A Piece Of Memory

Storia 5 : Twilight and The Rain

The ride home that day was not as smooth as I hoped before. The day was no longer as bright as it was a moment ago. The air temperature is starting to drop slowly now. Although the blue light of the sky can still be seen. But I know it won't be much longer.

We changed our position a little on the way home. This time Sarah, suddenly chose to come with me. On the road, we drive our vehicles fast. But no matter how well I do, I can never even catch up with my friends ahead. I knew it was because of Sarah who was behind me. Like the movement she makes. Women, sometimes have unusual anxiety. Well this is what makes me have to spend a little extra energy.

But we were only halfway there when thunder strike in the distance. And the sky seems to be getting darker now. Strong winds make the trees around us shaking violently. And it only took a few seconds for me before my anxiety return. Until finally the rain starts to drop. A light drizzle at first, which slowly grew harder. I could feel the water seeping into my clothes immediately. Even when I'm wearing a jacket. Luckily, we soon found a little hut, still in the middle of jungle. The shape is not perfect. But it's the only option this time. Especially with the lightning constantly blazing above our heads, so the best option seems to be to give up on nature for a moment.

I parked my motorbike in the front yard, ran towards the stairs, draping my jacket over both of our heads. Down the hall, I checked the door again, and didn't find it locked this time, so I don't think we need to ask the owner's permission again since the occupants aren't there. Hesitantly we stepped in. Water dripped from our clothes.

"The days are getting worse." Sarah started talking to me. While I nod. I then put my jacket on the hanger, allowing time to dry it.

Inside, the air feels a little stuffy. And Sarah opened the window, refreshing it, letting the afternoon light illuminate it for a moment. In the corner of the room, directly opposite the door, I saw the remains of burning wood, then used it as a heater.

There was a bit of a strange feeling when we were stuck in that place. And it feels like nature is now conspiring against us, keeping us to stay together. But also, I didn't want to pay too much attention to Sarah when it happened. It's just that previously when I stared blankly out the window, I suddenly caught the image of Sarah as she started to dry her hair. Which somehow makes me unable to turn away. And for the first time since I'd known her, she suddenly looked almost pretty. Which made me not even realize I was just admiring her. I knew I had to quickly turn my face away. And I thought I was about to do it right away, before Sarah caught on to what I was doing. But she just offered a gentle smile me. Obviously, that she liked it too.

"Looks like we're going to be a bit late here. Aren't you afraid your father is looking for you?" Then I said. Suddenly need to fill the state.

Hearing my question, Sarah turned her face away for a moment. Then looked up at the sky again.

"Not really," but she said.

"You mean he wouldn't worry about you?"

"I think so. But it looks like he won't be angry." Then she muttered for a moment. "Actually… he doesn't even know I'm out for a walk,"

The answer sounds surprising. And of course, a little wary.

"How could it be?"

"Because I know my father very well, right?" Now she was laughing.

"Even if he knows you’re with me?"

I know when I said it that was because of my anxiety. And I think Sarah understands how I feel. But then again, she just smiled to herself. And did not give an answer right away.

"You seem afraid of my father?"

"I think anyone does. You've said it before, haven't you, if he doesn't really like me?"

"I didn't say that… I just said that he didn't like your behavior." she replied, with a slight emphasis on her words. Which left me not knowing what else to say.

And it's true that ditching is a habit for us now, but we must still do it in secret. I think Sarah is starting to have the same influence as her father now. Although she doesn't express it that way. In fact, she only turned to look at me once in response. And add nothing to the conversation. That's why I then changed the subject. Maybe I can show a little bit of my attention.

"Aren't you cold?" I asked finally.

"Yes, a little. I thought it was because my clothes were wet.”

“Oh… actually… I wanted to lend you my jacket. Might be a bit dry when the rain stops. So, you can wear it later.”

"I am alright." Her reply was light. And without prolonging the problem.

"Sorry for keeping you stuck here,"

This time she glanced at me. "What for? It’s because the nature, isn’t it?” She said. Smiling. And I nodded once again.

We then passed the time in silence. Hoping the day doesn’t get any worse. Although that's not what actually happened. The good news, maybe the good news is that the thunder is starting to be rarely heard. But still, we had to go home even late. Even the light of the sky was barely visible now.

But surely, we were in a position that was a bit far apart in beginning. Sarah was at one end of the room and I was at the other. But unlike before when he usually came to me first, this time I took the first step towards her. Indeed, actually nothing happened after that either. Because we were the only ones using it to sit next to each other. While leaving the fire in the fireplace drying our clothes. But somehow, I couldn't help but stare at her again. Once, as our gazes met, and she even made no attempt to look away. I could see her slightly widened eyes as I looked at her intently. The blurry light around us really made her look even prettier then I’ve ever seen.

“What do you usually do when you skipping your work?” She asked, instantly interrupting my thoughts. I didn't even know it was of interest to her.

“You mean at Welmina?”

"Where have you been ditching?"

I started mumbling. “Welmina is one of them, but most of the time I'm out of town. I mean Palangkaraya."

"Oh... so you have family there?"

"Not. It’s not. But I have a house there." I said, proudly.

And that is right. The best single thing I've ever had is just that. Even if it's not worth too much. But the issue of price seems to give me more convenience. And this is another advantage of being a civil servant.

“Oh…, so what do you usually do there?” She asked again.

"There isn't any. Just playing on the internet."

“You just went to town just for that?” She said and she laughed. I think this is the first time she can laugh out loud. Then I nodded. “What about in Welmina?” And she asked again.

Like I said, if my place of work is in Dulin. Those two places were still in the same territory as Welmina. So, when I was often seen at Welmina, of course that meant skipping work again. Although there are a number of days that require me to be there.

"Not many. Just playing games."

"Playing games again?" She couldn’t help herself but laugh again.

"Why?" I asked surprised.

"No, I thought you met your family or something."

This time I didn't answer. Before she continued.

"You're not planning to go back to Bandung, Ryan?"

"Actually, sometimes. But because of my job here, I find it difficult to come back.” I replied, but Sarah didn't respond this time. Instead, she turned her face away. Staring at the window again. I don't know what she was thinking. Maybe it's because of the rain outside that hasn't completely let up. Meanwhile, the day was almost dark. The sparks from the fireplace made it contrast to the scenery outside. But I didn't think much of it at the time.

Until I finally spoke again. "I think I need to take you out of work once in a while," I began. Meanwhile Sarah looked and smiled at me.

"Why do you want to invite me?"

“No…, I just want to see your father's response. Will his attitude be the same as ours?”

"Yeah, I think so too," she said. Not too sure.

“Umm… you mean, you were scolded too?”

“Every kid gets scolded at some point, Ryan. The question is how often.” Her reply was light, and without extending it. I couldn't help but nod at her.

I know what Sarah said is true. Although I still think of Otto as a strange person. And everyone must think so. Even Franky had just gotten into trouble with him again two weeks ago. Because he said he didn't report the morning ceremony every day. It was clear that he was working alone. Even though it was clear that he was working alone.

But we all know that Otto is only using that to win himself over. Because he who doesn't remember looks wrong in front of anyone. So, throwing all the blame is one of his habits. Even though what he said sometimes didn't make sense. Even I had time to laugh to myself remembering it again. But the conversation again stopped this time. And I immediately knew if something was bothering Sarah right now.

"Are you sure your father won't be angry, Sarah?" Then I asked again.

"If it came to this late, I don't know either," she said, her expression clearly showing his concern. Even though she had just said no.

"You want us to make our way through the rain now?"

"Who knows. I think we'll just have to wait! If the rain doesn't stop in half an hour, I don't think I have a choice." Her reply was light. This time without looking at me.

But the weather was a little better. Because the rain is not as heavy as before. Although it will still take a little longer for it to completely subside. On the other hand, I started to feel my anxiety returning. I knew Otto would use any excuse to scold me. Because it was something that he usually did without a second thought. Especially if you see the fact that he really doesn't like me. Indeed, the situation isn't as bad as I imagined. Because you know yourself, who I'm stuck with now. Even if I have to linger with him, I won't mind. Although the situation doesn't have to be like this. But the rain really stopped.

So that's how the rest of the afternoon should end.

We packed up our things as soon as we got back, tidied everything up as it was, and headed back to Welmina while we could. Luckily, our clothes were also starting to dry a bit by then. I let Sarah put on my jacket. Because the air will be getting colder again from now on.

We actually arrived at Welmina barely before seven in the evening. And I immediately stopped the vehicle right in front of my house. Which is now seen without the slightest light. I looked at Sarah for a moment, to thank her. “Thank you for accompanying me, Ryan!” she said, sincerely. And in fact she actually said it first.

“Um…, you can explain it to your father, right? What happened just now?” I replied. Still showing my anxiety.

"Don't worry, he'll understand."

We were silent for a while in front of the house, until no more words came out of our mouths, before he slowly started her vehicle. And I kept watching her from behind until she was completely out of my sight.

In the end all that was left was the scent of her body lingered from under my jacket.