What a Beautiful Divorce
27. Although Rain

This morning, early in the morning, Mr. Dwipangga stood on the terrace smoking cigarettes, while looking at the expanse of yellowing rice fields across the village road in front of his house. A smile full of gratitude was engraved on the old man's face.

"Mother's Tumben isn't ready for the garden?" tanya Bu Kinasih who had just come out from inside the house brought a cup of tea, a cup of coffee, and some boiled cassava.

Mr. Dwipangga turned to his wife and smiled. "Yesterday I finished the one for today, Mom. Today I want to visit the gardens of Nimo and Nak Prapto. They said they wanted to plant a cover crop" he replied.

"Ooh, yes, sir. Hope they are good. At least to eat from day to day they are enough," said Bu Kinasih, "Sir, Nimo's age is already twenty-three years. Has he not thought about getting married? She have a story to Father?"

Mr. Dwipangga laughed. "He told me everything, Mom, just like you, but not about that one. That kid was so shy about telling us about love."

"I heard from Bu Harni, who knows where, he said Nimo had several conversations with Arini," said Bu Kinasih.

Mr. Dwipangga nodded. "May be right, ma'am. I also want our only child to get married."

"I like Arini, sir, she's a sweet girl," said Bu Kinasih then sipped her tea.

"Ah, but it will still be sweeter than you, Mom," said Mr. Dwipangga.

"Mr! My tea has suddenly become sweeter than honey hearing your words."

They both laughed at the morning birds, which began to sound as the sun rose.

***

"Don't land as dense as that, Nimo, watch this!" said Mr. Dwipangga.

"It's okay, Mr Dwipangga, far away?" ask Prapto.

"It's okay, son Prapto, they'll spread out to fill your garden."

Prapto nodded as he continued to plant Arachis Pintoi (legumes/pinto grass, whose flowers are yellow).

"Cows and goats also love to eat this pinto grass, Nak Prapto. You'll multiply that with Nimo! If my goats have been born, you take a pair of children," said Mr. Dwipangga.

"Thank you, Mr. Dwipangga," said Prapto. While Nimo gave a thumbs up to her father.

After the three of them finished planting pinto grass, Mr. Dwipangga went home. Prapto and Nimo had offered him coffee, but Mr. Dwipangga refused. Mr. Dwipangga said he wanted to coffee at home.

"Nimo, borrow your bike, yeah. I'm gonna go get Pinaka."

"The key is in the bike, really, boss. Where are you going, boss?" ask Nimo.

"I'd like to take him to see our garden, Nimo."

Nimo smile. "Good, boss, you took her to see the garden. She will be the wife of farmers and ranchers. Chubby, Boss! Two library hours will open," he said.

"Yes Nimo. There's a cigarette in the kitchen for you. My promise was then," said Prapto laughing.

Nimo laughed back. "Okay, boss, thank you."

***

Pinaka who was watching TV went to the library door when he heard Prapto's voice calling.

After opening the door, Pinaka saw Prapto stunned to notice him. Prapto then smiled.

"Last time I saw you not wearing lipstick, Pinaka," Prapto said.

Pinaka pursed his lips. "I wasn't given any resignation money because Tristan didn't like me quitting my job, Mas. And that resignation coincided with the end of my cosmetics, just moisturizers and perfumes. And that's all I'm gonna buy and I'm gonna wear it, 'cause I gotta limit spending."

Prapto laughs. He said, "But without lipstick and powder like this you look more natural, Pinaka, sweeter."

Pinaka cheeks flushed. Makes it look even sweeter. "That's it, Mas. Hopefully yes," he replied, "maybe Mas Prapto doesn't just praise me for working here."

Prapto laughed again. "Remember, Pinaka! I'll take you to see my garden. I'm waiting near the fence."

Pinaka nodded. He was interested to see the naturally managed Prapto gardens. "Just a moment, yes, Mas" he said, then went away.

Prapto ignites cigarettes. He sat on a wall near the library fence.

"Come, Mas!" bring Pinaka.

***

Pinaka walks around the gardens of Prapto and Nimo. He noticed all the plants he thought were growing differently compared to agriculture in general. Occasionally Pinaka asked Prapto about the difference between natural agriculture and general agriculture and organic farming.

Pinaka then stopped in front of the rabbit house. He smiled at a pair of rabbits chasing.

"this is a pair, Mas Prapto?" ask Pinaka.

Prapto, who was examining the pinto grass, which he planted this morning, turned to Pinaka. "Yes, Pinaka. The male gray color, the female white color. You like rabbits?"

"Likes, Mas. I have seven rabbits in my house. Now my sister is taking care of them," Pinaka replied while trying to tame the rabbit in front of her.

"Later if my rabbit has many children, I'll give you a pair" said Prapto.

Pinaka stood up while holding a white rabbit. He then looked at Prapto. "Are you serious, Mas Prapto?" tanyakanya.

"Mas Prapto is always serious if you promise me, Pinaka," Nimo laughed. He then lowered his head to avoid a small chunk of land thrown by Prapto.

Pinaka laughs. "Mas Prapto and Mas Nimo want to drink what? Let me make it in the kitchen" he asked.

Nimo looked shocked and then turned to Pinaka. While Prapto smiled as Mr. Oscar's words proved again.

"We are coffee, Pinaka," answered Prapto, "you also make coffee or tea! Distinguish my coffee with Nimo coffee, yes!"

"Why is that, my mom? And how do you tell the difference?"

"My coffee's a little bit of sugar, Pinaka. Distinguished so that the coffee for me is obviously special" answered Prapto laughing.

Nimo laughed too. Pinaka did not answer. He immediately turned to step into the kitchen with a smile.

After finishing his coffee, Nimo went home first. While Prapto and Pinaka chat about the Flying Horse Corporation, which buys the natural crops of Kejora village at a low price and sells it at a price many times over.

Pinaka surprise. He himself who had a position in the Flying Horse Corporation did not know about it. Prapto also told about the idea of inviting the company to work with the village of Kejora, which amazed Pinaka.

After almost two o'clock, Prapto delivered Pinaka to the library.

***

Just two days living in Kejora village, and a day working in the library, Pinaka can already feel serene in the village. He also talked a lot with Kejora village mothers who visited the library. Pinaka began reading the book after Ms Intan recommended one of the books on how to be a real woman to her.

Pinaka is also happy to explain the contents of the book to Lapen Oscario and children his age, who are in line to ask Pinaka the purpose of the part of the book they do not understand.

Just two days living in Kejora village, Pinaka can understand why Prapto really likes the village.

***

The air started to turn cold. Prapto, who was sitting on the porch of his house, noticed a cloud in the sky. "True Nimo said, the rain will fall" he said softly.

The clouds grew dark and then darkened. Shortly after that, rain came pouring down the earth. Prapto took a sip of his coffee and lit a cigarette.

Prapto's head turned to his porch when he heard his phone ring.

"Hello, Mr. Gumiro," said Prapto.

"Hello, Nak Prapto. When are you going to Jakarta again, son?" ask Mr. Gumiro from across the phone.

"Tomorrow I can, sir. Is there any important news, Mr Gumiro?"

Mr. Gumiro then told the big picture that he wanted to talk to Prapto.

Prapto scrunched his forehead. "Good, Sir. Tomorrow I'll go to my father's house" he replied.

After Mr. Gumiro hung up the phone, Prapto immediately sent a short message to Nimo to invite his best friend to meet at Mr. Oscar's house after dusk, in shady weather or rain.