Meet Me Please

Alaska tried to convince Embun to accept help from him, although maybe not much. However, as usual, the stubborn girl always refused. She's the type of woman who doesn't want to rely on other people. Not intending to sell it expensive, but she really didn't want to be indebted to anyone. For Embun, a debt of gratitude is something that can never be paid off. She didn't want to be tied down and burdened by it all. Moreover, her status with Alaska was just an ordinary friend, nothing more.

"You stubborn bastard," Alaska scowled.

"It's not like that. I just don't want to bother anyone, really. That's all."

"High prestige," said the young man again.

"This is not prestige, just want to be independent."

"So strong." Not wanting to lose, Alaska spoke again with a more bent look.

"Like it or not, you have to be strong," replied Embun casually.

"That's up to you, okay?" Alaska gave up, instead of continuing to argue.

"Don't be silly." Embun smiled.

"I have a little savings, really, Mbun. Alright, you use it. It's okay. Suer. I don't need it either. So it's the same. What's the money in my savings for, right? If you use it, right, so it's more useful. You can come back slowly. I don't know yet, how come, what money do you want to buy?" said Al, still insisting on persuading Embun.

"Make capital for marriage this time," replied Embun with a laugh.

"Well, you don't have to. I don't want my debt to pile up. Your debt is not finished yet. Time for me to add more. If suddenly I have no age, what? Die bearing so much debt. So scared," continued the girl, shuddering in horror.

They then dissolve in silence and were busy with each other's hands. Alaska was busy reading Claudia's curse sent via WhatsApp before blocking the girl's number. Meanwhile, Embun was surfing on his Instagram account, admiring photos of tourist attractions and nature.

"It's useless just to see. Recreation, shall we? Once in a while, we'll see nature together," said Alaska suddenly.

From the stalking results, he knows the accounts followed by Embun are mostly tourist and nature places. That girl must really like nature, thought Alaska. But as far as Alaska remembers, so far, the girl has never gone on a trip or out in nature. There are no photos, nor does she tell a story.

"There's no time. Besides, I'm poor in money too." Embun did not take her eyes off the cell phone.

"Oh, my gosh. Well, you just go with it. You have Thursday off tomorrow, right? We're leaving Wednesday afternoon." Alaska smiled.

"I have class Wednesday night." Embun turned her gaze to the man in front of her.

"You said you stopped. Why are you thinking about going to college?"

"That's just a plan, Al. Who knows if there is a windfall that comes down from the sky, I can pay for college. Your prayer is terrible, isn't it?" Embun pouted, pretending to be angry.

"Not a bad prayer. I'd be happy if you could go to college, really. Right, that's what you like and one of your dreams. Now, I'm going to help you fulfill one of your other wishes, which is to go to nature." Alaska flashed a smile.

"Okay then. Thursday morning we leave, return at night. Okay?" Alaska snapped his fingers in front of Embun excitedly.

"Where are we going?" Embun was surprised by the sudden invitation from Alaska. So far, they only hang out around Jakarta. They had never been out of town, let alone traveled.

"Well, that's my business. Think of it as a surprise." Alaska half shouted.

"Shh, noisy," the girl put her index finger to her lips and looked around. Fortunately, the customers at the stall were not bothered by the Alaskan noise. "Really? For what purpose are we going for a walk?"

"There's no need for a reason to go for a walk. Just like I don't need a reason to love you. Eaaa...."

"Crap!" Embun threw the tissue she had been wringing into Alaska's face. The young man laughed even more. He really likes to tease Embun, his beloved friend.

"You've helped me a lot so far, Mbun." Alaska's eyes lit up, seeing that Embun would accept her invitation. "So, now it's my turn to help you make one of your dreams come true. Nothing wrong, right?"

"But it really doesn't bother you?" Embun tried to convince herself.

"Yeah, you are my best friend, Embun. Fix, huh? Thursday at three in the morning, I pick you up. I want to borrow my brother's car." Alaska held out his little finger.

"Deals." Embun hooked her little finger.

"Cie...." The man of the shop suddenly appeared. "What is this?"

"Wanna know? It's a secret." Embun smiled, amused by the behavior of that one man.

The man smiled to himself as he placed the order of Embun and Alaska on the table in front of them.

"Thank you, Sir," they cried almost simultaneously.

"Cie..., compact, here," teased the man again as he walked away.

Embun and Alaska immediately ate their orders. The worms in the stomach have been struggling even since this afternoon.

Near to where they ate, fate seemed to give a signal. Lady is spending time in a mall. After a marathon of three movies in a row and shopping for some clothes, Lady rested her feet at a cafe inside the mall.

"Blueberry Pancake, I asked for vanilla ice cream for topping, plus I asked for extra butter on the top, yes. Drink hot lycee tea. Thanks." Lady already knows the menu at one of her favorite cafes by heart. So, no longer need to read the menu book.

She always asked for extra butter on top of the pancakes, which she would then spread evenly to add a savory taste to the tongue. It may be a little strange, because there are rarely such requests from customers.

The woman's mind was more refreshed and calm after all the activities all day at the mall. Now, time to think. Yes, think of a way out of her problem.

My only hope is Broto, nothing else, said Lady to herself.

She thought for a moment, then took out her cell phone from her clutch. She pressed a picture of a telephone receiver on a green background, then typed the name Broto in the search field. A history of conversations with the doctor also appeared. Lady's heart is still very hesitant to continue the conversation this afternoon. She took several deep breaths before finally typing a message.

[Broto....] That one word was all she could write.

There was no reply. Maybe Broto is busy treating patients, Lady thought. The woman waited while enjoying the pancakes that had arrived in front of her.

God created life like a pancake. There are sweet, sour, savory, salty, warm, and cold. Maybe, the world would be boring if there was only one taste. The feelings in Lady's heart are already mixed. All the flavors mixed. The burden that has been borne alone for several years finally found a solution. However, it still wasn't as smooth as what she expected. She enjoyed pancakes and hot lychee tea as she braced herself.

[Sorry, just replied. Why Lad?] Finally, Broto replied to the message sent by Lady.

[Can we meet?] Lady held back the turmoil of her heart and mind until her hands were shaking. With difficulty, she wrote the sentence.

[Now?] Broto was surprised by Lady who suddenly asked to meet him. However, this seems very important.

[Yes, can you? Please.]

Even without the word 'please', Broto was definitely excited to meet the woman. The addition of the word please actually made him turn into a spirit of sixty-nine. Uh....

[I can be around eight. Where do we meet, Lad?] Broto's hands are shaking a little. He had a hunch that Lady would say something he didn't expect. He doesn't know.

[Cal's Cafe, I'm waiting. See, yes.] Lady glanced at the clock wrapped around her wrist. There is still time to finish eating and slide to the place.

[Okay. See you there, Lad.] Broto rushes to get ready.

"There is an emergency patient. I'll go first, okay," said Broto to Ningrum.

"Yes, be careful," replied his wife calmly because it is normal for a doctor to leave suddenly because of an emergency call. Broto smiled briefly and quickly left.

The white BMW five series, numbered B 120 TO, drove calmly, but not with the driver's heart. His heart seemed to jump in his chest cavity. Now and then, he would hold and press his chest, making sure that his heart was still there.

Did Lady agree to divorce and marry me? Then, if she really wants to be like that, what should I do? asked Broto in his heart.

My life is perfect if I can become Lady's husband. Broto smiled, showing a row of pure white teeth between his lips.

A moment later, Broto's cell phone near the gear vibrated. He glanced briefly at the name that appeared on the phone screen. Lady.

"Hi, it's me on the way. Wait, when you get there first." Broto deliberately said the sentence as gently as possible.

"Yeah, take it easy. I'm just letting you know when I get there. There's no need to rush." The woman's voice on the other end sounded calm.

Lady tried to be as calm as possible to speak. Many things were running through her mind. Various considerations and thoughts alighted in the woman's head.

What steps should she take? Until now, Lady actually has not made a unanimous decision. She will try to discuss with Broto about some alternative solutions. Hopefully, one of what she offers can be accepted by the doctor.

God, please help me, said Lady in her heart.

The figure of a man she had been waiting for finally appeared in front of the cafe entrance. He still looks formal in black cotton pants and a long-sleeved maroon shirt. The only difference is that the sleeves of the shirt are now folded up to slightly above the wrist. It made him look a little more relaxed.

Lady waved her hand, signaling to Broto who immediately approached and sat across from her. They smiled at each other.

"Sorry, long wait, huh?" Broto greeted gently and, of course, a smile made as sweet as possible.

"Nevermind."