The Azkia Wound Flakes
Doubts of the past

"Truly I guess."

Azkia was confused by what Ardila had just said.

"You mean, what, Di?"

"You make decisions when you're emotional and I don't blame you at that time for panic and depression not to mention your school problems. You rush to leave Jakarta to Kediri." said Ardila.

"Yes, it's true. At that moment I was emotional. Who could have accepted that I was pregnant when I was seventeen..."

Azkia smiled wryly considering her past which made her look so stupid.

"I hope someday you can talk to Nico again well, Ki. Not now. But someday..."

Azkiah did not answer Ardila's words. It was clear Azkia's doubt at that moment was just a momentary emotion.

"This is my phone number. You need to keep my number and you need to call me. Don't try to disappear without any more news."

Azkia remembered a person named Tiara. He also knew Azkiah but Azkiah did not remember who Tiara was.

"Yesterday someone met my friend. He said the same school I was at. I forgot who he was. But he gave me a phone number." Azkia took out her hape and showed a photo of Tiara to Ardila.

"Oh, Tiara. Don't think about it. He's just trying to make your relationship with Nico crumble. Just don't get close - near him."

Azkia nodded and kept Ardila's number in her hape.

****

After meeting Azkia, Ardila meets Nicolas. At a different cafe, Nicolas was already waiting for him.

"Have you been a long time?"

"No. I also had a little overtime" Nicolas told a little lie. He could not wait to hear the news of Azkia.

"So, how's Azkia doing?" nicolas asked impatiently.

"Wait first. I just got there, you know."

"Come, Di..."

Ardila took a little snack that Nicolas ordered. He talked too much with Azkia until he forgot to eat her snacks.

"Azkia good. As you can see." replied Ardila.

"So, where's he been all this time?"

"In Kediri."

"left? Whose place?" Nicolas is curious.

"I don't know, I didn't ask much. I just met him for the first time in a long time. I'm just straightening out the misunderstanding between you guys just now." replied Ardila still focused on the snack.

"Which misunderstanding?"

Ardila begins to get angry with Nicolas who does not understand also with Ardila's intentions.

"I hope you meet after this. I'm just asking if he's really sure that you didn't want responsibility at the time? And he doubted. Right or not."

Nicolas. As if remembering the pregnancy of Azkia that he had not been able to know.

"And again. Tiara meets with Azkia. I hope Tiara doesn't cause any more trouble, especially now."

"Tiara? How can?"

"Eitherway. Why is this cake so good."

"Eating, Di. Eat a lot" Nicolas said, putting out his cake.

Ardila continued to eat the melted chocolate cake voraciously.

****

The next day Azkia works as usual and stops by Kevin's room to give him a box of food.

"Excuse me, sir."

"Yes, please." replied Kevin from inside his room.

"I'm sorry to give you this, sir."

Kevin looked at the food box that Azkia had brought and weighed it, whether or not to accept it.

Azkia was worried. Could it be that yesterday's cooking didn't suit him.

"Yes sir."

"Why did yesterday's vegetable taste sour? Is it stale?"

Azkia wanted to laugh but she held it back. It is not a stale vegetable.

"Sorry, Sir. It's called an acid vegetable. But it's not stale, sir. Indeed here the name is sour vegetables and delicious if eaten with sambel and fried chicken." explained Azkia.

"Do Indonesians like sour vegetables like that?" kevin was confused.

"Yes, Sir. It's delicious and refreshing."

"What about what you brought?"

Azkia placed the food box on the table and opened it.

"It's a meat steak with a vegetable mash potato fan. I hope you are no stranger to the menu today."

"All right, this is better. Thank you Azkia."

Azkia said goodbye and immediately left Kevin's room. When he opened the door, Kevin called Azkia.

"Later tonight try to take me to a restaurant in Jakarta here. I've never tried food around here." Kevin smiled sweetly making Azkia's heart quickly melt.

"Good, sir." Azkia returned Kevin's smile and closed the door slowly.

****

After work, Azkia walks with Kevin through the lobby. Of course, many people pay attention to them.

Right at the door of the lobby, Azkia finds a shadow of Nicolas waiting for Azkia.

Azkia recalled her conversation with Ardila yesterday. Could there be any doubt between them?

Azkia asks Kevin for permission to meet Nicolas and Kevin is waiting in the car park.

"You waiting for me?" greet Azkia to Nicolas. Nicolas is shocked and finds Azkia right in front of him.

"Azkiah."

"I met Ardila yesterday."

"I just want to know how you are" replied Nicolas quietly.

"I'm good. As you can see."

Nicolas was sad to hear Azkia's reply. There was a tone that he did not like to meet her.

"alright. I'll take care of you."

Nicolas leaves Azkia by the lobby door. The wind that swept through Azkia's hair made her hair slightly fly. He stared at Nicolas' back, which was getting farther and farther away.

Was he evil to Nicolas? Azkia still doesn't know how to deal with Nicolas. He still imagined the past must go through suffering without Nicolas. Ardila's right. One day, he'll have to talk to Nicolas.

****

"This is my favorite salmon steak, sir. If you like, you can eat here" Azkia said showing food around the office.

"I never walk or anything here. I also can't ask Marco because he's too fussy."

Azkia laughed a little at what Kevin said.

"Rubber right? Marco is like that. Always talking yany is not important." Kevin continued while cutting and devouring his salmon steak.

On the one hand, Azkia felt sad to be reunited with her sad past. On the one hand, he felt happy and comfortable when he was near Kevin.

Azkia does not interpret that she likes her boss. Only, Azkia was amused by his boss' joke.

Azkia laughs occasionally at Kevin's somewhat messy pronunciation. But Azkia understood because Kevin was not a native Indonesian.

"Wrap it for your parents" said Kevin.

"No need, sir. My mother would cook at home. No need to think what he ate today." Azkia replied refusing Kevin's words.

"alright. Then I'll wrap it up." Kevin went to the cashier to make the payment and ordered two more servings to take home.

Azkia felt bad, but she also did not dare to reject him.