After managing to calm his sudden—unusual heartbeat, Evan got up from his seat. Even with Lia who also stood facing Evan even though the distance between the two was blocked by the waiting chair in front of Lia's knees.
"Eh, sorry for surprising you," said Evan, who still felt a little awkward.
"Oh yes, uh ... it's okay, really," said Lia stuttering, the girl also looked embarrassed. "Emm… but sorry, did mmm… have we known each other before?" she asked.
"Oh yeah, maybe you forgot because we only passed each other for a moment. Let me introduce, I'm Evan—who you were with when my allergy flared up." Evan introduced himself smoothly. Slowly, the awkwardness had started to disappear. And now he reached out to Lia confidently.
"Aaaah… y-yes, I remember. Angga's friend, who had the wrong person at that time, hehe... Nice to meet you, I'm Lia. The real Lia," said the girl as she accepted a helping hand from Evan.
The young man chuckled when Lia said that. There was a bit of shame because he had the wrong person and didn't even believe what his best friend had said about Lia. It was Angga himself who saw and met the girl in person.
"Sorry for that, huh. But… it's all over. Angga and I have finished it in a good way, according to your request."
"Yeah, it's better that way. Don't be rude to her, you'll lose."
"That's right, you already know Ana's character very well."
"Because she's been like that since we were both kids. I also don't know what I did wrong, so she hates me so much. But my Mother said that the nature of the child depends on how her parents educate her. So, I don't know what Ana has gotten from her parents to make her like that. Especially me." Unknowingly, Lia poured out all her heart that was still stuck on Evan, related to Ana's attitude. This is the only time they've ever talked.
"Oh, sorry. I'm talking too much, here. Hehe," added the girl when a few seconds later she realized that she had told Evan at length without being asked.
"No problem, Lia. After all, what your mother said is true. If parents direct to goodness, at least the child will follow. Except, indeed she is a rebellious type of child," said Evan, who nodded in understanding by Lia.
"It could be. Eh, it's been a long time… why are you even insulting Ana, hehe. By the way, what do you need to come here for?" Lia asked while looking around as if looking for someone.
"Oh, I…" Evan was at a loss for how to answer because the real reason he came here was by accident. Evan just wanted to make sure whether the girl he saw was Lia or not.
One of Lia's eyebrows rose, waiting for Evan to answer her question. She was also curious as, to why Evan could be here. "Eh… or your allergy flared up, so want to check it?" asked Lia at last, when she remembered that Evan had allergies.
"N-No. Earlier, I accidentally saw you enter here. But I'm not sure, so I just want to make sure. And, it turned out to be you. I'm not wrong again," Evan explained honestly, smiling shyly.
Something rustled again when Lia saw Evan's smile that was painted sincerely. Something that made him a little nervous and embarrassed him. That's why Lia didn't give any response because all she could do was smile while tucking her hair behind her ear.
For the next few seconds, Evan walked closer to Lia to sit on the empty chair next to the girl.
"Oh yes. I forgot to sit down, hehe," said Lia spontaneously, then followed Evan who was already sitting with a smile in the affirmative.
"And you, what do you need here?"
"Accompany my father to check-up."
---
And in the end, the whole story flowed about the reasons why the father had to undergo routine check-ups at the hospital. Not to forget, the incident that happened to her father the other day was also told by Lia.
For some reason, the story just flows without being stopped at all. It was as if Lia was talking to a friend she had known for a long time. This is the first time that they have spoken to each other directly.
Evan, who incidentally is a good listener, patiently listened to the story told by the girl. It seems that it was not only Lia's story that made Evan pay his full attention to the girl, but also because of the natural beauty that radiated from Lia, which made his chest flutter again.
"Cool family." That was Evan's comment when Lia ended her story.
"Cool? Which part is cool? Isn't that what you usually do when a family member is sick? Hand in hand so that everything can run as usual. Yes ... although it can't be denied that it is a bit lame," said Lia, explaining a little because she was confused, why Evan said her family was cool.
"There is one family that is not cool like yours, Lia. Indeed everything looks fine and cool from the outside. But from the inside... ah, lucky you. I'm jealous."
The corner of Evan's lips lifted and it didn't go unnoticed by Lia. The smile was not a smile of joy, for the look in his eyes suddenly clouded over. It was different when they first met, where his eyes sparkled with happiness.
"Sorry, Evan," said Lia in the end because she understood why Evan said he was jealous of her. Yes, Evan's family is not as 'cool' as like her family.
"You don't need to apologize. You made a mistake?"
"Hehe, No. But..."
"Remember, Lia. You don't need to apologize if you're not wrong," Evan said seriously.
"Unless you want to ask for help, ask, then just say excuse me, sorry blah blah blah, okay? Hihi ... if this is mandatory, then, "said Lia with a little funny.
"Well… that's part of communication etiquette. Especially with people we just met or we know," added Evan, to which Lia nodded in agreement.
"Duh ... I feel like I'm talking to my lecturer, hihi."
"Oh yeah, Angga said... you're still in college, aren't you? Sixth semester, right?"
"Yes, it is true. I wish I could pass quickly..."
Now, it was the turn of Lia's face that turned cloudy. If she remembers college, she must always remember her father. More precisely about thought from a word she hated so much. Namely, death.
"Let's get to work quickly, okay?"
"One of them. But, there is something much more important than that…"
Before Lia had finished speaking, her eyes fell on the figures of Father and Mother who had already left the control room. Spontaneously Lia rose from sitting, then waved at her parents.
"Hey, they're done. It's fast, it usually takes a long time," said Lia but her eyes were still on her father and mother. "Wait a minute, Van." Without waiting for Evan's answer, while half running, Lia went straight to her parents.
Evan smiled at Lia's behavior. The girl was so energetic, her face flushed bright red as she greeted her parents with all her heart. Even with Lia's parents who received their daughter's arrival with such enthusiasm.
---
Unknowingly, Evan enjoyed the sight with an uncertain feeling. Between feeling happy, there is also a feeling of envy tucked in his heart. The family he has isn't that cool. How can you say 'cool'? just listen to his wishes, the father looks so reluctant. Then, what about his mother? She could only surrender according to what daddy who had full power said.
Evan's family wasn't that bad. However, he felt that his life was being controlled by his father. Meanwhile, he was not even allowed to choose. Even in the case of couples, this has also been determined.
Sad indeed. However, regarding matchmaking, it is not too late. Evan can still try to keep this agenda from happening. And if you can, there's no need to talk about matchmaking like old-fashioned people.
Evan was still daydreaming until he didn't realize that Lia was pointing at him. The girl told her parents, especially the mother who already knew who Evan was.
As agreed, they approached the young man to just get acquainted and wanted to say thank you for accompanying Lia.
"Evan? Hey, Evan?"
"Oh yeah, sorry. How?" Evan gasped and reflexively got up from his seat when a call had managed to snap him out of his daydream.
"Oh my, daydreaming. That's good, what are you thinking about?" asked Sekar in his Javanese accent.
"Ugh, Mom. Don't do that." Lia gently pinched her mother's arm as a form of warning not to tease Evan.
Sekar just smiled, and so did Bimo, who chuckled as he turned to Lia who had pursed her lips.
"Good afternoon, ma'am-sir. Let me introduce myself, my name is Evan," Evan said introducing himself after he woke up from his daydream.
With respect, he greeted Lia's parents with a friendly smile.
"Nice to meet you, Evan," said Sekar and Bimo almost simultaneously.
"This is Lia's new friend who said he has a pollen allergy, right?" Bimo first asked Evan a question to which the young man nodded in response.
***