Blind Date's
69. Sweet Dating

...69. Hectic Day's...

Working without Dina turned out to make him depressed.  Usually the secretary of the editor in chief always reminds his daily schedule. Right office hours started. Of any work to be completed that day. Internal or external meetings. Attending events. Until it reminds me to go home when the work has all been completed, and the office hours are over.

Instead of following a schedule that has been so neatly arranged by Dina. He was just getting into a job that he should have stopped doing immediately. Because you have to attend an event organized by the magazine and newspaper department at Hotel Zoon.

Biting his lower lip while repeatedly looking at the watch on his arm.

“Definitely late,” his murmur is starting to fret. Another 10 minutes the event will start. Although the time of Indonesia any part is famous for rubber clocks. However, if the invitation lists ‘please arrive on time’ with italics and bold print, then the event will start exactly according to the invitation. There is no tolerance to wait for the invitees to be fully present. What's more, he belongs to the type M (Monocronic) who appreciates time in every opportunity.

He has been back home for 4 days. Fulfill Ranti's request to stay with him. While the information provided by Gama, that the man was in Bandung since 2 days ago.

The relationship with Gama if it is said to be stashing, it feels less precise. Because the status of the two is still a question mark, but every meeting with the man he hid it from the mother.

After his meeting at Dina and Dani's wedding. Their meeting was repeated. That is attending the wedding of one of Zoon's staff. Gama asked him to accompany her. Hard refusing. I also feel wrong about accepting. But in the end, he agreed. Because of Widiya's words. He considered this a humanitarian mission.

Then he met again accidentally when he was in Affan's room.

Although their meeting was arranged in such a way. But it is undeniable, awkwardness and reaction of his body is unusual.

“Already until Mbak,” said the driver. Resuscitate him to get out of the car immediately. Tidying up her clothes, though nothing changed from there.

His guess was right he was really late. Thirty-seven minutes. The meeting room door was tightly closed. Even one of the organizers who was seen coming out of the room said that he could not go inside.

Sighs disappointed. For the carelessness he made. He chose to go to the restaurant. Continue the other work there.

Ordering a glass of ice coffee latte. Choose a place in the corner of the room. Just now the laptop screen is on. A message came into his phone.

Sinta : Where are you? Why is it not visible yet.

The show started from earlier.

There are 3 special invitations for GPP staff including him.

^^Sasmaya : I'm late.^^^

Ink : 😱

Sinta: How can you!!

^^Sasmaya: No one remembers me.^^^

Sinta : Reason you. So where are you now?

^^^Sasmaya : At the hotel restaurant. Instead of going back to the office, let me work from here.^^^

Sinta : Okay, run from here I samperin to there.

He put the phone next to his computer. Ensure the review of manuscripts that have been passed by the editor.

An hour ahead Sasmaya was still staring at her laptop screen. This time he controlled the quarterly GPP budget that had been made by the respective division heads. Which had also been recorded by Dina some time ago.

There are some expenses that he thinks are over from the previous months. His hand grabbed the phone. Make calls.

“Halo, Din ...”

“I .. Yes, Mbak.”

Knee folded. Dina's voice sounded strange in the ears. He made sure his phone had no problems. Then back to stick in his hearing senses.

“Din, sorry disturb,” he knows Dina is still on leave.  “Gue want to ask about—” his voice stopped because of disturbed rattling sound. His forehead is folding. Along with the sound coming into his ears. Mixed screeches and drowning sounds just like that. Even though the phone call is still running. Makes his entire face muscles shrink. Put up an unbelieving gurat. With your mouth slightly open.

...***...

“And how do you make my schedule. Lo, do not know or forget that I entered the ATF delegation in Jakarta!” annoyed. Dani is on leave. Honeymoon in Bali. But that's not important information for him. In fact, Ferdi will replace Dani temporarily. The proof ... still his activities clashed with each other.

As a result ... he had to choose one between two equally important meetings. And it had a big impact. Hotel Zoon Bandung is chosen by the government as a place to stay for ASEAN Senior Transport Official Meeting delegates and he must accompany relevant government officials in the welcome tomorrow.

While in Jakarta he was appointed by the tourism ministry to be part of the Indonesian delegation at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) meeting which lasted 2 days at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski starting tomorrow morning.

He finally chose Jakarta. The ASEAN Tourism Forum. While in Bandung represented papa who happened to have another agenda there.

Dani didn't say. He thinks Ferdi's been handling all his work during the holidays. His cousin actually did it. It seems intentional to interrupt his honeymoon.

“Dan, why not answer? Right, right, you make all the schedules messy. Papa was forced to rewind the seminar schedule on campus. To replace me!” paparannya upset. He's headed for the hotel restaurant. Just arrived from Bandung. Haven't had lunch yet.

While the sun has slipped, making the shadow as long as the original object.

“Ma-sorry, Sir.” That's all Dani can say. Not willing to extend and make the atmosphere more runyam. Moreover, it can lower his desire that is reaching the point of culmination.

It clucked. Put the phone in your pants pocket. Choosing table. Dragging the chair to a creak. Sitting there a little rough.

Calling waiter. Ordering food.

Unconsciously a woman next to him noticed him. Since entering the restaurant until now.

Gama got his phone back. Just remembered that tonight he would cancel his meeting with one of Banyu Milli's investors. Because it must strengthen the results of coordination with other investors.

“Halo, Dan,” said as soon as the phone line was received. “Kasih know the party PT. Croco Design that the meeting was postponed tonight. If they ask for time, just say next week.”

Momentary silence. Then changed his voice. Not long with screeches. Then back to silence.

His eyes are wide open. With a gaping mouth. Then it quickly changed into an annoyed expression. Where her eyelids are tight. Both eyebrows are down and furrowed deeply. So too with his growling mind. Damn ...

Turn off the phone. Just put it on the table. Until the shadow of a person is caught by the tail of his eyes. Because the distance is pretty close.

He turned his head, “Sas.”

...***...

“I've eaten,” refused when Gama offered him a meal together. Eventually the man moved the table. Sitting in front of him.

He ordered a light snack. It's a fruit salad.

The man was so attractive that he told of his troublesome and messy day. All because Dani is on leave.

He put fruit salad in his mouth. Listen to the Gama story. Which seems to have resemblance to him.

Even Gama was supposed to see a doctor yesterday to control his arm. And removing the cast. Since there is no time, only today the plan will do. “It seems later tonight,” error Gama saw the look of his face that is not happy because the man forgot the important things that should be prioritized. Gama smile. For the sake of making the face of the woman in front of him turn sweet and beautiful.

“Including forgot lunch. Or postpone lunch?” insinuations. Even though now a portion of the baked meat is almost finished. Even potatoes and other vegetables are complementary. That is ... predictably, Gama is starving. Seen from the gesture displayed during eating food.

“Two,” grin Gama. Back showing his teeth. Grabbing a glass filled with fruit salad in front of him. Put it in his mouth.

“You're booked again?” bargained for.

Gama shakes. Returned the fruit salad to him. After tugging a few times.

He sent a message to Sinta. That he went home first. Before the sun goes down.

“When did the interview announcement come out?” ask Gama. They left the resto for the lobby.

“Besok.”

“Besok?” repeat that man.

He nodded.

“I'm sure you were selected.”

“If I am chosen, it is also thanks to you.” There are many things he learned from Gama. Many of the knowledge that he adopted either directly or not.

Gama chuckled lightly, “Then it means I can ask for a reply?”

Their steps stopped. Right in front of his car.

He looked at the man. “I have to reply to what?”

Accompanying Gama to the doctor. He and the man sat in the back next to each other. Talk about Gama Pustaka in the future.

Until time seems to go fast. After the doctor, Gama decided to take him to drive thru dinner. Enjoy it in a car parked in one of the city parks.

This is of course reminiscent of the events of both at the time of dating first. No Gama does not want to invite the woman next to him to eat at the restaurant. Instead, he wanted to recall their memories. Hoping that Sasmaya was moved by the true feelings that were still there for her. Yes, he wished this woman nearby back to him. Being hers.

Time is crawling more and more night. The car that took them stopped right in front of the house.

“I go in first,” say goodbye to Gama. “Thank you, yes, sir,” he added to the office driver in charge of serving him.

The driver nodded, saying, "Sama-sama, Ma'am.”

“Sas,” Gama open window glass.

He stopped his steps.

Because you don't want the driver to hear your conversation. Gama press the button closes the glass automatically. Then get out and close the door.

“Thank you for today.”

He's silent. Gluing his hand on the bag strap hanging on his shoulder.

“Sorry, make everything fall apart. Messed up. And ... changed disappointing. I shouldn't have done it. I am sorry about what happened to us ... I—”

The door sounds open. They both turn their attention there. Ranti appeared and stood in the doorway.

“Go home ... it's night.”

It's not like Sasmaya left him. Gama actually followed behind greeting Ranti, “Night, Auntie. Sorry if I was interrupting. Today—”

Without a word Ranti turned the heels leaving those who were still standing on the terrace.

“Good night.” He smiled faintly. Door closing.

While the man was shaking his waist. Looking up, looking up at the dark night sky. Then close the eyelids. Tighten jaws. Shortly rubbed his face. Sip. There was a whirling snipping swish. Inundates his sense of sight.