HOUSE LIZARD
It was early in the morning when Hira was making coffee in the kitchen next to the living room, hearing Yulia singing...
Cicak cicak di dinding
Diam diam merayap
Datang seekor nyamuk
Happpppp
Lalu ditangkap.
(House lizard on the wall
Silent creeping
A mosquito comes
Happpppp
Then arrested).
Hira stopped stirring the coffee. Her eyes widened, her mind digested, then she was stunned for a while. She felt like a defendant.
Why did Yulia sing that song? Did she witness the incident yesterday afternoon? When she almost bumped into Billy who passed quietly on his bicycle in front of her room while she sweep. Or is she too sensitive? But even if Yulia is making fun with the song, what can she do?
Cicak cicak di dinding
Diam diam merayap
(House lizard on the wall
Silent creeping)
Huh. The song sounded shrill in her head. Hira smiled bitterly. It seems that Hira has never considered the presence of Yulia. She was overwhelmed with so many simple moments of happiness that she didn't realize that Yulia might watch her movements.
***
Sunday is the noisiest day in the world, especially for the first lady, Mrs. Yulia who is the loudest.
Billy, Yulia, their son, who looks alike the father, and little Icha, all family members, appear in one frame in the morning. They led their bicycles and passed through Hira's room. Little Icha sat in front of her father's bicycle.
Since living at Yulia's house, it is a scenery viewed every Sunday morning, the rich version of Keluarga Cemara*) Hira saw a portrait of harmonious and well-established family life displayed before her eyes. The almost perfect family.
Yulia is an ordinary woman. Nothing special. Not pretty. Not glamorous. Even when they first met, Hira thought that she was the housekeeper. Unlike Viny, her household assistant, Yulia is still less attractive. It looks like Viny is more suited to be the boss. No one ever thought that Yulia's husband was a handsome man, well-positioned, respected, responsible, and loved by his family. All the criteria for the ideal husband are on Billy.
At ten o'clock, from where she was sitting, Hira caught the small family coming home from cycling. Billy walked down in the front as he passed the sofa, followed by his wife and child.
Sometimes Hira made small talk greeting Yulia, but more often, she stepped aside when they appeared. Hira didn't want to disturb the family with her presence.
At eleven, they would sing karaoke songs until it was lunchtime. Hira can hear their voice from her room sometimes. Icha sings along.
Balonku ada lima
'I have five balloons... and the loudest is on the BANG!' Then she heard all of them laughing altogether.
Sometimes Hira feels Yulia is showing off her happiness. Show off a harmonious family. If that is the case, Yulia will be successful in her business.
But that was then.
***
A couple of months later, they have rarely been heard singing together. Only sometimes do they sing alone. In the afternoon, Billy sings,
'Oh tuhan kucinta dia
Ku sayang dia, rindu dia
Inginkan dia
Utuhkanlah rasa cinta di hatiku
Hanya padanya, untuk dia'
(oh my god, I love her
I love her, miss her
want her
Complete the love in my heart
Only for her, for her)
She - Anji
Then in the afternoon, when Billy left, Yulia's voice was also singing.
'Ku hidup dengan siapa
Ku tak tahu kau siapa
Kau kekasihku tapi orang lain bagiku
Kau dengan dirimu saja
Kau dengan duniamu saja
Teruskanlah
Teruskanlah
Kau begitu'
(Who do I live with?
I don't know who you are
You are my lover but someone else to me
You're with yourself
You with your world
keep it going
keep on going
You are )
Keep it up - Agmo
In the room, Hira was unaware, she humming too.
House lizard on the wall
Silent creeping
There's a mosquito
Happ
Lizard - Mrs. Yulia
***
*)Keluarga cemara, An old soap opera & film about a poor family whose members love and protect each other so they live in harmony.