Evening arrived. The wind flew a little dry willow leaves far away in the distance. the sky just got so dark and the lights lit up to decorate the city scrapers. The chill wind didn't have any effect on the hot, sweating bustling event that happened on the building's rooftop.
The rooftop basketball court was buzzing. The court, built on the office building's roof, offered a welcome break from the day's stress. Jason's clothes were practically soaked, as were Val's, who was guarding the front. That night, they, along with Anwar, were playing against a team from HR. The game gets so intense and exciting.
Cheers from the female staff, including Ilyana, on the sidelines added to the excitement.
"Come on, Val, huh!!"
Val was so tired and almost run of breath, but the ball came fast, he couldn't just stand idle and follow the rhythm. Jason, agile as ever, took the ball, dribbled past his opponent, and flew it to Val.
"Val!" Anwar yelled.
With his skinny bones and long legs, Val has the advantage of getting off from his opponent easily. He drove to the ball, jumped, and threw the big ball into the basket, scored. Their team's score went up. The crowd hails fill the air.
"Woohoo!!" shout Anwar and Alex bumping their big body into each other.
"Looks like someone's buying lunch tomorrow!" Jason teased the opposing team. The atmosphere was relaxed; they even playfully insulted each other regardless of rank.
"It's not over yet, we'll catch up. It's only sixteen to ten!" Mr. Jay from the other team shouted.
Jason laughed, "hahaha"
Val watched from his position. His breath was getting so heavy, his stomach churning, almost nauseous, but Jason's cheerful energy kept him going. The cheers from the sidelines, especially from the girls including Ilyana, were loud and encouraging.
"Come on, Val, let's finish them off!" Jason urged.
Val's vision blurred. The sky turns so dark even with all the light around the court. He looked down and realized something was being dropped right in front of his shoe. Blood.
"Oh no," Val quickly wiped his nose.
Jason and the others were getting closer, and he had to push himself even though he was exhausted. Don't let anyone see that and make them worry, this was the umpteenth time it happened.
"Come on, Val, don't be such a wimp," Anwar said, clapping him on the shoulder.
Val smiled, he gathered his strength back, and sprinting to caught the ball from Jason.
"Yeah, Valiant!" Ilyana shouted. Valiant, with his agile body, threw the ball into the basket; they won by a landslide.
Val was exhausted. He collapsed onto the court, watching Jason and Anwar excitedly shout. He might too tired and lack of excersice lately, he get so easy run out of breath.
"Woohoo!! Let's eat!"
.....
Val's room. It was so quiet.
Even Jason's footsteps were muffled as he stopped at the door to see Val before he entered.
"Val, aren't you eating?"
Val, just out of the bathroom, turned his body on his Boss.
Val looked tired, he sitting on the bed.
"Boss, I'm not hungry, I ate a little earlier."
Iyan peeked in from outside.
"You can't skip meals! I'm cooking this time, it'll be delicious, come on," Iyan urged.
Jason approached; he knew Val was exhausted, his face looked pale.
"You heard him, you can't skipped it. Iyan's cooking is pretty good. At least if we get a stomach ache, we know who to blame," he joked.
Iyan interrupted.
"Hey, don't say that! It won't give you a stomach ache, I guarantee it's delicious. Money back if it's not!"
Val can't help but laugh a little, Iyan's face looks so funny when he says that. Jason too, how can he say no to them?
"Who's paying?" Jason asked.
…..
"Hello?"
It was hot and sunny, nearing midday, and Val was outside. It was Saturday, and he had a date with Ilyana – a "date," according to Il. Val had nothing else planned; he could do whatever he wanted since there wasn't much to do in the apartment. Being alone with Iyan would be weird, and his boss was out all day, only returning in the evening.
A call came from Jason, who was busy in a meeting out of town. He always disturbed him whenever he had time, whether for work or personal matters.
"What are you doing?" Jason's voice came from the other end of the phone.
Val stood still, the air thick with heat. His face and clothes were already damp with sweat.
"At the playground, Boss, with Ilyana."
"Ilyana? Why are you going out with her? Strangely, she's getting close to you. Have you had lunch? Don't skip it, you're getting thinner."
Val smiled. He paced back and forth a couple of steps, looking down at his shoes on the colorful playground paving stones.
"Yes, Boss. How about you? You didn't even have breakfast."
Meeting room in sophisticated Diamond building office at Luwy city, a border next to Argent city. Jason couldn't stop smiling; he ignored the meeting participants already taking their seats.
"I had breakfast in the car. The bread was delicious, thanks."
Val smiled.
"If you like it, I'll buy some more. They just released a new flavor, and it's not expensive. They have several types of macarons too."
Jason grinned so wide it caught the attention of his grandfather, Ian Garber, who was already seated.
"Hmm, sounds good. I'll bring some food home later. I hear the mochi nearby is great. They have a branch in Argent, but they have more variety here."
Val nodded. He saw Ilyana running out of the restroom towards him.
"Come on, Val, let's go in."
Val nodded.
"Uh, Boss, I'm going to play now. See you later at home."
The playground was quite crowded that weekend. He and Ilyana entered the vast playground, and have a long line for one of the rides, while Ilyana bought them both cold drinks. The heat was unbearable, and Val started feeling uncomfortable, sweat-soaking his checkered shirt.
Ilyana approached with two large glasses of cold juice, offering a straw to Val.
"Drink this, Val, you look pale."
"Thanks, Il."
The sun beat down relentlessly, the playground buzzing with activity as afternoon approached. Val and Ilyana had already conquered several rides, from bumper cars to the roller coaster.
"Wooohooo!" Their voices were probably hoarse from all the screaming.
"That was awesome!" Ilyana pulled Val towards a restaurant; it was lunchtime.
Val couldn't hide his exhaustion. He was drenched in sweat, his back soaked.
"There are still more rides, right, Il? I'm so tired."
Ilyana occasionally pulled out her phone to take pictures with Val, even sneaking a few shots of him alone. Valiant, even sweaty, was still incredibly attractive.
"Wow, you're sweating a lot."
Val smiled. Ilyana offered him a tissue, but her touch made her freeze, her gaze fixed on him.
Val, slightly awkward, stood up.
"What do you want? I'll get it."
Ilyana frowned. Val had avoided her gaze several times already.
Val hurried to order food. A few steps away, he suddenly felt a terrible headache, his whole body overheating, with the sudden chill crawling from his feet to his upper body.
"Ack!" Val almost stumbled if someone hadn't caught him.
"Val!"
Someone was standing behind him. Val turned, recognizing a face he hadn't seen in a long time.
"Fena, you? Here?"
Ilyana, seeing this from afar, quickly approached. The girl stepped forward and took Val's hand. Ignoring who ever with Val now.
"Val, are you alright? How do you feel, a headache?"
Val shook his head. He'd felt like fainting a moment ago, but he was better now.
"I'm fine, Il. I think it's just heatstroke."
The girl still held Val's arm, as did Ilyana, who refused to let go of Val's hand as he sat down. Their gazes locked, like bitter rivals.
"Fe, since when are you back? What are you doing here?"
Ilyana was wary. A third wheel on their date wasn't ideal, especially someone with a past with Val. She held Val's hand tightly.
"Let's go home, Val. It's getting late, and I'm tired."
Val nodded. He admitted he also felt unwell, maybe from breakfast – probably because Iyan put too much chili in his cooking.
"Come on, Il, I'm so tired."