Love Blossoms in a Noodle Stall
I have known Daniel since a month ago, when I almost got hit by a motorbike when I was about to cross the street to a chicken noodle stall. Daniel saved me. After that he asked for my cellphone number and took me home to the front of the alley.
After a month of communicating with Daniel via SMS, phone and social media, I know that he and I have a lot in common. Especially in terms of love. It turns out that our fates are the same, the slang term now is "sumo", short for hard to move on. We confide in each other, understand each other, share with each other. Until I feel the chemistry between our relationship.
Drrtt.. drrt.. drrt.. Maybe all love will not be lost and forgotten.. drrt.. drrt drrt.. The song Dantha feat. Lindhut - Saat Ku Nanti which rang on my cellphone indicated an incoming call from Daniel.
After arriving home, as usual I immediately checked my cellphone and there was definitely a text message from Daniel. I immediately offered a plan for tomorrow, to Tamansari. Daniel agreed. I couldn't wait for tomorrow to come.
The alarm on my cellphone had rung. A sign that I had to welcome this new day. The day I had been waiting for. The day of the second meeting between me and Daniel. As usual, Via, Mitha, Sabrina, Fani and Nisa gathered in the library area before the bell rang. It turned out that Nisa had a family event today, so my friends and I couldn't visit her house. At first I was disappointed to hear the news, but Fani suggested that after school we go to Marko. Marko? Exactly, that's the place Daniel wanted to visit with me.
After praying, I immediately rushed out of the classroom and approached Via, Mitha and Fani who had gathered in front of the duty room. Via, whose house was close to school, went home to get her motorbike. Via gave Fani a ride, I gave Mitha a ride on my bike.
Once there, we immediately ordered food and drinks. While waiting for the order to arrive, without delay I sent a short message to Daniel, the gist of which was telling him to come to Marko. I had sent the message twice, but it was still pending. Maybe he hadn't finished school yet. Finally, when the clock showed half past eleven, a call came in from Daniel.
"Hello Dhea? Sorry, I can't. I have a faith deepening session after school."
"Oh. Yeah, it's okay," I answered, trying to hide my disappointment.
"You're not mad, are you? How about tomorrow after school we meet at the chicken noodle stall where we first met?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, okay Dan." I remembered when Daniel saved me there.
My watch showed 11.40. In 10 minutes, this English lesson was over and I would soon meet Daniel. I also told my deskmate, Sabrina, about my failed meeting with Daniel yesterday. I hoped there would be no more failures today.
The school bell rang. Like yesterday, I immediately rushed out of the classroom and approached Via, Mitha, and Fani. While waiting for news from Daniel, we hung out at Bu Idris' soto stall. Finally, the text message I had been waiting for arrived. I immediately stepped towards the chicken noodle stall. Via, Mitha, and Fani walked behind me. After arriving, I sat in the very back. While Via, Mitha, and Fani sat on the bench in front of the stall. Not long after, the sound of a motorbike was heard, which seemed to have stopped in front of the stall. Via turned to look at me. A man in a brown shirt and black jeans came. Yes, he was the one I had been waiting for. We met eyes for a few seconds. Without a word spoken, Daniel sat down in the chair opposite me.
When the waiter came to give us a menu selection to our table, the first sentence came out of the lips of the man in front of me, “What would you like to order?”
“Just a drink. You?”
“Chocolate milk,” he replied while writing down his order. I also wrote down mine, hot tea.
“Borrow your cellphone.” He immediately took my cellphone from my hand. I didn’t say anything, even though my heart was saying “you’re rude, Dan”. I lowered my head. My lips were locked, I didn’t know what to say.
“Do you still text Allam often, Dhe?”
“No. That’s the SMS I used to keep.”
“Still curious about your ex, huh?”
“No. You alone?”
“Not really.”
For a moment I looked at his face, it seemed like he was doing the same thing. When our eyes met, I felt awkward. I immediately took my cellphone and pretended to be busy with it.
45 minutes had passed. Daniel cleared his throat, then asked, “Do you want to be my girlfriend?”
“What?” I responded reflexively. Thud! My heart was beating fast. I didn’t expect a question like this, although maybe this was what I expected.
“Do you want to be my girlfriend?”
“Umm..” I nodded my head.
Suddenly a message came in. It turned out to be from my mother, she asked where I was now.
“And, I’ll go home first. I’ve texted you!” I said hurriedly.
“Oh, okay. Be careful!” she said with a smile.
“Yes.” I immediately ran out of the chicken noodle stall while Daniel was still paying at the cashier.
As if being chased by time, I ran faster so that the cellphone in my skirt pocket almost fell out.
Thank you for this memorable hour. Our love has blossomed in the chicken noodle stall, a silent witness to our memories together.