Winter in Hokkaido
Chapter 22 part 2: The Bulge

It's noon. After a short nap, I felt so hungry. Before long, the bell rang. I wish someone would deliver the food. Dave's? Not likely. I still fantasize about him. This is crazy!

“Ken, have lunch?” ask Aunt Selly.

“But.”

“Yes, we have lunch together and have a chat. Aunty deliberately cooks a lot because there is you.”

Either coincidence or luck. But I was unable to refuse this sustenance, my stomach was already very hungry.

I, then, remember this morning Aunt Selly said there were friends of mine who came looking for me here. Who're they? One of them was obviously Dave, but the other one, I had no idea who he was.

“The food is delicious, Auntie. Aunty was once a cook,” praise me with gratitude. It has long not eaten typical Indonesian food such as Rendang, Eggplant Balado, Perkedel, and Soto Betawi. Foods that do contain high cholesterol, but Aunt Selly has also provided warm lemon to neutralize it.

“You could have. This is because you mostly eat Sushi, Sashimi, and Ramen there.”

“That's right, but Auntie's cooking is unmatched.”

“Then let's add more. Many yes eat it, if it can be spent.”

If I eat a lot, I can. But spending rendang that looks like a kilogram, I can't. Even if it's my favorite food.

“Oya Ken, Auntie would like to connect with you about your friends who are looking for you here. They come in different days, male and female.”

I was just about to ask, Aunt Selly explained first.

“Female?” I'm curious because I don't have any close female friends. Even the number of my friends can be counted on the fingers.

“Iya. The point is, they ask you where, you when to go home, you when to go, because what it went, a lot. If the same is female, Aunt until a long time chatting here. Aunt see she's very enthusiastic about asking about you.”

I'm getting curious quickly who the woman who's looking for me is.

“What is he your ex?” aunt Selly.

“What is it like, Aunt?”

“She is beautiful, tall, friendly, fitting here she is pregnant young.”

“Pregnant?” I never impregnated women.

“Iya, but it wasn't you who impregnated her, right?!. Hehe…. Aunt joking, Ken. She already has a husband. Say it's your friend. But, Auntie forgot to ask in more detail. Just Auntie remembered her name.

“What's the name, Auntie?” I'm very curious.

“Fay?”

“Fay?” I'm trying to make sure.

“Iya.” Then Auntie opened her phone and showed a photo of herself with Fay. “Nih photos. Aunty had a selfie, because he was friendly and nice. Keep pregnant again, so remind Aunt same Aunt daughter-in-law in America who is also pregnant.”

Aunt Selly seemed excited to remember her introduction to Fay. Yeah, that's Fay. So, what is he looking for me for? Want to hit me again? Or make sure I'm gone?

“When is he here?”

“Two days ago. Unfortunately, Aunty forgot to ask for her phone number. Just let him know if you're here.”

“Heem...”.

Two days ago Fay came here. Does Fay know if Dave and I met in Hokkaido? Feels not. I was trying to dodge when he called Dave to watch the festival. The rest of the time with Dave, I didn't see him calling.

Did Dave tell you he met me? It doesn't seem possible either. Is my name still bugging and triggering trouble in their household? Ah, I'm no longer in contact with Fay. Except, he who still scapegoats all the tempests to me. This makes my life more unclear.

“Ken, Auntie suggest that you go tell your friends, let them not be confused looking for you. It used to be that men also seemed very worried when Auntie said you were going to Germany and maybe not coming back. You know Aunt heard wrong, you went to Japan not to Germany.”

“I..iya, Aunt.”

“Come, continue eating!”

I still can't find the clue that led Fay to come looking for me here. If it is still related to the problems that used to be, I have complied with the request of her and her husband. I've been away from their household. I never called Dave. We met in Hokkaido outside my control.

The next day, I was still haunted by the riddle about Fay coming to my apartment. It must be related to Dave. I no longer took her husband's time. I still have the feeling not to hurt and rob others of their happiness.

Dave's!  I have to see him. I can't continue to be labeled as a bully.

Now I better prepare my heart and mentality. I'll meet Dave at the office.

After waiting patiently for the afternoon, I ordered a taxi to Dave's office.

It's screwed! I broke my own promise hoping to make out. Before I left, I confirmed my heart that it was not to melt the longing, but to make sure that I was no longer taken into the household.

“Forget those desires! Focus on the main goal!” my words remind myself.

Arriving in front of Dave's office, I stayed in the cab. I asked the driver for help if I saw Dave's car coming out to stop him. I'm telling you the exact feature is the license plate number. I hope Dave still uses the same car.

It's almost an hour's wait, but Dave's car doesn't look out. I was almost desperate, because the office hours had already passed.

Then, the driver walked up to me. It's obvious he's with Dave. I opened the car glass.

“Ken?” Dave made sure when our faces were facing.

“Can chat for a while in usual place?”

“Sure. Let's move to my car!”

Dave tried to open the taxi door and take me to his car.

“Not necessary. Can we go now? I promise I won't take you long.”

However, he forced me to move to his car.

“Come Sir, we're leaving!” my orders to the driver while closing the glass. Quickly get him into the steering position. Dave ran to his car.

I don't want to move into Dave's car, for fear of not being able to hold back. Especially seeing his attitude that I think is strange.

After being involved in a fight at that time, he never showed such a coercive attitude. Is it because he misses me? Hah, it seems I am the one who can't take that hope out of my mind. Come on Ken, don't get carried away!

“Ken, is this really you?” asked Dave when we were sitting opposite in a cafe in the Menteng area where we used to hangout. His expression was a blend of disbelief and longing. I hope I didn't misinterpret it.

“Sorry Dave, I interrupted your time home.”

“When did you arrive in Jakarta?”

“Barin.”

“Why not tell me?”

Dave was enthusiastic about seeing me? It may just be my feeling. I'm happy to be this close to him again. However, I promise not to bring my feelings into this meeting.

“What message did you eat? As usual or want something else?” ask Dave again.

I can't take my eyes off her. The thing that touched me, she continued to develop a smile of fishing my residence.

Then, he waved his hand to ask for service to come.

“Fruit Tea 2, continue Pan-Seared Salmon also 2,” Dave told waitresses.

But I disagree with Dave's order, “I order Fruit Tea only.”

“Yakin?” This time Dave looked back at me. “I know you haven't eaten, right?”

I could only slightly move my lips and take my eyes off, as he was also holding my hand.

“The order is according to what I just ordered yes, Ma'am,” stressed Dave.

“Good, Sir. Please wait a minute!”

After the waiter left, I was made to not understand Dave's attitude. What was the reason for suddenly returning to my attention? Please don't make me misunderstand!

“Dave, I'm here just for a minute.”

“Iya I know, you already said that.”

He also confused me where to start to ask about the condition of his household.

“What brought you back here? Is it because of me?”

“Dave, don't get me wrong! I'm not here to...”.

When I started explaining, the order came.

“We just ate first, just chat.”

It's the first time I've had such a taste for eating in front of Dave. However, I had to quickly finish this meal for the meeting to end quickly.

“Before I apologize, I did not intend to interfere in your household affairs.” I designed these words from last night. “Is there a problem in your household?”

“Problems? Meaning?” Dave's surprised. I expected that expression to come out.

“Em. Your relationship with Fay is fine, right? No more problems...” Ah, hopefully my delivery does not touch him, “Yang makes you late to go home for example. So...sorry.. Once again, I don't want to...”.

“Our relationship is fine. What's the matter, Ken?”

“Thank God then.”

It definitely doesn't answer the mystery in my head. But maybe because my delivery is also not good, Dave back in droves questions.

“What Fay contacted you? When's? What did he say?” Dave's face suddenly turned serious.

“No, Dave. I don't mean in that direction.”

Almost any. If I were to speak the truth, Dave would have talked about it to Fay.

I can't ask Fay directly why he came to my place the day after tomorrow. The only bright spot is trying to ask Dave about the condition of his household. Unfortunately, I am not talented as a journalist.

“Then what makes you ask like that?”

Slowly I explained, “Begini Dave. I know I made a noise in your household a few months ago. But since that incident, I've also been determined never to see you again. I decided to leave and never come back, forget you forever. Forgetting the betrayal of my feelings towards you that turned out to want you more than a friend. Therefore, I also beg you to forget me who was once considered a bully in your household. I don't want to continue to be labeled as the cause of the problem.”

Suddenly Dave clutched my hand tightly, “So that's what got you all the way back here. What did Fay say?”

“Dave. It's not because Fay called me or anyone else. This is just uneg-uneg that I want to convey.”

“So it's his uneg-unegnya? Then why are you here? Can't you forget me by living in Japan? You can even act very convincingly in front of your Uncle if we're just the first to meet. Though I hope you introduce me as your best friend.”

My mind is dead. I don't want to be the center of attention, for arguing in a public place like this.

“OK. I was wrong from the beginning. Is that what makes you vengeful?” dave continued as he got up from his chair.

“Defend? Not even crossed.” I'm standing up too. “Thank you for meeting me. I'm home.” The atmosphere is not conducive. I don't want to get carried away in the past anymore.

After bending down, I walked out. At least, I'm satisfied to have been able to control myself in front of Dave. There are no words of hope that come out of my mouth that are still in the depths of my heart.

“Akh..” Sounds Dave's voice slightly kicked the table to produce the sound of eating utensils colliding. However, I don't want to look back to confirm his frustration.

The streets seem so jammed. I tried to book an ojek online to get to the apartment faster. I don't know when I'll set foot in Jakarta. It's been a tough goodbye night, as it erases all past memories with Dave.

Tomorrow morning I leave for Bali. Stay a few nights there and fly back to Tokyo. To Bibi's place for a while, then to Hokkaido. If Bibi forces me to stay the night, I'll stay the night. That was my travel plan.

“Ken...” Dave's voice called. I turned around to make sure. “I'll drive you home.”

“Not done, Dave. I don't want your wife waiting for you to come home for long. Anyway, I've ordered ojek online.”

Unexpectedly, Dave snatched my phone. He canceled the online service I ordered.

“Come!” take him to force by taking my phone as a hostage.

I'm powerless. I followed his will or perhaps more accurately his offer.

“I wonder someone is in love, but he does not want to fight for his love.” Dave opened the topic when the car was held back by a red light.

“Who do you mean?”

“Ah, stop.”

Dave insinuating? If so, why would he do that? Whatdoes thatmean? Let it. He is very difficult to guess.

Along the way we were more silent. Every now and then we steal a glance at each other, but there is still no paragraph coming out of our mouths.

“I get off here,” my door when I get to the front of the apartment building.

Dave did not want to stop the car. “I said I'd take you home. So I'll make sure until you get into the room.”

It's really hard to guess Dave's mind.

He took me to the basement parking lot. When the car stopped, I rushed to. “Thank you, Dave.”

Again, he's blocking me. I returned to my original sitting position.

“You sure you want to go again?” tanyakanya.

“Iya.”

“You sure you won't miss me again?”

“I will try to hold it,” I replied steadily.

But a moment later, Dave grabbed my neck. She quickly placed her lips right on mine. While his left hand was embracing my neck, his right hand was pressing down on my chin.

At first, I was lured to compensate for the movements of her lips. Nah! It's utopia. It will only make my life harder later on.

By pushing Dave a little fast, I managed to let him go. Then, set the breath panting.

“You used to ask me not to leave you. Now I ask you not to leave me. Fair, right?” Dave's words create a serious atmosphere nan haru.

“No. Sorry, Dave!”

“Why?”

“Have I said several times I love you. My feelings are no longer as your friend. I don't actually want that feeling to continue growing wildly either. No, Dave. I even wish we were like the first one to meet like always. But, I can't. I've been too deeply caught up in this feeling. If I let it go, I'll be buried with him.”

Dave snapped at me, “Try saying once again that you love me.”

“I've said too much.”

Then, he covered his face with both hands. “If only I could choose.”

“Now we have reached the point to live each other's lives, right?!”

“I still want to see you tomorrow?”

Dave's words became very random.

“Besok morning I went to Bali to visit the graves of my parents. After that I returned to Japan.”

“Then tomorrow morning I will take you to the airport.”

“Not necessary. I'm leaving Dawn.”

“I can come on time.”

“I'm looking to leave by myself.”

“What do you want, Ken?” Dave came back to yell at me. This time he even pulled my shirt collar.

I tried to take the light off his face. A face that scatters every cell in my brain. The face that was now only a few centimeters in front of me. In fact, his breath felt warmly spread across my face. I don't know what else he'll do this time.

In a tight space, I dropped my body over Dave. When I doubt, I close my eyes. Then, my lips deftly pounced straight at his lips. He doesn't want to lose. He was trying to disarm my shirt button.

Sorry, you fished my nafs first. I said in my heart.

Dave's phone rings. He asked permission to answer his wife's call. That's when I realized our actions might have gone too far. I immediately returned to the sitting position and tidied up the clothes. Dave looks at. I understand, I can't make a sound.

Fay's worried, because Dave hasn't come home yet. Dave also reasoned he was on his way and stuck in traffic.

“Sorry.” He said it to me after hanging up the phone.

I can only be silent while enduring the sadness. Happened again. Now, I want Dave not to go home.

As my tears fell, Dave's hand deftly blocked it. Then, he hugged me. I closed my eyes and gently leaned my head on her shoulder. The warmth of his body had never changed before.