I didn't get bored. The room felt stuffy and needed some fresh air. I headed to the mosque courtyard to watch the kids play soccer.
It turned out Aryati was already there. The two of us chatted about this and that.
Before leaving, Aryati said, "Ameng atuh Kang ka bumi."
I felt happy. The tip of love, the side dish arrived.
I didn't waste the opportunity. I immediately went to her house that afternoon.
My soul penetrated space and time. I found myself walking with Aryati.
It was drizzling. I felt very happy. It felt good to hold hands with her.
But I thought negatively. I wasn't meant to be with Aryati. My soulmate was a woman from out of town.
A year had passed and I wanted to repeat the walk with Aryati like last year.
This scene was accompanied by a song called "Along the Road of Memories."
Along the Path of Memories
I came to your city on purpose
I haven't seen you for so long
I want to repeat myself
Walking like last year
Along the path of memories, we always hold hands
Along the path of memories, you embrace me tenderly
The light rain at the beginning of that month
Adds to the joy of that romantic night
Even though we are alone now
You are no different
But the memories along that path
I can't forget
Along the path of memories, we always hold hands
Along the path of memories, you embrace me tenderly
The light rain at the beginning of that month
Adds to the joy of that romantic night
Adds to the joy of that romantic night
From that moment on, the author approached Aryati. Every time we called, Aryati only greeted me with a handshake and then went back to her room. It was like that for a year.
During the year of our relationship with Aryati, the author experienced extreme boredom because Aryati never accompanied him.
The author only flirted with his shadow, accompanied by his father, who was busy preparing cloth for sewing the next day.
At that time, the author's love was monkey love. The monkey holding the fruit in its left hand also wanted the one in its right hand. Even that wasn't enough. Its paw holding the food was the same as the one in its hand. Likewise, the author felt that being with Aryati alone wasn't enough. The author needed relationships with other beautiful girls to relieve boredom.
The band member refused to be extorted. He was struck with a chain. He dodged, missing its target. Unfortunately, the female singer was hit, and she fainted.
Based on the report, the author felt he had a great opportunity to vent his frustration. Love has killed me, making me lose my mind.
The author would have gone berserk if confronted by members of the Elzus gang. Therefore, the author did not contact any members of the Karees gang. The author set off alone, carrying a machete.
Several friends saw the author's condition.
They immediately followed the author with their own weapons. Upon arriving at their destination, the atmosphere was quiet. A young man passed by. The author asked where the Elzus men were.
The young man replied, pointing to a house.
"Araya Kang," he said, "The Elzus men are heading to Jarudi."
Lili and her friends immediately headed towards the house.
The author walked leisurely, unhurriedly.
Not long after, a loud banging sound was heard, followed by the fleeing Elzus children. They headed for Beca Alley, the area where Elzus had been subdued.
The author assumed the Elzus kids had fled in fear. So, there was no need for weapons. Hendro collected the weapons and took them home.
Shortly after, three local security guards, having received a report from the young man, appeared.
The author's hands were tightly restrained.
"I'm a student, sir," the author said, reaching into his pocket for his student ID.
Kang Djodjoh experienced the same thing. And Kang Djodjoh did the same as the author.
Finally, we were released due to lack of evidence.
Rumors spread that the Elzus kids would seek revenge by disrupting the upcoming Taruna Karya anniversary celebration.
The author instructed his friends to guard the event until it was over. He would face the Elzus kids alone.
His friends were worried about such a decision.
The author assured him that nothing would happen to him. The Elzus kids were already scared. So, it was just a bluff.
Eventually, the friends gave in and escorted the event to its conclusion, which ended in success.
The author sat alone, reveling in the disappointment of not being able to introduce Aryati to his friends.
This scene was accompanied by a song titled "Aryati."
Aryati
Aryati, you are the rose nurtured by the moon
Aryati, you are the shining art of worship
Is it my sin to dream of making love with you? I kissed your fingertips passionately last night
Is it my sin to adore you in a dream? Only in a dream?
Aryati, you are the rose in my garden of dreams
Impossible for you to be picked by me
Even though this is my fate
But I am happy for a thousand and one nights
Is it my sin to adore you in a dream
Only in a dream
Aryati, you are the rose in my garden of dreams
Impossible for you to be picked by me
Even though this is my fate
But I am happy for a thousand and one nights
But I am happy for a thousand and one nights
One of the song lyrics is, "Impossible for you to be picked by me."
Aryati cannot be picked by the author because her father, her father, does not approve of our relationship.
The song lyrics also state, "Even though this is my fate, I am happy for a thousand and one nights."
In reality, the author was heartbroken. The author was overwhelmed. Anxious and miserable.
By the end of the event, none of the Elzus children had shown up.
The following Saturday night, the author returned to Aryati's house.
This time, the atmosphere was very different from usual. This time, a variety of cakes were served in abundance. There was also a glass of coffee, whereas usually only a glass of water was served.
The author wasn't interested at all. After a while, the author said goodbye.
Aryati gasped in surprise. She hugged the author's arm, pleading with him to eat even one cake and drink even one sip of coffee.
But the author didn't budge. Gently but forcefully, the author let go of Aryati's hand. The author left without looking back.
This scene was accompanied by a song called "Forgive Me."
Forgive Me
I can't forget the beautiful moments with you
All the stories are now just memories
I have to go, leaving you in my solitude
I don't want to hurt your feelings
Forgive me for not being able to wait for your heart
I have to go, leaving you in my solitude
I don't want to hurt your feelings
Forgive me
Go to sleep, my dear, the sun is waiting
Greeting the morning with a smiling heart
Dream of love with all your feelings
Now the time has come for us to part
The author hopes that Aryati will quickly find a replacement for me because I can't possibly build a beautiful palace on collapsed rubble.
Eid al-Fitr arrived. The author walked to Dedeh's house, her boyfriend, Kang Bahrudin. Aryati's second brother, Kang Dadang, was the first.
Before the author arrived at Dedeh's house, the author said goodbye.
Asan with Aryati's family group. The author greeted Kang Dadang, then Kang Bahrudin. After that, his younger siblings. Last but not least, Aryati.
Aryati looked like a living corpse. Her body was thin, her eyes sunken, and both eyelids were covered with dark circles. The author felt moved by the sight of it all. But my heart remained frozen. I stood before Aryati.
Aryati was unaware of my presence.
Aryati's face was pale white, scarred by wounds in her heart. Her body was here, but her soul was not.
Aryati was unaware of Panulis standing before her.
In a low voice, so as not to startle her, I called her name, "Ar," I said.
My voice startled her. Her head jerked back, her mouth gaping open. Her trembling right hand tried to cover her mouth.
Seeing all this, I felt pity, but my heart remained frozen. After greeting her, I immediately said goodbye and continued on my way to meet Dedeh.
A month later, the author received information from Dedi Ochol that someone had visited Aryati. His name was Mumus. He, like the author, was a student at the Faculty of Economics, Padjadjaran University.
The author suspected that Mumus was a junior.
The author wanted to reassure himself. Saturday night, the author went to him. The information turned out to be accurate.
Aryati shook hands with the author, her hands trembling. Apparently, parting with the author was incredibly difficult for Aryati.
It turned out that Mumus was the one who understood Aryati. He was the one who flattered her enough to accompany her to dinner. So, not me. The author refused to eat even a single piece of cake and refused to drink even a sip of coffee.
The author didn't stay long, afraid of disturbing the two people who were just starting their relationship. The author left with a relieved heart.
This scene was accompanied by a song called "Not Myself."
Not Myself
Lyrics of the song Not Myself
Singer Samson
After I understand
I'm not the best
In your heart
I can't doubt
Turns out he's the one
Who understands you
Not me
Now forgive me
If I'm mute
To you
It's not my politeness to be silenced
It's just my heart that has limits
To understand you
Forgive me
Chorus:
Even though I still love you
I have to leave you
I have to forget you
Even though my heart loves you
My conscience needs you
I have to let you go.