For the first time, Aluna Agatha entered a nightclub. Flashing lights, loud thumping music, and the distinct smell of alcohol are new things for Aluna, who has just turned 21 years old.
Aluna would never have thought of going there -wearing a tight black mini dress, high heels and a choker necklace wrapped around her neck - if only her two friends -Meta and Tia- hadn't insisted.
Aluna was dragged down, getting inside. Passing the people enjoying thumping music on the dance floor.
"Yes. Did you like it?" Meta half screamed as if he wanted to beat the loud thumping sound.
Aluna shook her head. She doesn't like these shades. Don't understand how people can live and have fun with something like this.
But, regardless of Aluna's opinion, Meta still has fun there. Jumping in time with music, making her red hair flutter.
Likewise with Tia. Looks relaxed and enjoyable too, beautiful with short hair that hangs below her ears showing her long neck.
Only Aluna herself was here who was the stiffest person, her hands couldn't let go of covering her chest and kept trying to let her long brown hair flow forward covering her exposed neck.
Meta and Tia took Aluna there so Aluna could have fun, get out for a while from the usual Aluna, Aluna whose life is monotonous. Meta and Tia wanted Aluna to enjoy the atmosphere of a nightclub, which they thought was refreshing.
"Oh, they've come," shouted Meta as soon as he lifted his head from the cellphone. His gaze circulated, until at one point, Meta smiled.
"Who? Bastian and Gery?" Tia asked.
Meta nodded. "Yes, they are already at the table. Let's go there." Then when she saw Aluna who was confused, Meta came closer and whispered. "Did I forget to tell you? We also set up blind dates for you."
"Blind date?" Aluna screamed loudly. She has not heard of this before.
Meta nodded and took her hand, leading Aluna off the dance floor.
"I asked Bastian to introduce the best man in his environment, to be Aluna's date with this sad one. You are already 21 years old, but you have never once held a man's hand."
Aluna never thought it was sad, she was too busy working.
"Wait, I have no intention of dating now. I don't have time," said Aluna who tried to stop her steps and withdrew her hand from Meta's strong grip.
"I don't think you have time. You just don't have a chance," Tia said, trailing behind. "So we'll give him a chance, now."
"I really don't have time!" Aluna stressed it. "I want to go home, I don't want to be introduced to anyone. You guys brought me here to let me see how fun that club is, and I've seen it all. Nothing suits me."
Meta turned and winked. "No, because maybe what suits you is what Bastian brought."
What does it mean? A man who will be her blind date partner?
"We come to his table first, see how good-looking a man Bastian can bring. If he's ugly, you can leave immediately. It was easy," said Tia who remained on Meta's side. "I'll help you leave if she's ugly and doesn't suit you."
Aluna took a deep breath. He wasn't sure he could go no matter what the circumstances were if Meta held him this hard.
After being dragged into the club, now Aluna is dragged to a table. His steps faltered as he climbed the stairs.
Up above, after passing several tables, Meta stopped with his hand still tightly gripping Aluna's hand.
"This is Aluna, she is beautiful?" asked Meta while pulling Aluna to stand a little forward.
Aluna just looked down.
"She's invisible now, but I've seen him. She's beautiful," answered Bastian, smiling at Aluna even though Aluna didn't see it.
Maybe Meta doesn't remember introducing Aluna like it was the first time Aluna met Bastian and Gery. Whereas before, Aluna had met the two. When they drove Meta, who was very drunk, to Aluna's house early in the morning.
Gery who was originally sitting also stood up. "Wow, is she Aluna?" he said with wide eyes highlighting Aluna's appearance from top to bottom.
"Hi Aluna, tonight you look amazing. How about just me?" Gery started teasing him.
"Do not hope!" Meta threatens him. "Where? The man I asked you for?" Meta looked at the table behind Bastian and Gery, then he saw another person sitting there, his head down, and the hat he was wearing covering his face.
"That's it," said Meta with a smile. "Move you two, I have to deliver Aluna to him."
Meta pushed Bastian and Gery away with her elbow, easily passed the two men, then forced Aluna to sit beside the man wearing the hat.
"Hey, get acquainted!" Meta commands on both of which still seem stiff.
Without looking at the man beside her, Aluna introduced herself.
"I'm Aluna," she whispered softly. Whether heard or not.
"Gavin," he replied. "Gavin Alvaro."
Aluna was stunned. His name is not foreign, no, familiar. Aluna hears it every day.
Gavin Alvaro, a rising singer and songwriter. A handsome 25 year old man whose name is being discussed everywhere.
Aluna dared to glance at him a little, and under the hat, Aluna saw it. Gavin Alvaro's handsome face feels unreal when seen in person.
Is the world kidding her?
"Gavin?!" screamed Meta there who was huddled with Bastian, Gery, and Tia. The four people had not yet sat down.
Meta just found out who the man his two male friends brought for Aluna.
"So can you keep a secret? I brought the most handsome man in my neighborhood, and I won," said Bastian in a whisper full of satisfaction.
Meta and Tia were still in shock, but they nodded.
Finally they sat down at the table, and started chatting. The other four people were more active in chatting than Aluna and Gavin.
Whether it's true or not, it seems like Gavin is also a little unhappy to be there. Or disappointed because the only one introduced to him was Aluna?
Maybe that one, disappointed.
Aluna who knew herself immediately took her clutch and stood up.
"Looks like I have to go," said Aluna to everyone.
They all looked up to see Aluna, including Gavin, Gavin also saw him.
"I have an appointment." It's a ridiculous alibi.
"Promise? this night?" attack Tia directly. Then, Tia's eyes pointed at Gavin, indicating that Gavin was not bad and Aluna could sit back.
"Hey, don't go yet. You haven't even drank anything yet," said Bastian while his hand stretched out to take a new glass and fill it.
Bastian handed the filled glass to Aluna.
"Here, have a drink first."
Aluna stared in horror at the glass. "I don't-"
"How can you offer a drink to someone who just said he's leaving," said Gavin suddenly with a cold tone and look.
Bastian looked surprised. "No, she just came here for the first time. She should at least come home after tasting a bit."
"She just came the first time, and you-"
"I will try it." Aluna said that immediately to reduce the tension between Gavin and Bastian.
Aluna took the glass from Bastian's hand, and sat down. Had a quick look at Gavin who looked at him as if asking, are you sure?
"I have to try it, I've never been here. So I'll try it a little," said Aluna then started to bring the glass to her lips, felt the pungent smell and drank it.
All except Gavin, they all clapped celebrating Aluna's first drink.
There was an inexplicable dense taste in his throat, and an amazing effect to his head, like floating. A strange strange taste, but Aluna managed to drink it down.
"Impressive Aluna!" Bastian clapped his hands excitedly until he stood up.
From the side, Aluna could hear Gavin's heavy breathing. Before finally Gavin reached out for his drink as well.
I don't know how many glasses Aluna got after that. Aluna doesn't know. She doesn't remember how she got home.
Until finally the next morning.
When Aluna woke up, her head was incredibly dizzy, her throat hurt, and her eyes felt harder to open than usual.
When Aluna's eyes managed to open, she blinked several times to adjust her vision to the light from the dazzling sunlight that was faintly entering the room.
Then, what Aluna realized next -consciously and not- was a cold temperature that tickled her skin, too cold and not like the temperature of the air conditioner in her room.
With a still dim view, Aluna looked up at the ceiling above which seemed wider? From the ceiling of his room. There was a luxurious chandelier - which as far as Aluna remembered was never in her room. In addition, the pillow on which her head rests is now too soft and the thick white blanket that wraps her body now feels smoother, which Aluna is sure is not hers.
Half conscious and unconscious, Aluna wonders about some of these strange things. If she didn't wake up in his room, then where was she?
The next thing that Aluna felt was a hand wrapped around her waist comfortably and someone's breath crashing near her neck.
Wait, someone's breath?
Aluna stiffened for a moment.
She immediately gathered his consciousness even faster, then turned his head to the side.
And how surprised Aluna was when she found that someone was there, a man, Gavin Alvaro whom she saw last night at the table in the nightclub.