ARSHAKA
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I glanced at the watch on my wrist, the time showed at 5 p.m.

I waited a few minutes for Arshaka to pick me up at the cafe. My eyes were constantly glancing at the door, waiting for Arshaka who never arrived.

Sometimes I also glance at the phone screen, waiting for incoming messages or calls from him.

From the beginning of my closeness with her I have never tried to contact her first. It's always Arshaka first who keeps contacting me.

So that in my current position I kept restraining myself so that I wouldn't contact him first. My sense of prestige is really quite high even if I just ask him where he is now.

But soon I breathed a sigh of relief because Arshaka first called me, saying that he was waiting for me in the car park.

I sat down with my co-worker and rushed to his car.

After I got in the car, without waiting for a long time Arshaka immediately drove his car. During the trip Arshaka opened a public chat asking if I had eaten or not, how my work today, and so on.

"what's your neck?" asked me after I spotted a purplish red rash on her neck.

I sniggered at the rash carefully making Arshaka move awkwardly on the spot.

For a while I also caught his expression clumsy, but before long he smiled gently at me.

"oh this," he said as he touched his neck.

"it's just the exhaustion effect. If I'm tired of liking that rash nimbul,"

I nodded in understanding. His face looks tired. I have also experienced it, if I feel exhausted like there is a red rash all over my legs.

"if you're tired, why not say? You shouldn't have to pick me up. There are still other days to find your grandfather's gift, right," I explained and replied directly by Arshaka's headband.

"it's okay. If the same road you are tired I immediately disappear" she resounded while chuckling. 

"but I'm glad you finally started paying a little attention to me,"

I blinked a few times and turned my eyes towards the side while taking a short thump. I realized that my words sounded attentive.

"yes, I don't want to be said to be troublesome. Especially to make the child sick."

I felt a gentle touch at the top of my head, making me look back at him.

"don't worry. You're like medicine, look at you I feel good."

I don't know how to divert my blushing and my heartbeat that's getting too fast.

We arrived at the famous Mall in the city center. Upon entering the Mall building, Arshaka took my hand and held it tightly. And not one bit Arshaka loosened or removed his grasp from my hand.

We visited an outlet that sells luxury watches on the 5th floor. For a moment my missqueen blood boiled looking at the collection of watches that lined up neatly and looked luxurious, seeing that I imagined how many digits to buy a watch at this outlet.

I stood next to Arshaka, watching him looking at and researching some of the watches that were issued and lined up by the outlet employees.

"i'll just take this one,"

I judged Arshaka's choice, a round-shaped watch full of gold chains looking very gallant. I can already imagine what if the watch was worn by his grandfather. It will look classy and simple.

I decided to wait for Arshaka outside the outlet while looking at the crowded Mall visitors who crowded this building.

It didn't take long for Arshaka to come to me and take me around.

"is there something you want to buy?" I asked him when we were on the escalator to the 3rd floor.

"nothing," I said as I sniffed my shoulders.

"then we go to my subscription store. I'm gonna buy you a dress first,"

"you? A dress? Meanin?" ask me with a frown.

"yes. After buying the dress I take you to the Salon. It'll be dressed right there and you change your clothes,"

I looked at her horror.

"for what?"

"to my Grandpa's birthday party,"

I was stunned for a moment.

"loh, you just said you asked for company to buy Grandpa's gift, not-"

"yes I deliberately didn't say the same to you yesterday" he interrupted directly.

"if I told you all to Grandpa's party, you would definitely reject my invitation. That's why I just said to ask for company to buy a gift,"

I could only gawk, looking at him in disbelief.

"what time does the show start? Where's?" ask me then, Arshaka glanced at his watch.

"one more hour at The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom. Enough for us to get ready first,

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Arshaka looked at me from top to bottom and then looked back at my makeup, until his two invisible eyes flickered for a moment.

Right now I have changed into the dress that Arshaka bought earlier. And my face is gone. I admit that the makeup of the Salon employees here makes my face look different, make up made simple and natural but managed to move me, I was, even to this day I still can't believe that this is me.

My makeup looks like it matches the dress I'm wearing. The elongated dress dragged the soft brown cream-colored floor, with a cut that exposed the area of my shoulders and back.

Earlier I asked Salon to move my long hair to cover my back which was too open for me. But he just tied my hair simple plus a touch of headband.

"it's better to look like this brother, the distant sister looks beautiful and graceful. Because the dress you're wearing is meant to show your back."

I had to say only his words.

A few moments Arshaka was silent staring at me, making me a little uncomfortable. For the first time Arshaka looked at me so deeply and deeply. I look like food bait for a starving wild animal.

"beautiful," she said briefly when we were facing each other, staring at me so intensely.

I think my appearance looks great on its own. In contrast to Arshaka, she only wears a set of dark blue semi-formal suits. But his appearance tonight doesn't look like a 17-year-old.

"let's go."

I was trained to walk in tandem with Arshaka because of the length of the dress and stiletto shoes that make it difficult to walk. Fortunately Arshaka slowed down so that our steps were aligned, I felt one hand land on my waist area, then helped pay attention to my steps so as not to fall.

Yeah, I'm stupid to wear high heels. Just bully me, I do not really like to wear shoes that like to be worn by women in general.

During the trip to the location, neither Arshaka nor I started to open the chat. I was just stunned to see the state of the highway that is crowded by public transportation.

But I sensed that Arshaka kept glancing at me. It was as if he wanted to open a conversation but he hesitated.

We arrived at a famous hotel in Jakarta. We walked side by side and joined hands. Actually I'm afraid Arshaka continues to hold my hand, especially when Arshaka embraces my waist.

I just don't want my heart to get any more lulled by her attitude.

Enter us in a spacious and luxurious Ballroom. I can see the guests present are upper class people, the clothes they wear are not arbitrary, look classy and I have made sure they are important people in this Capital.

Not only a businessman, officials and government members were also present at this event. I wonder, how and what is Grandpa Arshaka like?

"that's my grandfather." said Arshaka, pointing to one of the crowd near the podium. I was astonished to see the figure Grandpa had summoned by Arshaka.

Arshaka's grandfather was a well-known Southeast Asian Coal Entrepreneur. Reymond Prabusudibyo's.

Suddenly I'm insecure.

Arshaka took me to meet his grandfather.

"Grandfather,"

Call Arshaka, then Reymond smiles at our presence.

"happy birthday, Kek." said Arshaka then immediately introduced me to Reymond.

"his name is Bianca" Arshaka mentioned my name in front of his Grandpa.

I rubbed Reymond's hand for me to kiss as a sign of my greeting. Then I said happy birthday to him.

"thank you." she replied sincerely with her warm smile.

"let's pick the food you like. Don't be shy," bargaining warmly at me, I just nodded awkwardly.

After meeting Reymond, Arshaka led me to an empty table not far from the stage. Then we ordered food through waiters and enjoyed the song that filled the Ballroom.

"Bee, I'm going for a minute." Arshaka whispered to me and left before I could. I just stared at Arshaka's strapping back, then disappeared into the crowd.

I sat quietly in my chair. Still enjoying the strains of the song that was delivered until my food was served by the waiters.

Beef Steak and Chicken Steak with Mashed Potato look appetizing. But I haven't touched my food because I'm waiting for Arshaka to arrive.

I waited for a few minutes, my eyes constantly circling the Ballroom, hoping Arshaka would start to show herself.

From a few minutes, half an hour, and for almost 2 hours I was just waiting for Arshaka. Waiting for him as if I were a Chicken boy who lost his Mother, hoping that I would be found soon.

Suddenly I was crying, I didn't know what to do here but sit and stare at my cold food. Both my eyes began to glaze over, I wanted to feel like I was spilling but tried hard to hold on.

I'd rather just get out of here than be here alone like a lost man.

"Mulettes,"

I looked up when I just got up from my chair. For a moment I was dumbfounded looking at someone standing in front of me right now.

"Erick's."

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