Blind Date's
48. Learning to Be a Wife
...48. Stymied One...
In the afternoon the next day Sasmaya deliberately rented a bicycle to take a walk to the city center. Yesterday when he was escorted by Dirk to Holland's office, it was seen that many people used the environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
Various age groups. Various clothes are worn, and do not look at men or women. They were all paddling bicycles on the edges of the city road.
He became interested.
After all, he did not understand using public transportation such as trams (electric trains) and buses.
After this morning he and Dennis visited Holland's printing factory until noon. He finally decided to come here. To the city centre of Amsterdam. Square Dam. Or the town square.
By ourselves.
Yeah, it's on its own. In fact, he had to lie to Dirk reasoned if he wanted to be in a hotel alone, enjoying the facilities of the 4-star hotel.
“Sorry ... Dirk,” said in his heart when the phone call ended with the Gama-friendly man.
His breath began to go down. His feet were heavy and sore too. The bike began to slow down. The bicycle rental worker said at the hotel where he was staying, the distance to Dam Square was less than 3 kilometers. This may be common for local residents. But it turned out to be different for him. Full-fledged struggle. So draining his energy, after arriving at the destination.
Armed with a location map through GPS (Global Positioning System) on his phone finally he arrived in the city center is very famous.
Many people passed by. Some were sitting in the courtyard of the national monument. It looks like a white pillar. This monument stands in the middle of Dam Square.
Not only humans who are very enthusiastic to enjoy every corner of the city with the beautiful scenery. Because a group of countless pigeons also do not want to miss stating its existence.
He kept his bike in the parking lot. Remove the phone from the smartphone holder embedded in the handlebar.
Gluing jacket and scarf. Do not forget to turn your head to the right and left. He had to cross the road by electric trains, cars, motorcycles and bicycles.
The neo-classical buildings are so pronounced and domineering. There is a Royal Palace palace to the west of Dam Square. Then next to it stands a gothic old church, named Nieuwe Kerk (new church). There is also a building with the inscription Madame Tussaud. In another building that reads De Bijenkorf according to the description on his phone it is a shopping center.
He captured all the places of interest with his camera and mobile camera. The more afternoon Dam Square is crowded with visitors.
The sound of bells above the classical building resonates. Splitting the boisterous atmosphere of Dam Square. He saw the watch on his wrist. At 5 in less than 15 minutes. Not as a sign of what. But the visitors seem to be accustomed to the sound of the bell.
Sasmaya chose to sit on one of the benches made of stone. It just so happened that the person who was sitting got up and the bench became empty. A pigeon approached him. Standing next to him without being disturbed in the slightest.
Smile expands. He took out a bag of bread from the bag. Giving a small portion of the crumb of pastry that he had taken this morning at breakfast at the hotel.
Not just one. It turned out that a moment later 2 pigeons came together. It even flapped its wings right above its head. He laughed lightly. Standing reflexes. Then it sat back down after the pigeons flew in the other direction.
He captured the moment when the blue white electric train stopped. Quickly take pictures. Before the train was lost behind the building. At random he took photos that he found interesting. Not to forget some of the performances of artists who are under traction.
The afternoon wind was getting stronger. With clouds in the sky. Looks like he should finish soon. He walked to the bicycle he parked.
Passing through the Royal Palace palace, crossing the street. Then look for his bike in front of Magna Plaza.
There he accidentally sees Dirk and Elena. Who was talking in front of the entrance of the shopping center.
I don't know what they're talking about. He chose to bow. Quickly go away. Dirk must have been disappointed and angry to see him at Dam Square.
Back to the bike to the hotel. This time it was not like leaving. He must race with time. Because the rain starts to hit the earth Amsterdam.
7 O'clock at night is very different from yesterday. Today looks like night. Darkened. The air feels colder because the wind blows strong. Paddle continues. Paddled again. Nonstop. Until he didn't realize someone was behind him.
At the red light intersection, he stopped. Squeeze his fingers on the handlebars.
“I think Indonesian girls are honest, never lie,” said someone riding a bike not far from her.
Spontaneously he tilts his head to the right. His shoulders went down. Knowing Dirk caught him.
“However you tricked me. I can sniff your whereabouts.” Dirk smiled obliquely.
He returned to pedaling his bike to coincide with the traffic lights turning green.
“I'm here to be the one responsible for you. Call it where you're going. I must have taken.” Dirk aligns the speed of the bike with it.
Sasmaya.
“Ayolah .. as long as A has not been here, you are my responsibility. Whatever happens I deserve to know.”
Entitled? As what? Her husband-to-be? While he has no right to know. There's a past what Gama's here. With Elena. With Holland. I don't know who else. As if he had to find out for himself.
“Sas .. kom op!” exclamation Dirk.
They arrived in front of the hotel. He went straight to the basement. Keep the bike there.
Dirk kept following him.
He closed his eyes. Sighs. “Sorry ... I just want my own Dirk. I mean .. I don't want to trouble you,” seems reasonable.
The bule-faced man clucked, “I don't feel bothered. Although ...,” his thumb pointed at 1 of his index segment, “little.” Lips thinning.
Push his breath rough. Dirk keeps following him.
“I want a break, Dirk.” Steps ceased. Dirk stood next to him.
“I have to make sure you really break.” Dirk doesn't want to be helped anymore.
Growled. He chose to go to the restaurant. Take food in buffets. So choose to sit on the side near the glass window. From there he could see the view of the river IJ.
Dirk sat in front of him. Bring a dinner plate.
He saw the man for a moment. Before going back to eating his food.
“Delayed dinner,” Dirk said. It's 8 p.m.
“From holding back hungry,” reply.
“Usually a woman is willing to be hungry for the sake of her appearance that still looks sexy.”
“Except me.”
Dirk choked to the choking. He gave her drink.
“Thank you,” says Dirk. Receiving the drink he gave.
“You know Elena?”
Dirk's hand stopped in the air for a moment. Then slowly keep the glass to its original place.
“Ja.”
“Ja,” says Dirk relaxed. Keep enjoying dinner.
He put food in his mouth. Slowly chew. I don't know why it felt like he didn't have the taste to continue his dinner.
While Dirk shrugged his shoulders. Stopping the food that has run aground.
...***...
Last afternoon after taking Sasmaya to the hotel, Dirk did not go home. He went up to the 8th floor to the skybar.
Enjoy a cocktail while talking to someone over the phone. Then he hurried away after ending the call.
Dirk is based in a tour and travel company located around Dam Square. He also leased his ships for the Amsterdam canal tour.
It is commonplace if many companies, tourist attractions and hotels that know him. Because he also works with them. Also, often accompany the tourists as a tour guide.
“D, Sasmaya out of hotel. Ten minutes ago.” A called him while he was in the office.
“She was alone to Dam Square.”
He trusted A more than Sasmaya said he would be in the hotel alone. Moreover, there are still some hotel employees who used to be close and were once people of trust A.
“Dirk!”
“Ok. I'll look for him.” It stands. Get out of the office. What A was worried about Sasmaya. He himself was astonished. But A is his best friend. He also felt indebted.
He used to be unemployed, without a permanent job after resigning from his old job. Working at the Zoon Hotel. Eventually, he and A worked together. A lent him capital, told him to buy a ship. A was also the one who helped him pioneer his business until like now.
He pedaled his bike around Dam Square. Even to Central Station. Where usually the tourists will visit interesting places.
Niente. He did not find Sasmaya. He decided to return to Dam Square. Storing his bike in front of Magna Plaza. His feet stepped about to enter the shopping center. I wish Sasmaya was there. Unexpectedly, he met Elena.
“Dirk, nice to meet you here,” Elena greeted him.
“Hai,” reply.
“Are you still in touch with A?”
“I ... sorry, Elena.” He patted Elena's arm. “I have to rush to pick up my tourist,” said accordingly. When he saw a figure like Sasmaya.
“How?” ask her on A by phone. After making sure Sasmaya returned to her room. He also went straight home.
“What are you worried about?” coined. He didn't understand why it seemed so complicated. Elena is in the past. Sasmaya the future. Done it.
A on the other end of the phone is silent. Dirk had no idea that their culture was far at odds.
“Kom op! What else makes you like this, A?”
“I'm afraid he won't accept my past, Dirk.”
Instead of being concerned, Dirk laughed. His body was shaken. It's funny he thinks. During getting to know A just this time he heard his best friend claimed to be afraid of facing a woman.
...***...
“Awas lo tomorrow morning late to the office,” his lips commemorate. I got a call from Sinta. Amsterdam time shows 9.30 nights. He forgot because he was so enthusiastic about telling his experience cycling to Dam Square. Visit to Holland's office and printing factory.
Sinta sounded yawned. “Yes, we will connect again sometime. Actually I want to hear you stories about other.”
“Not fishing rods,” sergeant.
His friend laughed lightly. “Iya .. yes. Bye, Sass. Miss you.”
“Bye .. miss you too.”
Only then did he keep the phone on a small table next to his mobile bed vibrating. Two incoming messages in sequence.
Gamma: Rest tonnage. Tomorrow, Dirk will accompany you everywhere.
Dirk: Tomorrow morning as usual I wait in the lobby.