THE police had arrived at their Kejoria complex minutes after Saari had placed a called to them. So too did an ambulance, although he heard later from Bernice there was nothing anyone could do. The young man was dead despite a total lack of any outward indicator of what caused his demise. His senior researcher then followed the two detectives back to their station to provide her statement over the whole incident.
He assumed they would have drawn the chalk outline where the young man lay dead. Syafa didn't seemed surprised when he told her about the death during their early morning café breakfast date the next day.
"You don't find it disturbing at all?" he asked, sipping his coffee after the question.
"People die, Ari. Unfortunate it had to happened at our place and during Bernice's first ever trip to Kejoria. I'm just thankful it wasn't during mine."
A soft gust of cool air carried a few strands of her hair which she flicked off with a deft movement of her fingers. He admired the way she would fidget in her seat as though music constantly played in her mind. Five years his junior, Syafa Ainur Abdullah had impressed him and the senior management with her outlook and exuberance towards the mundane scope of work of the job she had applied for. She got to know everyone which mattered at her workplace within a day. Took to her responsibilities like a duck to water.
He still doesn't know why he took her under him for tutelage rather than assigning her to Mohir or even Bernice. Syafa was flighty and exuberant where Bernice was all poise and grace. Visitors to Radian offices at the Menara Jingga tower often did a double take whenever they catch a glance of the two women. He knows Bernice was somewhat cool towards her young colleague. Knew too it had all to do with Syafa's nonchalant closeness with him.
"You really should be worried about Bernice. She must be traumatized over the whole thing," he heard her say, catching him as his thoughts had begun wandering.
"She is. Said she didn't want to be alone at her place and coming in today…. Can you stop that, Syafa…" he said, withdrawing his left hand from atop of the table which the woman sitting beside him had begun twirling a finger on. Heard a soft laughter burst from her lips. Darkish pink. She had gone to the toilet before they came down together from their 13th floor. He waited for her at the lift, ignoring the smirk on the reception's face as he stepped out of the office. Wasn't doing anything wrong, Saari keep telling himself. Just a junior and senior sharing breakfast.
He couldn't take Syafa off his mind ever since she joined his department. Saari warmed up to his apprentice researcher, and their closeness grew. Breakfast and lunches together. Off late, even dinner with both working extra hours into the night. Due to their collating and analyzing downloaded. Syafa had asked to be included in the task and he loved having her around him.
"Did the police say anything about the technician who died? Do you know?" she said, her fingers again tapping on his hand. Saari could almost see a smile on her lips as she did this. He shook his head.
"Bernice didn't say anything. I doubt they could conclude anything without a post-mortem."
"Are we paying the deceased family any compensation? He did die at our place."
"Why should we? Wasn't our fault."
"… That's a bit cold, isn't it? It's the least we could do. Do we even know if he has a family?"
"He's not a Radian staff, Syafa. How are we supposed to know these background facts? Why are you suddenly so overly concerned about him?"
She curled her lips upwards slightly, her eyes wandering to a group of men who wandered into the café. Their loud laughter had attracted attention from those already inside. Saari cleared his throat, annoyed she turned her attention away from him.
"Jealous, I see. And no. I'm not concerned. Just thinking it's the right thing to do," she said. Her eyes lingered on the group longer than he was comfortable with.
Saari knew they had nothing but their closeness as he didn't want to engage her on a more intimate level. His marriage never once appeared in their chats. His wife knew Syafa as she had gone to their house for his son's birthday party a few months back. He was thankful both women seemed nonplussed about each other. Saari hoped he didn't give away anything about his feelings for the younger women during the afternoon get together. The whole department came after all.
Agitated with his thoughts and aware of a growing tantrum within, Saari finished off his coffee, stood up and motioned Syafa about leaving.
"You go on ahead. I want to get something to munch at my desk," she said.
"You're sure? I can wait a bit," he said, moving to block her view of the group she had her eyes on earlier.
"You are jealous! Don't worry, Ari. Right now, all I'm thinking is whether it's gonna be curry puffs or something sweet. You want some? I can get extra."
"You know I don't eat at my desk, Syafa."
"Hah. You're so cute when you get angry. Like a boy starting a tantrum. Go on ahead, doctor. Your desk awaits," she said, laughing.