X

"There are a lot of chats coming in," I muttered.

Even though there are so many incoming messages but I don't have the energy to reply. Even to just open a WhatsApp message I'm a little lazy. Then I opened another application, namely Instagram. Lots of notifications coming in. They all like the posts and stories that I uploaded. Indeed, ever since I set foot in Uncle Sam's country, I have been uploading photos and stories incessantly. At LAX airport there is free Wi-Fi so I can flex while singing Panjat Sosial by Gaga Muhammad and Lula Lafhah{1} Then I saw some Instagram reels to kill time.

Ding!

There is an incoming notification sound. I see what application this notification comes from. It turned out to be from the Sudabay application.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to reply to a message from S.S!"

I remember helping Secretary Joe carry a tray of Fish and Chips. S.S messaged me. Then when I looked again in more detail. It turns out that this incoming notification is from S.S.

"As far as I remember, he's sent a message that I haven't had time to reply to yet! What else does he want to send, huh?" I asked myself.

Instead of being filled with a million questions, I opened the message from S.S, but before I could read the second message from S.S, I was called by Alex.

"Miss, the pasta is ready," Alex called.

I gasped. Then I closed all the applications on the phone and put the cell phone in the bag. Then, I took the pasta that Alex made and put it on the tray.

"Thanks a lot, Alex."

I smiled as I walked away.

***

"Claretta, I'm curious."

Secretary Joe walked over and had a chat but he got no answer. Then he turned back and found that he is alone. He put his hand on his forehead, shaking his head.

"Where is she? She might just disappear again like at the airport," Secretary Joe muttered.

Secretary Joe headed for the buffet table hoping to find Claretta there but she couldn't be found there.

"Ouch, I'm dead!"

Secretary Joe headed for the storefront she might have been to earlier. However, the result was nil.

***

I walked past the Italian food storefront and found a familiar figure. He is Secretary Joe. He kept scratching his head. He seemed confused about where to look for me. He didn't even notice I wasn't far from where he was. I called him immediately.

"Secretary Joe, I'm here!" I waving my hand.

Looks like Secretary Joe didn't hear my screams because of this cafeteria bustle. Instead, he was holding a cell phone and seemed to call someone. Finally, instead of giving Secretary Joe a hard time, I rushed over to him.

"Secretary Joe, I'm here," I said, waving my hand in front of his eyes.

It seemed someone took aback him so she immediately turned off her cell phone.

"Claretta, where have you been?" Secretary Joe asked with a worried look on his face.

"When Secretary Joe left the Italian stand, I didn't leave right away," I replied.

"Why?" Secretary Joe glanced at me. He saw me carrying two trays. One contains lasagna and the other contains pasta. "Oh, you want some more food, huh?" he continued.

I chuckled. He rubbed his chest and breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing the relief that Secretary Joe was showing, I felt guilty.

"Secretary Joe, I'm sorry, I took the food without telling Secretary Joe," I said, lowering my head.

"It's okay. When it comes to stomach matters, it's a different story. Sorry, I didn't pay attention so you almost disappeared again."

"Oh, it's all right, Secretary Joe."

Then we both fell silent and started walking towards the table where Sinta was. Perhaps because of the awkwardness that happened, Secretary Joe spoke up.

"By the way, I'm curious. Why did you separate from me and Sinta?" asked Secretary Joe trying to get the information out of me.

I didn't answer Secretary Joe's question right away. I blushed and tossed my hair as a diversion. However, Secretary Joe showed a curious face. As if waiting for an answer that I will give.

"I-I'm embarrassed to say this. I missed it because I was busy taking pictures after I got off the plane," I said.

"What photos? What's going on at the airport?" Secretary Joe asked in disbelief.

"Photos of planes, photos of people here, there are a lot. Don't you just take photos or make videos with Hollywood artists, right?"

Secretary Joe just smiled faintly and shook his head. Then he asked again.

"Fortunately, you immediately took the initiative to the information desk after being separated from us. I can't imagine that you look like a missing person," said Secretary Joe.

"I don't think I'm separated from you guys. Because when I took the photos, I saw someone who looked like Sinta from behind. That's why I felt safe. Eh, it turned out to be someone else." I replied

"You didn't panic when you found out that she wasn't Sinta and that she was separated from us?" Secretary Joe shouted.

"Of course, I panicked. However, the woman I thought Sinta was very kind. She calmed me down so I wouldn't panic and took me to the information desk."

"I'm grateful you met such a nice person." Secretary Joe patted my shoulder. "If you meet a bad person, I'm afraid that you are not fine. You are an immigrant who has never set foot here before," he continued.

I understand Secretary Joe's point. At first, I was also afraid that Cecilia was a bad person who wanted to take me to strange places. Turns out, she was very good person. Even though she's a little weird.

We had a conversation as we walked to the table where Sinta was. Not long after, we found Sinta who was folding her arms in front of her chest. An annoyed expression was evident on her face. It seems like she's upset that I left her alone.