Dul
127. The Iron Swing

“Abdullah want what story?” Annisa leaned her body forward and placed her two hands onto the small table. The cafe gelato was not crowded that afternoon. Only one other table was near the door. Some teenagers just stop by to buy gelato with a bowl and pass away. Annisa observes it all from her chair while waiting for Dul who turns her back to the entrance to tell her a story.

“I have no intention of patronizing, or teaching Annisa how to be rich. Because of Annisa who lived all this time, Annisa who fussed, Annisa who has tried a lot to get to the point now. I just don't want Annisa to hate. Don't hate papa Nisa. Akung said, hatred for someone actually hurts ourselves. We who captivate ourselves with hatred, so that we can not step out of that feeling. Mmmm .. sorry.”

“Nothing. Glad that Abdullah is rich.”

Dul was silent for a moment. Consider whether he needs to tell Annisa a little story about her. One part of him says it's okay if he tells a story. If Annisa stayed away because of the piece of her past, she felt that it might be best for both of them. The other part of him says no. If Annisa stayed away, her booming feelings for the girl would end up in vain in an instant.

“Abdullah?” call Annisa.

Dul nodded and straightened his gaze again at Annisa. “You know that my father is not my father, right?”

“Tau. Last night you talked.”

“You don't wonder why my mother parted with my father?”

Annisa shakes. “Not that separation will always be there? Papa and Mama also ended up splitting.”

“Cause is different, Nisa.”

“Then what's the difference? We are all living the scenario God made for us. No one can choose. In fact, if I can choose, I prefer Papa and Mama divorced than Mama died. At least I can still meet the two even in separate places.”

“My father's inmate, Nisa. Prisoners with the worst punishment. My mother had a psychiatric disorder and I used to be lied to about Mom's condition. I'm the son of a prisoner. My father's blood runs through my body. Even if I deny and pretend that all the past is just a dream, it remains a part of me. Cannot escape.”

“Lantas what?” Annisa's voice was held back. “What do you mean? Enough I know, right? Yeah, had. Now I know. Or do you want to know my reaction?Want me to be surprised? Keep me quiet for the rest of the day. Continue later I talk in front of my boarding gate, ‘Do not contact me again.’ That?”

Annisa held the tip of Dul's finger not far from her hand. “I have no friends, Abdullah. Why don't you ask about me not knowing you at all? I'm minder. I'm shy. Then if you come, I go again just because of the past that we can not change?”

“You sure you don't want to hear everything?” Dul asked back.

Annisa shakes. “I know it must be painful for you. And if you tell me now, I don't think it's going to have any effect on me. So, can we miss that? Make me ... The Abdullah I knew was the son of his father and mother who was kind and friendly to me. The older brother of the cute Ibra and the cheerful Mima. That's enough. Can, right?" Annisa took off Dul's finger and moved to rub the back of her hand.

“Still,” Reply Annisa. “Can you take me home now? Already malem. Abdullah must return home quickly. Just heard from Mima if tomorrow you want to go to Akung and Uti's house. Tomorrow's Sunday, I'm home. There's a campus assignment I need to complete.”

“Tonight not help at a fried rice stall?” Dul taught Annisa steps towards the cashier.

“Yesterday I was allowed two nights not to enter. Last week I was full there because the real cashier was sick. This week I got a break.”

“Should work there, yes?” tanya Dul while keeping her wallet. They had walked on the sidewalk towards the road on the left side of the place where Annisa lived.

“Seely. I'm not maxing myself, really. The third floor. Practice schedules are getting more crowded. I worked because I was lonely.” Annisa grimacing.

“That's your kos-kosan. The gate's open. Tumbens. Is there free in and out?” ask Dul.

Annisa laughing. “Ya, yes. Free to enter. If you are not free, who will shut the door? We have a mother, really. It had the garage wide open, meaning they were out again. Who owns this house husband and wife whose children have a family. His wife loves to plant flowers. Look at that, the yard is full of flowers. There's an iron swing, too. Want to sit on the swing for a minute?” Annisa shifts her body so that Dul can take a look at the swing of the park he shows. The white iron swing is located under the lush mango tree.

Dul who felt that the day was not satisfied enough to spend time with Annisa immediately nodded. The swing can sit side by side. He'll say something to Annisa, it won't take long. And the place is perfect. Dul nodded immediately.

“Oke, let's go in.” Annisa pulls the tip of Dul's uniform arm and drags him inside. “My room is on the second floor. I put this bag and this side dish. It won't be long. Abdullah sat down.” He then ran in through the garage and before long his footsteps could be heard climbing the iron stairs in the back of the garage.

Dul sat on the swing and started to chortle. While tidying up his uniform and putting his hat on his left knee, Dul recalled the opening words that he had arranged since yesterday.

“Hey, how? Feel in the park, right?” ask Annisa who appeared from behind the swing. “I'm sitting here, yes.” Annisa sat on the empty right side of Dul. Both of them faced a high wall fence whose walls were full of orchid arrangement.

“Sit here often?” ask Dul.

“Neg. Cerems. The front door of the house is rarely opened. Costing fathers are more often in and out of doors in the garage. Directly connect to the dining room. We're gonna have to put the iron stairs behind that garage. They never enter their home. Lagian ... sitting here can only see flowers. The road outside is also not too easy. If you want to buy subscription meatballs, you have to wait outside the fence so it looks like.”

“Yes too, anyway. You can hear the sound of people walking outside and vehicles passing by. This mango tree .. is quite dark,” said Dul, looking up to make sure his speech is correct. You see, he actually does not pay too much attention to mango trees and various plants around them.

To Be Continued