Drrr… something vibrated from Rihan's pocket. A message from none other than Julius Aditya Kane appeared on the phone screen.
"They said they want to find you all the way to Yi Lu. Even though you can keep hiding, but I think Alvi will keep looking for you until she can really say thank you. It's up to you whether you want to show up soon or forever playing hide and seek. PS: She will continue to haunt you :)"
Rihan stared at the message for a long time before putting it back in his pocket. He continued his steps across the pedestrian bridge which only halfway through. Every step felt heavy and Rihan unconsciously smack the iron fence on his left.
*****
Rihan can't focus on his work. Documents were scattered on the table while his hands were scratching his hair stressfully. He slightly regretted his decision.
Alvi Veenessa Endley seemed to be walking closer. She put her best smile even though she knew that she would accept another rejection from Rihan Daniel. But this is something that she had to do for the sake of a simple 'thank you' word.
"What a coincidence to meet you here." Rihan put on a bright face complete with a surprised intonation. In fact he was deliberately sitting on the pastry on the sidewalk. Deliberately exposed himself to the crowded.
Alvi took the initiative to sit in front of Rihan and nodded.
"How's your wound? Already recovered?" A template question that Rihan prepared the day before.
"Much better. Thank you." Alvi answered briefly and then went silent for a moment.
"Then…?" Rihan glanced at Alvi. He waited for her to talk something.
"I… I came to say thank you. Treated my wound at Yi Lu and the nullified stone." Alvi seemed to have a hard time putting together her sentence. Her words sounded very stiff.
"Yeah. You're welcome." Rihan replied in short. The things that Alvi wanted to say and what Rihan had to hear, had been done. So, what's now?
"If you don't mind, as a token of gratitude, I… I want to invite you to a—" Those words were very difficult to come out of Alvi's mouth.
Rihan quickly cleared the messy papers on the table. "It's okay. No need to be so formal. I enjoy helping people. And we're not that close to be invited to any activity." Rihan refused in instant.
He lowered his head and hastily stuffed all the paperwork into his sling bag. His mind was suddenly restless thinking of his own words. Not that close… Damn it! Why did he think so much about that sentence?
"But—" Alvi was about to say something and was stopped by Rihan's getting up action.
With a bland smile, that man said quietly. "See you later."
"Ryan, wait!" Alvi shouted in haste.
Rihan's steps stopped. He froze without turning around or making a sound. He stood still for a long time while cursing his own feet. Why did he have to stop at a crucial moment like this?
"If you're still angry that we broke into your house and threatened you, I'm sorry. If you're upset that I pushed you to the ground that day, I'm sorry too. And, if you feel bothered by my presence, I… I'm really sorry." Alvi suddenly shouted until the people passing by began to watch both of them.
Rihan turned his body and exchanged glances with Alvi. For some reason she looked so frustrated. Even though they just met. Not even a month.
"Back then, I didn't want you to die. Touching me with an empty nullified stone will only killing you. You're a very good man. I really don't want another victim because of my power." Alvi continued with a desperate voice.
Rihan was about opened his mouth to say something. But the next second the intention was undone.
"I don't have many friends. Besides Andra, Gina and Julius, you were the first outsider that come and help me. The one who silently listened to my story. I know my presence makes you uncomfortable. I… I just want to be friends with you." Alvi didn't know what to say anymore.
"But on the one side, you are afraid that your power will hurt those closest to you." Rihan finally spoke.
"Have you ever thought about controlling it? Or are you too scared to just give it a try? Your strength is yours. You can't forever depend on that nullified stone." Rihan continued in a very different tone. Not like his usual talking style.
Rihan fixed the position of his sling bag. After all these years, you still haven't changed… "I hate seeing you as weak as you are now." Rihan unconsciously spoke the last part of the whole contents of his mind.
Seeing the mute, Rihan didn't say anything more. He turned away and suddenly a punch hit his left cheek really hard. The world seemed to spin fast and Rihan fell over to the ground. Then another punch landed on his right cheek along with a rough tug on the collar of his bear head T-shirt. Rihan was helpless against those brutal action.
"What's wrong with looking weak?" Gina's voice almost broke the eardrums while Rihan was still trying to understand the situation.
"Alvi has tried so hard to keep stronger and stronger! She always fought alone! Both while in Samsara and after coming out from that hell! What do you know about her? What do you know about her suffering? You don't even know about her sacrifice just to meet you! What's wrong with looking weak in front of a friend?" said Gina, unable to control her anger.
Rihan was stunned in shock.
"Alvi never insist on looking for someone just to say thank you. I don't know how important you are to her. But your attitude was too selfish. Like a coward." Andra chimed in in a calm voice behind Gina.
So my fault again? Rihan looked confusedly.