Come Back to Manhattan

Remaining

"Oh, I'm sorry. I did not know you in here," sesalnya sambil menyeruput cokelat panas, lalu meletakkan cangkir itu di atas meja.

Tak terpikirkan, keringnya kerongkongan menyelamatkanku kali ini.

"Have a seat, please," pintanya.

"So, you are new student from ... Indonesia, right?" lanjutnya sambil mengamati beberapa dokumen di atas meja.

"Yes, sir," jawabku singkat.

"Do you bring the original documents? I just want to make sure ...," ia menengadahkan kepalanya. Kalimatnya terhenti, tak ia selesaikan. Mata yang sedari tadi tertuju pada dokumen-dokumen itu kini memerhatikan wajahku.

"I think ... I know you. Have we ever met before?"

"Wait, are you the girl in Palace Side Apartment?" lanjutnya beberapa detik kemudian, tak memberiku celah untuk menjawab.

Aku terdiam sejenak. Mencoba mengingat-ingat siapa saja yang telah kutemui selama di apartemen. Samar-samar beberapa wajah tergambar di benakku. Sudah pasti ia bukan resepsionis, karena resepsionis yang kutemui kemarin adalah seorang wanita. Oh, apa mungkin porter apartemen? Kurasa tidak. Seingatku, orang yang mengantarkan koper dan beberapa box itu berwajah oriental. Rasanya, aku tidak bertemu dengan siapapun setelah itu.

"Hello, are you there?" tanya lelaki itu sambil melambaikan tangannya beberapa kali di depan wajahku.

Lamunanku buyar seketika. Sementara mata cokelat itu masih memerhatikan dari seberang meja, memastikan apakah aku baik-baik saja.

Wait, brown eyes..., brown eyes..., rasanya aku pernah melihatnya.

"Oh, I know. I remember now!" jawabku setengah berteriak.

Lelaki itu tersontak. Sedikit kaget dengan reaksi yang baru saja ia lihat.

"So..., you colouring your hair?" tanyanya dengan kedua mata tertuju pada rambut kecokelatanku. Tak butuh waktu lama untuk menyadari perbedaan pada penampilan baruku.

"Yeah, just for... brand new day."

"That is great. You look much younger and ... fresh," lanjutnya.

"Thanks."

"And... what about your pain? Is your leg okay?" tanyanya serius sambil merapikan file-file yang berserakan di atas meja.

"Hmm, totally great," jawabku asal. To be honest, bengkaknya makin membesar saat terakhir kali kulihat. Dan kini, lukanya berdenyut kuat, seakan tahu kalau ia baru saja dibicarakan. Untung saja pagi itu aku mengenakan jeans panjang. Setidaknya lelaki ini tidak menyadari kebohongan yang baru saja kukatakan.

"Well, actually I want to meet my supervisor, his name is Mr..., Mr...,"

Suaraku tersekat di tenggorokan. Oh my god! I still forget the name?! Mengalihkan pembicaraan lukaku dengan pertanyaan lain membuatku menyesal.

"Evans. Ethan Evans," jawabnya kemudian.

"Oh yeah, right. Mr. Evans. Do you know where he is?" timpalku setengah malu.

Ia tersenyum. Disusul dengan tawa kecil yang terdengar dari mulutnya.

Melihat reaksinya, aku hanya tersenyum. Membalas tawa itu dengan senyum kebingungan.

"Well, he is in front of you right now."

Damn me! Aku mematung. Kurasa wajahku benar-benar merah padam sekarang, seperti udang yang baru saja dimasak di pemanggangan.

"I am so sorry Mr. Evans. I am really really sorry. I do not know my supervisor is ... young man," sesalku.

"Which is mean you expected the older one?" timpalnya.

"No, no, of course not! It is not what I mean. I just...," jawabku gelagapan. Bingung mencari kata yang sesuai.

"It's ok, miss. Don't worry," jawabnya ramah lalu memerhatikan layar handphone yang tampak berkedip sedari tadi.

"Well. Frankly, I suppose to accompany you to round this university, especially this faculty. But, I am so sorry I have to say I have accidentally meeting fifteen minutes from now. So, I am gonna make it quick, okay?"

"Ok."

"You can start to study in this faculty today. Your class schedule have been written on this papers. Because I am your supervisor since today, so do not forget to meet me once in a week in first two months to discussion about your progress in here, such as your school, your activities, your friends, or even your part-time job. The next month, we gonna meet once in a month and do it continuously as long as you lived in here," paparnya.

"Oh, and it is obliged for you to join a club or a community to distribute your interest, or even more to enhance your skill and ability. Which one you gonna choose?" tanyanya sambil menyerahkan beberapa lembar kertas.

"Hmm, I think, I will join music club," jawabku.

"Good choice. I am gonna escort you to the music club room in the end of your class today."

"And..., last but not least is about your job. Because you are the fully funded scholarship student, you have to work in Manhattan University to deliver the ability you have. It is a part-time job, so you do not have to be worry about your class. This experience is formal job. So, you can write it in your curicculum vitae in order to enhance your career. The various job have been listed on papers I gave to you. Because this is very essential thing, you have one day to think which job do you want it, and decide it later. Make sure I accept the whole documents on my desk tomorrow morning. Is it clear, Miss Syhntelia?"

"Sure. It's perfect," jawabku dengan anggukan.

TING TING TENG TENG. Suara lonceng kembali terdengar.

"Oh, the bell rang. I think we both gonna be late. You better hurry to catch up your first class. You don't wanna be late, right?"

"Absolutely, Sir. Hmm, thank you for all information you had. It is an honour to meet someone like you. Once again, thank you very much," paparku santun.

"It's my pleasure. Nice to meet you, miss."

Aku berdiri. Kemudian berjalan menuju pintu yang sama saat kumasuki beberapa menit lalu.

"Oh, Miss Syhntelia," panggil Mr. Evans.

Aku menoleh cepat, membuat rambut ikalku terayun lembut.

"Try not to be nervous next time, okay?" anjurnya sambil tersenyum lebar.

"I will, Sir," jawabku tersipu malu lalu pergi meninggalkan ruangan.