Closer

Raihan and Naura arrived at the girl's rented house. Naura immediately heated up all the food Mrs. Ratna had given her this morning. Because there are so many, it is impossible to spend it alone.

"Well, come on, eat first, Mas!" asked Naura, who was setting the food on the table.

Raihan, observing the backyard of Naura's rented house, immediately went inside. Approaching Naura, who was pouring water in a glass.

"After lunch, I go home, OK? Want to go back to the office, and you should also rest, right?" Raihan said while eating his food.

"Yes. Passion for work!" Naura exclaimed, encouraging Raihan.

Raihan chuckled, "You too, the spirit of the work. But don't you want to go to college?" asked Raihan, curious about Naura's wishes.

The girl chuckled, "There is a wish, of course, Mas. This is me also while collecting money to be able to go to college. Maybe Open University, so I can keep working," explained Naura with a smile.

Yesterday, it was her cousin who told her so she could continue working and go to college too. One of them is Open University. Naura immediately related this to her father and her parent's support and will help with the expenses later.

But Naura immediately refused. She said she would find her own expense. Don't want to trouble Father anymore.

"Yeah, that's good. However, education is important. Hopefully, later you can get a better job than with that education. It can also help parents. Just tell me if you need my help," said Raihan sincerely.

"Thank you, Mas. Just helping with prayer is enough," said Naura with a faint smile.

"OK. Yes, I already went home first. Will you come home at nine tonight? How about we eat meatballs? Do you like meatballs?" asked Raihan.

Naura nodded slowly, "Me anyway, what do you eat. As long as it's not poisonous, hehe," she replied with a chuckle.

"Yes, fine. See you tonight, OK? Have a good rest," said Raihan, who came out of Naura's rented house.

While the girl escorted her guests to the front door. "Be careful on the road, Mas," said Naura with a faint smile.

Raihan just nodded slowly with a faint smile. Then leave in front of Naura. Leaving the girl who was still staring at the man's departure.

"A good man, but there seems to be loneliness in his eyes," Naura muttered and entered her house.

***

Naura arranges the clothes on the shelves, so they are neatly arranged. Soon it will be work time. Therefore, many of the employees are getting ready at their respective counters.

Arga is in charge of going around and checking the situation. Approaching Naura, who is still busy arranging clothes.

"Nau, we'll go home together, OK?" asked Arga while smiling, waiting for an answer from Naura.

The man stood next to Naura and looked at what the girl was doing.

Naura answered without looking back, "No thanks, Ga. I was picked up by Mas Raihan," Naura said gently.

Arga frowned, hearing Naura's answer. "Who is Raihan? I've never heard of it," he asked, looking at Naura's beautiful face.

Naura stopped moving her hands, then turned around. "Didn't I tell you?" asked Naura while remembering it.

Seeing Arga shaking his head, Naura chuckled, "He's the son of the mother I helped the other day. He also helped me when I fell and sprained," explained the girl to her best friend.

Arga seemed to be thinking, "So what is your relationship? Isn't he just a stranger, right?" said Arga in a disapproving tone.

Naura could only let out a long breath. "Can't I be friends with him?" Naura replied, annoyed.

Arga hastily shook his head. "That's not what I meant, Na. But..."

"Yes, then why do you ask like that? I just want to be friends with anyone," explained the girl, who didn't realize the jealousy Arga was showing.

His friend, who had been there for a long time, couldn't help but sigh at Arga's face. Anxious about Naura's level of sensitivity from the first.

Arga nodded, "Yes, you have the right to be friends with anyone. It's not that I don't want you to be friends with anyone. I'm just afraid you're OK, that's all," explained Arga, who immediately walked away after saying that.

Naura paused and took a deep breath. Confused by Arga's attitude, which he thought was strange. Then she turned to her friend, who had been silent for a while, listening to their conversation. "Why him, anyway? Weird," Naura asked with a confused look.

Nuara's friend, Sarah, just shook her head. And get back to work, like Naura, who also returned to rearrange her clothes.

'How long will Arga endure Naura's character?' Sarah's mind felt sorry for Arga.

***

As promised, Raihan was waiting for Naura across the street. Wearing casual clothes, Raihan looks younger than his actual age.

Many of his friends tease Naura. Because this is the first time, a man picks her up after work. Because everyone knows, if only Arga is close to the cute girl with dimples on her cheeks.

"Hi!" who is Raihan friendly.

Naura smiled and replied, "Hi, Mas. You shouldn't have bothered to pick me up," the girl replied uncomfortably.

"That's enough. Come in! I'm starving," said Raihan, who opened the door for the sweet girl.

Naura nodded and got into the car. After that, Raihan entered and drove his car away from the Mall where Naura worked.

Leaving a man who had apparently witnessed Raihan's sweet attitude towards Naura. Arga was still standing beside his motorbike when Raihan's car drove away.

Sarah patted his shoulder lightly, "Never mind. If you really like her, just say it. Before it's too late. You also know what Naura is like. Don't be regret, Ga," advised Naura's friend, who knew how Arga felt for Naura.

"But I don't want her to leave me after knowing my feelings for her. I can't afford it," Arga complained with a sad look in the direction where Raihan's car had just left.

Sarah sighed softly, "But she'll never know either. If you just shut up, I'm sure Naura will not leave you. She's always looking for you if there's anything, "said Sarah confidently.

Arya nodded slowly. "Thank you. I will state it tomorrow. Wish me success," the man pleaded.

Sarah nodded and smiled, "Yeah, good luck to you. I'm going home first. My boyfriend has come," replied Sarah, who immediately left after her boyfriend came to pick her up.

Meanwhile, Naura and Raihan enjoy meatballs with a glass of iced tea at the meatball stall that Raihan and his family subscribe to.

"How? Isn't it good?' asked Raihan, who was waiting for the girl's comment in front of him.

Naura raised her two thumbs up in response. "Very good, Mr. Absolutely recommended!" he cried with sparkling eyes.

Raihan just chuckled and went back to enjoying his meatballs. Looks like he refused to have dinner with his parents earlier. Not bad either. If the answer is, he can enjoy meatballs with this cute girl who has been bothering him for a while.

"In addition to meatballs, what other food do you like?" asked Raihan in between his meals.

Naura drank her iced tea first before answering. "I really like anything, Mas. I just prefer noodles; I like it, whatever it's made from noodles. But I don't like pasta or spaghetti, you know, the tongue of the villagers," he said with a chuckle.

Raihan chuckled, "OK, noted," he answered jokingly.

"Mas, what the heck, not funny," replied Naura, who also laughed a little.

***