Likha leaned her head on Azzam's back. After leaving the park, Azzam would take Likha to the terminal to see if Likha was still on the bus. It turned out that no buses were leaving for Likha village. The last bus had just left ten minutes ago and Likha was late. Finally, Azzam invited Likha to climb the mountain.
Actually, to fill this holiday, Azzam did have a climbing event, but because he was accompanying Likha earlier he was left behind by his team. Now Azzam is riding his motorbike to the last village before the climbing post is located. He left his motorbike at the motorbike storage place where Azzam usually left his motorbike, he also saw some of his friends' motorbikes parked there.
"Sir, if you may know, what time did my friends get on?" Asked Azzam to the owner of this motorcycle storage.
"Already after sunset, Azzam. If you catch up soon, you will meet them at the first base camp. But if you don't want to go, you will meet at the top tomorrow morning." The man who owns the parking lot is a native of this village, so he has memorized the route and the distance to the top.
"Yes sir, thank you for the info, I just went up after the evening prayer. Now we will excuse you, sir, who want to find food first. Leave the motorbike, sir!" Azzam handed the motorbike key to the parking owner, then he took Likha's hand to a meatball stall.
"Honey, do you want to eat rice or meatballs? For meatballs, we will eat here. It tastes really good. This is our favorite meatball shop. If you want to eat rice, we will go to that Padang rice shop! It's really delicious there too." Azzam waited for Likha to decide and then Likha decided to just eat meatballs. They immediately entered the meatball stall in front of them and ordered two bowls of meatballs and two iced coffees. According to Azzam, if they were going to hike they would be more suitable to drink coffee because they would stay up late unless they would spend the night at the basecamp first.
"Azzam, how many people do you have in your team?" Likha asked while eating meatballs. Azzam indeed said this meatball taste is really good.
"Actually, about twenty-five people are leaving there, but because it's currently on vacation, so there are only fifteen people including me. So fourteen people have gone up." Azzam slurped the ice until it was crushed. Then Azzam waited for the Likha to finish and they immediately went to the mosque first.
"Azzam, are we praying alone? We're late again." Likha snorted in annoyance, I don't know the title is too late today.
"Yes dear, I will be your priest." Azzam felt that his heart was very happy to be able to pray in the congregation with his girlfriend. After praying, Azzam bought some snacks and mineral water. Not forgetting Azzam bought Javanese sugar beans, according to his seniors this food can increase their strength while climbing, so this is a must snack that must be brought. Maybe because of a suggestion, so Azzam will feel that his body is not excited if he doesn't eat this snack.
"Likha, we will start to go up now. Later if you are tired, you can just say it to mas! We will rest. No need to force ourselves because this is your first time. If later you are not strong we will pitch a tent and spend the night there, then we come back tomorrow. " Azzam explained to Likha, the girl nodded.
They were getting ready to go up. Even though Azzam is far behind his team, they are not worried. Azzam already memorized the route he was going to take. Also, many other climbers arrived. The night is getting busier. Likha and Azzam started walking towards the top.
"Likha, are you happy today?" Azzam asked after they walked some distance. Some people preceded them, but this was a common sight. Even though they didn't know each other, they still greeted each other because when in this field they were automatically brothers. Azzam gripped Likha's hand tightly.
"Actually I'm sad but also happy, sad because I can't go home and happy because I'm around you. Somehow, I feel very happy when I'm with you, I feel comfortable and safe." Azzam smiled at Likha's words. They continued chatting as they walked and the night grew late. Not long after, Likha and Azzam arrived at the first basecamp. Likha and Azzam looked for a place to sit and stretch their legs which felt a little sore, especially Likha, who was doing the climb for the first time.
Azzam saw Likha massaging his calf. He also caught a glimpse of Likha's tired face. Because it was night and there was no light, Likha's face was not very clear, but Azzam could clearly see that Likha was very tired. Azzam then grabbed Likha's legs and put them on her lap. Azzam alternately massaged his legs. Azzam also provided mineral water for Likha. When in the open like this, Likha felt the mineral water she drank was very delicious. Then he felt very grateful to still be able to enjoy a mouthful after sipping of water.
"Honey, has your tiredness decreased? If it's reduced, we'll continue our journey. There are still two more basecamps that we have to pass, after that it only takes one hour to get to the top. It's still ten o'clock at night, according to your estimation. , we will arrive at the second base camp around twelve in the evening. We will rest for a while and continue our journey. If later we don't rest too often, we will arrive at the third base camp around two in the morning. We can rest a little longer here because we will go up to the top after dawn prayers. After that, we will be able to see a very beautiful sunrise. We can see how beautiful the creation of the Creator.
"I'm ready to continue my journey again ... excited ..." Likha didn't want to look weak in front of Azzam. Even though he actually felt very tired and his legs were really sore, I wanted to feel like he was lying on a soft mattress and using a thick blanket and then propping his sore legs with a pillow. The two of them finally continued their journey, they returned to chat so that time seemed so fleeting. They returned to the second base camp. One more basecamp, Likha will be able to lie down for a while.
"Hold on for a while, Likha, don't look weak in front of Azzam," he said to himself. Every time he rested, Azzam would massage both Lyca's feet. Then they returned to continue their journey. After walking for about two hours, they finally arrived at the third basecamp and their time was still half-past two in the morning, half an hour earlier than Azzam's estimate so they could rest a little longer.
Azzam immediately set up a tent under a stretch of tea garden, he chose a rather quiet location. They could choose a place because they arrived early. After the tent stood up, Azzam immediately pulled Likha inside and they slept together hugging each other. Likha's heart was beating very fast, as was Azzam. But Azzam still managed to steal a kiss from Likha before the two fell asleep, hugging each other.