Beautiful Monster
Drawing Mug

"Oh yes, I have something for you," Rajendra picked up the paperbag beside the chair, giving it to Ignacia who was not looking at him worriedly. "Take this as an initial gift. You haven't asked me anything for your birthday gift."

Ignacia wondered why Rajendra could not forget his birthday present. Ignacia isn't a kid who always wants presents on her birthday.

"Thank you very much. So I can still ask for something for my birthday present, right?" Ask Ignacia to make sure. Seeing Rajendra nodding would have delighted her. Although not a child anymore, there is something that makes Ignacia sure if the gift coupon will make her very happy in the future.

He should use it before the year changes.

"That feels a little heavy. Can I open it now?" Rajendra shook his head, giving advice to Ignacia to open it at home. The reason is of course because Rajendra is embarrassed if his gift should be opened Ignacia in front of him directly.

Ignacia keeps Rajendra's gift to her side. Continue eating the remaining half ice cream. What gift did Rajendra give her?

Silence suddenly came. As if it had been planned, the two just stared at the light of the city that resembled a firefly. Especially for car lights that appear to pass on the main road. Now it was Ignacia's turn to make the move. Slowly she leaned on Rajendra's shoulder, not saying anything.

"If I ask for my gift all of a sudden, can you grant it after the time I ask?" Ignacia stared pleading, "let's just say it. Who knew I really needed that gift coupon. Yes, come on, just give it this time."

"What do you really want?"

"I don't know either, but please do as soon as possible. Hows it? This year alone, for this one coupon alone."

Rajendra thought for a moment. If he acquiesces, then Rajendra will make his lover disappointed if he can not fulfill what Ignacia wants. On the other hand, if Rajendra does not approve, Ignacia will probably forget the birthday gift Rajendra wants to use as a symbol of attention.

"I will say my wish by the deadline. I'll give you a pause before I want you to grant it. How's it?" Ignacia wrapped her hands around the man's arms, giving an irresistible look. Either it will work or it won't. This is the first time Ignacia-

"All right, let's see it later" Rajendra broke up.

Ignacia smiled happily, raising her little finger to make a promise. Rajendra can only hope that his lover does not ask for something too big and Rajendra cannot do. But as long as I knew Ignacia, this girl had never asked for anything too big from him. Ignacia's a simple nice girl.

The two spent a lot of time discussing reunions with close friends. Ignacia is with nine of her friends while Rajendra with the guys who caught her wet is dating at her boyfriend's house. That day Ignacia will never forget.

The two made eye contact, telling stories with cheerful laughs. Maybe not because of the story, but because of the familiar city air to make both of them really enjoy the time. Even so excited, they did not realize that the night had gone so fast.

Ignacia gets a call from her mother in the middle of the story. The girl got up, asking permission to pick up the call. Apparently the mother asked her first child to come home. It's late, it's not good for girls to play until after hours of sleep.

"Rajendra, are we going home now? We can meet again next time," asked Ignacia who then immediately agreed to the man. Rajendra got up, holding his girlfriend's hand without her consent. Ignacia did not mind, but Rajendra's sudden movements left her a little surprised.

Until the two leave the motorcycle, Rajendra is still reluctant to let go of his girl's hand. "Let's meet again if you can. But I'll come pick you up. I'm worried if you drive at night. Moreover, the main road is not deserted," he said.

"Then wait until my parents go to work."

The man smiled, stroking Ignacia's brown mane that was still in perfect braids. If this wasn't a crowded public place, perhaps Rajendra would have taken her lover into the warm embrace that Ignacia had always loved. It's just that Rajendra knows the boundaries and ethics that must be maintained in public places. Doesn't matter. Rajendra will hold him.

"I'll take you home."

Meeting Rajendra is something that is not very happy. Ignacia never knew that in the foreign class she entered in the second year of Junior High would make her meet someone who would accompany her to this point. Someone who has been in pain but can also heal.

The man was riding his motorcycle in front of Ignacia, as if escorting his girlfriend to get home. Rajendra's house is on the other side of the road, but he doesn't mind taking Ignacia. The important thing is that her girl was not hurt after meeting her.

Several times Ignacia found Rajendra staring at her in the rear-view mirror. Despite being caught off guard, Rajendra still does. One attempt to make sure Ignacia was still behind him. Ensure Ignacia does not lag or change course.

At the red light, Ignacia stops next to her lover. "You look cool from behind" he said without feeling guilty. Rajendra was not misbehaving, he just laughed at what Ignacia said. Who can look cool from his back alone? Ignacia must be sleeping.

When the middle lights change color, Rajendra takes the lead again. The road cannot be quiet because it is still on the main road. Once on the road to Ignacia's house, all the noisy and crowded vehicles had already disappeared. It feels like being suddenly quiet.

"You can take me here. I can continue on my own" said Ignacia when she managed to align the pace with Rajendra. And the man refused. If he had decided on something, he would have followed his wish to the end. And if it's Ignacia's deliver, where might Rajendra just leave.

"What if your father sees you? Just get here."

Rajendra pretended not to listen. Ignacia repeated her sentence several times until it almost reached her house. It may not be dangerous if it is late. The neighbors must be sleeping because it's time for work tomorrow.

"We've arrived" pleased Rajendra and then turn off the engine. "let's go in. I'll go home later."

"Why is that?"

"Is there a ban on that?" Rajendra raises his eyebrows to tempt Ignacia. His face looks funny.

Ignacia, according to him, opened the fence slowly and then inserted a motorcycle. Just as Rajendra was about to say goodbye and leave, Ignacia met him outside instead. Rajendra had to delay his return for a while.

"Thank you for driving me home. Call me when you get there. And..." Ignacia makes mischievous eye contact, kissing Rajendra's cheek so suddenly that the one being kissed is surprised and reflexively looks around, "thank you for the gift."

"Hey you are so brave. You were the one who wanted me to go straight home." Rajendra's face flushed slightly, enduring embarrassment, panic, and everything else. "Now enter. Rest. I'll call you later."

...*****...

The door opened, Rajendra's house was deserted. The phone dropped from the bag, typing in the news for Ignacia who was most likely still waiting. And sure enough, an immediate reply came from him who was sent a message. Rajendra smiled slightly, still staring at his phone after closing the door behind him.

"Sister who knows best" replied Rajendra, he would have passed if he had not seen someone who apparently also participated in his brother's night snack.

"You're still dating that girl named Ignacia? Well, your relationship is very lasting," praised Rajendra's older sister. "You also want instant noodles with eggs? I'll make it if I want to."

Rajendra shook his head, "i'll just take a break." Then pass by without showing amiable. Closing the door slowly so as not to wake the sleeping person in the next room. If a child wakes up at night because of a noise, he may cry because he is upset.

In the living room, two brothers were having dinner snacks while watching the evening news. "Rajendra hasn't broken up with her boyfriend so far?" The sister asked. Just curious.

"All I know is not. They fought a lot in the first years, and now it's getting closer. Their relationship is long." Hearing that Rajendra's older sister just nodded in understanding. His sister is great too.

Rajendra felt his eyes twitch. Like someone was talking about it. The man who had changed his clothes with a nightgown was not dizzy. The cell phone was supposed to check for new messages and then go to sleep. Tomorrow he'll have to get up early.

...*****...

"Sister," call someone who sounds like Athira. I don't know what he's doing these nights. Once invited in, Ignacia found her sister hugging a carrot doll with a sleepy face. "I just wanted to see if my brother had gone home. I was waiting."

"Dad?" ignacia para.

Athira spoke as he walked in, "father is worried because brother is not coming home soon. But in the end I was able to sleep after mom called me." Athira sat at the end of the bed, watching her brother sitting on the desk chair.

Something on the table caught his attention. "Sister bought a mug? Is that why you came home a little late?"

"Rajendra gave it to me."

"Biriday present?"

"It's that kind of thing."

Athira nodded in understanding, he got up and left his sister's room. Not forgetting that he closed the door to his sister's room. Though Athira can send a message instead of having to go to her sister's room. Or if he's still awake, he can hear the sound of Ignacia's motorcycle entering the garage.

Ignacia looked back at the mug that was the contents of the paperbag that Rajendra had given her earlier. Apparently this is the reason why the paperbag feels a little heavy. Ignacia smiled small, happy. Who would have thought that Rajendra could prepare such a gift? The unthinkable gift.

When viewed from the pictures around, it does not seem to be a printed image. Isn't the picture funny? There was a woman wearing a birthday hat and a man holding a cake with a lit candle. All around them was confetti flying. Everything is drawn with a cartoon theme. Adorable.

Is it possible Rajendra drew it? Ignacia better ask instead of guessing. Then if it was really painted by Rajendra, is it possible that the picture of the woman wearing this hat is Ignacia who is having a birthday?

...*****...

As promised. The next date was called. Rajendra came to pick me up. With a happy look on her face, Ignacia rushed out of the house in a hurry. Afraid of her boyfriend waiting too long. Unlike that time, Ignacia no longer braided her hair. Left unraveled as usual.

The purpose of tonight's date is to drive aimlessly. Both have no idea where to spend their time. Rajendra said, "it's important we get out first." The important thing is to meet first, be alone first, then enjoy the night without any interference.

Ignacia extended the sleeves of her jacket before re-hugging Rajendra who was driving. The night air got colder because of the rain this afternoon. His path also still kept a little remnant of the cry of the sky. So you have to be extra careful so that things do not happen that are not desirable.

Stopping at the red light, Rajendra's hand takes one of her lover's hands, confirming if her lover is still cold. "Just put your hand in my jacket pocket if it's still cold" he said.

Sounds better than letting his hands get colder. But if put in a pocket, Ignacia does not wrap her hands around Rajendra's waist anymore. It will not be exciting if later Ignacia loses the moment to be very close to her lover.

Rajendra drove his motorcycle at an average speed, going to the North, South, and East sides of his city. While looking for something interesting, the two occasionally chatted. And when it came to the next red light, Ignacia asked about the gift mug from Rajendra.

"How did you get that mug? The picture is so funny. Thank you for giving it to me."

"I drew it."

Ignacia tried to see Rajendra's face covered in helmet glass, "wow you're so cool you can draw cartoons. You painted it directly on the mug?"

Rajendra. He said he drew it on paper before it was transferred to the mug. And for information, Rajendra did not draw it one hundred percent. There is someone who justifies the rough drawings Rajendra makes to fit his imagination.

"Who?" ask Ignacia curiously.

"Secret." The lights change color, Rajendra's motorcycle goes back on. Defending the crowded city streets. In the silence, Ignacia guessed who could draw such a funny cartoon.

"Did Athira help you?" Ignacia had to ask in a high tone in order to be heard. Repeated the question so many times that Rajendra could hear it well.

"Did he tell you?" Rajendra asked back.

"So you guys work together?"

"Well?!" Ignacia thinks the answer is yes. So his girlfriend worked with his sister who is good at drawing. Did they meet somewhere without Ignacia's knowledge?

Both arrived at the west side of the city. There was a crowd around the place that Ignacia remembered as a field. Rajendra asks if Ignacia might want to see what crowd is there.

"Well market."