Between Asa And Taste

Small snores

Manto is busy trying to calm his wife. Even until twelve in the evening, his wife was still crying. Manto told his wife the truth. The funny thing that makes Manto smile himself with Rian's behavior, it turns out that it does not affect his wife. His wife is still angry because she does not believe Manto's story which is considered a joke.

Tonight Manto can only sleep when the clock has shown at two in the morning. It was after he tried hard to promise to spend time in this week specifically for his wife.

"Mom want this weekend we'll have dinner together" asked his wife just before going to bed.

Manto said it without thinking. After all, he was tired of his wife's anger which he thought was very unnatural. But that's his wife. If only for work, until not going home was not a problem. But if it was a woman's business, it would be a big deal. Even if it's just a joke.

"But we're better, Ma" said Manto.

"Depends on the weekend this time. If it works, Mama is no longer angry. But if Papa breaks his promise, Mama won't forgive Papa." Manto's wife looked pouted.

Nodding Manto's head made his wife smile a little. Especially when Manto ensures that this week there will be no overtime at the office.

Manto finally went to work as usual. No more burden that will interfere with the concentration of work. This morning he sat with focus on his bench. But it had been almost two hours, Rian had not come yet.

"Where is Rian?" mummified Manto.

Unlike usual Rian was late without preaching it. Usually, the boss will always inform Manto whenever there is an affair that makes it late to the office.

Manto kept working behind his curiosity. His thoughts about Rian had already branched out to there and to here. Running wild and make Manto have to rub rough face.

"Excuse me" Danu said.

The familiar voice made Manto immediately raise his face. As Danu walked into her room, the sentence that came out was a question about Rian's whereabouts.

"Sir Rian is not feeling well. Last night he did a report late into the night. Maybe just catching a cold. Tomorrow it will come again" said Danu.

Manto was sad when he found out that Rian was sick. Not feeling well like what Rian is going through? Manto wanted to immediately inform Mr. Felix about Rian's situation, but he feared this would be a burden on Mr. Felix's mind. For now he had to make sure first about the pain experienced by Rian.

"If you may know, Mr. Rian just caught a common cold right? Not in the care of you, right?" ask Manto.

"I also happen to not know for sure. But my wife said, Mr. Rian just has a fever. Hopefully things will improve soon" said Danu.

"Yes, hopefully. Oh yeah thanks for lunch. I am so embarrassed because it has been troublesome like this" said Manto.

"No trouble, sir. Just relax," said Danu while saying goodbye to Manto.

After Danu came out of his room, Manto stared at the lunch box Danu had sent. Not long after, his eyes stared at the table in front of him that was empty. Usually he will have lunch accompanied by Rian.

A different atmosphere happened this afternoon. Manto lunch alone. He was still thinking about the pain that Rian was experiencing. Is it true because of office work? Or because of his relationship with his girlfriend?

Ah already. Manto shook his head and continued his lunch. He did not want to be too into Rian's business. This was no longer about worry, but it was already curiosity about Rian's affairs. And that's not good for the relationship between superiors and subordinates. He was afraid that Rian misinterpreted his curiosity.

After finishing eating, Manto continued to think about Rian's state. He should know his superior situation. Moreover, he was entrusted with the mandate to always inform Rian's activities while in the office.

Before work was over, Manto called his wife. He asked for permission to visit Rian. Although he had argued because his wife accused him of various kinds, he finally got permission as well.

"Where are you, sir? How rushed?" tanya Danu who passed by Manto in the parking lot.

"You go to Mr. Rian's house, sir. I have to make sure Mr. Rian is okay. I'm worried" replied Manto.

"I'll go, then" said Danu.

"Come Sir!" bring Manto.

Two cars walked to Rian's house. More precisely the house of Lady Helen because until now Rian still lives with the two adoptive parents. The new home purchase plan for Rian has not been realized.

"Excuse me" said Manto as Ms. Helen welcomed her arrival.

"Mama" said Danu softly as she kissed Lady Helen's hand.

The mama? Danu's call to Lady Helen made Manto wonder. But this time he was calmer and didn't seem to care. Even though he himself is matching the story he has heard with the reality that is in front of him.

"Please enter!" said Mrs Helen.

Manto did not respond to Miss Helen excessively. He knew that the woman was making Danu uncomfortable. He is increasingly interested in the reality of Danu's life.

Danu sir is great. It could be relaxing. It was obviously very cold in-laws.

"We just want to see the condition of the Father" replied Manto.

"I'm fine, sir. Sorry to be a hassle" Rian said.

"No Sir. Absolutely no hassle" replied Manto.

"Thank God you've improved. I can video call Sindi?" ask Danu.

"Oh, brother, I can." Rian immediately sat down on the edge of his bed.

"Honey, I'm at Rian's. Nih," Danu said while pointing the camera at Rian.

"Ri, are you okay?" ask Sindi.

"Alright," Rian replied as he raised his thumb.

Manto saw the closeness of Sindi and Rian. He smiled at the colorful life of Rian. His boss has no father or mother. But Rian's closeness to the Dion family makes Rian feel like Rian is not alone. Rian has a big family who cares about him a lot.

Not long Lady Helen mssuk to Rian's room. He deliberately showed his closeness to Rian. Even occasionally he compared Rian to Sindi blatantly. It happened because suddenly Mistress Helen remembered the behavior of Lady Nathalie when she saw Danu's face.

"Sir, it's too late. It's getting dark soon. Should we go home now?" ask Manto.

Manto really saved Danu from the cynicism of Miss Helen. Thanks to Manto, Danu can finally breathe a sigh of relief. It feels like Danu thanked for Manto's invitation to go home. But Danu did not want if Manto actually became to know what should not be known by anyone.

The sound of the horn is both a sign of farewell. They went in the opposite direction, towards each other's houses. With different feelings, the two brought their own stories to his wife at home.

Tonight is a story-filled night at Danu and Manto's house. As a couple, which happened that night they encouraged and reminded each other. There will be rainbows after the rain.

The next morning they met in the parking lot. Danu tried to put on a flat face and saw nothing. He did not want Manto to ask about yesterday's incident at Mrs Helen's house.

"For Pak" said Manto.

Manto is a man who tries not to know people's business. Despite the fact, he was always around other people's problems.

"Morning," Danu said with a friendly smile.

When Manto invited him into the office, there was a feeling of relief. Finally he was free from the difficult questions that might come out of Manto's mouth.

"Sir Rian?" manto asked in surprise.

Manto could hardly believe that Rian was in his room this morning. He immediately saw her wrists. It's still morning. Not even hours of office entry. And Rian wasn't usually in the office that early.

"Hi Pak Manto's. Healthy?" ask Rian.

Instead of answering Rian's question, Manto apologized for the delay. In working hours, Manto is not bad luck. But in reality, Rian as his superior was already in the room before he came.

Rian just laughed and acted relaxed. Starting today he is trying to leave earlier than usual. Slowly but surely but he is sure to keep pace with the workings of Manto and Danu.

Is that really the reason? Probably true. But there are other reasons that make him force himself to change. Trying to be more busy than usual is one way that he can do, so that slowly can erode his disappointment.

Of course disappointed in Riri for his decision to withdraw back to Indonesia for another year. Not a short time, a year. A time when he himself did not know whether to endure or give up.

The unease starts to slip again when he accidentally sees a folder on his laptop that holds some photos of Riri. At that time he always used the photo to release longing. But now things have turned around. Rian felt that disappointment became more and more every time he saw a photo of Riri.

He was very confident that he had deleted the photo from his laptop. Another attempt to forget the shadow of Riri decorating her current mind, Rian brings her laptop to the sofa. With his feet, he went back to work.

Well, if it's quiet like this, I can concentrate on the work.

Too comfortable with his sitting position, Rian even forgot that he was working. Suddenly in a matter of seconds he fell asleep with the laptop on his lap. Manto who heard the sound of a small snoring was jolted.

Manto walked closer. He ascertained whether his thoughts had really happened or if this was just his imagination. But after getting closer, he was more convinced that the little snoring was sourced from Rian.

Holy hooch! Mr. Rian could have fallen asleep here. Where until snoring so again.

The knocking of the door from Danu did not make Rian wake up. He stayed asleep with his little snoring.