Love of the Journalist

Love of the Journalist
31. Give Me a Bell


...31. Give Me a Bell...


Danang


In fact, the revelation of their childhood stories did not change the relationship for the better. Walking as usual as before. Even the girl tends to be awkward when dealing with him.


He sighed.


It's the fifth day since he recounted their childhood. Kirei seemed to avoid it. He wanted to bombard the girl with a lot of questions. But urung done.


Every time they meet and he asks questions even though sometimes pleasantries to melt the atmosphere are only answered as soon as possible, such as;


“Ya,”


“Gak,”


“Maybe,”


Or just, “Hem ...”


Lunch that he always sends is also only replied, “Thanks,” via chat message.


What's more when mama plans to hold their wedding reception, just answered, “Serah, just come ...”


I think the head is about to break. This is not to say that he told the story of their childhood. He even thought he had thought of the right time to tell it. However, all was not as expected.


Was it a misstep?


How does she feel about the girl clapping her hands?


In fact, he was forced to ask Aksa to hear his vent session.


What the hell?


A new Danang Barata this time melancholy. Not me!


According to Aksa, the girl needs time.


“Maybe he's in shock, Mas. Takes time. Let it be like that.”


It's been almost a week. How much longer will it take? Patience is maximal.


“Or just ask for a minute. Express the feelings of Mas Danang. From heart. Pake the words that made him excited maybe,”


Already done, when he sent the lunch box. With notes,


‘Don’t forget to eat (don't forget to eat), I don't want you sick’


‘Have a good day (hopefully have a nice day)’


‘Keep up the good work (remain working spirit)’


‘So glad you’re on my life (thank you, you are in my life)


And many more. But alas, just reply, “Thanks,” in chat message again and again. Proving that he is not interested. Or being angry even though he still appreciates it by saying thank you.


He also tried to steal time so he could meet her longer while in the apartment.


In the morning, he wakes up faster. Always prepare breakfast for them. Expect to eat both at the dining table, while chatting maybe with not much time. But the girl always goes out of the room when time is up. Under the pretext of being late, forced to have breakfast brought provisions.


Or at night. The girl intentionally went home last night. Deadline reasons. Lots of reports and jobs. Because it is now concurrently becoming a news anchor replacing old news anchors who are on maternity leave and giving birth. He arrived at the apartment more often than the girl.


“I cape, Mas. I immediately rest yes,” said Kirei as he deliberately waited for him to come home from work.


Time is not on his side yet.


So too when he came home at night. I want to knock on the door of his room that has changed the dim light. But suddenly his guts shrunk. Not sure where you yawn?


When do they have time together?


He scrunched the base of his nose.


Someone knocked on the door and let him in.


“Sore, Ndan ...” Sapa Banuaji's.


He looked up for a while and then looked back at the computer screen. Forwarding reports that must be sent immediately.


“It looks like less injections,” says Banuaji. But he doesn't ignore.


Banuaji sitting on the sofa. While he was still sitting in his chair. In front of him were some completely untouched files.


“What Mother Danang less provide satisfactory service?” seloroh Banuaji by shaking his legs that overlap each other.


He who sat in the black leather work chair was just clucking. Then switch by flipping through the file as if he were reading it. Just a camouflage.


Banuaji, the 45-year-old man is indeed a little bit aglek. Nyablak. Although he must admit Banuaji more experienced.


“Kalo again marahan, send flowers. Send her favorite food. Love notes ngegombal dikit. Definitely klepek-klepek. Or ...”


Again, he pretended to be busy searching the files. But only looked at.


“What's the problem?” asked Banuaji, it seems like the matter that seized the concentration of his commander was so strange. Evidently these few days the commander is over ‘garang’.


While interrogating several case investigations. He used to hit the table so often. His emotions overflowed as if he became a hungry lion ready to pounce on prey. Even if the rules are legitimate. But beyond the habits of a Danang he knew.


He sighed slowly. It seems like exchanging stories with Banuaji doesn't hurt. It may be more appropriate than Aksa.


“What is the wife of Mr Banuaji angry for days?”


Banuaji chuckles, “A angry wife must have a reason. We have to find out what the cause is first.”


“Then?”


“Call me ‘maaf’. Even though he's wrong. Or ... we are both wrong. Word ‘maaf’ is short solid, but very potent and touching.”


“That's it?” he cringed.


“Yapc. Surely the rumble echoed ...” Banuaji's laughter gushed.


It seems like the idea of Banuaji and Aksa could not hurt to try.


 


***


Kirei


“Standby! Cam roll!” shout campers¹, “start!”


Kirei started reading the news with the opening program on the prompter² screen. Assisted with a prompter.


“Cut!” campers.


This is already retake³ the fourth time. I don't know why his focus was suddenly so big.


“Focus!” exclamation Agung who became campers as well as director on the sidelines break (break). “Although this is tapping⁴, you need to stay focused!” again heals.


He just nodded. Signs understand.


Three hours of tapping he was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.


This is the last time he tapped, because the day after he had left for Cambodia.


When he asked permission to attend training in Cambodia, Aldi as a corlip two weeks ago to ask for a letter of recommendation. Aldi asked her to temporarily replace Dian news anchor program search events.


“During Dian maternity leave ..” he said.


“I know you can. Next to be .. news anchor.”


This was a golden opportunity for him. But he still doubted his own ability.


The time has shown at 20:30 WIB. He walked through the lobby. The office is clearly deserted.


“Monggo, Mrs Rei?” the security guard standing in front of the lobby opened the door for him.


“Still, Sir.” Reply with a smile.


Suddenly he patted his eel, forgetting that he had not booked the ojek online. He found a cell phone in his bag.


However, the careless mobile phone fell free on the floor along with the shiny black shoes that almost stepped on it.


Reach them both bow to reach the phone as soon as possible.


For a second, their eyes collided. When the two look at each other.


“Mas Danang,”


The phone first reached the man.


“Brushed ...” I don't know why it was the word that came out of Danang while showing his phone that had been cracked on his screen.


Both are really awkward. Strange and foreign.


“You want to go home, right?”


He nodded.


“I'm here pick you up.”


They were in their cars like people who didn't know each other. He continued to throw his eyes out the window beside her. While Danang focused on driving though occasionally turned to the girl sitting next to him.


“Where to go, Mas?” ask him when the car is not leading to the road to his apartment.


“You haven't eaten, have you?” the man looked at her.


But he's flinching.


Arriving at a kampung kampung kelau stop.


“We ate here” said the man while removing the seat belt.


He was forced to follow the man as well as remove his seat belt. Follow Danang in the back.


The condition of the restaurant looks quiet because the time is past dinner.


They arrived in a more private room.


Sitting opposite. He could no longer control his faster heartbeat..


This week he was busy. Two-day tapping program, not yet coverage in the field. For the next week he had to leave his job to attend journalism training in Cambodia.


“Please,” said the restaurant waiter dressed in batik with the name of the resto offers a menu list on them.


“What do you want to eat?” ask Danang.


It flips through the menu list, “Bandeng kropok, you oyster sauces. Drink lemon tea.”


“I, almond fried fish fillet, drink it lychee tea.” Danang.


“There's more, Sir?”


“No.”


“Good. Please wait, yes, Mr.” The waiter leaves them.


“You've been really busy this week.” Whether it was a question or a statement coming out of the man.


But he didn't answer. His hands were clinging to each other on the table. Do you doubt if he should say it tonight?


“Mas, i. I'm the day after I leave for Cambodia.” He said while looking at the man even though he himself was not sure whether the man who had the status of her husband would allow it or not.


Both Danang's eyebrows are wrinkled.


“Where to?” ask the man to make sure his hearing is not wrong.


“I have training in Cambodia for five days. And the day after I leave,”.


Danang clucked, “Why do you know now?” he breathed rough. Sounds like anger. Disappointed or disappointed maybe.


“I like—“ Danang sentence is truncated when the resto waiter brings their order.


“Please ...” Said the waiter when the food was on the table.


“Still, Mbak.” He said softly by publishing a smile.


Without speaking, the two ate in silence. Even Danang like eating in a hurry. He felt an uncomfortable atmosphere. Tight chest. The feeling is not good. Between feeling guilty for suddenly telling. Also during this week he was deliberately indifferent to the man.


He just wanted to be sure about his feelings. Also ascertain the man's feelings for her.


Their sudden marriage clearly left her in shock. He can't accept yet. But as time goes by. The man made her comfortable. Protect him with all his attention.


Moreover, the man was a good brother who had been present in his childhood as his helper. Does he still doubt it?


“We're home!” yelling Danang who has risen from her seat.


He choked. It was clear he had not finished eating. Because his mind was out of nowhere.


“From you just look at your plate. We better go home.” And attacked while leaving him.


Whats!


Did he not hear wrong?


No one starts talking all the way.


Even when getting off the car to arrive at the unit. Even Danang arrived at his unit first. Impressed to walk in a hurry not to be with him. Until he had to accelerate step by step to erode the distance between the two.


Tonight for him is the height of their relationship tension.


This week he could not sleep well. Must be cracked many times while tapping, because of something that he also does not understand what. Aldi also protested because he got a report from the campers. Obviously his presence on the news anchor scene is new on the recommendation of his superiors that. The name Aldi is also at stake.


He's out of the room. He needed something that refreshed his mind. Making a capuccino possible. Or a warm chocolate.


Just out of his eye room caught Danang watching a football match on television.


Sighs and then steps into the kitchen. It seems like warm chocolate is more appropriate.


For some reason, his legs walked up to the sofa and sat down next to the man. Although their distance cannot be said to be close as well. Both of his hands were clutching a mug filled with hot chocolate drinks.


“Mas Danang, want?” hail it to that man. Even Danang did not turn her head in the slightest, despite answering her question.


“No. Thanks.”


He's restless. I want to end this tension. But where did it start?


“Kalo mas Danang did not ngizinin I left for Cambodia. I'm not going.”


Huh! Why exactly the sentence that should not be said, even out just like that. He wanted to make himself.


Danang looked at him.


“Are you sure?” come up with that guy.


He nodded. Even though his heart was opposite. But, demi ....


The man grabbed the remote next to him and lowered the volume of the television. He patted the sofa next to him, “Sini,” he said.


Doubtful. Surely yes.


He put a mug of warm chocolate on the table. Shifted closer to him.


His two hands were tied to each other on his lap.


“Actually I heavily let you go. But for your passion. I have to be sincere.”


“Give me a bell (phone me). Wherever there is time.”


“My bad ...”


He smiled while nodding.


Without command, Danang grabbed him. Pecking the top of his head.


“Can I ask you something before you go?”


-


-


Note :


Campers¹: camera person or cameraman who usually doubles as director or director.


Prompter²: a tool to facilitate the presenter or news anchor in reading the news. Usually accompanied by remote control.


Retake³ : scene or picture re-take


Tapping⁴: production process of non live television programs or not broadcast live.


 


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