Call Me a Rose
Chapter 26

The second day after the betting idea was sparked. Rose and Mona are still determined to find Farid's whereabouts who is believed to be returning to work at GAYA.Corp.

Where Farid hid, Roses to his own astonishment, but he knew for sure that Farid was clearly working in the IT division. Even by lunchtime they had not found him.

This time Roses chose to join his OG comrades for a bagged lunch. There's Mona, Ratih, Marni, and Rosa. Those who had previously been hostile to him had now accepted it with open arms. The atmosphere of the cafeteria at lunchtime was very crowded. Roses choose to order meatballs and orange ice as a menu to boost his stomach.

It turned out to be quite fun eating while gossiping with peers. Things she couldn't have done as Jelita. This is the place where all employees blend in regardless of caste.

"I'm being pessimistic about losing bets" complained Mona on the sidelines of her meatballs.

"Casual Ma'am Mona, there's still a week left..."

"Well if it turns out it's not Farid, we want to wait another week also will not meet, Rose!"

"Well, at least next week Ma'am Mona must have been payday, so definitely can pay the bet right?"

"Damn lo!", Maki Mona while punching Rose's shoulder, slowly.

"Sst..sssttt, I think people who want to live a long life!" said Rosa as she pointed at the group of men who walked towards their table.

The Mona and Rose reflexes turned in the direction in question.

"Yes, I won the bet!", Mona exclaimed later.

While Rose was still stunned for a moment her gaze met Farid. The rose wanted to say hello but hesitated. But then, Farid with his friends passed by without caring about it.

I don't know why there was such a feeling of disappointment in his heart.

"Eh don't pretend to be dumb, don't forget to pay, you're making a bet..."

"Prophey Ma'am Mona, Rose again broken heart dicuekin Mas Farid kayaknya.", Defend Rosa innocently.

"Hahaha, let's say the rose is mad, who told me to doubt Farid was roaring OB, eh now rising to the rank of right"

The rose could only smile wryly in response to the ledge of his comrades. The rose reached into his wallet and took out five pieces of red money from his wallet.

"Now, pay off my debt, Mona?"

"Wah..wah, seriously this War directly paid, money from where?"

"Lo didn't say anything, did he?", asked Mona in a joking manner.

"No Mona, it's halal money, so I have savings too..."

"He, thank you Roses, in exchange for your lunch this time I'll treat!"

"Assyik.., thank you, Ma'am Mona..."

And finally all happily welcomed the outcome of that bet.

But in my heart, the rose secretly felt troubled. Not because of the outcome of the bet declaring himself a loser, but about Farid's indifference which clearly ignored him.

Questions popped up to fill the Rose's mind. Is it indeed the true nature of Farid, who has forgotten and does not want to admit friends in difficult times. Or it is because Farid still avoids it because he still hurts because of rejection the other day.

After finishing each meal, the Rose with Mona and the others finally returned to the pantry. From a distance Rose saw Farid there, chatting with his old colleagues who work as OB. It clearly shows that Farid is still like the old days, a friendly and kind figure to anyone.

The day was passed by the Rose by living his routine as usual. But in the afternoon while walking through the corridor to clean the floor there, Rose accidentally saw the scene that made her heart hot. Farid was busy working on something in front of the computer screen. Farid was in the marketing division. And around him, the girls fuss over him and seem to be racing for his attention.

Seeing that somehow the Rose felt unacceptable. Then came the sly idea on the Rose's head. Roses then as soon as possible finish the work and clean up the tools of his work. After that the rose goes to the pantry and brews a cup of coffee complete with its creamer.

The rose then returned to the marketing division room where Farid had been. And as expected, Farid is still trapped among Marketing division employees who are mostly women.

With confidence the Rose walked in to Farid, then placed the cup of coffee in front of Farid.

"It will be drunk Mas Farid, must be thirsty right from the work continues..."

The rose could see several pairs of eyes looking at her with dislike. Roses feel increasingly challenged to continue the action.

"Oh yes, Mas Farid will be home at what time?", continued Rose began the chat.

Farid was surprised by the Rose question. But then smiled and replied casually.

"Back of Maghrib it seems, what's the Rose?"

The girls around Farid were getting annoyed to see the familiar Rose on Farid, and looked at the Rose with a look of disdain. But the rose doesn't care, because that's the goal.

"Can I go home later? my wallet was missing, so there was no money to take the busway..."

Hearing that Farid just laughed.

"Ok, I'll go to the pantry if my job is done..."

Hearing that answer, the girls around Farid again widened their eyes in disbelief.

"Yaudah Mas Farid, then I say goodbye first, want to work again.meet you later..."

Roses soon passed with envious and cynical gazes of marketing employees around Farid.

Roses themselves did not expect that Farid would respond well to his request.

At the promised time Farid actually came to the pantry, to take the Rose home together.

"Come home, are you ready?"

The rose gasped, then hurriedly stood up when it realized Farid had already come.

"Eh Mas Farid, let's go home..."

The rose followed Farid walking towards the parking lot.

Throughout that step they were silent to each other. It turns out that the courage of Rose provoking the girls who tried to approach Farid is inversely proportional to the courage to start a conversation when they were both. The awkward atmosphere was clearly obvious. It was like two strangers walking together.

"Let's go up, have a good night..."

Roses according to ride on the bike, still without talking.

Farid himself was surprised by the attitude of the Rose, but Farid let it go because it was inevitable that he felt happy to be able to meet and interact with the Rose again.

Farid took his motorcycle slowly. Moments like this can happen again. He thought it was over when he left GAYA.Corp. But fate brought him back. And I don't know what's going to happen up ahead. One thing Farid knew, it turned out that even though his heart had been hurt, somehow he still felt happy to just be close to the Rose.