Lupus was feeling confused. He had been wandering around aimlessly all day, kicking anything he could kick with his feet. Marbles, tangled cassette tapes, a rubber ball, basically everything except the refrigerator. His face looked funny when he was confused like that. His forehead wrinkled, his mouth pouted, competing with his nose. And his hair was a mess. Like a bush in Africa.
“When you’re confused, just hold on!” advised Lulu, his younger sister.
Lupus put his hands on his hips and replied sternly, “Why should I hold on when I’m confused? I should only hold on when I’m about to fall!”
Yes, Lupus definitely didn’t want to fall. He was really confused because he needed quite a lot of money. Earlier in the morning, when he was rummaging through his drawer, he found out that he only had five thousand rupiahs. Wow, unexpected. How did I become so broke? he wondered. He often felt rich, you know. It’s just that he often earned money from writing news articles, short stories, or cartoons for magazines. But now, why?
“Hey, do you have any money? Can I borrow some?” Lupus asked Lulu.
“Oh my goodness. I was just about to borrow money from you. To buy a birthday gift for a friend. Do you have any?” Lulu replied.
“Such a poor guy. Instead of borrowing, you’re asking for a loan!” Lupus teased.
But was it true that Lupus had already spent all his money? He had received money not too long ago. So that means he was too embarrassed to ask for money from the magazine again. But wait. He remembered someone borrowing money from him last week. But who was it? Lupus was forgetful. Last week, at least three people came to him. They all borrowed money. Isn’t that crazy? How can they all be so synchronized in borrowing money? Well, not all of them actually. Some just asked to be treated, some had birthdays, and the invitation card said, “Your presence is the best gift.” Well, those kinds of things can’t be considered as debts. Of course, just imagine if all of that was considered as debt, there would be so many people in debt on their birthdays. That’s why Lupus willingly gives gifts to people on their birthdays. No need to think too much about it. Especially to the point of losing sleep. But there’s one downside, Lupus never wants to buy things that he doesn’t already have as birthday gifts for others. Because he suddenly wants to have those things for himself. Once that happens, his gift-giving plan fails. That’s why, if you feel like you’ve received a gift from Lupus on your birthday, it means Lupus already has that item in his room. And don’t be surprised if Lupus’ own item is much better than the one he gave you. But it’s okay. People tend to prioritize their own happiness over others. Hehehe…
But the important thing now, who was the one who borrowed money last week? Not just a small amount, they borrowed twenty-five thousand. Wow! Lupus only remembers that person coming to his house with a confused face. He said he needed money, “Please, Pus. I promise, I’ll pay it back in three days!”
And the reality is, until today, not a single creature has appeared with the borrowed money. Should Lupus place a classified ad in the newspaper saying, “Whoever intentionally or unintentionally feels like they owe me money, please don’t pretend to forget to pay it back. Because I need money. Remember, a promise is a debt. So you owe me twice as much. Because you promised to pay it back and borrowed at the same time. But to make it easier for you to pay, you’re exempt from the 10% interest charge.”
Well, of course, Lupus can make an ad like that. But wouldn’t it be too long? The cost could be expensive, you know. So it needs to be shortened. And Lupus starts typing again to write a shorter ad. But five minutes later, he tears the paper into small pieces. “Not practical!” he curses in his mind. “Why not just try to meet friends directly and ask if they feel like they owe me?”
So Lupus starts walking out. The first person he visits is Boim.
“How can you accuse me of borrowing money?” Boim says angrily.
“So it’s true that you borrowed money from me?”
“No way! I’m amazed, how can you come to such a conclusion? You know, Pus. In drawing conclusions, someone must have clear facts and data. So how can someone as cool as me borrow money? Do I look like someone who likes to borrow?”
“Actually, no,” Lupus replies, shaking his head a few times. “On the contrary. You’re more suited to be a loan shark. Is that your dream?”
Boim gets angry. Lupus immediately leaves.
But before he could go far, he turned back. “Sorry, Im, I forgot something. If you’re really serious about becoming a loan shark, how about I order something right now? It’s okay, right? I’m with a friend anyway. Because I need something and I’m confused about my missing money that someone borrowed…”
Boim gets even angrier. He takes off his sandals. Luckily, Lupus has already run far away.
Now Lupus is tired. He has just been going around to his friends’ houses, but no one seems to remember owing him money. Lupus starts to suspect that maybe no one actually borrowed money from him. Finally, he stops by Rina’s house.
“Hey, Pus, where have you been? Why do you look so weird? What are you thinking about?” Rina greets him while ordering a glass of orange juice from her maid.
“Oh, nothing…”
“Or… are you sick?” Rina asks again, pulling out a chair.
“Don’t accuse me randomly!” Lupus replies angrily.
“You’re so grumpy. What’s wrong?”
Lupus doesn’t answer, he’s just busy fanning himself because he’s hot. Meanwhile, his tongue is sticking out because he’s thirsty. Damn, he’s being so polite in front of a girl.
“What’s wrong, Pus? Just tell me, don’t hesitate. You look like someone who doesn’t have any money…” Rina says.
“Wow! That’s a spot-on guess. It makes it easier for me to get to the point!” Lupus exclaims, jumping off his chair. Oto, it turns out he was confused about how to start earlier, huh? Rina smiles amusedly.
“If you want to borrow money, just say it.”
“So, can I?”
“Of course. For someone who likes helping others like you, it’s definitely allowed. Last week, you helped my friend who needed money, right? Has he paid you back?”
“Oh my goodness, I just remembered now. So it was your friend who borrowed money from me? Oh yeah, his name is Eko, right? He’s your classmate?” Lupus’s face lights up.
“Wait, you forgot? Hasn’t he paid you back?”
“Not yet. That’s why I was going around to my friends’ houses asking if they ever borrowed money from me. But no one admitted it. So I was confused. Now I remember. You were the one who took him home, right?”
“No. Eko met you at school. We went home together. So he hasn’t paid you back, huh?”
“Ah, never mind. Maybe he doesn’t have the money yet. Can I borrow from you for now?”
Rina immediately goes to her room to get the money Lupus needs.
The next morning, Rina meets Eko sitting in the corner.
“What’s up with you, man? How come you borrowed money and never paid it back? Poor Lupus was so confused. When you borrowed it, you promised to return it in two days. But until now? Still nothing. That’s why you shouldn’t be the kind of person who likes to borrow money. Because when it’s time to pay up, it’s always a hassle, even if you already have the money. You swore you’d pay it back when you borrowed it. But turns out, not really.
“I’m sure you have money now. But you keep procrastinating. You don’t know, maybe the person you borrowed from needs the money. Like, they haven’t paid their school fees, or tuition fees, or swimming fees. And other stuff like that. Just like Lupus. He’s never been this confused when he doesn’t have money. Maybe that money was for his school fees. Or for school projects. Or other important things. And you, you borrowed money just to treat your girlfriend. Yeah, right? Like I don’t know? You borrowed money back then just to buy a birthday gift for your girlfriend. Impressive. While Lupus went out of his way to lend money for that. Huh.”
Eko stays silent. He doesn’t dare to lift his head.
After a moment of silence, he speaks softly, “Why are you being so sarcastic towards me, Rin? Lupus is your boyfriend, right?”
“It’s not about that! It’s about responsibility too. It’s about promises. It’s a really bad thing for people who don’t appreciate others who have been kind to them. Who have helped them when they were in trouble. Like Lupus. Even though he needs money now for school fees or whatever, he can’t bring himself to ask you for the debt. Because, he said, maybe you don’t have the money yet. But what were you doing yesterday, going with the gang to Puncak? Having a good time.”
Eko lowers his head even further.
“Respect other people’s sacrifices, man. You have to promise again to pay back all the money you borrowed. It’s tough, but just make it happen. Do you think the person who lent you the money doesn’t feel the weight of it too?”
With great effort, Eko lifts his face.
“I’m really sorry, Rin. I promise now. Tell Lupus I apologize.”
“Yeah, of course Lupus will forgive you. But this time, you have to follow through, okay? Poor Lupus. He’s been so kind to you.”
Eko nods firmly.
Sunday morning, bright and early, Lupus shows up at Rina’s house. His face is beaming. Occasionally, he blows up balloons made from chewed gum. His bangs, almost covering his eyes, keep poking his round eyes as the wind blows, causing Lupus to blink a few times.
While his one-size-fits-all shirt flutters in the wind, like the red and white flag. How cool the morning air is. And Rina is busy reading a novel on the front porch of her house.
“What are you reading, Rin? Can I see?”
“What does that sentence mean? Are you asking or begging? Speak properly.”
“Huh? Is the grammar wrong?”
“No, it’s not. If you want to speak, just choose one. Don’t mix them up like that. ‘Can I see, please?’ or ‘Show me!’ Like that.”
Lupus laughs while playing with Rina’s small dog. A cute dog, with long curly fur. And his bangs are just like Lupus’, covering his eyes. From a distance, they both look like siblings. I mean, Lupus with the dog, not Rina. Hehehe…
“Why do you look so happy, Pus? What’s up?”
“Oh, don’t you see something different about me?” Lupus stands tall right in front of Rina.
“What is it?” Rina examines Lupus from head to toe. Yeah, at the tip of his toes, she sees a pair of new loafers. The ones that are often worn by stepping on the back part.
“Naah… wearing new shoes, huh?” Rina exclaims and immediately steps on Lupus’ shoes. “Oh my god. So you came all the way here in the morning just to show off your new shoes, huh? Lupus, Lupus… you’re so funny.”
“Come on! I came here just to say thank you for lending me the money. Now my mind is at ease.”
“Oh, with all the gratitude. So, is everything settled? Oh, the money was for paying school fees, right? Or chemistry lab fees?”
“Who said that? Why do you always accuse me randomly?”
“Well, what was it for then?”
“Well, it was for buying these shoes. Oh, I was actually worried that someone else would buy them before me. Finally, they ended up in my hands. Cool, right?” Lupus replies while lifting his foot high.
“Huh? For buying shoes?”
“Why are you surprised? Haven’t you heard of people buying shoes before?”
“It’s not that. But your shoes from yesterday were still good, right?”
“Huh, what’s the problem? Is there a rule in this country that people can’t have two pairs of shoes? Oh, don’t be ridiculous!”
Rina scoffs. But Lupus is now busy admiring his new shoes. Walking around the garden. Occasionally lifting his foot high.
“Oh, by the way, thanks for lending me the money, okay?” Lupus says in the midst of his busyness.
“Oh, just forget it!” Rina replies angrily.
