Belongs to Other Women

Part 4's

Still Tika POVs.

Before tonight, Jefri and I met a lot. Certainly not just the two. Jefri and his friends became more often seen in the tavern during lunchtime.

They also do not hesitate to just invite me to hang out at night. I always agree with their request. I rarely refuse that invitation.

Until one day, they found out that I like to drink coffee. I can't wait to tell them about a place where I used to enjoy the best cup of coffee I thought. And again, I often visited that place.

Almost every night, my friends and I met again. Joking, discussing politics, or just planning a meeting for tomorrow. What was clear from the routine activity made me accustomed to their presence, especially with Jefri.

He is a man who is never absent, always present, even though often late. He also always makes jokes that make us laugh.

Even so, they all already know that I am a female smoker. There was never one of them who felt uncomfortable with me. And the attitude of their 'welcome' friends is what makes me comfortable, even though I am the only woman among them.

**

“Yuk!” invite Jefri nudge my arm while standing from his seat, “nih nitip payin.” He handed me a hundred thousand dollars.

“We both go first huh? Tika want to smoke, dntar meet at the place of coffee deh,” pamitnya to others.

I went straight to the cashier, where there sat a middle-aged woman who might have owned this restaurant.

“How much, Auntie? Moor each other hot tea,” said Jefri. From the tone of his question as if he had known the old woman for a long time.

“Pay each yes?”

“Iya,” nod.

“Lalapan 26 thousand plus hot tea three thousand so 29 thousand,” said he was smooth.

“Trus fried rice half the same fresh hot tea?” I said while offering a hundred thousand rupiah.

“Fried rice half 20 thousand plus three thousand."

His left finger pressed the calculator that was on his desk to count and his right hand received the money that I had thrust.

“Means a total of 52 thousand, back 48 huh?”

Opening the money storage drawer and then pouring it back.

“Still Aunty,” says. I haven't had the time to withdraw the money back, he suddenly caught my hand first.

“You're Jefri's girlfriend huh?” ask him enthusiastically. I stumbled back, still no longer finding Jefri behind me. Then looked back at the middle-aged woman.

“Oh, once his girlfriend, let aunty tell his mama Jefri, he'll never bring his girl home. Especially know his girlfriend to the family,” chirps the woman relaxed.

I just smiled crisply. Then receive the change gently.

“Hayo says what?” sambar Jefri from behind me, making me tickle in shock.

“Not really, Aunt just she was ready you.” The woman replied.

“Oh, already yes, Aunt, Jefri pamit first, because there is still something to look for again, the shop is closed,” saying Jefri then thrust his hand to shake hands.

The woman also thrust her hand, “Emang not hanging out tonight?”

“Nongrong dong, Aunt, Bye Tan.” Jefri.

I also joined hands after Jefri finished shaking the hands of the woman and saying home. Maybe it's his family, I'm monologuing in my heart.

**

In the car Jefri just silence and occasionally he replies to a chat on his phone that reads. I started glancing at him, he was still cool in replying to the chat with one of his hands on the steering wheel.

“Nih change earlier, 71 thousand.” I'm handing over the money.

“Loh how much? Put it there aja.” Show Jefri with his head.

“Pay each.”

“Why didn't you pay for yours too?”

“Ga no, I have money fitting,” reject me smooth. “Emang now where are we going? find what?” sanku.

“Oh it, no kok, 'would you like to smoke, yes already please,” he said casually.

Put the phone on the middle dashboard. Open the window glass slightly, after the car AC is turned off. Then he returned to pick up his cigarette box and started his smoking ritual. I was just watching him now started picking up my cigarette and lighting it up.

Yes, I do smoke, used to be in college almost every day I smoked. I burned the pocket money just to buy cigarettes, yeah burned. You guys understand what I mean? *lol

But right now I smoke if I just want to. Because I still smoke behind my parents.

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