Marriage Proposal: Ben & Bima
22 - Fans Meeting Disaster
(Five)
When I came to the office, in front of the building there was already a banner of the front cover of my novel, including the name of my pen. Complicated but I think it's beautiful. It was one o'clock in the afternoon, only I came too early. I brought a rather large bag filled with my clothes for fans meeting later. I saw Levi was already in his room. Serious look at the computer screen. I wondered, after she read my novel, was she fully aware that the story I was writing was about Prof Ben?
“Bim, elo know what fan meeting lo concept?” Tasya suddenly came and put her bag on my desk. Tasya got into the company as an apprentice post-graduate student. I don't know what his purpose is why he has to intern at this company and become my writer assistant. He took care of the concept of my meeting, who took care of any questions worth answering, and my personal.
“What?” I really don't know. Nope. I forget.
“BIMAAA!!!” Tasya pulled my hair.
“Shoulder. What the hell!” I grimaced.
Tasya explained the theme of my fan meeting. Because I was curious, I went downstairs where there was a room big enough to do a fan meeting there. My eyes suddenly hurt, all pink.
“Tas, what is this? Why all pink?” I looked back in disbelief at Tasya.
“Because of first love, so there must be a romantic element.”
I melengos.
Finally, one o'clock in the afternoon arrived. I wear ordinary clothes that I think are good to wear to meet people. Tasya makes me more beautiful. I preen, but not too much with what Tasya does. I know, my legs were limp as I sat and faced the crowd that was already sitting neatly in front of me. I squeezed my own hand. Both my palms are cold. If I'm faced with this many people, then I don't want to hold a fan meeting. I should be happy and grateful, a lot of readers like my story.
Prof Ben 13.10 WIB
Can't you smile a little?
I read the short message that appeared on my phone screen. Then out of curiosity I read it and looked there. Why did Prof Ben find out I was here and having a fan meeting.
Just this morning, I had to lock my room and leave without making breakfast for her. Because I didn't find Prof Ben, so I ignored his short message.
“This novel I made because I was difficult to fall in love.” My book starts the story in front of everyone. “There are a lot of drafts that I put together for a romantic novel. Hmm.. Finally, I met this guy and I fell in love. That'sthat's all. The rest is fiction.” I glanced at Tasya who was in front of me, standing on my right side.
“Which part is fiction, Ms Lalietha?” A fashionable hijab-wearing woman asked me. It's like I've seen it.
“Hmmm, part of his romantic scenes.” I replied.
“So which one is real?” ask the woman whose hair is tied to a horse.
I'm silent for a moment. Glancing Tasya. He gave me a cue. I wish I had the ability to speak and read people's minds.
“You are very curious, right? Prof Kai is in real life. Oh yes, maybe in the next chapter maybe I will talk to my team to create a cartoon visual for Prof Kai.”
I smiled, diverting the conversation. Tasya looks to nod. Agree to my answer.
“Mbak, I know how. Is that Prof Ben? That prof from Bangkok.”.
My heart looks like something's raining down from behind. Suddenly stopped. The hijab woman was beating.
I shouldn't have to say that this is a true story. And I should be aware that the people reading my novels are the people, one of whom is a student who was taught by Prof Ben. I'm sure this hijab-wearing woman is in my fan community and spreading the word about me. Then all my readers speculated for themselves and searched Prof Ben's name on the search engine.
My history.
What if he was Prof Ben. I was silent in front. My feet started to shake.
“Bim, tell dong that it's not Prof Ben.” he whispered. “And we've been training.”
“But this is my love story, and this is my real life. This is...” I replied while whispering as well. Panicked.
Everyone who came was so noisy. The whole room is not conducive.
“That's Prof Ben I mean. But the rest of the events in the novel are fiction.” I smile. Trying to calm down.
All the women present in this room chattered happily and happily. I don't know what that means. Maybe Prof Ben's shadow is the perfect guy. Indeed indeed. Then next I still answered some questions and did a signing on a postcard.
After the event, all my teams fell silent. Don't know what to talk to me about. Tasya remained silent. Did I violate company rules? Seems like. I stayed in the toilet. Riko called a lot. Then Tasya. Then. unknown number. Then. Prof Ben. Just one time.
Completely exhausted my history.
(Riko POV)
I'm entering the new Director's room, Mr. Levi's. I've never spoken to him before, even face to face. So I don't really know what his character is like. Will it be as relaxing as Mr. Andri or how.
“Ya, Mr.?” I'm in front of Mr. Levi's calling someone. Mr. Levi put the phone down. She's staring. I can't really guess the expression on his face.
“Tell how Bima.” acknowledges
I carefully recounted the incident during the fan meeting. Till end.
“It's actually out of my control, Mr. I've set out the questions that are likely to come out and the answers to Bima, but..”.
“You know how much relationship Bima has with the owner of this company?” Mr's Voice. Levi. I seriously doubt answering it. Very know. “Do you know at first, the novel Bima made is a real story?”
“Know, Mr.”
“Know that the main character there is the owner of this company?”
I shook my head quickly.
“Bima know?”
“No, Mr.” I'm still shaking.
“You sure?”
I'm nodding. I'm absolutely sure. Bima never told me what Prof Ben's job was, other than a lecturer and director at a TV station in Bangkok.
“You know what an Indonesian is? The level of curiosity is high. Things like this have gone viral everywhere.”
Ja. My phone did not stop ringing. Until I do silent mode. Maybe I have a lot of short messages.
“Call Bima. Tell facing me.” order Mr. Levi kicked me out.
Well, this Bima where the hell is going!!!!
I opened my phone and got a short message from Bima.
Bima Reliable Writer 16.45 WIB
Ko, am I in trouble?
What a big problem!!! Cepet here you called Mr. The levi!
A few minutes later, I saw Bima walking straight into Mr.'s room. Levi's. Everyone on the 3rd floor looked at him. I don't know what people think of Bima.
Cheap lady?
Easy lady?
A shameless woman who lives alone with Prof Ben?
Pay woman?
And some other mentions also appear on social media.
(Five)
In the room, in,
“Bim, you know what you are doing?”
I'm nodding. My head's bowed.
“Know the consequences?”
I nodded again.
“Bima? I asked as a friend. Not as a superior.”
“But Levi, there's the same story. Someone thinks it's Prof Ben. If I lie, it will be messed up again with the reputation of my novel.”
“But you don't think about your reputation and that of Ben.”
Aye right. Prof Ben's name has been tarnished because of me.
“You read what netizen comments on social media?”
I'm nodding.
“That's the consequence. Ben is in a safe position. Even though he eventually became famous because of you.”
I bit my lips. Strenuous.
“Now your choice. You want to continue your story in real or with fictitious.”
I'm silent. Staring at Levi. If I continue without my real life, I also have no romantic imagination.
“Go home. I hope not to look at social media in the next few days.”
“Still, Levi.” I turned my body and left the room.
Today was a hard day.
I sat on the MRT contemplating my fate. My phone elicited a short message from Tasya. I just saw it from the front screen without opening it.
Tasya 17.34 WIB
The first novel of the sequence
I let out a breath. Not knowing whether to be happy or sad. Time to get to my destination station. I sat there for a long time. Then I climbed the stairs slowly. I got home almost eight nights. Prof Ben's car and other cars are parked in front of the house. Looks like Prof Ben's coming in. I was stuck in the middle of the yard and just wanted to run.
(Ben)
Eyang and Mee sat on the sofa leisurely. I actually want to go again. Suddenly they came. Both. Looks getting along. Though Mee was a bit lazy to communicate with Eyang, because his son had dumped him. Today is a very rare sight. They both came. Mee always comes alone.
“Where is Bima?” ask Eyang. “Jam so far haven't come home?”
“I see on social media why so excited. What's wrong with you guys?”
Mee gives her phone to both Eyang and Eyang read it seriously while squinting her eyes behind her glasses.
Why is Mee so familiar with Eyang? Give her her phone, Eyang? What's the matter?
“What the hell is this?” ask Eyang not understand. “Bima this why? You why?”
Mee looks gawky. It was as if, in vain his efforts were showing something to this old man.
Mee finally explained. I added about today's incident.
“Levi set it.”
Mee. Eyang.
“Ben, are you serious? You are evil once.” said Mee.
“You don't think about his feelings? What if he's down? A suicide? Or do negative things?” This time, I seem to disagree.
“Let her get closer to me.” I said casually.
“That disagrees.” The tone is so hard. Mee also nodded.
“Ben, Bima is not doing anything with you.” Mee sounded admonished.
“Yaaah already..” I said casually. Shrugging my shoulders.
Then there was a voice saying hello and entered the house. His face looks lethargic. Actually, so is his voice.
“Wah, is there Eyang and Aunty?” Yayai rushed in and greeted Eyang and Mee.
“How are you doing?” ask Eyang.
“Good news.” Yayai's smile. “Udah from what time is here? Would you like dinner here?”
Yayai looked towards me. Gave me a code.
“Please order food. Tell me not to use flavoring.” tell me to Yayai.
Eyang and Mee look at each other. As if not believing to see Yayai who is still cheerful. Yayai ran towards the refrigerator. There were many food brochures attached to the refrigerator door and he called one of the restaurants he chose.
***