Blue Blouse
FIVE

..."But be careful, Mus, Friend Zone it will long be love. Someday you'll have the same taste of Lyra!"...

Gio's words successfully haunted the head of Moses along the way to the city of Metro. Then the vehicle is quite crowded. The highway feels full. The night sky that began to blacken is now illuminated by the sparkling lights that line the streets, as well as the lights of each vehicle that collide with each other.

Heavy rain flushed the paved land that is now flooded, making many cars spray each other with water every time they move the wheels. The pain of Moses who did not bring a raincoat, he was willing to get wet with his motorbike and helmet which is now glazed due to the dewy water there. He had trouble seeing the streets.

Not every road is raining. When Moses passed the highway, only a drizzle he got. Even so, his body was quite shivering as it endured the cold night wind that slashed his body. Moreover, his jacket had gotten wet.

As a result of the rain, Moses did not go to the Mall, he decided to look for any small clothing store that he could find on the side of the road. He had to change his clothes. A clothing store with the label "L.O.V.E." shows five mannequins wrapped in classic 70s dresses. But among the women's mannequins, Moses found hundreds of folds of t-shirts located in the storefront, he strongly thought that everything was casual clothing.

"Welcome to the L.O.V.E., we provide all kinds of classic clothes at affordable prices" exclaimed a shop employee who was walking around the room, keeping the neat contents of the store. He was the first to welcome Moses there.

Moses did not answer. He glanced at the female employee who smiled at him so kindly and then his eyes turned to the storefront that contained many clothes. Without a second thought, he bought two casual t-shirts suitable for his daily wear. Like what the employee said just now, the clothes in the store have a fairly cheap price and the fabric also feels comfortable to wear. Moses himself immediately wore one of the shirts he just bought, coincidentally the shirt has a screen printing image that he likes, the symbol of the band Metallica. He didn't expect to get that shirt here.

"Have, mom?" asked the other employee who was guarding the checkout table, he found that Moses had changed his clothes with the clothes he had just picked at the store.

This shop is weird, it's called "L.O.V.E." but it has a lot of metal clothes, there's a Sevenfold Avenge shirt again?! Hmmmm... Moses' mind glanced at the corner of the room. Then he looked at the four women in uniform who were waiting for him to make a transaction with a friendly smile but actually looked strange, because their smiles seemed forced.

Moses took a breath. "There's no raincoat here, ma'am?" tanyanya, maybe after he left the store will rain again.

"Sorry, we do not provide raincoats, we only sell classic clothes," said one employee, still faithfully developing a strange smile with flat teeth.

"Oh, yes, if so, this is the money" said Moses while giving two pieces of red money to the employee, paying the price of two shirts he bought. T-shirts bearing Megadeth one and t-shirts bearing kanji one.

"Just now, mas," said the employee in charge of typing notes on the computer.

Moses was friendly. He waited quietly for his change and purchase notes. His hand has now brought a plastic bag containing a t-shirt that he is not wearing.

Still noticing the atmosphere inside the shop, Musa's eyeballs were inexplicably attracted to a female mannequin wearing a simple blue blouse. He continued to look at the mannequin as if it had an aura of its own.

An employee who had noticed Moses' body language began the action. He approached Moses with confidence. "If you want to buy it, please, it is the most expensive blouse in this store, it costs only eight hundred and fifty thousand" he said.

Whahuh? Just a blouse doang that expensive? Inner Moses responded to the words of the employee.

"No, I don't buy" Moses inexplicably felt tense as he said.

"This is the change and the note, thank you for stopping by our store" said another employee, giving Musa change and a note.

"Blus is the main emblem of our store, the price we make expensive because the material is special. We'll give you an eighty percent discount as our first customer this week" said the employee, who tried to promote the blue blouse to Musa.

"For a long time our store was deserted" said another employee, confirming.

Moses looked again at the mannequin with the blue blouse. He also began to check the contents of his wallet which was thinned because he used to buy gasoline, not to mention after this he will also buy a raincoat and snacks of the city of Metro for Lyra from the Mall. He gulped for a moment, suddenly remembering something.

On the day that English Debate classes first begin, which is during semester 3. The lecturer who teaches this course is Mrs. Farah, a female professor who loves fashion. Lyra has a great proficiency in English, she has memorized many vocabulary and idioms. Moreover, his broad insight in any matter, such as political, economic, social and cultural. Many think that Lyra will be one of the class delegates for the AUDC (Annual University Debate Competition) in Minnesota held annually. Unfortunately, Mrs. Farah did not choose her even though she had the highest grades in the class simply because of her low fashion sense. Lyra didn't have enough money she could spend on nice clothes. He can only wear makeshift clothes, if it is still polite for him to wear.

"That's her. Why would I go all the way to Metro if I didn't buy Lyra something special. Something that Lyra could say nothing if she had." murmured Moses softly, speaking to himself.

"I bought it!" moses is steady. He turned back to face the employees of the store.

One of the employees smiled, as if the plan had worked.

"We give it to you for free, your lover must really like it. This is the most sought-after blouse of the '70s" said an employee who moved deftly to pack the blouse into a plastic bag.

"Mmmm, actually it's not for my boyfriend. We're just friends. But I'm sure he'll like it a lot. He deserves it." said Moses.

"Are you sure he'll just be your friend?" timpal was one of the employees who was interested in Moses' rigid style of speech. The employee was silent, and this time he spoke.

Moses was silent, waiting for the blouse to reach his hand. He began to talk to himself about many things related to all the words he got about his friendship with Lyra. He is not sure if someday he and Lyra will be in a relationship more than friends. So far he has never felt anything that comes close to that feeling when he is with her. He just felt comfortable around her. He also did not know if Lyra actually secretly liked him because of his attention attitude all along.

Moses began to worry, unsure. He also does not know for sure why today many people say the same thing to him, whether it's his own friend or even a stranger he just met though.

After returning from the classic clothing store that sold many Metal T-shirts, Musa finally fulfilled his desire to go to the Mall. There are many things he wants to buy. He could not wait to buy Lyra many gifts in return for her kindness to him, as well as birthday gifts.

***

The night is late. Moses finally arrived in front of Lyra's house. The atmosphere there seemed lonely. Whether Lyra forgot or how, the lights on the porch of the house are still out, not yet turned on. Everything was pitch dark, relying only on the moonlight and the neighboring house lights as lights.

Lyra overslept yes. He thought as he walked closer to the door with four full-filled plastic bags in his hands. He brought a lot of snacks for his best friend.

Geck! Geck! Geck!

Moses knocked on the door.

There's no answer.

Geck! Geck! Geck!

Moses knocks him once more, hoping that Lyra will soon wake up from her sleep.

But still no answer.

Moses also tried to peek out of the window that had not been covered by the curtain. He was astonished to see Lyra sobbing near the sofa, draining a lot of tissue, and the wink in her eyes melted.

Lyra why? Inner, anxious.

Moses tried to move the door that was apparently not locked. He should have done this from earlier. He immediately went in and approached Lyra who looked depressed.

"Lyr, what's wrong?" tanyanya, attention. He rested before Lyra and gently stroked her head.

Lyra still can't tell the story, she can only cry. He rested his head on Moses' shoulders. He really needs someone who can give him warmth.

Moses felt that there was a problem with Lyra. Lyra doesn't usually cry, let alone Lyra's hair being so messy tonight. During this time who often confides in all problems is himself, while Lyra is someone who always advises him and provides motivation to rise. But this time another. On Lyra's birthday, she was sad. Moses felt he had to do something appropriate to appease Lyra.

Moses hugged Lyra, who was crying in his arms. He stroked the girl's hair slowly, still letting her be still for a while until her heart was pushy and ready to tell a story.

Though Moses initially intended to eat a large meal with Lyra as soon as he reached his house, he did not know that God gave another storyline. For now, Lyra's calmness is paramount.

"Relax, I'm here" said Moses quietly near Lyra's ear. "What exactly happened?" tanyakanya.

Lyra gulped for a moment and raised her body from Moses' arms. He took a slow breath, sounding snot stuck in his nose. It seems he started getting colds. Then he rubbed the tears in his eyes that looked swollen, as well as his cheeks that had been stuck. "Where should I tell you?" he said, looking deeply into Moses' eyes, making him feel something.

Musa recalled Gio and an employee at the clothing store "L.O.V.E." regarding his friendship with Lyra, something he had never expected. It was just that he was trying to put those thoughts aside. Right now he has to try to be a motivator for Lyra.

Lyra was silent for a few seconds while looking towards the floor. He picked up the tissue once more, spraying snot from inside his flushed nose. "Am I special?" suddenly tanyanya.

Lyra was not even able to shed her tears, it was already dry because she was crying. "I didn't expect Ken would do all that for me?!" he said, entering the story.

"Ken?" timpal Moses wondered. He had never known Ken before. But he knew the name, he heard it often.

"She celebrated my birthday so well. All the theater members celebrated. It should be clean tonight for the musical tomorrow, but I don't know if I can do it or not. I'm really confused. I'm so embarrassed. How can they all celebrate my birthday?!" lyra said at length with a fast tone like doing fast rap without tempo.

Moses remained silent for a moment. "Ow, so that's the problem?" tanyanya, make sure.

Lyra nodded while looking towards him.

Unfortunately, Moses did not know what to motivate, he was not a good advisor. He is not fit to be a therapist. He was just silent and lamenting the atmosphere, as if he was empathetic.

"You want me to tell you about it from the beginning?" lyra exclaimed suddenly, using a questioning tone. "The incident this afternoon really sucks!" he continued, his face became ugly.

"Yes, please," Moses said.

Lyra patted Moses on the shoulder twice, salute. His eyes turned to the plastic bags that Moses had brought. He discouraged his intention to tell stories and preferred to search for the plastics.

"What's this?" tanya Lyra was no longer sad.

"I bought a lot of snacks at the Metro Mall to eat both of us. Actually, I was going to eat big with you tonight" said Moses.

"Oh, Metro? Alone?" ask Lyra in amazement.

"Yes" Moses said rather nervously. "Happy birthday!" he said after that, looking at the two eyes of Lyra who had looked at him deeply.

Lyra flattered. He put a happy smile on his face and hugged Moses tightly. "Thank you, I didn't think you knew my birthday. How do you know?" she said, releasing her embrace.

"Today I accidentally read a letter from your father. I'm sorry, I didn't think you'd lost a mother for so long. Now I understand why you scold me every time I confide in you that I've had a fight with my mama" Moses said.

Lyra smiled sincerely and stroked Moses' cheek gently, as if doing it for her own sister. "A child must always be devoted to his mother" he said slowly while releasing his caress. Then he went back to ransacking Moses' handkerchief in plastic. "Let's eat!" he was enthusiastic, forgetting to tell Moses about the events he had experienced on campus earlier.

***

Lyra and Moses were both partying. Eating ramen, tom yam and other snacks in excess, drinking various types of various flavored drinks, ranging from Matcha, Ooloong, Es Boba and Coca Cola. Do not forget they both capture their moments by taking tacky selfies, but do not upload them anywhere, just save them in the gallery. Until their dinner is over, the two lay down their bodies while looking at the ceiling of the room, all burping compactly and followed by laughter. They never feel ashamed of each other, they are already familiar like brothers.

"You know, I can't figure out what's gonna happen to me when Miss Garrett kicks me out of here" Lyra said. "I don't know what to do to pay off my contract!" yells.

"So soon you'll get a job, you're smart!" exclaimed Moses.

"Why do you think that?" lyra turned to Moses.

"In addition there are many scholarship vacancies for those who are fluent in English, you must try to get the scholarship, your IELTS score is nine right? That's perfect, you know?!" said Moses.

"Come on, Mus, I'm not ready. I still want to work normally. I really miss Mr. Chao's cafe glory days!" lyra said as she closed her eyes, enjoying her full stomach.

"If that's what you want, it's up to you" Moses closed his eyes.

The atmosphere became silent for a moment.

Moses begins to be recalled by Gio and an employee at the clothing store "L.O.V.E.". His eyes opened, he immediately turned his head towards Lyra who was still closing her eyes. "Can I ask you something?" revealed.

"What?" tanya Lyra still refused to open her eyes.

"Do you like me?" asked Moses innocently.

Sontak Lyra got up while frowning at him. "Of course not, why try?!" shouted firmly. Now he sits down and sticks out his legs. "Why are you asking like that?" his question was cynical, glancing at Moses ferociously.

Moses' face was sweating, and he realized that he had uttered the wrong words. He gulped in panic, afraid that Lyra would get angry. He was already thinking badly when he found Lyra's face turned serious while responding to his question. He also woke up from the fall, hoping that Lyra would not nag.

"I don't mean to say it, I don't have any feelings for you anyway. We're just friends, right?" timpal Moses, trying to calm the mood.

Lyra raised half her eyebrows, looking straight at Moses with a flat face. "Then, that question?" bad dream.

"Fine, I was wrong. I shouldn't have asked him. I know that if you don't like me either, we're just friends, nothing more, .." Moses said.

"Thank you for all the gifts you gave me. Sorry in advance, I had to kick you out of here." Lyra said firmly.

"Ouw," Musa's timpal froze on the spot.

"Get out of here right now!" lyra exclaimed as she stood, looking down at her feet where Moses was still sitting. "One day if I have enough money, I will pay back all your gifts" he added.

Moses stood up. "Don't tell me that our friendship broke up just because of this, I didn't mean to ask!".

"I don't want any feelings between us!" exclaim Lyra.

"Sama, me too. I just asked to be sure" said Moses, trying to be frank, but he was at a loss for words.

"Do you doubt my loyalty?" lyra asked, testing Moses' mind, who was getting nervous.

"Of course not. You're the best girl I've ever met. I didn't expect to be friends with you." - Moses slowly. "Well if you kick me out, but I hope we're still friends. Thank you for your kindness to me all this time!" he went to the door to get out. He did not expect that Lyra would follow him out of the house, as if she would never let him in again.

"Has our friendship broken up here?" ask Moses to be anxious. He abandoned his intention to go out and turned to face Lyra.

"Three days to prove that there's nothing between us!" lyra exclaimed, suddenly making Moses pause as he said it.

"thank you. All right, I'll go," Moses said, ready to go out. "By the way, you don't have to pay back any of those snacks, let's just say it's your birthday present!" it takes time before it really comes out.

"Thank you very much. Again, I'm sorry I had to throw you out tonight." Lyra's true timpan also did not stop Moses because he knew that Moses was completely unintentional.

"O, yes, for a black plastic bag with the words L.O.V.E.it has a special gift for you as a sign of our friendship. Hope you like it. Dah," exclaimed Moses in seconds before he rushed to his Ducati bike in the front yard of Lyra's house. Wearing a helmet, without greeting for the second time, he immediately drove his motorcycle down the paved road, returning home.

The shadow of Moses had disappeared from before him, Lyra was actually unpleasant, but it was for their good. He also closed the door of his house. He sighed for a moment when he found the garbage he had eaten with Moses that he had to clean up alone.

On the sidelines of cleaning up the garbage, Lyra was made curious by a plastic bag that had previously been mentioned by Moses as a special gift for her. He came to the bag he had not touched because Moses put it on the table. "What is it?" his question to himself began to open the bag and found a simple blue blouse that looked beautiful as he spread it. "Wow, Moses bought me this?" he said wondering.

"...The black plastic bag with the words L.O.V.E.it has a special gift for you as a sign of our friendship. I hope you like it," suddenly Moses' earlier remark flashed through his head. Rebellious made him smile while shaking his head, amazed.

"You will always be my friend, Moses," he murmured.

***