...23

“Abah, it would be nicer if I go with you tonight.”

“Hanging out with old men? You might be kidding.” Johan menjeling Maryam serius.

“Teacher said, you not that old. I personally think that the teachers want to seduce you abah.”

“You are jealous little princess.”

“Of course I am…no one can take abah from me.” Suaranya tenggelam timbul berkisar-kisar dengan kunyahan burger buatan nanny.

Johan mengelus rambut Maryam, mengucup ubun-ubunnya. “If you could understand Maryam…” Johan berbisik sendiri. Kasar bahasa Maryam, tetapi keadaan harmoni ini tidak membenarkan dia menyanggah emosi anak tunggalnya, dia perlu berfikir satu contoh yang sesuai supaya Maryam dapat menerima hakikat sebenar bahawa Johan ini bukanlah miliknya yang hak.

Loceng rumah berbunyi. “I should go now baby, don’t forget to sleep early and say good night to nanny.”

“I want to shake hand with your friend.”

“Maryam, I’ve told you it is he not she.”

“Well still I want to see him.”

Johan mengeluh.

Pintu dibuka, Hamidi tersenyum. Nampak berbeza tanpa kacamata.

“Di, this is Maryam. Maryam this is Uncle Di…”

Maryam mencium tangan Hamidi. Senyum tanda puas. Hamidi membalas ikhlas.

“Okay Maryam, take care.” Johan sekali lagi mencium pipi tembam Maryam lalu menutup pintu utama.

Hamidi merenung pakaian kasual Johan.

“Oh, we just lepak-lepak saja aren’t we?” Wajahnya beku seperti selalu, suaranya seperti permukaan tanah yang landai.

“By the way… if we need you… we have spares. No worry. Jom.”

Johan menapak beriringan. Bintang jelas tertabur, tiada awan dan bulan sabit timbul malap. Angin malam sesekali menyapa nyaman. Johan selesa.