GREY MARNI
Mysterious Woman

Rudi intends to meet Marni, that afternoon after work he went straight to Marni's residence. Rudi brought him some snacks as souvenirs.

After arriving in front of Marni's house, he immediately entered her house and called Marni. The aroma of a dish that is still in the process of maturation is smelled by Rudi.

"Eh you are Rud" said Marni while scraping her cooking.

"What's cooking?"

"Sweet fried tempeh only. Have you eaten?"

"Yes, here's a little snack"

"Hehehe thanks, put it there first Rud. I'm almost done."

"All right"

Rudi went back to the living room, he turned on the television and sat down on the sofa. While waiting for Marni who almost finished cooking, Rudi lit her cigarette. That day he had not gotten any more rations of marijuana so he could not perform his rituals as usual.

Long enough for Rudi to wait, Marni comes out of the kitchen with a plate of white rice and a plate full of fried tempeh that looks very delicious with a mixture of sweet soy sauce and some slices of red onion, chili peppers and soft brown objects that look like soft, ground garlic.

"You're seriously eating?" Ask Marni.

"Yes, you eat first"

"When I want bribes with you"

"Hahaha, sorry I'm not a corruptor. Not taking bribes."

"Hahaha, what a pinter"

Marni sat next to him cross-legged. A plate of white rice he put in his lap and fried tempeh he put on the table. Rudi was busy watching television while eating Marni's fried tempeh.

Marni is so beautiful, her way of eating looks very charming. No sound from his mouth. So softly did he chew his food.

Rudi occasionally looked at Marni, somehow she said her feelings were still not so clear. He did not feel the same admiration as when he admired Andin and Salsa.

A strange feeling, he seemed to idolize the figure of Marni. He liked the woman, but on the other hand he seemed unable to have her. It was really a confused mess.

While the two of them were busy with their respective activities, suddenly there was a tattooed burly man calling Marni's name. The man did not enter immediately, he waited for Marni to answer him and only entered afterwards.

"What's wrong?" Ask Marni.

"Your order" the burly man thrust out a small white parcel.

After giving it to Marni, she looked at Rudi for a bit and then left the two of them.

"Who is that guy?"

"Will know?"

"Yes"

"Ask the guy directly"

"Haha"

Marni put the small white packet on the table. Rudi was curious about what was inside, but he tried to get rid of his curiosity and continued watching television.

"Rud, are you still thinking about your past?"

Rudi gasped at Marni's no-nonsense question. She goosebumps, her mouth freezes and she doesn't answer Marni's questions right away.

Marnie finished eating. He went into the kitchen. Marni seemed to not care whether Rudi would answer her question or not.

"Aren't you tired of wearing a jacket?" Marni said after coming out of the kitchen.

Rudi took off his jacket and marni reached out her hand taking Rudi's jacket. The woman then put down Rudi's jacket.

Marni sat back beside him and took over the television show that only aired news of natural disasters that occurred lately.

"Lately I've started to forget all the bad things that have happened in my life."

"Can you forget everything?"

"I think I can"

"Come to me if you need help"

"Hahaha, thanks. There's one thing I really want to ask you"

"But no offense"

"I'm not a woman who is easily offended"

"Well, why do you care so much about me that this stranger could say?"

"Hahaha, you're not a stranger to me. I've known you a long time"

"Since when?"

"I can't say it now"

"So are we friends?"

"Hehehe, good friend of mine"

At that moment, it was as if in Rudi's heart there was a small light that was getting brighter. He felt a happiness that seemed to have been hidden in his heart for a long time.

Rudi confirmed his sitting position, he leaned his head and back in a soft and tender sofa. While Marni he stared at the television as if watching the television shows. It was obvious that only Marni's eyes were focused on the television show, her heart was blossoming and her lips were looking very soft and charming that small smile. Very small with a very big meaning.

"Oh yeah, I'm still confused as to how I'm calling you"

"Call Ani, some of the people closest to me call me that"

"Alright Ani"

"Hehehe..."

In front of the television they both started chatting like a friend. Rudi began to feel very close to the woman. Some jokes and funny stories were conveyed by Rudi to make Marni smile. He started to get crazy with that woman's smile.

......................

...That feeling I have felt...

...Millions of flowers in the field of dreams...

...I am in love with you and so are you...

...Slowly we walk...

...In the waves and the darkness of the night...

...Sometimes we join together...

...Sometimes we complain about each other...

...We sow in colourful...

...I liked that day...

...The day your smile is pitted against jasmine flowers...

......................

Rudi bade Marni. It was getting dark and he also felt bad about some of Marni's neighbors. Rudi hurriedly went out from inside his house.

Rudi walked down with a smile until he forgot that his jacket was still inside Marni's house.

Rudi came back and took his jacket, he said goodbye again and Marni laughed off seeing Rudi's ridiculous behavior.

A while later when Rudi had arrived in front of his room. He opened the door and took off his jacket. I don't know what he was thinking, he reached into his jacket pocket even though he knew that he didn't keep anything there.

Rudi found a small white packet inside. He recalled the item given by a fiercely tattooed man to Marni.

Rudi opened the package, he was surprised not to play. The package turned out to contain some marijuana. Rudi smiled back, she recalled the face of Marni who was trying to help herself without saying anything.

"A really scary woman. Haha..."

At that time Rudi also locked his room meeting and began to perform rituals. One suction and he immediately remembered with his dead friend who he had not greeted for a very long time.

Rudi picked up a guitar he hadn't used for a long time. He cleaned the dust that was attached to his favorite guitar.

He started pressing some strings. Rudi warms up until he actually plays a long-dead melody.

It was never imagined by him if the guitar passages and songs he sang would feel as fresh as that. It was as if the fresh air that had not stopped in his body had begun to slowly enter through his crown.