Shadow From the Past
Chapter 1

Counted already six months Vano became a lecturer at the University of Pelita. He met a lot of beautiful and accomplished students, openly showing a sense of admiration for his young, handsome, established, and intelligent self.

“Pak lecturer, have a girlfriend yet?”

Vano smiled and shook his head firmly. Anyone who asks that question is always the same answer. He does not have a lover yet. And at the age of twenty-eight, it is actually less appropriate if the relationship is only courtship. He wants to have a more serious relationship.

“Pak lecturer, very handsome anyway. No boyfriend yet? So my girlfriend then

Vano immediately gave a flat gaze that signaled that he was not happy when there were students talking like that to him.

“Remember, I'm your lecturer,”

“Sorry, Sir. But why if my teacher? Nice dong, let there be a story ‘pacarku is a lecturer me’ will be funny tuh the title of the story,”

Vano quickened his footsteps because he felt disturbed by the student. Not only one or two people approached him, but none of them managed to captivate his heart.

Even who managed to make his attention difficult to be distracted when studying, his charm managed to captivate Vano is a student who never showed admiration for him, let alone approach him blatantly. If Vano has studied in his class, Vano is difficult for professionals because it feels like he wants to keep looking at the woman.

Now Vano saw the woman he admired in silence, preparing to ride his bike home.

For some reason now Vano has a strong desire to talk to his students is more than just discussing courses. He wanted to have a chat outside the campus with the woman.

Vano felt a strong urge to start approaching the woman. Yes, Vano likes a student who has been familiar with her cheerful, accomplished, and modest character.

“Hai, Elvina,”

The student called his name did not wear his head protection when someone called and his voice was close enough.

“Oh hello, Sir, what's up, Sir?”

“You want to go home? Are you finished with your college hours?”

“Iya already, Sir. It's coming home,”

“I can ask for a minute?”

“Yes, what's up, sir?”

Elvina was suddenly awkward. Never once was he approached by a male lecturer like this outside of college hours, let alone this Vano, a handsome lecturer who became the target of students on the campus.

“Even lunch same I can?”

Elvina was flabbergasted for a few seconds. Did he not hear wrong? Vano suddenly came and invited him to lunch together. He felt that something was strange, even since Vano called him.

“Hmm how are you, sir? I usually eat at home when I finish college,”

“Awhile, there's something I want to talk about,”

“About what if I could know, Sir?”

“About me to you,”

Vano decided to be honest. Six months of just admiring in silence was tired as well, and this time he wanted to try to be honest. And He did not know Elvina's response later which was clear He was already trying to express his heart. It's not really easy. Imagining being rejected by Elvina or even hated, Vano was already sad first. But if He was just silent, while the feeling in his heart grew, He would not know what Elvina's response would be.

“Ya, where to eat?”

“You just get in the car, you want ‘kan?”

“Oh yes already if so, thanks ya already want to spare time, sorry also already bother you,”

“Nothing, Sir. I wonder what you want to talk to me about,”

****

Elvina was invited to eat at a restaurant that is quite luxurious in this capital. Elvina was increasingly confused about what her own lecturer would talk about.

Vano wants the first experience of eating with a girl he has admired since he first taught is not bad. So He took Elvina to a fine dining place like this, even though He knew that it meant nothing to Elvina. Seen from his mediocre expression.

“The more simple looks you, El, and I are more amazed,”

“You're comfortable ‘kan here?”

“Iya convenient, Sir. This ‘kan restaurant that is not cheap,” said Elvina while chuckling.

Where there are people who are not comfortable brought to an expensive place to eat, suddenly again invited, and Elvina invited by her own lecturer.

“But actually yes, eating where it is very convenient for me, honestly I eat more often on the side of the road. Because I think it is comfortable too, it does not taste better with five-star food, and most importantly the price is cheap so there is no need to rogoh the bag too deep,” said Elvina while smiling.

“But the father ‘kan lecturer yes, it is natural if you are happy to go to places to eat kayak like this,”

“I just want to eat the first time with you, really memorable for both of us. Here ‘kan the atmosphere is more private,”

It's getting worse with Elvina's feelings. What exactly does Vano want to talk about? Why Vano needs a more private atmosphere so invite him to eat at this restaurant. But unfortunately Vano did not speak to the core.

“Pak, what to say?”

Elvina finally started. Elvina could no longer wait too long. Elvina wanted to know as soon as possible what Vano would talk about.

“We chat after eating aja yes, soon food comes,”

Elvina sighed softly. Why wait until later? He's curious now. Waiting after eating, it was too long according to Elvina.

“Let's chat better, we should eat first,”

“Yes, it's okay, Sir,”

Elvina surrendered, if Vano is not ready to talk now, there is no way he is forcing. He accepts Vano's invitation to eat with him, meaning that he must also accept the decision when Vano wants to talk about things that are not yet known by him so that the atmosphere continues to be comfortable.

The food came, and they dined. Honestly, Elvina was nervous about having to eat with men, other than her papa. The last time she ate with a man who was not her family was with her ex-husband.

Ah if you remember that, Elvina's feelings are no longer bad. But Elvina has not been able to really cast out the shadow of her ex-husband. Especially if you are in the right situation to remember it. As now, eating alone with men, he and Rendra often did so before Rendra finally chose another woman when they had exchanged rings and had mature plans to get married. Remembering anything about Rendra certainly presents pain in Elvina's heart, but still Elvina remembers, because she admitted there has been no word move on from Rendra.

After eating, Vano looked at Elvina who had been avoiding eye contact. More turning his eyes in the other direction, or even his head lowered.

“El,”

“Iya, Sir?”

Elvina stared at Vano for a while, and somehow she was less comfortable looking at Vano's serious and deep gaze.

“Actually what's the matter?” Inner wonders.

“Actually, since the beginning I taught on campus, I immediately felt interested in you. I'm sorry if my statement makes you uncomfortable, but that's how I feel,”