LIFE (Han, Ian, Dina, Ute & Pras)
Ep. 28 (Part 2) Showing Interest (H, Ian, D. & P.)
...~ IAN ~...
Once the figure of Hanna, who I only met once, but often exchanged news via phone or wa, stepped out of the rental car Ka’Han, my concentration immediately collapsed. Though he stood the very back and introduced Ka’Han also later.
Hanna looks so fresh. She wears light blue jeans and a lace-decorated pink t-shirt. Her long hair was gently draped on her shoulders. Hanna waved doubtfully with a smile, looking unconvinced that she would be welcome. The ridiculous thought, as my body reacted immediately, the adrenaline was now hardening all over this body, making me excited and very happy.
Our first meeting at Wisma Palapa some time ago was indeed a little unique.
Ka’Han's mother who is gentle and rarely speaks, has straightforwardly asked my willingness to be Hanna's future companion. Although maybe at that time he was just joking, but the intimacy that was immediately created was very useful in this heart and somehow stuck closely in my mind. From that moment on, I felt an emotional closeness that I had never felt before and I was truly willing without coercion to be told to be this cheerful sweet girl couple, like the answer I gave at that time (read Ep. 17 chapter Ian –red).
“Hi Hanna, see you again huh?” I said looking at her tiny face that was getting more and more sweet with a tinge of adorable red hue as our hands began to touch lightly and tighter in a hand post in the guise of brotherhood.
I held our hand for quite a while, not wanting to let go of the touch that seemed to send a wave jolt all over this body.
In Hanna's eyes, it seemed like I could see the acceptance and understanding that might also have become her need, just like me, too, as well as the longing and loneliness that may be almost the same as I have been feeling all along. The sparkle in the eyes of the girl in front of me seemed to tell me everything she felt.
I recalled how I often thought of this girl in the morning and during the day and even saw her in my dreams at night. Several times I wondered what would happen if we were both given the opportunity to express a desire we never expressed in words. The curiosity that kept on entrenched in my head and more and more smoldering days since that first meeting.
Hanna smiled shyly at me but in a loud voice greeted back: “Hai also Ka’Ian! Nice to see Brother again.”
Still with his hands in this grasp, I forced myself to say: “I am also happy to finally meet you again Hanna.” My gaze never slipped from his figure.
But the position was forced to leave, a little faster than I really wanted, but I had to do it to see the sharp gaze that Ka’Han cast, the Eldest Brother.
If at the first meeting I had felt that Hanna was a dangerous temptation, now I was really fascinated by her freshness and could not take my eyes off.
“Mari please enter everything.” said me again while licking my lips that feel dry, aka dry, then walk first up the stairs and open the front door wide to invite everyone into the house.
They all walked following my directions to sit resting in this sizable living room.
But that continues to grab my attention is precisely the figure of Hanna, who seemed amazed by the exterior and interior of our house. Without covering up her interest, Hanna watched every single display and painting on the wall closely. He looked carefully at our family photos one by one, as if he wanted to record them in memory in his tiny head.
It seems like only this time I am grateful to have parents who ‘have’ and I enjoy this admiration of Hanna, although it is not addressed directly to me. This feeling was strange to me, like a kind of tenderness that made my stomach feel something foreign. I don't know, I don't really know what it really feels like.
In my eyes, the figure of Hanna who is tangled and a little tired, maybe because she had fallen asleep on the trip Jakarta - Jatinangor earlier, maybe, keep looking sweet and attractive with a refreshing innocence even without the slightest makeup polish.
“Against trying to recognize the future in-law and sister-in-law huh Hanna?” askaku on his side after having time to ask the back to serve drinks and snacks that have been prepared before.
“Apaan seh Ka’Ian neh? Love the real seductive innocent girl who is still innocent like me?” hanna replied with a spoiled tone that felt contrived. But the red tinge on his cheek could not cover up the truth I had spoken so carelessly. Hanna seems to be really trying to get to know my family.
“My parents educated us his children quite hard. I'm the youngest child just like you Hanna. All of Koko and Cici are entrepreneurs. They were actually hoping I would follow in their footsteps as well as become an entrepreneur, regulator and leader in economics. But what to say, I choose to be a public servant, you also have to be patient if you want to be my companion yes.” I said straightforwardly trying to open his mind in order to accept me as I am. It was too soon indeed to show this identity, but it seemed like my conscience refused to pretend before him, this young woman whose heart was already anchored.
“Ach Ka’Ian can only, if the soul mate seh ga going where he said yes?” hanna replied softly and hardened, the sign of what I had just said by force was not a problem for her, which made my heart more confident in choosing her.
We looked at it for a fraction of a minute, before Ka’Han's hard deheman behind us blew away its appeal. We looked at the source of the voice.
“I just helped Hanna get to know more about her future in-laws and her sisters-in-law Ka’Han.” I answered innocently rewarded pinching on this waist by Hanna's hand that seemed to move reflex. Making Ka’Han's eyes briefly glare at Hanna, who involuntarily moved behind my body, hiding herself.
Unknowingly, I chuckled and pulled Hanna's hand to sit down and handed the glass containing the cold drink to her hand. Not too worried about Ka’Han's reaction further because here there is his “pawang”, Ute, who swiftly approached Ka’Han, perhaps to calm him down. Ute is a friend who is always reliable.
That day, I had the opportunity to get to know Ka’an's younger sister who was very sweet and I had felt very interested in her figure. The first thing I felt in this life. Maybe this is what is called love? Or just interested? I don't know, for sure, time will answer later.
...***...
“Ian, we need to talk seriously!” ka’Han said that afternoon by the pool. He approached me sitting back and watching Hanna and Ute and Ka’Dina playing in the water on the opposite side of the pool.
I also straightened up sitting and nodding, while as much as possible to relieve the sudden heartbeat, trying to look calm as if accustomed to the frank style of speech as shown by Ka’Han, strive for an appearance that looks undaunted or fearless when staring at the figure of Ka’Han high and large.
“Hanna is very young, she is also a very innocent girl.” Ka’Han said as he sat on one of the leisurely benches next to me. His brown eyes seemed to be wary of observing the three women across and occasionally glanced at me sharply as if they were assessing the character or even the depth in my soul.
After staying for so long, Ka’Han asked slowly: “Why should Hanna?”
I was silent, then answered his question with a question as well: “Does interest need a reason Kak?”
Ka’Han exhaled a frustrated looking breath, as if just beginning to realize her awkward and spoiled little sister had grown into a beautiful young woman and attracted the attention of normal men like me.
“He may seem sweet and earthy, but he still has no purpose. There is no target he wants to achieve. And he was very careless in making decisions.” Urai Ka’Han flat.
“Most seventeen-year-old girls are like that, right? Just waiting for time, Hanna will soon grow into a tough woman, independent, smooth behavior and have strength that is worth acknowledging.”, I replied after a moment of silence.
Ka’Han stared at my pupils sharply and finally let out a heavy sigh, exposing the wisdom that allowed him to organize his fellow contemporaries and juniors in the Ksatrian with great success. “Good. I'll entrust my sister to you. Take care of him like I've been looking after him all this time!”
Unable to resist the smile on this face, I thank God, for a great obstacle has passed and hope that the harbor of my heart will be faithfully waiting.
We both fell silent again and noticed the jokes of the three women who had now almost wet their clothes, somehow they looked more attractive, especially the youngest Hanna, the one in my eyes is most passionate about life and kindness, probably because life has been pampering him all this time. That innocence really caught this attention.
“There is one more thing that I think you need to help Ian.” said Ka’Han disperse my daydream.
“Iya Kak, just say. if it is still in my ability to work on it, I will definitely do it as optimally as possible.” Reply assured him. However Ka’Han will be my sister-in-law later.
“About Ute.. do you think it would be too soon if I applied for it after graduation?” tanya Ka’Han hesitated.
“What makes a Ka’Han doubt?” tanyaku brief.
“Every time I start talking seriously about our relationship, his eyes are always enlarged and seem to shed tears. So as soon as possible I switch the conversation and you will also not be happy to see the people you care about feel unhappy right?” ka’Han's answer seemed to fall back.
“We do have to work hard for our own happiness Sis.. let alone when our happiness depends a lot on the happiness experienced by our beloved people.”, I replied later.
...***...