Elisa, this is our first time sitting together. On a brown bench under a banyan tree whose leaves are lush. You're nervous, I'm the same. There is almost no conversation here. The rest is just quiet. It turns out we are both calming the beatings in the chest. Ah, why are we having trouble talking. "How come, shut up?" I began to open the conversation. As a man, I feel demanded to start all this. But, that's a bad start in the conversation, in my opinion.
"Mmm ..." You look so nervous, Elisa. It seems like this, I'm even awkward to talk more. "El ..." I called. You turned. In your eyes, like there are thousands of words that must be issued. But unfortunately, your mouth locks. And I don't know how to open it. I don't know what is the right way, and it is appropriate for you to talk. I see, one leaf falls in front of us. We don't talk. Then, suddenly the weather gets cold. The atmosphere has not melted at all. Even longer, it becomes frozen. Elisa, I want you to talk. Speak whatever, the important thing is not to be quiet like this.
"Sis, um, I'm confused about what to say". Yes, Elisa. I know you are alone this time with someone you love. I smile, you too. You have spoken, even though you are confused. I see you're looking forward again. Look at leaves waving due to the wind. The grass sways and the red ants on the tree branch.
"El, do you know why I invited you here?"
"No," you said while tidying the veil that was already neat. "I do not know".
"Guess. Guess what you want, "I took away my seat a little. You seem to be getting worried, maybe I'm too close. "I know you like to make up. Try, make it as you wish, "I continued.
"I really don't know". Your voice is soft. Very soft.
"Liar, ah. I don't believe it, "I urged.
"No".
Finally, we are silent again. You stare at the sky slowly starting at dusk. And pigeons with wings spreading together. They want to go home.
"Yes, we've got a view. Simultaneously say the same word. Then, you laugh. Me too. Your laugh, as always, is always sweet. Always beautiful.
"Okay, okay. It seems like I want to explain. "
"Look," (Elisa, don't hesitate to talk. Come on.) "Maybe ... you want to introduce this place. Em, the usual place to be your inspiration for writing, "you said. That's enough, Elisa. I just need a simple explanation. "The rest I don't know, anyway."
I smile. A sincere smile, Elisa. The smile I've shown when I first helped you at that time. When you fall off a bicycle.
"Actually, what is the purpose, anyway?" You asked spoiled.
"The goal? Yes, from that I also don't know ".
"See. I was working ... "your face turned red. Uh, no. Blush young. We laugh again. Apparently, it's simple too. There is no serious conversation. Yes. This is what I want. We already know each other's feelings. We have already stated love to each other via SMS. Simple isn't it?
**
That ordinary afternoon, snow fell on Medalem. A small village located in remote Tuban Regency. Nobody knows why the cold white granules come down. Making dusk doesn't say hello. Make birds cold in cages and frozen leaves sprawling.
Slowly the leaves are white. White grass lands. Everything turns white. Thicker and thicker. But strangely, the snow only fell in Medalem. In other places it is not, then this phenomenon becomes an important topic for the residents.
In other villages there was no snow at that time. How come the snow, the rain is rare, so the other villagers flock to gaze. They were amazed at Medalem, a small village that was often considered brutal by people. Medalem is so different now. Very beautiful. They watched it all from outside the village. Perhaps afraid of shivering with cold.
The people of Medalem are trapped in their own homes. While the two people, male and female. Caught under a banyan tree. They could just leave there and enter the house. But, they are aware of just a character in this short story. Not entitled to decide the storyline.
**
Elisa, I don't understand why suddenly there are small grains coming down here. We are stuck here. Below the banyan leaves are lush. There is no one around us, except for insects that flock for protection.
"Why, El?" I asked first. Because, it looks like you want to talk.
"How come, it's snowing here?"
"I don't know, El. Even though this place is on the equator line. "
"Strange".
There is a pause. There is silence that will later make a pause in the conversation.
"We are stuck here, Sis." You hold your own hand. Elisa, you look cold. While the snow gets thicker. Even though the banyan leaves brush it off, cold can still slap our cheeks.
"Are you cold?" I shouldn't ask this. Because clearly you are blowing your hand now.
"No," you shook your head. Smile. "I'm not cold, how come". Women often hide their feelings.
We are silent again as before. Then, I slowly took off my jacket. I wear it on your body.
Your beautiful eyes look at me. I always like your eyes.
You smile. I always like to see the way you smile.
Then you look away from the place. Pierce the snow. I always like your treatment like that. You're like imagining a fairy tale. A tale that no one ever touched their beauty. Just us.
"El, you never imagined that ..." I hesitated to reveal it. "We split up, for example." Your eyes change. As if my question is a threat. However, not long ago it returned to normal.
"Ever. And, and I cry ". Your voice is getting soft.
"Why?" I asked hastily.
"Because, I feel ... you really have a relationship with me".
"Continue?"
"I have never had the dream of loving and being loved with lies. With lies. With vanity. Love is only for toys ".
That's enough, Elisa. I am touched by your confession. You are different from the others. I know, you fell in love for the first time. You won't play with love.
"El, I'll propose to you!" Suddenly my mouth spoke like this. It feels accidentally. But, I've never regretted it. Then there is dew on your eyelids. You wipe the dew. The dew became a lot. Flow slowly to your cheek. You wipe it back.
I know the meaning of those tears, Elisha. I know. I know you are easily moved like me. You smile again.
"Eh, look at that ..." you change the subject. Your finger points towards a small cat cold under a pine tree. "We're there".
"But,"
"I'm not cold, how come".
Alright, Elisa. We finally approached the fir. Without saying much, you take off my jacket that you wear. Then envelop the cat. "Poor," you murmured.
Finally, you carry the cat. Then we go. In my mind, I didn't choose you wrong. Your heart is so good. So sincere. Hurting you hurts the heart of an angel whose note can never hurt. Elisa. Yes, who else? I'm not wrong to choose you!