Winter in Hokkaido
Chapter 29: After

Many buyers have contacted me to buy my apartment. But not everything seems serious. Some bid sadistically, asking for a price reduction of almost 50%, until someone invites to get acquainted. I was annoyed by the actions of the prospective buyers. I also had time to undo the intention of selling the apartment.

Once in despair, finally, my apartment was sold to Mr. Andy. No negotiations with him, after a night of talking, he transferred some money to my apartment.

I asked Aunt Selly to take a picture with Mr. Andy when she came to pick up the keys and the apartment ownership papers. But said Aunt Selly who came to see him is not Mr. Andy himself, but his assistant. In fact, I was curious to see the appearance of my apartment buyer.

When my apartment changed hands, I lost someone. Like there's a missing part in my life. Although the decision to sell the apartment has been thought carefully, but still there is sadness. There is a deep sense of guilt for Dad. May Father, in heaven, understand my decision.

Yamada's uncle, Aunt Ayane, Mayumi's parents, are getting busy preparing for my wedding. Tonight will be a meeting of two families to discuss the seriousness of the reception. Lately they seem busy drafting a lively concept.

Misunderstanding has become an official statement. In fact, Uncle no longer wants to hear me say if I want to marry Mayumi at that time is not serious.

I don't want to hurt Mayumi's feelings, not with her family and my family. However, should I force marriage to happen just to keep their feelings? Is it possible that Mayumi and I will live happily in a one-stop ark? While my heart made sure it wouldn't be for him. I don't know! I wish I could go back in time to pull out all the words of consequence.

The dinner started at 19:00, but I was asked to stand by at the hotel from 18:00. He said as the host must show seriousness, let alone this event is not just an ordinary dinner, but also discuss the date and readiness of my and Mayumi's wedding.

The meeting room at Uncle's hotel was decorated like a guarantee, even though this was just a dinner. Hem, I've drifted into the middle of the sea. It's been hard for me to swim to the beach. Can only survive by following the ocean currents.

Suddenly Keigo approached. “Uncle, here is your phone.”

He said my phone was shaking because of a phone call. I don't even remember where to put my phone.

“Uncle, Ken answer phone first yes!”

“Don't be long, Mayumi and her family are coming soon.”

“Iya, Uncle.”

I saw a video call from a number in Indonesia. I hesitated to call because no friend in Indonesia knew my number. In fact, Dave I didn't even tell you.

I just gave my phone number to Aunt Selly and Om Syakir. But their numbers were stored in my contacts, while the caller seemed mysterious.

Before long I realized, maybe Mr. Andy called. From two days ago, I waited for his response after the deal bought my apartment. Maybe he just called now.

Why did Andy make a video call? Want to know faces too, right? Ah, it feels a little awkward.

I went into my room to be more comfortable chatting later. Around the meeting room was quite noisy, and I was afraid to sound Uncle or Aunt. I didn't tell them about selling my apartment. They would be angry if they knew. The plan, I will let them know when I already have a new place to live.

“Halo Mr. Andy, sorry I have an event so just had time to respond to the phone Mr.”

Mr. Andy's video background is in my apartment. Ah, I longed for a place that for years had been a witness when I fell and rose.

“Hello, Mr. Andy.” No response from him. He also did not show the camera to his face.

I waited for Mr. Andy to greet me long enough. But he just confused me. He shot every room in my apartment. From the bed, to the kitchen, to the bathroom.

“Sorry, Sir. I have an event. How about I call you back later?”

I don't want to waste time on the unclear. I thought Mr. Andy wanted to testify. If I just wanted to show every corner of my apartment, I still remember it.

“Goodnight, Mr Ken!”

Just about to end the video call, Mr. Andy greeted me.

When I looked at my phone screen to see Mr. Andy's face. Turns out he's someone I know very well.

“Dave?!!” I was surprised to see his face on my phone.

“Why? Shocked? Or happy?” tanyanya cynic.

“What do you mean do this? It's not very funny, Dave?”

“I should have asked like that.”

“Where did you know I sold my apartment?”

“Ya from the ads you posted on the app buy and sell.”

Idiotically. My question is not a question to ask. I advertised it on the app, it can definitely be seen by the public. But Dave already has a house, why would he buy my apartment?

“So you bought my apartment and pretended to be someone else, what for?”

“For you,” the answer is relaxed.

“Forku? Mean what? Oh, I said your cipher was very good. But I now change my mind, I want my apartment back.”

“Yes, this is for you.”

“I mean, I'll refund your money.”

“I don't want to. This apartment is rightfully mine. If you want, you just have to take it back. But if you want to go back to making purchases, em.the price I increased to 10 billion.”.

“Don't be crazy, Dave!”

Dave laughed after I said that sentence. Laughter that implies a pique.

“If I'm really going crazy, how? Oya, you congratulated me for my good acting. But, I think your acting is much better. Just leave like no one will get hurt, like no one will miss.”

Dave's words triggered the movement of my tears.

“Dave, I just want you to be happy,”.

“See! Look and watch my face on your phone! Do I look happy? Or maybe you are very happy?” snapped Dave.

“I don't want you to betray your wife.” I tried to convey my anxiety.

“You sure that's the reason? I didn't choose you.”

“Therefore I do not want you to be at a difficult point.”

A lie? I went for the sake of the integrity of his household, so as not to become the sharp pebble that Fay thought so hurt him. “What do you mean?”

“So you said you were having an event. Okay, I know what the show is. You wear a white shirt with a black suit and a bow tie. Want to hear my guess or you choose to explain?” his voice is full of insinuations.

If she thinks I left her because of this wedding plan, it's definitely wrong. I told you the truth earlier. But it's too long to tell at the moment. Not necessarily Dave understood in his emotional state.

“Why silence? Let's explain!” Dave added his voice power. “OK. So, you went back to Indonesia to sell the apartment, right? Not just to meet me? Then why give me hope, while you want to get married? Is this revenge from you for me?” Dave's eyes looked teary.

What else is this? My goal in Indonesia was not to meet him. Right now I'm in need of peace from Add's terror, and miss my parents. Getting complicated. I don't know where to start to explain.

“Dave, I don't understand where you think I'm getting revenge on you. Why do you always accuse me of that? I have always tried to be close to you. I always begged you not to leave me. I'm the one who said thousands of times I love you.”

I'm trying to hold back the tears of remembering everything I've been through with Dave.

“Then, where is all that now? What does it mean to ask not to be left behind, and what are thousands of words of love for if they are all nonsense? Now I bear this feeling myself. You said I was playing you. Do you realize that right now that sentence should be said to yourself?”

Is that how Dave feels about me? I had trouble putting words together to reply to her.

“Dave…. I'm confused to explain. This marriage is not my will.”

“Lantas whos will? I can accept it, but I have a hard time understanding your lies.”

“What lies are more? In your eyes I'm a liar?” I turned around annoyed at being constantly cornered by Dave.

“You will marry that woman named Mayumi, right?” I can't answer the question. “I once asked him if he was your lover, you answered no. Do you love him, you say no. Now that you're getting married to her, isn't that a lie? I don't like the way you hurt me with a lie like this.”

It's like it's all my fault. Like I'm a big liar.

“I don't love him. What I said it all was honest.” I can no longer hold back my tears.

“Lantas, if not for love, why did you choose to marry her? Matchmade? Don't try to make jokes like that in this day and age, Ken!”

This conversation is getting wider. I can't if I have to explain it in an unstructured way. I was just about to explain, Dave had already thrown in another question.

“Dave, I can't explain if you keep throwing sarcasm like this.”

“Okay, I'll shut up. Please tell!”

Should I start by telling you about Add? He's the one who has brought me into this dilemma situation.

  “I've been trying to guess how you feel. Is it just a friend or more like I feel. I always faced the fear that you would leave me. Sooner or later, you will choose to have a family. Now it's happened.” I sighed for a moment, “At first I thought this was just a feeling of loneliness, because I didn't have many friends to replace your presence. It turns out what I feel is more than that. I want to be the most valuable part of your life. Baby, I'm late. Or I'm hoping too far. Now your life is complete. Therefore, I do not want to destroy the path of life that you have designed and decided.”

“I'm tired of hearing that explanation. Now, if I really am the person you always wanted to be by your side, tell everyone you will not marry Mayumi!”

“Cannot. I can't do that, Dave.”

“Why?” Dave came back to yell at me.

“I can't hurt Mayumi and her family, nor my Uncle and Aunt, the people I love so much.”

“And I'm not one of those people you care about so much?”

“Dave, I also feel indebted to Mayumi.”

Finally, I told her that Mayumi and I were just friends before. Mayumi had already expressed her feelings for me, and I rejected her.

Mayumi is a very nice woman. He did not get the slightest grudge when my declaration of love ran aground. I'm wrong, I can't hurt Mayumi more deeply.

Then, I explained to Dave that someone had challenged me first. The person I thought I could be my friend, but took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy my body when I was drunk. Dave seemed really upset to hear my words about Add's actions.

Dave was getting mad when I told him that Add had put me in a coma for a week. He said he'd give Add a lesson. I showed a scar on the head from being bumped into a wall by Add. The pain and trauma, in fact, still lingered in my brain.

I didn't tell you I kissed Mayumi. I'm just saying I'm going to marry Mayumi in front of Add just to get that motherfucker out of my life. However, I did not have time to clarify my words. Mayumi told my family and family that I would marry her soon. Currently, a family event is being held to prepare for the wedding.

“I will come there and take you back to Jakarta. I don't want to hear stories like this anymore. I'll explain to Mayumi and your family that you're not serious about saying that.” Dave's emotions seemed to be burning.

“Do not Dave! This is my problem.”

“So you will still marry Mayumi?”

I can only breathe.

“Trust me, I will take care of you here,”.

“Dave. I know you love me so much, Fay. I felt that from the beginning you told me you were going to marry her, and from the way you told me about her. Stop, Dave! Leave this...”.

The head felt like it was being knocked against a wall again.

“Ken, don't switch the conversation! I admit that I was wrong. But ever since you left for Japan, I realized that my happiness was partially lost. I beg you to tell me the truth that you do not want to marry Mayumi. Don't hurt yourself!”

This time I couldn't respond to Dave's words, because my head was hurting more and more.

I tried to massage my head, but it did not help in the least to relieve the pain.

“Ken... Are you okay? Ken's….Ken...”

I had to hang up the phone and go to the bathroom. My view is a bit vague. The pain in the head is getting unbearable. It felt like something that happened back then.

I heard my phone ring again, and I let it. I don't want to talk to anyone. I want to be alone. The voices were like a needle that slammed into the bottom of my head.

I saw my pale face in the mirror. I was caught up in my own feelings. Conscious, but can only lament miserable. Like diving in the snow, all flavors have now frozen.

***

Winter is over. Sakura bersemi welcomes the excitement of the changing of the season. Hokkaido offers a new view.