Oh Arunika
Is That True?

Arunica

“You guys why can come together?” asked Bu Ranti again, curious because it was not answered by Mr. Juna or myself. Mom Ranti looked at our faces in turn. Of course anyone who sees us will be confused by our much different performances.

Mr. Juna in his raincoat suit, while I was in a blue shirt uniform whose color had faded and was also wet from sweating because it was running.

I was confused as to what to answer, especially the focus of Bu Ranti is now on me.

“So we accidentally met in front, near the security guard post, Bu,” said Mr. Juna in the end. “I saw he was exhausted, so I decided to take him in the car. If you don't believe me, I'll just ask him. I go in first want to take Nadia's stuff left behind.”

Mr. Juna immediately breezed in making my heart ketar-ketir. What reason should I give so that Miss Ranti does not suspect and asks a lot?

“What's true Juna said, Aru?” Now Miss Ranti is right in front of me.

“I-iya, Mom. We did meet up in front,” I replied nervously. I hope that Miss Ranti doesn't see my nervousness and lets me go immediately.

“Your body... Why are your clothes so wet?”

“Oh...” I reflexively held onto my clothes front which still felt damp. “Ta-di in Aru factory and friends are forced to spend a lot of energy because many do not enter, Mom. Lately a lot of sick,” I said more straightforward. Because the truth is so. Many of us who suddenly permission because of illness, but yesterday looks fine.

“Then your hair, why is your hair falling apart so?” asked Bu Ranti again with curiosity.

I just realized because I just tidied myself up just like that. I was too busy crying in daydreams, to whom else I would borrow money.

“Oh, this... this may be because it is not tied so blown by the wind while cycling, Mom, hee.”.

I combed my hair with my fingers. My fingers are stuck between my hair. Like never being combed. Feel it is neat enough, then tuck it behind the ear.

The eyes of Bu Ranti who had been focusing on my hands made me see her as well. It turns out there's a red scar there. I realized because the thug had also blocked my hand several times strongly. Immediately I hid from the sight of Miss Ranti.

“Then, Aru excuse me, yes, Mom. Help Mom first.”

I was finally left to leave even though Bu Ranti still seemed to want to ask a lot of questions. It was evident from the look in his eyes full of question marks.

*

*

*

Mr. Juna got out of the house and rushed to his car while I was cleaning the front yard. He got in and sat in front of the wheel, then started the car engine. I immediately stepped aside to the edge so as not to block the way, when I realized that the man who had helped me this afternoon was about to leave.

But what I saw was a snide glance and a gurgle of anger. Until the veins on his face look prominent. Made me squeak for a moment.

“Juna...! We still need to talk!”

Ranti's mother was already standing on the porch and talking that loud. He repeatedly called for the name of his son, but was not heeded by the owner of the name. The black car disappeared from sight.

“Aru.”

“Iya, Ma?” I approached Miss Ranti. From the look on his face, he seemed to want to say something serious.

“Em...” He seemed to think while looking at me deeply. I don't know what he's thinking. Did the quarrel that just happened have anything to do with me? I was suddenly worried. “Let me talk to you, before you and Bu Nita go home.”

*

I was nervous while doing my job. Wondering inwardly about what Miss Ranti will talk about. Several times Mother rebuked me and asked because she was found daydreaming and unfocused. And several times I had to lie to say that there was nothing. Sorry, Mom, I lied.

“Finally done also all the work,” said Mother standing in the doorway of the room where we slept in this two-story house. “Better we go home soon, Aru, before nightfall. I forgot that I had an appointment with Ratih's mother to wash her clothes. I'm afraid it will even be given to others,” explained I'm excited. Then take our dirty clothes that are deliberately stored on the table and then put them in a carry bag.

I'm getting riled up. Thinking about what Bu Ranti would talk about was enough to unsettle me. The problem with loan sharks is still no way out, and now I want to go home soon. That means the same thing is that you will insert yourself into the crocodile mouth that is already wide open.

“Bu, shouldn't we stay here?” I said quietly and glanced at Mother timidly.

Mom turns her head quickly, “Sleep again?” Mom's face suddenly turned suspicious. He looked at me without a blink. “Aru, what's the problem?” ask Mom full of insistence.

I cut off the padangan from Mom, “No, Mom, nothing,” replied I tried to refute, giving a moment of pause by taking a breath. Then I saw Mother's eyes again whose face was still full of suspicion. “Mom's tired of working all day. So Aru can't bear if Mom works also at night. Later Mom can be sick.”

“Aru, I'm used to working day and night and you know that. Now tell Mom, what's the problem?” urge Mother again with eyes full of orders.

I felt like crying as Mom kept urging me to be honest. Because as usual whatever problems come over, I won't be able to keep it a secret from Mom. My silence with bowed in was enough to give evidence to Mom that I was in trouble.

“Aru, son, tell Mom, what's the problem?” Mother who had sat on the lip of the bed next to me, tidied my hair that was stretched forward covering the face.

His soft voice made my heart unable to hurt him by telling the truth about the Father who left a debt. My whole life until I was 21, I've never seen a happy mother enjoying life. Mother's life has always been distressed by the actions and orders of her unlucky husband who is my father too.

“Bu Nita.” I gasped at Ranti's mother's voice. The woman who was older than Mom but looked younger and beautiful came to us, pulled out a chair and sat down in front of us. “I want to talk to Bu Nita and Aru,” he said make my heart beat with a speed above average. While Mom though nodded, there was clearly a gurat of confusion on her face.

“Tadi Juna said that Aru was captured by people whose bodies were large. Said Juna they collect the debt on Aru. Is that true, Aru?”