Between Asa And Taste

Where's she?

Rian and Mr. Felix spent the night in a constant state of unease. Rian who repeatedly changed his sleeping position was not sleeping.

Same with Rian, Mr. Felix also still can not sleep. He sat on the edge of his bed. A glass of black coffee that is not too hot is still intact. He still enjoys the aroma of coffee that he thinks can calm him down.

After Mr. Felix's mind calmed down a bit, he stored the coffee and laid down his body. His coffee was deliberately not he drank for fear of not being able to sleep. This problem alone was enough to make it difficult to sleep.

"Rian, you're too good to that woman. You shouldn't have helped him. He's a snake. Sly," muttered Mr. Felix.

The next morning either Mr. Felix checks Rian's condition. As Mr. Felix said that today Rian has to go to campus and Rian complies. This morning Rian was ready with his laptop.

"Breakfast first!" said Mr. Felix.

"Yes Pah" said Rian.

Both walked into the dining room. Mr. Felix patted Rian on the shoulder.

"Focus on your lecture!" said Mr. Felix.

Rian just nodded and smiled. He doesn't know what to say. Mr. Felix acted as if nothing had happened to them.

"What time's it?" ask Mr. Felix.

"Jam two Pah" replied Rian.

"Eat a lot. Learn to focus," said Mr. Felix.

"Ready Pah" replied Rian.

Rian spent the breakfast without taste. He just makes his stomach full even though his tongue does not enjoy it at all.

"Why not go to the office?" ask Rian to make sure.

"No. Today I want to rest" replied Mr. Felix.

What kind of rest did Mr Felix mean? It seems to be anonymous only. Rian was eager to apologize for burdening him. But unfortunately Mr. Felix did not give him a gap to discuss the matter.

Until Rian finally leaves for campus, Mr. Felix does not discuss about Maudi. Heart's fidgeting. He was worried that Maudi's father would do the same to Mr. Felix. But Rian brushed off those bad thoughts. He tries to keep a positive mind.

"Mas Rian," call Riri.

"Hi Pus" said Rian.

"Mas Rian is fine, right?" ask Riri.

"Yes. I'm fine" replied Rian.

"Thank God. I went to class first!" said Riri.

Rian did not reply, he only saw Riri getting away from him.

"Pus" call Rian.

"Yes," Riri replied as she turned her body.

"Thank you!" said Rian.

"For what?" ask Riri.

"Say my friend you collected my assignment yesterday. Who are you asking for help? Rey?" ask Rian.

"Can you Mas? Mas Rey also wants to help," replied Riri.

"I'm ashamed of myself. You and Rey are very kind to me" said Rian.

"Ah This Mas. We are friends" said Riri.

"Pus, i--" Rian paused.

"Why Mas?" ask Riri.

"Ah no," said Rian.

Rian undoes his intention to tell Riri. I think Riri has been too kind to him. Rian did not want to re-engage Riri in his troubles.

"Mas need a story buddy?" ask Riri.

"No. I'm going to class" replied Rian.

Riri looked at Rian with a confused feeling.

"I'm going to class too!" said Riri.

"Yes" answered Rian slowly.

Rian saw the departure of Riri until finally the woman was no longer in his vision. He decided to go to class and attend class.

"Rey," said Rian as he passed Rey.

"Hi," said Rey.

Without a chat, Rey left Rian and sat on his stool. Rian followed Rey and sat down beside her.

"That's it. No need to discuss anymore" said Rey without seeing Rian even for a moment.

"Rey, I'm taking Riri! I know you will take good care of Riri" Rian said.

Rey shifted her eyes. He looked at Rian deeply.

"Whatchu mean? Do you feel Riri is yours? Until you have to leave it to me after you get away from it" Rey said.

"You don't be so Rey. I don't want us to fight just because of women. It's enough we close the dark past. I hope for now we don't have to go back cold to each other" Rian said.

"So what do you want?" ask Rey.

"I just want you to take care of Riri. That's it," said Rian.

"My question is, are you Riri?" ask Rey.

"I'm his friend. I just want him to be with the right and the right people. He should be happy, that's all. No more" answered Rian.

"And you'll be happy with Maudi? That so?" ask Rey.

Rian swallowed his saliva with great difficulty. He really felt his chest hurt. What would have happened to Rey if she had known that Maudi had to be married to Rian?

"Rey, I don't know what to tell you. Regardless of the reason, I really hope Riri is happy. That's it," said Rian.

Not yet finished the second conversation, the lecturer has entered. Rian returns to his bench and delays his discussion with Rey. Lecturer in plain sight, the material has already begun. But Rian's mind floated on Mr. Felix.

What is papa doing? Did Maudi and his father come to see Papa? Then what if Maudi's father was rude to Papa? I know Papa is disappointed at the moment. Pah, I'm sorry.

Mr. Felix was very disappointed. But he did not resign. This afternoon, he visited the hospital where Maudi had been treated. Information he collected, but the results were disappointing. Rian's signature has become strong evidence that can not be dismissed anymore.

"Bah," said Riri.

"Eh, Pus. You're not in college?" ask Mr. Felix.

"It's done. I only had one class this morning. Papa why? It hurt?" ask Riri to worry.

"No, no." Mr. Felix shook his head.

"Then what is Papa doing?" ask Riri.

"Papa's checking. Yes just general chekup as usual," said Mr. Felix hiding a lie.

"Where is the result?" ask Riri.

"Papa's fine. The results were excellent" replied Mr. Felix.

"Thank God, Pah" said Riri.

"Oh, what are you doing here?" ask Mr. Felix.

"I'm taking medicine for Mr. Aric," replied Riri.

"Mrs. Aric is back?" ask Mr. Felix.

"It was a few days ago Pah," replied Riri.

"Yes, he's coming home soon. Papa doesn't want you to be punished by Mr. Aric," said Mr. Felix.

"Yes Pah. I'm first yeah!" said Riri.

"Be careful" said Mr. Felix.

Mr. Felix's meeting with Riri managed to reduce the smile on the lips of the man who was nervous. He wanted to share his story with the good woman. Unfortunately, this is not the right time. Mr. Felix is coming home soon. He did not know that Rian was waiting for him at home.

"Where's the man from?" rian asked who was worried when he saw Mr. Felix coming.

"Father from outside. There's gonna be a minute. Let's go in!" bring Mr. Felix.

Both went into the house. Rian knows Mr. Felix is lying. But this is not the right time to talk about all that.

"Bah, eat first!" said Rian.

"Ah Papa is still full. You just yeah!" said Mr. Felix.

"If Papa doesn't eat, I won't eat either. I just want to eat with Papa" Rian said.

"Yes, come on!" said Mr. Felix.

The two eat together. Like this morning, they did not discuss Maudi at all. Until late at night, neither Rian nor Mr. Felix addressed the issue at all.

"Maudi and her Papa came here didn't ya?" rian muttered while resting his body on the bed.

In the same position, Mr. Felix was also actually thinking of a similar thing.

"Why doesn't that woman dare to come here again? Did he give up? Not likely. He must be preparing a devious strategy. I have to be careful" muttered Mr. Felix.

The fatigue this time is not physical, but psychic. Mr. Felix has always guided Rian with great affection and hope. But now, his hope is almost gone. He was really scared if Rian really fell into Maudi's trap.

"I can't stay silent. I have to do something. Rian. I can't let Rian fight alone" muttered Mr. Felix again.