End Journeys
Just Leave Me Alone

A bright morning approached them. The leaves that were exposed to rain last night still dripped the remnants of rainwater. The birds perched on the tree branch, moments later flying away as Thomas opened the door of the old hut.

"Ah, it's a bright morning," said Thomas.

"I'll cook for you" Ruby said.

Ruby took the black cloth bag that was given to her by the person outside the hut.

"I'll keep you company" Thomas took the bag from Ruby and then took Ruby's hand to walk to the side of the hut. It looks like a small but open hut, where there is a furnace, firewood, kerosene and matches. There are also pans, pots, and various other cooking utensils.

"As if it had been prepared by someone," Ruby said astonishedly at the sight.

"Who would want to live in the middle of a forest like this and leave behind kitchen utensils that look a bit expensive" Thomas replied.

They unpacked the contents of the black bag, and Thomas took out eggs, leeks, vegetables and herbs.

"There are vegetables too. If it's not cooked right away I'm afraid all this will rot because there's no fridge here" Ruby said as she began picking up the bowl.

"Yes dear. You cook whatever you want. I'm gonna start a fire" Thomas said and start picking up firewood.

"Darling," Ruby kissed Thomas spoiled.

Thomas just laughed and kissed Ruby's cheek back.

Ruby cut chives, mushrooms, carrots and whipped eggs that have been given slices of onions, garlic, chili. He put salt and pepper and a little soy sauce into his eggs, then put the vegetables.

"Honey, there's instant rice," Thomas just realized there's another parcel in the kitchen.

"And our cell phones," Ruby pranced with excitement.

"Finish all this, just get your cell phone," Thomas put their cell phone back near the firewood pile.

"Then we make fried rice only," Ruby said.

Thomas agreed then to heat their instant rice.

While waiting for the rice to cook, Ruby walked around the hut.

"Stay near me" cried Thomas.

Thomas has been more protective lately. Of course it is because he loves his girlfriend very much, Ruby.

"I'm just walking around here, honey," Ruby said.

"No. You can't leave without me" Thomas got up from his seat and walked up to the stubborn Ruby.

Ruby followed Thomas and squatted down in front of the furnace to warm her body.

"What do you want me to do for lunch?" ruby asked her boyfriend.

"Whatever you cook is always good, so it's up to you" Thomas replied.

Ruby looked back at the contents of the cloth bag and decided to cook the sauteed vegetables and nuggets.

"How much is this food. And all the food was good, expensive of course," Ruby said.

"Maybe there's a veiled intent to all this. But I still don't understand what dangers lurk us so we're stationed in the interior like this" Thomas still wondered.

"Are we running away?" ruby said.

"Why do I hesitate to leave this place. What if there really is a danger lurking around us?" Thomas hesitates with Ruby's advice.

"But how exactly do these people who look good on us have evil intentions? We don't even know who kidnapped us" Ruby said.

"The rice is ripe, just continue this talk later," Thomas lifted the pot from the furnace and took out their instant rice.

"Made in Korea," Ruby read the instant rice packaging.

Ruby heats the oil in the pan and then inserts the seasoning that he has cut into pieces. Next Ruby put 2 eggs, vegetables, and finally rice along with spices.

"My wife is smart, indeed" Thomas said as he watched Ruby cooking.

"Wife?" Ruby laughed out loud.

"Oh. You don't want to be my wife? All right," Thomas seemed a little upset.

"Darling, it's not like that. Of course I want to. I've been a little surprised by your attitude lately. Usually you're funny but lately it's been a little romantic" Ruby said as she continued to stir her rice.

"Not everything has to be revealed in public, right?" Thomas did not like to show their relationship in public. Even after dating Ruby, Thomas seems to be careless with Ruby on campus as if they have no relationship whatsoever. Their friends doubt that they have a special relationship because of Thomas' cold attitude.

"Yes" replied Ruby.

"What's wrong, honey?" Thomas hugs Ruby and kisses her cheek.

"Review this pan is hot," Ruby released Thomas' embrace and then took two plates and a spoon that from the beginning was already in the hut.

"What's wrong?" Thomas held Ruby's hand which would serve her fried rice.

"What's? I'm gonna fry an egg" Ruby let go of Thomas's hand.

After the fried rice is served, Ruby fries the eggs that he has mixed with the vegetables earlier.

Thomas is silent and notices Ruby finishing her work.

"Done, eat it" Ruby handed Thomas a plate of fried rice and eggs.

"What's the matter, baby, tell me" said Thomas.

"Finish your breakfast. I'll wash all this in the river" Ruby got up and cleaned up the tools she used to cook earlier.

"I'll help" Thomas took care of all the cooking utensils.

"Eat dear," Ruby got up and spoke without looking at Thomas.

That morning the river was quite strong. Maybe because last night it was raining that made the river flow heavy. The water is cold but clear. The river is not visited by humans very often. The fish are free to swim in the river, indicating the river is still beautiful and clean.

Ruby began to wash her cooking utensils using coconut coir and without using soap.

Thomas hugged Ruby from behind, sticking her head on Ruby's back.

"Actually I know you don't like the way I treat you" Thomas said.

"What do you mean?" Ruby pretended not to understand.

"Darling, today I don't want any secrets between us" Thomas said.

"I've never kept anything from you" replied Ruby.

"But." Thomas was cut off after Ruby finished her job washing cooking utensils. Ruby got up and went back to the hut to put the cooking utensils away.

Thomas follows Ruby wherever she goes. Ruby took her phone and went back to the hut where they slept.

"Honey," Thomas calls Ruby after he picks up her phone.

Ruby who was lying down answered Thomas.

"Yes dear. Come here" replied Ruby.

Thomas was lying next to Ruby.

"I will speak first" Thomas said.

"Please," Ruby answered and put her phone down.

They look at each other. Ruby's bright and sharp eyes make Thomas feel at home for a long time to look into the eyes of his lover.

"Last night when you were sleeping, I went to the shack outside to check your phone" Thomas said.

"Select my phone? Whatchu mean?" Ruby didn't understand Thomas' intention of checking his phone.

"Yes, maybe you know I've been more protective lately. It's all because I feel like there's something wrong with me" Thomas said.

"I don't think anything's wrong" Ruby said.

"I know you're a woman who wants to be given more affection. In college you tried to show me that but my attitude was too cold. I'm actually not the kind of guy who likes to indulge in relationships" Thomas explains.

"Actually, Thomas, I also don't like to be too fond of relationships. But your attitude toward me when we're in public makes me a little upset because you don't seem to know me. Isn't your attitude outrageous?" Ruby asked Thomas's opinion.

"I am indeed this type of man," Thomas replied briefly.

They argued a little that morning. Thomas is stubborn with his statement that he is a cold type of man, but Ruby still tries to explain what he wants and of course it is all for the good of their relationship.

"I understand you don't like relationship indulgence. I don't mind about that. But you just kept quiet with me when we were in class. You're so cute and don't care about me when you're with friends. I think it's too much" Ruby tried to explain her heart.

"Then what do you want?" Thomas seemed to be starting to get emotional.

"I just want you to talk to me while I'm on campus. Why do we have to talk in secret? Aren't we lovers now?" Ruby spoke slowly.

"I've explained many times that I don't like relationships!" snapped Thomas.

"Why are you angry? Why are you yelling at me? Aren't you the one who asked me not to keep anything a secret? I'm just expressing my heart, is that wrong? I just don't want to hide anything from you. I just want to be open to you, whatever problems we're talking about. Besides I'm not asking you to indulge in relationships, I'm just asking you to talk to me when you're in front of friends. Don't just shut up as if you don't know me. Are you ashamed to date me? Just get here!" while crying Ruby left Thomas with her cell phone.

Thomas was still stunned to hear Ruby's words. He regretted yelling at his lover when Ruby did nothing wrong. This was purely because of Thomas being unable to control his ego. She also realizes that her attitude has been hurting Ruby's feelings, but Ruby tries to be calm. Not only Ruby, his class friends also had time to ask about their relationship with Thomas, whether they were really dating or not.

"Why am I like this? Why am I acting so sad for Ruby?" Thomas was upset with himself.

He pondered and realized his mistake all along, and from all the mistakes he made, Ruby just kept quiet and made things seem like there was never a problem.

Thomas only realized why their friends had to ask about their relationship. Maybe because of Thomas' attitude that never cared about Ruby when in front of the crowd and one more thing that Thomas just knew when reading Ruby's phone last night. Thomas was too considerate when Ruby was angry. He tells his friends when they give Thomas advice to treat Ruby better. But Thomas said that there was no need to worry, just take Ruby for a walk he would not be angry anymore.

Apparently there was one of Ruby's friends who heard the talk of Thomas and his friends, then Ruby confided with his friend.

Thomas feels very guilty, and then he goes after Ruby.

Ruby seemed to be sitting on the edge of the river, crying while splashing water towards the rock.

"Honey," Thomas approached Ruby.

"Leave me alone" replied Ruby.

"Let's talk carefully, '" Thomas tries to persuade Ruby to talk to him.

"Aren't you the one who can't be spoken to?" Ruby spoke while smiling.

Ruby's never been this angry before. Ruby's anger makes Thomas panic.

He tries hard to apologize but Ruby still wants to be left alone there. Thomas relented, because he realized his stubbornness had made Ruby uncomfortable. He left Ruby and sat in the open hut where they had been cooking.

For hours Ruby sat by the river. The weather is cloudy which indicates it will rain again. Ruby walked to where she had been cooking and immediately cooked lunch.

Thomas tries to help Ruby but Ruby tells Thomas to stay away from her.

"Don't approach me first. I want to be alone, let me calm myself down" Ruby said.

It was with a very sad feeling that Thomas walked into the hut. The smell of Ruby's cooking smelled into the hut. Until Thomas finally fell asleep.

The wind blew fiercely in the dark sky because it was cloudy. Next to the table where Thomas slept was seen a plate containing rice and vegetables that Ruby had cooked, but Ruby was not seen. Thomas rushes to finish his meal and returns to where Ruby cooked. There Ruby doesn't exist, not even by the river. Ruby is nowhere to be seen. Thomas begins to get upset to see his girlfriend disappear. He yells at Ruby but Ruby is not there. His phone showed at 4pm, and Ruby was still not seen.

Ting...

Notification sound on Thomas's phone. He immediately checked his phone, apparently the message was from Ruby.

"Just leave me alone, Thomas. I'll be back later" read the message.