GREY MARNI
Honest

Rudi told me everything that happened last night, the reason why Laura invited him, anyone Rudi met and also the incident that made Rudi almost collide with the truck truck.

Salsa listened to everything without interrupting, she looked seriously at Rudi. There was regret in his eyes and Salsa held both hands of Rudi who was about to cry. They stared at each other, brought their heads closer and then Salsa hugged Rudi tightly and calmed him down.

Slowly the atmosphere changed Rudi became calmer and returned to smiling.

"Rud, I also want to tell you something"

"What's that?"

"A story of my past that always scared me"

"There's no need to tell me if it'll make you sad"

"No! This is one of my secrets I never told you"

"All right tell me"

Salsa stared blankly at the noisy ocean with the noise of the waves crashing into the reef, Salsa took a deep breath and began the story.

"I was a little boy, born a man without. Just at night on July 15, 1998, just as my parents and I were sleeping on my father's wooden bed. That night was so quiet there was no sound other than the bamboo trees that were behind my house. Suddenly a great fire unknown to my father and mother burned down my house made of wood and woven bamboo...".

Salsa stopped her story, her eyes were puffy and began to shed tears. Rudi saw Salsa's face was not hearty and told her to stop.

"No Rudi, this story always haunts me. I can't keep harboring her" Salsa stammered as she wiped her tears that kept flowing.

"Father and my mother only realized that when the house was surrounded by fire, wind and bamboo made the fire burn my house faster, my mother's father panicked and tried to find a way out, he said, but they couldn't find anything to go out for a few minutes and then they kept panicking until they found the sense to just save me they took a blanket and some clothes, dipping it into the water that is in a small bucket of pliers we usually use for bathing, there is no water channel, we have to draw it for the well that is outside the house and the distance is quite far. After the clothes got wet, they put it on me as well as a thick blanket and some kebaya strands. I just sat and cried as they tried to help me, their hands and bodies were all burnt, my mother's face I couldn't even recognize anymore. They closed my eyes and hugged me who was already wrapped in cloths and blankets I could not imagine what was going on with them. Until a few moments there was a crowded sound from outside, I was still silent in the blanket with the burden that began to lighten, like there was a burden that disappeared. At that time I did not want to think about what happened to my parents who were hugging me. Warm began to feel radiating from my back I could not do anything, I just remained silent and cried and shortly after I collapsed and fainted". Salsa drank some ice and wiped her tears back.

Rudi was still staring at Salsa, as if he could not believe the story he had just heard. Like the movies he used to watch, the incident between life and death. A catastrophe that separates a child from his parents, a real sacrifice of a father and mother for his child. Rudi even shed tears, imagining what if it happened to him. Shortly after Salsa began to calm down from the rush and the breathing began to be difficult. Salsa continued her story.

"How many hours have I passed out, the day is already bright with the sun already waving from the west. I got out of the bed I used to sleep in, I didn't know whose house it was and I didn't care. I just ran out of the house and came to my house that was not left anything, just a pile of charcoal that still emit smoke, he said, I was about to run to that pile of charcoal I wanted to find my mother's father but some people prevented me and hugged me I heard someone say 'Nothing is left, they're dead, only the child survived' It's becoming more and more my cry"

Salsa stopped telling stories and looked at Rudi who was looking at him seriously and his face was covered by tears that he wiped every time he dripped.

"Where? My life story is cool right?", Salsa said with a smile and trying to be a cheerful woman again.

Rudi who saw Salsa forced herself not to look sad even pinch Salsa and hugged her tightly and tighter. Behind the joy that always makes Rudi feel happy there is a terrible story and always haunts him, it is inconceivable how he survived until now. Rudi didn't want to ask anything more. He only wanted to hug Salsa longer, occasionally he gently stroked Salsa's hair that was cocked like that of a ponytail.

They hugged for a long time and a long time. The stall was almost deserted as they looked around, it seemed that there were some people looking at them, they let go of each other's hugs and cleaned up the remains of tears. Rudi took Salsa home and Salsa nodded. Rudi paid for all the orders and took Salsa home.

They walked on the beach, kept quiet and joined hands. Not saying a word. Until Salsa tried to melt the atmosphere by punching Rudi's ass and running. Rudi chased after him with a smile that said "Salsa wants to play and forget everything, alright".

Rudi carried Salsa long enough until Salsa fell asleep on his back. Leisurely walking down the street and seeing the brightly lit lights, the calm wind and the calm scent of Salsa perfume made Rudi not feel exhausted. Rudi walked quietly and occasionally thought of "Did Salsa work in a restaurant to quench fear?", "Do I have to quickly have a relationship with her?", "Will Salsa be upset if she finds out my origins?". Rudi thought about many things, questioning many things until he felt tired and looking for a rickshawman.

After finding the rickshawman who seemed to be still chasing the target of his wife, Rudi put Salsa down quietly, sat down next to him and put Salsa's head on his shoulders.

"Sir, go slowly" Rudi told the rickshawman.

The rickshawman nodded and began to pedal the pedal slowly.

...****************...

...Is there anyone who believes in love?...

...The figure of love that blinded all senses slowly began to dim its light...

...Love becomes the race of seeking the most possession...

...Love loses sincerity and beauty...

...Love loses its colors and flowers...

...Does anyone still believe love will come and blind all five?...

...Or is it that no longer cares about loving each other and choosing to go with the most material?...

...***************...

Long enough pedicab pedaling and finally arrived in front of Salsa's room, Rudi offered more money and said thanks. Seemed happy the rickshawman saw the money given by Rudi.

Rudi woke Salsa and led her to her doorstep. Salsa reached into her bag, took the key and opened the door.

After about to enter Salsa back out and approach Rudi.

"Rude, rem?"

Rudi closed both his eyes and then "CIUUPPSS". It sounded like a fart, but it was the tiny lips of salsa that landed on Rudi's cheek.

Rudi opened her eyes and held onto Salsa's lips while Salsa without a word reentered her room. Rudi also left Salsa's room, went to the room and laid down without thinking about anything. "Just the beauty of today", that's how Rudi's heart is.