"Angga?"
Evan had called his friend several times, but the young man never showed his nose. He had looked in the dining room and bedroom but still couldn't find him.
"Angga?" called Evan one more time. However, not long after that, the person in question appeared.
"From where, anyway?"
"From the front, receive a call," said Angga briefly, then walked towards the kitchen, followed by Evan.
"Call from who?"
"Berlin. She asking you too, why the calls and messages have not been answered. Yes, it's normal, if people call you but there's no response, they'll run to me. Okay! That's my job," said Angga as he walked past Evan to the kitchen.
Evan followed behind him and sat down on one of the chairs at the dining table.
"Drink first," said Angga, handing Evan a glass of orange juice from the refrigerator.
The young man just nodded as a sign of gratitude, then took a gulp.
"The glass is leaking." Angga tried to make a light joke, hoping that Evan would answer as usual. However, the young man just remained silent as if not enthusiastic about the jokes thrown by him.
For a moment, the atmosphere became silent because there was no conversation between the two. Until Angga spoke again.
"If Uncle Jhonatan insists on marrying you and Berlin, you must also have a strong reason to reject the idea if you don't want to, Van."
Evan remained silent, yet to answer.
"It is the same with Berlin, which is she said to not want the matchmaking. She must have just as strong a reason too. So if you are united and both have clear reasons, I'm sure the matchmaking event will not happen," Angga added firmly. Then he continued again,
"now I ask, what is the reason you refuse this matchmaking?" he asked.
"I already consider Berlin as my sister, Ngga. Besides, I don't love her as a member of the opposite sex, but more like a younger sister," Evan finally answered after being silent for a long time.
"Well, the reason is clear but there is no evidence. It's useless if you convey this reason to your father. The thing is, he thinks that you're joking."
"Yeah, you're right. But, what kind of evidence do you mean, Ngga?"
"As we already know, the first reason Uncle Jho matched you with Berlin was so that Sahasika and Galaxy could unite. Yes, right?"
Evan nodded in agreement.
"That reason seems to show that the Galaxy is going to go bankrupt. The progress is good and Uncle Jho knows it. Well, from this first reason you have to be able to prove that Galaxy can stand alone without having to unite with Sahasika Jayafood, Van. If it's a collaboration, no problem. But if you want to merge into one, don't do it otherwise."
Evan has yet to provide an answer. He was digesting what was said by his friend who seemed to agree with him.
"The second reason… maybe this is a little pushy, but… you have to be able to prove to Uncle Jho that you can choose any woman other than Berlin. You said that too, right? Don't you also have the right to choose your path in life, especially matters of your heart and feelings?"
"For the second reason, it's not that easy, Ngga."
"Yeah, it's not easy. But, that doesn't mean you can't, right? At least, you've tried it," concluded Angga while gently patting Evan's shoulder.
The young man was silent again after listening to the long explanation. It seemed, he was contemplating what his friend had just said.
"And there is one more thing that is no less important, Van," continued Angga again. "Fill the stomach. I swear, it's time for dinner but there's absolutely no movement of ordering food or going out looking for food like that."
Evan burst out laughing when he heard Angga's "whistle". He put his arm around his friend's shoulder, then invited him to buy dinner.
---
Evan and Angga had arrived at one of the Padang restaurants in the center of the area. They agreed to have dinner there because they were confused about what menu they wanted to eat.
"Van, it reminds me. The second meeting with Mr. Haidar will involve several community leaders in the area. Understandably, the land that we are looking at has many people. So, they will later serve as community representatives who will analyze and assess our programs and offers as well as our policies."
"No problem. That's how it should be. Because in the future I also don't want there to be land disputes. Anyway, everything must be clear and fair. I'm sure they will accept, because with the new supermarket here, there are also new job vacancies. As planned, we open recruitment for people in this area."
"Yes, Van. Ready! I'll arrange the presentation later."
Evan nodded, then went back to enjoying his rice Padang.
"Oh yeah, Ngga ... um, by the way... have you communicated with Lia?"
***
At Lia's house…
"Lia ... don't stare in front of the terrace, you'll get sick later, you know."
"Uh, Mom. Don't worry. Lia is not dumbfounded. But that's… watching frogs in the grass," said Lia spontaneously, pointing at a frog that had just come out of the bushes.
"Why look at the frog? Here, try the ginger wedang given to Mrs. Haji."
Sekar the mother put a cup of warm ginger drink on the table, then sat on a chair not far from Lia.
"Thank you, Ma'am. When did Mrs. Haji come here?"
"When you're taking a shower. Not long, just a moment. She came with Mr. Haji. They're visiting your Dad."
"Oh, no wonder I didn't meet them."
Lia grabbed the cup that mother had given her, then smelled the steam of the ginger water whose aroma wafted through her senses of smell.
"Hmmm… the smell is so good. It's kicking, Ma'am."
"Yup. Red ginger is delicious. Erm… Lia?"
"Yes Ma'am?"
Lia put the ginger drink cup back on the table, then looked at her mother with a curious look on her face.
"Tomorrow, I want to check your father at the hospital, okay? The external wound wasn't that bad, but I was worried about the inside. Because the position of the fallen father is quite high."
Lia is still silent watching her mother speak. However, the look in her eyes couldn't hide the worry that suddenly filled her heart.
"Lia accompanies, Ma'am. Tomorrow, there is no class schedule. And again... Lia is already off from part-time job. So, the time is much less slack than before."
For a moment Sekar looked at the girl gently, then took a sip of her ginger drink which was starting to feel warm. She knew that Lia was deliberately reducing some of the activities that had been going on so far, considering her father's condition that needed more attention.
Before the accident happened to Bimo, everything was normal. Where the man who is the head of the family is in charge of the garden and all its activities. Meanwhile, Sekar only helps manage business administration and finances. Lia and Ares are more focused on education and activities like young people their age.
The family can be likened to an operating ship that is sailing. If the captain gets sick, the ship automatically becomes shaky and the operating order changes too. At times like that, Sekar as Mualim I must be able to act to replace his husband's position as the captain so that the ship continues to sail. Meanwhile, Lia and Ares as Commander II and Officer III, are other organic tools as parties that help Propagator I so that their duties do not become heavy and everything can be completed.
Even so, the gratitude is even more profusely expressed even though the disaster has come to befall. Because, God still allowed them to gather together, especially with Bimo as the captain who was injured.
"Thank you, Honey. You've helped Mom and Dad. But I'm sorry, my time and thoughts have been taken up too."
"Husshhh, Mom don't say like that. Children must help their parents, especially in this current situation. Ares and Lia are happy to help Mom and Dad. Besides, before Dad got into the accident, I had already resigned from the part-time job because there was a friend of Lia who needed work. You still remember, right? Besides that, we have started to reduce campus activities because The Student Study Service plus will soon be more focused on studying." Lia explained to Sekar at length, hoping that her mother wouldn't have to feel bad for her.
"Yes, Lia. Thank you," said Sekar, smiling gratefully at her daughter.
"Oh, Mom, thank you. It's just like Ma'am at the mini-market, hehe," said Lia with a small laugh.
"Hehe, that means… your friend is still working there until now?"
"Yes, Mom. Thankfully, things are getting better. Even though it's only part-time, at least there is income. It's understandable because he's a foreigner. So he must have to be independent."
Sekar smiled again at the girl's explanation. In her heart, there was a hint of pride because she was blessed with such a good-natured daughter. Even though she has a stubborn nature inherited from her, Lia has a soft heart, just like her father.
"In that case, thank God. Keep being good, kid."
"Yes, ma'am. Erm... speaking of good things, Lia hasn't told Mother about Ana today."
***