Beautiful Monster
Small Invitation

"There will soon be a big event at my college. It is called the Language Moon Festival. Because of that event, I'll buy the cloth as the dress code of the show. And to welcome the month, our majors asked students to wear cloth until the show was over. From next week until the month the language ends."

"Language Moon Festival? Sounds interesting. Why wear a cloth? What kind of fabric do you mean?"

"Yes like batik cloth that will be used as a complement. The fabric is planned to be used as a subordinate but not like his subordinate." Ignacia was confused as to how to explain it. At the end of the call, Rajendra just pretend to understand.

"You don't want to stop by, Rajendra? We can date freely without the distraction of my parents" Ignacia muttered.

His heart really wanted to meet the lover, but also did not forget the distance between the two. Rajendra did not say where he is until now. Ignacia considers Rajendra to be on the other side of the world.

"If I could do it like when we were in high school. But you do remember that our lives are different, right? I'm sorry if I haven't been able to see you this year."

Ignacia bit her lower lip, holding back the heavy breath that was about to come out.

"In a moment we will also celebrate our fifth anniversary. Can't you make a little time for me, too? Just one day. Or I'll meet you, we'll meet on our big day."

Ignacia did not need to cover up her feelings anymore. Let Rajendra know what he wants firsthand. He was tired of pretending he didn't want anything.

"I'm sorry. For now I can't decide. I'll give you the news after I clear all my schedules. I'll never let my girl come to see me. Stay there and I'll walk towards you."

The little girl smiled, "of course. I'll charge it before our anniversary. Youunderstand?"

"Haha well I understand. Will there be anything on the show? Hearing you being so enthusiastic, it looks like the show will be a perfect fit for you." Rajendra diverts the conversation. Trying to make her boyfriend better.

"I heard there will be a writer coming. I didn't know her because all I knew was Miss Cream and some other writers. Danita said if she was a simple writer and said I'd love it."

"The woman seems to know you well."

"Yes, all I know about him is that he and I like the same author. Then how's harimmy, Rajendra? Are there any interesting stories on campus or work?"

Ignacia pulled her legs, hugged her gently while listening to all of her lover's stories. If she can't see each other, at least Ignacia knows what her lover is doing away there. If it were this easy to know the whereabouts of her lover as well.

...*****...

"You guys already know about the details of the upcoming Language Month event?" The lecturer in front of the middle class tidied up the book he was carrying while talking, "have you checked what dress code you should use?" he asked, looking at the students who were listening.

"Of course, we have to wear batik cloth. Is there anything different, ma'am?" Someone responded quickly.

"You should wear ribbons as headdresses. Maybe you haven't seen him. There is additional news in the dress code section of the leaflet. You can rest now. We meet in the next class."

The teacher left the class. Closing the door gently before the students had time to thank you for today's lesson in full. It's the ethics that every class has to do to end.

Ignacia saw additional news with Danita. The two looked at each other as if to say that both of them did not have the ribbon in intent. It is written if the students are intended to wear colored ribbons in line with batik used as a headdress. Can be for bandana or just a small decoration.

"What if we buy the door while looking for batik cloth later? We'd better get ready soon before a lot of people look for him" Danita asked.

Ignacia nodded her head, checking back on the latest stipulation that the lecturer's mother had said. "Why do we suddenly have to wear headdresses? What do we have to do to come to this show?" ignacia murmur.

If you remember, it is not only these college students who will come to the event. Is it possible that the ribbon will be a distinguishing symbol between outsiders and insiders? Because this latest provision is posted on the school's personal website that can only be accessed by students, Ignacia thought.

Danita took her phone on the table, typed something in a few seconds. "My friend said the shop was open. What if I leave after class? The stock will still be a lot if it just opens," Danita said.

"Just up to you. I'll come along."

...*****...

...Rajendra ⁇ ◝ ⁇ ◜...

^^^Rajendra, I will go buy cloth |^^^

^^^To welcome the Moon event Language |^^^

Ignacia put her phone back in the bag when she found Danita had already come out of her room after putting something down. Rajendra has an important exam and cannot hold a cell phone until later in the afternoon. The message of Ignacia will be read as soon as the man is free.

"Are you ready?" Tanya Danita is excited.

"of course. That's why I'm waiting for you."

The two of them went down the dormitory arena. Walk to the nearest bus stop before it is too late. The opportunity to wait for the bus to arrive is used by Ignacia to check if Rajendra has activated his phone. But the result is nil. Rajendra must have been so focused and nervous that his phone didn't get any attention.

"What's up?" Danita saw clearly the unhappy expression of the friend sitting at the stop with her, "something happened?"

"No. I'm just tired after college today. I hope we can find what we're looking for soon and get back to the dorm. I want to get some rest."

"But your aura seems to indicate a bit of nervousness. Is something going on? You can talk to me about it. Maybe I can help you." His friend's warm attitude slowly made Ignacia want to tell him many things as she did to Nesya.

"My love did an important test. I hope he succeeds."

"Then pray for the best for him. Send her positive energy so she doesn't get nervous either."

"I'll pick up the call for a second." Danita permission went a few steps away to lift the call out of no one. Ignacia also did not want to know much and only let her friend take personal time.

A few moments later Danita sat down next to him, put her phone in her bag and said nothing. Ignacia felt something strange about her friend, yet she was not so sure.

"Something happened?" Now Ignacia asked.

"My love invites us to meet after we're done. I told him to meet at dinner time, but he said he couldn't wait that long. That means I'll let you go back to the dorm alone, Ignacia."

Ignacia was confused. How could she meet such a kind and considerate new friend like Danita? In fact, she doesn't want to let Ignacia come back alone after the fashion business for next Sunday's event is over.

"He must have had an important reason. Then you'll still meet, right? Don't worry about me and have fun with your girlfriend while you can still meet." Ignacia is like talking about herself.

"I told him I'd think about it. Isn't it not good to leave friends alone while we are cool to meet lovers? I mean it feels awkward. I know if you also have a lover and know how it feels every one will meet, but still. It feels weird."

Danita rests herself on the back of the stop chair. His eyes seemed to be circling around in order to think fast. "What if I ask to see him after we get back to the dorm? I want to make sure you get home safely."

Danita is just there. Ignacia can take care of herself. Months of living here made Ignacia already memorized part of the street in the city. Some of it is good enough.

The fabric to be purchased has been obtained easily because of the connection of old friend Danita. When the two came, the owner of the fabric store seemed to have been waiting for the arrival of the two. Therefore, the store owner keeps the best fabric colors.

Don't forget Danita asked if maybe the store owner had the rest of the fabric with the same color as the fabric that both will buy or even tie the hair that matches the other two. Unfortunately the owner's answer disappointed both.

Ignacia went around separately with Danita. Both have different tastes about color, so they are in a different range of fabrics. The long-haired girl circulated her gaze, looking around for colors that interested her.

"What color do you want?" The shopkeeper went to Ignacia, "let me help him find."

"Maybe it's a little dark red but not maroon."

"Why don't you guys look for a cloth with your partner? I had several pairs of lovers who were looking for cloth for a similar event" explained the shop owner who was standing not far from Ignacia. While searching for the right color he spoke again, "this opportunity is usually used by couples to harmonize clothes."

Ignacia was confused as to how to respond. He just smiled stiffly without answering. If Rajendra was here and on campus with him, maybe Ignacia wouldn't have wasted the opportunity. But unfortunately Rajendra is far away and it is unlikely that the two harmonize clothes for activities that even on the male campus were not held.

Attempts to find a hair tie that should be used for the event. Finding the right color is not easy. Ignacia and Danita decided to wear bandanas to make them more visible.

Go to one store and another while asking if there might be a color that both are looking for. Danita with plum color while Ignacia focus on cherry color. Almost the same color should always be there. Moreover, both of them have gone around to shops and malls.

"Have you checked out the online store?" Ignacia asked.

"I didn't find it there either. There are only small hair ties. If we don't find it, what if we just look for brown? Let meksipun not match." Good idea but Ignacia doesn't like it very much.

Before leaving this mall, Ignacia was allowed to go to the toilet for a while. Nature asked him to rest for a while and check his appearance on a glass larger than his phone screen. Meanwhile, Danita again checks the online store, trying to find while waiting for Ignacia.

...*****...

A cell phone was thrown haphazardly onto the bed. Followed by the body of a tall man who felt exhausted after thinking. Panic is not his habit when working on problems at the last moment, but an exception for today. If the result is bad, the value can be impaired.

"Something bothers you? Your exams sickening?" the roommate asked. He just came out of the bathroom when he found Rajendra had just returned from campus.

"I want to see Ignacia. I want to be with him for three days in his town. He's waiting for me on our anniversary." Rajendra explained without looking at his cool friend drying his hair. Rajendra stared at the ceiling of his room while pensive.

"His consolation came after the test. Does it have to be right on your birthday? What if it doesn't?"

"Then I'll make him feel neglected again. Ignacia was well intentioned to ask me to meet. We've been apart for months anyway."

"Yes you're right too. What makes you feel burdened? Is your anniversary coinciding with what urgent business?" His friend put the towel into place before walking closer to the side of his bed.

"Today's your family's restaurant?" Rajendra glanced at his friend for a second, "what should I say to your father if this new employee asks for time off on the busy day of the restaurant in a year?"

His friend was silent, he was silent. The staff of the restaurant is not much, everyone is in control of their respective expertise so that they cannot interfere in the affairs of others. And also the power of Rajendra is needed in serving food. The big day of the restaurant requires all of its employees.

"Who would have thought that your anniversary was the same as the big day of my family's restaurant? Just think about it. If you want to see Ignacia, just tell me. I'll help you talk to dad and find a temporary replacement."

"I don't want to disappoint anyone" Rajendra murmured. His body was tilted, turning his back to his staring friend.

"If you dare to ask a girl out on a date, you should be ready to share your time with her as well. The world is not just about you or Ignacia. You dare ask her out, so you can't make her feel alone."

Rajendra turned her body quickly, "like you've been on a date. Did I ever disappoint a girl you were dating? I thought all you did was get busy at your family's restaurant."

His friend smiled stiffly. He got up and left the room with his cell phone without saying anything. Let Rajendra think the answer for himself. He couldn't possibly bring up something he didn't like in front of his roommate.

"Why him? I'm talking wrong?" Rajendra Gumam. The man sat down and grabbed a towel to take a bath.

Outside, precisely on the terrace kos-kosan. Rajendra's roommate sat down while playing his cell phone. His gaze was fixed on a roomchat containing old messages years ago. His fingers moved slowly to erase all the memories that were there so that no one would know.

"I used to be that wimpy" he whispered without anyone listening, "and it's best that Ignacia doesn't meet any more lousy men."