Beautiful Monster
Eat Together

Arriving at a restaurant, Ignacia is left looking for a seat first while her two friends order. They've already determined what foods to order through a search in the inter-messaging app. The menu of this restaurant is very complete.

Nesya had already recorded all their orders earlier in her cell phone records. While marching in front of the cashier, Nesya used her time to open her comic group. Beside her, Danita also plays her phone. Send a message to your lover about what happened today.

From his desk, Ignacia also plays a cell phone. Open social media if there is something interesting. Rajendra is not online, Athira is the same. Turning to the instant messaging app, Ignacia noticed that her mother was online. Should Ignacia just call her mama? Just want.

Ignacia started the conversation by sending a photo of the scene of the people eating in front of her. It didn't take long until her mother opened the photo and sent a photo to show where her mother was. Her mother was in the living room, sitting around watching television.

Her mother tells Ignacia that her two younger brothers are now good at swimming. Yes, although it still can not be included in the Olympics or what is it called. His mother hoped Ignacia could return home quickly to see the development of her two younger brothers.

Then the conversation turned on Athira. He said Athira now more often enjoy the day outside the room to paint the scenery. Last weekend I invited everyone to take a morning walk around the house area. After being tired of walking, they will rest for a while in the park.

Athira happens to have just bought a sketchbook and at that time he takes it for a prank. He was confused as to what to draw. Maybe there is something interesting to draw when he goes out of the house. And there Athira saw many air-filled balloons for a child's birthday around the park.

It takes a long time to wait and wait for the food to be ready. Almost as long as when lined up at the book signing event earlier. That was the new companion food that came out. The ramen is not finished. It will be later he said. While waiting, the three tried the companion food that had been ordered earlier.

Starting from Yakiniku, Sushi, Yakitori, Gyoza, and Takuan all they tried. Just try a little, so that after eating ramen later can be eaten together again. The three of them both ordered Shoyu ramen, so when they saw an employee carrying a tray containing three ramen, the three friends immediately raised their hands as code.

No talk while eating. They were too hungry to be able to think about the topic of conversation. Even Danita. After the ramen runs out, then the chat comes. Around the book signing event and Nesya's journey to look at comics other than the one she was after.

"What if you relax somewhere and go shopping? It's not afternoon yet" suggests Ignacia, "Maybe a place for us to read the book we just bought. While re-examining the energy."

Both of his friends agreed. Nesya began with his task, looking for a place around a shopping center close to the park or square that can be used to relax. An unsettled place is not a problem, the important thing is to just sit around for a long time.

"Supermarkets near the square are holding many promos. What if we just go to the square?" Danita showed me the brochure on her phone screen. "My friend happened to be there and sent me this because I said I'd shop for some groceries." Danita's connection is working again.

Nesya hung up her phone, "of course let's try to leave. Maybe there's something you want to look for there, too."

...*****...

The horizon is covered in white clouds, blocking sunlight from touching the ground. The crowd around did not disturb the three friends who were reading a new book here. The air is cool in the city. Comfortable seating adds to the rest.

As Ignacia and Danita turned the pages of the book slowly, beside Ignacia was Nesya who was reading the comics at a different speed. Several times Nesya looked like she was closing her mouth in awe and holding back a smile so as not to look like a freak.

About an hour and two they were there. Read peacefully without feeling distracted. The world in the hundreds of words contained within the book sucked the attention of the three of them too deeply. Even sitting there for a long time is not felt.

"It's late afternoon." Ignacia's words distracted her two friends, looking up at the sky that had changed its pink color. "We should quickly shop so we can quickly cook and eat," asked Ignacia. He got up first, put the book in the bag. Followed by two other friends.

These three friends check the list of items to be purchased. They decided not to make complicated food because the equipment in the pantry was also limited. Each of them still hide the food menu they will cook until they reach the supermarket. They took the shopping cart and began to split up.

"We meet again here in 20 minutes," Nesya suggested in order to return to the dormitory immediately. The two friends agreed and checked the time. Time split begins. Previously Ignacia and Danita had already checked what basic materials they had in the dormitory. So it will only complement. Nesya later adjusted it for her spice, asking for a little from her two friends at the dorm.

Ignacia began by buying dried foodstuffs such as oyster sauce, sweet soy sauce, butter, and cornstarch. Next to the meat stand, Ignacia took the chicken breast. Incidentally there was already Nesya who took a packet of fish meatballs at the place where Frozen food was not far from where Ignacia took the chicken.

After Ignacia and Nesya left, Danita came to the place to buy eggs. He did not even notice if he passed by Ignacia who was looking at other foodstuffs because he was busy looking for where the eggs were.

Those who initially followed the shopping list are now looking for items that must be refilled at home. Then due to the existing promo, they also bought some snacks for friends to bring new books. Yes, it is female. Those who are not on the list are usually also bought. Using the promo.

Twenty minutes passed by so quickly. The three send each other a message if they are still buying something and will go to the get-together point after 10 minutes. And sure enough, they carry a medium size plastic bag due to promo items. Soon they went to the bus stop. Sitting there waiting for the next schedule.

While waiting and picking up groceries, Ignacia and Danita leaned on Nesya well sitting in the middle. Nesya's body was bigger than her two friends, so it was comfortable to lean on her. Nesya also did not mind because behind there was a backrest as well.

Silence, no one started the conversation. The three prefer to wrestle with each other's minds. Ignacia about her sister, her lover, and also tomorrow's test. Nesya about comics and friends in the world of maya. Then there is Danita who thinks about Bahri and her mother. Danita misses the woman she has called her mother all her life.

The next bus arrives. They alternated in and took the same row of seats beside the exit to get closer. The bus was empty, no one was standing. Back again both of Nesya's friends lean on her. This time it was quiet again.

...*****...

"You guys are here?" Bagas' father came, the owner of this family heritage restaurant.

"I watched Rajendra stare at the calendar." The father never expected his son's answer. After a while, the half-century-old man passed away. It is better to complete the desire to drink cold water than to pay attention to Rajendra.

Meanwhile the man who was still staring at the calendar in the restaurant kitchen was still staring. His mind was focused on weighing difficult decisions. Though Rajendra already knows what statement he will convey, but still it feels a little regret. He himself also wants to rush a stifling meeting.

"Oh, is it another day now?" Bagas. Dismissing the concentration of his friend until he turned around. The gaze given by his colleague and roommate had already answered Bagas' question completely.

...*****...

All food items needed are removed from the plastic bag. Like the cooking show on TV, the three of them mentioned the name of the food to be cooked. Starting from Ignacia who will cook protein, then Nesya will cook fiber, and Nesya will make carbohydrates. Be they will eat complex food. Lauk, vegetables, and rice.

But not the same as cooking shows on tv, they do not focus on cooking each and show excellence. It would not be fun if their cooking show instead became a competition. The three help each other peel the base material and wash the main raw material alternately.

Luckily nothing comes when the pantry is filled with the aroma of cooking. The dormitory looks lonely without anyone passing by. I don't know where the residents were that night. If anyone came, the three did not know how to react.

It takes at least thirty minutes to serve all the food perfectly. They brought the food to the pantry table after washing all the cooking utensils used. While staring at the horizon hit by a star with escorted by the Goddess of the night.

A warm atmosphere enveloped the three, bringing peace as well as a longed comfort. Ignacia was unceasingly smiling at what her friends were talking about. Sometimes he also responds if asked. The rest is simply listening because of lack of energy. Even though the food had run out, the three still chatted and considered their place to eat as their own home.

"I hope we can do this again after graduation. If you have time, just call me" Danita's message before taking back the side dish Ignacia made.

"certain. I'll wait for news if you guys have time to meet after graduation. What do you think of Ignacia?" Ignacia agreed. The two friends chuckled at Kadsna looking at Ignacia who nodded while eating her umpteenth feed.

"Alright then we have an appointment to meet. I'll put it on my list of activities after graduation." Nesya and Ignacia looked at each other for a moment. Looks like Danita planned a lot of things to make a list.

Nesya had to leave before it was too late. Tomorrow there is a test waiting. Ignacia and Danita drive their bespectacled friends to the dormitory gate. Waiting until her friend gets a ride home before returning inside. Danita held Ignacia by the hand all the way back, saying that today was a good day.

After cleaning up, Ignacia sends Rajendra a message on request. There was a sense of obstruction when Ignacia finished sending the message. But this long-haired girl did not pay much heed. The important thing is Rajendra will contact him after this.

Sure enough, the call came from Rajendra about 10 minutes after the message was sent. When the call is connected, Rajendra immediately conveys his purpose.

"This year we can no longer celebrate our anniversary. I can't come any more next time. Ii'm sorry. But we can still meet on vacation. I'll meet you and we'll go home together. How's it?"

Rajendra doesn't let Ignacia cut in. He immediately gave all his information. As hard as he could, he hid the guilt. The logic was too strong that Ignacia could not reply to anything.

"No, you don't have to come. We can meet next time. Don't worry, I don't matter." Ignacia did not remove the smile rising from the corner of her lips. Ignacia already has plans to surprise her lover on the day of her second return. Think of it as a umpteenth birthday celebration.

"I'm sorry I let you down again. But I really can't go on any other vacation day. My school and work here can't be left."

"No problem. I can wait. Holidays are coming." Ignacia now realized how busy her lover was. Ignacia birthday gift coupons alone do not come. How could Ignacia forget her own birthday? It's okay, Ignacia doesn't need any more presents.

"Thank you for understanding, Ignacia."

"No problem. How was your day, Rajendra? Everything smoothly? I miss you." Ignacia brought her phone close to the shelf. He wanted to put down the book he just bought. "I? Today I came to Miss Cream's book signing. I'm so happy that Miss Cream remembers me. Maybe I'm one of the lucky fans to be remembered by his idol."

Ignacia flanked her phone with her head and shoulders because she had to use her hands to find blame in her books. "I saw a lot of men who delivered their lovers to the show but did not come inside. I remember you, Rajendra."

"Did you forget? You went to a bookstore with me. No, not a book signing. Oh yes, my cooking worked. Nesya and Danita enjoyed it. It's my first time cooking for someone else, so I'm a little nervous. But it tastes so good."

"Well, I'll make it next time. If it doesn't feel right, please don't get mad at me."

Ignacia's eyes stared at the clock on the wall, she could still chat for a long time with Rajendra before bedtime. Ignacia brought her phone back with her hands, sitting on the side of the bed still with the conversation forward.