Just A Professional Relationship
Episode Thirteen
Every day, Nadin can only lay down on a mattress. His body was limp, but strangely not hungry at all. He only provides a drinking bottle on the edge of the mattress.
It could be that Nadin did not eat at all a full day. But Tyo relentlessly texted her, reminding her to eat—it's like a chatty mother. Therefore, Nadin finally forced himself to devour a piece of bread that was there.
At night, Nadin could not sleep at all. He deliberately turned on the television so that the atmosphere of the apartment was not too quiet. Actually he hates to be alone in such circumstances, but, on the one hand he is not wanting to meet anyone.
At about eight o'clock, Juna tried to call again. Nadin deactivated his phone.
Seeing his name alone immediately made Nadin's heart hurt again. Especially if you have to hear the voice and see the face of the person directly.
Nadin threw himself on the couch. Staring at the television screen with a show that did not interest him at all. Two talk show hosts seemed to talk with his voice. But all that makes Nadin actually upset. ‘Why can everyone still be that happy? Why should I feel this kind of sadness?’ thought.
“Eh, by the way yes. You know what's going on in a minute?”
“What's the matter?”
“Seriously don't know?”
“What the hell, so curious.”
“Wah... gini here if single. Until you don't want to wait again valentine's day.”
“Oh, jeez!” The man in the show slapped his forehead. “Means, there will be many special dong later?”
“Udah for sure dong! One of them must all know. There will be special shows from artists who are also special we prepare for viewers all.”
“Wah... I can't wait. Who will be there later?”
“There is FalenEsa couple, Abraham and Jacque, and of course.... You can guess who?”.
“Nadin..”.
Hearing his name called, Nadin's hand spontaneously turned off the television. He became increasingly uncomfortable because he remembered that there were many agendas that he would do with Juna on Valentine's Day. In fact they were involved in a contract for a tv show, for several tens of episodes.
Nadin closed his eyes, holding his arm tightly. Tears began to flow again until he was unconscious asleep.
***
“Nadin, are you feeling better?”
“Slightly, Bang.”
“Udah eat, right?”
“Slight..”.
“Aduh, don't do it, Din. Continue taking medicine and vitamins.”
“Iya, Bang.”
“Oiya, sorry about this. But your schedule problem. I've been trying to vacate the next week, but there's still nothing that can't be rescheduled. The day after filming for a talk show on tv, remember? Did I ask for a cancel?”
Nadin felt he was definitely not okay for the next two days. But, he himself felt bad to make Tyo overwhelmed by it. If the relationship with the tv show contract, Athena would have to lose because she had to pay a fine if she canceled the event suddenly. And Tyo will definitely be taken all out by his superiors.
“No need, Bang. I should have been better by the day after tomorrow.”
“Sorry yes, Din. Just one hour, you can rest again.”
“Iya, Bang.”
Nadin went back to daydreaming after the call ended. Since yesterday, the work has always been the same. Walk to one place, then contemplate, move to another, then daydream. Keep it that way until you sleep at night, and wake up in the morning.
Nadin took a long breath. Step back towards the sink to wash your face.
Juna knocked a few times. “Nadin..” call it soft. Then speechless. Waiting for answers he never heard. “I know you must be angry. But I want to talk..”.
Nadin was still not strong to move from where he was. But Juna's voice was painful for him to hear.
Juna was still waiting. I wish Nadin would open the door and at least look him in the face. But, that never happened.
“I'll go. Here, I bring you porridge. Don't let you not eat ya.”
The sound of Juna's steps was heard getting farther away, until it disappeared completely. Nadin felt very strange. There was a desire to get out and run after Juna. But, there was an urge that forced him to go away from the man.
Even so, Nadin knew the time would come. When he inevitably had to deal with the person he wanted to avoid it. And that time, came two days later. It was too short for him to prepare. But, the demands of the job make it have to remain professional undergoing all.
“Nadin!!” Tyo welcomed Nadin who walked towards him while smiling—agak forced. His face looked very worried. Not as a manager who is afraid of losing a job, but as an older brother who worries about his younger brother.
“You've been listening?” ask Tyo again. While sticking the back of the hand on the forehead Nadin— which is actually not feverish.
“Iya, already, really. I think it's in the wind.”
“Thankful..Put us into the make up room. Juna has arrived.”
Just now Nadin managed to convince himself that everything would be fine. But as soon as he heard the name Juna, his guts instantly shrank. He wanted to get away from there.
Nadin followed Tyo. Walk slowly as they entered a room filled with staff. On one of his benches, Juna sat quietly. The man turned his head when he noticed Nadin's presence.
“Morning, Babe...” greet Juna while smiling—as if nothing ever happened.
Nadin still can't act normally. He just smiled, while trying not to meet the eyes of Juna— and trying not to let anyone realize it.
“Wah... Finally I have also delivered you guys,” said one of the make up staff.
“It's great to see you two. I also want to have a couple like Juna. Bull, pinter, good, and
definitely loyal, dong..”
Nadin was silent. Juna responded with a smile and tried to be friendly with the staff. “You are too much. I have absolutely nothing good,” he said.
“Ah, likes to go low, deh. Nadin was lucky to meet a guy like Juna.”
“Not. But I'm the lucky one to be Nadin.”'s man of choice
“Uhhh, so sweet,” exclamation the staff almost simultaneously.
Today's show is only an hour. But just arrived at the location for a few minutes has managed to make Nadin want to go home. Especially with the staff who kept teasing him. He couldn't joke at all.
But he was quite surprised, how Juna could act so well. Or did he not care what happened? Her thought.
Since coming out of the dressing room, until arriving at the backstage, Nadin continued to silence. Juna still did not dare to invite Nadin chat—because it continues to be shunned. “You sure you still want to do this? If you want, I can find an excuse so you don't need to perform,” said Juna.
“No need,” replied Nadin firmly. He glanced towards Juna with a flat expression, and his eyes were drawn sharply. “Not only you can act well like that.”
When the presenter mentioned the names of Nadin and Juna, the two came out of backstage— hand in hand. Smiling at the audience in the studio, as if they had returned to being their usual selves.
Until the middle of the show, Nadin felt everything would be fine. He had no trouble pretending to be happy and laughing with the others. He even talked to Juna as usual. Saying affectionate words, as if their relationship always went smoothly without hindrance.
However, no matter how good Nadin acted, his heart still could not be lied to. He was already at a point, where he already could not control himself.
“You've wanted five years, but you really never feel bored, and have thoughts to break up?” ask the female presenter. The audience was boisterous too.
Nadin knew the man was only working according to orders, and not really serious about his question. Nadin was still smiling and laughing, but moments later his tears suddenly flowed. Crossing her thin lips that were still trying to smile, yet slowly began to tremble.