fs #3

I got a dinner invitation letter, and it’s very unusual. I just walked from hospital and someone came to me. It was a while before dawn and usually the path is empty at this time. But today is different.

“Lady Eive Chera, you are cordially invited to a dinner party at Kalingga’s Mansion. Your arrival is highly appreciated” said a man that looks like a butler. He looks so neat. He gave me an elegant invitation envelope. Heh? Who am i?

I am wondering. How did he know my name? I’ve never met him before, and also how did he know that I will go through this path? Is he spy? Maybe yes, because going to hospital is one of my morning routine. But, I don’t know, my feeling doesn’t have any suspicion.

“Sir, what is…?” I stop my word because I see I’m talking to no one. That man has disappeared. I was meaning to ask the purpose of this person inviting me; of course I need a legible reason. But instead, this leads me to the idea of ghost inviting me for a sacrificial dinner ritual.

Weirdly, I still don’t have any suspicion.

I look at the envelope. It’s fancy and nice. The letter said that I have been invited by Simon Kalingga and his family. He lives in a mansion on the side of this town, there’s a picture of it.  I think I’ve ever spotted a big building like this. I just don’t know it’s called ‘mansion’.

On the top of all things, I accept the invitation.

One hour before that dinner and I’ve prepared everything. This is a normal reaction of someone new in town for her first time invited to a dinner, although I don’t feel so normal.

First I dressed like usual. I wear a scarf, a medium-long dress, and a monocle. Hey, that’s really something that I wear every day. I just want to be myself.

And second, also the last, mental condition. I think I’m ready.

The mansion isn’t really far; I just walk there for 15 minutes. As soon as I arrived, I am welcomed by the butler that I met this morning. Wooh, maybe I’m really an important person here.

“Welcome Lady Chera, we have looked forward yours to come. Follow me”

I follow him slowly as he walk elegantly. I am well amazed by the garden and its dim lighting that beautifies the night flowers and sparkling small stream. Then I enter the mansion, welcomed by a large hall with sculptures and carving over the wall. My head always look up.

“Good evening, Eive Chera, please take a seat” I heard different voice. I lower my head and I’ve already arrived at the dining room. I see three people, it seems like a parents and their son. And the father is the one that spoke.

“Take a seat, please” said the father again. I snapped out of my amazement and I sit down. I feel like they’re unhappy with my presence here. I see the son is whispering something to his father, some kind of thing that he doesn’t want.

“*clears throat* I’m sorry, maybe it feels strange if someone you don’t know invite you to a dinner. We know that you just settled here a few days ago, and then we heard that you saved Granny Selvi’s grandchild, Shiela, from a robbery. What a heroic act you did. So we’re here to welcome you and also to thank you for your heroism. What do you say?” spoke the son.

Partly speechless, I say “…um, thank you very much”. Uh, I’m so nervous, I’m afraid of doing things wrong.

“Dinner is ready” there is some servant serving some dinner dishes, or a lot of them. I act like a hungry people should act, there’s so many food that looks delicious. I almost snap one pile of chicken and something make me stop. I see the father and the mother doesn’t look so happy from their face, but not the son, he looks friendly. I slow down my moves.

“You may eat any food you want” said that son. Wait, I have something.

“Before that, would you mind introducing yourself? You have known my name, and now it’s your turn, I think it will be awkward if I have a dinner with someone that I don’t know even the name” I asked. That sprung out from my mind by itself.

“Oh, I’m sorry. My name is Simon Kalingga, and these are my parent, Freud Kalingga and Jeanne Silua Kalingga, and then you can call me Simon” said the son. Oh he’s the one who is Simon. I thought Simon was the father.

Then I eat the food just like I usually do. But still Simon’s parents look unhappy. Am I doing mistake?

“You’re a unique people; you must come from somewhere far, if you mind to tell us, where did you live before?” ask Simon. You know, this question is the question that I always avoid.

“Where did I live? Maybe not, that’s something that I don’t want to talk about. It’s just so tragic.” That’s my answer.

“Oh, I apologize, I don’t know if it’s something privacy” answer Simon.

“No problem, Mr. Simon” I said. Still, and still, Simon’s parents look unhappy. And also I see Simon become slightly worried about something. Did my feeling this morning lie to me?

I continue eating my food. I tried to repel every bad thought that come. This is just my feeling. I think I’m acting as I should behave, being myself, and it’s not a mistake. Everything will be just fine.

“My patience is enough, Simon, what do you think you are doing?! Inviting someone as disgusting as a piece of trash!” shout Simon’s father. Ugh, what?

“Dad, Keep your mouth! She’s our guest, show your respect!” replied Simon.

“Just look at the way she behaves! She’s just low-class citizen, I don’t want her to take any step again in this house forever!” added Mr. Freud. I am now fully speechless. Am I troublemaker here?

“Lady, you must know what is happening now, now do what you should do!” asked Mrs. Jeanne. I am frozen in confusion. Every question asked in mind but no word I spit out.

“LADY, DID YOU HEAR ME!?” in a second Mrs. Jeanne shouted at me with angry voice. What is the beverage for this dinner now? A cup of fear.

I am scared, very scared. I don’t what I really fear about. Just feel very scared. I run out from that dining room, towards the main door, leaving that mansion.

“Lady, wait!” a voice stopped me in front of the gate. Simon runs after me.

“Lady Chera, I really ask you for a big apology. I’m very sorry. I don’t know your thing wouldn’t work fit with our way. My parents are just being ethnocentric. Sorry, but this dinner is ended, you can go home now” explained Simon. I calmed down, although I don’t really understand what he said.

“I understand, but thanks for all, and nice to meet you Mr. Simon” I said. Then I leave that place immediately.

That was an experience.

-0-

“Hey Chera! Why do you look so sad in this peaceful night? Why do you even out here?”Said Diane sprung out from darkness. A moment she woke me from a reverie.  In way home, my mind is full of that dinner thing. hey, I think my feeling this morning didn’t really lie for bad.

“Diane, I think I learned something this evening”

“What is it, sunshine?”

“Sunsh….? Umm, I just learned that I need to adapt and behave what people here behave. I just got some kind of culture shock”

“Well, you are facing the right person; shall we start tomorrow, sunshine?”

Tonight there are some things that make me happy. First, I learned about being myself and being the way people should. Second, I just got a best friend.