To The Man Who Broke My Heart
31. Unexpected and Unbelievable Encounter

Alex put both his hands on his waist. A long breath in the parking lot made of the ground. "Sherx, Kay. I know you will be the death of me." Alex grumbling.

I tried hard to hide the smile full of satisfaction created by the resignation sentence belonging to Alex just now. It is such a pleasure to know that I am affecting him as much as what he does to me. But that smile did not last long. My emotions re-ignited when I saw the expression that was now on Alex's face. Lost already sense of inexhaustible thought that was there.

Now, Alex's eyebrows are raised, as if to say "really?" see something down here. I looked at the direction of the man. His strange gaze turned out to be given to a peach-colored flip-flop that happened to be matching with my toenail dye.

“What?” my challeng is shameless.

“That is,” he said while pointing at my slippers as if it so disturbs him, “some look.”

I looked at the work suit I was wearing; the navy blazer and trousers I had mixed in a white satin shirt, then my flip-flops. Well.... basically it is not the right pair, anyway, but who cares?

I just put my shoulders down. “Make you, who are used to socialite women users of expensive items and always matching, maybe my look is a little crazy. But, for me why not? It's practical. And honestly, this is me. A weirdo but me nonetheless.” I didn't let Alex comment before taking a step into the park. “Let’s go.”

The towering pine trees, tight, made the afternoon sunlight shyly peek out from behind its reaching leaves. The air in the highlands adds to the cold temperatures in the region. I took Alex around, enjoying the flower garden, playground, spots made specifically for taking pictures.

The man carrying the advanced camera was immediately busy aiming the camera, choosing objects that felt interesting to freeze. “This place is incredible.” He praised from behind the lens.

Pine forest area with a lake that can be seen from the cliffs alone is very good, especially supported by facilities and infrastructure and good maintenance. I believe that’s why this place is visited and liked by many people.

I walked towards one of the chairs on the edge of the cliff and sat down. I took a deep breath. It’s nice to have a few moments for myself and just relax. I took a landscape photo and uploaded it to my Instagram account with the same caption.

A cry "Hey, Kay!" I heard it from behind and suddenly I turned around. I'm confronted by Alex's camera lens. Czechoslovakia!

It took me a few seconds to understand what had just happened. Alexander Rahardjo just took my picture. Without. Permits.

“And I think you should delete the pict you just take, Mr. Alex, because I believe you have no permission for that.” I warned him while twitching his nose.

“Why so serious, Miss Tour Guide wanna be?” Alex smiled back while lowering the lens. He had the courage to tease me. Then he walked in the opposite direction and got back busy with his world, leaving me shaking my head at his behavior.

Has he lost his mind somewhere here?

Some time ago, Alex did not return. Thirst, I headed to the food court located right in the middle of the area and ordered a hot chocolate saru and a hot americano. Then I sent a message to Alex.

Me: Food court

Me: Come find me when you’re done

I put the postel on the table and got back to enjoying the atmosphere.

“I can join?” Suddenly a strange voice surprised me. My eyes were rubbing against a young man who was already standing by the table. After being looked closely and brainwashed, I still could not remember anything about the man who was now sitting next to me without permission. Wh who?

“You're Kayra Salim, right? You don't remember me anymore?”

Surprised, I just smiled stiffly. Who, yeah, him?

The man stretched out his hand. “I Raldo, we used to be second class class SMP.”

I returned the man's helping hand, shaking him lightly, only to be polite while circulating a glance around the room. There are only two other pairs of visitors, still teenagers, who sit in the corner of the room and are busy with their respective worlds. Dang it's! “Hai, Raldo. Sorry, yeah, I kind of forgot. You are so different now.” I purposely added such a comment because it felt too bad to clearly say that you don't remember someone at all. The frills behind it served as something I hoped would lessen the effects of my ignorance.

The man named Raldo laughed. “Really?” He asked while pretending to tidy up the shirt he was wearing.

Okaay. Her body language says she's kind of.

Slowly my memory appeared, and oh! He was a boy who had been bothering me since the beginning of the school year. Hiding textbooks, borrowing stationery without ever returning them, being literate, and other things that turned out to be done to catch my attention. I found out after he shot me two months later. I refused, and Raldo never greeted me until we were in third grade.

We never saw each other again after that and. More than a decade later.

“You haven't stayed here again, huh?” Raldo placed his right elbow over the handle of the chair and propped up his chin.

“Wah, cool, yes, you, Kay. Now that means where do you live, huh? Not like me, mah, who is still here-here aja.” Raldo then lowered his hand only to lean his body towards me.

Ever heard about personal space, buddy?

I guess never.

So, because of the conclusion I made myself in my mind, I chose to stand up. Feelings of discomfort begin to turn into anxiety. “Sorry, Do. I go first, yes.”

However, Raldo stood up and now courageously held my arm. “Ngapain rush, Kayra? Where are you going? We can talk first. Calculate nostalgia.”

What in the actual hell is he in right now? Already do not know personal space, he also does not seem to know that what he does includes harassment and he can I put in jail for this alone.

Angry, unexpected, and misgivings were stirring up inside my head right now. I tried to take my hand out of his grasp, but my efforts were fruitless. Instead of slacking, Raldo's grip even tighter. Even now he's trying to pull me back to my seat.

I had to obey. The mixture of feelings had now turned into fear and at once the fear flooded the bloodstream and overpowered me. "Oh, God. Help!" I shouted in my heart.

I could do nothing but obey and scream in my heart.

“Well, that's dong," said Raldo semringah. He finally loosened his grip. However, his actions did not get there. The sassy man in front of me then stroked my arm with his thumb.

I don't know if he can see my expression and choose not to care about it, or not and he's really a predator. Something is clearly wrong with this guy.

And I'm getting scared.

Help me, help me, help me, help me, help me, help me, somebody help me, please! GOD!

“Babe?”

A sudden relief enveloped me when I heard her familiar voice. Not long after, I saw Alex walking towards us. He could definitely read the situation, the expression, whatever it was, so he called out to me with such a call.

I also had to follow him in order to escape from Raldo. “Hey.” I stood up, pulled my hand that had now slipped off easily, and walked quickly to meet Alex who reached out to me.

“You're done?” Alex watched me and Raldo in turn, his expression getting more and more serious.

“Yup.” I went straight into the arms Alex offered me. He just grabbed me and kissed my hair. “You good?” the whisper is right in my ear.

I inhaled a deep breath once. And once again. Then nod a glance before releasing Alex's embrace.

“Sorry to me for making you wait here alone,” he said while stabbing Raldo with his sharp gaze.

“No, it’s okay. Later I also met my Junior High friend, Raldo.” I swung my hand towards Raldo.

“Friends of your class?” alex asked coldly as he continued to stare at Raldo. “Hi.” He extended a hand, which Raldo half-heartedly held. However, I could see Alex squeezing Raldo's hand with all his heart.

“Oi!” shouting Raldo.

Only then did Alex release the man's hand with a vengeful smile.

Raldo grimaced as he wagged his hand, in pain.

“Lex, can we go? Now?” I asked, suddenly feeling very tired and wanting to quickly leave this place.

Alex looked at my face and nodded. “Sure, babe.” He then grabbed me again. “Nice to meet you, man,” he told Raldo who was still in pain. We turned around, leaving Raldo and our drinks on the table. “Fucker, ” hiss Alex.

To be continued ....