Puppy Love

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"Angga." A familiar voice in the ear made me pause playing basketball for a moment.
I wiped the sweat on my forehead and then coded my friends to stop our game for a moment.
"Why ?" I asked after examining his wrinkled face.
"Everyday I wait for you until 5 pm if you don't come. Where have you been all this time?"

His remarks made me remember the last few days I left Kanaya to study alone without informing her first. Ah yes, I really forgot to accompany Kanaya to study every afternoon at her house. But these few days I've been so busy playing chess games that are held every afternoon with my friends, I don't even hear the sound of the phone. I think there are 10 calls every day. I scratched my head uncomfortably. Was not sure the reason I said would succeed in shedding a frown on his face.

"Mm, I forgot Nay, I'm sorry. I'll change this afternoon, okay?"
"You should have told me if you had other interests, I didn't force you, but at least you let me know so I didn't expect to come if you were really busy." He said, holding back tears.
I gave a small stroke on the top of his head after I tucked a few strands of hair that dangled swaying in the wind.
"Sorry, okay? I promise I won't do that again."
I said hoping that no tears would flow from the corners of his eyes. He looked up with teary eyes.
"You rarely even reply to my messages now." He shouted again with a pool of trembling eyes. Again, I rubbed the top of his head and then took him to sit on the bench available on the side of the field.
"Sorry," I whisper into his earlobe

This time he looked up with a faint smile on his lips. I know he's trying to hide his sadness right now. Ah I cursed myself to myself, "why do women have to be this crybaby anyway". Just make it all wrong.

**

The ringing of the cell phone broke my focus as I drifted into my friends' chess game.

"Where is your brother? So are you here?" Mom, I've been asking you all the time. Mom says now Angga rarely plays here." Kanaya's spoiled voice sounded a moment after I picked up the phone.
"I'm busy, sorry I can't go there anymore.."
"I'm busy every day. Where do you go to study?"
"You can study with other friends, right, don't be selfish. I also have my own business, Nay, I can't continue to accompany you to study. After all, aren't you taking extracurriculars? The exams are coming soon. I'm also busy preparing for the graduation exam preparations later. ."

Silence. No answer.

"Okay, I'll hang up, okay?" I said I wanted to end the conversation.
"Hmm."
"Congratulations on learning Kanaya, who is eager to learn, don't snack." I disconnected the call unilaterally. Ignoring his feelings that might be angry with me. Come on, he needs to understand me once in a while. I'm sure he'll be in a better mood tomorrow.

**

This morning After parking the bike. I took a step towards the classroom. Far in front of the door I saw someone waving his hand at me. I was surprised. It wasn't until I stood not far in front of him that I knew he was my classmate Dea. He brought out a box of food with a bottle of drink to me. I winced in surprise. Then pointed to myself looking questioningly.

"For me?..

"Yes, I hope you like it," he said shyly.

I just nodded, smiled appreciatively and thanked him. After putting away the bag and putting the food box in. I was about to stand up before someone surprised me by grabbing my hand suddenly. I was shocked. Then I looked annoyed. The look on my face was a little scary to see me almost wanting to hit him.

"Sorry" Kanaya said quietly, lowering her gaze to me.
" This morning is already making my heart beat. Why is it Nay," I said annoyed.
Kanaya was still looking down while playing with the toe of her shoe.
"I just wanted to give you this.." He then gave a box of food complete with a bottle of drink which I estimate had juice in it. I looked at him doubtfully. Two lunchboxes with two bottles of drink, who will finish it?
"No need, I've brought lunch from home." I refused after a moment of unmoving, determined to refuse Kanaya gift. eyes implied disappointment.
“But this is Kanaya who made it herself for you." He said.
"Still I can't accept it Nay, I've brought lunch from home. Who will spend it then? I can't afford to have to eat two boxes plus two bottles of drinks at once."
"You're mean!!." Kanaya jerked who immediately turned away and left me. I didn't follow him.

**

The bell rings indicating that break time has just started. Me and my male friends decided to take a break while eating in the canteen. We ate together while occasionally I was joking. Until I didn't feel the bell rang again. We then prepared to go to class. We walked through the corridor. My eyes were watching someone whose height was not further than my shoulder.

"What are you doing, why haven't you gone to class yet?
" celebrate birthdays at home. Are you coming, please??!! He pleaded.

I smiled back remembering how cute my Kanaya was.

"What's the time ?." I asked him to smile meaningfully.
"Seven o'clock at night"
I nodded then rubbed his head gently.
"Go to class, all of them have already entered."

Kanaya nodded and gave a thumbs up.

"Don't forget it." He said again, sounding excited.
I raised two thumbs up in response to his words.

**

After having dinner with my mother, I then cleaned up the food plates that were lying around. Then put it in the sink. Helping mother who was busy arranging the food plates in the refrigerator, I took a sponge and started washing the dirty dishes.

"Let's just let it go, Mom, it's already finished," said the mother, approaching.
"It's okay, Mom, just do something else. After all, it's just a little bit."
Mother smiled and nodded again, rearranging the contents of the refrigerator.
"Kanaya, why don't you ever play here again? My mother's words reminded me of something. I patted my forehead lightly. After the prayer, I'll immediately look for a gift for Kanaya and go straight to her house.
"Maybe Kanaya is busy preparing for her exams. I didn't accompany her to study at her house several times, so I don't know." I answered frankly.
"Oh that's right, don't forget to study too. Don't keep busy with chess"
"Ready mom." I answered by holding up a thumb that was still foaming.

**

Drrt drrt. Vibrating cell phones can be heard after a few times I ignore it. I rubbed my eyes slowly gathering the remaining remnants of my not yet complete consciousness. I folded the prayer rug and rushed to check the cellphone that was located on my study table. I jumped to look at the clock on my cell phone after I attached the folds of the prayer rug to the back of the study chair.

9:20 a.m. I gasped. Twenty incoming calls and several new whatsapp messages. I ruffled my hair in frustration. I think I fell asleep after the Maghrib prayer earlier. Really sleepy so I don't even hear the sound of my cell phone. Suddenly Kanaya pitiful face when she asked me to come crossed my eyes. I hastily called him back. One or two calls have not been picked up. Until finally my third call connected.
"Hello" I said starting the conversation. Are you there?" I asked worriedly.

It was silent. Only the sound of sobbing was heard softly. My heart trembled slightly.

"Nay, sorry."

No answer. I dare not say much to just give an excuse.

"Angga" Kanaya's voice sounded hoarse on the other side. It made me immediately respond to her words.
"Yes, Naya."

Kanaya sighed. I can guess this time he was embarrassed to hear my words.

"Sorry if I've been bothering you all this time. I... I promise I won't do it again." The connection is shunt.

I swallowed. Just realized how much what I've been doing lately made him this sad.

"Come on Nay, you don't have to. I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier. I fell asleep."

I said lightly, reluctant to explain further what happened this afternoon. Once again, I'm too arrogant to judge Kanaya who I only think of as a little girl who needs me. After that the cell phone was turned off unilaterally, after several times I called Kanaya without an answer on the other side.

**

After that incident we never met because we were busy preparing for the exam which really drained our time and brain. I also never sent a message to just ask how he was, even Kanaya who I feel lately rarely gives me news.

Until the last day when my exams have been completed. Rian hastily ran towards me.

"Oi bro" he greeted patted the shoulder.

I raised both eyebrows high and high.

"Where will you go after graduation"
"Don't know yet, I'm still making this plan." I answered frankly.
"Yeah.. I think there's already a plan like that. Oh yeah, it's still the same Kanaya, right, Lo?"
I frowned in surprise after Rian's last sentence.
"Does it mean ?"
"Oh look," he said, pointing at the gate.

My eyes heat up seeing Kanaya laugh happily after someone ruffled her hair in annoyance. Unknowingly my feet took a long step to emphasize the feeling that exploded in my chest.

"Kanaya .." I called successfully and made the two humans in front of me turn.
I closed the distance then took Kanaya's arm without awkwardness. Kanaya looked at me blankly. Finding me who continued to cast a sharp gaze, Dimas just smiled. I smiled lopsidedly. Quickly flashed a glance at Kanaya. All I see is just staring blankly ahead.

"Hey.. what are you thinking." My words break the silence.

Kanaya looked up. He smiled slightly then nodded slowly. I noticed the change in his face that was not the same. Still holding my hand, I helped him walk.

"How are you..?" I asked without a preamble.
"Well." The answer is expressionless.

I didn't give up. I bombarded him with a few questions. But what he gave remained a simple response. Sometimes I tease him by pinching his nose. Kanaya just smiled slightly, making me embarrassed.

"Tonight we will study together, I will come to your house at three o'clock." My seduction again hopes to get his smile back.
"The exam is over, now just wait for the results.."

I was stunned. Realizing that Kanaya is now much different from Kanaya who used to talk more when in front of me.

"It's hot in here, even though the wind is cool. Why is it...?" Kanaya asked, looking at me, who was still standing still.
"That's because the sky is cloudy. The clouds that cover the earth's surface make the temperature even more..."
"No. The clouds are not on the earth's surface. But on your face." he said that successfully made me no longer feel offended and had no power to speak.

The End