EMBRACE YOU: Presence & Poison
Episode 35's

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Events in the mall are reported massively and often become headlines in every newspaper. Fortunately there was no news about me, Bayu or his team members. In the news only involves the name of the criminal and the police, there is also no name Rey mentioned there.

I've guessed, everything about Rey must still be kept secret. The incident at the hospital a few weeks ago did not reveal Rey's name. Now that I know what Bayu's job is like, all this time I've always avoided if Bayu wants to tell it.

At that time I already had the feeling that Bayu's job was something special. A risky job

high of course. I didn't expect to be involved with any of his work but somehow I was grateful to be involved so that my heart could take it slowly.

I don't dislike his job. But the very high risk made my heart unprepared for

his loss. I'd rather run away than face this fear. But since that mall, I slowly began to understand and wanted to be next to him under any circumstances.

.

..

…

My days were running as usual, leaving early in the morning, coming home late at night after college. Then sleep and tomorrow it's like that again. For the past two weeks I haven't seen Bayu, we've been exchanging messages with each other. Sometimes if Bayu is not busy he calls me at night.

During that time, my mother or Daniel rarely contacted me. Because it is dissolved with my daily activities, I do not

realizing for two weeks they both had no one to contact except colleagues, Bayu and some of my former school friends who often exchanged stories despite messages.

I suspect when the lawyer who took care of the sale of the land that Aunt Rose left me in the process, my mother must have nagged me and protested but my mother has not contacted me.

Right now, on Sunday afternoon I was with my old friend deliberately wanted to meet and chat in the usual place we used to play.

The cafe only provides snacks and drinks. Free wifi and games that can be borrowed from the cashier table such as Jenga, Uno cards, Remi cards and even monopoly boards.

“Kesha is still out of town. She will soon be engaged so she won't join the reunion.” Bela, my friend

at this High School is seriously choosing the Jenga beam in front of us for him to pull out.

Remembering Kesha, that girl became my old friend. Because of his work out of town he rarely returned to this city. The four of us used to hang out a lot but now it's just me and Bela. One more Mia, the girl was married after graduating high school and had just given birth to her first child three years ago.

“I was expecting it. Hasn't Kesha met her boyfriend's parents? He also uploaded a photo

his family and his girlfriend are among them.”

Bela had already pulled the Jenga beam from the middle and placed it at the top of the beam to reconstitute the Jenga building. Now it's my turn to pick this block.

“Our High School friends are married. Mia also always asks when we get married.” Bela laughed

thinking of Mia who often asked through messages in our chat group four of us.

“Eh but Mia was willing to join us, but not because her husband has not come home.” I still haven't chosen which beam I should pull.

“But she, Faisal I think is an understanding husband. She allowed Mia to play with us even though she had to bring her son too.” I nodded in agreement to Bela's words. Faisal is also our High School friend but different classes, they both have been dating since school.

I've pulled Jenga's beams, stacked them up and looked at my friend. “No! Actually he just wants to

just treat me. Looking for a chatting friend. You can't be me same him, he already has a wife, soon to be married.”

Bela smiled not believing me. That question reminds me of a man named Irsyad who is different from me. The last time he took me to dinner was three months ago, a lot of gossip said we were dating but actually Irsyad was just chatting with me, he told me a lot about his future wife who was in his hometown.

Indeed at first the man approached me he said he wanted to be close, giving chocolate anyway on valentine's day. Since then my co-workers gossiped and thought we were dating. But over time we actually became friends chatting outside working hours even though when in our company rarely chat or even say hello.

Speaking of Irsyad, it's been three months that he hasn't invited me to dinner. He always pays for his food, so why should he refuse ‘kan to eat good food.

“Really? Don't suddenly bring a wedding invitation with you. Well later I'll stay alone.”

I chuckled softly, indeed I have not told the story of Bayu to my friends. They actually knew Bayu when we used to date, Bayu had met this friend of mine.

“Actually the wedding is still far from unimaginable. We still want to enjoy this kind of freedom.”

“We??! You must be hiding something!” Bela's screeches made me realize that I was using the word wrong.

“I don't want to hide. It's just—“

“Who is he?! What's she like?! How did you get together?” Bela cut my words. We forgot about the Jenga game that had been arranged high on the table.

I stared at Bela for a moment before answering. “Wood. You must know him.”

“Wood? Your ex? Old love springing back?”

“The story is long and a little complicated.” My answer. Bela and my friends did not know about the initial problem we broke up. They only know that I decided Bayu first.

Fortunately when Bela was about to question me again, my phone on the table shook. The name Bayu is there.

Bela snorted bitterly at me but let me answer Bayu's phone.

“Halo.”

“Rindu me?”

“What?” I almost choked hearing Bayu suddenly ask like that without answering my greeting.

“Hehehe. I've only got a little free time till tonight. Aren't you excited we'll meet?”

“Yeah what exactly happened to you?” I nodded in disbelief at what I heard.

“It looks like I went crazy for missing you too much.” His murmur made my heart beat fast. I touched my cheek that was warm. From the end of my eyes, I could see Bela looking at me curious.

“Send your address. I'm coming in an hour.”

”Oke.” After answering, I cut off the phone. But suddenly it occurred to me, How could Bayu know I was outside? I haven't told her anything about my meeting with Bela.

...