The Key

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On Sunday morning Nora knocked on Sam’s door at nine o’clock. She had the envelope with the photo in her hand, and she looked like she hadn’t slept.

Pada Minggu pagi, Nora mengetuk pintu Sam tepat pukul sembilan. Ia memegang amplop berisi foto di tangannya, dan ia tampak seperti belum tidur.

“I said I’d knock on her door today,” she said. “I’ve been standing in the courtyard for twenty minutes. Will you come with me? You don’t have to say anything. Just stand there.”

“Aku bilang aku akan mengetuk pintunya hari ini,” katanya. “Aku sudah berdiri di halaman selama dua puluh menit. Maukah kamu ikut denganku? Kamu tidak perlu bicara apa pun. Berdiri saja di sana.”

“I’m very good at standing there,” said Sam. “Ask anyone.”

“Aku sangat ahli dalam berdiri di sana,” kata Sam. “Tanya saja pada siapa pun.”

They went down the stairs together. But when they got to the ground floor, they didn’t have to knock. Mrs. Novak was already outside her door, in a pink dressing gown and slippers, with a newspaper in one hand and a very angry face.

Mereka turun tangga bersama-sama. Namun, saat sampai di lantai dasar, mereka tidak perlu mengetuk. Ibu Novak sudah berada di luar pintunya, mengenakan gaun tidur merah muda dan sandal, dengan koran di satu tangan dan wajah yang sangat marah.

“Don’t say anything,” she said. “I went out to get the newspaper. The door closed behind me. My keys are on the kitchen table. Next to the coffee, which is getting cold.”

“Jangan katakan apa pun,” ujarnya. “Aku keluar untuk mengambil koran. Pintunya tertutup di belakangku. Kunciku ada di meja dapur. Di sebelah kopi yang mulai dingin itu.”

Then she saw who was standing next to Sam. She pulled her dressing gown closer and looked at the floor.

Kemudian ia melihat siapa yang berdiri di samping Sam. Ia merapatkan gaun tidurnya dan menatap ke lantai.

“Good morning, Nora,” she said quietly.

“Selamat pagi, Nora,” ucapnya pelan.

“Good morning,” said Nora. “Aunt Vera.”

“Selamat pagi,” jawab Nora. “Bibi Vera.”

For a long moment nobody moved. Then, from upstairs, came Leo’s voice: “Is this a locked door? I love a locked door! I have a plan!”

Untuk sesaat tidak ada yang bergerak. Kemudian, dari lantai atas, terdengar suara Leo: “Apakah ini pintu yang terkunci? Aku suka pintu yang terkunci! Aku punya rencana!”