Marriage Proposal: Ben & Bima
8 - First Day Drama

(Five)

My alarm goes off loud. I forgot to set the alarm an hour early. I was very late for college. I immediately picked up the towel I was drying in the back, then rushed into the bathroom. Something is strange. The bathroom is wet. I also saw an expensive toothbrush there. I don't think shit. Ah, maybe it's the owner of this toothbrush who lives in the next room. This house is in a government complex, but because maybe the owner moved to Bandung and finally renovated this house beautifully, and rented 3 rooms. I occupy the main room. The pay is a bit expensive. The other two rooms this time, I never met the person. Previously Riko and Tasya rented the remaining two rooms. Because Tasya finally decided to stay with her mother, and Riko was a distance to the office so I stayed here. I like this house. The backyard looks hot in the morning because it faces east and shady if it is daytime.

I rushed and walked about 700 meters to get a public transport to get to the campus. All I have in mind is that I will definitely be scolded by Prof Ben. When I got to college, I ran up the stairs. No time to wait for the old elevator just to climb the third floor. As expected, Prof Ben was sitting at his desk. When I shifted the second door that was connected to her room, she saw me then looked towards her watch.

“Telat one hour. Fortunately I have a class ten o'clock later.”

“Again, Prof. Excuse me. I forgot to set my alarm.”

“Reason?” he asked while tilting his head at me. More precisely sneering.

I ignored his scorn. Sit in front of him and pull out a notebook.

“May I know my duty anything?”

Prof Ben fixed his chair. He held his wallet and pulled out a card.

“I'm kind of sleepy. Please buy me a coffee. Americano cold. Without syrup. Just get me my three-pieces brown sugar that pours itself.”

I'm dumbfounded. I have to get out of the campus again? Oh my...

What a shitty first day.

“Remememembered. As a personal assistant. What I like.”

“Good Prof.” I took his credit card.

“Buy also for you.”

I don't like coffee, I replied in my heart. I waited for the campus bus to pass. Probably about 15 minutes. Then after leaving the campus area, I rushed to stop public transportation passing by. Fortunately, the coffee shop is not far from here. Quickly I returned with the same route and gave Prof Ben the coffee in question. He poured one and a half brown sugar sachets into his coffee and looked at me.

He began to explain my duties during his time as a lecturer assistant and then a personal assistant. Initially the task of the assistant lecturer was rather heavy, I had to communicate with the entire class chairman of various forces, both the S1 and S2. Communicate with them in various courses. I wonder why Prof taught this semester? Didn't people say he only came in the odd semester months?

“This is no material, I want you to make the presentation.”

He gave me a journal I had to read and it seemed like I had to briefly make a slide presentation.

“When, Prof want to use?”

“Let's second hour.”

Okay.

“Prof, do I always log in in every class Prof?”

“If you have no job, can enter in my class.”

I hope I always have a job. I better wait for him here.

I just nodded.

“For personal assistant tasks. Simplest. I'm doing something for my business. So I need, something clean in my house. It means set up anything in my home.”

This is not a personal assistant. But the Household Assistant. Worth a week's salary of a million!

He left me alone in his room. I spent almost an hour working on his job. Suddenly some students came into his room and had a discussion. They used both computers in the room. I was sitting at the desk of Prof. Don't move to an empty table that turns your back on Prof.

“Elo Bima huh? The alumni who escaped?” chirps the handsome male student, looking neat.

“Iya.”

“We are the committee that takes care of your departure when interning.” he continued.

“And I think that elo chat about refunds. I told the prof. Did Prof give you the bill?” connect the female student whose appearance is very sloppy.

“Iya udah.” answered me.

“Lo charged how much?” ask the man.

“Enam million.” brief.

They both stumble. Aye right? Nominal six million is not comparable if someone comes to Thailand itself. I didn't even sit in business class on the plane. I ate at the dorm cafeteria, I was picked up by the bus. Meanwhile, the dorm distance with the office was quite close.

They just smile bitterly.

“So today is your first day as a lecturer assistant? Why do you want?” They did not respond to my nominal bill. I really want to talk about it.

“Iya. Hmm. I feel guilty as Prof. It’s Ok.” I replied accordingly. Reason that makes sense. Not because of the coercion and payment to pay off my bills with Prof.

“Do you know the consequences of being his assistant?”

I'm nodding.

“Gue has heard all the gossip about him.”

“Eh it's not gossip times. That's a real story.”

“So, the spirit yes! Hope you hold out until the end.” This woman excited me with her dazzling smile. I'm sure, Prof liked it because of the hospitality.

“Yes, even though he likes to call us by nicknames or luckier still he doesn't remember our names. Than we are called by the same nickname he.” added the handsome man and his makeup is rather feminine-looking.

I am now the one who smiles bitterly. They seem to know the meaning of my smile.

“What??? May elo be called by the same nickname Prof?” yell this woman.

I could hear the door of the room shift.

“It's done, Yayai?” ask Prof Ben who came up from behind the door. Face flat. Cold as usual. These two students were immediately stunned and silent.

“A little more.” replied me.

“Prof sorry. All practice schedules are registered. Maybe tomorrow we can walk what time?” ask the woman.

“Yayai, these are those who take care of exchange programs and some practices. So you will coordinate with them.”

(Ben)

I sit in my chair. The atmosphere of the room was very quiet. Several times my phone vibrated in class, even now.

“Prof, has the phone not been picked up?”

It seems Yayai is a bit distracted. I finally changed the silent mode on my phone. Throwing my phone and putting it in the drawer.

I did the other work quietly afterwards.

“Prof, I just sent email.”

I opened my email and read it. I'm a little bit unhappy with the presentation made by Yayai.

“Do you read the journal?”

“Read Prof.”

“This is your name move the writing in the journal and then presented.”

Yayai stood up and approached me. He read his journal back.

“Pull your seat here.” I gave the order for him to pull out his seat near me.

He was busy pulling up his chair to sit near me.

“So her journal is about what?” my many.

“Hmmm... marketing communication strategy between mass media and products.”.

“Well, here are some early paragraphs. At least you can start like this..” I changed the first slide for him. To be shorter. Put some pictures to make it more interesting and create an effect. He's kind of stupefied. “You don't know how to make a presentation?”

“Can Prof. I may not be creative, Prof.”

Slide by slide I changed. He looked seriously and asked a lot. Not asking how to add effects, instead asking about the contents of the journal that I will present this afternoon.

“Whose profile is Chai Prasert Nopadon Ratanarak?” suddenly tanyanya. “The writing is very solutif.”

“I.” I replied briefly. Nonchalantly. Focus on the slide presentation.

“Chai Prasert Nopadon Ratanarak??!” He repeated my name. Read it from a journal. “Name Prof?” He held my free hand not holding the mouse.

“Why indeed?” I saw his face. He was still stunned then smiled and ended up laughing out loud while covering his mouth. I saw him too, he shed tears. It seems she is easy to shed tears. Yesterday we cried and now laugh.

“Sorry Prof. The name is too long and a bit funny.”

“We are also a bit strange if you read the name of an Indonesian.” chirpedku.

“But why it's called Ben, Prof.”

“Call name.”

“But this name is far from the words Ben!”

Yayai was still laughing while wiping away the tears that came out. Reflexes, he half stood up and took the tissue that was on my right. Automatically my computer screen view was blocked by his face. His face line is beautiful. Too close.

“My nickname.”

“Sorry Prof. Too funny for me.” He wiped his wet cheeks.

I was still silent because of his face.

“Come Prof. We continue.” He pointed towards the computer screen.

“Loh I have been working. You only saw.”

“Oh yes, sorry Prof.” He fixed his sitting position and displayed his serious face. Free. He's still laughing.

“Prof, sorry. I permission to toilet first.”

Yayai half stood up. I pulled his hand he sat back down. I removed my right hand from the mouse. Even propped up my head and faced towards him.

“Too funny?”

“Hmmmppff..” Yayai held back her laughter. Both of his lips were folded inwards. I saw him a long time ago. Finally his face changed. He's not laughing anymore. So his lips were allowed to return to normal until red. I looked at his lips.

“You are sure I will be disqualified because your job is not right on the first day? Then on the second day what else did you do?” I still hold my head with my right hand.

“I try my best.”

“Today come with me after lecture second hour.”

“Where?”

“When it works as as..”

Speech ceased.

YOHSRAAAAKKK!!!

“BEN! Where have you been?!”

I was surprised so was Yayai. We both stood up. I still didn't let go of Yayai's hand. He was behind me. Maybe surprised because the sound of people entering is very jarring.

“Eyang?”

“I called you a thousand times. Why don't you lift it???”

This old man was standing in front of us. Really angry. Looks like he saw me still holding Yayai's hand.

“Are you too afraid to ask about marriage!? That's why you don't dare to meet Eyang?” his yell.

“I was teaching earlier.” I replied slowly.

“What are you teaching? Just thirty minutes ago I called and you were alone with this woman!”

Yayai realized her hand was held by me. Quickly he let go.

“Quick to the house and we're talking about marriage! Many candidates for your future wife.”

“I already have my own candidate.” I said.

“Ha? Who?” Yayai.

I saw Yayai who was still standing behind me.

“Caput introduce yourself.” I told Yayai. She's surprised.

“Why me?”

“I raised your bill a million.” I said in a whisper. I pushed him forward. Step Yayai hesitated.

“Ng... Sir, sorry My Mom Bima.”

“Wait for you candidate Ben?” ask Eyang to make sure.

Yayai nodded. Smile their.

“Ben are you sure you will marry a student?”

“I'm not a student.”

Yayai walked up to get her bag. He opened his wallet and handed over his identity card to Eyang.

“My life is twenty-six this year.” details.

“Twenty six.. hmmmm..”.

He stared at Yayai's identity card for a long time. Like remembering it on something. He looked at me full of questions. I beckoned at Eyang somewhat not asking me further.

“You Chandani Bimala Lalitha..”

“Iya Anyang.” Yayai walked towards Eyang. He kissed Eyang's hand. His respect for the older people.

“Good. I have no debate. I approve.”

“Thank you.” said me and Yayai together. Then the mood became awkward.

“Why are you here? You don't work?” ask Eyang to Yayai.

“I work..”

“Work for me. Become my assistant while on campus and personal assistant.” piece me explained.

“Ohhh... I think no one wants to get close to him because of his bad nature to all women.” Eyang shook his head.

Yayai.

“Obviously Eyang. He's a non-attentive, cute, bully, rambunctious, then..”.

“You get paid.” I told Yayai.

Yayai closed her mouth.

Wow, how brave this Yayai is. He was too involved in the role. Is this his chance to get back at me?

Eyang laughed out loud.

“Can we tukeran phone number?”

Yayai saw me back. I nodded at him. Give the code so he gives the number to Eyang. I want to see how far Eyang's drama is on Yayai. Eyang gave his phone to Yayai, then Yayai entered the phone number.

“So if I call Ben and don't pick up, maybe I can call you?”

“Bby Anyang.”

“When did Eyang come home? I still have a lot of work.”

“Please work. I can chat with Bima.”

“She also has a job.”

Eyang finally stood up.

“You see Bima? You have to be able to change his nature like this. Disrespectful to parents.”

“Eh Yes, Eyang.” Yayai stood up.

“Eyang will be home.”

The atmosphere of the room turned silent again.

Yayai saw me as if she wanted to throw everything in front of her in my face.

“Prof what does it mean?”

“You just calm down.”

“Quiet how? If he calls how?”

“Ya lift only.”

“Loh? If I am not with Prof and do not know where Prof, what should I answer?”

I'm staring. That's why I locked you up to stay with me, I said in my heart.

***