What a Beautiful Divorce
35. American Truck

Mr. Uto lit his cigarette. He took a sip of coffee and looked straight at Nimo with a gentle but firm look. Nimo. He was confused about what to say and do. His intention to drink coffee was canceled.

Nimo is awkward. After all, Mr. Uto is the father of the girl he likes.

Prapto pretended to look back to release a voiceless laughter. He had been holding back laughter since then, since Nimo misbehaved, and since he knew that Pak Uto deliberately made Nimo more awkward by continuing to see him without saying anything.

The overcast air became increasingly cold for Nimo. Especially after he dabbled to guess what would be said by Pak Uto. Many conjectures are struggling in Nimo's mind, one of which is the assumption that Pak Uto will express his objections about the closeness of Nimo with Arini.

Although the assumption of objection Pak Uto was a ridiculous guess, because judging from how wise Pak Uto he could not say in front of Prapto, but still for Nimo it was possible. For Nimo who is in love, such a conjecture can be quite possible. That's love.

"I deliberately asked Ina to take Arini inside, Nak Nimo," Mr. Uto said. Then he smoked his cigarette. "There's something I want to tell Nak Nimo about your closeness with Arini. It's okay if I say it in front of Nak Prapto?"

Nimo wanted to turn her face back and screamed because she was so awkward, but Nimo held her back. Mr. Oscar's advice on how to behave to the parents of the girl he liked, made Nimo finally nod. "It's okay, Mr. Uto. Boss Prapto is my best friend" he replied.

Prapto fixed his seat. He also came to suspect what would be conveyed by Pak Uto.

"I know that Nak Nimo has a taste for my daughter. And I see, Arini was happy if Nak Nimo visited here. So, if Nak Nimo is serious about Arini, tell Mr. Dwipangga and Bu Kinasih that you like Arini.

"So, is Nak Nimo serious about my daughter? If so, I can immediately put a sign on the roof of the terrace."

Nimo stunned. He did not expect to be asked this frankly. But Nimo knew, he could not long answer, so that he did not seem to doubt about his own seriousness to Arini. "I'm serious about Arini, Mr. Uto. I'm gonna tell Dad and Mom after this."

Mr. Uto smiled then nodded. "I'm not asking you to get married quickly, kok, Nak Nimo. I know you still have a mission with Nak Prapto for Kejora village. I was just asking my son Nak Nimo's seriousness.

"I didn't ask you how much money. I just need your seriousness and your quality as a potential household leader, Nak Nimo. The important thing is that you are not lazy to make a living to make your kitchen later remain barren. About money ... You must already know how the mind and attitude of Kejora villagers in looking at money."

Nimo is happy. His face was happy. "Thank you, Mr. Uto," he said.

Mr. Uto nodded back.

***

"Boss, where should I start when I tell Dad and Mom later?” ask Nimo.

Prapto and Nimo are sitting on the terrace of Nimo while waiting for Mr. Diwpangga and Bu Kinasih to come home from the garden.

"Yes, just say it, Nimo. What's difficult?"

"I'm ashamed, Boss. Boss, help, yes," pinta Nimo. "I'll buy you a cigarette."

Prapto laughs. "You have to say it, Nimo."

"You open the chat, boss, the rest of me will talk" Nimo said.

"Okay. Let me open the conversation with your parents. After getting the blessing of Mr. Uto, are you planning to get married soon, Nimo?" ask Prapto.

"When I haven't thought about it yet, boss. At least until the business cooperation between Kejora village and Mr. Gumiro has started, I will not get married" replied Nimo. "It's okay if you're the only one who Lapen laughs at with the word 'jomblo', Boss?"

"The sign is usually a flower symbol made from wood carving or from a ribbon, Boss. If there is such a symbol on the roof of the terrace of the house, it means that the girl in the house already has a prospective husband, so that no one comes to propose to her" explained Nimo.

Prapto. "That's cool," he said. “That's your father and mother home, Nimo." Prapto pointed towards Mr. Dwipanggan and Bu Kinasih who were walking while chatting.

"It's been a long time coming, son Prapto?" asked Mr. Dwipangga, smiling.

"Yet, Mr. Dwipangga. Sir, can you and Mom sit down first? There's something Nimo wants to say," Prapto said, without a shadow of an aling-aling. Nimo turned her head and widened her eyes at Prapto.

Bu Kinasih got a hunch. He sat down first and looked at Nimo with a smile. "What do you want to say, son?"

After his father took a seat, Nimo recounted his conversation with Pak Uto earlier. He told me while occasionally looking down in shame.

Bu Kinasih looked at Mr. Dwipangga. They laugh. "Just a few days ago we were talking about you with Arini, Nimo," said Mr. Dwipangga. "So, are you serious about Arini?"

Nimo nodded.

"The answer is clear, Nimo. Masa'you nod so," said Bu Kinasih.

Prapto laughs. Nimo then said, "I'm serious, Dad, Mom. I asked Father and Mother for my blessing."

"Well, I see" said Mr. Dwipangga. "When are you going to propose to Arini? Let me adjust the day to the rice harvest. I'll plant more rice for your wedding."

Nimo thought for a moment. "After the business cooperation with Mr. Gumiro has started to go, Dad."

"Alright," said Mr. Dwipangga. He then looked at Prapto. "When are you, Nak Prapto?"

"Not yet, sir," answered Prapto, laughing. Everyone on the terrace laughed.

***

That afternoon, in Jakarta, Timo and Pak Gumiro were at a truck dealership. They will buy a truck to bring the crops from Kejora village to Jakarta. At the dealership, new trucks and second trucks are sold.

On the left are new trucks, mostly European models. While on the right row is a row of American-modeled second trucks.

"Where do you think is good, Timo?" ask Mr. Gumiro.

"I love American trucks, Dad. That one is black" Nimo said. He pointed to an American model truck in black, located at the very end of the row.

"You sure?"

Nimo nodded. "Related, Dad."

"All right." Mr. Gumiro then stepped onto the payment table.

But Timo soon prevents his father, after he sees a figure sitting at the payment table. "It's just me, Dad. I'll sign it, later," he said. Timo then stepped ahead of his father.