Laughter and jokes along the way to make all tired no longer felt. Sometimes they sing together even though the voice is not clear in tone. The important thing is just being happy. Embun can still make a soft voice even though it sometimes misses in some parts. Naturally, she is not a professional singer. Unlike Al, whose voice is not as cute as his cute face. However, this young man was always confident. He still sings with full appreciation, making Embun occasionally laugh at Al's recklessness in singing.
Along the way, they must pass through tea plantations that can soothe the eyes and mind. Very different from the tired city of Jakarta. Here, the atmosphere is still exquisite and the air is definitely cleaner and fresher, not stuffy like the capital city. Oxygen is widely available here, from the trees that lie everywhere. Much different from Jakarta, which lies are chimneys, both from factories and motorized vehicles.
After several hours of traveling, Alaska and Embun finally arrived at the Kawah Putih tourist area. Luckily, not the weekend. On weekends, it will be very difficult to reach this area without being blocked by severe traffic jams.
"By the way, whose car is this borrowed, Al?" Curious Embun.
"Why are you asking? Well, that's my business," Alaska replied as he parked the car.
"Not like that. I'm afraid this car will go away." Embun laughed, seeing Alaska pretending to be glaring.
"Come on, come down." Alaska preceded getting out of the car as soon as he turned off the engine. The young man spread his arms wide, a breath of fresh air.
"Whoa, so fresh!" exclaimed Alaska. He took a deep breath as he closed his eyes. This tourist area is in a mountainous area. Yes, it's just a crater. Is not it?
"Come on, Al. I can't wait to see the white crater." Embun stepped excitedly towards the ticket sales, followed by Alaska, who smiled at seeing the girl happy.
"Eh, I'm fine. Right, I'll treat it," said Alaska, holding Embun's hand, who was about to pay for the ticket.
"No. You already bought gasoline and paid tolls," said Embun.
However, Alaska paid no heed to the girl's words. He handed a bill of hundreds of thousands to the ticket keeper. Embun gave in rather than having to argue and spoil the atmosphere of their vacation.
"Wow, that's really cool," said Embun in awe as soon as they arrived at the edge of the crater.
The girl looked in amazement at the greenish-white crater and the surrounding scenery that was no less beautiful. The trees seemed to blend in perfectly, although some only had their trunks left. Exotic. A wide smile and sparkling eyes made her look even more beautiful than usual. Alaska was fascinated to look at her.
Several times they took turns taking pictures with the camera that had been prepared by Al. Sometimes, they take selfies together. The two of them walked back and forth, enjoying the scenery while continuing to joke. What a happy day for both of them. Unfortunately, the morning seemed to run, felt shorter than usual. The morning really felt very short. The sun seemed to be in a hurry. Not like the previous days.
The relativity of time. Time feels faster when we are happy or with loved ones. Time feels so slow when we are longing or afflicted with grief, tormented by wounds.
"It's getting hot. Find shelter, come on. It looks cool there, Mbun." Alaska pointed to a large tree close to where they were standing. Embun nodded and immediately stepped into the tree that Al was referring to.
"Thank you, Al. I'm thrilled today. I can see something else, not just rents and hotels," said Embun, smiling at Alaska.
"Yes, you're welcome. Oh yes. Here, I brought bottled tea," Alaska replied as he handed a bottle of tea.
"Thanks. But it's written for boxed tea. Why is it called bottled tea, huh?" Embun chuckled, accepting the offer of a drink from the young man. Just two gulps, Alaska was already looking at Embun with a unique look than usual.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I want to talk to you," said Alaska.
"It's okay. You say, just say it. What's the matter? Dammit, you're really serious. Your expression is like someone holding a fart in the prayer room. Suer," Embun teased, laughing.
"Embun. You introduced me to one word, that is us. Introduced me to one meaning, namely together. You are also the one who introduced me to one feeling, that is love. Now, teach me to string words, meanings and feelings into one. We are, together, in love." The style of speech, even Alaska's choice of words, differed from usual.
"You got caught, Al?" Embun was a little embarrassed by Alaska's change in attitude towards her.
"I'm serious, Embun. Do you want to teach me the meaning of us, together and love? Do you want to be my girl? In fact, maybe be my future wife, not just a boyfriend," said Alaska gently.
"Al, you know what my life is like, right?" The girl looked down wearily.
"I know, it's complete. No problem for me, really. Come on, let's face it all together, Mbun. I love you. This is serious," Alaska said firmly.
"But I'm not sure if I also love you, Al. So far, I just feel comfortable with you, nothing more," replied Embun while still looking down. She couldn't look the man in front of her in the eye.
"Nothing. Let's just live it first, while you believe in yourself. If you still can't love me or someday you find another guy who you feel in love with, I won't hold back, really. I'll definitely let you go. But if there isn't any guy who can make you fall in love, then that means you really love me. It's simple," Alaska said with a chuckle.
"Let's try first, Mbun," he said again. His demeanor had returned to his usual Alaskan demeanor, relaxed.
"Okay then. Let's try it first, okay?" said Embun after a moment of silence. Alaska smiled and nodded.
"By the way, who can you teach poetry like that?" Embun was curious about the sentence that Alaska had said.
"Ha ha ha. I asked my high school friend to write it down, and then I memorized it. After all, I can not say romantic like that. I know it's erotic, not romantic," Alaska laughed.
"Gosh, you perverted alligator."
"Let it go. Pervert like this, you're officially a boy, right?" Alaska is happy. Finally, he realized that only Embun could make his heart tremble.
Unlike other girls who have been in a relationship with him, Embun is simple, doesn't ask much, doesn't demand much, but can always make Al miss. One day without seeing her, he was confused himself. It felt like something was missing in his life.
Embun is the only girl who can make him feel worried, longed, and jealous when another man looks at her with a fascinated look, even though Alaska knows Embun may not fully love him. All need time and process. Not today, but surely someday. That's what Alaska thinks. He will try to make Embun feel comfortable and then be able to fall in love with him. Al will give Embun plenty of time to learn to love him.
"So, you want to meet the person who called earlier and offered a job?" asked Al after moving half the tea bottle into his stomach.
"I guess so. Who knows, there really are better opportunities for work. There's no harm in trying, right?" Embun was really curious about the company that had called her. There's no harm in trying to meet.
"Okay then. I'll be there later," said Al.
"You don't have to come in. Just drop me off at Han's Cafe, then you go home, rest. You must be tired. You've been driving for hours," said Embun.
"Serious? Usually, my girls used to be spoiled, asking to be escorted everywhere. They stick like snot," said Al.
"Well, the thing is, I'm not snot. Hahaha," replied Embun while laughing.
This is one reason Alaska fell in love with Embun. This girl differs from other girls. She was not spoiled, never asked for this and that. She is very independent.
"Okay then. Then I'll take you to the front of the cafe, then I'll just go home, okay?" said Al.
Embun nodded. She took out her cell phone from the backpack she was carrying. She looked at the list of recent calls, then pressed the call button. Pandu is the person she calls.
"Hello. Yes, Miss Embun. How? Can meet today, right?" Pandu immediately bombarded Embun with questions.
"Yes sir. Seven o'clock at Han's Cafe. How about it? Or tomorrow I will go to your office?" Embun is a little embarrassed to meet work matters, but it is done outside the office, even outside working hours.
"Oh, it's okay, Embun. Tonight at Han's Cafe, okay? I will bring the complete file for you to study. Thank you. I'll see you tonight, okay?" Pandu said excitedly.
He purposely mentioned the file, to make the impression that this was an official business and related to work. Pandu did not want Embun to think badly and cancel their meeting.
"Okay, sir. See you later. Good afternoon," said Embun ending the conversation.
"But why were you invited to meet outside, Mbun? Are you sure it's not dangerous?" Alaska is a little worried, because it's not uncommon to meet and talk with prospective employees outside the office.
"Just relax. The cafe is also busy, right? I will continue to inform you," said Embun. Curiosity overcame Embun's worries about Pandu.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Pandu smiled with satisfaction when he received a call from Embun. One step has been taken. Next step, make sure the girl agrees to all the deals they have prepared.
[Embun agreed to meet me tonight.] Pandu sent a quick message to his two bosses.