Ryanthi: Sweet Cake, Bitter Reality
● THIRTY-SIX : Comfortable Places

The light of the sun snaked in through the slightly open curtain. However, it was precisely the ringing of the phone that managed to wake a Ryanthi from his deep sleep. The girl immediately grabbed and answered the call, without seeing the name of the caller.

"Don't tell me if you just woke up."

Ryanthi immediately opened her eyes. "Adrian?" The girl sat down with her hair tangled.

"What's calling me this early in the morning?" ask Ryanthi lazily. Every now and then, he yawns long.

 "Morning? Let's see what time it is."

Lazily, Ryanthi sees a digital clock on the table. The numbers there indicate ten o'clock. "Geez!" Ryanthi rushed down from the bed.

"Ryanth?"

"I-iya," said Ryanthi nervously.

"This one, I'm going to the factory for a bit. After that, the plan is I want to stop by your place," said Adrian.

"Oh, sure," Ryanthi replied. "Are you driving?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"God. Get off or just turn off the phone."

Adrian laughed crisply. "alright. See you later."

After hanging up the phone, Ryanthi rushed to the bathroom. After a while, the girl looked fresh. Along with that, his phone rang again. Ryanthi immediately checks the incoming message which turns out to be from Adrian. The man asked her to go outside.

Ryanthi sat for a while on the edge of the bed. He thought about what he and Adrian did last night. Twice kissed, it felt so great. Arshan, who has been his girlfriend officially, has never been like that.

Somehow in front of Adrian, Ryanthi could not resist. He really likes it. However, Ryanthi had not dared to go any further. His focus is now on the education he and Surya are preparing for.

While Ryanthi is getting ready, Adrian has arrived at Surya's residence. Ryanthi's father even welcomed his colleague directly. As usual, they talked.

As they were conversing, Arshan appeared there. At first, Ryanthi's ex-lover seems hesitant. However, he still knew manners. Arshan approached Surya and Adrian.

"Where's Vera?" surya asked in surprise, seeing Arshan alone.

"Vera has gone home first, Dad," answered Arshan stiffly. He turned his attention to Adrian. His attitude was so polite when greeting Indira's son.

"You already know, don't you. He's Mr. Adrian. Mr. Adrian is the owner of the largest aerospace company in the country" explained Surya.

"Yes. I've known him. Mr. Adrian is my boss" replied Arshan, who immediately surprised Surya. Because, all this time he almost never had a casual conversation with his daughter-in-law. Arshan and Surya still feel awkward.

"I'll excuse you." Arshan. He went to the second floor. Just as he was about to climb the stairs, the man passed by Ryanthi who was descending.

Arshan was glued for a while, looking at the former who now looks more beautiful. Of course, Ryanthi was already good at taking care of herself. In addition, it is also supported by other clothes and accessories. Ryanthi does look perfect without a worn t-shirt.

Ryanthi walked over without looking at Arshan. His attention was on the two men who were chatting. The man who looked astonished when he saw the appearance of the girl.

"Are you sick, son?" surya asked in surprise, when he saw Ryanthi appear wearing a mask.

Ryanthi turned and nodded slowly.

"I got the flu today" he replied, glancing at Adrian, who only shook his head in displeasure. The man seemed to be unable to bear it, to take Ryanthi away from there.

After saying goodbye to Surya, they went straight to Adrian's vehicle parked in the yard. When he was in the car, Adrian forced Ryanthy to take off the fabric maker he was wearing.

However, Ryanthi refused. "I'm having the flu. Don't let you get infected," he said.

The hot day will soon change. The weather had begun to shade, when Adrian stopped his car somewhere Ryanthi had never been. Without removing the mask she was wearing, Ryanthi got out of the car. He was so amazed by the atmosphere in that place.

The afternoon wind was blowing quite hard. He made the hundreds of weeds that grew there move with rhythm, creating peerless beauty.

Ryanthi doesn't talk much. He just stood admiring the beauty that was presented. Comfort was immeasurable, coming with an Adrian standing beside him.

"You likey?" ask Adrian.

"Yes" replied Ryanthi. "How did you find a place this beautiful?" ryanthi asked without looking at Adrian who was looking at her with admiration.

"Just like when I found you. Just come and make me feel different" Adrian replied without taking his eyes off. Ryanthi turned her head.

"You seduced me again? You haven't made me a cake, as promised a few nights ago."

"I'll definitely make it for you. Not just cake. You want the plane to be assembled, I mean the technician who built it." Adrian laughed, as Ryanthi glared at him. "Say something, Ryanthi," Adrian pinta.

"About what?" ask Ryanthi.

"About you" replied Adrian. "However, before that I asked you to take off the mask," said the man anxiously.

"Why indeed?"

Adrian did not answer. She pulls Ryanthi's body to her feet. The man forced Ryanthi to remove the mask he was wearing. Ryanthi refuses. He's mutinous. However, Adrian continued to force.

The scene was not much, but it managed to make Ryanthi feel so entertained. The beautiful girl laughed, over Adrian's treatment that forced her to remove the mask. Not Adrian his name, if he fails in doing something. The man was so persistent that he succeeded.

"Why do you have to wear this?" adrian asked while putting Ryanthi's cloth mask in his trouser pocket.

"Because I'm afraid if you kiss me again" Ryanthi replied innocently.

"Gosh my god." Adrian clucking softly. "What's the problem with kissing? Don't you like it?" seduce the handsome man with a charming smile.

Ryanthi did not answer. He preferred to set his sights on the expanse of weeds blown by the afternoon breeze. The beautiful girl closed her eyes, permeating the soft gust that hit her face.

"What do you feel?" ask Adrian.

"Would you believe me if I told you that my mother often came to see me and talked to me?" Ryanthi opened her eyes, then turned to Adrian who seemed to be knitting eyebrows.

"Yes. I don't understand it myself. However, mother was always present whenever I needed her. We talked a lot, even for something personal" Ryanthi said.

"What-like?" ask Adrian.

"I've never talked about my feelings or anything that made me look melancholic. Our lives are too heavy. Especially, when you're getting sick." Ryanthi looked far away. Shown back by him, the figure of Farida who was lying helpless, a few days before death to pick up the woman.

"I took care of him alone" Ryanthi said. A speck of clear droplets fell down the cheeks.

"Then, what about your father?" ask Adrian curious.

"He hasn't found us yet" Ryanthi replied. "Mom and I, separated from my father for eighteen years. I don't blame them. All because of circumstances. I also no longer question why, because all the answers I've got."

"Solar looks very fond of you."

"Yes. My father was a very good man." Ryanthi turned her head, then smiled with teary eyes.

"You want to cry?" The strange question Adrian posed to the girl.

Ryanthi did not answer. He received the warm embrace that Adrian offered, as a place to evaporate all flavors.