1. Go to Aceh
Varun Elang Bharatan sat with one foot on the table playing with the car keys. He glanced at the clock on his cellphone a few times.
"Damn it! It's two o'clock in the afternoon. No one has shown up yet. What time do you want to leave?" Varun muttered annoyed. The handsome young man with straight hair and side bangs that was dyed blonde rose to his feet and grabbed the arrows then began to throw them one by one at the target on the wall.
Andy, his best friend hasn't arrived yet. Varun didn't manage to kill his boredom with archery. Varun's cell phone then rings. There was a notification of a WhatsApp message from Lily, a beautiful girl who had been familiar with him for two years through social media.
Excitedly Varun immediately opened the message.
Varun, have you left yet? I can't wait to see you soon. But ... how can I ... I'm embarrassed.
Varun smiled to himself reading the message. Lily is a sweet girl. Starting from his novel writing which was posted on a platform, it managed to touch Varun's heart. Not only is his writing good and romantic, but it turns out that the author's pen name "Alexa D" is also very curious. Varun was addicted to greeting and texting Lily until their close relationship lasted for two years.
Varun replied to the message with flowery feelings. Just like Lily, she was anxiously awaiting their meeting in Aceh later.
I also can't wait to meet you, until I feel like borrowing Doraemon's door if I can. Don't be shy, people will grab you later. You know, I'm handsome.
Varun's reply message then showed two checklists, read by Lily. Immediately the girl sent him various funny emoticons.
Varun smiled. This is the first time he has had a relationship with a girl through social media. His friends even made fun of him. Not only that, to meet Lily who was traveling to Aceh, he was willing to fly to Aceh from Jakarta. With his parents, Varun said he wanted to go home to visit his grandmother in Medan as well as take a walk.
During a few days in Medan, Varun stays in touch with his father's extended family. Then he invited Risky, a childhood friend and one of his junior high school students in Medan to accompany him to Aceh.
The one you've been waiting for has finally arrived. Risky came to meet Varun who had been waiting for him for hours at the cafe as well as the youth base camp.
"Hey Bro! How long have you been waiting?" said Risky with amused giggles. He was tall, well-built, and with a friendly face. His naughty nature is still the same as before.
Varun pouted. "Where have you been? Accompanying your famous mother? It's been a long time!"
Risky laughed again as he embraced Varun. "Halah, maybe you're angry! It's going to be less fierce. You want to meet a beautiful online girlfriend!"
Varun nudged Risky quickly and smacked his hand. Risky laughs and serves Varun jokingly. Punching and chuckling.
"Eh, by the way, are you not afraid that your online boyfriend is a lie? It means that the person is not as handsome as you expected. There are many things like that, Bro!" asked Risky curiously.
No new office. You could say this is a good thing to start my career."
"Great style!" Risky instead throws Varun with a bottled drink. So the two young men joked with each other again.
Varun finally invites Risky to go to the station. They boarded the bus together with a group of punk kids who wanted to sing or go on a trip to Aceh. Some want to tour like street children from the ends of Medan, Aceh, and other parts of Sumatra.
Varun and Risky occasionally sat on the bus enjoying the wind blowing their bodies as the bus drove by. Even though sometimes the sun was scorching hot, his heart was still happy to be able to experience his junior high school years in Medan once again. One more thing that made him even more impatient was meeting Alexa Edelia Darwis. The beautiful girl he missed so much. Now the girl's face he will be able to see directly. Not just from the cellphone screen.
Varun smiled. I feel like I'm getting impatient. To kill time, Varun and Risky play guitar and sing with the punks. Their voices were loud and cheerful.
It took about six hours for Varun and Risky to arrive at Sigli town, Pidie district, Aceh.
Varun was so amazed to see the view of this beautiful city located in the center of Aceh province. Still beautiful.
"Are you sure you want to meet that girl in this place?" asked Risky looking doubtful looking around them.
"Yeah. We've been planning this meeting for a long time. I can't wait to meet Lily," said Varun enthusiastically.
"I'm also curious as to how beautiful she is," said Risky.
"Anyway, she's just pretty. She's super cool! My ideal type of girl." Varun couldn't wait to roll up his bag.
"Where are we going now? You want to meet Lily right away?" asked Risky curiously.
"No. Let's rest first at the inn there. I've ordered an inn for us to rest first. Take it easy first. I feel sorry for you, you must be tired," replied Varun. He invited Risky to walk towards a simple inn building across the street.
"So when did you meet him?" Risky is still curious.
"Tomorrow afternoon. Near the beach. You can't be careless here, Ki. Girls and boys can't be alone, especially at night. Officers are patrolling. Sharia police."
"Yes. If that's the case, I know. But some are stubborn. As far as I know, many commit immorality here."
"Shhh! Come on. Don't mess around in people's villages. Just stay safe," said Varun warning his friend.
"OK!" Risky nodded.
"Well, let's just eat first, Bro. Rest at the inn. Tired of a long journey like this." Varun pulls Risky to run faster.
They arrived at the inn and were greeted by a middle-aged man and his son who was Varun's age. The father's name is Wak Burhan, and his son's name is Fauzy. Varun had booked a few days ago a room at the inn online.
Without further ado, Varun and Risky ordered food and coffee.
"Wow! Amazingly delicious coffee!" praised Varun as he took a sip of the coffee that was served. The smell alone is addicting.
"Aceh coffee is delicious, Bro. Anyway, if we are in Aceh in the morning, afternoon, evening, or night, we can continue to drink coffee," said Risky.
Wak Burhan and Fauzy smiled happily because their customers were satisfied. Their attitude is friendly to Varun and Fauzy.
After relaxing enough, Varun went to his room and called Lily. The girl receives a video call from Varun.
Lily's beautiful face while wearing a hijab fascinated Varun. The girl is getting more beautiful with a closed appearance.
"Can't wait for tomorrow. I want to meet you quickly," said Varun.
Lily smiled. "Me too."
Varun smiled. It felt like jumping to where Lily was at that moment.
*