Between Asa And Taste

Pus, sorry.

Rian and Mia are getting fun to tell stories. Especially when Naura and Narendra enliven the call. As usual, the call will end if the twins cry asking Rian to go to Indonesia soon.

"You guys always miss me" Rian murmured as the call was over.

Rian looked at the clock. He immediately rushed. Prepare to leave early and meet with Riri. Rian decided to meet with Riri more often. He felt that when mumbling like this, Riri was the one who could make him forget all the problems in his life. Yes, even though it was only temporary, but at least he could laugh while with Riri.

"Pus," called Rian as he saw Riri in the canteen.

"Mas Rian said he entered noon. How are we at this hour on campus?" ask Riri.

"intentionally. Want to see you," answered Rian.

"Make what?" ask Riri.

"Bill unpaid interest on debt" replied Rian.

"Indeed the loan shark," said Riri.

They both laughed. Rian looked at Riri deeply. He convinced himself that the installment was impossible to pay off. Because he will always find out about Riri's life.

"So when do you want to pay the installments?" ask Rian.

"Where else is Mas? I think I've discussed everything" said Riri.

"Emm, where did you come from?" rian said while thinking.

"Mas, if no one wants to talk about it already. Do not be forced to look for information" said Riri.

"Eh there is, there is. How many brothers are you?" ask Rian.

"I only have one big brother. Yeah, even though she doesn't think of me as a sister. But on the family card I'm still his sister" said Riri.

"You haven't moved on yet?" ask Rian seriously.

"Maybe so. Or maybe I won't move on from that case either. I even felt like my love story was only over until that second" Riri said.

"You're great!" said Rian.

"What's so great?" ask Riri.

"Although your story is sloppy, you can still eat voraciously. Champion," Rian said as he gave his thumbs up.

"Eh, it is precisely the sad one that needs a lot to eat. Crying and sadness takes a lot of energy. If you don't eat a lot, get ready for the infusion. Just choose which one," replied Riri.

Rian only smiled and shook his head when he heard Riri's reply. He was always amazed at Riri who could overcome his feelings. He believes that every time Riri talks about his past, there must be a wound that opens again. But Riri can tell it and looks calm.

When can I be like you, Pus? I also want to tell stories and make my heart calmer. But I can't. I don't know where to start.

"Rian," called out a soft voice that always shook his heart.

"Ma-Maudi," said Rian nervously.

"You're eating?" ask Maudi.

"No. I was just accompanying Riri," Rian replied.

"In company? You think the maid is a small child to the cafeteria you should accompany. The maid is spoiled," said Maudi.

Riri looked at Maudi's face with annoyance. Rian held Riri's hand. Trying to calm Riri so that there are no problems in the canteen.

"If Mas Rian wants to, why not. Want me like a child, want me a maid, Mas Rian did not mind all that. After all Mba Maudi is also just a former Mas Rian right? So it is no longer entitled to regulate Mas Rian anymore," said Riri casually.

Rian's heart stopped beating. He did not expect that Riri could be so relaxed to face Maudi whose chattering was very painful.

"You're the new boy. Don't fuck! Basic helpers do not know themselves," said Maudi.

Maudi's hand floated almost on Riri's cheek. But Rian caught him and threw him away.

"Take care of your words and deeds Maudi. This is a college, a place to study. Not a place for riots" said Rian.

"You're defending him?" maudi asked annoyed.

Maudi's breath was already irregular. He seems to be being ignited emotionally by Rian's defense of Riri. She did not expect that Rian could turn away from her.

"So you guys are already dating?" ask Maudi.

"We're not dating. But Mba do not be surprised if suddenly me and Mas Rian spread the invitation," said Riri.

As Maudi grew more emotional, Riri appeared more relaxed. Riri even still sat down and continued to finish her meal.

"I'm not sure you're going to fight. Kamh would cry if he knew what my relationship with Rian really was" Maudi said sarcastically.

"What is your relationship really? You guys dating again? Or cheating?" ask Riri.

"More than that" said Maudi.

"Quite Maudi! Don't make up stories! You and I are nothing more than friends" Rian said.

Feeling that Rian and Maudi were getting more and more cornered, Riri chose to leave the canteen. He did not want to get too involved about the matter of both.

"I'll go to class first. You guys just solve both of your problems. If you want to fight, don't take me. My burden is already too much" Riri said as she left the canteen.

Maudi cursed Riri with various dirty words. But Riri just waved his hand without looking. He continued to walk away from Maudi so casually.

"Maudi, enough!" snapped Rian.

Maudi kept silent and looked at Rian with glistening eyes. Heart hurts. This is the first time Rian has yelled at Maudi. All this time, Rian would only dodge when Maudi behaved as badly as he could.

"You've changed Rian. You are evil" Maudi said, covering his face.

Maudi's tears can't be contained anymore. But unfortunately, Rian who is now not the Rian he used to know. The man who most could not bear to see his tears, now just left when he was crying because of Rian.

"I have to explain everything to Riri. Excuse me," said Rian.

Maudi clenched his hands very tightly. He felt that Rian was really challenging him. He promised to make a calculation with Rian.

Go Rian, go. I won't let you be happy with Riri. You're just mine. Riri can't have you as long as I'm in this world.

Leaving Maudi still in tears with his myriad of annoyances, Rian tried not to care for Maudi. He was really looking for Riri. Rian believes that Riri is currently crying because of Maudi's outrageous remarks.

"Pus" said Rian.

"Mas, why are you here? Just go! I don't want Mba Maudi to be angry again here," said Riri.

"Aren't you crying?" asked Rian who ignored Riri's expulsion.

"For what?" asked Riri casually.

"I know it's all my fault. I'm sorry for getting me involved in this. I promise I won't let Maudi behave like this again" Rian said guiltily.

"Mas take it easy. I'm not gonna dispute all that. I am immune to pain. Do you know what my worst injury is like? I even lost the love and affection of everyone back then. They are my own family. And then Mba Maudi? Wanna hurt me? Still losing far," said Riri with a laugh.

Rian just looked at Riri. That face, smiling beautifully despite storing a thousand wounds. He really felt more guilty.

"I shouldn't be in your life" Rian said.

"Will you get out of my life? Please! I never asked to stay or leave. Except Mr. Arics. I need Mr. Aric to prove to the world if I can. If you want to go, please. Do what you want" said Riri.

Rian silent. He doesn't know what he's saying. But in reality, he has to go. The closer he gets to Riri, the more Maudi will hurt Riri. And Rian couldn't see any of that.

"Pus, maybe this is not the right choice. But for now, I need to stay away from you. I don't want Maudi to hurt you" Rian said.

Riri hush. He just nodded his head.

"I'm sure it was the best decision. No problem," said Riri.

Riri's smile made Rian's steps even heavier to go away. However, Rian always felt comfortable when he was near Riri. But what had happened in the cafeteria, made Rian make a crazy decision.

Yeah, sure crazy. Because in that way, he will lose the person who always makes him happy and calm. But at the very least, he won't make Maudi hurt Riri again.

Pus, sorry. I don't want to be your friend anymore. But I can't control Maudi's attitude. Our closeness will only hurt you Pus. I'm afraid your lecture was interrupted just because of Maudi.

"I'm like this because I care about you. I don't want you to get hurt" Rian said.

"I understand Mas" said Riri.