RUSTING BOAT
Chapters. 4

Baby sometimes loves just ain't enough by Patty Smith slings me gently in my ear. Love is not enough for a relationship. Loyalty is necessary to build a mahligai. If loyalty has resulted in betrayal, can the mahligai still stand firm? That's why I like this song so much. Representing my heart and my life story.

I know Mas Haris as my boss at one of PT's branch offices. Mahesa Nature in Samarinda. Diploma III in accounting and office, plus my fairly supportive appearance made me easily get a job as one of the administrative staff in the finance department at one of the PT branch offices. Mahesa Alam is one of the famous companies in this city.

At first me and Mas Haris were two people who didn't know each other. Our first meeting was when the man came to Samarinda's office to conduct an audit. Mas Haris is our Finance Manager at the center. When conducting an audit at the branch office, we had time to exchange whatsapp numbers to make it easier for Mas Haris to contact me, if need help.

As time passed, nothing special happened between my days, until one day I received a message from him.

" Assalamu'alaikum, I'm in Samarinda today, tonight I'll take you to dinner. I beg j**Don't refuse, I could get hurt! "

I observed and read the message flatly, with no intention of replying. I prefer to continue my work.

" Athaghfirullah, it's so hard huh, make a response?

I'm still flinching. Lazy to serve his invitation.

" Hey..... yuhuuu✋✋✋"

This is the third inbound chat. It would be impolite if this time I did not reply to a chat from my boss.

" Is there anything important you want to talk about? I feel a little less well." I reply. Silence has no answer.

I went back to my job.

*

*

*

At night, at my contract house. I just put my body in bed. My body feels a little feverish. Maybe because I'm too tired. My body is like this. If I get too tired, my condition drops. My body has a fever and my body suddenly goes weak.

A knock on the door stopped me from continuing my sleep. I glanced at the wall clock displayed on the wall of the living room. Who the hell is the guest tonight - this night, I asked in my heart.

How surprised I was to find out who was visiting my house these nights.

Mas Haris stood at the door of my rented house with a smile. Oh, my God, where did he get my rented home address. This must be my office mate, Rima. Because only he knows the address of my rented house because he often picks me up if he wants to go to work.

Shamefully, I let Mas Haris sit in the plastic chair in the living room of my rented house.

There was silence between us. I don't know what to do. I wasn't the girl yesterday afternoon who was flowering - the flower of her heart because it was the same in the apple as the boyfriend. And besides, Mas Haris is not my boyfriend or girlfriend.

" Ahem! " Mas Haris cleared his throat breaking the silence.

" So, how? " ask Mas Haris.

" What's up, sir? " i don't understand.

" Yes, you said you were sick. What hurts, let's go to the doctor! " answered kalem.

" I'm not sick, sir. I'm just not feeling well. My body has a fever." I smile.

" Your face is pale. Have you taken any medication?" ask Mas Haris.

" No need, sir. Take a break later is also good by yourself, really! " I'm confused and groggy. Honestly, while working at PT. Mahesa Alam only this time I got a visit directly from the boss.

" You don't have to worry. I won't skip work just because of something so trivial."

" Don't underestimate the little things, Asthma. I bought medicine, yes!" bargain it to me that I answered with a headband.

" No need, sir. I take stall medicine. I bought it earlier. Drink it later if you want to sleep. " I'm not happy to respond to an offer from my boss.

" Already, don't argue anymore. Wait a minute here. I'll buy you medicine and food."

I was silent and confused too. How's this. Time I had to refuse and refute my superior again.

" But, sir.. "

" I said don't argue. Wait for me here.! " the Word of Mas Haris.

Finally, inevitably I was forced to obey Mas Haris.

How long, Mas Haris is back. This time with a pack that contains medicine and food.

" Well, why buy food too, sir? " Mas Haris smiled looking at me who was confused because my boss was not only carrying medicine for me but also food.

" I told you earlier. Follow me to dinner. Since you are sick, I brought the food here. Come eat, after that you take medicine and rest.! "

Be that night me and Mas Haris ate together in the living room of my rented house.

After eating, Mas Haris made sure that I had taken the medicine he had bought. I said it when I was told to take medication. Resignedly.

Mas Haris came home shortly after telling me to take my medicine.

" I'll go home first, Asthma. Close the door and do not accept any more guests. Go straight to sleep and do not have to stay up." his word can not be denied. I nodded as I closed the door after seeing him drive away from my rented house in his car.

One week after the arrival of Haris to my rented house. I'm back at work. The fever that I considered trivial turned out to be typhus. So I was forced to have a complete rest at home until I fully recovered and was able to return to work.

During my illness, I did not allow any of my friends to come see me. Not even Haris.

Ever felt the pain of a very severe heart wound due to the betrayal of Syafrie, making me choose - choose in making friends. As a result.zero. I don't have a friend close to me.

I chose to close myself to avoid the same wound that hurts even unspoken.

Hope that no more similar wounds will be present. Because I don't know if I'm capable of treating this wound. No one knows how much this heart desires to slice my own wrist as the bitterness of that wound re-emerges in the tiny, festering crack of my heart.

Say. I may lack faith. I am far from God. But really, I can't afford it if one day I come back with the same injury. I don't know what to do.

I don't think I have the strength of heart to survive those wounds anymore. The heart wound that someone once inflicted was so deep in raining down on my soul. Leaving a wound that until now has not dried even though my tears have dried.

...----...

Since Mas Haris' arrival that night, our relationship has been close. Mas Haris began to come to me often even though just to look at me and make sure that my condition was good - fine.

Although different distances, it did not prevent Mas Haris from approaching me. The highlight is Mas Haris who chose to move to Samarinda branch office.

And to be honest, it doesn't make me comfortable. Our closeness became a byword in our office. I became the subject of gossip because of the many times Mas Haris appeared in my days. Scandals between superiors and subordinates are indeed a pleasant gossip material to discuss on the sidelines of tiring office activities.

I can't blame them for all the gossip that hit me. They say according to what they see and feel. Because I was also unable to clarify the rumors for sure.

I tried many times to avoid Mas Haris. But repeatedly he dragged me to enter his Land Rover and forced me to take him home.

I told him about the rumors that were going around about us. But instead of dodging, he was getting closer to me.

The saying goes, Love grows because it meets often. At first, just take me. Then eat together. After that it all just flows. Haris and I are getting closer.

Our relationship is no longer just a superior and subordinate. We both spend a lot of time together. Sometimes eating together at a restaurant, watching a movie or just a walk to spend time by sitting relaxed together on the banks of the Mahakam river.

I transformed into a cheerful and agile Asthma. Mas Haris was able to bring back my cheerfulness that used to be lost somewhere.

Being near Mas Haris changed me from a shy woman to a happy woman. I don't know if all this is just my escape mask or what. But one thing I have clearly grasped is that I am happy with Mas Haris.