Nopal who got the punch reward from Ningsih.

"Ashm! Then if I make it myself that's not good?"

"I'm not talking. You said it yourself."

"Aish! Nopal is that!" Nopal laughed contentedly at being able to prank Ningsih. And Ningsih felt a little comforted from her heartache. But not to laugh, he was also upset about Nopal.

Then Ningsih stood up, wanting to say goodbye to Nopal. "Well, I'll go home first."

"Need to be delivered?"

"Well? The brightly lit gini rich man wants to be ushered."

"Yes, it's just offering."

"No. Thanks!"

"Well angry?"

"No."

"That jutek?"

"Belgroff."

"So, I'm kidding!"

"Continue?" Ningsih furrowed her brows.

"Yes sorry!"

"No, I'm sorry!" Nopal. Though he was just joking, did not mean to offend Ningsih.

"But bo'ong! The wlee!" Ningsih stuck out her tongue mocking Nopal. And then immediately ran home. "Bye-bye ugly Nopal!" he shouted when it was a bit far away.

"Basic. Ningsih-ningsih," muttered Nopal while shaking his head.

*****

Four years passed and now Nopal has successfully completed his studies. Bringing his parents to graduation day, seeing him wearing a toga, and smiling proudly on stage at the cumlaude title he achieved, it was all Nopal's dream that could finally be realized. Didn't expect that he really entered the ranks of students with the best grades. But he believed that his learning and the prayers of his parents were the right reasons for his confusion.

After saying goodbye and taking pictures with his friends, Nopal with his family immediately returned to Kediri. The happiness seemed to last a while. He had to be willing to listen to the difficult requests from his parents.

"Same father your mother is old. If not you, who else would want to continue this father's business if not you? What is it about your sister who is still Junior High?" Nopal shook his head weakly at the question from his father.

He wants to work for an IT company. But there was power, and so did his father. He's the first kid, man anyway. Of course, his parents hoped and relied on him. They are old too. Although the ones who work are his employees, but his parents certainly still manage everything. At least he wants to make his parents happy by continuing this hereditary business. These calculations are also a form of gratitude for the blessing his parents gave when he wanted to go to college first.

And now it's time for Nopal to take over. Letting his parents enjoy old age happily. Without any burden of mind or other. He also hoped that this effort could continue to grow under his arrangements. Can't his parents be more proud of him?

"Yes sir, Ma'am. Insha Allah Nopal willing to replace the father for this business nerusin."

"Alhamdulillah!" say mom and dad at the same time.

Long time no return home makes Nopal miss around his village. Maybe tomorrow morning he will cycle around the village. See if anything has changed after a year ago he hasn't come home.

*****

The green rice field stretches as far as the eye can see, the fresh morning air hits his face, the small birds that start to leave the nest try the contest, also the mountains that stand firmly towering so authoritative. It was all the natural scenery that Nopal missed in his village.

Along the way he did not forget to greet the people who passed him, some would go to the rice fields, open shops, also there were just cycling like him. Maybe because it is too busy to see the scenery on the right and left makes him unconscious if in front of him there is a woman who will cross the road. And when facing forward he was surprised to find someone in his path. Both were surprised.

"Revelation! Watch out!!!" Too short a distance to distance themselves.

Bruk!!

Collision is inevitable. Nopal immediately fell into the rice field on his left, while the woman fell on the rice field.

"Where the hell?!!! If you're careful, dong!" protest in women.

"The mother was also wrong earlier, just carelessly crossing!" Nopal is still not fully aware of who he hit because his face is still full of mud paddy fields. Soon he was looking for water on the edge of the rice field to wash his face.

"Huh! It's wrong to blame someone else!" The woman was no less fierce to reply.

Then the two looked at each other. Nopal's face although not perfectly clean but it can be recognized and can also see who the interlocutor is. After realizing who the interlocutor was, the two of them immediately pointed at each other.

"You?!" say both at the same time.

"Nopal right?" ask the woman.

Nopal. " Is this Ningsih?"

"Yes." Yeah."

They both laughed at each other. Either laugh at each other or laugh at what only they know. After the laughter subsided, they then stood up and cleaned themselves up. Nopal immediately rinsed his face clean, and Ningsih cleaned his dirty back skirt. Then Nopal went up and climbed into the streets, not to forget Ningsih also helped.

Arriving on the road Ningsih immediately took the cakes of his merchandise that had fallen all and was no longer shaped. Nopal who saw that felt very guilty also pity. Surely Ningsih was sad to see the cake now that was not worth eating.

"Sorry, yes!" nopal said sincerely.

"It's okay Pal. That's not my fortune."

"Well, don't dong Sih. Let me change the cake? How much is everything?" Nopal who was about to take out his wallet from his pocket was immediately dismissed by Ningsih.

"Udah is Pal, it's nothing.".

"No. I made you lose. So now it's my duty to compensate."

"Ohh, so you want some compensation?"

"Yes it is!"

"If so replace the loss using energy alone," continued Ningsih who even made Nopal confused.

"meaning?"

"That means you replace the loss with energy. That's you helping me make the cake again. How's it?"

"Rarely that?"

"So the maid in my house wants to?" tawar Ningsih who is anxious himself with Nopal.

"Dwelling. Oh wow!"

"Well that. So-sookan ask for more," said Ningsih.

"Yes-yes."

"OK on."

They both turned around to return to Ningsih's house. While shaking hands, the two of them were busy chatting about something. Understandably, they had not met for a long time. So imagine how much Ningsih misses Nopal.

"When are you going to Pal's graduation?"

"Yesterday."

"Keep back to his house?"

"Yesterday too."

"Ooh that's it." Ningsih nodded her head.

"If you're working now where are you?"

"At home. Just make cakes and then I sell them to stalls."

"Omset?"

"Lumayan lah if only for my needs same father."

"Loh, your mother?"

"Udah is dead."

"Huh? When?! How do I not know?!" Obviously Nopal was shocked, even though one year ago when he came home to the village still saw his mother Ningsih. Just be healthy according to him.

"Udah a few months ago. Yesterday I just remembered forty days mother."

"Innalilahi wa inna ilaihi raji. I'm sorry if I didn't come at that time."

"Yes, it's okay. I know that you are super busy" Ningsih said with a laugh behind her.

After that, things became quiet. The two were busy enjoying the greeting morning breeze. After a long silence, Nopal suddenly wanted to ask something.

"Emm, uh."

"What?"

"Are you married?"

"When what is it?" The bike that Nopal was riding suddenly went flying after hearing the answer which was a question from Ningsih. Making Ningsih behind screaming for fear of falling again.

"Why are you Pal?!"

"really anyway? Are you married?!"

"Yeeuu! It's not finished yet!"

"Well, continues?"

"So I'd like to say, if that's what? If not why?"

"Hadeh! I thought it was really."

"Why indeed? Don't tell me there's still no money to fill an envelope for me?" Ningsih laughed remembering it. Laughing more precisely.

"Yeeeeee! Not that!"

"Keep why?" Nopal. I don't know why he wanted to ask her so much.

*****

"Yeah! Pt!!! I want to be fooled!" Nopal immediately kept the phone away from his ear. The scream without cue from Puput made his ears successfully buzzed.

"That's! Don't yell why?"

"Can't Pal! This emotion is!"

"Why part of it? Suddenly the call he said he wanted to vent and even shouted not clearly!"

"Yes. This is me screaming no more. Hicks!"

"Well, Put? You cry?"

"No! Laugh again! I already know the cry is still just the nanya," said Puput with a piece across there.

"Yes-yes. Why cry anyway? Is the prospective guy ugly? Not rich? Unemployed?"

"Aishhhh! Yes, not! Tega really my parents if the soul mate of his son is the same rich man."

"Certainly? How rich is my candidate?"

"He is tall, handsome, Alif's rich face so there are still Arab descendants, and he is also an ustadz" said Puput.

"Well, nice dong! Dapet ustadz. Every day can ask diruqyah tuh."

"Ashm! I thought I was possessed by a genie?"

"Lha every day his behavior eleven twelve rich demons is what dong if not possessed?"

"Hhhhh! Look out Pal! If I see you tomorrow, I'll let me know your broad forehead!"

"Uuhhh fear!"

"Udah de Pal! Seriously this!"

"OK, now seriously." Nopal's tone returned to serious mode after a lot of joking.

"I object to this matchmaking because I already have a boyfriend. Still corn-age anyway, two months Pal! It's still two months!"

"How do you want now? Fighting your love without the blessing of parents or following the advice of parents who are clearly diridhoi and condoned?"

"You are so! Just ask me to make Nerima his match."

"Hmm, gini yes Put. Do you want to see your parents happy? This is a parent, a person who cares for and raises you with love, compassion, and sacrifice. Are you sure you want to hurt their hearts?"

"Yes, it's not Pal. But the thing is, arghss! Au ah's! Dizziness!"

"What the hell needs to be broken? Obviously your soul mate comes from a good, established, and good-natured family as well. What lack try? If I think it's better you accept this matchmaking and break up your girlfriend. If it's still two months mah small, it's even harder if it's been years."

"Hmm, how do I keep talking about it? Time, Yang! I'm gonna break up. My parents fucked me, did they?"

"It's up to you anyway."

"Yeeeeee! Ask dong for advice! Make the right words."

"Yes-yes, this is still thinking!"

From outside Nopal's room there was already Ningsih who was about to knock on the door. But hearing Nopal like talking to someone on the phone made him shut himself up. But as he was about to leave, it was clear what Nopal had said to someone he called. His heart suddenly hurt. Destroyed of course.

"Dear, honestly I love you so much. I even thought that you were the soul mate God gave me. But, there is one thing that makes me doubt that you are my match. Sorry, I have to end this relationship. I have been betrothed by my parents. And this is what makes me doubt that you are my soul mate. So, again I'm sorry. And thank you for the love, the affection, and the time you have given me."

Can't take it anymore, Ningsih directly went from the door of Nopal's room. Intentions want to take him for a walk to the afternoon market extinct instantly. Know this he won't come to Nopal's house. Now his heart is broken into pieces. Now he knows that his love is clapping one hand. The person he believed loved had another name in his heart.

"Wow! I didn't think you could be that rich romantic!"

"Yes dong! Nopal. Talented since birth."

"Hmm, that's pretty good."

"Haha! Oh yes Put, by the way our fate is the same."

"meaning?"

"Sama-sama. The difference is I'm fooled by the person I like." Indeed, after a few years he settled back in his house. Every day meet and chat, making it a long time into love. Love someone she never expected. An old friend who was suddenly betrothed to her one month ago by her parents. And he is Ningsih.

"Great son. Yeah, well, then I hang up. There guests. Thanks for the advice."

"okay!"

After the connection was broken Nopal moved from his mattress. Go to the kitchen for a drink. There she saw her mother cooking.

"Loh, Pal. How come home?"

"He? What do I mean? The guy from earlier was Nopal in the room."

"Well, when Ningsih just came to take you to the afternoon market" he said."

"Didnickers? When's buk?"

"Must. Keep telling me to go straight to your room."

"Wooh! Lusty!" Nopal hurried back to the room to call Ningsih. He was afraid that Ningsih heard his conversation with Puput earlier.

The first long-connected call was not picked up.

Then the second call and so on are connected calls but are immediately rejected. Not out of sense, Nopal chose to send a message only.

Sih, why are you?

No reason.

Then why didn't you pick up my phone?

Pal. I'm canceling our match. I told my father, he will tell your parents. Say my apologies to them. And one more thing, you deserve to be happy. Pursue your love if it is he who makes you happy.

Reading a long message from Ningsih made Nopal pull his hair in frustration. Then it is true that Ningsih had heard the chat with Puput. Not wanting Ningsih to misunderstand again, he immediately went to Ningsih's unique house to explain this misunderstanding.

"Ningsih doesn't want to see you. I hope you will understand" said Ningsih's father when he found out Nopal was going to see his daughter.

"Sir, I'm here to explain something to Ningsih. Please sir!"

"Don't get in sir! Ningsih doesn't want to see him!" yelled Ningsih from inside the house.

"You heard, right? I hope you get out of here."

"But Sir-,"

Brak!

The door of the house was closed to him. All right, he's going home now. Letting Ningsih with her own time. Tomorrow he will come back again and explain it to Ningsih. Fate does not seem to be on Nopal's side. Intentions want to meet, when tomorrow at home Ningsih but do not find his heart there. His father casually said that Ningsih had gone out of town. It was successful in making Nopal sob in his room. Apparently men can also cry when sick. Losing a loved one became a hard slap for Nopal.

*****

A year has passed....

"Mom, Nopal said to go first!" Nopal kissed the back of his mother's palm.

"Yes, be careful on the road!"

"Yes Mom. Assalamualaikum!"

"Glamma!"

Today he went to Malang to attend the wedding of his son Puput. Puput who once had ridiculed even now happy with her husband and already have children. While he who was confident from the beginning actually ran aground in the middle of the road. While enjoying the streets of Malang city, accidentally his memory continues to tell his memories with Ningsih first. Although a year passed, not a single bit of his love was reduced. I don't know where his heart is now.

Before coming to his house Puput, do not forget Nopal brought the fruit of the hand. He turned his car into a bakery. It is true that anything when approved by parents will run smoothly. The chicken slaughter business that he holds has now grown even bigger. His success can be proven by making a new home for his parents can also buy a car with his own efforts.

"Welcome! What do you want to order?"

"I want her cupcake, Mbak-" she stopped. His breath seemed to be clenched to realize who he was talking to.

"Deadily?"

"Nopez?" Realizing that Ningsih rushed off to the back, but before that happened Nopal first grabbed his arm.

"Don't go! I heard my explanation first!"

"What explanation? What needs to be explained?"

"I love you Ningsih!"

Deg.

Ningsih's heart beat immediately. He hasn't felt like this in a long time. But wait a minute! He can't be too happy now. Doesn't he know for himself that Nopal loves other people?

"You mean? Don't you love another woman?" Fortunately, the condition of the store is quiet now so they will not be the center of attention.

Nopal also invited Ningsih to sit in one of the chairs. Nopal told me everything from the beginning. Very detailed so that Ningsih believes the story.

"What?! Why not talk about it before! So free dong all this time I cry alone!"

"Yes you used to want me to obviously not want to meet. Pake show run all why?"

"Because I don't want to see you!"

"Correct, what you hear is not necessarily the truth. Lucky now I can find you and explain everything. Imagine if this misunderstanding goes on until we get old?"

"Sorry," great-granddaughter Ningsih while lowering her head. "That moment my mind was not clear. Heartache, jealousy, sprains, all mixed up. So I'm willing to get out of the house."

"Yes, I'm sorry too." Then both are silent. I don't know what they're thinking.

"What about your parents Pal? Are they sorry for me?"

"Definitely. They also understand and understand you."

"Hm."

"Sih," call Nopal.

"You're still in love with me?"

"Still."

"Well then marry yuk!"

"Corn!" It never occurred to Ningsih that she would be proposed in a very unromantic way and away from her shadow. But let it be, it's not the way or the place he's concerned about. The sincerity of love from a Nopal is the main one.