Anila For Anala

CHAPTER 23 - PRIORITY

Priority means taking the time not the place, not spending it.

That's what Maliq passed on to Anila. By making a tarawih tour schedule, Anila became a priority. Sure enough, when it is committed to make it a priority, then the road will open to it. Even if there is a barrier, it is only one percent likely. That is the truth of the phrase God willing.

Tok to tok.

"Come in," voice commands from inside the room.

"Sir Rohidin, did you call me?" asked Anila as soon as she entered the room of the Director of Marketing and Cooperation.

The tanned woman with bangs covering her forehead was still standing before her boss, waiting to be invited to sit down.

"Sit, An," commanded Mr. Rohidin with a serious face. He is the one who discovered Anila's potential. He knew the steep path of career and the persistence of independent women before him. So that small call– is not formal, become a designation when not in the forum.

Anila pulled a chair across from Mr. Rohidin's seat which was bounded by a large wooden table in the shape of a leter L.

"Where's work?"

"Surfing, Sir. The report is always updated in the shared data storage service, sir," explained Anila.

"Oh, yes. I haven't checked in today." Mr. Rohidin paused on his sentence and took a deep breath as a sly, "Saturday, you have an event?"

The woman in a pastel-colored long-sleeved shirt shook her head while remembering. "Of course, nothing, sir. What's the matter, sir?"

"Hmmm. They need support. Can you help?"

"Hand? That'll enter the area of West Java, sir. Our coverage is, right, only Jabodetabek," said Anila.

"Yes, right. Cuman, West Java marketing manager on maternity leave. Their sales are falling. Help them, please, An. You also, right, quite know the characteristics of West Java people. Help, yeah."

Anila is not until the heart rejects the middle-aged figure who contributes a lot to the development of her career. Although if I may be honest, lazy to return to the city. "Good, Sir. I'm trying to."

"Sorry, yes, An. Disturbing your weekend. Plan to leave when? Use the car as well as the office driver, yes," bargained Mr. Rohidin who has now lost his serious look changed energetically.

Actually Anila is a bit uncomfortable when one car with the opposite sex. He cannot be as free as driving alone. "No need, sir. I only use my own car," Anila refused politely.

"Yes, let's not be tired, just use an office driver. Let him take your car." Mr. Rohidin still looking for a solution so that Anila does not get tired.

"No need, sir. Jakarta-Bandung only, really. Two hours to go, too." Anila smiled at her superior.

"Yes, if that's what you want. You told Sari to make a Service Travel Letter now, yes. Let me sign it directly, so that it will quickly liquidate the SPJ money."

"Ready, sir." Anila saw there was nothing more to talk about. "That's it, sir? Is there anything else?"

"Oh, yes. That's all."

"Okay, then I'll say goodbye."

"Please" replied Mr. Rohidin, rising from his armchair. He walked up to the door and opened it for Anila.

"An," he called for a moment after Anila passed him.

"Yes, Sir?" Anila turned.

"Thank you, yeah. You are always reliable," said Mr. Rohidin gratefully. "Your parents in the village must be proud."

Old man.proud. Would her parents in the village be proud if they knew their child had failed in marriage? Would she still be proud if her whole village knew she was separated from her husband? Is his career progress enough to silence all skewed talk about him later, if his secret is exposed?

Perhaps Anila could close her ears or go far out of town, so that a discordant sound could no longer be heard. But not with his parents. They will still settle there–kampung yard where all relatives gather. Swallowing bitter talk about his daughter's failure. It feels like the payment is too expensive compared to holding all by yourself, without knowing anyone even his parents. Let what they hear and spread only about their success, not their failure.

Shakes the phone disperse the daydream of Anila while in the elevator. Gift, the name on the phone. Anila kept Maliq's number with that writing. Ignoring how big Maliq's head would be if he knew. Let it be, at least that's what Anila felt since the presence of a shoulder-haired man in her life.

"Assalamualaikum," greetings from across.

"Wa'alaikumsalam, excuse me" Anila replied as she asked for a way out of the elevator. Some people are blocking the way out.

"Where is it? Why excuse me?"

"In elevator. From above, Director's room."

Maliq rounded his mouth. "Eh, why are you called? You're being reprimanded for not focusing on the work, huh? because I think of me?"

"Please. It doesn't matter."

"Oh, so I'm not important, huh? Yeah, had. Assalamualaikum."

The woman with the unraveled brown hair chuckled at Maliq's reply. "What, anyway? You're baperan!"

"Please diralat. Not a paperan, but sensitive. Eh. yes but also bring feelings, anyway," said Maliq.

Despite her ominousness, Anila actually heard clearly. However, he himself was confused as to what to act like. "I was called to Bandung this Saturday. All I want to say is, like this Saturday I can not join our tour schedule tarawih. It's okay, right?"

"Oh, no problem anyway. When did the same ride what to go?"

"Saturday's over dawn may be the departure. Ride your own car the most. It's easy to stop by."

"Where are you going to stop by?" telisik Maliq tease.

Anila thunts. "Kc... I know which way you're going, Mal. Looks like your brain is busting again, huh. Clean it up, gih!" pissed Anila.

Anila's sentence was answered with a crisp laugh Maliq. The crisp laughter that rubbed off on Anila.

...***...

Two bags were carried by Anila down the floor of the apartment by elevator. One branded handbag contains a mobile phone, a wallet, as well as some makeup equipment for touch ups. One medium-sized tote bag containing a change of clothes and some gluten free snacks for later tonight accompanied the trip home. Not to forget, in his left hand that was circular handbag, he carried a bottle of mineral water of enormous size. Se-well prepared it's Anila now.

It's still dark. The hallway and lobby of the apartment are still empty. No one, except a security guard at the basement door to the car park. He greeted with a smile and a nod to Anila.

His car was parked a little way from the security guard post door. Anila had to walk straight to the end then turn right. His car is parked in an unlit corner.

"Huh," Anila screeched in the dark to see someone leaning on her car. The man with the army green jacket and matching hat, which covered his face.

Luckily, he immediately opened the hat as Anila screeched. If not….

"Maliq's?"

...***...

......Maliq ngagetin, yes. Why would he hang out in Anila's car at dawn? ......