CONFESSION STONED
112. Honest Answer

“Try me to ask you now, are you happy or aren't you?” tanya Heru turned his head for a moment to Tini then looked back at the ocean in front of her.

“Do not know me. That's a rich man's question. Happy or not. If the poor man is the question, full or not? For us, the important thing is to be full is happy.”

Heru turned his head and grimaced at Tini who was looking back at the sea in front of him.

“Some people decide to get married late because there is some kind of 'debt' to pay. Choosing to delay the desire because you feel you have to return the favor first. Must be a filial child first. So the best brother or sister first. Must be it first. Old taul-tau. You don't feel like one of those I call?” ask Heru.

“I don't feel like I have to return the favor. Because I also play with my sisters. I just feel responsible. I don't want them to be as difficult as I was. At least, something must be considered. Don't all like me.” Tini laughed heartily.

“The rude talker always stigmatizes the bad guys and the bad guys. Therefore, if anyone speaks harsh words immediately labeled ugly. Though the more days of life the more desperate and we are forced to look good aja.” Tini grasped the sand and sprinkled her feet until her fingertips sank.

“People's attitude to you is what you allow. All with your permission. People often make jokes, because you also often joke.”

“That's yes?” tanya Tini turned a glance at Heru then turned her gaze back.

“Iya. Don't think about it. Some people do prefer to talk about —even looking for our weaknesses— rather than appreciating the big things you do. For example, 28 years old, a good career but not married. The one who was talking about was not married. Not your career and achievements.”

“Whatever I am is also not Mas,” said Tini grimaced. “Memur 28 years. Career and achievement are non-existent. Without bright spots of the future,” replied Tini.

Heru had put up a mimic about to laugh. But seeing Tini's serious face, he undoes his intentions.

“Ehem!” Heru tried to return their conversation to the serious point earlier.

“Don't look down too long, until we can't see the help God has given. Friends who are in difficult times as a filler for other vacancies that you feel. A healthy body. Also your optimistic soul is not complicated.”

“I feel like something's missing ..” muttered Tini.

“Losing is only there if we ever feel having. What parent-to-parent relationship? If you feel something is lacking, try to fix it from there. I'm sure it all starts there. Assumption of life for today, can be replaced with ‘I can be more than this’. How?” He looked at Tini. This time Tini returned Heru's gaze a little longer.

Their eyes meet. Tini saw the look in Heru's eyes that dyed pity on him. Right, that guy is pity. Perhaps he was on the path of life he took. Tini increasingly can not avoid the charm of Heru who captivated her. All Heru's words were digested and considered. He understands. He understands now.

”Mesti kepenak yo iso nduwe sesambetan mung karo wong siji. (Enak ya can have a lasting relationship with one person)”

”Sejatine mantenan kuwi ora need katresnan gur sepisan, nanging ugo need tresno ball-bali karo wong siji sek podho. (Successful marriage does not require once in love, but many times in love with the same person)”

“Why not join Mas?” Tini asked about Heru's wife.

“Fifi? My wife?” Heru asked back. Tini nodded.

“Isteriku news reader private television station. Mochtar WiFi. Ever know, right?” ask Heru.

Tini nodded. He never watched the news on television. Artist gossip shows and dangdut competitions have always been at the top of Tini's watch list. Humans in Indonesia must know Heru's wife. Maybe it's too much until he says he doesn't know. Tini rounded her eyes with false enthusiasm.

“My wife just served as editor-in-chief. Getting busy. He always keeps a balance between his dreams and his nature. She worked hard for her dream, she also worked hard to be a good mother to our son. Moreover, our son is still a child. We were long given a baby. Fifi worked so hard trying to have a child for me, her body is not as strong as her determination. Now everything is complete. My son, two years old. I just had a video call. My wife is not home at this hour. Still in office.”

“Lucky ...” Mumbled Tini.

“Iya, I also feel lucky. You can marry because of love. Kayak Bara's. So Bara must take care of the things he has chosen and fought for.” Heru smiled looking at Tini.

Fighting for? The country is independent but want to marry alone must fight first. The more pinter and the more know it turns out to be troublesome, thought Tini.

“How if you—Mbak Tini try to work in the field of marketing more professional? It's been SPG, right? Try to another position,” advice Heru.

“I just finished SMA,” replied Tini.

“I have an acquaintance who ‘cuma’ finished SMA but have a small company that markets products 4 insurance companies. He's succeeding. Nothing is impossible. If I have an interest, I will be able to recognize it. How?” Heru looked back at Tini to look at the seriousness there. Tini turned to smile then nodded.

Heru smiled and nodded. Good, thought Heru. Everyone should get the same opportunity. Not to interfere in the personal affairs of Tini or anyone. But if he can change a person's pessimistic view of his abilities, Heru feels more useful. Tini has the potential to be a better figure than now. Behind all his words that impressed the origin, Heru always saw sincerity there. Heru felt lucky to get to know their unique figures through Bara.

Heru then laughed a little. Tini. “Keepawa why?” ask Tini.

“Keinget Bara's. If not for Kang Mas Bara, I would not know the residents of kos.” Heru was still smiling.

“Why is it called Kang Mas Bara?” tanya Tini who was surprised because the older Heru always mocked Bara with the call.

“Bara is small crybaby. Frequently screeching. Always protest to Eyang, why do I keep being called ‘mas’ he also wants to be called ‘mas’. So habit until now,” said Heru. “Sentimental and flavorful steel,” Heru added.

And the romantic Kang Mas Heru, Tini said in his heart. In his heart, Tini promised to change his perspective. First, he would visit his parents. As Heru said, maybe everything can start from there. Make peace with yourself.

Tini closed her eyes to the sea. Then he looked down at a small crab who was walking staggered towards a hole in the sand.

"What do you think about Tini?" ask Heru.

"Think of how to breed this crab," said Tini origin. What should he say to the man that he was fantasizing about something romantic and erotic that night.

It is not a myth that women are easily carried away. Because of the nature it carries, making women must be weak will feel like being loved. Women can also calmly love in silence. To be the woman Heru wanted? It might be able to be used as a spirit.

“Mak Robin,” reply Tini.

“Stories dong ... Must be funny,” pinta Heru. Tini was still breathing and the story had not yet begun, but Heru was already laughing again.

*****

Asti and Bayu stepped down the path in silence. Both are thinking about who and what they should talk about first.

Asti feels awkward being around the man she likes. Bayu felt awkward talking to a woman he had known as ‘Tini’.

“Jadi—” Bayu and Asti open their mouths and say the same.

“Mas first,” said Asti who returned almost simultaneously with Bayu said, “You first.”

Both of them back to being awkward. The next second, they laughed.

There was a bird from the darkness. And a bird flew across them.

“Eh, it's a bird huh?” ask Bayu in surprise.

“Yes, judging by the color it's a Javanese kettle bird. Small birds on the coast. Endemic island of Java. But in Sumatra can also be found. Ecologically, they depend their lives on the waterfront area,” Asti explained smoothly. The history lesson he had been memorizing all night as a topic of conversation, turned out to be useless. It was his department in forestry that helped him.

“Including protected animals gak?” ask Bayu.

“Iya bener ..” replied Asti.

“Now he said he was busy wanting a thesis huh?” ask Bayu again.

“Iya Mas ... Being in the phase of writing thesis, sleeping; dreaming of writing thesis. Awake, write more.”

Bayu laughed at Asti's words. It turns out that often mingle with the residents of the chicken coop there are also benefits. Asti's sense of humor has increased considerably.

That night, Asti and Bayu laughed a lot. Tell me a lot about the world. From the beginning of the formation of the earth, until the history of the creation of the name Penyengat Island.

Meanwhile, somewhere else.

Boy had ushered Mak Robin with two boys into the room. They kept talking about the cartoons they were watching.

Robin was arguing with his mother. The boy asked for a television full of cartoons. And the debate was over when Mak Robin said she would throw the television in their room if Robin didn't stop whining.

“Halo? Mister? How are you doing? Healthy mom? I want to talk to Mom. I miss ...” Finally Boy who felt lonely in the crowd, managed to lower his ego and call his family that night.

“Next month I go back to the village. Later I leave, Mom is in good health ... Sorry if there is a wrong.” Boy rubbed a tear that came out at the corner of his eye. Although upset at the father, the longing for his mother cannot be dammed.

In front of the resort a pair of middle men are joined by bicycles on a paved road.

“Once more puteran Mas. I like,” said Dijah hugging tightly around her husband's waist.

“OK ... One more twirl.” He pedaled his bike back to the front.

“Mas ... Makeup ...” She returned to thank her husband so much.

“I asked balesan can not?” ask Bara.

“What?” She asked back while sticking her cheek to her husband's back.

“I want a child from you. Can?” ask Gently.

“Can,” sahut Colored fast. “When do you want?” ask Colored again.

“Always now can?”

“Can. Come to the room. I want to ask for the best,” said Dijah laughing.

“Ayo ..” Bara pedaled the bike back into the resort courtyard while laughing.

The To Be Continued.....