Friday, March 15, 2013

Little Less Conversation


March 9, 2013
            It was half past two and I was so sleepy. The weather of Jogja was so nice, the wind blew its friendly chill air, the sky looked so bright and blue. At an instant, a sensation of whirling in my head plus the grumbling tummy shot me right on my nerves. I need to go the canteen soon, I thought. But then I had an assignment to do. An unusual assignment requires a bunch of guts if you show it publicly.
To talk to any object around you, the unanimated one.
For an assignment, this is pretty weird; but for me, it isn’t. It’s like an escapism from the real life I’ve been used to. So I decided to work on it; ‘the tummy can wait’, I said while stroke it lightly. Then I tried to find my object. Voila, my eyes abruptly stumbled upon some little creatures marching on a great, old wood.
Me:     Hello, little fellas.
Some of the objects just carried on to which way they were going, while saying back, ‘Ohaaai!’
Me: What are you guys up to?
The red little one lifted his chin, blank-faced, looking as tired as I am. In a deep low voice it said, ‘Sleeping.’
Me:     Nah. Don’t try to be sarcastic, you little ant. These past few months the weather has already done that.
Ant:    Well, you see. We’ve been working so hard while you sit there trying to chat with us…so.
Me:     I see, I see, excuse me then. Have you had your lunch yet?
Ant:    No time for lunch. We need to get these crusts to our home. Now you better get out of the way, otherwise we have to get the other way round twice as far.
Me:     Oohkay, I move. But please let me do a little talk with you. You can chat with me while you’re working on, okay? Puhleaaaase I need to do this for an assignment.
Ant:    The hell are you doing? Seriously? Begging to a little ant?
Me:     I think….so. Eh? This has gone far too absurd, but come on.. Let’s chat
Ant:    Try. Me.
Me:     I will. Um, what do you like to eat?
Ant:    Crusts. Of bread, of cake, of sweets, of fried egg, of tempe goreng.. Why do you ask so?
Me:     Let’s go to the canteen with me. I’m going to buy some tempe goreng there.. You may have some.
Ant:    And what would I pay it with? A leaf? Besides the canteen is way far from here. I’d rather work with my friends here, being independent, you know..
Me:     I’ll treat you. Look, the canteen is just a couple feet there. It’s within reach
Ant:    Well no, thank you. You forget of our size. We are the little one.. A couple feet for you means a whole day long journey for us.
Me:     Don’t be like that. I’m not…that big either. My friends often call me ‘Cil..cil..’ and it means my size is also below the average.
Ant:    *laugh his head off* You are. You’re different from the people of your lot.
Me:     Am I? In what way?
Ant:    Your size. As we are, you’re also the little one.
Me:     Shut it.
Ant:    Okay. Now you get mad. Guess our conversation is going to end soon?
Me:     I think so. But wait, I’m not mad. I'm just…
Ant:    You’re just tired.
Me:     I am.
Ant:    Then you’d better get a rest soon, little girl.
Me:     I will. But don’t call me like my friends do, you little ant.
Ant:    Why? Am I not one of your friend?
Me:     Yes you are. But it’s not like you’re any bigger than me.
Ant:    Yea right. Don’t call me little too then.
Me:     Fine, I won’t call you so. 
Ant:    Deal.
Me:     Good. Now I got to go.
Ant:    Me too. Now off you go.
Me:     Yeah you too. So long, ant. *wave goodbye*
He smiled gently, replied, 'See you later, girl.'

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