Winter in Hokkaido
Chapter 16: Go

As one of the leaders of the company, I was sent to attend a meeting with some big investors in Tokyo. It makes me have to go overtime and come home late tonight. I have to clear up the report and prepare some files for the presentation material later.

However, my overtime activities at the office were accused of being just an alibi by Fay. In fact, I have given an honest explanation.

I know he's probably disappointed, because the last few days I've been coming home from work when he's been asleep. But it is out of my control.

The company is preparing for a business invasion into other Asian regions, especially developing countries like India. As a leader in the Research and Development (R&D) division, I have a great responsibility for the success of this project.

At first I wanted to take Fay on this business trip, especially if he wanted to go to Japan. However, her pregnancy was not stable. The doctor recommended that she take more breaks at home and not travel far.

“Yah..”

“Iya. Mother is ready? Let's go then!”

My wife looked scowled. It still seems to be a bit upset in his heart for not being able to come with me.

“Daddy really only a week there?”

“Iya. Mommy wants to be brought by-by what?” I tried to tempt her so she would smile.

“Pending to join.”

“Bun, your health and our child-to-be are more important.”

He's nodding. I have explained this many times.

“But Dad's there, right on business, right? Not to meet the same...?”

Though I tried to obey his will, but the sense of the magic is still embedded. Like I was a liar.

“Mother has seen his own visa and letter of duty right? Dad doesn't like it if suspected of continuing like this.” I may be relaxed about how I feel.

“Iya, but..”.

I kissed him on the forehead as proof that I love him so much. The seven-day service to Japan will greatly miss me. This is the first time I've left her in a long time since we got married.

“Yuk walk now! You also have to go back home to continue to the airport.”

On the way to my in-laws house. Fay looks sad. He said a week is a long time to see you again. That is indeed true, but a week will also be a fast time if lived sincerely. After all, this journey has become part of the responsibilities and consequences of my work. I'm comfortable with the job I've been doing since I graduated from college.

It was Ken who encouraged me to send out job applications to the company where I currently make a living. I was pessimistic about my abilities. I'm not sure I'm in the qualifications of the applicants I'm looking for. However, he continued to encourage me until I got the position I was applying for. Then I met Fay.

Initially, I thought Ken also proposed, but he went back to Bali. Honestly, I was disappointed in him. I'm sad too. He said he wanted to work for a company with me. In fact, he went back to his hometown. Ah, my wife's suspicions remind me of Ken.

After delivering my wife to her parents' house, I rushed back home. My flight is midnight and will arrive in Japan in the morning. Pretty long time. I used it to re-examine my suitcase and the important files I had to carry. No one can be left behind.

The sound of a car parked in front of the house. The driver gave the sign by honking once.

My boarding time is actually still quite long. He came too fast. However, I decided to go straight to the airport. It doesn't matter in time than chasing time.

“Night Mr. Dave, here I help put the suitcase into the trunk,” greet the driver kindly.

“Night, Sir.”

“Sorry, Sir. I came too soon. If you want to rest first at home, it's okay, later I wake up.”

“We leave now only.”

“Yakin, Sir?” His face was afraid I would get angry.

“Iya.”

On the way, the driver continued to apologize. He said he had come a lot earlier for fear of getting stuck in traffic, not asking me to hurry. In fact, I don't have a problem. There's nothing I'm waiting for either.

“Have dinner, Sir?” ask me to change the topic.

“Already, Mr. Dave. If you had dinner too, would you? Would you like to stop eating dinner first?”

“No, I just asked. I also had dinner.” I was just trying to turn on the chatter in the car so that the atmosphere did not seem awkward.

Just like my official trip to Japan might also make me awkward. Mr. Director and the others had left by morning plane. I was the only one leaving at midnight. He said, they can sleep all night there so that tomorrow morning more fresh during the meeting.

I myself prefer to arrive at my destination the same day I start work, because I can spend more time with my wife before leaving. It's just a matter of preference, everyone has their own considerations.

I've never been to Japan before. I hope I don't experience culture shock and can adapt to the winter there for the next week. From what I see on the internet, Japan is a city that is very advanced in everything, not least in public transportation. They have super fast trains and always put timekeeping first. No wonder the people of the Land of the Rising Sun really like to ride the train as daily transportation.

Now, Jakarta also has a new sophisticated mode of transportation, namely MRT or Mass Rapid Transit. Additional solutions to unravel congestion in the capital are predicted to cripple traffic by 2020 if there are no revisions.

Suddenly Fay called. “Iya, Bun?”

“Dad has departed?”

“Already. What's up, Bun?”

“Mother Just said be careful yes, Yah!”

“Iya. Mommy rest, it's night!”

“Iya. love you, Yah.”

“Love you, too.”

Only a few hours did not meet. I know he misses, because lately we very rarely express love like on the phone just now.

“My wife Mr Dave why not join? Though the others are the same as their family?” ask the driver who might be curious to hear my conversation with Fay.

“She is young pregnant. So, it is quite risky to take her a long trip.”

“Oh so, Sir. Must have been his wife calling because she was kangen. Like my wife used to be pregnant young, want it near me continue.  Even I went to the toilet until he came along. Continue my time out of town for 3 days, he said he slept with my dirty clothes. He kisses all day.”

I laughed knotingly hearing Mr. Driver who started talking. Maybe he wanted to talk, but he was clumsy.

I saw from the windshield, Ken's residence had already passed. My mind split. The ears seemed to hear the chant of the Driver, but the eyes looked to a memory.

Fay still suspects I'm in touch with Ken. I no longer know the news. Ken must have been very angry with me. Evidently, he never tried to contact me again.

I was upset with Ken, but I never hated him. In fact, it would never be able to eliminate his presence in my mind. There are many stories I have been through with him. The friendship I thought wouldn't end like this.

Ken, in fact, always motivated me in my studies. He never got tired of teaching me lessons or courses that I did not understand. At least, until I am like this, there is a name that fills the history of my life. He's been my closest man for years. It's not easy to just forget each other.

“Pak, turn back yes!” my door.

The driver looked shocked as I gave the command. He was busy telling his family story, but my mind could not focus on absorbing what he was talking about.

“Ready, Sir.” He swiftly moved to the right column to find a turning round. “But where to, Sir!”

“Green Apartment!”

“Good, Sir!”

I hope Ken is in his apartment. He might not want to see me again after my treatment and words back then. However, I was looking to meet him. I wanted to apologize to Ken for my attitude at the time, as well as thank him. I shouldn't have over-expressed my emotions to him.

Still vivid in the memory of the last time I met him, his face implied a lot of pressure at hand. The streaks and expressions full of emotion I first witnessed.

After that day, I was often struck by the fear that she would become depressed. However, I was also powerless to meet him. My promise to my wife can't be broken.

For almost two months I have not heard from my best friend. I hope he's okay.

I've pressed the bell three times, but there's no sign of a welcome from Ken. I called her name and there was no response. It seems like things are not taking my side. He's not in the place. In fact, I think it's a good opportunity to see him.

To be honest, I am quite sorry for the dispute that occurred between us. Despite Ken saying that he loves me, I'm sure he said that because our friendship was so close. It was just an overflow of his fear of loneliness. He explained this in the first year of our friendship.

“Search Ken yes, Mas?” asked a middle-aged mother who surprised me enough. He was seen opening the door to his apartment, probably just getting home from work.

“Iya, Mom. But, he doesn't exist. Sorry, do you know where she's going?” I'm straight to the point.

After asking the question, I became pessimistic. Although the place where the mother lived was exactly opposite Ken, but it felt like he would not know much about my sidekick either.

Ken's a very secretive person, and I've only seen Mom for almost years visiting Ken's apartment.

“Ken is not inside, Mas.” I think I'm wrong. “I mean, he has not been here since...about two months ago.”.

Hah, it's been two months that Ken wasn't in his apartment. Where the hell's he going? I became worried.

“I mean, he moved? Do you know where she moved to? Still in Jakarta?” My curiosity is unstoppable.

“When I met him, he brought a suitcase in the lobby. I asked him where he was going, vacation or work. He replied to calm down. Before I saw him there was a problem. However, she is a very closed person yes,” explained the mother who made me worry more.

“Mother asked where she was going?”

He was silent for a moment, then looked up. Maybe I'm remembering something.

“Iya, I asked, but at that time I didn't do it either. I focused on watching him who seemed to be under a lot of stress. All this time, I saw that stress management was good. He always looked calm like he had no problems. He is also friendly. Hence, I was quite surprised to see him at that time.” This mother in front of me seems to have known Ken for a long time. “Oya, if not misheard..” Silent moment. “Say he's going to Germany. Then, I asked how long, he said maybe forever there.”

I was so surprised to hear that he's moving abroad, not even going back to the Motherland. “Germany?”

“Iya.”

There's no hope of meeting Ken. “Thanks Mom for the information.”

It's been two months since Ken went to Germany. He didn't tell me. I must have caused him to leave. I told him not to see me and call me anymore. Now, regret is difficult to convey to him.

“Shortly, Mas!” Stalled steps. Looks like there's still some information you wanted to tell me about Ken. “What is Ken heartbroken huh?”

I was stunned to hear Mom's question. “Em, I don't know either, Mom,” I replied as I shook my head.

“Or try to be contacted the same, Mas! I tried to call several times but I think he changed his number. Maybe they are friends on social media. If I'm old, don't play like that.”

“Iya Ma'am, I'll try. Again, thank you!”

“Sama-sama, Mas”.

I continued my journey with a feeling of sadness. Where and how Ken is now. I shouldn't have been too hard on him.

Until arriving at the airport, guilt and sadness continue to haunt. Ken went to Germany. He said he looked stressed and he looked heartbroken.

Is Ken heartbroken with me? I think he's just really mad at me. My words were too deep in his mind. Though my intention tonight, I want to correct all my anger at that time.

Ken once told me that he had no one but me after his parents died. My attitude has been so outrageous to him. When I need him, he's always there. But when she needed a friend, I asked her to stay away from me.

***

“Iya, Ken?”

“Ken? What Dad mean?” The voice on the other end of the phone immediately snapped at me.

“I mean, why. What's up, Bun?”

“No, Dad did not say that.”

“Iya kan Mommy earlier directly cut Father's talk.”

“Daddy thinks about that guy again? Not that Dad promised.” Now my wife's voice sounds cynical.

“Bun, I've explained it because Mother immediately cut Dad's talk. Never mind Bun, don't be too sensitive!”

Almost any. I was thinking about Ken. From before leaving for Japan until all meetings and presentations are completed today.

What's the condition, what's the matter, with whom, I'd like to hear all the news about Ken. However, he had already deleted all of his social media accounts. I've been trying to e-mail from since Soekarna Hatta Airport, but there was no response until I entered the 4th day in Tokyo.

“Iya, Mother apologizes.”

“Iya. We don't talk about that. Now what's Mother again?”

As much as possible I led my wife's conversation in a more neutral direction.

“Down again at home nih.”

“At our house? How come home anyway? Who will take care of Mommy?”

“For a moment, check the condition of the house. While cleaning up, because some days it is raining very hard, Yah.”

“Whose mother?”

“Sama Mother.”

“Oh, thank goodness.”

“How was the meeting, Yah?”

“Everything's smooth. It seems like this project will be a goal. Doain yes, Bun!”

“Keep when Daddy comes home?”

“Three days left. After from Hokkaido Dad came home.”

“Hokkaido? Try Mother to come along. Daddy could vacation without Mommy?”

“Emmm, i.. It's not a holiday either. Coincidentally his meeting continued there.” Sorry, I had to lie to my wife.

“Ya is already. Take care of your health, Dad! Mommy wants to go back to Mother's house.”

“Iya. Love you, Bun!”

“Love you too!”

It turns out the company designed this meeting overseas for a new year holiday at the same time. Although the new year has passed, but the nuance is still there because January enters the 31st.

Unfortunately, three days of vacation time is spent alone, more precisely with each family. Maybe because someone else took his whole family. So, they want to make this holiday as family quality time as well.

I decided to go to Hokkaido. The reason, because Fay said he wanted to go there. I tried to represent his wishes. Then, he said the natural atmosphere there is quite beautiful and soothing.

I had to lie to my wife that there was still a meeting there, but I just wanted to calm my mind before I went home. In my brain, there's still a desire to figure out Ken's whereabouts. But when I get home, I should be able to get rid of her coming back. At least when I was with my wife, there was no Ken in my head. A difficult and dilemma situation!

The driver who was going to take me to Haneda Airport to go to Hokkaido had given me a code ready to leave. I hurried to say goodbye to Mr. Director and the other colleagues, because they were still staying in Tokyo. I don't know their travel plans. I just know, he said, Mr. Director and the family will leave for Seoul tonight.

I wish Hokkaido was as friendly to me as Tokyo. For days in the Japanese capital, I didn't feel as cold as I did in Seoul. At that moment, I felt like I was freezing because it was snowing every day. Although it is the same here, but maybe my physical condition is more excellent and ready to adapt to the weather.

The flight from Tokyo to Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, takes almost two hours. Until it does not feel it has arrived in the largest prefecture and the second largest island in Japan. The cold air immediately ambushed to the bone. The snow is not falling. It turns out that Hokkaido is one of the coldest regions in this developed country.

The driver who was going to take me to the hotel waved his hand. I approached him to be immediately escorted to the resting place.

According to the office administration staff, I was very lucky to get a room at the hotel that was the target of many tourists when visiting Sapporo. Moreover, this is still a new year holiday and winter holidays, it is not easy to find an empty hotel or inn. Where I stay later is a place that is quite recommended, because the service and the place will not disappoint.

However, the most important thing for me right now is knowing Ken's news. I still haven't figured out how to start a search on him. I can't imagine not seeing him anymore.

I could have taken her to Germany, but it would have taken a good reason for my wife not to be suspicious. In addition, Germany is a fairly large country. The area of the country that was once divided into West and East is two and a half times the area of Java with a population of one third of the population of Indonesia, or about 82 million. How am I supposed to find Ken in that span if I don't have any clue I can get?!

I promise I will give you a close hug if I can meet her again. I want to get rid of all the loneliness she feels. I want to wipe away all the words from my lips that have made him go away. Lord, please meet me with Ken, even though after that we have to forget each other.