Yellow Flags
The Acute Bucin Echoes

🌻Winona

This heart betrays the wounds that were once incised. The other half was afraid to believe. But the other half, the injured part was giving a sign. At every meeting I had with Jacob, I still felt happy. 

Even now, I know who I'd face if I wanted to be with Jacob. Aleia was even a big family of Atmadja. Just thinking about seeing Jacob's mother again made me feel anxious. 

Even though he last met, he slightly smiled at me. Not a happy smile to meet me. Except for a wry smile that looked arrogant. I know, maybe she's happy that Jacob finally left me.

I exhaled a rough breath. Cut my tired face from the reflection of a round mirror. 

Did Jacob say that he met Sepia? And even Sepia agreed to hold a follow-up meeting! Thinking about it, made me unable to process my feelings right now. Because Jacob's words about the hypocritical Sepia, and our last conversation on the phone, gave me a negative impression. 

I always had positive thoughts about my best friend. After her words yesterday on the phone, not to mention what Aleia said earlier this afternoon…

It seems to be true, Sepia secretly hates me!

I forced myself to open the draft work. Wish the files that needed editing could take my mind off Jacob and plan a meeting with Sepia!

Mid this month, Divana, my little sister, there's a group project. He asked me for extra pocket money. Hopefully I can get a bonus by completing this job on time. 

The clock on my phone screen shows at 00:45. These eyes are also getting heavier to keep open. I saved the last draft, then turned off the laptop. My back is tight. So even my joints feel stiff to be moved.

The mattress feels comfortable, when my body and mind feel tired. 

...***...

Monday is always the hardest day. Even the look on the faces of the people on the metro bus looks the same. Eyes drowsy, with a lethargic expression. 

I enjoyed the ride from the bus stop to my office. Now, the road looks shady with a shade tree. The laptop grip on my right hand tightened, as I accelerated my footsteps. 

As usual, the monotony of work bored me. I'm still editing the rest of the draft with three more titles. But not felt, lunch time is almost here. 

Ginara's smile looks carefree, “Win, there are nyariin you tuh.”

My forehead frowned in hearing Ginara's words. “Gue thought you were taking lunch.” I sighed, then looked back at the laptop screen. 

“Yes the plan is that. But the cake he took lo lunch deh..” said Ginara. His face was too excited. 

Who the hell is this guy? 

“Kok lo happy so anyway?” manya curious. I saved the last job, then turned off the monitor. “Lu boongin me huh? Don't tell me your temen the Bujang from next door…

Ginara shook his head quickly, “no! It's different, Win! This style is classy. Continues the deep heavy voice.” Ginara's gaze glared upwards, as well as his hands. Waving enthusiastically in the air. “His exotic skin, with a sharp narrowed gaze.”’

Sneaky look? Exotic leather? Expensive suit?

Wait..don't say….

“Bau perfume aja make want to wilt for long.” 

I stood up quickly. My breath feels choked. And I so want to deny the situation! Because I'm not sure what I just heard.

My steps swung fast. Ginara just looked at me with a dumbfounded look. I heard a step from the ten centi right tail behind me.

When I opened the door, I found a big smile on that square jawed face. “Ngapain lo here?” ask directly. My voice sounded angry. 

“Siang Wio's. How are you?” 

His hospitality made me grunt. “Ngapain lo here?” ulaku asked. 

The smile is still the same. Looks flirtatious. Makes me want to leave in front of him. 

“We had lunch with yuk,”. The heavy voice was still soft in the ears. 

I stared at the Nyalang echo, “lo why the hell? I told you not to bother me!”

“Gue doesn't bother lo.”

“Keep why use my chat with Sepia number everything?”

Echoes exhale heavily, “itu..” he scratched his temple. The narrowed eyes fell down. 

“Ngapain lo here?” ule's riled. I have said three similar words.

“Someone wants me to talk about.”

I crossed my arms around my chest, my legs bent. “What?”

“Soal Jacob. Dia...”

I laughed scornfully, “it's none of your business! Take care of your wife and child. They are your future! Don't you call me again!” I turned. 

Next to my hand was pulled, giving me a reflex to look over my shoulder. “Gue not finished.”

I snatched my hand rough, “don't touch me!” his hand was released. 

Echoes of rough breathing. He reached into the pocket of the brown suit he was wearing. Get the cell phone out of there. “Lo look at this first,” said Gema while showing her phone screen to me. 

I take a sharp breath. If I refuse, there will be a moment where Gema pulls my hand back. Or he'll make a fuss in my office. I know very well the nature of Echoes! He's a reckless man. 

The photo on the screen made me hold my breath. I even took Gema's phone, for the sake of clearly seeing the photo. Because for some reason, there's a little space in my heart that makes me not believe what I see!

It's a picture of Jacob and a wavy long-haired woman. “That Jacob same chick in Club. I'm hearing you balikan.”

I returned the echo's phone. Trying not to show my disappointed expression to the crocodile in front of me. “Not your business. I told you earlier.” 

Echoes sigh, “gue knows! But you can't force me to stop caring the same lo!”

I laughed softly, impressed with the mockery. “Asper lo! I don't care.” I turned. 

“Why Jacob? Why can't you give me a chance?”

My forehead frowned in hearing the sentence that was thrown from the mouth of Echoes. I went back to face the man. An innocent innocent expression was drawn on that good looking face. It would be easy to fall in love with her, if only I didn't know how manipulative Gema was. 

“Lo crazy what? Do you realize that you are married and have children? You still talk to me!” my voice is not too high. I don't want to be heard by the ears behind the wall. 

“Iya,” Gema nodded. “Gue crazy. Crazy wants lo, Wio..”.

I want to slap her face. It turns out that there are people who are annoying and do not know themselves like Echoes in this world! Even he was in a compassionate tone, and his innocent gaze said things that married men should not say to a single girl like me! 

“One time. Just me and you.”.

I was stunned to hear it. I even felt a cold sigh on my back. “Lo no brain talking cake that!” I feel furious. He wanted to scream rudely at her. But I knew it would only embarrass myself. 

I just passed by, with a quick step towards the toilet at the end of the hall.