DESERVEDLY

Chapter 2 - Likes You

No longer dazed, Intan's hand was slowly released by the man who had held the status of a hero. Although no longer clashing gazes, but Intan's heart still pounding. In order to cover the gerogi taste, Intan rushed to thank the man who was still smiling widely by showing a row of white teeth.

“Other times be careful,” said Sandhi, the handsome lecturer who some time ago became the talk of Intan and Mira.

Yep. Intan's savior today is Sandhi. Really, Intan did not expect to meet Sandhi at the edge of the fish pond. Sandhi also saved Intan so that it did not fall into the pool. For Intan, it feels really something because the helper this time is a man who has been a idol. It's also natural that Intan had pounded to see Sandhi's smile.

The meeting on the edge of the pool continued the chatter. Intan and Sandhi chatted without awkward because in the past during S1 college they were both friends of one major. Once graduated, Sandhi continued S2, while Intan chose to work directly.

Different cities, nor meet for a long time, make Intan's feelings towards Sandhi fade. Intan thought that feeling would disappear altogether. In fact, when Intan and Sandhi met at the edge of the pool, the sweet taste was as if Intan could feel back.

“Tan, the village at the end of the road there is a great view.”

“You from there?”

“Iya, there is a group of my tutoring students KKN there.”

Intan nodded, then sipped the iced tea order that had just come.

“Em, Sandhi. Can I ask you?”

“Please. Don't hesitate!”

“How does it feel to be a lecturer?”

“Hm. How, yes?” Sandhi seemed to think, and again without fading a smile. “The taste ... sweet,” continued Sandhi.

“Kok can be sweet?”

“Yes can, dong. Same as you.”

The deg!

Sandhi's speech really affects the rhythm of Intan's heart rate. Heart Intan to pounding excessively. Deg-degan.

“Ma-means?” Intan until he responded.

“I mean, just like when you teach students in your class. Their attitude is sweet, isn't it?”

What a wish that Diamond had fallen from a height. Like a wall, immediately collapsed due to wrong order. Intan has misunderstood. Misunderstand what Sandhi said. Intan should not rush into the mood. What power, it's all happening. Fortunately, the only one who felt the misunderstanding was Intan himself.

“Iya, my student is sweet-sweet. I love my profession as a teacher. Yes, I like it.”

“Hm? Liked who?” ask Sandhi.

“Who? I love my profession.”

“Oh. I thought you liked me.”

The deg!

This time Intan did not want to misunderstand again. Intan immediately fortifies the heart. No longer easy to carry the feeling until the feeling like that. Intan realized, since Sandhi's speech needs more interpretation. Yang Intan does not know, the speech is really an expression of the heart or just a joke of pleasantries.

“Do not joke, San.”

“What if I'm not joking?”

Hearts are like being turned upside down. Before this was made to soar, fall due to misunderstanding, then had to go back to soar, and again because of Sandhi's words that really need more interpretation.

“Really?” Intan seemed doubtful. “Is ... during this time you are also ..”

“Yes. I liked you too.”

Sandhi's speech was a confession. However, Intan was still dubious as there was the word 'that time' behind.

“Now still. But, I've been betrothed.”

For the number of times that Intan's heart was dropped. The difference, this time there is a pain that Intan feels. Disappointed, yes. Heartbreak, obviously happened to him.

“Oh. Congratulations, yes.” Intan is trying hard.

For a second there was no chatter. Both Intan and Sandhi were both immersed in their respective minds. Ice tea that is no longer cold is a witness to heart recognition that ends sadly.

“At that time, when we were in college, I felt unworthy of you, Tan. I'm chasing my dreams, hoping I'll be more worthy of you. Apparently, there was another fate prepared for me. I was betrothed, and I don't want to disappoint,” explained Sandhi at length.

In response to all of that, Intan simply smiled. There was no word of reinforcement to compensate for Sandhi's explanation. For Intan, it is free to explain. Sandhi has chosen to accept the matchmaking, and there is nothing else Intan can do except accept the reality.

“Tan, are you okay?” Sandhi was worried because Intan only showed a smile.

“I’m okay. Be happy with your parents choice.”

Pause for a moment, Intan again sipped his iced tea in order to dampen the tongue, so that there is no stammering speech.

“Em, cloudy, nih. You better hurry, San. Later rain on the road, you know.” Intan diverted the topic.

“Tan, I have no bad intentions. I just want to make a confession before ...”

“Before you make an arranged marriage. Yes, I understand.” Intan nodded for a moment. “No problem for me,” he added later.

There was sadness in Intan's heart, but tears were not let out. There was also pain that Sandhi felt, but he was unable to provide treatment. There was a decision Sandhi had chosen. Similarly to Intan, he has also decided to respect Sandhi's decision.

Sandhi returns home, while Intan survives. Intan spent her time alone by devouring two portions of chicken rice. Sad and disappointed he vented on food in large portions.

“Quick. Again there is a word of merit. Why when you have fought for the word deserved, I instead you release?” Intan, while still chewing food.

Done it. Two dishes of chicken rice fill has been toilet. Intan was completely satisfied.

“Then, where can I meet my soul mate?” muttered Intan, while walking along the edge of the fish pond.

Intan walked slowly towards the parking lot. Intan is going home. However, slow steps make Intan so linger along the edge of the fish pond. Plus, Intan's mind was a little disturbed because the moment of his meeting with Sandhi had reappeared without permission.

Nudged again. The half-dreaming diamond, his shoulder was nudged again by a woman in a hurry to go home. Much different from earlier, this time there was no one to turn things around. Dewater, and the pool water becomes the landing place.

The byuuurr!

Drenched water is accompanied by fish that are still busy swimming. Some visitors to the restaurant had seen, then ignored. The woman who had just nudged him seemed to not care about the situation, even continued to run small towards the parking lot. While Intan, he steadfastly headed towards the edge of the pool. There were only a few steps left before someone reached out.

The hand was not immediately welcomed. Intan rubbed his wet face, then focused his eyes. Apparently, the one who reached out to him was a man. Not Sandhi, but the other guy. The man who was still loyal stretched out his hand was wearing a black hoodie suit and matching color jeans. His smile was fixed on Intan who still did not want to welcome his hand.

“Did my face look like a zombie until you were dumbfounded like that, Tan?” joking the man.

“Zombie?”

The black hoodie kept smiling. This time his hand was further raised so that Intan immediately welcomed a helping hand. Unfortunately, Intan is less sensitive to the situation. Understandably, his mind and heart had just fallen apart.

The byurr!

Intan's eyeball widened because he saw the man had actually plunged himself into the fish pond. Now, Intan is not soaking wet alone.

“Now, we better get out of the pool before it becomes a spectacle. Want me to help?”

“Ti-no. I can do it myself.” Intan refused help and rushed up to safety.

Who is that man? Will the story at the edge of the fishpond continue the same as before? Looking forward to the story!

Connect ….