To The Man Who Broke My Heart
21. Winding Down in Solitude

“As we already know together that Rumah Kita Foundation stands on humanitarian principles. With a vision and mission that we have upheld from the beginning, now is the right time to spread the spirit of humanity more widely throughout the country. With the hope that we can move more wheels like and willingly which will then encourage Indonesian education to be more advanced, equitable, and felt in all circles of the nation.

"The reason we chose West Sumatra as the first branch of Rumah Kita Foundation is because change must start from ourselves, because West Sumatra is the birthplace of Mr and Ms. Suseno. That's where everything we do today comes from. Therefore, Father and Mother Suseno felt the time had come for them to return the favor to the land of his birth. And this is just the first step, before all of us feel the same way and move towards all corners of Indonesia. Live humanity! Live equitable education! Live the nation's children! We are all here, because this is our Home. Thank you and good night.”

Phew. Finished at last.

I got off the podium along with the standing ovation given by the entire presentation. There were about a bunch of people coming. I didn't think the show would be this big. Ah, Ms. Sukma has been pranking me.

I remember once when he said that this would just be a regular presentation. There will only be me doing the presentation in front of some important donors of the foundation and then it will be continued with dinner.

Yes, maybe this is a common thing for those who have made hundreds of pairs of eyes as an audience, but it is definitely not for me who usually just do a presentation of lecture materials in front of at most forty students or something about the organization in a small secretariat room provided by the campus and only witnessed by the twenty members of the Society.

I went straight backstage and continued my steps until I reached the woman's toilet. I exhaled deeply as the toilet door closed tightly behind my back. It's all over, Kayra. You have done your best. Now just wait. Come on, take a deep breath and then exhale. Once more. Once more. Feel your body and mind become more relaxed little by little.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Despite giving affirmations to myself before appearing earlier, but my appearance still received the impact of anxiety that I hold inside. Presumably the nervousness I was trying to hide couldn't really hide. They still showed their presence by shuffling a little of my outward appearance. I cut my hair, I cut my makeup, and my clothes in Kalakian. Fortunately, the damage was not much. Only the strands of the hairdresser chose to be free from the cubikin loose low bun confinement earlier this afternoon.

Already, that's enough. I can breathe more calmly now. Now I have to go outside and get ready to face those donors again. I can't squish in this toilet forever.

It's gonna be a long night.

Nope. Nope, Kayra's. You can't think like that. You should try to be more positive. Think positive, Kay. Stay positive's. Like attractions like and all that, right?

Okay then's. It's gonna be a fun night!

“Mbak, I'm still shaking now.” I raised both hands before Madam Eka and moved her.

“Yee, that's mah joking. Yeah, ah, yuk out. You have been awaited by Mr. Seno with Ms. Meli from earlier. This is the mother told to make your nyariin. Said they want to get to know you to the donors khe-ses.” Ma'am Eka poked at my waist and immediately pulled me towards the door.

Basic Mbak Eka.

Om Seno and Aunt Meli were busy chatting with some people when I got back from the toilet. Ma'am Eka had already let go of her pull two steps before the entrance of the ballroom. He waved at a glance before separating himself and walking towards the other direction. I quickly adjusted my footsteps and directly walked to the place where Om and Aunt were.

“Well, here comes our star.” Om Seno spoke to some of those people when only two steps were left separating me and the group who were standing in a circle in the middle of the room. He and Aunt Meli smiled with a wide—I personally prefer to assume the sense that accompanies a smile on the face of both is a sense of pride, when they see me. “Include, Gentlemen, this is Kayra Salim, the originator of our great plan tonight.”

I spread a smile to some of the men in front of me. “I'm sorry, Gentlemen, but Mr. Suseno seems too much. I just relayed an idea from the team at the foundation.” Everyone laughs. After talking for some time, I said on the grounds that there were still some things to be done.

Out of the group I immediately headed to the dish table. Yes, this time the event is a buffet dinner concept. I took a glass of water and a few desserts and found a seat. It was not wrong that I saw the swimming pool on the outside of the hotel ballroom. I'm heading there.

My skin thanks me when it comes into contact with the night air. The fine hairs along the arms stand up because of the leg. I was happy to be in the midst of the great man who was in the room behind me, but I could not deny that I could only last a few hours in such a crowded and hectic atmosphere. I always wanted time to be with myself.

Winding down on solitude.

I am used to calming down after the hectic activities since the organization world. I would hibernate in my room, spend time watching, listening to music or reading a novel. That's how I recharge my body's batteries. Tonight, because I couldn't go home, there were no books, and the cell phone I accidentally left in the car, I chose to be in the poolside seat. Enjoy the breeze of the night that blows between the hair. Enjoy the water and a few pieces of brownies that have been teasing me since.

To be continued ....