Dul
096. Farewell Again

Dul won't forget that day for the rest of his life. A time when a new awareness of feelings, also the desire to be close, talk, and want to know as much about someone he likes.

Friday afternoon when the school bell had just rang. All students are competing out of class faster because on the soccer field there will be friendly activities with private High School located not far from their school. That day was also exactly the day before Dul's promise to come to Lova's house.

Dul realizes that at that time in his class only he and Annisa are left who do not seem to be in a hurry. The girl was peeking at the contents of the desk drawer and took out a book before finally zipping her backpack. Dul straightened the body. Pretend to stretch your back by turning left and right to see Annisa. He then kept the book. If the girl came out, Dul wanted to keep his steps to chat.

As it turned out, Annisa had casually moved to the empty seat next to her. “Hey, I don't ask why the tumben hasn't come home?” asked Annisa smiling knot.

“Iya. Why not go home?” ask Dul. “Not picked up?” ask Dul again.

“I've been picked up. Soon to go home,” Annisa said.

“Ooo ... so?” ask Dul. He said he wanted to ask, so why come to him? Usually the girl just left him. What happened on Friday afternoon?

“Abdullah ...,” call Annisa, his gaze straight into Dul's eyes. “I want to say goodbye,” he continued slowly.

Dul felt his knees go limp. “Pamit to where?” He knew what Annisa meant. But that afternoon he did not want to understand.

“Tomorrow I will follow my eldest brother to Balikpapan. All documents are in order. Papa is too busy with his new project abroad. I'm alone here. So, I was asked to stay with my eldest brother who has a family,” explained Annisa.

“That's far,” says Dul, choked. All this time he did not mind Annisa always silent and busy herself with her world. Most importantly, the girl entered the classroom and she could see that Annisa was present in a fine state. Just two months. Why did he only get to see the girl for two months?

“Envigorous learning, yes,” said Annisa smiling. His hands twirled the rope of the backpack with a grim look.

“Quickly,” says Dul. “No chatting yet. Not been able to play together,” he continued. His tone implied deep disappointment.

“Darling we only met for a moment in the uniform SMA. Anytime ... I hope to see Abdullah again. Who knows our uniforms are different,” said Annisa, laughing discordantly.

“I like you,” said Dul suddenly. There's no time, he thought. At least, that last day Annisa knew what she was feeling. “I like Annisa,” said Dul again, looking down to catch his breath slowly. It feels heavy.

“I also like Abdullah,” reply Annisa.

“Why...” Dul wants to ask why did he just say that? Why does it look like it doesn't care? Why did it seem to think it didn't exist all this time? Is it because of Lova? His words were quickly cut by Annisa. That girl is too smart for a stupid teenage boy like him.

“Not—not because of that upperclassman,” cut Annisa fast. “I don't think you have a serious relationship. We're still in High School. I still know you.”

Though only one word ‘why’ but Annisa understood what he meant. “Jadi ...”

“Our time will not be enough. Time means. I think we'd better be friends. I can see you from far away. Look at you every day coming to school in good health. I think now is enough for us. At least for me,” said Annisa.

Dul and Annisa both put their two hands together on the table. For a moment they were silent.

Dul did not feel his world was over. But, he was very disappointed. Can't they stay a little longer together?

“Abdullah,” call Annisa, slightly rotate the seat to face Dul.

Dul looked to the right. He and Annisa looked at each other. “Hmmm?” Dul linked his gaze. Just this time he looked at Annisa that close. Annisa's eyelashes are very tight, straight and black. Just like her nice hair. Black, straight without wave.

“I'm going now,” said Annisa, leaning her body and peeping Dul's cheek.

Dul froze in his position. For a second, two seconds, three seconds, Annisa then moved her face away. The kiss on the cheek was long enough. “Envigorous learning. I go first if you still want to stay here long.” Annisa stood up from the chair.

I don't know what possessed Dul back then. He only thought that tomorrow they would never meet again. He would not see Annisa bowing down to take notes. Or Annisa who reads books while eating branded snacks just like Mima's favorite. He stood up. Grabbing Annisa's arm to be brought nearby. With her tall body, Dul looks down to kiss Annisa. Placing her thin lips onto Annisa's lips.

Dul knew Annisa was gasping for a second. The girl's hand reflexively held her arm stiffly. However, the stiffness was instantly gone when Dul ventured to slip a lump of hair from Annisa's face to the back of her ear. The girl closed her eyes. And Dul did his first kiss very sweetly and for quite a while.

If only time could be repeated a little, to the last two months when Annisa just lost her parents. Or if two months is too much, he wants a week alone with Annisa to go everywhere. Want to watch a movie, eat at a ketoprak stall, introduce Annisa to Robin and Son, or chat in class as often as possible. He wants to ask for a week. With the girl while she was still wearing her High School uniform.

Dul cupped Annisa's face, took the time to rub the girl's cheek. His face was no longer blushing, but blushing. With wet eyes. Dul took off his kiss. “Sorry,” said, with one hand still left tidying up Annisa's already tidy hair.

“We go home now?” ask Annisa. "My dad's been waiting a long time.”

Dul nodded. “Yes, let's go forward together. Are you sure no one else is missing?” dul asked, trying to turn his gaze to the table that Annisa would leave behind forever.

“Nothing is left behind besides Abdullah,” Annisa said, chuckling. His eyes have also turned red.

Dul laughed. It turned out that Annisa was almost crying. Apparently, they are just as whiny.

They went to the school gate. In silence and very slow footsteps. A black sedan parked not far from the gate.

“I'm leaving, yes. Abdullah is taking care of health. Hopefully one day ... we can meet again,” said Annisa, smiling wryly. He stepped closer to the car.

“Get yourself well,” exclaimed Dul, trying to raise a hand to wave at Annisa who was walking away from him.

Annisa ... Our story in this High School uniform is too little.

To Be Continued