The Scars

The car brought the blond-haired girl and her gang off. I got up, tidied up and dusted my school uniform. The slap imprinted on my face remained painful. I grimaced. My cheek must have been red now. I assumed that my short talk to Kevin this morning had rendered jealousy in that girl’s heart. It made me sneer. The fact that the girl, Angeline, would do anything to be with the guy she and others thought as the coolest boy in the school made me chuckle.    

    

I picked up my bag on the ground and strode. What Angeline had done to me today would never be able to provoke me. I had ever experienced the worst thing, even hell. I stretched out my arms and took a deep breath. This was my life and I promised to enjoy whatever it had to offer.    

    

I saw the door of my house wide opened when I almost got home. I tipped toe and peeked through the small ventilation. This house didn’t have a window. My eyes caught broad shoulders in a white shirt.    

    

“Reno…what are you doing here?” Standing at the door, I impatiently strafed him with a question. He was aghast.    

    

“Hi…I miss your mother. I wanted to see her,” he answered plainly. But, I saw no one except him.    

    

“What? I am afraid that my father will go home soon. You can't risk your life. He can do anything to you. You’ll be in danger.” I warned him. He got up from his seat.    

    

“He won’t kill me.”    

    

“Who knows? There’s something I need to talk to you. Let’s go from here.” I turned around without waiting for his agreement. He came along.    

    

We walked along a muddy narrow trod until the mouth of the alley then turned left toward the main road. It took almost fifteen minutes to get there. In the slum area, the rubbish was a view that your eyes couldn’t avoid along the way. Reno sometimes covered his nose and mouth with a handkerchief. I had been used to smelling the stench since I was a child. I was born here among the marginal people.    

    

“There’s a famous delicious street food fifty meters ahead,” I told Reno. “You should try it. It is not hi-end food, indeed. But, I bet you’ll like it.” We kept moving.    

    

“I’m curious how it is,” he commented.    

    

“It must be your first time enjoying the street food,” I ascertained. He nodded.    

    

We stopped by at one of the street vendors who sold chicken noodles and meatballs, the old man in his late fifty. He welcomed us friendly. We sat on the plastic chair under the umbrella-like roof. The plastic chairs circled the round wooden table. After five minutes of waiting, the old man served two bowls of chicken noodles. Reno looked thrilled.    

    

“So, what is it you want to tell me?” he asked after slurping his chicken noodles. The vehicles across the road roared so that it gave me a minute to think about where to start.    

    

“I heard that you were in trouble. And it is me, the cause.” He choked. “Are you okay? Have a drink.” I handed him a glass of mineral water.    

    

"Who told you that?” he asked after taking the water.    

    

“Kevin. Is that true?”    

    

“It was just a little argument. My dad wanted me to continue my study in the US. And I refused. That’s all. So, it has nothing to do with you.”    

    

“Are you sure?”    

    

“Of course,” he got back to his food. He ate voraciously and finished it off before me.    

    

“Well, glad to hear that.”    

    

“It’s spicy.” He gasped. “I think I added more chili sauce into it.”    

    

“Have more drink,” I suggested. He gulped the water in the plastic mug.    

    

“I’m full now. Thanks for taking me to this place. It is the best food I’ve ever tasted.” He felt impressed and gave a compliment. I just responded with a small smile. He put the empty bowl aside.    

    

I stole a glance at him. He looked so excited like a child given a toy for the first time. I remembered what Kevin revealed. Reno had never had a friend before. He locked his world for himself. It led me to the thought that his expression was just a camouflage to cover all his loneliness.    

    

He rose from his seat and neared the old man, the vendor. He fetched a wallet from the back pocket of his trousers. I hurried to stop him from pulling up the money.    

    

“I'll pay,” I urged. He was about to open his mouth. But, I cut it off. “The price of the food may not be comparable to the sandwich you bought me. But, suppose it’s to pay my debt. I don’t want to owe anyone anything.”    

    

“Come on. It’s just a sandwich.” I neglected his protest and spoke to the old man, instead.    

    

“How much are they all?”    

    

“Ten thousand,” I paid the seller out.    

    

We moved out of the vendor area. I came up with the idea of having a walk to the nearest park. It was about twenty minutes from where we were now. Reno just kept silent all the way. I cleared my throat and broke the silence.    

    

“Why don’t you want to study in the US?” I inquired him in curiosity. The United States of America was the country with the best education system where many people strove to study there.    

    

“My mother’s grave is here. I don’t intend to go anywhere.” His response was beyond my thought. Sorrow vividly masked his stern face.    

    

“I didn’t mean to....” I lost the words to say.    

    

“Let alone, studying at the University of Indonesia has been my long life dream,” he continued. “So, how long will we get to the park?” He changed the subject immediately.    

    

“The park is over there.” I pointed to the place full of people.    

    

“This is great.” Reno took off his spectacles. I didn’t know whether he could see without his glasses on or not. “The scenery is awesome.” Watching him muttered, I headed to one of the empty benches not too distant from where Reno was standing and leafed through my bag on it. It had been late in the afternoon. It was just a guess as no watch wrapped my wrist. I still let that boy be busy himself. I couldn’t figure it out what was on his mind. Yet, being here escaped him from “the thing” which had long caged him.    

    

“I didn’t expect that you fancy this kind of place.” My comment went to Reno who was slowly taking steps toward me.    

    

“When I was a kid, I used to go to the park with my mother.” Reno was always great at giving surprising responses. “What happened with your face?” He was finally aware of my reddish face.    

    

“The blonde girl, the students called her as Angeline and her friends, assaulted me.”    

    

“What?” His eyes widened in shock. “It doesn’t make sense. Why did she do that to you? What’s the matter?”    

    

“Well, I think she is jealous. I don’t care. It’s not a big deal, either”    

    

“You mean jealous with you?”    

    

“I know you won’t believe that, neither will I. Just forget it. What time is it?”    

    

“Five minutes to five.”    

    

“What did you say?”    

    

“Almost five,”    

    

“I think I’ve got to go now. I have an appointment.” I grabbed my bag and ran quickly, leaving Reno who was still wondering where I would be going.    

    

I ran and ran as fast as I could. Suddenly, Mrs. Ali’s image vividly emerged in my head. The woman was caring and helpful. I never thought to stop running even if the sweat had flown down my forehead and temple. It was just one hundred meters ahead, I reminded myself.    

    

Some people had been gathering in Mrs. Ali’s terrace when I finally arrived. I coyly greeted them. Mrs. Ali appeared at the door and asked me to join her. I expressed my apology because of being too late. She didn’t respond. That beautiful woman patted my shoulder instead, as a reaction.    

    

“Everything has been ready,” she announced. “But, you can still assist us. Would you like to help the others serve the menu at the party?” I nodded immediately.” The party will start at 7. So, you have time to prepare. Wait here a minute. I’ll get you the costume.” She came back with a white blouse and black pants. “Put these on.”    

    

“Thank you so much.”    

    

“Don’t mention it.”    

    

We finally left for the party after all food had been packed and shipped. My appearance was not too bad so far. I’ve combed my hair at least although I didn’t put any makeup on my face. The girl beside me was busy brushing a lipstick on her lips after carving the eyebrows in light brown shade.    

    

We finally arrived at the destination. It was a huge building painted in white with golden towering pillars. My eyes landed on the small rectangular board on the left side of the gate with bold black capital writing. WJIAYA’S FAMILY. The name was so familiar.    

    

“Ilana...” I turned back and Reno was there.