"Rissa, Tuesday next week there will be no practice. You come with me. Later there will be a party," said Pamela. "Someone is birthday." She whispered while looking at Satria.
Rissa just smiled. Satria saw her and smiled back. So, Rissa immediately turned her face.
"Okay, I'll come later. Where is it?"
"Calipso d'Café on Braga's Street, seven p.m," said Elizabeth. Rissa felt a little uncomfortable hearing the name of the place.
"Do you know the place? I'll pick you up," said Pamela excitedly.
"Uhm, you don't have to pick me. I'll be there by myself."
"Okay. There's a band there every eight p.m. The songs are jazzy. It's so much fun! You must come!"
"Don't worry, Mel, I'll definitely come." Rissa smiled.
Satria approached her. As usual, the man was broadly smiling and looked friendly. Pamela and Elizabeth automatically left them alone.
"Hi Rissa! How are you? Where's Esther?" asked Satria.
"Esther doesn't seem to be going to choir practice anymore."
"Oh, why?" Satria frowned.
"Because she—"
"She has a good voice though," Satria interrupted. It looks like Satria doesn't need an answer to her question. "Too bad. Ah, the important thing is that you still join the choir, right?"
Satria smiled. The man was very tall. Rissa had to look up to see his face.
"Yes," replied Rissa.
"Oh yeah. By the way, Tuesday is my birthday. Do you want to come to my birthday party?" Satria smiled.
"Ah, I've heard it from Pamela," answered Rissa coldly.
"You will come, right?" asked Satria hopefully.
Rissa nodded, but she was not paying much attention to Satria. Her eyes kept looking around, hoping she'd see Charlos, but that was clearly impossible.
Satria chuckled, "That's good then."
Rissa didn't answer anymore. Satria looks awkward. From afar, Dennis called out to him. Satria approached the skinny man with glasses. They talk seriously. Anyway, Rissa catches their conversation about Satria's birthday.
So, Rissa sat on a chair, feeling relieved. She didn't have to dodge directly from Satria. For a long time, she didn't want to continue her conversation with Satria.
It wasn't long before the practice started. That day, the angel's role was passed. Mr Rudy remains optimistic that this Christmas drama will be a success. Mr Rudy continues to encourage the drama players.
That night, Rissa felt so lonely. Even though everyone seemed very excited, Rissa didn't seem to be in the same atmosphere. She felt empty without Charlos's presence. Rissa really wanted to see him.
After practice, Rissa finished the song's text and handed it over to Miss Kiki. Unfortunately, Satria approached her again. Rissa's feet almost wanted to run away from that place.
"Rissa, do you want to go home? I'll take you." Satria smiled kindly at her.
"I ... I want to go home with Pamela. You go first." Rissa looked here and there, looking for Pamela. There she was. Pamela was chatting with Vivian.
"Pamela! Let's go home!" exclaimed Rissa. Her sound is a bit exaggerated.
Pamela approached her. "Let's go! Oh hi, Satria."
Rissa saw Satria winking at Pamela. Then Pamela suddenly said, "Uhm, Rissa! Sorry. I have an appointment. You go home with Satria, okay?" So, Pamela left in a hurry.
"Mel! Mel! Where are you going?" Rissa walked quickly after her, but Satria held her hand. Rissa looked fiercely at Satria.
"See you on Tuesday!" Pamela turned once, and then she rushed out of the hall.
"Let go of my hand!" Rissa snapped.
Satria was surprised by Rissa's attitude. Immediately, he let go of Rissa's hand.
"I'd better go home alone."
Rissa turned her back to him, and she was about to leave Satria. However, Satria held her shoulder. Rissa sighed while rolling her eyes.
"Come on," said Satria. "You come home with me, okay. I'll take you." Satria said very softly.
Rissa almost froze in place. Then slowly, she turned around. Rissa saw him smiling. Like it or not, Rissa admits that Satria is also handsome. He was tall, and his face was always warm and friendly.
Rissa thought for a moment. Then forcefully, she nodded with a sour face. Rissa saw Satria mutter, "Yes!"
Rissa was dragging her feet, following Satria to her yellow sedan.
Satria kept on babbling along the way. Rissa only answered as needed. Satria's voice seemed to be from a distance, faintly. At that moment, there was only Charlos on her mind. Rissa just kept looking at the window, not wanting to see Satria's face.
Finally, they arrived in front of Rissa's rented alley. Satria turned off the car engine.
"What's the matter with you, Rissa? You seem sad. Come on, tell me."
Rissa deliberately yawned widely. "Maybe I'm tired. I'll go home first. Thank you for driving me home." Rissa got out of the car. Satria was silent, looking a bit sullen.
***
Rissa hasn't bought any gifts for Satria yet. She was confused about what to buy. Actually, Rissa didn't want to go to Satria's birthday.
Esther told her to make an important-documents for the Golden Group. So, she typed the letter, put it in an envelope.
"Esther!" call Rissa. The woman turned around with a cold gaze.
"What's the matter?"
"Uhm ... They say that there will be Satria's birthday party tonight. Do you want to come with me?"
"No," she answered briefly. So, she sat back in her place.
Rissa pouted. At least, Esther asked where the party was or what time, but she didn't ask. She only answered Rissa with one word that hurt her feelings.
Every day, Esther's attitude turned colder towards her.
That afternoon, the weather was very sunny. No rain at all. Well, Rissa did her job. At four o'clock, she went home. Esther had even disappeared since half an hour ago.
As usual, Rissa went by bus. She was carrying a paper bag containing Charlos's jacket. Rissa already knows the address of the Golden Group office. So, she wanted to return it. Maybe today is the right day.
The bus stopped, and Rissa got off at the East Bandung area. So, she kept walking, and she saw the Golden Group logo from afar. The building is very tall and majestic with shiny glass.
Rissa was contemplating whether she would just go in and return Charlos's jacket or would it be better to leave it to the security guard. Rissa snorted; it seemed that she wasn't brave enough to go straight into his office.
From far away, someone called her.
"Miss Carrissa!" Rissa turned around; it was Charlos's secretary.
Her heart was pounding. Rissa wondered how long it would take her to escape from there before the secretary approached her. Too late. The man tapped her shoulder.