CHASING ILLUSIONS

16. MEET AGAIN?

...“You seem to have a magnet that attracts me to always approach you.”...

...-Daffa Agem Revandra...

***

The atmosphere this afternoon was quite hot. The sun was shining with flying dust. However, it did not dampen the spirit of Anindya and some teenagers who are members of the literary community to socialize the importance of literacy in Middle School and High School children this afternoon. They seem enthusiastic about explaining and answering questions from active children. The sweat pouring down their alma mater did not seem to be a hindrance to their event this afternoon.

From a distance, the two jet-black eyeballs continued to observe the movements of Anindya. Starting from the way the girl spoke, explained, to answer questions, everything did not escape the gaze of the eyeball. I don't know, there are a lot of people there, but only Anindya is able to attract his attention.

“What are you paying attention to, Daf?” ask someone while patting the shoulder of the owner of a jet black eyeball which is none other than Daffa.

“Look at the girl, she is very sweet and attractive,” he said as he pointed at Anindya who was joking with one of the socialization participants.

“Don't tell me you're after him because he looks like Jelita,” Devan said; friend of Daffa.

Deg.

Daffa. Jelita's. Again, he had to hear a name that he had been forgetting all along. The name of a girl in her past. The girl who once gave him life after being killed by reality. The girl who had been his soul before the girl went to see God.

“Sorry, I don't mean it. But ...” Devan's words were cut as Daffa patted his best friend's shoulder slowly. The man smiled smirkingly, then chuckled. To be honest, he had not been able to accept Jelita's departure completely.

“Tak what. I know, you don't want me to play women. Relax, I'm not gonna play him. But, sorry. I was really interested in that girl, let alone her smile. Very sweet,” said Daffa while looking at Anindya meaningfully.

“It looks like the show is done. I'll go there first,” he continued.

...***...

“Huft, finally done too.” That's the sentence Anindya said while sitting himself on the mat of former socialization that has not been rolled up. From the look on his face, the girl looked tired. How not, all participants who follow this socialization are very active, coupled with hot weather. Of course it makes him tired.

“Yes, Nin. Thank goodness our show this time smoothly,” said Kirana, one of his friends.

“True. This is the first socialization event of our community that many fans. You're great, Nin!” timpal's another friend.

Now, they sit in a circle while spending the consumption that has been provided. This kind of atmosphere is what Anindya really likes from her community. Togetherness. Although the heat of the sun was ready to make their skin jet black, but it did not become a barrier for them to gather together.

“Excuse me. May I join?” As he had told Devan, Daffa was now approaching the girl.

Anindya smiled, “Please.”

“Iya, please. Just sit. Who knew you were interested in joining us, didn't you?” say one of those community members.

Daffa smiled happily. The man immediately took up a position near Anindya. The look in his eyes had not escaped Anindya. Every move the girl noticed. Damnit damnit! Devan was right. Anindya is very similar to Jelita; her past.

“Sial! This girl has a powerful maghnet to grab my attention, and .. ah, damn it! Why is she so similar to Jelita?" inner Daffa.

Anindya. The girl knew that the man who had just arrived was watching her, maybe even looking for her. I don't know what that guy was thinking. However, she knew there must be something that the man wanted from her.

“Iya. That's me,” Daffa replied briefly.

The man's eyes were still not separated from Anindya. Made some of Anindya's community friends whisper about the man. However, he doesn't care. Right now he only wanted to watch Anindya up close.

“How can I take my eyes off you, Nin? Even if people around whisper about me. However, really. I couldn't take my eyes off. You caught my attention too much, Sweet Girl,” thought Daffa.

Just as the man was about to open his voice to talk to Anindya, someone who was none other than Devan approached him. The man stared at Devan sharply.

“Sorry, disrupt. Daf, we have to go home now, your sister is in the hospital,” Devan said with a breath of excitement.

Daffa breathed out slowly. After saying goodbye; the man got up from his seat. Alright, it seems like fate is not on his side this time. He was not allowed to know Anindya any closer. But it's okay. Next time he'll see the girl again. Sure.

***

The rain that has graced the city of Jakarta since this afternoon, began to leave a drizzle. However, cold air still faithfully blows in the middle of the dense metropolitan city. One of the cafes with a modern design looks crowded visitors. Here is Anindya now. One of the chairs close to the window became the place of choice in this cafe. As usual, the sweet girl focused on the monitor screen that displayed the row of alphabets she had been wearing. The girl's fingers shrewdly danced over the keyboard, typing word by word until a sentence was formed. The girl was not even bothered by the atmosphere of the cafe which was starting to get crowded.

“Excuse me, may I join you, Miss?”

That familiar sounding voice managed to make Anindya raise her head. The girl glared in surprise when she found Daffa standing before her. However, a moment later, the girl smiled as she nodded.

“Only alone, Miss?” ask Daffa after ordering drinks and some food to the waiter.

Anindya nodded, “Iya. I had trouble concentrating at home, so I decided to come here,” Anindya replied as she closed her laptop.

After that, there was no conversation between them. Anindya was busy putting the laptop in her bag, while Daffa was busy looking at the girl. Ah, crap! That girl is so pretty. Especially with free clothes like this. The hair, which is usually pigtailed one, is now allowed to decompose with a bando on his head.

Daffa. Just by looking at Anindya like this, she seemed to be getting dragged back into her past. Instantly the shadow of Jelita's face approached the man's mind. His laugh, his smile, his behavior, shit! Everything in the girl seemed to be attached to Anindya.

"Maybe right. He was the one God had sent to replace Jelita," thought Daffa.

“Daf, why do you see me so?” Anindya started to open her voice. Honestly speaking, he was being noticed that way by Daffa. I don't know, the girl always felt angry with the presence of Daffa. If only he had no heart, he might have already expelled Daffa.

“Ah, no. Ii'm sorry. I just ...” Daffa's words were cut off when a man who was none other than Bagaskara approached them.

Daffa threw a sharp glare at the man as a sign of dislike. His hands were firmly clenched. Bagaskara's arrival really bothered him. If only he had not been sitting in front of Anindya, he might have finished off Bagaskara with the black side hidden within him.

...***...

connect ....

thanks for reading🖤

sorry part is a bit gaje because the author again mood down for nulis hehe