We, From The First
#03. Nervous
"I'm sorry I wasn't by your side in those toughest moments. Sorry to leave you alone through those devastating moments. Now, let me make up for a spate of lost time. Let me sibak the fog of sadness that covers the twinkle in your beautiful eyes."
...****...
June, 2012 (H-3 Before New Semester)
Nico had just come down from the second floor to the kitchen for breakfast, when he saw Aira who was already looking neat.
"Where are you going, Ra?", asked Nico as he rubbed one of his eyes. It was obvious that Nico had just woken up.
"You buy school supplies." Answer the Aira.
"Well Mr Salim?" Nico asked once more to be sure.
"Yes." Yeah."
Nico nodded a few times, then without a second thought he again said to Aira, "wait. I'm a little-siep bentar. I'm temenin."
Before Aira could refuse to be accompanied, Nico had even returned to the top floor while running. Aira just sighed. Recollecting the feud between them, which finally made the situation between them uncomfortable.
After the chat that happened between them last night, Aira did feel that this morning, Nico could be more relaxed with her. Not like before. It's still a little awkward, but not as awkward as yesterday. And despite not saying many things, Aira knew for sure, that Nico was trying to mend the relationship between them. Only, Nico did not want to show it blatantly. Until here Aira understood, that Nico is the type of person who has difficulty expressing his heart through words, but actions.
And here they are now. In the same car. Nico sat next to Mr. Salim who was driving, while Aira sat in the back seat while listening to music through earphones. Nico stared at Aira's face which looked quite calm from the front rearview mirror.
"By!" Call Nico slowly.
Aira who did not listen to music at full volume, immediately took off one of the earphones in her ear and looked at Nico from behind, "yes, Nic?"
"The uniform is finished?"
"Udah. I just have to buy some books, and some other stuff. You really don't have to take me. As long as there's Mr. Salim, I'm safe."
Mr. Salim who listened to the words of Aira immediately smiled and raised his thumb while still focusing on driving.
"Don't you like being cheated on?" Ask Nico relax.
"It's not. I'm just afraid you're boss. Uh yeah, Nic..."
"What?"
"Don't you just skip breakfast, huh?"
"No problem. I'll have breakfast after you shop."
This time Aira did not answer. He just nodded slowly, and re-attached his earphones.
It's almost twelve o'clock by noon. And Aira suddenly felt bad for Nico who had to skip her breakfast just to accompany Aira.
"Ra, before we go home, we'll see, okay? I'd love it if today's '*T*he Grey' comes on." Nico said to Aira after checking his phone and finding the screening schedule for the movie he was waiting for.
Aira was not interested in the film, and now she wants to go home. But after seeing how Nico had accompanied her since morning to buy all her necessities today, made Aira feel unbearable to reject her invitation. After all, Aira could not simply close her eyes on the effort Nico made to improve their current relationship.
With a heavy heart, Aira finally agreed. And he could see Nico smiling so widely, and surprisingly rubbing his head.
Degh's! Aira's heart suddenly thumped. When I was a kid, Nico did that to him a lot. But this is the first time Nico has done so again after they entered their teens. And of course after they've been separated for the last few years.
Aira gasped after Nico put her hand off the top of her head. When Aira was still surprised and felt a little nervous, Nico just looked ordinary. Even earlier, when Nico rubbed his head, Nico seemed to do it very naturally.
"A—aku to the toilet brag." Said Aira who was starting to feel guilty covering her nervousness now. In a hurry, he inched out of his chair, and stepped towards the toilet in a hurry.
...****...
Banu Island, 2004...
Nico and Aira are seen busy with their respective picture books lying face down under a fairly shady tree. Aira drew a pair of brides, while Nico drew the figure of a favorite superhero
As soon as he finished, Aira immediately handed the picture to Nico, "this is for Nico."
Nico stopped his activities for a moment, then received the picture from Aira's hand.
"Who is this?" Ask Nico without diverting his attention from the pictures of Aira's work.
Aira drew closer to Nico, then began to explain enthusiastically. "It's Nana same Nico. One day, Nana wants to marry Nico, so we can live together in a house like Mom, Dad, Aunt Regina, and Om Adryan." Aira's small answer sounded so innocent, and made Nico blush.
"Emang Nana wants to marry Nico if she grows up?"
"Yes." Yeah." Aira sounded more excited than ever. He then kissed Nico's cheek for a moment and laughed, and made Nico laugh too.
This time it was Nico's turn to hand over the picture to Aira, "this is for Nana. Nana has to get this, Nico wants to be a superhero in order to take care of Nana."
"Promise?" Said Aira while sticking out her tiny pinky.
Before answering Aira, Nico took out a small box from her jacket pocket. Inside the box was a blue plastic ring with a heart-shaped decoration. Nico grabs Aira's hand, which is still hanging in the air, and pairs the ring on Aira's ring finger. Nico smiled with satisfaction, and after that he frowned his little finger with Aira's little finger.
"Nico promise." He said, "and this ring is a sign that Nico is sleeping with Nana." He continued later while gently rubbing the top of Aira's head.
^^^To be Continued...^^^