Marriage Proposal: Ben & Bima
7 - Go 2

(Five)

I came to my office which is only 2 floors in Kuningan area. It was crowded, because I came at 11 p.m. I put some snacks I bought in Thailand on an empty middle table devoted to stacking some items or packages that come for staff here, he said, or some items that can be placed on the table where the staff in this office can take it themselves without asking each other.

“Wah, who just joined the training in Bangkok.” Darla chirps one of Riko's staff. He came up to me and grabbed the chocolate on the table.

“Training what?” ask a famous novelist. He just came. Mas Adera, I worked with him. Writing a novel for him.

“Journalism.” I replied briefly.

“Kok far away in Bangkok?” ask Mas Adera again. He's the one who's always curious about other people to wonder something. He said it was part of his research for the purposes of his novel material.

I told her how I got the internship program for free. But I didn't tell her the part I resigned to her. Riko who was not far from us chatting was seen glancing and smiling. He must have known from Tasya.

“Udah anyone you wrote?” ask Riko. He's approaching on my desk. I showed him all the drafts folder without saying anything. “What do you write this for?” Riko frowned. “Lo want to lift a story like what?”

I put a hard look on him.

“Elo want me like how to let your imagination appear?” Riko's leaving her waist.

“Gue can't. I've never been in love?” I melengos. Put my head on the table.

“At least you can see-wild references from novels that you write or watch romantic movies right?”

“I've done. I watched a romantic movie last night. I don't know where?” is good I shrugged my shoulders.

Riko knows. I've never been in love. I met Riko and Tasya when I moved schools. SMP class 3. Until now he knew I had never been together. My life may be too serious. There were some men who approached me and somehow I never liked them.

“Can I have sexual abnormalities? Same-sex enthusiasts?” I asked her seriously. Riko patted my forehead then left me alone at the table.

I took another long breath. Maybe I should go see Tasya. Chatted with. I saw my watch, another hour almost lunchtime. I hurried off and enjoyed my trip. Arriving at the college, I met Tasya in line at the cafeteria with her classmates.

“Gue thinks elo is still in Bangkok.” chirps Rania one of Tasya's short-haired friends. Too much piercing in his ears. I just smiled at him. Sipping iced tea. Next to us was a group of girls whose faces looked full of resentment and hatred.

“They are an anti Prof Ben.” group Rania said.

One of Tasya's slightly fat friends nodded. He focused on his food but his ears heard. Name's Karin.

“Gue taste many like the same Prof Ben?” Tasya frowned.

“Iya very much who likes the same good looks of Prof Ben who cool-cool it.” said Karin while chewing. While I put on a lazy face when Karin called Prof Ben a handsome man. You don't know, she sucks. I think Karin likes Prof Ben. Rania too. He was seen smiling happily when Prof Ben's name was called.

“They are former assistant lecturer Prof Ben who only lasted three days, two days, sometimes one week at most.” explained Rania.

“Oh yes I heard it. Last semester we were taught with Prof Ben and he had changed several times for assistant lecturer. He needs a teaching assistant anyway. He is busy when he comes to Indonesia. Plus he never memorized the names of students.” Tasya also explained.

I don't feel at home with him and only last a few days. Obviously, other people are just as uncomfortable. And he also casually called my name with a strange name.

“But this semester is safe. He did not teach that semester even like this.” said Rania added.

After lunch, I decided to take Tasya's class. The graduate regular classes taken by Tasya are the same as our undergraduate regular classes were. Because Tasya had stopped working and focused on his S2 lecture. Today do not know why, the class looks crowded and the classroom was moved to a special seminar hall.

“Oh said there is a joint joiner of students S1 and S2 regular.” explained Tasya.

“Ohhh...” I nodded. I was busy opening my laptop and putting earphones in my ears. Let's hope the classroom atmosphere becomes my mood booster to build my imagination.

When I focused on my laptop, Tasya pinched my hand tight.

“AWWW” I scream. “What the hell?” I took off my earphones. Staring resentfully at Tasya.

“Bim, Prof Ben...” Tasya pointed towards Prof Ben briefly.

I look ahead. I'm speechless. Why is this guy in class? Didn't he teach this semester?

“So? Who just shouted I chose to be my teaching assistant.” Prof Ben folded his hands together in the chest. The whole class is silent. Staring at me.

“Sorry..” Instantly, Tasya shut me up.

“What's up? Objection?” Prof Ben who had turned to open his teaching materials on the laptop looked at me and Tasya.

“Oh no, Prof. My friend is very appreciative. Thank you, Prof.”

Tasya still kept my mouth shut. Silencing me. Holding me to talk. I'll calculate this time with Tasya.

“Ke my room later after the lecture is finished.”

“Good, Prof.” replied Tasya.

I decided not to extend the matter with Tasya in the classroom. During the material given by Prof Ben and the discussion with him in class, I felt my ears were very hot. I decided to go back to my laptop and put the earphones on. I almost typed about two pages of story on my laptop and shook my head slightly as it followed the rhythm of the song.

Someone stood in front of me and pulled out one of my earphones. Follow listen. George Michael's song came out of my earphones.

“It turns out your taste is old skul once.” said Prof Ben who lowered his head towards me. Our faces are too close. I was shocked and almost wanted to jump. “I see you too engrossed in this song than listen to my explanation.”

“Sorry, Prof.”

“What are you typing? Song lyrics?” He looked at my laptop and immediately I closed my laptop.

“My work.”

The class was completely silent. There were probably over 100 students present in the course. He also saw his watch.

“Class ends. See you next week.” he said. Then he walked down the stairs. Because the seminar-specific classroom hall is round and each row of tables is on the stairs.

“Hey, hey elo! Quickly put Prof Ben's stuff on the table. Then deliver to his room.” A female college student shouted at me when Prof Ben came out without even carrying a single piece of hers.

“Ha? I??”

“Yaiyalah kan elo his assistant.”

“But I haven't responded yet!” I'm shouting.

“Elo also I've been telling you elo pas Prof Ben entered class.”

“Yes where I'm hearing, I'm using earphones.”

Tasya shook his head.

“Cepet finished his things. Your goods let me settle.” Tasya's orders. He pushed me to stand up quickly.

I compiled two books, one laptop, his cell phone... huh.... even the phone left???? Is she crazy??? I walked quickly into the room, wait I don't even know where the room is. I stopped in the hallway and finally asked one of the students who happened to pass in front of me.

“Sori where is Prof Ben?” my many.

I saw a sliding door taped to the Thai script when I reached the third floor. I don't know what it means, which I'm sure this must be Prof Ben's room. When I shifted the door, there was a living room that was not so spacious and some typical Thai ornaments were plastered in front of me. After that there is another door in the middle, still a sliding door. I opened it and. There are probably 3 tables in this room, 2 empty tables and one table is Prof Ben's desk.

“Excuse me, Prof.” sapaku.

Prof Ben looked at his computer seriously. When I greeted him, he saw me right away. His face is so scary. He looks so vengeful to me.

“This Prof, put where?” I showed her all the things I still held. I put the phone close to him.

“In situ.” he pointed to the table in front of his computer. I put the stuff down.

“Prof, sorry. It seems that Prof misunderstood. I am not in any class. I am an alumnus and indeed a graduate of this campus but making me an assistant lecturer is not balanced with..”.

“Why are you in my class?”

“I didn't know it was Prof.”'s class

If I knew it was her class, I wouldn't want to go in.

“What foreigner can get into another student's class at will like that?”

I'm not picking. Should I explain why I went to Tasya and entered Tasya's class?

“So?” Prof Ben is waiting for my answer. “If you do not answer, please fill your biodata here. This form later I will give to the dean then.”.

“Waiting Prof. It is better not to be given to the Dean.” suggested.

“Why?” Prof Ben frowned. He took out a form from his drawer and gave it to me.

“I just fill in, Prof the form. But don't go to the Dean. How long have I been an assistant for Prof?” my many.

“Two weeks.” said. Prof Ben also took out a chocolate map and gave it to me. When I received it and opened it I was very surprised, it turned out that the map contained details of a one-man trip to Thailand yesterday. “Total about nearly six million.”

“I do plan to refund the cost, Prof. But I... did not expect it would be this big.” My leg's limp. It's a lot.

“Cost of arrival plane, transportation cost, meal, dorm, and cost I became your mentor.”

I finally sat in the chair in front of Prof. My legs can no longer support my body.

“I'll pay, Prof. May I request a number..”

“Fill that form. Your salary as an assistant lecturer for two weeks five hundred thousand. This means it has been paid and there are still five million five hundred.” remaining

I'm nodding.

“Don't be happy first. I am a perfectionist. If I am not satisfied with your work, I will be able to disqualify you.”

Duh, please deh. I'll pay the rest with my savings.

“Then, I need a personal assistant. Off campus. His salary per week is about one million.”

I don't care about your money.

“Can I think about it, Prof? About that personal assistant?”

“Now.” the answer is short. “What if I am not satisfied with your performance? And you will have to pay the losses I have incurred to accept such an irresponsible candidate as you would in my program. If not.. maybe I will report to the police.”

I swallowed my saliva. Damn this Professor. Why is he a professor anyway??!!

I stared at the form and the brown map on my lap. If I pay, my savings will run out. I don't get a salary every month because I'm always paid per project. That's why I can go in and out of the office. I am a writer not an employee. I haven't paid my rent, paid for all my needs, sent any extra money to Papi. Well, even if Papi doesn't want to accept it and always keeps my hard-earned money.

“Good, Prof.” I finally accepted it. I picked up the pen that was in the pen place in front of him and started writing the form he gave me. My eyes were a little teary when I wrote the form. Don't know why, my life feels like hell from now on. Finished writing my entire bio, Prof Ben gave me his phone. He told me to keep my phone number to him. I type my name “Bima” there.

“How about my task?”

“Tomorrow to come here early in the morning. I will explain your duties anything.” he said ketus. Without expression, he threw away his face.

“Good Prof. See you tomorrow.” I said politely. I twisted my body, leaving her alone in her room. When I opened the sliding door, my tears had already fallen. I quickly wiped it.

(Ben)

I smiled in my heart. Am I cruel to treat Yayai like this? I saw him shed tears as he closed the door. She wiped away her tears that fell to her cheeks. What matters is that I got it. I locked him up so he was responsible for what he did.

My daydreams were spoiled when I read Yayai's biodata. Cellphone's ringing.

“BEN! Why are you in Indonesia?!”

I kept my phone away from my ear. His voice was so blaring.

“Mee, don't scream like that.”

“You ran away to Thailand alone Mee was quite worried and only came to Indonesia to teach in certain months. Now you come in a month that you do not usually come to Indonesia! Without telling Mee!!!” his yell.

“Backed, Mee.”

“What's the problem?”

“Nothing. Just want to grow your business.”

“Ohhhh, so you settled here?”

“Looks...” replied I doubt it. If my plan works.

“What's up? You have to tell Mee.” A happy tone sounded from Mee.

“What should I tell you?”

I continued my conversation with Mee until I went downstairs. I accidentally met Yayai with her friend. I just went through it. Not indifferent. His friend brusahanya greeted me while Yayai did not. I saw her red eyes.

“Mee, it's been. I want to go home.”

“What's wrong?”

“General link.”

“What's your money running out to finance people?”

“Mee, stop. We'll meet later.”

***