The Unsociable Drakuli Part 9
At five in the evening, the chirping of a flock of sparrows filled the roof of Lupus’ house. For a long time, the jackfruit tree in the backyard had become their nest. And every evening, before returning to their nests after a day of searching for food, the sparrows would gather on the roof to play and have fun. Pecking each other and chasing each other, making the atmosphere lively.
The joy of the evening colored the three children who were busy playing checkers on the back porch. Lupus, Lulu, and Drakuli.
The three of them sat around the table.
Lupus smiled meaningfully as he pushed his checker piece into the red triangle on the opposite side. Slup! The checker piece, shaped like a red clown hat, perched on the left end of the red triangle, which was almost completely filled with Lupus’ checker pieces. Just a few more steps, and only three more checker pieces needed to enter that red triangle, then Lupus would be the winner. And Lupus would be entitled to enjoy the three Toblerone bars lying on the table. That’s why Lupus had been smiling since earlier, forgetting about the chirping sparrows, while imagining the sweetness of those Toblerone bars. “Alright, you guys give up already!” Lupus said mockingly.
Lulu and Drakuli, his playmates, could only put on a tense and annoyed expression. Especially Lulu. She was annoyed with Lupus, who had been talking nonstop. Always saying something. I don’t know, maybe his lips turned blue? Lulu thought to herself, feeling a bit irritated.
And Lulu became restless. Lupus was still grinning. Drakuli was lost in thought about his checker pieces. Then a rustling sound came from under the table. It turned out to be Lulu’s feet, wrapped in pink flip-flops, busy crunching scattered peanut shells under the table.
“Now it’s your turn to move, right?” Lupus asked.
Lupus’ question went unanswered. Lulu immediately pushed her blue checker piece. Ah, only two steps. That means it can’t enter the blue triangle on the other side. Even though there were still many checker pieces that Lulu had to put into that blue triangle, or rather, the blue triangle on the other side still had many empty spaces.
“Wow, only two steps, Lu. So stingy, huh?” Lupus teased again. But Lulu tried to act cool by picking up the peanut shells on the plate. Lulu opened one of the shells and threw the contents into the air while opening her mouth wide. Pluk! Finally, the peanut fell into Lulu’s mouth.
“Now it’s your turn, Drak! Don’t just sit there!” Drakuli, who was lost in thought, was startled by Lupus’ reprimand just now.
“Y-yes, I’m moving!” Drakuli stuttered as he hurriedly pushed his checker piece. Wow, only one step. Even though Drakuli had been thinking about his move for a while. But only one step. Honestly, Drakuli couldn’t play checkers. Drakuli was only good at playing tag and swinging like Tarzan on the guava tree near his house. And it turned out that this was the first time Drakuli played checkers. And that was only because Lulu and Lupus forced him to. Meanwhile, Lupus was really good at playing checkers. No wonder Drakuli lost, and he only managed to put three checker pieces into the yellow triangle in front of him. So it was only natural that Lupus emerged as the winner of the game. And he was entitled to grab all the scattered Toblerone bars on the table. Meanwhile, Lulu could only pout as she watched her beloved Toblerone being snatched by Lupus. Earlier, Lulu even promised Drakuli a Toblerone if he won the game. So Lulu lost two Toblerone bars. Isn’t that frustrating?
But after that victory, this is actually the beginning of Lupus opening up to Drakuli. Yeah, ever since Drakuli bluntly told his story yesterday afternoon, Lupus slowly started to understand Drakuli’s situation. Lupus began to understand why Drakuli dressed strangely like that, and he could accept that Drakuli came to Lupus’ house and joked around with Lulu. He even joined in sometimes, like today playing Halma together.
But Mom, who was peeking from behind the curtains, looked sad. She seemed to be excluded because Lupus had become close to Drakuli.
Ah, Mom. Why does this uncomfortable situation happen?
“And I’ll tell my friends to carry out the plan tomorrow night to help you, Drak,” Lupus said as he moved his Halma pieces.
“Oh, thanks, Pus,” Drakuli nodded.
Mom choked again. Lupus helping Drakuli? Helping with what?
And that evening when Drakuli said goodbye and was about to leave, Mom saw Lupus hurriedly packing his Halma.
“You can take this Halma home, Drak. Practice at home, and when you’re good, you can challenge me,” Lupus offered, handing over his Halma.
“Thanks, Pus!” Drakuli responded enthusiastically. But as Drakuli was about to leave, Lupus quickly stopped him.
“Oh, by the way, I’ll give you Toblerone too, okay? One for you, and the other one for Kunti if she happens to stay over at our house again. Tell her it’s from me, not from Boim,” Lupus chirped as he handed over two Toblerone bars.
Drakuli smiled, expressing his gratitude.
When Drakuli reached the front yard, Lupus shouted again, “Don’t forget to tell her that I miss her too. Can you do that?”
Drakuli nodded. Smiled. And left.
As Drakuli left, Mom was still pondering in her room. Who is this girl named Kunti? Mom really felt alone.
