STUCK WITH MY - EX
New Steps

Staying in the house occupied by Cantika during school days made him recall some things in the past. Especially about her with Ares, why the shadow always makes her feel hurt for the umpteenth time. Ares easily leaves her, telling her she's bored. If Cantika knew what was on his mind.

“Nothing will change,” he said as he stared at the sky of the room. He breathed deeply.

Until her daydream is replaced by the ringing sound of a cell phone, it's from Dinda, her office mate. “Hallo, Ma'am? Why?”

“Cantikaaaaa, have you seen our company Building? God, it's very aesthetic and full of glass. No longer a pengab. Even the first floor is expanded, it feels good to see that.”

“Really? I didn't see it, I went home to Grandma.”

“Ingin to see how it develops?”

“Bby, send it to me, Ma'am.”

Not long after, Cantika received an incoming message notification. Showing unfinished buildings, and parks that have not been neatly arranged. Jeez, previously Cantika's office was very arid and adjacent to the shophouse. And where did the building go?

“Hey, are you still there?”

“Mbak, where is the shophouse next to our Building?”

“That's it, Fernandez Inc bought it and made the company land. A spacious garden, even at the back there was a river and an artificial pond. I'm sure you'll like it,” said Dinda screeching there. 

Cantika of course amazed, especially now that the building is fenced, really become an area full of privacy.

“I heard the roof was also renovated into a place to relax, but I think it's for our big boss.”

“Do you already know who will hold the third floor?” ask Cantika who is still worried. It is impossible if Ares who holds the part, only it will be calmer if he gets the name of the person who will occupy the third floor.

“Not know yet, but I'll tell you as soon as I get his name. Our team leader doesn't know either. Trust me, I already asked him.”

Cantika did not want to be surprised by the arrival of the figure who arrived as before, let alone the next Monday the figure who would occupy the third floor would be greeted with great fanfare on the first floor. 

“Stop worrying, whoever it is, he must be a good person. Did you finish the design?”

“Not yet, will I do now.”

“Quickly, you don't want next week spent working overtime right?”

Finishing her call, Cantika rolled back on the bed. Forgetting his obligation to make the 10 designs requested by the team leader. There were still 3 days until he returned to work.  Tomorrow he plans to go back to the apartment and finish everything there. For now, he just wanted to relax.

“Hahahaha! Amazing.”

But when he was about to sleep, Cantika heard a familiar laughter. Hunt him out of the room and towards the front porch. He was surprised by the figure who was playing chess with his Papah.

“Why are you here?”

“Hey, why aren't you ready?” ask the Papah to Cantika. “Galuh said you guys are going out tonight. Why are you still in pajamas?”

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

“If you want to ask me to walk, say it first before. Don't suddenly come like this. You're a bitch!” that was how Cantika said along the way, letting the wind blow her hair.

Street at night using a motorbike is a thing that Galuh likes, rarely he gets this opportunity. “You always have a reason to bully me,” he replied. Because if in the apartment, Cantika also always has a reason to refuse. Laziness dominates it.

And now, a golden opportunity considering Papah's future father-in-law helped Galuh. “I have to talk to you.”

“You're doing it.”

“You want a race to look at?”

“Cantika.”

“Hehehe, kidding. Are you having a problem? Just tell me, I'll listen.” Friendship that intertwined for 5 years makes the two know each other more deeply. And the one thing Cantika was afraid of was Galuh's feelings.

Not just once did he express his feelings to her, but many times. And Cantika felt, tonight Galuh will do it again. It's nothing, Cantika is afraid if he even hurts this figure, with his feelings that can not retaliate. If allowed, Cantika would rather stay away than hurt Galuh.

But the man always said, “Don't let my feelings change our friendship, it will even make me sadder.”

So there was nothing Cantika could do, she still let Galuh befriend him.

“There is a night market around here, re-opened after many years. Ayok to it.”

This is no stranger to the Cantika. Five years ago, he had passed this road using Ares' sports motorbike. And sure enough, the same location, with the same night market.

“Ayok down.”

“You want to ride the rides here?”

“I want to take you on a lala firefly, they say the view from up there is very good,” Galuh replied confirming the location of Cantika's jacket. “You can catch a cold, want to buy food first?”

“I want fruits.”

Buying two cups of fruits and mineral water, they ride the riang lala rides. The little by little led them up; revealing a beautiful view of the city. 

“So... what do you want to say?”

“I'm sure you already know, right?”

“Galuh...” said Cantika gave a sign of his gaze, he was afraid that the same answer, would make Galuh again hurt for the umpteenth time. “I can't.”

“You can't if you don't let me in, Cantika. Please allow me, please give me a chance. Only two months.”

“For what?”

“To give me permission, so I can treat you like the Woman I love. As a Woman, not a friend.”

Cantika's mouth is mute, what does she have to answer? He didn't want to hurt Galuh.

“And if in those two months I keep your heart from loving me, then I will never ask for it again. We'll be friends forever. Please, just two months. Let me make you fall in love with me.”

The man was earnest, even now Galuh had clasped Cantika's hand tightly. More than 3 times Galuh declared his love, but for now. The man looked frustrated, and the way was different.

“Only two months, then I will release you if I do not manage to get into your heart.”

It never hurts to try, Cantika also does not want to continue to be shadowed by her lover's spell. So he nodded his head, as if hypnotized by Galuh's eyes. “Alright, I want to try it with you.”

The happy face's sharpness could not be hidden, Galuh repeatedly kissed the back of Cantika's hand. “Thank you, I promise to make you the happiest Woman in the world.”

Unbeknownst to both, on the other hand a man was sitting on the bench of the lala ring opposite Cantika and Galuh. He ate the popcorn by himself while recalling the memories of the past with his sorrowful gaze. And as his manic stared at the scene in front of him, Ares instantly fell silent for a moment. She swallowed her rough saliva, she saw clearly Cantika was laughing happily with the man who continued to kiss the back of her hand.

“Hiks... Mommy,” he said while spilling popcorn, then make the container as a head covering. To prevent people from recognizing him, to prevent people from knowing his heartbroken self.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹