TIME (For A Taste )
CHAPTRE 147

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***

MALIA

If I knew that the figure in front of me was coming to meet me suddenly at my workplace, I would choose to eat the instant noodles cup available in the office pantry, or stay on my desk and have a meal with an OB. Then send a message to the beautiful receptionist on my work floor, to say I'm not in place to anyone who's looking for me - especially outsiders.

“Hai Li -- -“

The outsider I was avoiding first to meet for a while.

“Kak Irsyad? ---“

Yep, the person I was avoiding was already in front of me. And I was really surprised.

“How are you doing Lia?”

“Em... Ba, sister...” I replied a little awkwardly, but I still tried to behave normally by commenting on thin smiles.

“Li... Want to be together or?..”

One of my coworkers who was ready to come out of the lobby called and it seemed like he wanted to ask me if I was going to eat with some of my division co-workers, because he saw me talking to Irsyad, whom they did not know.

“You guys first aja.”

Segan did not hesitate that I said to my coworkers who just asked me that, while I also threw a smile and gaze ‘gih there eat without me’.

“There's me.”

I smiled at some of my fellow division members while pointing at Irsyad.

“Hai—“ Irsyad raised one hand to greet some of my colleagues as he smiled.

Then some of my fellow division colleagues did the same as Irsyad to return the greetings of men from my past before they came out of the lobby. Leaving me who now feels wrong on my own.

If Irsyad had come while I was still on my work floor before I went to work, I could have reasoned if I was doing a lot of work if Irsyad had come to take me away with him. And I can also say that my job really can't be left until I have to drop my lunch with OB.

But there, I even met Irsyad in the lobby of the office building where I work when I look very relaxed walking with some of my coworkers, besides that, I took off my blazer and only carried a medium-sized wallet that could fit a cell phone in it.

“Looks like I came at the right time huh, Li? –“ said Irsyad. “It looks like now you and the team have designed your deadline.” continued and I understand the meaning of the Irsyad speech.

Which I no longer had any reason to refuse his invitation - which was to have lunch with Irsyad.

*

Malia feels uncomfortable actually with the existence of Irsyad that appears by arriving – arrive and come in the office building where she works.

“Jadi .. Can you have lunch with me?” irsyad.

I let out a faint breath.

Then I nodded, and sounded to say yes. Because I had no choice.

And my brain was blank.

And I could not think of any more reason for what I wanted to make because Irsyad had so desperately appeared before me.

I caught a glimpse of Irsyad's eyes sparkling after I agreed to lunch together. Then let me start walking.

“Where do you eat?-“ said Irsyad while asking.

“Manado restaurant want?-“

I proposed a restaurant not far from the building where I worked, and it was also very rare for employees who worked one floor with me to eat there. I also do not know if Irsyad want me to take there, because as long as I know him we have never eaten in a special place that only provides North Sulawesi food.

“Do not worry, halal kok ..”

I said it again, before Irsyad asked about the halalness of the restaurant.

Remember that the residents of Manado are mostly non-Muslims.

And who knows that's what makes Irsyad not immediately agree. I hope Isryad will.

Because there is no longer a quiet choice of – employees who know me near where I work.

“Or if Kak Irsyad ga so laper yes we to CC. It's in the building next---“

I offered Irsyad to go to the current coffee shop if indeed he did not want to eat at the restaurant that I had previously been stuttering.

Those two places are if ‘aman’ to me from kasak – kusuk or frontal questions from those who know me about the existence of Irsyad, because they know if I've been married – plus know how my husband looks.

“The two places are hot-free—“ connect me, but Irsyad then cut my words.

“Manado restaurant only. I happen to be pretty hungry.”

“Ya udah.” My solute.

“Yuk?-“

I nodded at Irsyad's invitation asking me to show him the way, as he walked beside me.

“I miss Li ..”

Irsyad muttered I don't care.

Act like I'm not listening.

***

Malia and Irsyad have entered a restaurant - whose cuisine has an authentic Manado flavor.

Not too big, but clean and hygienic enough and the taste of the cuisine did not disappoint - in addition to the affordable price for the class of employees.

“I'm happy we can see you again, Li.” Irsyad opened the chat when a restaurant waiter had finished taking his order and Malia. Where Malia just smiled faintly in response. “Where is the project team?”

“Current ..”

“Thankful deh .”

“Kok Kak Irsyad tau-tau dateng to my office without telling you in advance? ..”

‘Ya right,’

Malia is not passionate.

However, Malia reviewed a thin smile in response to Irsyad's words who smiled widely after the man spoke about the reason for coming suddenly to see Malia.

“Trus why?” Irsyad asked a question, after a waiter delivered Irsyad and Malia's drink orders frowning on Irsyad's question.

“Why what? –“

“Why avoid me?”

***

“Feelings Brother only time.” respond Malia to previous Irsyad questions.

After being surprised for a moment to hear Irsyad's question, which felt strange.

Malia tried to keep her attitude from looking nervous in front of Irsyad, who to the point asked her.

Although it is true that Malia is avoiding Irsyad for the sake of the harmony of her relationship and Reiji, but now Malia is hesitant to admit it to the man from her past.

It's nothing, however, his relationship with Irsyad is fairly good. And if Malia openly admitted that she was avoiding him, Irsyad would be offended.

And Malia did not want to hurt Irsyad, then cut off their friendship in a bad way. Neither did Malia want to break off her friendship with Irsyad, but Malia wanted to affirm the friendship itself between herself and Irsyad.

It's just that, just like the plan he took from Aniel's advice, Malia would talk to Reiji first before meeting Irsyad and affirming the friendship Malia meant.

But in reality, Irsyad appears suddenly at a time when Malia does not yet have the right words for Malia to tell Irsyad.

“Iya, hopefully that's just my feeling, Li ..” Irsyad's response to Malia's answer to her question on Irsyad's suspicion, if Malia avoids it.

Irsyad commented a smile while looking at Malia who returned the Irsyad smile with a smile as well, but a reasonable smile.

“Because I don't feel happy if you get far away from me.” said Irsyad with a small smile, while looking at Malia with a gaze that implies a taste.

‘Ah yes Tuhaannn!! ----‘

**

MALIA

When Irsyad came back into my life after I got married, I felt like I still loved her.

The arrival of Irsyad was like a relief that I felt claustrophobic over my marriage and Reiji which was an arranged marriage.

Every encounter with Irsyad I felt as healing and every breakup with her after our meeting would culminate in a longing that perched in my heart.

Until the moment Irsyad came, what I had buried seemed to rise again.

Happiness seemed to fill the space in my heart every time with Irsyad, until laughter was often present among us.

And I waited for another meeting with Irsyad every day, until Reiji faded, and I forgot my marriage, my commitment, my promise to Reiji.

Naively too I once thought, to part with Reiji.

Divorced from him, after my love that had not been until then greeted when Irsyad expressed his feelings for me.

But that was a while ago. And not anymore. Because my miss has moved. What Reiji may actually be is the center of true longing that I've been looking at for some time, because I'm obsessed with my past love that doesn't work.

Which I want to straighten out immediately, because the taste in Irsyad I have let go. Ah no, the feeling has come off on its own.

Somehow the taste in Irsyad was flying and gone from my heart.

“I feel stupid, Li ..”

Just now I was about to speak, to break the silence between me and Irsyad while we were eating our own ordered meals.

The actual food was delicious, but I was not feeling well at the moment, so I finished even though there was more than half of my order food left.

I so undo the intention to talk, when Irsyad hunted to speak first before I had time to speak.

I smiled a little after Irsyad spoke, put down his spoon and fork and looked at me.

“Oxford graduates can so feel stupid?” respond to me while smiling amusedly.

“Ya so .. because I've wasted the opportunity.” Tukas Irsyad was smiling a little, but his face turned serious shortly afterwards.

“What opportunity? –“

I'm not smiling anymore.

“A chance to belong to you –“

I bit my lower lip.

“And I have decided, if this time I will not waste the opportunity –“

“Mak – sud, Brother? ..”

I'm tergugu.

“You got married because Lia's betrothed, and I'm sure you were forced to do it?—“

Irsyad moved a little bit of his body, until now we were quite close to each other.

“You are not happy with your marriage, so be happy with me.”

Really I was made mute and frozen, until – until I did not realize that Irsyad had grasped one hand tightly.

“I love you, Li. And I know you love me too. So let go of this unhealthy marriage of yours, if need be I talk to your husband and tell him we love each other –“

I'm stuck hearing it.

**

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