HER HEART WANTS WHAT IT WANTS

It’s raining outside. That’s just another day in the December. The city is so cold and hazy that you can barely see your own feet leap in the ground. But she doesn’t care. As you can see her shivering body was soaked by the raindrop. White t-shirt and the skinny jeans she wears are all wet. She doesn’t even bring an umbrella or jacket or anything else you would have brought in this cold weather. She just keeps walking along the street. The warm-and-well-clothed lady she passed by was staring at her in wonder. But she doesn’t care. All the people she met was bringing an umbrella and wearing something but t-shirt. Some couples are standing under the tree.

One boy, as her eyes catch, extends his arm to the girl next to him, trying to keep her warm. She still doesn’t care. Her head nods for a while as her body was unable to confine the cold. She was trembling heavily. Her step is stopped. All of sudden she feels like the air is choking her throat. She cried for a help but it was useless since there is nobody there, or there is no one recognize her existence. Her mind is collapsed, and so is her body. At the end of her conscious, she feels a hand gripping her from the back, preventing her backbone falls hitting the cold and wet ground.

“Liz? Liza!”

It was a voice. Is it Emma? Or Mum? No, it couldn’t be mum. Mum is always busy managing her own world. Or is it him? That would be the last from a million possibilities. Without any sentience, a tear is falling down her cheek. Why is she crying? The hands are now wrapped around her body. For a moment she felt warm, so warm that her mind is wandering flashback seeking the related memories she keeps deep inside. “I’ll take you home. What are you doing in this weather walking along the street with bare feet, you silly!”

It was that voice again. Now she can assure it is Emma, her roommate. She tries to open her eyes and stand. Emma got her back. The rain still falls. First step, the unconscious completely took over her body, causing her falling with her shoulder a side. Scarcely, she heard Emma was screaming her name, shaking her body trying to wake her up. But her eyes won’t cooperate. And it feels like the gravity is much bigger pulling her body to the earth. Her body is numb.

“Kev..” that was the last word she said before she completely sink in her comatose.

—

“Ready for tonight, milady?”

The owner of familiar baritone voice with a little French accent was standing at my door. From across the room I could smell the Charlie White fragrance from his suit, wrapping the air in my chamber. His gaze was spotting on me intensively. Tonight, I wore a black sleeveless Armani dress with black T-strap heels suited perfectly. My skin face was carved with Emma’s masterpiece. She called so for the fact that she, or we, needed three hours to make me look like the girl on the vogue magazine. At least that’s what Emma said.

“Oh my gosh Liz! This is your big day. You should look stunning for tonight!” said Emma repeatedly. I couldn’t be more disagree.

“Em, do you think he is going to utter it now?” I couldn’t restrain a smile from my lips. And it was getting wider as Emma nodded her head, convincing my last question.

“I will make you feel like Cinderella tonight. Happy birthday, Liza.”

Right after Kevin finished his sentence, he took my hand and held it gently. I could feel the sparkle spreading inside my stomach.

“Take me as you wish, and as I am.” I feel like the luckiest birthday girl in the universe.

We went to a resort and booked one candle light dinner table. Classy, I knew. But as long as I was with him, the place, time, and situation wouldn’t be matter anymore.

“Liz, you know that we’ve been being friend for five years or even more as I can remember. For me, you ain’t someone else. So, tonight I’m going to declare to you something.”

Emma is right! I couldn’t be more happy.

“Say it, Kev. Anything you want to.” I never stopped smiling.

—

She feels warm. As her eyes open she can see the rose-printed blanket is covering her body, protecting her from the cold outside. She can smell chamomile scent span around her, very familiar. It takes a second for her to realize she is in her dormitory. “What happened?” she wonders. But when she is trying to remember, she moans as the pain inside her head is popping up suddenly. There is a footstep approaching, it is Emma’s.

“You were fainted, again. Where have you been, Liz?” Emma asked. She just drops her gaze, avoiding Emma’s daunting look. She keeps silent.

“Did you go there again? For goodness sake, Liz. Please stop doing that!”

“Where’s my phone, Em? Did you bring it?” she glanced at Emma.

“Seriously?” Emma rolls her eyes.

“Please, I need to check it whether mum’s calling.”

“Or him?”

“Emm, just please.” She stares at Emma with her swollen eyes, indicating Liza was crying, again. Emma gasps for a while. She just can’t watch Liza suffering against the same thing again and again. She gave up. Emma grabs her bag, takes a phone out, and gives it to Liza.

“It was ringing for couple times and it wasn’t your mum. I don’t know what he is thinking. But Liz, if you want to hear me, just don’t pick that up again.”

Emma’s right. She thinks. As she checks her phone, it was displayed that there’re 9 missed calls and three same-content message. It was Kevin. It was all Kevin. Where are you? Is everything fine? Liz please pick it up. Should I go to your dorm? I heard from Emma that you were fainted yesterday. I’m on my way! I know you’re home.

She gasps. The hidden pain she is trying to bury deep inside her heart rebels to quit. Without she knows, her tear is streaming down her cheeks. The waterfall is in her face. But she doesn’t care. The pain is beating on her chest like a drum, but she doesn’t care. From the outside, she can hear Emma is talking with someone, he is Kevin. Deep from her heart, she knows that she really wants to run after him, see his arms wrapped her cold shoulder, and say that everything will be alright. But she still doesn’t care.

—

“I am about to marry, Liz. What do you think?”

The words that came out from him were like a thunder seizing my veins. I was shocked.

“What do you mean?” I glanced at him in a complete perplexity.

“I know I never told about this to you before. I just need more time to assure myself before I asked you for something. So, Liz. Next three months, I’m about to hold my wedding party. Are you willing to be her bridesmaid?”

“You are getting married? Whoa, Kev. I mean, congratulations. Who’s that lucky girl?”

My feet started crumbling. Was this reality? All of sudden I felt like my chest was bleeding. I could barely breathe. I’m in panic. My hands looked for a grip.

“She is Sally. The girl next door of my apartment.”

“Kev, do you know who her father is?”

I tried to look okay. Kevin just grinned as I said so. I found nothing to say. Both of us were in silence. For couple times I could hear him calling my name, shaking my hands. But it was useless. I can barely feel anything. I was trying to say something but the only thing came out from my mouth were murmured words I couldn’t even understand. Before I knew, I already fainted, shoving the full wine bottle next to me. Under my unconscious, I could feel the piece of wine bottle embed at my hands. My arm was bleeding, but the only pain I felt was right in my heart. It was my 22nd birthday. From that time, I knew that it would be my last birthday I celebrated with him. From that time, I didn’t want to be Cinderella anymore. From that time, I plumped myself not to care anymore.

—

It was almost a year after her 22nd birthday. And it was almost seven months since Kevin and Sally are married. She didn’t attend at his wedding. How could she? She is still in sober. She looks for recovery but the only thing she gets to know is how deep her unspoken and unrequited love is. The rain is still falling. “Em, please let me to see her. I need to know if she is okay.”

All the way through the heavy rains splash, his baritone voice is still can be heard by her ears.

“You know what Kev, I think Liza can only be better without you. Have you always been this stupid?” Emma answered him with her rage on. She can’t be blamed.

“Please. Let me talk to her. I promise you nothing will happen. Please, Em.” Kevin begged.

“She’s not home.” Without any hesitation Emma slams the door, leaving Kevin outside with the silence rain.

Her heart is tore a bit anytime she saw him begging and trying like that. But she is already too afraid. She is too afraid to let herself begin to care again. She is too afraid to let him take his old place she already conceals so hard.

The rain is still falling. All the way through the heavy rains splash, she can see a familiar car moving away from her sight. She can smell the Charlie White scent from the distant, start to fading until it’s all gone. Even though a blanket has been coating on her, she still feels some peculiar cold inside of her. But she doesn’t care. Her cheeks are wet, again. Those swollen eyes seem never can be recovered. But she doesn’t care. The time ain’t done much healing. The only thing she knows that her heart wants what it wants. And that is all she cares.

ABU NAWAS & PENCURI

Abu Nawas diketahui oleh semua orang memang memiliki kebun yang luas, akan tetapi dirinya selalu berusaha tampil sederhana, hal itu ditunjukkan dengan rumahnya yang hanya beralaskan ubin sederhana dan tak tampak barang-barang mewah semacam guci keramik ataupun benda berharga lainnya. Tapi entahlah, apa yang membuat seseorang berusaha masuk ke dalam dengan maksud mendapatkan benda-benda berharga. Dengan langkah perlahan, si pencuri masuk ke rumah Abu Nawas melalui pintu belakang secara diam-diam. Abu Nawas Bersembunyi Ya ampun....si pencuri berhasil masuk ke dalam rumah Abunawas dan langsung menuju ruang tengahnya. Dengan sigap, pencuri yang beraksi sendirian tersebut lantas memandangi satu persatu barang berharga yang ada di ruangan. 

Pencuri tersebut langsung mengaduk-aduk isi rumah Abu Nawas. Seperti kebanyakan para pencuri lainnya, si pencuri juga mencari uang atau pun barang berharga yang dimiliki oleh Abu Nawas. Dia membuka lemari, laci-laci, mencari di kolong-kolong, dan di tempat lainnya. Tapi ia tidak menemukan satu pun barang berharga yang dimiliki oleh Abu Nawas. Semua bagian ruangan di rumah Abu Nawas pun diperhatikannya dengan baik-baik. Setiap sudut ruangan pun tak luput dari pandangannya demi mendapatkan barang berharga milik Abu Nawas. Tapi tampaknya gerak-gerik si pencuri ini diketahui oleh Abu Nawas. Hanya saja, mengetahui rumahnya didatangi pencuri, Abu Nawas bukannya berteriak minta tolong, dirinya malah bersembunyi di sebuah

kotak besar yang berada di sudut ruangan dengan harapan si pencuri tidak mengetahui keberadaannya. Tangan Hampa Si pencuri ini sangat leluasa mencari barang berharga di rumah Abu Nawas, namun hampir selama 1 jam si pencuri tidak menemukan satu barang pun yang berharga. Pencuri hampir saja menyerah dan memutuskan untuk keluar dari rumah Abu Nawas tersebut, tapi tiba-tiba matanya tertuju pada kotak besar yang teletak di sudut ruangan kamar Abu Nawas. 

Si pencuri sangat senang karena dia yakin kalau dalam kotak itulah disimpan harta benada yang dia cari. Dalam angan-angannya, di dalam kotak besar tersebut tersimpan beberapa batang emas ataupun beberapa butir mutiara yang jika dijual akan menghasilkan banyak uang yang dapat digunakannya untuk berfoya-foya. Walaupun kotak besar itu terkunci kuat dari dalam, tapi dengan kekuatan penuh, pencuri itu berhasil membuka kotak tersebut. Hiyaa...pencuri dan Abu Nawas saling bertatapan muka dan kaget satu sama lain, dan pencuri sekaligus kecewa karena di dalam kotak besar itu juga tidak terdapat apa-apa kecuali Abu Nawas yang meringkuk di dalmnya. 

"Hei...apa yang kau lakukan di dalam situ?" tanya si pencuri. "Aku bersembunyi darimu," jawab Abu Nawas dengan malu. "Memangnya kenapa?" tanya pencuri lagi. "Aku malu kepadamu, karena aku tak punya apapun yang dapat kuberikan kepadamu. Itulah alasan kenapa aku bersembunyi di dalam kotak ini," jawab Abu Nawas lagi. Setelah mendapat jawaban tersebut, si pencuri pun pergi meninggalkan rumah Abu Nawas begitu saja dengan tangan hampa, dengan perasaan kecewa dan heran, kenapa si Abu Nawas yang memiliki kebun luas kok bisanya tidak memiliki satupun barang berharga yang dimiliki. 

Itulah Abu Nawas, dia tampil dengan sangat sederhana dalam kehidupannya namun dia selalu bersyukur kepada Alloh SWT karena dia yakin kalau yang orang yang lebih fakir dari dia masih banyak.

ZEBRA CROSS

Bibi Titi teliti mengantar Dung Dung ke sekolah. Kebetulan, Bibi melihat Upik.

"Pik, nanti Dung Dung pulang bersamamu, ya. Aku tidak bisa menjemput!" pesan Bibi Titi Teliti.

Sepulang sekolah, Upik, Coreng, dan Dung Dung menunggu Bobo di depan kelas. Setelah Bodo keluar, mereka pulang bersama. "Ayo kita menyeberang lewat zebra cross!" ajak Bobo.

Sampai di seberang, Dung Dung minta kembali ke seberang lagi, "Ada yang tertinggal di sekolah," kata Dung Dung sambil menarik tangan Bobo.

Mereka menyeberang lagi. Coreng dan Upik menunggu. Tetapi, setiba di seberang, Dung Dung minta kembali.

"Ternyata, tidak tertinggal," katanya.

Sampai di seberang, lagi-lagi Dung Dung minta kembali. Bobo pun kesal. 

"Kamu kenapa, sih, bolak-balik terus? Kalau begitu, kita tidak akan sampai rumah!"

Dung Dung menjelaskan. 

"Aku belum selesai menghitung garis-garis di zebra cross. Waktu ke situ, jumlah garisnya 30. Waktu ke sana, jadi 28. Kok, barusan, malah jadi 32, ya?"

Ooooh, Bobo lupa kalau Dung Dung paling suka menghitung apa saja. 

"Kalau begitu, kita menyeberang lagi bersama-sama, lalu menghitung jumlah zebra cross keras-keras," ajak Bobo. 

Hihihi, kelinci-kelinci lain sampai heran melihat anak-anak menyeberang jalan sambil menghitung.

Karya: Vero

DI RESTORAN JEPANG

Paman Kikuk dan Husin masih menikmati masa liburan di jepang. Suatu hari, mereka berdua diajak Pak Hitori, saudara ipar Paman Kikuk, makan di sebuah restoran.

"Paman Hitori, tolong sampaikan pada pelayan agar menyertakan sendok. Saya belum biasa makan dengan sumpit," pinta Husin pada Hitori.

"Hahaha! Jangan norak, dong, Sin. Ini, kan, Jepang. Makan mesti pakai sumpit. Masa gitu saja enggak bisa, sih?" ledek Paman Kikuk.

Tak lama kemudian, makanan yang dipesan telah tersaji di meja makan.

"Ayo, kita santaaap," ujar Paman Kikuk. Husin asyik menyendoki baso ikan.

Pak Hitori terampil sekali makan menggunakan sumpit. Paman Kikuk tampak berusaha keras mengambil mie dari mangkoknya. Ketika hendak memasukkan mie ke mulutnya, tiba-tiba mie tersebut lepas dari sumpit. Pakaikan Paman Kikuk jadi belepotan.

"Mau pakai sendok, Paman?" ledek Hushin.

Kali ini, Paman Kikuk mencoba mengambil baso dari mangkoknya. Dia berusaha keras menjepit bola daging itu, tetapi baso itu malah melesat mengenai wajahnya. Muka Paman Kikuk berlumuran kuah. Pakaiannya pun kotor. Akhirnya......"Hitori, tolong mintakan  aku sendok, dong.....," pinta Paman Kikuk.

Karya: Joko

PANTUN NASIHAT

Soleram.......Soleram
Soleram.......anak yang manis
Anak manis, janganlah dicium, sayang
Kalau dicium, merahlah pipinya

Tanjung Perak di Surabaya
Naik kapal ke Bukittinggi
Kalau aku jadi orang kaya, sayang
Banyaklah amal dan rendah hati

Pesawat Sukhoi terbang tinggi
Makan rendang di kota Padang
Kalau engkau jadi selebriti, sayang
Jangan bergosip  agar hidup tenang

Pagar kawat pagar berduri
Jangan dipanjat bikin sengsara
Kalau kita bebas korupsi, sayang
Rakyatkan makmur dan sejahtera

DAUN-DAUN GUGUR

Daun-daun sedang berguguran di Negeri Dongeng.

"Wah, indahnya pemandangan daun-daun gugur,"  gumam Nirmala.

Namun, tidak indah buat Pak Srekstrek. Ia telah menyapu daun-daun di halaman istana. Oki, Felip, dan Glegek malah berlarian di halaman. Mereka asyik menerbangkan pesawat kertas. Tanpa sadar, mereka menginjak-injak daun-daun yang sudah di sapu.

"Huh, kurcaci-kurcaci nakal! Daun-daun yang sudah kusapu, jadi berantakan lagi!" keluh Pak Sreksrek yang sudah tua. 

Nirmala kasihan melihat. Pak Sreksrek yang kelelahan.

"Oki, Glegek, Felip! Kalian tidak  kasihan pada Pak Srekrek? Kalian membuat berantakan daun-daun yang sudah disapunya!" tegur Nirmala.

Ketiga kurcaci itu merasa bersalah. Mereka lalu membantu menyapu halaman istana yang sangat luas. Mereka tampak telah dan berkeringat. Nirmala tersenyum melihat ke tiga kurcaci itu.

Saat melihat tumpukan daun, Nirmala mendapat ide. "Aku akan membalas kebaikan Oki dan teman-temannya," pikir Nirmala. Ia lalu menyulap daun-daun gugur itu. "Sim salabim!"

Waaaah, Lihatlah!  Daun-daun gugur itu membentuk tiga pesawat terbang. "Ok, Glegek, Felip! Terimakasih sudah membantu Pak Sreksrek! Naiklah pesawat daun, hadiah dariku!" seru Nirmala. "Asyiik! Terimakasih, Nirmala!" seru ke tiga kurcaci itu. Wuuussh.......pesawat daun melesat di angkasa. Pak Sreksrek dan Nirmala melambai dari bawah. 

Karya: Vanda P

SALAH ASUHAN

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

Semalam-malaman itu Corde tidak merasai tidur nyenyak. Setiap saat ia bertanya dalam hatinya, "Cintakah ia pada Hanafi?" Tapi senantiasa didengarnya pula sahutan, "Oh! Anak Belanda dengan orang Melayu, bagaimana boleh jadi!" Tapi seketika itu juga berbunyi pula suara, "Orang Melayu boleh disamakan haknya dengan orang Eropah!"

Lalu diharapkan ke muka angan-angannya akan diri Hanafi, lahir dan batin. Rupanya molek, kulitnya tidaklah hitam bagai Bumiputra kebanyakan. Hanafi sendiri benci pada bangsanya, Bumiputra. Pelajarannya, tingkah lakunya, perasaannya, semua sudah menurut cara Barat. Kalau ia tidak tinggal bersama ibunya yang sangat kampung tentang tabiat dan perasaannya, tak akan adalah yang menyangka bahwa Hanafi orang Melayu. Sebab bencinya pada bangsanya sendiri, sudah tentu ia suka minta disamakan dengan bangsa Eropah. Pekerjaannya ialah yang lazim dijabat oleh orang Belanda saja, istimewa pula kalau ia minta disamakan dengan bangsa Eropah, tentu tak ada lagi batasnya pangkat yang boleh dijabatnya. Tapi, meskipun demikian, Corrie boleh memastikan, bahwa ia tidak dapat membalas percintaan Hanafi, sebab ... ya, sebab ...? Sebab ia 'tidak' cinta!

Hanafi dipandang sebagai seorang sahabat saja  yang dibawa bergaul waktu bertemu saja. Dari kecil ia sudah berkenalan, sudah sama-sama bermain-main, meskipun Hanafi tiga tahun lebih tua dari dia. Dahulu masa di sekolah rendah di Solok, ia memandang Hanafi seolah-olah saudara tuanya; dan acap kali Hanafi melindunginya, jika ada seseorang anak laki-laki yang hendak menganiayanya. Waktu ia datang ke Betawi, masih mendapati Hanafi di kota itu, enam bulan sesudah itu baharulah Hanafi pulang ke Sumatra Barat. Tapi dalam enam bulan itu, hanya dua tiga kali ia berjumpa dengan kawan itu, sedang selama di asrama Salemba, tidak pula berkirim-kirim surat dengan dia. Hanya tiap-tiap pakansi mereka bertemu di Solok, sedang pergaulan tetap cara biasa, sebagai kakak dengan adik. Secara orang bersaudara,  banyak benar timbulnya pertikaian pikiran antara keduanya, dan tiap-tiap bersahut-sahutan itu, ada jualah salah seorang yang marah. Jika yang seorang sudah bermuka merah yang lain lalu mengalah, demikian saja dilakukan oleh mereka berganti-ganti, hingga persahabatan antara keduanya bisa kekal.

Hanya Corrie sudah merasai menjadi gadis, setelah ia masuk sekolah HBS; terutama di negeri kecil dijaganya benar namanya, supaya jangan menjadi sebutan.

Oleh karena itu hanya sekali-sekali ia datang ke rumah Hanafi, begitu juga tidak pernah seorang diri, melainkan membawa kawan juga. Dan jika ia berjalan-jalan dengan Hanafi pun ia membawa salah seorang kawan. Buat dirinya sendiri ia tidak terlalu peduli, tapi yang dijaganya hanyalah perasaan orang. Hanafi dipandangannya  seolah-olah saudaranya, jadi seharusnya ia tidak perlu berhati-hati benar, hanya Hanafi itu memang orang Malayu; dan di dalam adat orang Melayu memang banyak benar pantangan bagi anak gadis. Jika sekiranya di Betawi Hanafi membawanya ke tempat permandian di pinggir laut dengan tidak membawa kawan, akan tidaklah ia keberatan, karena - Hanafi dipandangnya sebagai saudaranya benar.

Yang sudah-sudah, Hanafi pun berlaku sebagai seorang saudara pula kepadanya, hanya di dalam pakansi sekali ini, dan terlebih pula sehari tadi, perangainya sudah lain. Sudah menjadi kebiasaan bagi keduanya berpegang-pegang tangan, tidak ada gelinya, tapi waktu tadi siang Hanafi meraba lalu mencium tangan Corrie, bukan saja Corrie terkejut karena kedatangan Tuhan dan Nyonya Brom, melainkan sebenar-benarnya ia terkejut sebab dicium tangannya itu. Dan itu pun sudah luar biasa, karena antara kakak dengan adik tak usahlah terkejut fasal bercium-ciuman tangan itu. Tapi Corrie sudah terperanjat, segala darah sudah naik ke kepalanya, dan jantungnya berdebar-debar.

Itulah suatu tanda baginya, bahwa dari pihak sifat-sifat 'bersaudara' itu sudah berubah. Hati berahinya sebagai gadis sudah timbul pada saat itu. Dan mulai dari itu  yakinlah ia akan bahaya percampuran laki-laki dengan perempuan. Dahulu disangkanya bahwa seorang gadis akan bisa bercampur gau! dengan bujang sebagai saudara sejati;  bebas daripada perasaan lain yang tidak layak bagi orang bersaudara. Persahabatan yang suci antara gadis dengan bujang disangkanya boleh berlaku dengan sesuci-sucinya. Jika ia bergaul dengan bujang-bujang, maka disangkanya adalah ia bergaul dengan sahabat, yang tidak memandang dia sebagai "perempuannya", melainkan sebagai sahabat saja, serupa dengan kepada sahabat laki-laki. Itulah sebabnya maka Corrie sudah mentertawakan sekalian bujang, yang segera saja menulis surat "lamaran", menyatakan cinta yang tidak berhingga kepadanya, setelah bertemu dua tiga kali di tempat keramaian. Laku serupa itu jauh daripada menimbulkan birahi si gadis itu melainkan menimbulkan bencinya, hingga inginlah ia hendak mempermain-mainkan orang yang serupa itu.

Dalam persangkaan Corrie, pergaulannya dengan Hanafi selama ini hanya dibangunkan di atas rasa persahabatan dan persaudaraan saja. Memang sayanglah ia pada Hanafi, tapi sebagai sayang kepada saudara.

Dalam persangkaan Corrie, pergaulannya dengan Hanafi selama ini hanya dibangunkan di atas rasa persahabatan dan persaudaraan saja. Memang sayanglah ia pada Hanafi, tapi sebagai sayang kepada saudara.

Tapi nyatalah bahwa perasaan dari kedua belah pihak sudah berubah. Hanafi sudah cinta padanya, bukan lagi sebagai kepada adiknya, melainkan sebagai kepada seorang perempuan yang dikehendakinya buat menjadi istrinya. Perasaan Corrie terhadap kepadanya sudah berubah pula, tapi cintakah ia pada Hanafi? Itulah suatu pertanyaan besar, yang sedang membimbangkan hatinya, yang mengganggu kesenangannya sampai ke tempat tidurnya. Senantiasa wajah Hanafi sudah terbayang-bayang dalam pandangannya, meskipun ia memicingkan mata. Meskipun perangai Hanafi sudah ke belanda-belandaan, tapi adalah juga sifat ketimuran yang belum hilang sama sekali padanya, yaitu malu-malu sopan orang Timur masih ada di kampungnya; dan sifat inilah yang menarik hati si gadis itu.

Sejurus lamanya termenunglah Corrie. Maka dihitungnya pada buah baju kimononya, seolah-olah meramal-ramal. "Cinta - tidak - cinta - tidak - cinta! Stop, lima bilangan buah kimono, kesudahannya jatuh pada "cinta".

"Oh," kata Corrie," tentu saja disudahi 'cinta' , karena buah kimono itu memang lima. Sekiranya kumulai dengan 'tidak' , tentu 'tidak pula kesudahannya." 

"Tokek!"

"Ha!" kata Corrie pula dalam hatinya. "Tokek itu jarang bohongnya. Mari kita lihat... tidak - 'tokek!' cinta - 'tokek!' - tidak 'tokek!' cinta - 'tokek!' tidak - 'tokek!' cinta.

"Oh! Tokek celaka, biasanya berbunyi lima kali, sekarang enam! Pendeknya aku tak cinta pada si Hanafi si gila -bah! Orang Melayu!" Corrie mencoba menghilangkan segala keriang-kenangan yang berhubungan dengan Hanafi. Kepalanya sudah berasa berat, telinga mendesing-desing.

Sejurus lamanya terlayanglah ia, lalu tertidur. Seketika wajah Hanafi sudah nampak pula di mukanya, sambil senyum simpul dengan sapanya.

Corrie dan Hanafi menikah

..........

Karya : Abdoel Moeis 

LETTER

here am I, nobody wants to tell me

Find the right place, but where?

No, there is no hope anywhere

Go to the mountainside and standing alone

Walk, walk, and always walk

There is no way to nowhere

Light, light, where is the light?

There is a small light in the darkness my way

Who am I, nobody knows right now

I feel time just passing by

Now, there is a hope

Will I rise in my way?

Greenwich, Thursday 25th September 2016, it is rainy day, the rain falls from the sky and (washes) the streets, you can only hear the sound of the rain from swinging of the tree cause of the wind, the cold shivering into the body and from far away we can see the people running try to find place for sheltering, thinking from my window, when we leave this world, can we leave like the rain? Piece, you won’t hear the sadness, the pain and people see you as a good thing, even some of them see it as a disaster. Saturday 25th September 2014, my sister has left me forever, police said she passed away because of an accident, but I know she’s killed by unknown man, since 7 years old because our parents passed away in the trip to Hawaii, I only have my sister in my life, and I can feel the pain when I lost my sister until this time, even every second in my life. Because she is the only one that I have in this world and from that day I hate something about murdering, even sometime I hate myself.

Tuesday 17th September 2016, Here I am, Jonathan Brian or JB, people call me with that name even though my real name is Jonathan Steve Stuart Brian Lewis, so I think will be easy for them to call me Jonathan Brian or JB rather than my complete name, yeah it is not a problem for me, and now I am working in police station as a detective for murder case and I have a partner, or maybe my only friend in this office. His name is Ivan Romanoff, he is 5 years older than me and he said 4 years ago he was my neighbor until he moved to west Greenwich, but I didn’t realize that. Ivan Romanoff or Ivan is a good man, smart, I can see it when he solved every cases, he can be my friend, senior, or my teacher. I learn many things from Ivan, and I don’t know why he is so friendly with me, maybe because we are partner in work, we are friends and we work in the same office. “Hey JB, want to go home and buy a cup of coffee together? It is good for your concentration.” He asked me when our work almost done and it is 10:20 P.M, “Sure, don’t forget to add sugar into your coffee, because last time you forgot to put it, how old are you? 69 years old?!” joking me answering his question and Ivan laughed while holding my shoulder. In the café we talk about many things, our case, and finally it is already midnight “It is already midnight, time to take a rest and go home, dude.” says Ivan, “Yeah, you’re right, it is time to go home, but you can go first because I have something to do before that.” answer me while looking at my watch, and Ivan go home after he said see you tomorrow. It’s a long night and I arrived in my home at 03:18 A.M and I fall asleep in my sofa without change my clothes.

My phone is ringing and it makes me awake, and then I look at my watch, it is 09:25 A.M. Oh shit, I am late!!!!!!, I answer the call in my phone and it is from Ivan, “ Hey where the hell you are!!! Something happened in our office, come here as fast as you can, JB.” when I heard that news from Ivan, I go to the office as fast as I can, even I don’t know yet what is that the problem. In the office so many policemen gathering in my desk and Ivan already waiting for me, “Sorry, Ivan, the coffee last night made me hard to sleep and.” “Don’t think about that, look at this, JB, something happened.” answered Ivan before I am finishing the conversation and he shows me a piece of paper.

Dear Mr. Jonathan Steve Stuart Brian Lewis:

I need your help and I don’t know where to go for help. My name is Iburof and I am 22 years old girl. I was rap*d by my uncle two days ago but I couldn’t tell this terrible thing to my family. I felt my life has ruined and I don’t want to live with tainted life till the rest of my life. I’ll take my own life if you can’t provide me with a solution.

I’ll wait for your answer within a week, and I don’t need cops, if you tell or bring the cops I’ll take my own life too, I believe in you.

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Iburof

PS:

I enclose with this letter my photo and this is my mobile number: 0813-99875801.

“I got this letter in your desk this morning. Tell me, what is going on, who Iburof is?! Why the hell this letter in your desk? Even she knows your real name!!” ask Ivan and looking at me angrily, “What are you talking about? I don’t know who put that letter in my desk, and why you angry and yelling at me!! I am your friend, and I never lie to you.” Answer me too Ivan and I sit in his chair “Sorry dude, so many cases nowadays that we’ve got, but I don’t know why…, I mean, I just,.. I don’t want you involved in this case.” Sigh Ivan after he said it. “Hey man, calm down, don’t worry about this letter, don’t think about it, maybe someone joking us to get attention from us, I think you need more sleep, come on, let me drive you home.” and I take care Ivan to his house.

“Actually I was so surprised when I read this letter, and I was so confused what should I do, because I don’t know this is real Iburof or not, but in this letter she will end her life if I ignore this letter, but I think you need more rest today.” I talk to Ivan on the way to his house, “Yeah, same like me, you know, we just take a case about murdering, right? But why she said she needs your help? Something is wrong here,” says Ivan. Finally we arrive at Ivan’s house and before I leave his house I tell him just to ignore the letter, and I go back home after that. For hours I still ignore this letter, but I don’t know why I still think about this letter and make me so curious, but finally I put that letter in my bed and I go to sleep. The next day, earlier in the morning, I wake up earlier than yesterday or another day, and I take the letter in my bed and think, “I’ll wait for your answer within a week”, a week? She said a week it means 7 days, and this is the second day since we got that letter, what will happen if I ignore this letter until 7 days? But suddenly I smell stink from my house. Damn!!!! What is this smell?! I think I already take a bath 2 days ago, but I think this smell not from my body, let’s find out where this smell is coming from. I find the smell in all of my house part, but I found nothing. And when I open my front door, I am so shocked there is a dead body without his head, and I call Ivan and police to come to my house. Finally Ivan come first and I tell him what happened here and Ivan tell me let’s check the body before the cops coming, and Ivan so surprised when he got a paper with envelope, it is the second letter!! And it is saying “It is already the second day, if you still ignore me, not only me will end the life, but more than me!!!” “She is not joking us, JB. I mean, look at that body, it proves us that she is serious about that letter, let’s find her and call the number in that letter; we will meet here after the police take the body, JB.” Ivan tell me what should we do next, with serious face, and the cops come check the body and I tell to the police what happened here but not with the letter. After the police go, we talk about the girl “Iburof”, “What she wants from us, what happened, let’s call the number in the letter.” says Ivan. Finally, I call the number in that letter, and when someone answer the call, I just heard a little sound of girl and she said “Royal Streets Block C No 45” and she hang up my phone, “Geez, it is so damn!!!, Why she makes us in this position, it makes us more confused who Ibuof is, is it Iburof or what??? And now she just said “Royal Streets Block C No 45” what does that mean?” “We think the same thing, let’s find Iburof, as a detective, J.” So in that day we find and collect the data about Iburof, but we got nothing except a clue from the girl on the phone. We take a break in a mini market and I tell Ivan “Let’s find from first clue Ivan, Royal Streets Block C No 45, I think I know that road, it’s close to your house, right? About 25 minutes from here, let’s find it tomorrow because it is already night, and I think I need to go to toilet first, wait here for a while.” Ivan waits for me and then he says there is something that he must do before going home, “Our boss said to report the accident that happened today, and he wants the report now, so I must go back to the office and give the report, are you coming with me?” “Oh geez, now? I am so tired, and I need more information about Royal Streets Block C No 45, how about you tell the report and I will find the information about that street, and we will meet later tomorrow in your house?” I asked and he agrees. Finally, I go home with taxi and Ivan back to the office with taxi, before he left me he said, “I think we need cops to help us, J.” At home I find so much information about Royal Streets Block C No 45, and I will tell Ivan tomorrow.

In the morning, when I go to Ivan’s house, I am so surprised that Ivan’s car is crashed and his arm is broken, “Hey man, what is going on? Tell me!” ask me to Ivan, “Last night I tell you to give the report to our boss, right? Remember the last word I told you? I think we need cops, right? And on the way to our office I saw dead body behind my chair and that is made me shock and I try to use my brake but it doesn’t work and I hit a tree in front of me. I am okay, but I can’t use my arm for a while, and you know, I got the third letter in the dead body in my car, and it says “I TELL YOU, DON’T TELL THE COPS, IVAN BURNER RUMANOFF.” “F*CK!!! It is far too much, SHE IS PSYCHO!!! I will find her and I will make her pay for this!” “Hey, stop!! We will find it together. Do you think you can find her and I do nothing here?! Even she knows my full name!” Ivan tries to stop me, “Okay, but don’t push yourself, so let’s start from Royal Streets Block C No 45, let me drive you.” I tell Ivan.

The fifth day, morning 8 o’clock, so when I ride the car; I ‘m thinking what happened to Iburof, is she really rap*d by her uncle? Or is there any problem with her mind? And finally, we arrive at Royal Streets, but for 8 hours we can’t found where the hell Block C No 45 is and we try to ask people, but they don’t know and said there is no block C No 45. We search that f*ckin’ block until night. At night, we find hotel and sleep there, hotel in Royal Street and still search for the information. We can’t sleep in the night and still think about where Block C No 45 is. And suddenly, we hear a woman screaming beside our room, and there is a girl standing in front of a window. People try to tell her to get down from the window, because now we are in the 3rd floor, she tries to end her life by suicide and she holds a book in her hand. And when she looks at Ivan, she said, “This is a little piece of the heaven.” and then she jump from the window and she died by suicide. We call the police and identify the girl. She is a prisoner and police searched her for 5 days. It is already 06:32 and this is the sixth day, but we can’t find where Block C No 45. Because of this accident, we need more time to finish this case, but we take the book from that girl, The title is “History of Greenwich”, “It is so strange, right? Why she holds a book about history and then choose to die by suicide?” ask me to Ivan, “Don’t ask me, J. Let’s back to the hotel and read that book.” In the hotel, we try to analyze it for 5 hours. Finally, we get the information from that book, “J, look at this, twenty years ago, there are 6 blocks in Royal Streets, which is Block A until Block F. But in 2001, name of Block C is changed, and from 2001 people know Block C with name ‘Knife Palace Streets’.” From that statement, we search that street in our laptop, and we find it. “Tomorrow will be the seventh or the last day from that letter. We must find Iburof and ask everything about what the f*ck is happened. But, we need to rest first and, your arm will better tomorrow.” I tell Ivan and he agrees with me, and then we take a rest.

Wednesday 24th September 2016, it is the seventh days from Iburof send us the Letter, and today will be the last day, and we try to find Iburof and ask everything that already happened before she ends her life, and we got nothing if she do that. 06:32 A.M, we go to the Royal Streets Block C No 45, but now it is The Knife Palace Streets and we found it. We go to the house no 45 but it is so quiet, no people here, and in the house number 45 we try to find where she is. But the house is so strange, the front door is unlocked, and we open the door, we smell disgusting thing when we entered the house. We found a dead body in the floor, it is a male body with broken face, and there is a piece of paper in his uncompleted fingers and a knife stabbed in his bloody head. We try to read the letter, “This is the man who rap*d me. You are late, and there is a number in the knife.” September 25th 2014, and I put it down, and suddenly the sky changes become gloomy and the rain falls from the sky, “We must finish this case as soon as possible.” says Ivan, “Yeah, I will finish this soon.” I answer. We hear a little sound from the bedroom, and Ivan goes to that bedroom and checks it. Ivan try to find from where that sound is, he hears footsteps approaching him, but he can’t find it, and suddenly a girl stabbed Ivan from back with a long- pointed iron pipe until it reaches his stomach. Ivan stuck in the wall and he can’t move his body. The blood comes out from his stomach like water spilled into the floor, when he sees the girl face, Ivan shocked, “HELP!! JONATHAN, HELP ME!!!” Ivan yelled with blood out from his mouth, “Help you? MWAHAHAHAHA !!!!!, I am waiting for this moment, you piece of sh*t!!! I think you already met my sister minutes ago, right??, Yes, Diana!!! You know her, right?? I arrange this plan for 2 years, and you are right, you were my neighbor 4 years ago, and you like my sister, right? You try to get her, but she doesn’t like you, you depressed and on Saturday, September 25th 2014, you F*CKIN RAP* MY F*CKIN SISTER!!!! And you try to kill her!!! You think she died, and because you work at police office, the police said it is because an accident, but actually you try to kill her. But one thing you should know, my sister did not die, yet. She told me you rap*d her and tried to take her life. From that day, I have revenge with you, because my sister is EVERYTHING for me!!! I try to get work in this f*ckin’ police office and I got it. Well let me tell you something, I give you some clues but you didn’t realize that, first, remember when you invite me to drink coffee together? And I tell you to go home first, and I came late in the morning. And you know when you went back to home; I went to our office to put that “Letter” in my desk, so that is why I tell you to go first, MWAHAHAHAHA!!! That was the beginning of my astonishing plan. Second, remember when I call you and there was a dead body in front of my DOOR? Actually, my sister killed him and took the body there, and she put the letter in that body. But YOU!!!! You didn’t realize that, RIGHT? And then remember when we were in the minimarket??? And you crashed?? When I said to you I go to bathroom for awhile, actually I went to the parking lot and broke your brake, DUDE!!! And I act like I know nothing!!! And then remember when a girl jumped from the window in the hotel? Before we go to the hotel, I met her, and I said you will catch her if you meet her, and before that I ask my sister to kill her if she doesn’t hold the book, so that is why she was screaming in her room, and the last clue is, the knife on his head, look at the knife. It says September 25th 2014, on that day you f*ckin rap*d my sister. MWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! You know it is simple clue, right, look at you, dying and waiting for your death time, and I know, why you are so friendly with me, because of my sister, RIGHT!!! And you now, the sender in the letter is Iburof, right? it means ‘Ivan BUrner RumanOFf’ F*CK, ARE YOU DUMB?!! You don’t even realize that, you DUMB F*CK!!! But now it is done, my sister will kill you with this knife. But let me ask you a question, do you like rain? I like rain, because when rain falls from the sky, you can only hear the sound of the rain, like the pain, and the sadness flow with this rain. I ever said to you, I hate everything about murdering, even sometimes I hate myself, and now I hate myself. But don’t worries, I already call the cops to take me into the jail, because I killed you. And now, your time is coming. Goodbye, ‘my friend’… “N-nn-nooo… p-please… s-s-spare me…” “Kill him”… and then she kill him…

Greenwich, Thursday 25th September 2016, it is rainy day, the rain falling from the sky and washed the streets. I only hear the sound of the rain with swinging tree ‘cause of the wind, the cold shivering into the body and from far away I can see the people running find the place for sheltering, thinking from my prison window, when we leave this world, can we leave like the rain? peace, you can’t hear the sadness, the pain and people see you as good thing.

Who am I, nobody know right now

I feel time just passing by

Now, there is a hope

Will I rise in my way?

TERINSPIRASI PERAHU NAGA

Perayaan 17 Agustus di sekolah Milo Boy segera tiba. Manda baru saja kehilangan sepeda karena itu dia menyarankan menggunakan sepeda Bumbum. Milo Boy dan kawan-kawan tahu bila Manda sangat bersedih dengan kejadian tersebut, namun Manda tidak berusaha memperlihatkannya.

"Seru nih, yuk kita ikut pakai sepedamu aja ya, Bum!"

"Tidak usah pakai sepeda deh! Aku ada ide!"

"Kita buat perahu naga yuk. Kemarin aku lihat di kemasan Milo sachet tentang perahu naga ini. Menarik banget lho!"

"Wah seru tuh"

Esok sore di rumah Manda.

"Aku bawa kayu-kayu bekas  ini."

"Aku bawa bambu dan gerobak bekas nih!"

"Aku bawa kemudi sepeda untuk kemudinya!"

"Nanti kita ganti menjadi sepeda naga ya!"

"Anak-anak ayo istirahat dulu, ini tante buatkan Milo."

Hari Lomba pun tiba, Milo Boy dan kawan-kawan telah bersiap mengikuti jalannya lomba.

"Satu...dua...satu....dua... Dung...dung....dung...dung."

Berkata keunikan dan kreatifitas mereka akhirnya mereka, akhirnya mereka keluar sebagai juara.

"Horrrrreeeeeee......!!!!!"

MENCOPET KEPITING

Tian sabtu sore,  Umi, mahasiswi berumur dua puluh tahun, pulang kampung. Ia harus menempuh perjalanan selama dua jam dengan bu. Ia seringkali tak memperoleh tempat duduk. Terpaksalah ia berdiri berjajar dengan penumpang lain.

Ada satu hal menyebabkan hati Umi sedih. Hampir setiap kali pulang kampung, uangnya selalu dicopet orang. Uang yang biasa diletakkan dalam dompet di dalam tasnya, diketahuinya lenyap begitu ia turun dari bus. Tas itu telah sobek. Rupanya, pencopet selalu memanfaatkan situasi berdesak-desakan di bus untuk mencopet uangnya.

Sebagaimana Sabtu sore sebelumnya, Umi pulang kampung. Ia memiliki bus yang penuh,berdesak-desakam dengan penumpang lain. Ia merasakan tasnya diincar seseorang. Tas itu terguncang diimpit-impit orang. Umi tetap bersikap tenang, meskipun bahaya mengincarnya. 

Tiba-tiba, copet yang mengincar dompet dalam tasnya berteriak keras, "Aduuh, tanganku!" Seekor kepiting yang diletakkan Umi dalam tas, menggigit tukan copet itu.

Serta-merta Umi berteriak," Copeet!"

Penumpang bus beramai-ramai menangkap si pencopet. Seekor kepiting yang diletakkan dalam tas menyelamatkan uang Umi.

SENGSARA MEMBAWA NIKMAT

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Pada tepi jalan di pasar kampung itu kelihatan lada, ayam, dan lain-lain sebagainya. Dua orang muda memuat barang-barang itu ke dalam pedati. Setelah selesai, Midun dan Maun pun bersalam dengan ayah-bunda masing-masing, yang ketika itu ada pula di sana menolong memuat barang itu ke dalam pedati. Mereka kedua minta izin, lalu bersiap akan berangkat. Ketika Midun bersalam minta maaf kepada ibunya, lama benar tangannya maka dilepaskan ibunya. Amat berat hati ibu itu melepas anaknya ke Bukittinggi. Sungguhpun Bukittinggi tidak berapa jauh dari kampungnya, tetapi tak ubah hal ibu Midun sebagai seorang yang hendak melepas anaknya dapat bahaya yang akan menimpa anaknya, karena Midun dimusuhi orang. Tetapi ia terpaksa  harus melepas Midun, anak yang sangat dikasihinya itu.

Maka berangkatlah Midun dan Maun menumpang pedati yang membawa barang-barangnya itu. Dari kampungnya ke Bukittinggi adalah semalam perjalanan dengan pedati. Ia berangkat pada petang hari Jumat. Pagi-pagi hari Sabtu, sebelum matahari terbit, sudah sampai di Bukittinggi. Di dalam perjalanan keduanya adalah selamat saja.

Belum tinggi matahari terbit, barang-barang yang dibawanya diborong oleh orang Cina dengan harga Rp 160,00. Setelah itu keduanya pergi makan ke sebuah lepau nasi dan menghitung laba masing-masing Barang yang berpokok Rp 50,00 dijual Rp 100,00 dn beruntung Rp 50,00 Penjualan lain kepunyaan ibunya Rp 60,00 disimpan mereka uangnya. Setelah dipotong biaya, lalu dibaginya dua keuntungan itu, yaitu Rp 20,00 seorang. Sesudah makan Midun berkata, "Sungguh bukan sedikit untung kita, Maun! Patutlah Datuk Palindih lekas benar kayanya. Belum lama ia jadi saudagar, sudah banyak ia membeli sawah uang yang diperniagakannya pun tidak sedikit, karena berpuluh pedati ia membawa barang-barang yang telah dibelinya. Maukah Maun berniaga pula nanti?"

"Baik, saya pun amat suka berniaga," jawab Maun...Jika pandai menjalankan perniagaan, memang lekas benar naiknya. Tapi jatuhnya mudah pula. Lihatlah Baginda Sutan itu! Dari sekaya-kayanya jatuh jadi semiskin-miskinnya. Sekarang pikirannya tidak sempurna lagi."

"Benar katamu itu. Karena Baginda Sutan sangat tamak akan uang dan sangat kikir pula, ia dihukum Tuhan. Boleh jadi ia berniaga terlampau banyak mengambil untung, lalu dimurkai Allah. Kekikirannya jangan dikata lagi. Bajunya baju hitam yang sudah berkilat lehernya, karena tidak bercuci. Baunya pun tidak terperikan busuknya. Uang seduit dibalik-baliknya dulu baru dibelanjakan.

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Karya: Tulis Sutan Sati

BUKU

Kau adalah benda

Yang menyimpan banyak ilmu

Jika kau tidak ada di muka bumi ini 

Apa yang akan kami dapat

Guru sangat membutuhkanmu

Untuk murid-muridnya

Kubuka halaman per halaman

Dan ku dapat yang ku cari

Buku

Aku sangat membutuhkanmu

Untuk mengisi prestasiku

Oh buku

Ku sangat membutuhkanmu

Karya: Berty Theresia Simanullang

OH MY GOD

Who is he? What are he doing here? Seriously my brain is going blank and don’t know what to do now. All I can do is quickly walk into my room and take my phone to call a police. After I got my phone, I call police and keep waiting until they answer me. I quickly gave my address to the police after they picked up. Suddenly I heard someone is coming to my room. Oh My God. What should I do now?  I don’t know where to hide. Then I decide to hide inside my wardrobe. I can see someone open my door room and get inside. I try to not make any noise. He hold something on his right hand. But I can’t see it clearly what is it.

“Hello, I can’t find her. Are you sure that she is at home now?” asked the old man with his heavy sound and that’s his phone on his right hand.

“Yes, I’m really sure. Just keep finding her.” said the woman on the phone.

My heart beats so fast when suddenly he is coming into my wardrobe. His hand almost reach my wardrobe door.  I immediately open the door and punch him on his face then run. The old man keep chasing me with his bleeding nose because of me.

Finally I see my parents car outside my home but there’s no people inside the car. Where are they? Then I kept running and try to find any help. But then I suddenly stopped because my mom shout my name. I turn my head backward and my parents is standing beside the old man. Are they crazy? What are they doing with that old man? They’re coming to my place where I’m standing. But I prefer to run before I got killed by them.

“Hey Jo, what happened to you? Why did you running? Is there something wrong with you?” asked miss Yenna with her shocked face. She is one of my neighbor.

I can’t say anything. All I can do is crying and hugging miss Jenni. I hope everything is gonna be okay. But I think it’s impossible. My parents try to kill me with that old man. Why they want to kill me? What’s my fault to them? I never expect my parents will kill me like this. Then miss Yenma bring me to her house.

Miss Yenna listening to my story with her serious face. But then she laughed so hard. I just can’t imagine if she want to kill me too now. Arghhhhh…… What should I do know? I can’t run anymore.

Suddenly there are someone coming inside the home and they’re my parents with that old man. Then I cried and say sorry if I do any mistakes with them. But then all of them just laugh and it’s make me confused. What are they laughing now? Will they kill me or………

“Hey sweetie, are you okay? We will not kill you. It’s impossible because you’re one and the only child we have. We are so proud of having you in our life. This old man is one of our friends. His name is mr. Nathan. We ask him for help to bring you because we will going home late.” said my mom while trying to make me understand by saying it slowly.

My face turns red because I feel so embarrassed especially to mr. Nathan because I make his nose bleeding. But then I just laugh and think why am I so stupid enough? Hahaha…

Karya: Jessica Octavia