The Romance of Earth and Blue
PART 24 – Questioning Flavors

I don't know what's going on with me. It felt like there was half an empty hole in my chest cavity. All of Tania's talk just slipped away and filled my brain.

Is it true that Blue is too bad for me?

My world and his world feel very different. There is anger in my fiery heart when I remember all the bad things Blue did. Look how his father. I'm really pitying. Should Blue think of his parents, he should be able to try to boast of them, at least by not making a tantrum.

I can't imagine how his father might have been called so many times by the teacher because of Blue's behavior. Ah, nevermind. Just by expecting it, my tears have already fallen.

“Adek, why?”

I don't know how long you've been standing there. I hurriedly wiped my tears violently. My brother came over and sat down next to me. “Why cry?” tanyakanya.

I'm shaking.

My brother also seemed to appreciate my privacy. He just kept quiet as if he did not want to ask further even though I knew very well that he was curious.

“Abang, I used to be called to school because my brother was naughty?” my many.

Actually brother used to be similar to Blue although not as bad as Blue, anyway.

“Iya, emm three times anyway. Little.”

“That's a lot, brother.”

Brother chuckled at hearing that.

“Keep what father angry?”

“Iya. You don't want to when you can't enter the house? When brother was hit by a broom pack?” tanyakanya.

I remember all that. My father was very disciplined with his children when we were kids. The dissident brother has always been the center of father's anger.

“According to brother why is dad angry?”

“Color is not a good thing to do. So my brother would think if he wanted to do me again. Angry that means dear, caring,” he explained as if explaining important things to small children.

But Blue says his father never got angry. “If parents who are not angry their children always do wrong, what does it mean not dear?” tanyaku later.

“So, there are no parents who do not love their children. If the parents are silent, no longer angry, it means we are tired because we repeat the same mistake. It was already in the stage of disappointment anyway.”

My mind was getting fuller and full of that answer. Blue is so often? And his father could even still smile at him very sincerely.

“Loh how to cry again?”

I didn't even realize when my tears were coming back. I feel very sensitive lately. “Abang, Blue on suspension. One weeks. I sniffed he didn't want to change for the better. He seems to be trying to make his parents. I met Blue's father, was old, not too clearly see it. I can't bear to. Blue is so evil. He might have been a good boyfriend to me, but he failed to be a good boy to his parents. I'm heartbroken,” I said to express all the things I've been thinking about this since.

He was silent as if processing everything. “Dek, maybe what you said is true, but calling Blue is not a good child for his parents, it seems that it is too shallow to judge. Try sometimes you find out also how from the Blue side. Get to know him outside the school, get to know his family, his environment other than that.”

What a strange advice. It was clear that I knew Blue very well. I know his messy neighborhood.

“Abang belain him because of his brother right? Feel the same you guys? Udah.” I decided to go from there. He didn't call or try to chase me. But I don't give a shit.

I was angry with both of them and stayed for a few days.

It's Sunday, but I want to laze around. But my mother invited me to accompany her to the market because tomorrow is my birthday. I want to have a small thanksgiving.

“Bu, I'm sleepy,” I said.

“Come. Sometimes you come along. Mother's expenses are also a lot, when you don't want to help.”

I really had no other choice. Finally I went back to my room to change my pajamas with leggings and long shirts. “Adek, where are you going?” ask the man who just opened the door.

I just glanced at him for a moment. “Market,” my answer is short.

“Titip cake yes,” he said cheerfully.

“Same aja ibu.”

“Udah aah. Not tired?” he pinched both of my cheeks.

“Adekk,” exciting mom from outside.

I quickly removed the elder brother's pinch from my cheek. “Get aside,” I said then left it.

Dad drove us as usual. “Dek, please call brother. Stove at home is dead yet?” said mother.

“Mother, habit of forgetting.”

Mom looked up in disbelief hearing that. “Tumben.”

“Males aja.” I intentionally didn't bring a cell phone. Even since yesterday I let it go because I was lazy to read the message from Blue.

We finally arrived. I bought so many materials that my hands ached to help bring them. “Udah right, Bu?” ask me after putting all the groceries together.

“Not yet. Fish that you want to cook out, we look to other markets yes, Yah.”

Even my hair was covered with sweat. But I had no choice. We're headed for a market that's a long way from home.

“I wait here deh, Mom,” I said lazily.

“Gok can. Come along.” I also walk with a shuntai follow the mother in a hurry. The market this time is not too big. But mom said the fish sold here is more complete.

I thought I was just going to buy some fish, but I thought he was going to add some vegetables. “This is his son, Ma?” ask the vegetable seller who seems to know the mother.

“Yes, this is the last child. It is difficult to be invited to the market,” said mother responded.

I just stood awkwardly like a display carrying all the groceries.

“Very pretty yes. SMA?”

“Iya, still class 1 SMA.”

“Oh means the same age as my son.”

“So girls too, Mom?” ask the mother who snatched. Mothers are always curious.

“There are 2 girls, 1 guy. Well that High School guy. Before going to school, help me get ready. If the holiday look for additional, so what aja mah. Keep parking, porters, he works everything he can.” The vegetable seller looked so proud of his son. He explained everything with sparkling eyes.

“Aduh, the irony of having a hard-working child that.”

Well, brother is just a burden anyway. It's only natural that mom would want to change it. I still have a grudge against him.

After talking, we finally went home. Shopping 10% 90% gossip. Fatiguing. When I got to the car, I looked confused. “Sayurannya forgot. I didn't even bring it. Adek how the hell not diingetin.”

Oh okay. It's my fault again.

“Take yes deck, mom wait here. Want all to buy cakes for brother,” said mother while pointing at the wet cake cart not far from here. I wanted to protest, but my tongue was muddled.

“Yes, take it. It's paying, right?” many ensure.

“Udah. You want to go to the vegetable maker earlier?”

I nodded and immediately walked back into that market. The vegetable seller I can find immediately because it is located at the very end. But my steps stopped when I saw Blue.

I tried to hide in other shops. It was like a different blue. His clothes were shabby brown and wet with sweat. He brought a white box and put it in the fish market. Then walk towards the vegetable seller I was about to go.

“Everything?” ask the vegetable seller.

Blue nodded and sat there. He took a bottle and finished it. “Mothers want me to change guard?” blue asked as she gazed at the middle-aged woman's shoulder.

“Necessary. Mother is not tired.”

Mother? I'm really speechless. Is that the same mother that Blue gave her?

“Ru, want to transport again no? Upwards?” shouted the other seller.

“Already, Mang. Blue tired this already,” he said take over.

“Nothing, Bun. Pretty extra,” said Blue chuckled then walked over to the seller who asked for his services.

So the boy my age that the salesman was talking about was Blue?

After a while Blue moved away from there, then I approached the vegetable seller. “Bu, I want to take vegetables. Last time,” I said. I don't know why my tone of voice has become slower.

“Mom thought you were home. These. I was going to tell my son to look forward, son,” he said kindly while giving his mother's groceries.

I smile. “Still yes, ma'am. I say goodbye first.”

“Oh yes. Careful yes, greetings to mother.”

I nodded and quickly left from there before meeting Blue. Along the way I just kept quiet and looked at everything.