MARITA

Andante (Part 3)

Somewhere where the horizon was pitch black, Frank sat in the car. He was trying to understand his feeling. Diah was right. He indeed has feelings for Marita. He just never noticed and nurtured it. Yet, it was there. These few days of intense interaction had made him realized it. But Frank knew he would never want to be the other man. Frank reached to unbuttoned his shirt to help him breath better.

The sky was dark.

His phone blinked several times.

Frank reached for his phone, then pressed the number 1 speed dial.

"Ma?"

"Frank. Ma miss you." The sound of a sweet voice from the other side crushed Frank's heart.

"I miss you too, ma" said Frank in the sweetest voice he could muster to send his love over the phone.

"Are you well? Have you eaten?"

"Hmmm... I have. Mama?"

"I don't have much appetite lately but I have had my dinner"

"Hmmm...," sighed Frank as he reclined the back of his chair for a more comfortable position. "Ma, Sorry I didn't call you much these days. I have been very busy."

"That's alright, dear. I am quite occupied these days too"

"Oh you do, do you?" smiled Frank. "I'm glad you are doing things. Tell me about it."

"I have been taking the flower arranging class. You know I love flowers"

"Hehehe... yes, but You are not much of a gardener judging from the lack of plants let alone flower in our garden."

The mother and son laughed.

"Ahhh... It is nice to go out and socialized with people. You don't have to worry about me. I am well taken cared of. It is you I am worried about."

"Ahh Ma. I am doing really well here, Ma. The work is doing well, I am eating and sleeping well. All is well, Ma."

"That's such a wonderful thing to hear as a mother."

"Hmmm... How's Agih?" asked Frank.

Agih is the old maid who have been with Frank's family since she was a teenager. In her old age, she still lived at Frank's home to accompany her mother. Agih is more like a family than her mother's sister to him. Agih looked after Frank since the day he was born.

"Aaah... Agih? She is doing well. She has gout now. But normal in her age." Replied Frank's Mom.

"Is she quite alright? Tell her not to do any house work. I'll find a new house maid for you and Agih"

"Hehehehe..." chucked his mother. "Agih will be over the moon to hear you say that. Should I call her?"

"Ah never mind, Ma. I'll call her myself next time"

"Don't worry about us old people. Agih had Ningsih to come and live with us."

"Ningsih? Ningsih who?" puzzled Frank. He has never heard of Ningsih before. How come he didn't know about a new maid.

"Agih's 4th daughter. Don't you remember?"

"Ningsih? No... I don't"

"Oh well... Ningsih was born quite late in her years. You were already studying and living on your own that's why you've never seen her."

"Hmmm..."

"She is a fine young lady. Hard working and gentle with us old bones"

"Alright. I'll talk to her and Agih some other time. Perhaps I will come home to see you and Agih"

"AH!! Yes, do that dear. Come and see us," exclaimed his mother.

"I will, Mom. As soon as I settle things at the office."

"Ah, ya Frank! Did you know who got me into Flower arranging?" said his mother suddenly.

"Who?"

"Your school friend. What's her name..."

"My school friend?" Frank raked his brain to think of his female friend"

"She used to be closed with you. Remember? She was an active member of the youth group who helped to organized the retreat when you were in high school"

Frank sighed a deep sigh. "Violetta?" he breathed the name heavily.

"Yes! That's right. Letta. She likes to be called Letta now."

His mom's cheery voice on the other end acted as a heavy stone to his chest. His mother didn't know the agony that woman put on her son. How she made his world almost crumbling down. Frank politely steered his mother away from the topic of Violetta and then ended the conversation.

***

"Hey, Frank. I'm Violetta"

A tiny girl with a cute dimple and a peekaboo pink hair extended her hand for a handshake. Frank was taken a back as he was carrying a box of mineral water from the Church pantry. He gave his think smile and nodded. But the girl followed him.

She immediately grabbed some bottles from the box and started to handed them around to the people sitting on the lawn of the church. The church was having a BBQ get together after Sunday service for the congregation and to those who wanted to join.

Frank simply brushed her off as an over eager youth trying to do something. But the girl kept at his heel all day that he just had to talk to her so she will leave him alone. Alas, he was mistaken. It was as if talking to her was the beginning of a crazy tumultuous part of his life.

Violetta was obsessed with Frank. She followed what ever activities Frank was in. At school, at church, his sports activity and his competition. Violetta made sure that she was there supporting him and contributing to what ever he was doing. People began to notice and friends began to match make them.

Then the youth retreat event after he graduated from high school. It was only for the young men service but somehow, Violetta was involved with the organizing it. Frank was already applying to university in another town and was busy travelling back and forth so he was not very active at their church service. So he was very surprised to see Violetta in the bus to the venue.

"She'll just take us there and make sure all the booking and arrangement are met," explained the youth leader when he asked him.

It was true that she did not stay and for the 3 days they were at the venue, Frank didn't see her anywhere. He was quite relieved. Then it was time to go back and Violetta emerged from their pick up bus.

Once the bus was on the way, Violetta suddenly came and sat next to him.

"Hey, Frank." said Violetta with her cute dimples. Her peekaboo hair was then blue and no longer pink.

Frank smiled and nodded and then put on his headphones. He leaned his head and closed his eyes.

A while later, Frank felt a nudge on his shoulder. Violetta passed him a coke. Frank was feeling quite thirsty so he took the can and opened it. It was very refreshing but that was the last thing he remembered.

The next thing he remembered was waking up next to Violetta. He had got no clothes on him. Violetta was sleeping peacefully with her head on his shoulder. -