Still using the same car, Ratih and Suga are together. Awkwardness slipped between them, causing silence with no sound other than a sigh or exhale. Meanwhile, the vehicle's speed uses a standard rate, neither fast nor slow. Occasionally, either Ratih or Suga glanced at each other. If their glance accidentally gets meets, both of them compactly look away.
The raindrops that fell in December accompanied the silent togetherness. The car cooler, not turned off by Suga, caused a chill to hit Ratih's body. Wanting to ask for help, Ratih was very reluctant. More precisely, she was lazy if caught in a situation like a debate again. So, in the end, Ratih hugged herself while exhaling several times very roughly.
"Cold?" Suga asked until Ratih was surprised.
"No," Ratih replied briefly, then cleared her throat to dispel the embarrassment after being surprised.
"Don't be prestige to say to me if you feel cold."
"No. I am fine."
"So, you wanna freeze to death?"
Ratih snorted. "Why do you have to bring up the word death anyway? Okay, if you hate me. But don't pray for death for me like that!"
"Understand my words, and don't be a foolish person. I am not to pray for your death!"
"But, Mr. Suga still brings up the word death!"
"No, Ratih!" Suga sighed. "After all, all humans die, too, right? Why do you need to be scared?"
"Yes, Sir. But, I will not die on this day."
"You do not understand my words and still think if I have to pray for your death. You are foolish, Ratih."
Suga looked forward again after briefly glancing at Ratih's face, who was annoyed. Suga also developed a cynical grin after beating Ratih in the debate moment.
Suga was like a ferocious wolf for Ratih when glasses did not cover his eyes. And true as Ratih had suspected a moment ago, uttering a single word could trigger an annoying argument. Only, Ratih still felt surprised. The reason is that until now, she and Suga have not been able to make peace at all. Even when they are working, the debate still accompanies their togetherness.
Ratih took a deep breath. Shortly after that, she said, "Every time I'm with Mr. Suga, why can't I calm down? I always wanted angry!"
Suga chuckled. "You think just you? Not to mention your character, which I still need to be aware of. You can just spread rumors about me. And I also always wanted angry if I was together with you."
"Hmm! If I had intended to spread rumors like that, I might have made it, Mr. Suga, and I would not have helped you earlier when we were in the mall! Be a human with positive thoughts, Mr, so you won't be lonely!"
"Positive thinking is easy when my life is like your free life, Ratih. My life is not like your life. I can't free."
Sadness suddenly enveloped Sugantara's face. Making Ratih Kembang wonder and then frown. Even so, Ratih chose to remain silent rather than ask more questions. However, her curiosity about who and what is happening in Suga's life has resurfaced. Ratih became increasingly curious, despite her inviolable hatred for the geeky masked man beside her, who now looked handsome with a real face.
For a moment, Ratih turned slowly toward Suga's face. There is a streak of sadness on Suga's face for whatever reason. Ratih's eyes saw it. Suga's throat often goes up and down when he's swallowing saliva.
Who are you, Sugantara? Ratih then wondered. But there is no place to investigate further about Suga's true identity.
In the end, Ratih's questions only floated in her mind without getting a single answer. According to the address she gave to Suga, the car finally arrived at its destination. Suga stopped the car right in front of Ratih's house.
"Your boyfriend is waiting for you," said Suga when Ratih was still busy unfastening her seat belt.
For a moment, Ratih stopped her activity. She looked at Suga with a frown, then turned to stare at the front of her house. A familiar man was seen standing carrying an umbrella under the pouring rain. Ratih took a deep breath, then smiled happily.
"Are you happy because of the man?" asked Suga again.
Ratih was then embarrassed. "Y-yes!" she said, even though she was nervous. "I have friends waiting for me, so not wrong if I'm happy, Mr. Suga!"
"Still friend, though?"
"Yeah, we're friends."
"I think he has to be your boyfriend."
Choosing not to answer Suga's words was the right decision. Therefore, Ratih immediately continued her activities which had been stopped, instead of answering Suga's comments. A moment after sighing, Ratih quickly opened the car door. However, when he was about to lower his left leg, Suga suddenly pulled her arm.
Ratih was surprised and then asked, "Why? What else is there, Sir?"
"Wait," replied Suga, which could be interpreted as a request.
Then, one of Suga's hands reached back. He took a paper bag with the name of a shop written on it from there. Without a word and looking embarrassed, Suga handed the object over to Ratih Kembang.
"W-what is this?" asked Ratih, confused.
"You don't need to talk much, just take it and accept it. This is one of my orders. Hurry up and go," said Suga.
Ratih chuckled. Then, immediately put both feet down because Suga had kicked him out. Suga drove the vehicle without saying goodbye when Ratih was out of the car. Because she didn't want to make Gatra wait long, Ratih finally approached the man without caring whether Suga's car had disappeared. With the sweetest smile, Ratih walked to meet Gatra, who was also approaching her.
"It's raining, Ratih. You can get sick," said Gatra while covering Ratih with her umbrella.
"I'm am strong woman, Gatra. Don't worry," Ratih replied.
Gatra chuckled. "Tsk, who's worried?!"
"If you're not worried, why are you waiting here?"
"T-that..."
"Yes, yes, I know!" Ratih quickened her pace more than Gatra until it was too hard for the man to follow her.
"You know what, Ratih?"
"Everything!"
"I don't believe you, Ratih!"
"I don't care, hahaha."
Both of them laughed together, even to the point of sounding loud. Even when the gate was opened, their laughter had not ended. But when a woman's voice rang loudly, saying Gatra's name, their laughter finally had to stop.
***