Because of Lupus, you see. That creature has always been known as Poppi’s “ride or die” friend. They used to hang out together at the cafeteria, prank classmates together, skip rope together, or even chase after stray kites that landed on the field during PE class.
They were inseparable, especially during exam season. But lately, Lupus hasn’t been showing up much. Rarely comes over to Poppi’s house. Even though they never had a regular Sunday night apple gathering, it’s unusual for Lupus to be absent three times in a row like this. Poppi understands Lupus’ unpredictable nature. Can’t hold onto their tail, you know? As a girl, she’s already pretty understanding. But Lupus, man, they just don’t get it. Always making Poppi frustrated.
Like that time with Ruri, the gossip-loving girl, who was busy gossiping about herself (Who does that?). Going around showing off close-up photos of her supposedly new boyfriend, saying, “Newcomer. Just officially became my seventh boyfriend last night,” she proudly exclaimed.
Poppi’s chest puffed up (not in a dirty way, mind you!). Lupus, who arrived late to class, couldn’t escape the solo photo exhibition.
“Am I cool, Pus?” Ruri asked enthusiastically.
“Who is he? A dangdut singer, huh?” Lupus asked seriously.
Ruri was clearly annoyed.
Have you ever felt so lonely in your life? Opening your bedroom window when everyone is fast asleep, and feeling alone in the vast universe?
Have you?
Have you ever felt so resentful towards the laughter of little children playing in the yard next to your house? To the point where the most beautiful sound to you is the rustling of the wind through the pine trees and the falling of dry leaves during the dry season?
Well, now you’re busted. You must be feeling frustrated. Just admit it. You’re in the same boat as Poppi. Lately, Poppi has been quite moody like that. Spends the whole day either listening to heartbreak songs by Rachmat Kartolo (don’t pretend you don’t know them, we’re not accusing, just guessing!), scribbling in their diary, or staring off into space like an artist running out of inspiration. No appetite for food, no desire to sleep, and the worst part, they’ve become a shower-hater.
But it wouldn’t be as crazy if there weren’t rumors saying that Lupus has a new girl. Not sure who he’s dating, but the gossip is definitely hot right now. Some say it’s with famous singer Evita Fanny; others say it’s with the new freshman girl.
Poppi wasn’t easily convinced at first, but there is evidence. Two days ago, that guy did come to school. He casually put his bag on the desk and then left the classroom without even acknowledging Poppi, who was sitting sweetly at her desk. Busy flirting with the new classes.
Poppi was definitely pissed. Just like you. Likes to daydream alone. Why do guys tend to be unfaithful? Is it because there are more girls in this world, so guys can freely date more than one girl? To be fair, everyone gets a piece, right? Ugh, gross. That’s a crazy opinion. Not feminist at all. It’s better if girls don’t date at all. Besides, what’s so great about Lupus anyway? If I wanted to, I could find a million other ‘Lupuses’ who are better than him, thought Poppi.
It’s true. Poppi is beautiful. With her thick hair, many guys can’t help but sneak a few glances at her. So why did Poppi get so frustrated just because of Lupus?
That’s love.
Poppi has already fallen for everything about Lupus. There are many people who are better or more handsome than Lupus. You can find creatures like him ten times at the supermarket. But they’re like knockoff items, only the outside is the same. The content is still not as qualified as Lupus (damn!). I mean his personality, behavior, complete with his kinda tacky style. Also, his caring attitude, even though it can be annoying. How can he be so caring? He can be so polite in front of Poppi’s parents. Not fake polite, but genuinely natural. He also often brings them souvenirs. It’s rare, you know, to find a guy who pays that much attention to his future in-laws. And during last Eid, he seriously said to Poppi, “Pop, unfortunately, I didn’t have much luck this Eid. But for you, I’ll sacrifice. I’m willing to let your future in-laws be the ones I give gifts to….”
Poppi, who was ready to be touched, got annoyed instead.
On top of that, Lupus is also super popular. His fans aren’t just within the school, but also outside of it. Proof is when he gets off the bus after school, mass hysteria always happens. Dozens of pedicab drivers enthusiastically pull his shirt. Not asking for autographs, just trying to offer (with a little force) Lupus a ride on their pedicabs.
Lupus is one tough nut to crack. He’s always messing with people, even though he’s super into it. There was this one time when all the guys in his class teamed up to prank him. They gathered in the bathroom, strategizing their trap.
“Let’s lock him in the bathroom. He always goes there. Some of us will keep an eye on where he goes. Once he’s in, we lock it from the outside. Let him stew for a bit. Agreed?”
It was kinda sadistic, but everyone agreed. The bathroom at Lupus’ school was tricky to open from the inside, but easy to lock from the outside. Just hook the hinge of the lock, and done!
But just as they finished plotting, going to great lengths to hold their noses to avoid the stench, Lupus suddenly emerged from the bathroom with a grin. “So, planning a murder, huh?”
His friends, who thought they were in the clear, were understandably annoyed. Their plan was a total flop.
That’s just a taste of Lupus’ uniqueness. Not to mention his cheesy moments when he went to the movies with Poppi. He forgot to leave Poppi at the theater and just went home. Guess he’s not used to watching movies with girls. It wasn’t until he felt that something was off in the middle of the road that he realized.
But patience has its limits. Understanding each other can only work if both sides are aware. Poppi has done her part. It’s Lupus who hasn’t. So why should she regret breaking up with him? Poppi should actually be grateful because she found out about Lupus’ flaws early on. Before it’s too late. And love isn’t blind. On the contrary, we should pay attention to even the smallest aspects of our partner’s personality.
“I can do better than Lupus!” Poppi vowed. So she threw away the photo of Lupus grinning on her study desk. Then she sat in front of the mirror and tried to comb her messy hair. There, she found herself. A new version of herself. With a fresh spirit.
And the next day, when they wanted to pick her up for school, she refused, saying, “Nah, Dad. I’ll just take the bus. It’s okay once in a while. I want to be like my friends.”
Poppi’s dad was clearly puzzled. It was the first time Poppi didn’t want to be driven to school. But Poppi had a reason that her parents couldn’t know. She had heard stories that people who take public transportation have better luck in finding love compared to those who are chauffeured around. The chances of meeting someone new are higher when you’re not being driven by your own driver. Especially during school hours, when the city bus becomes like a school bus itself, filled with all kinds of school kids.
Poppi had never experienced that. That’s why she was so eager. She also knew that Lupus often met other girls on the bus. Like the gossip that spread, saying that Lupus knew a new girl from the first grade on the bus. They said her house was near Lupus’ house. They liked to ride the bus together.
So why didn’t Poppi give it a try?
“But your school is far, Pop. You have to take the bus twice?” her dad tried to persuade her.
“It’s okay.”
“What if there are pickpockets or something like that?”
“Not afraid.”
And that morning, Poppi walked alone to the bus stop. Waiting for the Blok M direction metro-mini. But Poppi didn’t expect that during school hours, the buses would be packed. Full of passengers, not just school kids. But also construction workers, office workers, or even housewives going to the market. Poppi, who didn’t want to bear the risk of being late, immediately flagged down the metro-mini even though it was crowded with passengers. The metro stopped. Poppi was momentarily stunned. How could she get in? Why was it so packed?
“Come on, miss. Hurry up! It’s empty inside,” the conductor urged Poppi, pulling her hand. Meanwhile, in the back seat, a row of young people cheered and teased her. She felt like a celebrity.
Poppi climbed the stairs. From behind, the rude conductor pushed her. Forcing her to go further inside. Oh man, why were there so many people? It was so cramped. And the metro’s roof was so low. Poppi had to stand while bending down. Mixing with the sweat of others. And she was so annoyed because the guys who had seats didn’t want to stand up to give their seats to Poppi. Instead, they were busy reading their school textbooks. Damn, is this what they call emancipation?
But those guys couldn’t be blamed. They couldn’t possibly give up their seats for Poppi, only to join in the cramped situation with the other passengers. It would be so uncomfortable. Plus, the metro usually moved like a snail. So slow. It never seemed to be satisfied with picking up more passengers. Poppi regretted it. Turns out, taking public transportation wasn’t as great as she imagined.
How could she find love in this cramped situation? Maybe it’s because she’s not used to it yet? Luckily, it was still early in the day. When people had just showered and weren’t sweating yet. Imagine if it were later in the afternoon. Ugh! Poppi regretted not asking to be picked up later in the day.
But the effort to heal her broken heart didn’t end there. Unlike before, Poppi accepted Fadly’s invitation, who often teased her. Watching movies together, going to the disco together, going to fancy restaurants together. Dating Fadly was indeed more enjoyable. He knew more about the places teenagers usually visited. Places that Poppi had never been to before. But still, Poppi felt like something was missing. Every night, she still felt alone.
Happiness did come when she went out with Fadly. But after that, she felt like she was being returned to her lonely world. Feeling alone again at night. Weird, it wasn’t usually like this.
She couldn’t lie to herself, sometimes late at night, she missed Lupus. She wanted to chat with him. Wanted to go out and explore the shopping center together. Walking with Lupus was so much fun.
So that night, Poppi couldn’t take it anymore. She wrote a very long letter to Lupus. Asking about the truth of the rumors about the new kids in first grade. Oh yeah, Lupus was now in second grade.
One early morning, Lupus was seen approaching Poppi, who was alone in the empty canteen. Many kids hadn’t arrived yet. It was planned that way, to create a more intimate atmosphere.
“Hey, Pop, I’ve received your letter. Impressive. Turns out you have talent as a novelist,” Lupus greeted her so closely. Poppi looked away.
But, oh God, she missed Lupus’ annoying voice.
“And now your scandals with the new stars are exposed, right? Isn’t it?” Poppi replied curtly.
“Hey, you have no right to say like that to me!” Lupus became serious.
“Oh, yes I do!” Poppi didn’t want to back down. “Just admit it. The news has spread. You’re dating Evita, the actress, or the girl from first grade, or the cafeteria lady’s daughter in Bandung. Right? What am I lacking all this time? I’ve been understanding enough, patient enough, what else?”
“Enough love….”
“Yes, exactly. Enough love. So what else do you demand, huh?”
“Nothing. I’m not demanding anything. But you forget that dating also requires rationality. Mature thinking. Maturity.”
“Well, do you think I don’t have rationality?”
“You do, but it’s overshadowed by your emotions. Just think about it, how can I possibly date so many girls? Even with you, I’ve been having a hard time. Even though I’m just a sidekick, I still work. Trying to earn money. Almost all my free time is consumed by my work at the magazine. Interviews, writing news, English lessons, painting, not to mention if there’s a wedding in the village. It would be such a waste if I didn’t attend.
“So where’s the time? And I’m doing all of this for you. For my future…”
Poppi went silent. But she wasn’t satisfied yet, “So, why do you always hang out with the first graders when you come to school, huh? I demand a breakup!”
“What’s a breakup?”
“Breaking up with your girlfriend.”
“Oh, Poppi, why are you so narrow-minded? I go to the first grade classrooms for a reason too. This time, I want to write a comprehensive article about the school’s gossip. Even though it’s forbidden, it still exists. And the intention is good, to build camaraderie, as long as it’s not abused. That’s why I keep going to the first grade classrooms. To get opinions from each of them. Do you understand now?”
Poppi remained silent.
“To be honest, I’ve been really sad not being able to see you. Especially when I found out you’ve been hanging out with Fadly lately. Is that true?” Lupus said sadly.
This time, Poppi was truly touched. “Are you jealous, Pus?”
“Yes.”
“Lupus… I didn’t want it to be like this. I was just looking for compensation. But it’s because of you too. But now I trust you,” Poppi’s voice became softer. And they fell into silence.
The emotional atmosphere was interrupted when a girl entered the cafeteria. She looked around and her eyes lit up when she saw Lupus.
“Hey, your name is Lupus, right?” the girl exclaimed.
Lupus nodded, confused.
“Oh, I’ve been looking for you. Here, I have a letter from Wida. You know, the girl from first grade. She said it’s a reply to your letter from yesterday…”
Poppi immediately glared at Lupus.
“Hey, calm down, Pop. Calm down. It’s just business… it’s allowed. Be patient, okay? Maybe the reply is a rejection…”
But Poppi stormed off, leaving Lupus to spend the whole day trying to win her back…
