"Hey! Why are you even daydreaming?" Al broke Embun's daydream.
This happens whenever Embun is close to a man. Shadow of the Past, two important men in her life, who have given permanent tattoos on the heart as wounds.
"No, Al. It's okay. Actually, there's something you don't know about my past, Al. One day, I will tell you, but not now, okay? No problem, right?" Embun looked at the man beside her, who had not let go of her grip. Now and then, the man would rub her thumb on the back of Embun's hand, which he was holding.
"Whenever you are ready, Mbun. After all, the past is the past. If you feel more comfortable not being discussed, that's fine. Forget it. Enjoy life, be happy, and think more about the future. The past has happened. Which is okay. We can't change the past either, right?" For a moment, the young man glanced at Embun, then concentrated again on the road in front of him.
"Thanks," said Embun softly.
You are too nice. Can we live in the same sky? Seeing the same sun and moon, living in the same universe, I am different.
"Are you sure you don't want to be waited on?"
"No need, Al. You go home, take a rest. I'll let you know when I'm back at the boarding house," said Embun.
"Alright. Now… we've arrived." Al stopped the car right at the cafe entrance. He lifted the tiny hand that was now in his grip, brought it closer to his lips, and kissed it gently.
Embun smiled, seeing Al's attitude, which had clearly changed drastically.
Is this what it feels like to be treated gently by a man? Why weren't you there a long time ago, Al, before my heart was broken and scattered? Perhaps I will become a different Embun. Not like me now.
There was a strange vibration flowing from the skin of the hand touched by the man's lips, spreading throughout her body. The power of a kiss can make goosebumps all over the body.
"Keep me informed. Alright, come on in. It's going to rain soon," Al said as he looked out the window. The weather changed drastically.
This afternoon it seemed boiling. Why is it suddenly cloudy here? Al said to himself.
"Rain is falling, not falling. It was me who fell to your heart," said Embun sincerely. After all, she was not an ice-hearted girl. Seeing Al's sincerity and the way he treated her, of course, she was touched.
Embun realized she was falling, slipping into the recesses of the heart of a young man named Alaska. Not completely trapped yet, but she wished she could be imprisoned forever.
"You embarrass me." Al blushed.
"Well, hurry over there. Come in," said Al, covering his embarrassment.
"How do you want to go in? You still hold my hand like that. Let go first, please." Embun chuckled. Apparently, the young man was not aware that his hand was still gripping so tightly.
"Ha ha, sorry. Okay then. Come on in," said Al as he let go of his hand.
"Bye." Embun took the time to brush the hair above Al's ear.
The girl rushed into the cafe because it was already raining. She ran a little. Al looked anxiously from behind the car window. He bit his lower lip.
Sour. Your attitude is confusing, but I can't do anything about it.
Al laughed at himself. Usually, he is aggressive towards the girls he dates. This time, Embun always provoked feelings and passion, but couldn't be touched at all. Fate yes fate, why is this?
He drove to his uncle's house to return the car and retrieve the motorbike he had left there. Meanwhile, when he arrived at the cafe, Embun tried to call Pandu. Of course, because he didn't know the man's face yet. He had seen Pandu's profile photo on WhatsApp, but it only showed pictures of tall buildings. No private photos.
"Welcome. For how many people, sis?" A cafe server greeted Embun in a friendly manner.
"Wait a minute, I'll call first, okay?" said Embun.
"Please, sis," replied the server, still smiling.
Embun dialed Pandu's number.
"Yes, Miss. It's here, huh? I'm at the far left table. Miss, come in-" Pandu didn't finish his sentence because he was already eye to eye with Embun.
Pandu waved to the signal. Embun waved back, smiled as she hung up the phone. She walked over to Pandu's desk. The man rose to his feet to welcome Embun.
"Good night, Miss Embun. I'm Pandu," said the man, holding out his hand. Embun briefly shook the man's hand.
"Please sit." Pandu agreed and immediately raised his hand to the cafe server, asking her to come closer.
"Yes, sir. What do you want to order?" The server bowed slightly.
"Miss Embun, please. Don't worry, you can order anything, okay?" Pandu looked in amazement at the girl.
It turned out to be exquisite, more beautiful than in the photo, Pandu thought.
Embun skimmed the menu in the book the cafe server handed over.
"Chamomile tea, please," said Embun briefly with a smile.
"Eat all, Miss. Or... a snack, maybe. I also eat, really. I have seafood fried rice, the same as Toraja coffee, plus regular mineral water." The man deliberately preceded the food order so that Embun would not feel awkward.
"Well. And you, miss?" asked the server again.
"I... just a chicken rice bowl with ordinary mineral water, too. Thank you, yes," said the girl kindly.
This girl is friendly, although introverted. Cool, thought Pandu.
Their eyes met each other, making Pandu embarrassed. His heart suddenly fluttered, as if an icy wind had suddenly blown. A feeling he had never felt before.
"So, can we talk now?" The dew looked at the man.
"It's not good to talk about business if the drinks haven't come out yet, Miss. While waiting, let's just talk casually first, okay?" Pandu would want to know more about the girl's figure and personality. From there, he will also be able to analyze the most appropriate way to persuade Embun to accept the offer of cooperation. Pandu's way of recognizing the opponent's weaknesses and strengths is like that. The results of the analysis are very important to win the negotiation.
"Miss Embun, what are you doing now?" Pandu opened a conversation.
"I went to college while working at the Crown Hotel, the server. How did you know about me, my number, and-"
"I'll tell you after our food and drinks come. Let's talk more casually." Pandu cuts off the conversation.
He didn't want the girl to know more before he himself gathered a lot of information about Embun from the girl's own mouth. Pandu took a few moments to judge Embun from his attitude, language, style, and gestures.
"Have you worked there long?" The man tried to speak as calmly as possible, not showing that he was prying into personal information and analyzing Embun's personality.
"Almost two years since graduating from high school." Embun feels like a prospective employee being interviewed. She only may answer without the right to ask.
"May I know what are the wishes and aspirations that you want to realize in this life? Sorry, this is not about personal life. Let's just say we're having a job interview. Because indeed we meet tonight, close to work and business matters." Pandu explained slowly.
As a man, meeting and dealing closely with a girl as beautiful as Embun, of course, slightly destroys inner peace. However, he tried to remain calm.
"I just want to graduate from college smoothly, work quietly. That's it for now. I live never think grandiose." Embun's gaze remained gentle, but firm.
"That simple? Only that?" Pandu was a little surprised.
A girl as beautiful as she should deserve to have higher and more beautiful dreams. So maybe an artist or marry a rich man who can make a glamorous life. Living abroad, traveling around the world, ah, there are many more beautiful dreams than just graduating from college and then working. Isn't graduating college and working a normal journey for humans? Thus, Pandu thought.
Embun's answer captivated the man's heart even more. Rare human. It's very difficult to find a girl like Embun in this material era. Her thinking was too simple.
The ideal type of woman to be a wife, Pandu thought.
"Already has a lover?" The man ventured to ask.
He himself doubts. Is this an important question related to work or to satisfy his personal desires? The words just slipped out of control. Actually, not only Embun was surprised by the question, Pandu himself was also surprised.
"Should I answer? The question seemed irrelevant to work matters. That's my personal life," said Embun.
"You don't have to answer if you really don't like it." Pandu was awkward.
"Right, we're just talking casually, haven't entered work matters. I just want to know more first." Pandu tried to cover up.