Bald-headed
Ch. 16

Ali made a phone call.

Ali hung up.

He called at seven, then eight and thirty, and now he checks his watch again.

Nine and forty-five.

Where's she?

He knows he is where he says he is because he has spoken to the manager before. Yeah, he checked in and he last saw her at about six. Go to dinner, he thought. And he hasn't been seen since.

Ali shook her head and leaned back in the chair. He was the last one in the office, as usual, and everything was quiet. But that's normal with the trial period ongoing, even though the trials are going well. Working is her favorite, and late nights can give her the opportunity to get her work done without distractions.

He knew he would win the case because he mastered the law and charmed the jury. He always did, and losses are rare now. It comes from his ability to choose cases intelligently, he has the expertise to win. He had reached that level in his training.

Only a select few in the city have a similar advantage, and the income reflects that. But the more important part of his success came from hard work. He always paid attention to details, especially when he started his training.

Little things, obscure things, and it has become a habit now. Whether it was a matter of law or presentation, he was studious, and his meticulousness had won several cases early in his career when he should have lost.

And now, a little detail bothered him.

Not about the case. No, it's fine. That's something else.

Something about Birundasih.

But shit, he can't fumble about her. He looked fine when he left that morning. At least he thinks so. But sometimes after he calls, maybe about an hour, something comes to his mind.

Small details.

Detailed.

Something not important? Something important? Thinking . . . Thinking . . . Shit, what is that?

His mind began to connect. He kept thinking and remembering the details he needed.

Something . . something . . something said? Something has been said? Yeah, there he is. He knows it. But what is it? Did Birundasih say something on the phone?

The moment it started, and he continued the conversation again.

No, nothing out of the ordinary.

Yeah, there he is. He's sure now.

What'd he say?

The ride was good, he's been checking in, shopping. Left number. That'sthat's all.

Birundasih thought about it at that time.

He loved her, he was sure of it. She is not only beautiful and charming, but she is also a source of stability and her best friend. After a hard day at work, he was the first person he called.

He will listen to her, laugh at the right time, and have a sixth sense of what he needs to hear. But more than that, Ali admired the way the woman always expressed her thoughts.

She recalled that after they dated several times, she told him what she used to say to all the women she dated - that she was not ready for a stable relationship yet.

However, unlike the others, Birundasih simply nodded and said, "Good."

But as he walked out the door, he turned around and said, "But your problem is not me, or your job, or your freedom, or whatever you think. Your problem is you. You're alone."

"Your father made Attoyar's name famous, and you may have been compared to him all your life. You've never been yourself. Such a life leaves your mind empty, and you are looking for someone who will magically fill it. But no one can do that but you."

Those words were attached to him that night and sounded right the next morning. He called again, asking for a second chance, and after some perseverance, he reluctantly agreed.

In the four years they dated, she became all she wanted, and she knew she would spend more time with him. But as a legal practitioner making restrictions on his working hours impossible.

Once she gets married, she'll shorten her work hours, she promises herself. She had her secretary check her schedule to make sure she wasn't working too hard. . . .

Checking? ...

And his mind is connected to another level.

Check . .. check. . check-in?

He looked up at the ceiling. Check-in?

Yeah, there he is. He closed his eyes and thought for a moment. No. gabe. There aren't. How then?

Come on, don't fail now. Think, shit, think.

Gintung Situ.

The thought appeared in his head at that moment. Yes, Situ Gintung. Therehewas. Small details, or part of it.

But what else?

Situ Gintung, he thought again, and knew that name. A little familiar with the city, especially from some of the case handlers he has been through. He has been there several times on a work trip.

There's nothing special. He and Birundasih have never been there together.

But Birundasih has been there before. . . .

And those fragments of memory tightened their grip, the other parts fused together.

Another section. . . but there is more. . . .

Birundasih, Situ Gintung. . and . . and . . something at the party. A comment in passing. From Birundasih's mother. He barely noticed it.

But what did he say?

And Ali then paled, remembering. Remembering what was said a while ago. Remember what Birundasih's mother said.

It was something about Birundasih who had fallen in love with a young man from Situ Gintung. Called monkey love.

Then what, he thought when he heard it, and turned to smile at Birundasih. But he's not smiling. She's upset.

And then Ali guessed that she loved that person much more deeply than her mother said. Maybe even deeper than his love.

And now he's there. Attractively.

Ali put her palms together, as if she was praying, putting them on her lips.

By accident? It could be nothing. It could be exactly what he said. It can be stressful and antique shopping. Might as well. Maybe even.

Not . . . not . . . What if?

Ali considered another possibility, and for the first time after a long time, she became frightened.

What if? What if he's with her?

He condemned the trial, hoping it was over. Wish he went with her. Wondering if he was telling the truth, hoping Birundasih had told him the truth.

He decided not to lose the woman. He will do anything to keep it. He was everything he always needed, and he would never find one like him.

So, with trembling hands, he turned the phone for the fourth and last time that night.

And again, no answer.