"Are you serious about laying off Claudia tonight?" Embun looked at the young man's face from the side when they rode a motorbike. They were heading to the city park to meet Claudia who would soon fill the list of former Alaskans.
"Cheers!" Alaska who was wearing an army bomber jacket, slightly shouted.
Of all the girls who perched in his arms, none of them could keep him bound for long. The longest courtship record for Alaska is just seven months. Of course, during that period, he had tasted their bodies.
"Have you ever thought that you feel sorry for them, Al?" Embun hugged Alaska because the motor speed was faster than before.
"Let's just say I'm teaching them to be strong girls, more mature, and don't get sad easily," said Alaska simply. "The maturation process for them."
Embun just shook his head at Alaska's answer. She actually wondered why Al was always acting like that. Could this man have had his heart broken so badly? It was possible for him to take revenge on women this way, like most people.
Despite being friends for a long time, Alaska doesn't talk much about himself and his feelings. Embun only knew that he had two brothers and that his older sister was married, so she lived separately from her parents. Al's parents opened a food stall which they had managed for decades. We could say, economically, Al's family is well established.
Indeed, Al does not come from a rich family, but is financially viable. This young man is always accustomed to being independent and buying what he wants by saving. Yes, that's at least one positive side an Alaskan has. Not a spoiled young man who can only raise his hand to his parents. The nonchalant and inconsequential nature of the man actually became the principal attraction, making many girls fall in love with him, but not with Embun.
"Why can I ride your motorbike, Al? Friends, nothing can. You said this is a special motorbike for girlfriends," Embun exclaimed, breaking the silence.
So far, Alaska strictly forbids anyone to touch, let alone sit in the seat of his motorbike. He had vowed from the start that only girls with girlfriend status could sit in his motorbike seat.
"You're special. That's why you have to thank me, Embun." Alaska turned the vehicle into a motorcycle parking area.
"Geez. Why, so I should thank you? Well, I'll help you. Oh, I know. Because I rode your motorbike, so the girls believed we were dating. Is not it?" Embun hit Al's helmet. Alaska just smirked.
From a distance, they can see Claudia sitting on a park bench a few dozen meters from the parking area. After putting the helmet on the seat and reflecting in the rearview mirror to straighten his hair, Alaska grabbed Embun's hand.
"Come on," said Al.
The drama begins, Embun thought.
Every day they are laid off, this is the routine they do. Hand in hand, intimate for a moment until Alaska's future ex-girlfriend walks out of their sight.
"Hi, Clau. Meet Sarah, my new girl." Alaska said calmly with a smile.
The one he spoke to just stared in shock and her mouth hung open. She, who was initially thrilled because Alaska was asked out on a date, was suddenly given a surprise like this. A surprise she didn't want at all.
"What do you mean?" The girl stood, staring intently at Alaska.
"Yes, this is my new girl. This afternoon we were. We're done." The man could smile sweetly, even though his words were certainly very bitter in Claudia's ears.
The girl walked away. It seemed she was trying hard to hold back the tears from falling down her smooth cheeks. There was a feeling of inadequacy sneaking into Embun's heart. However, what can she do? She's just helping, appearing as a supporting role in the romance drama Alaska. Endless romance.
"Done," Alaska said curtly, releasing his grip.
"Thankfully, today SA-RAH was not hit by a rebuke. Now SA-RAH is hungry, kwe-tiaw, kwe tiaw," Embun said while emphasizing Sarah's words.
There was amusement at Alaska's behavior, but also pity for the girls he dumped. She doesn't know when this man repented. Al so easily dumped the girls he dated, even after a few minutes of layoff, he had completely forgotten about them. Totally outrageous.
Alaska laughed at Embun emphasizing Sarah's words, the name that just popped into his mind. The man felt exasperated and suddenly grabbed Embun's head and kissed her forehead.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Embun could not escape. She stared intently at Alaska.
"Hehe, sorry, I'm adorable. So, forget myself." Al chuckled.
"Don't mess around, okay?" said Embun.
"Sorry, just let it go earlier. I promise, never again," answered Alaska, holding up her index and middle fingers, forming the letter V.
Embun stepped into the parking area with a sullen face. She felt a little disturbed by Alaska's treatment earlier. This was the first time Al behaved like that, disrespectful to her. Along the way to Gatot Subroto Street, Embun chose silence and sat by keeping a distance.
"Still angry? Sorry, Embun. I swear, let go," said Al softly.
"So it's uncomfortable because of your attitude," replied Embun.
"Yes, sorry. I have promised again and again. It's time I don't want to forgive," he said pitifully.
"Kwe-tiaw first, then I forgive," replied Embun, hiding a smile.
She really couldn't bear to see Alaska's pitiful attitude. The bad boy can suddenly look like a cute and funny kitten when he is flirting or sulking. Cute!
"Yes…" Alaska laughed happily.
A few tens of minutes later, they arrived at a street vendor tent on Gatot Subroto Street, commonly known as Gatsu. Alaska's subscription stall, which later became Embun's subscription as well.
"Wei, Mimi and Mintuno. From where?" The shop owner said. This man always calls them Mimi and Mintuno. A Javanese expression to describe two people who stick together. Everywhere is always together.
"Usually, on a date," Al replied nonchalantly.
"Cie, it's done, huh?" tease the father.
"With this crocodile like him? Oh no, Sir," answered Embun.
"Well, this man really loves you, sister. Come on." The man is even nagging.
"Well, this man knows. It's just you who are not sensitive if I really love you so much." Alaska put on a cute face.
"Kwe-tiaw, sir. Do not be long." Embun immediately headed for an empty seat. She was lazy to serve the ravings of Al and the man of the stall. Al and the man of the shop just smiled when they saw Embun sulking.
"So you haven't been shot yet, Mas?" the man whispered to Alaska.
"Shit, sir. Spooky. Scary..," Al replied with a shudder, then both of them burst out laughing. Embun looked at the two of them in disgust from a distance.
Must talk to me, the girl grumbled in her heart.
"Don't be late. You'll regret it if you've already lost it," said the man. Alaska smiled, then followed to sit in front of Embun.
"Are you done talking to me?" Embun supports her chin with her left hand while her right hand is busy scrolling the mobile phone screen.
"Gee, who's talking about you? You hope that, huh?" joked Alaska with a mischievous smile.
"Al, I think I'll be dropping out of college next semester," the girl complained.
"So what? Is it hard to find time to work? Tired?" The man was surprised to hear Embun's words. As far as he knows, this girl is very excited to go to college. Dividing time, energy, and concentration on work and lectures is certainly difficult. But so far, she's been able to do well. It's also been a year.
"My finances don't allow it," the girl answered briefly, taking a deep breath.
"How much do you need? Let me help you." Alaska sincerely wants to help. He knew Embun really loved her studies.
Alaska just doesn't want to go to college, even though his parents can afford it. He prefers to work and earn money. However, Embun is different.
"No, Al. I can't keep relying on other people. There are still a lot of debt obligations. Maybe, later, after all the debts are paid off, then I will enter college again. Don't want to be too much of a burden for now." Embun looked down languidly, remembering the series of debts inherited from his father which had not been paid off until now.