Under The Rain's
Chapter 24—Ring in Sweet Finger

A semi-outdoor cafe was again chosen by Krisna and Rafael as the venue for the second meeting in the cloudy afternoon. The aroma of coffee and baked cookies had even been smelled before they reached the dining table. Around them there were already a few people with spies locked on their respective gadgets. Well, understandably, the cafe is indeed quite popular among remote workers and students. Seen once from the visitors who come in the average age of 20s.

Kris and Adji came at the same time. Meanwhile, Rafael was already there with four pieces of cheesecake on the table he occupied. It was Sunday, so Rafael didn't have to come to the office. Instead of having to deal with Nadia's scolding early in the morning, he thought it was better if he just came to the cafe immediately.

They begin the meeting with a greeting, although faintly there is something different between Rafael and Krishna. However, as two adult men who must be professional in their duties, they are not reluctant to ignore all forms of discomfort that scatter in the air, and choose to show a friendly face only. That day there will be only stories about work. Not more.

By lunchtime, a plate of spaghetti carbonara, chicken wings and a jumbo-sized burger lit up the table, scrambling over the place with glass cups, laptops and cell phones. Fortunately, the table is large, unlike the coffee shop tables where to put two plates, they have to be crammed.

At that time, Reva had not come because she was accompanying Erin to go to the salon. Since giving birth to Ayesha, Erin almost never again comes to places she used to visit for me-time like when she was a girl. Once he visited a beauty clinic, it was while being pestered by a phone call from his mother because Ayesha who was being entrusted suddenly fussy. Be Erin always back and forth when you have to leave the ball for a long time. Thankful that day Reva came to help Ayesha for a moment.

After a while, Reva gave a short message to Kris that soon he would arrive to join the cafe. Just then, a waiter was dropping off a bowl of fried dumplings to their table. At once Adji thought about ordering Reva's lunch, so they could dine together.

“Mas, what else is heavy food, huh? I forgot the menu list,” asked Adji to the cafe waiter.

“Bistik cow is there, omelette is also there, Kak,” replied the waiter.

“Create Reva what message, yes?” adji's lyrics to the two people in front of him.

“Omelette,” replied Kris and Rafael together, which was immediately followed by scenes of intense staring at each other.

The atmosphere became suddenly awkward, and Adji immediately broke the tension by saying to the waiter, “Ok, omelette one, yes, Mas.”

“There are other additions, Brother?” ask the waiter.

“Omelette is half-cooked, do not be too salty,” sambar Rafael suddenly.

Kris was stunned again unexpectedly, although he still looked calm without feeling challenged to meddle. What he had just heard was indeed hot in the chest.

Half-baked omelette with a little salt. For Kris, it seems that the information is specific enough to be known by acquaintances. It seemed like Rafael understood Reva's taste very well. Is this information normal? It's probable. However, because Rafael said it, the suspicion he had been craving since a month ago was getting stronger.

Then, Kris glanced at some of the objects that were justifiably located on the table. There was one piece of cheesecake in a small plate left for Reva, and Rafael who ordered it.

Something strange began to feel in Kris's reasoning. During their first meeting, Rafael also ordered some snacks as a welcome to the cooperation that had just been established. Cheesecake and thai tea. Chris remembers it very much. At that time, he thought that it was just a coincidence that was meaningless. Although, when you think about it, it also feels too specific, doesn't it? Cheesecake and thai tea? Just be right! Reva got radiant when she saw the two confectionaries were already available in front of her. And it could be repeated, even compounded by the nonsense about omelette.

The omelet whose smoke was still billowing in the air had already landed on the table. Not long after, Reva whose stomach had been rumbling came. Meanwhile, Erin who just escorted Reva all the way to the cafe courtyard had already returned home with her daughter.

“Sorry late, ya” greet Reva kindly before she actually sits down.

The rumbling sound of the hull was welcomed by the look on that table. They sit together. Not many words come out when the mouth is busy chewing. However, just then, as the sun finally peered timidly from behind the thick white clouds, Rafael caught a small flickering reflected from the ring finger on Reva's right hand.

A ring? Reva wears a ring?

No. gabe. That thing wasn't there a month ago. It wasn't on Reva's ring finger when Rafael helped carry her when she collapsed in the corridor in front of her own room. Rafael is sure. So, since when did that shiny object get stuck there?

That faint flickering was even far from the blinding word of the eyes. Very soft toying with the sunlight. However, to Rafael, that simple look instantly made his heart shake.

The ring seemed to emit an unusual aura. Rafael had seen a similar but not the same ring when Vienna bought him to propose to Nadia. Raphael understood the shape of the ring. He often sees it on the internet. Did Reva just get engaged? Or worse, is she getting married soon?

Deep down, Rafael desperately hoped that his conjecture was wrong. That can't be true. That should not happen, especially when he has lived so close to his little friend. It felt, he would not be able to let any man take him away from him anymore. Just thinking about the wedding alone, Rafael could be insane, especially if it really happened. He must immediately think of a way.

***

Not engagement. It's not something that involves a lot of people. It was just a sincere promise to always be with each other, in a state of joy and sorrow. In fact, it only happened between Kris and Reva. No family, especially invited guests. No decorations or banquets. There were only the two of them, who finally agreed to marry each other immediately.

A charming rose-gold ring with a small diamond in the middle becomes a symbol of sincerity. The wedding still has to wait a few more months, because Kris must immediately wander off the island to make a film about the charm of eastern Indonesia with all the wonders in it. Meanwhile, Kris gave all his work in Bandung to Reva.

No need to be surprised, Kris and Reva have always worked together like that, filling and replacing each other. Kris makes the design and Reva makes the script, or even vice versa. On the job, they seem to understand each other. However, marriage will certainly not be like painting both on canvas.

Reva did not refuse when the ring was shown to him, and not until a minute later, he was already residing on his ring finger.

Not all the burden in his mind has gone, but Reva really hopes that a piece of precious metal can protect him from a story in the past that can strangle him to death at any time. Or from a gaping black hole that can suck itself alive wherever it is. Reva only wants to recover, and he can only beg the universe if the ring can be his cure.