Between Asa And Taste

First installment

Riri took a breath as she was about to tell all her pain to Rian. This is the first time. His heart was pounding erratically. He didn't know if he could hold back his tears or not.

"Where do you want to start?" ask Riri.

"From the beginning," answered Rian enthusiastically.

"Too long Mas. It won't be finished for a week" Riri said.

"It's up to you" said Rian impatiently.

"Yes should be clear dong. I want to know what I was talking about" said Riri.

"I want to know everything. Let's story!" said Rian.

"Can't be so dong Mas. I'm confused where to start" said Riri.

"Jeez Mpus, anything about you. Come on tell me!" said Rian.

"Which one?" ask Riri.

Rian let out a long and very deep breath. It felt like he was already very annoyed with Riri who had not told him.

"What is your relationship with Mr. Aric?" ask Rian seriously.

Rian's question made Riri wrinkle her forehead.

"Master and maid. As you know," replied Riri.

"Then why do you look so scared when Mr. Aric's still in the operating room? You keep crying. Even you look very happy when Mr. Aric has passed his critical period" said Rian.

"If Mr. Aric left me, who cares about my life? My future? What would I be without Mr. Aric?" ask Riri.

Rian silent. Riri's answer was exactly the same as Mr. Felix's guess. There is no special relationship except employer and maid. But why is Riri's expression on Mr. Aric looks overdone to Rian?

"Do you love Mr. Aric?" ask Rian suddenly.

Riri looked at Rian with a sharp look. Then laugh cynically.

"What is love?" riri said as she clenched her hands full of emotion.

Rian looked at Riri's strange looking expression.It seemed like there was something Riri was hiding.

"You've never been in love?" ask Rian.

"My love is gone. My race is dead. I just have high hopes to prove that I can. That's it," replied Riri.

"missing? Die off? Since when?" ask Rian.

"Since she married my own sister," Riri replied with teary eyes.

"Do you have a bad experience with love?" ask Rian.

Riri lowered. He started crying. Slowly her sobs began to sound more and more real. The pain was increasingly visible as Riri's tears continued to flow rapidly.

"You can tell me. Everything was. You just tell me" said Rian.

"I never cared about love. I just want to make my dreams come true. That's all, that's all" Riri said in a trembling voice.

"Yes, I'm sure you can realize all your ideals. I know you are a strong and great woman" said Rian holding Riri's hand.

Riri immediately released Rian's hand and wiped his tears until they were completely dry.

"Mas, I'm sorry I'm too whiny. I went to class first!" said Riri.

"No. You're not a whiny. You're powerful. Okay, get in the class. Your installments get here first. I'll pay for the next installment!" rian said with a laugh.

Rian just smiled and nodded. He tries to hide his refusal at Riri's request. It felt like he was the one who drove Riri home every day. There is still a lot he wants to find out about his best friend's life.

During her time in class, Rian was still thinking about Riri. He becomes afraid if he experiences the same thing with Riri. What if it turns out that Maudi is actually married to Rey? Will Rian also not feel love anymore like Riri?

"Why?" tanya Rey patted Rian on the shoulder when she saw Rian shudder.

"Eh, no. There's nothing," replied Rian nervously.

"I hope we're like we used to be. If there's anything you tell me" Rey said expectantly.

Yep. Since Rey's relationship with Maudi, Rian is no longer too close to Rey. It gives a very real distance between the two. But wait a minute! Rey said what? Like before? How can it be like before, while until now Rey is still with Maudi.

"I'm fine Rey," replied Rian.

Luckily the lecturer came in when Rey would force Rian to tell her. At least today he felt safe from Rey's interrogation.

After finishing the lecture, Rian hurriedly tidied up his laptop and rushed home.

"Where are you going?" ask Rey.

"There's business" replied Rian.

"On Riri?" ask Rey.

"Ah, there is." Rian immediately ran away from Rian.

Just as Rian was about to approach Riri, a luxury car was already seen picking him up. Rian could only stare at Riri from a distance. Riri was not even aware of his presence watching her.

"Mpus, there are still many installments that you have to pay. This was the first installment. I'll definitely bill the second, third and so on. Until I know very well what you've been through all your life" Rian murmured.

Rian who had always felt the most sad human being in this world, now felt that his suffering was nothing compared to Riri.

With curiosity still shackled, Rian stepped on the gas until finally the car parked right in front of Mr. Felix's luxury home. It's still too late, Mr. Felix hasn't made it home yet. Rian just kept the laptop and changed clothes.

The back garden was the right choice when Rian's head hurt a lot. A warm cup of tea accompanied his restless mood. Riri's creepy story, making his head can't stop thinking about Maudi.

Rian is afraid that Maudi will also be the reason he lost his love. Until now Rian has not been able to change the position of Maudi in his heart. But he did admit that lately he was not too sick when he saw Maudi with Rey.

No hypocrisy, actually the feeling of disappointment and annoyance is still there. But not as big and painful as before. Rian was unaware. Whether it's because of the time that has made him accustomed, or even the presence of Riri that makes the image of Maudi more biased in his head.

Now what Rian is afraid of is no longer sick because of the loss of Maudi. But he is afraid of the trauma that makes Rian like Riri. Right now Rian also did not know what steps he should take. Whether to take Maudi back from Rey, or throw Maudi's shadow as far as possible.

"Ah, not possible. I can't possibly find a woman like Maudi. A woman who is said to be evil and not a good woman, but my heart still remains hopeful with that woman. How'this?" rian grumbled while shuffling his hair that started to be long.

Rian grabbed the glass containing the warm tea. Blow it for a while then enjoy a sip for the sake of his gulp. Warm and soothing. Rian was calmer at the moment. His eyes were closed and he was breathing well.

The ringing of the phone keeps those eyes open. Lazily Rian reached into his pants pocket. Upon seeing Mia's name, Rian was immediately excited.

Rian told me about everything he's been through these days when they haven't had time to talk to each other. Mia's busyness makes Rian have to endure his anxiety alone.

The topic about Riri is still warm that Mia received. As a good Sister, Mia could only nod and acknowledge her sister's complaints and anxieties.

"I think you've started to love Riri" said Mia suddenly.

Rian who was sipping warm tea instantly choked. She was surprised by Mia's response to her story. Nope. That's not what Rian wanted. Then why is Mia talking about all that?

"Silver this is nothing, anyway," said Rian while wiping his lips and chin.

"Every time you tell a story, it's usually just Maudi you talk about. But this time, the discussion about Riri is almost fifty percent with the language of Maudi. Which one would you choose? Maudi or Riri?" ask Mia.

"They're just my friends. No more" answered Rian.