Yellow Flags
Gathering

🚩 Jacob

My steps came to a halt, as my hand reached for the glass door. I remembered something that brought me back to the table, where Sepia was still sitting. A small smile was drawn at the corner of my lips, as I sat back down. Sepia widened her eyes, looking at me like a hopeful. 

“Gue can you ask me to please? For the convenience of lo also.” Sepia took a deep breath. For a moment, his eyes stared at the teacup. I cleared my throat slowly, pointing at the cup that was still full. “Drink first, let it be quiet.”

Sepia drank a few gulps, then put the cup back with a slightly trembling hand. “What do you ask for please to take the letter from my husband?” sepia asked with her face subdued. Only that dark netra moved, looking at me with a careful look.

I scratched the temple, trying to think of another way to get the letter. Because I don't believe in Sepia at all! I don't know what he did, after the letter was back in his hands. “Neventless. I just want to meet your husband. Or...” I pulled out the phone, looking back at Sepia who now looks shocked again. “Lo just give the number to me.”

Sepia broke eye contact. His face turned, staring out into the street.

The sun is shining brightly. There were only a few clouds floating across the horizon. I glanced at the phone screen for a moment, who knows Winona replied to my message. But there was only a notification from the group that made me sigh heavily.

“Where? Cook you don't want to?” I moved up the sitting position. He turned his face back. A scintillation of anxiety appeared on that face. “Lo do not need to worry about Wio who disturbs your husband. It's up to you to consider the nervous Wio.

Although I know, you know the truth.” a small smile was drawn at the corner of my lips. 

Sepia rubbed her face violently. “Lo want to say what is my husband?” he said with a breath at the end of the sentence. 

“Gue says, don't deketin Wio. Because now the handler is back.” My smile grew wider, while Sepia's face grew pale. I'm clucking, “lo kok so weird gini? Wio is always good. But lo...”

Sepia again laughed a little, impressed scorn. “Maybe it was me and Wio close. But now..” those eyes imply hatred. “Gue doesn't know my best friend anymore. He was plain first. Olegant. But now..”

“Secrets make you hate the same Wio,” cut me fast. I'm sick of Sepia constantly commenting on Winona like this! “Lo would like to give your husband number what is not?!” I said a little snapping. “If you don't want to, don't papa. I'll find it myself!” I stood up, tidied up my shirt. Staring at the two sepia eyes that look holding back growled.

Sepia's forehead frowned deeply. He took a sharp breath, “gue will arrange a meeting. Dinner's? How's it? Lo invite Winona.”

I thought about this plan for a moment. “Bby. Immediately, I wait for news from lo.” Sepia nodded quickly.

After planning the meeting, I stepped out of the cafe at a quick pace. I drove a Jeep to the boarding house Winona. A quarter of an hour later, I parked the car on a small road, in front of the second floor's boarding house. 

I re-opened the chat app, saw two faded ticks of Winona's name. “What Wio sleeps times huh?” I muttered to myself. But what exactly is my plan? Am I going to take Wio out again? Does he want to? 

My phone rang, displaying the Eagle's name. “Hallo long,”

“Lo free no? Play badminton yuk.”

I scratched the temple, thinking of the Eagle's invitation for a moment. “Who is playing?”

“My office management. They want double. I remember you,” a little laugh was heard from across the phone. “Lumayan if he wins, he gives concert tickets..”.

Another phone call stopped that line. My smile flashed wide as I stared at the name on the screen. “Lang, ntar again I contact ya.” Without waiting for an answer from my friend, I turned off the connection. “Hallo Wio,” I said cheerfully.

“Lo where?” that tone sounded cold. 

I exhaled a small breath, glancing at Winona's window with a slight lift of my face towards the number eleven. “I'm in front of your kos.”

“Gue not in kos,” sounds pause before Winona continues. “Can we meet...”

Winona sent me a message. It is located about twenty minutes to the edge of the city. Before starting the car engine, I called Elang again. “Lang, I can't. Next time yes..”.

His breath was heard from across the phone. “Main will run out maghrib. Lo busy what?”

“Gue kirain now. I will continue to do.”

“Okey sipp's. Later at half six confirm again yes!”

I murmured, “ya later I will tell you again.”

My feelings were mixed during the drive. Judging from Winona's cold tone, it seemed like she was being annoyed. And why is he at the cafe? Did Winona meet anyone? 

I tighten the handle on the wheel. Last night's conversation reoccurred in my memory. After dinner, Mama invited me to meet face to face. I already know what Mama will say. To be sure, Mama was upset by my decision to openly reject my matchmaking with Aleia. 

“How are you? So stubborn! Look at Aleia's face! She looks sad..” Mama heaves a heavy sigh. His hand was waving in the air. “What's so great about that girl, that you want to turn her back on?!”

My hand clenched tightly, trying to hold back the emotions that were stirring in my chest. My face was heating up, feeling a stifled emotion in my head. This discussion will not solve the problem. 

“I told you Mama, I don't want to marry a working woman! Aleia doctor! In the years ahead, he will be busy. And he didn't want to sacrifice his profession for me Ma! That's why I gave up on continuing this relationship. At first, it might be sweet. But the relationship is not just a matter of love Mah.needs two people who understand commitment! With Aleia?” 

I exhaled heavily, and took a deep breath before continuing the sentence. “I have to give time. The time he spent in the hospital! And when he's free, I spend my time on the field.”

Mama pulls a wry smile, “you work at the hospital! You can handle the online section. Matters related to administration, or public relations. You can...”

“I can't Mah! Don't make me...”.

“This is all for your good! Think of your future!” Mama sounds hysterical, “if you are the same girl, you will be a bum!”

Laughter is coming out of my lips. I replied to Mama's tense spotlight, “what is so stupid of me? Until Mama thought I could not succeed with what I pioneered now?”

Mama fell silent. The twitching on the corner of his lips was visible. His forehead crept in. “Mama never feels enough with money! Mama's life was overdone, but still felt lacking.”

Mama pointed at me furious, “less ya you! How dare you talk to Mama? Papa you must have poisoned your mind!”

I shook my head slowly, “do not salahin Papa. Mama has to introspect! Don't impose your will. Because I'm sick of being set up with Mama!”

I rubbed my face, trying to eliminate the remnants of that conversation in my mind. Surprisingly, I don't feel as angry as I used to. I'm used to not being supported by my mom. Because for that woman, I'm just a burden that costs her money.

My relationship with my mom was bad. Although the words that come out never please, it is the form of his concern for me. Pilu. But it is so!

After parking the car, I got out in a hurry. The atmosphere of the cafe can be said to be a little crowded by college students who are in groups. The noisy conversation filled the atmosphere of a minimalist style room. 

Combing through each table, my breath was restrained as I looked at the figure sitting about three meters away from me. Winona looked at me with round eyes. While in front of him….

Slowly the wavy long haired head was spinning. 

What is Aleia doing here? Was Winona upset, after talking to her?