"Where are the colored pencils? All I see are books here." Omar chimed in as he gazed around him, as far as the eye could see, the boy only saw stacks of books lined up, as well as books arranged on shelves along the hallway.
"Here, come with me." Uti grabbed her brother's hand, took him by the arm, and they walked at a brisk pace.
And finally, they arrived. Omar smiled when he saw what he had been looking for.
Uti glanced at her brother and said, "Look, there are many choices. Hurry up and get what you want, pay, and then we'll go home."
"Yes, thank you."
Uti picked up her cell phone, which she put in her small bag. It was almost ten o'clock at night. Then, Uti looked at Omar, who was still looking around, not yet deciding which one to take. Her younger brother seemed to be indecisive in making his choice, considering that there were many types and brands of colored pencils, and crayons were also neatly lined up there.
"Have you chosen yet?" asked Uti.
"Not yet, just be patient. I'm also choosing. I'm confused."
"Yes, i wait you." Uti looked around, then decided to pick up three pens and a pencil.
The bookstore that Uti went to with Omar this time was fairly complete, and the place was spacious. It was also cool because there was air conditioning. Tonight was quite quiet.
Since Omar hadn't finished yet, Uti decided to look around. "I want to look at the novels first, when you're done, just look and find me, okay?"
"Yes."
Uti nodded slowly, then began to walk away. Uti walked down the bookcase aisle, picked up a teen novel, and read the short blurb on the back of the book. There were also books that had been unsealed, and Uti could read them for a while.
Uti likes to read novels, but not too actively. She just likes them, she doesn't collect novels for her collection. At most, she often borrows from classmates or the library. In addition, the price of novels is also quite expensive for her, who is still a student.
While she was reading, Omar suddenly stood behind Uti and said, "I've already chosen."
Uti then turned her body around. "Let me see."
"This."
"That's good, let's pay now. Where's the money mom gave you?"
Omar reached into his pants pocket, pulled out some money, and handed it to his sister, which Uti quickly took. A blue bill was now in Uti's hand.
"Come with me."
"Where are you going?"
Uti's lips twitched softly, "Let's pay first."
"Oh yes."
Next, the payment transaction was carried out. Uti paid for the order after the cashier mentioned the total purchase, after which, of course, Uti and Omar went back out of the bookstore.
While galloping to his parked motorcycle, Omar invited Uti to chat again, asking, "Are we going straight home after this?"
"Where else are we going if we don't go home? Besides, it's already late, you're going to school tomorrow, and you want to compete too. Watch out, you'll oversleep."
"I'll wake up mom for sure."
"If you don't wake up, you can be doused with tap water to open your eyes," Uti said, chuckling a little at the thought of that actually happening.
"I wouldn't be surprised if you did that, but I wouldn't be surprised if mom did it, she loves me."
Uti's eyes opened wide. She lowered her head slightly to look at her brother's face. "Oh, so you think your sister doesn't love you?"
"That's not the case, is it?"
"If I didn't love you, I wouldn't have wanted to bring you here all night just to look for colored pencils for tomorrow's competition! I don't care, it's better if you just sleep. I'm giving you a break, and you're saying I don't love you?" Uti exhaled deeply, a little annoyed by what Omar had said.
The two of them had now reached Uti's motorcycle.
"But you often get angry with me."
"Yes, because you're wrong, that's why i angry. If you'd just be a good kid, be quiet, obedient, and not naughty, I wouldn't get angry. Mom will also get angry if you do something wrong. It's not just me."
"But yesterday, when I ate a lot of snacks at the stall, mom didn't get angry, it was only my sister who got angry with me."
"Because mom was tired," Uti replied firmly. "Mom just finished cooking, and then mom had to mention taking care of grandmother. Mom like all of us, gets tired."
Omar was silent, but his ears were listening to what Uti was saying.
"But you have to remember, Mar, just because mom doesn't get mad at you and forgives your mistakes, doesn't mean you can do whatever you want."
"Yes."
"Do you understand what I saying?"
"I understand."
"Hm, it's good that you understand. Hurry up and get on, we're going home now."
Omar obeyed his sister's instructions. He was followed by Uti a few seconds later. Uti's motorcycle was back on the road, splitting the wind and the road. The night was quite bright this time, with the moon shining brightly up there, as well as a scattering of stars scattered in the sky, like scattered glitter.
"Did you have any money left?" asked Omar.
"There is, why is that?"
"Just asking."
"The price of your colored pencils is twenty-eight thousand, then I took three pens and one pencil, a total of ten thousand. So how much is the total? Answer your question. It's an easy question, you're already in fifth grade, you should be able to do it."
"Twenty-eight plus ten. That's thirty-eight. Right?"
An answer that was one hundred percent correct. Uti let the corners of her lips pull up in pleasure.
"That's right, if you had answered it wrong, I would have scolded you severely."
"Problems like that are really easy. I can do it."
"Well then, how much money is left?"
"Mom gave me fifty thousand, then I took thirty-eight thousand. That means the rest is-" Omar paused his sentence as he thought, and the boy looked up, staring at the sky.
"How much is it?"
"Fifty minus thirty-eight, that leaves-" Omar counted his fingers. Uti, on the other hand, was annoyed that Omar had taken so long to think.
"Can you do the math?"
"There are twelve thousand left!" With five-star enthusiasm, Omar gave his answer.
"Good, that's right, but you need to sharpen your brain, Mar. It takes too long to think."
"The important thing is that the answer isn't wrong."
"Yes, it's true, but it would be better if you think quickly and find the right answer."
"Yes, I'll practice again later."
"Good, you have to study hard."
In a short time, Uti and Omar arrived home safely. It was ten o'clock and fifteen minutes.
"Omar, you wash your hands and feet first, then go straight to bed, it's too late for you. You have school tomorrow," Susan said.
"Yes mom!" Carrying a white plastic bag with colored pencils in it, Omar ran into his room, then back out to the bathroom to follow his mother's instructions.
And now, Susan and Uti looked at each other. "Mom, there are only twelve thousand left. I bought a pen earlier too."
"Yes, for your pocket money for school tomorrow, right? Doesn't it matter that much?"
Uti didn't mind, so she answered softly, "Yes, mom, it's okay."
"Then you have to go to bed too; I also want to thank you for taking Omar."
"Omar is my brother, mom, we're family, I have no problem with that. We should always help."
Susan brought a beautiful smile to her lips as she stroked Uti's long hair. The next thing Uti did, of course, was to go into her room to take off her jacket and put her motorcycle keys, pens, and pencils on the table, before sliding into the bathroom as well. Not only did Uti need to wash her feet, but she also wanted to clean her face, which must have been covered in dust. Uti didn't want to go to sleep with a dirty face, for fear that when she woke up, her face would be full of pimples.
As she was about to enter the bathroom, Uti passed Omar, who had just come out, his feet looking wet.
"Hurry up and get out, I want to wash my face instead."
Omar stepped aside quickly, but before Uti disappeared behind the bathroom door, the boy called out to his sister.
"Yes, why?" asked Uti as she turned around, facing Omar, who had just called out to her.
"Thank you for bringing me just now."
Uti felt a little strange that Omar would say something like that to her, but it was okay, it was good, Uti smiled and nodded. "Yes, you're welcome. You go to bed quickly."
"Okay"
Omar had already gone to his room, while Uti, who was already in the bathroom, began to struggle with her activities. Only a few minutes later, she came out and entered her room, ready to sleep. Uti crawled onto her bed, but before she could close her eyes, she suddenly remembered something.
"I want to discuss something with Novan," she said quietly, causing Uti to pick up her cell phone again.
"Send me a message or call me directly?" She murmured softly. Uti considered for a few moments, then decided. "I want to discuss something important, it's better to call so that it's clear enough, and it's faster too."
Uti didn't know if Novan was currently playing with his phone or not. But it was better to call him first. The boy's phone number had been obtained from Weeby, and this time Uti immediately pressed the call button for Novan.
Tut!
***
At half past eleven at night, Novan of course hadn't slept yet, and currently he was on the balcony of his room, sitting on a chair accompanied by a cup of hot coffee that was still puffing out thin smoke. There was also a guitar for him to play.
Novan hadn't slept yet because sleepiness hadn't come at this hour. The boy brewed his coffee, savoring the minimal pleasure amidst the breezy night breeze. Novan shuddered for a moment, but he stayed where he was, instead of going inside his house again.
Novan let the night air pierce the pores of his skin, the guy was now playing the guitar while singing. Novan realized that he was not very good at playing the guitar, but he liked to play it while learning.
Having just plucked the strings, a call from an unknown number made Novan flick his activism. The boy didn't play the guitar, opting to put the instrument aside for a moment and pick up his flat object.
Scratching his eyebrows, Novan asked himself softly. "Who called? Whose number is this? I didn't save it."
In the midst of his inner struggle as to whether or not he should pick up the unfamiliar call, Novan continued to think.
He pressed his lips together, solidifying his choice. "I'll just pick it up, maybe it's important." Novan moved the green icon to the side, and seconds later the call was connected.
"Hello?" said Novan as he pressed his cell phone to his earlobe. Novan's gaze flicked forward. "Who is this?"
There was a chuckle on the other side, followed by a girl's voice saying, "Ekhem, I'm Uti."
"Uti?"
Novan stared at his phone screen again. Trying to process the current situation. Uti was calling him? Wait a minute, this was something so unexpected, and Novan was so surprised he couldn't anticipate it. Novan was still digesting the current situation.
"Yes, it's me."
"What do you need, Ti? Uh, wait a minute, where did you get my new number from?"
"I got it from Weeby, and I want to discuss something with you. Of course I have something to do, otherwise, why would I call you this late at night?"
Uti's long-winded reply made Novan smile slightly. He could imagine the look on her face.
"Oh okay, so? Can you explain?"
"Shouldn't you be able to guess for yourself?"
"Maybe, but I'm not sure." Novan replied as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Let's call it what it is."
"Do you want to hear Ti?"
"Yes, it's probably true."
"Hm, what is it?" Novan then stood up from his seat, came forward, and leaned against the guardrail. "Are you calling me because you miss me?" he guessed.
"What's that answer? No need to play games; I don't miss you."
"Oh yeah?"
There was a brief pause before Uti's voice returned. "You don't remember that this afternoon during art and culture class we had a two-person group assignment. And you were my partner."
"Hm, then?"
"Yes, I want to talk about that, Novan! Are you pretending to be stupid or something? Please be serious, don't make me go crazy at this time of night."
"Uti, I'm serious too. I'm listening to what you're saying."
Over the phone like this, Novan could hear her rough breathing. "I want you to think about what kind of art we want to make, do you have any ideas?"
Instead of answering immediately, Novan thought about something else: why did Uti have to call him at this time of night just to discuss the group project? This could be discussed tomorrow at school, right? There's still time, of course, after all, the assignment deadline is next week. There were still quite a few days left. Novan thought he could relax for a while.
"Novan, why are you silent? You're listening to me talk, right?"
"Ah yes, I'm still thinking."
"Me too, I'm confused about what to make for this assignment. If you have any ideas, let me know."
Novan grimaced softly. "Ti?"
"Yes?"
"I think it's better to discuss this tomorrow at school, it's still possible, right? We have six days left. That's actually enough time. What do you think of my suggestion?"
"I don't think you're wrong."
"Don't you?"
"Okay, tomorrow we'll discuss this at school during break."
Novan smiled for a moment. "Okay."
"Alright, I just want to talk and discuss it. I'll hang up first."
"That's all, Ti?"
"Yes."
"Don't you want to chat with me first?"
"What kind of conversation?"
"Whatever."
"It's not that important, right? I want to sleep anyway."
"Oh, okay. You just go to bed, I'll see you at school tomorrow, okay? Hope you sleep well tonight."
"Hm."
Uti was useful briefly, after which the call stopped there, making Novan sigh lightly. The boy closed his eyes for a short time.
One thing Novan just realized about Uti is:
The girl would be difficult to approach, as if Uti were fortifying herself with a wall that was so high and solid, and Novan had to be able to penetrate the defense of the wall. And he knew it wasn't easy. It would take an extra struggle, of course.
And whatever the outcome, Novan would try first.