Part 12 - A Woman's Secret

He looked at the greeting paper. His face grew sad. Drowning himself. Withered. And wilting.

"Elsa, I'm sorry. You just don't know. This wasn't what I wanted." he muttered.

"Please, I hope you understand."

The night is still dripping clear and silent. Alvin glanced at the watch on his left hand. Forty-eight minutes past ten.

Yes, the man still put his girlfriend's birthday card in his pink jacket. Oh, no. It's been changed to a navy jacket. Although, on the way home. No mother at home. Instantly, Alvin remembered his mother's advice about women. Yes, the memory just remembered.

"Where have you been?" Say hello to her mother after looking tired waiting on the guest sofa.

"It was raining, Mom. Thank God I can see you again."

"Yes, son. Thank God, everything can be resolved well. The truth finds its light."

"Oh yeah, with Elsa? After picking her up?"

"Um, I did, ma'am. But... it didn't happen."

"Why, why? Even though Mom misses her. When do you invite her here, okay?"

Alvin looked down. His face was sad again. However, he lifted the face again.

"I can't, Mom. Elsa doesn't seem to be able to play here with Mom."

"Why honey? You guys fighting?"

"I don't know... Alvin is tired, Mom. I want to go to the room first to change."

"Don't forget to eat. Mother has already cooked for you."

"Yes."

Alvin realized. His mother couldn't be by his side yet. Lonely, being a true friend at this time.

"Mother, Alvin promises to bring Mother home. Alvin will also meet Elsanya." His determination.

Just as he woke up from his mother's memories, the ringing of his cell phone startled him.

"Alvin!! Tomorrow to campus is faster, yes! Tomorrow there is an important meeting!!"

"Alerta!! Alerta!! Tomorrow you have to go to campus, Bro! Your friends are waiting for you!"

***

Various messages landed on Alvin's cell phone. However, he seemed not in the mood to reply. He even opened back the greeting paper from Elsa.

Happy birthday, My Rain.

May you continue to care for the one flower in your eyes.

He read the two sentences. He continued to read it. Perhaps, it felt like various sharp objects had stabbed him multiple times. He had hurt the clear-hearted girl. A girl who doesn't deserve to be hurt. However, it seems free. Elsa is known as a patient person. Kind. Full of care. However, when angry ... do not ask. The anger of a patient person is terrifying.

That's probably the reason Alvin was so rereading her mistake.

"Why should I go there with another girl? Hah Alvin!! How are you?"

"Until you wear a cheap young jacket, you have another woman, to pick up your lover. Where is your intelligent brain that you can use to analyze, huh?!" He cursed himself.

Keep cursing. When he returned to holding his head. Staring at the table in his room.

A phone rings.

It was none other than his friend who had sent him a message. It made his head feel like it was going to explode.

"Hello, Bro. Where are you? It's bad, you have to go to campus tomorrow! My friends need you!"

"What is it?"

"Anyway, you have to go to campus. Tomorrow at seven in the morning. Don't be late!"

Alvin deliberately hasn't told his friend about his move.

Click. The phone is turned off.

"Ish... just make me dizzier." He grumbled.

***

"Please eat first. You haven't eaten yet." His mother's voice seemed to be heard from Alvin's room.

Not wanting to make him worry, Alvin came out.

"Well, here eat first."

"Are you okay,? Your face looks lethargic. Still thinking about Elsa?"

"It's okay, ma'am. Alvin's fine."

"Elsa is a good woman. Her heart is soft. Patience. A woman like her should never be wasted. Don't ever hurt her at all."

Alvin listened to his mother's words carefully.

"Indeed, he is patient, kind, cares about other people. However, when his heart is already disappointed, it takes an extra struggle to get his heart back. That's if you can."

"You remember how you got Elsa's heart, right?"

"Women don't seem easy to open up to other people, do they?"

His mother asked, but it was as if she didn't need her son's answer. Alvin's silence has become an answer for his mother.

Alvin was silent. His face was still full of concern.

"Already... you calm down. Do you still remember the secret of the woman I told you?"

"Confidential?"

"Yes. A woman's secret."

"You mean Mother?"

"Ehm, I forgot, huh. A woman like Elsa is not just a woman. The only thing that can melt her heart is flowers, poetry, and even empty smacks. Isn't that right?"

Alvin looked at his mother. As if guessing the meaning of what his mother would explain.

"A woman like her is special. You have to understand how to take care of her heart. Not just get her."

"What do you mean? Alvin doesn't understand."

"You are... an activist but don't understand love. How do you want to be an activist who is an activist?"

"Mom... don't be sarcastic. Just give Alvin advice that Alvin can easily understand."

"You see. You have to learn to be patient. Keeping a woman's heart is more of a struggle than just getting it. Like now, you are, son."

"Do you remember how to get it? Reaching his heart that is difficult to open a heart for any man?"

"But you managed to knock on her heart. That means, Elsa saw a different beauty than you, son. You remember what it was again."

"That's kind of a woman's secret. In looking at men. But, this time no matter what trouble you do to Elsa, you have to be more patient."

"Already. Have you eaten first?"

"Why are women always difficult to understand, Mom? It's more confusing than dealing with state problems." Alvin grumbled.

"Haha. State problems, can also start from not being able to take care of a small country from his family, right?"