PERIPLES
17. Luke and Drizzle In The Morning

The heavy rain this morning made me feel better than the tiredness of life. It was as if the water from the sky was washing away the growing wounds in the heart.

Still in fear, I thought about how you are doing right now. Where is the mother taking shelter? Has mom eaten? The loss report has been registered. The police have started to look in place of the possibilities. Online leaflets have also been spread. Many of my extended family were confused and worried after hearing the news that my mother was not with me.

It's not that I'm too relaxed, Papa Rena told me to stay calm and trust the experts.

Rena's phone rings. He looked at me anxiously, and answered his phone. For some reason, Rena left the room before starting a conversation with the caller.

After a few minutes, the girl opened the door of the room again with reddened eyes.

"The last signal you received was detected on the same bridge as Lukas Nemuin lo, Vel."

"The SAR team is dancing around the river." Continue with a trembling voice.

I can't say anything anymore. Not crying either. Either because I believe you're okay, or because my race is too dead to feel pain.

Rena approached me who was sitting on the side of the bed. Hugged me and cried as I carried me into his arms. Isn't all I can do right now is pray that God will always give protection to your mother wherever she is?

I took off Rena's embrace, "Lo hunted off. Ntar's late."

Monday, a day that should be filled with excitement. I still want to be quiet, not ready to face the weight of school activities. My things are still left in Dad's house anyway.

Rena walked out of her room. And I live here. Cellphone's ringing. I saw the name, it turned out to be Luke. 

"Vell. Get out of the house."

"Well?"

"We're looking for mom."

"Lo truant?"

"Udah spit."

He disconnected the phone. I rushed out without combing my hair, or changing my clothes. I used to wear Rena's pink-furred slippers. I say goodbye to Mbak Asih-Rena's housekeeper. His father was already in the office, his mother had also left to teach at one of the high schools in my city, becoming a history teacher.

I saw Luke in a white-gray uniform covered in an old-grey jacket without getting off his black motorbike. He looked at me when I opened the gate.

"What's truant?" My toot.

"It's useless if my body is in school, but my mind is here."

I'm speechless. Remember Rena's saying that Luke put his taste on me. Luke got off his bike and took the helmet that was stuck on the back, then put it on my head. "If you're not my boyfriend anymore."

The sound of thunder deafening the ears. The rain that was once heavy turned into a small drizzle. Before we got on the bike, Luke took off his jacket and put it on my little body. It feels great, but I feel warmer.

She smiles. Despite wearing a fullface helmet, I could see through his narrowed eyes.

The motorbike we were riding on was splitting the city. Right at the red light, Luke pulled my hand to hug her. Without a word, and without the slightest rebuttal from myself. Very inconvenient.

Luke took me to the same bridge he picked me up. The difference, now Luke parked his motorbike in a quiet place. Not on the highway, but in a place closer to the river area. I got off the bike after Lukas turned off the engine. I took off Luke's oversized fullface helmet that was loaned to me.

Lukas took me. We walked on wet grass. Rena's hairy spoon goes into a struggle without caring that her form is no longer out of shape.

"In a life, what often makes humans disappointed is the expectations of themselves. Just like you have temen, temen lo it's got two sweets. He ate all that candy in front of you. Lo felt disappointed because you did not give one candy to you. Though from the beginning, he didn't say that he wanted to love the other one for you." Luke said without taking off his arm.

I saw his face still looking taller than mine, but he was walking on sloping ground while I was walking on higher ground. I saw the anxiety on Luke's face.

"Lo know? He said the leaf that fell from a tree was written in the message of God's destiny." Further. He stopped his steps, turning his body to face me.

"So, if my heart has fallen for you, is it also written in the message of destiny?"

I looked at Luke with slightly widened eyes. I know he likes me. But I feel like this is too sudden.

"Case-"

"Gue doesn't want to get hurt. At least I'm always on your side, until you don't have time to speculate about anything. We must be able to accept everything that God has destined. God is the author of the story, but we are only a role in the story. No matter how hard we try, God has the right to set the storyline until it ends. Believe me the same. Whatever happens after this, whether it's about your mother or your father, God is the best screenwriter."

My eyes slowly blurred. Tears have covered my vision. With Luke's hand loose, he grabbed me again. The water that came down from the sky had stopped. Replaced with water that escaped my eyes.

I sobbed. Luke tightened his embrace. What the fuck? He said he didn't want to hurt me. But after what he said, it made me cry. I confirmed all of Luke's words without exception.

"We're looking for mom. Whatever the outcome, you have to accept it. Because you want to accept it or not, it's all destined."

My issue came to a halt along with our missed embrace. I could feel how cold Luke's hand was when he wiped my tears. Very cold, in contrast to his warm hands when holding me.

We went back down the river. There was no one there but me and Luke. River water is higher than normal, probably due to overnight rains. This place is also not suitable for fishing. It's too high a current for the fish to start a life.

After a while we walked, I saw some people in orange uniforms who were also walking down the river.

Luke grabbed my hand and turned around, "We'll get angry if we find out the SAR team came down here. That's where you go to them."

"So I was told Rena if you have no friends at home. That's why I took the road."

"Well, what's the fever?"

He chuckled, "Gue knows you need a temper. I don't want to give up on being alone. If there is me, and you want to give up, I can give my spirit to you. Mayan is adding. Wanna porridge?"

"Gue's full, Kas."

"The one who is full is your soul. Raga lo still needs intake. The porridge in the square is delicious."

"Gue doesn't like porridge."

"Like what? L'm I?"

I hit Luke's arm, "There's a nut. So don't like it."

"Well, you can't use peanuts, Vel."

"Can you?'

He pulled me, and walked faster than me, "Could. We can't be one, right?"

...***...

"Mangs. Two porridge, the other one doesn't use peanuts."

"Ready."

Luke took the mat that was still rolled up next to the cart. Then open it next to the park. We both sat facing.

"Kayak de javu deh, Kas."

"Haha why?"

"That's what you mesen earlier, I've never heard his words."

"Dilan?"

"Ah yes. You see Dilan?"

"Yes. I'm a fan of Iqbaal."

"Since when?"

"Haha. Nope. Syifa used to want to see that."

Syifa. I feel guilty about him. If what Rena says is true, that Luke broke off their relationship because of me, am I not evil? Am I among the third?

"Oh yes. How's Syifa doing?"

"It looks good."

"Syifa's a good girl, Kas."

"You know Rena this morning?" I slackened with a weak nod.

"Hubby deh. You must feel guilty, right? Though I've been warning him not to tell you, because if you know lo will be like gini."

"Why is Kas?"

"It's not wrong. It's my decision. And I'm the same Syifa ended well."

"Why do I know it now?" Overshipped.

"Gue didn't want to ruin your happiness all this time."

"So what's the reason you're dating Syifa, if you end up staying?"

He let out a long sigh, "From the beginning he knew that I liked you. But he meant to be my girlfriend, and he said he wanted to accept whenever I would break up. I know I'm bad. From the beginning I never accepted Syifa's request. But all that goes on. You think I'm the same Syifa dating because Syifa always follows where I go."

I just fell silent and looked down.

"Because I realize I'm a jerk, I don't force you to reciprocate my feelings."

He is not forcing. But with her attitude all along, did she not think that I would be caught up in a sense of comfort? Though he himself said tresno jalaran seko kulino, affection will come from a habit.

After a few minutes of waiting in line, our porridge came. Accompanied by two glasses of warm tea and one plate containing side dishes.

It was cloudy in the sky, slowly disappearing and revealing solar rays that began to scorch the earth and its contents.