Virally
Danar's Warning

Does the same look guarantee the same heart. Can we control the heart like we control the mind?

***********

The tall man with the black hoodie came again. Every time I see Danar coming that's when it feels like I want to escape. The meeting with Danar only creates discomfort especially the spicy words that he always uttered when he met.

Today I couldn't avoid Danar while checking Nando's work at the pentol booth near the minimarket court, I met him back. Danar just after shopping at minimarket. The position of our booth in the minimarket court made me clearly visible when standing next to Nando.

"This is yours too?." Danar's gaze scanned the entire booth. I nodded my assent as I glanced towards the plastic shopping Danar that contained the coffee packaging cans. Does he really like to taste all forms and types of coffee?.

"What message do you want, sir?." Danar's gaze seemed unfriendly when Nando greeted him.

"Spicy mozarella man". He answered ketus. I immediately went away from Danar turned out he was following me.

"What else is it?." I asked with a reluctant face showing that I was distracted by Danar's presence.

"First tell your employees I don't look like a father. The two talks yesterday were not finished because Nadia came". I frowned, one more thing that astonished me yesterday. Where did Danar know with Natasha and Nadia.

"You know Nadia and Natasha?"

"I don't know personally but I did find out Bian's circle of friends." I stared at the man in front of me. He's a protective brother with his sister. Bian is not a minor who needs adult supervision.

"You should know that I don't have a special relationship with Bian. What we've been in all this time is just a professional relationship." I'm telling you the truth, haven't I used Bian's services and paid him professionally according to the service fee charged by Bian.

"Yes I know but I know Bian from childhood. The way he treats you is different."

"When you see him treating me differently." Suddenly I got goosebumps looking at Danar. He was purposely following me.

"Hey, you don't think anything." Danar seemed to be reading my thoughts maybe he saw the change in my face.

"Kamu berlebihan dan terlalu tinggi menilai perhatian Bian. Semuanya biasa saja tidak ada yang istimewa."

"Dengar ya pertama saat makan di warung seafood ketika kita bertemu. Bian berinisiatif mengantarmu pulang, dia bukan tipe pria yang biasa mengantar wanita apalagi kalian baru kenal. Bian pun tak marah ketika pintu mobilnya rusak karena ulah mu."

Danar berhenti sesaat lalu dia kembali berujar "Jika aku yang melakukannya dia bisa membunuh ku."

Aku terkekeh mendengar kalimat terakhir. Mempunyai abang protektif seperti Danar jelas menyulut emosi apalagi kalau barang kesayangan di rusak. Aku baru mengetahui saking kerasnya menutup pintu mobil kemarin sampai rusak jadinya.

"Itu bukan sesuatu yang lucu karena mobil antik itu kesayangan Bian. Kedua ketika mendengar kabar kamu sakit betapa paniknya Bian. Itu sungguh menggelikan."

"Dua hal itu tidak bisa menggambarkan kalau dia menyukai ku". Ada perasaan bersalah di hati ketika mengetahui pintu mobil antik kesayangan Bian rusak oleh ulah ku.

"Aku mengenal Bian untuk hal ini sudah merupakan tanda kamu istimewa dimatanya. Kamu juga harus tahu orangtua kami mengutus ku untuk memastikan perjodohan Bian dengan anak teman mama berjalan lancar."

"Apa maksud mu?" Aku tergagap mendengar hal ini. Bian akan dijodohkan dan Danar menganggap ku sebagai penghalang. Masalahnya aku hanya teman Bian bukan kekasihnya.

"Ingat jauhi Bian dan untuk sekarang cukup itu saja yang akan ku sampaikan." Danar mencomot pentol pedas. Detik kemudian dia tersedak dengan wajah memerah, tangannya bergerak sembarangan mencari sesuatu di meja.

"Kamu mencampur apa di pentol ini uhuuukk..huukk". Aku pura-pura sibuk mencari sedotan untuk memperlambat memberi segelas air mineral pada Danar. Rasain kamu ya.

"Lain kali kalau pesan pentol yang pedas sepaket sama minumannya ya".

*****

The cold morning I pulled the blanket over my body as Dewo's screams returned to disturb my calm. He insisted on being accompanied to a beautiful hill not far from the city.

"Why don't you go with Rio?." I grieved because Mama forced me to accompany Dewo. He was not allowed to bring a car.

"Rio is at his brother's house. Rio's parents are undergoing self-isolation in their home".

"Because of covid 19?"

"Yes, kak ntar stopped at the gate of the hill housing asri peace yes. Someone asked to pick you up, he's waiting at the gate"

"It includes housing that is quite expensive because it is not far from the beautiful hill. The housing concept is cool. Whose friend are you?." I once walked into this house accompanying Natasha looking for a house to stay. It turns out there's a friend of Dewo's who lives here.

"Bian friend sister too. Yesterday I met the same time Rian. So he offered me a photo hunt on the hill"

"What?? You made a promise to someone without telling your sister!." I screamed hysterically. Dewo gawked at my reaction. I know Dewo can be friends with Rian who is far adrift with him because he often plays games.

Rian is still Rio's cousin, Dewo's best friend. They have the same hobby of playing games but why is there a Bian?. What because Bian often works with Rian in a photo studio. Circle friend I muter in the same place like this.

"He's a big brother's friend too. We've made vintage '80s photo content, right?"

"Sister pays Bian, Dewo. There is no agreement with him". I reasoned a little professionally.

"Jalan as a friend is not for content"

"At least you tell brother." I Grumbled in my heart. If you know there is Bian will come, I can be sure I will refuse to accompany Dewo hunting photos on the beautiful hill.

Now stop it's at the gate. Where's bian?"

Dewo extended his neck in search of Bian. I wanted to let Dewo's ears out. She did not care about her brother's feelings at all. How about I meet Danar.

The knock next to Dewo's window surprised me. Bian's face looked fresh as if he had just finished a bath. Fortunately, I took a shower this cold morning.

"Son Bian is the one who drives yes. Same with Orchid?." I shook my head already irritated as Dewo made me too lazy to move positions.

"Let's just drive, Dewo. Bian as a passenger, huh?" I treated Bian like he was Dewo's friend.

"Yes, I'm afraid his name is Nebeng". Bian smilingly showing off the dimples. He opened the rear passenger door. I was shocked when Dewo got off the front seat and followed Bian in the rear passenger seat.

"Haaaah, how come you're sitting behind Dewo. Your brother's time as your driver!"

"Nobody wants to. I have something to ask you about Brother Bian". Dewo casually pulled out his new camera. They talk in the back passenger seat.

I scratched my head.This really sucks, why doesn't Dewo go alone with Bian. From the reflection of the espionage my view met with Bian. He smiled as if holding back a laugh because of something funny when our gaze met in the rearview mirror.

"Dasarrrr Dewo"