Flavor Anomaly

13. Ben is frustrated

"So it's cancelled to his Latvian, Jes?" asked Aira with a disappointed face.

"Not canceled, but postponed," said Jeslin was still busy pressing the laptop keyboard hoop in hope.

"Well, we failed to walk!" balqis Whine.

"Partially we go there, not make a way, but work," Jeslin said. In fact, he was also a little disappointed because he left. At least one thing can cheer up Jeslin at the moment, because this is not the moment of cancellation of the employment contract, but only the delay of departure.

"Yes, emang. But right, Jes ... How long, delayed?"

"don't know. You are hearing the news. Pandemic is entering the third wave. We have to stay here first, nowhere yet."

"Yes, instead, we go to Bali next Saturday? How's it?"

"Don't go out of the country, into the country it's hard. Really ribet. Wait until things subside."

"When I had packed it. Just leaving alone," Aira seemed still unable to accept the reality. Until finally their discussion stopped because the hours of home office were in sight.

.

.

.

Astrid's not in the mood to cook. Because his cooking was burnt this afternoon because he was too engrossed in replying to messages on his smartphone. Some old friends began to appear, making a sudden longing divert everything.

This was the first time the two of them had left the apartment for dinner. Even for Jeslin, every day is always the same before Astrid's arrival in his apartment. Jeslin who is lazy to cook prefers to buy food outside to increase his energy intake every day. Although not infrequently he prefers food delivery, rather than having to come to a cafe or restaurant.

"Where are we eating?" ask Astrid who's now taking over the wheel of Jeslin's car.

"Turkish food, Trid."

"Okay, we're heading for a Turkish restaurant. That's the usual one, right?"

"Yes. I think it's just there that's delicious and complete."

"OK on."

Astrid and Jeslin are very compact. Especially the stomach. All places to eat, both expensive to cheap they have explored. But they are voters in choosing a place. Not haphazardly. It's just that after Astrid left, Jeslin began to reduce it and prefer to eat at home by ordering food online.

Tonight Jeslin is enjoying Baklava.

Baklava is a type of typical Turkish pastry that has a characteristic in the form of layered texture. This typical Turkish dish has a very sweet taste that is suitable for afternoon meals with a glass of Turkish tea.

Dinner went well. Stomach full of food, making Astrid want to stretch the body for a moment. He takes Jeslin to a karaoke place. Although Jeslin initially refused, because he was not used to coming to such a place, but he still relented and obeyed Astrid's request.

Summercamp's karaoke.

A place that is quite famous and widely used as a destination for young people to spend time. But it turns out that Astrid's goal is not to karaoke, but to a place on the other side of summercamp's.

Astrid kept holding Jeslin in. Several pairs of eyes were watching them, especially the people of Adam. Astrid walked over confidently, while Jeslin did not dare to stare around. He preferred to bow down to avoid the gaze of the person. The characters of Jeslin and Astrid are like two different poles of a magnet. Both are equally beautiful, but in different ways.

A loud music sound began to sound. Followed by flickering lights with a variety of colors. The place looks like a party. Because it turns out that Astrid's purpose came to attend her friend's birthday party.

"Why didn't you say, if you want to go to the annual gini?" asked Jeslin to get closer to his best friend.

"I forgot, Lin. If Velis's birthday. No what, huh? Just a second. I don't feel good if I don't come" Astrid said. He immediately put his hand on Jeslin's arm.

Astrid knows that Astrid doesn't like this kind of place very much. The hustle and shine of nightlife, is not the thing that makes him happy.

Although Jeslin was uncomfortable, he still complied and resigned to be brought by Astrid to Velis' birthday. This was not the first time Jeslin had met Velis, but still Jeslin was not comfortable being in the middle of people who were not too close to him.

The multi-storey birthday cake looks luxurious in the middle of the invited guests. Although Astrid did not bring a gift, but she seemed confident and went straight to Velis. Meanwhile Jeslin just kept on tailing Astrid. After Astrid congratulates Velis, the two of them find food and a place to sit. The place was booked by Velis for the show.

Astrid understood that Jeslin would not want to mingle with his friends. So he took Jeslin to sit on an empty chair, and not too many people nearby.

The room is dominated by a dark atmosphere. Although many lights are colorful but still not too clear when looking at a distance. Astrid's got Jeslin a mocktail.

Fortunately the mocktails that Jeslin drank were not alcoholic. Because mocktails are a type of non-alcoholic beverage made with a mixture of fruit juice and other soft drinks. This was not the first time Jeslin had drunk the drink.

Meanwhile, Astrid takes the Margarita. This drink is made by mixing tequila, triple sec, and lime in the same capacity. Also given a little salt on the edges to add flavor.

In addition to lime, sometimes the mixing can also be replaced with lemon or lime juice. Obviously, because it tastes good.

A few times Astrid greeted her friend. Jeslin only smiles when he gets the attention of people around him.

"Well, Lesan is," murmured Astrid, enjoying her Margarita, staring at the door. In the corner of the entrance there were indeed some men who were the same age as them, greeted each other, then approached Velis, as the host of the event.

"Eh, stop, Lin. I'll be there for a second, yeah," Astrid pointed to a man named Lesan.

Jeslin simply nodded as he ate the almonds on the table. Slowly, of course, Jeslin began to get used to the situation tonight, so his discomfort was slowly also eliminated.

From a distance Jeslin could see what Astrid was doing, she was so suble that she had many friends. Jeslin never once felt jealous when Astrid was familiar with her other friends. Because Jeslin understands that the world of Astrid is not only just struggling with a Jeslin. Although a close friend of Jeslin, it is only Astrid.

The table that Jeslin was sitting on was next to another table that was now starting to fill. Astrid's friend is from a distinguished family. Their chatter is tangled with the luxury of the world. Either discuss about travel abroad, or newly purchased luxury goods.

Sampa eventually attracted Jeslin to some people who mentioned one familiar-sounding name in his ear.

"Lidya can't come anymore, because her boyfriend is in the hospital."

"Lidya's boyfriend isn't Ian?"

"Yes, Ian."

"What's Ian for? What pain is he?"

"It doesn't hurt, but it's been thumped by people."

"Huh? Seriously? How can it be crushed? How's story?"

"It happened here! In this place. According to the story I heard, Lidya's boyfriend was thumped for making other women pregnant."

"Eh, no! Not pregnant with another woman, but raping another woman. I think the guy who hit Ian, the girl's boyfriend who was raped Ian!"

"Ah, the hell time? Where's the rumor, Hel?"

"Eh, no gossip, Elma, look, she's an eyewitness. Yeah, right, El?"

The woman who was drinking wine at the table turned her head while nodding. "Take a. After the storm, I initially did not know that he was Lidya's girlfriend, but for a long time I noticed his face was not foreign."

"How happened? How's Ian doing now?"

"The incident arrived very soon anyway. So the Ian was again the same temen his friend, continued to arrive there was a guy who samperin him and immediately hit it. Only if I see, like the real Ian is pinter martial deh, because the punch he was actually right on target. He always hit the fatal spot. Fortunately, he was immediately broken up, if not for sure he was dead Lidya's guy."

"How much does Lidya keep? That rumor must be that he's also horrified, right?"

"Which rumor?"

"The guy's raping people!"

"Look. But I don't know how Lidya. If it's bucin again, want that guy digosipin serial killer also he won't care!"

"Take it too."

Jeslin kept silent as he continued to listen to the conversation. He was sure that the person they were talking about was Ian who had taken away his chastity, and the hitter who was definitely Ben. He started pulling the red thread that happened yesterday. Ben's words that convinced Jeslin, if Ian would not bother the girl again, became convincing with this story.

Jeslin slowly started to remember Ben. Especially the last time Ben came to the house, and got an unpleasant treatment from him, enough to disturb Jeslin's mind. He starts to feel bad, having treated Ben arbitrarily, after what Ben did for him.

Astrid returned to the table, astonished to see Jeslin who seemed silent, like he was thinking about something. "Why? Is anyone bothering you?" astrid asked while looking around.

"Certainly? Why?"

"Trid, you ... Can you find out about something, right?"

"About what, Lin?"

Jeslin finally told him what he had just heard, but whispered to Astrid. Astrid continued to listen to what Jeslin explained in detail.

"Seriously? Well, for a second, let me ask them!" astrid said, but as soon as she stood up, Jeslin held her hand back to sit down.

"Don't. It's weird when you ask Ian!"

"Eum, just calm down. They won't suspect, trust me." Astrid went back and approached her friend.

It's true, if Astrid is notoriously smart to blend in. Even the important thing that he wanted to ask, was immediately answered when he pretended to ask Lidya's presence that had not been seen since.

"Has Lidya got a new boyfriend? What kind of kid is that? How do I not know, huh?" ask Astrid who purportedly surprised.

Finally the talk about Ian who is now Lidya's status became a hot topic. Astrid even stayed at the table long enough to extract information from her friends.

After 40 minutes had passed, Astrid paused and returned to Jeslin's table. Jeslin who had also heard the information regarding Ian, only nodded at Astrid. He believes that the Ian they mean is the Ian he knows. It's just that he hasn't confirmed that Ben did beat up Ian. Jeslin wants to ask Ben tomorrow.

_______

"Well, you're here, Nji?" daniel asked as soon as Ben's apartment door opened.

"Yes. Tumben, the CEO, can't?" asked Panji while insinuating Daniel who rarely met him.

They both went inside. The pitiful sight seemed so entering the middle room. The screen TV, which is half the size of the wall of the room, is showing a western movie with a horror theme. Daniel immediately sat down beside Ben who was staring at the LED screen with a blank look. Even the existence of Daniel did not get the attention of the owner of the house.

In Ben's lap there are cassava chips with spicy levels that are enough to make the stomach heartburn if you eat them. But Ben casually ate the snack without looking pungent.

Daniel looked at Panji who was sitting on the other side of the sofa. The pennant just raises his shoulders up and grabs the cookie on the table. Ms. Cyntia, Mama Ben, often brought food for her son. He understood that Ben would carelessly eat food because it was not controlled from his mother.

"Will not go to the office? I went to your office, but he said you didn't come in."

"Yes. Males to my office."

"Tumbens. Papa, aren't you raging?"

"Yes no. If I give you a doctor's letter, that shows I'm sick again."

"What does it hurt?"

"Hurt heart!" tukas Panji and immediately got a sharp glance from Ben.

"Hurt heart? Real ones? Whose heartache?" Daniel looked at Ben and Panji in turn.

"Ask lo's brother, Nil. He who has made our best friend does not want to eat, hard to sleep, like a sick chicken."

"Huh? My sister? Jeslin?" asked Daniel who was surprised his brother's name was included in the list of people who managed to make Ben sad.

"hey are. How many are your brothers? Just one, right?"

"Seriously, Ben? Jeslin, what are you doing?" Daniel sat facing Ben, plucking the cassava chips in front of him.

"Lazy talk to me." Ben gave the plastic red snack to Daniel. He then laid his body on the sofa while pulling the blanket that had been on his lap since.

"Dji? Why anyway? Do you know the story?" ask Daniel and get closer to the banner.

"Or."

"Kok I'm the only one who doesn't know, if Ben again deletin my brother?"

"Yes, you are busy! How to manage someone else's romance!"

Daniel was silent for a moment. He then asks Ben and Jeslin's relationship to Panji. The pennant told Daniel what happened last night. How sad Ben when he got a rejection from Jeslin, to make him now not eager to live.

"The ant! I just found out that Ben again deketin Jeslin. Poor," said Daniel then looked at his best friend who was still in the same position.

"How does the solution of sister-in-law go? You're that cold brother, aren't you, Nile? Ben's time was successfully rejected raw! Ben loh, Nile. If I'm the one who's rejected, it's natural."

"Well, yeah. Jeslin is so. He never deket same guy, he really shut all guys. Except me."

"When have you ever dated or liked that guy? Temen school kek. Or don't don't Jeslin lesbian, huh, Nile? That's why he went to Ben?"

"Ngawur lo! My sister's normal times!" nagging Daniel while throwing Panji with cassava chips.

"Do you know where you're from, if he's normal? He's never been with a guy."

"Gini gini, when we were kids, there was one guy that Jeslin liked. So he's our neighbor. I think Jeslin used to love that kid. Just before, it was still small. At least, that proves Jeslin is normal, right?"

"Hm, but usually a normal girl who arrives so distorted, usually because of trauma hurt the same guy."

"Who is sick? He never dated!" hardik Daniel's.

Ben stood up and walked into his room. Panji and Daniel looked at each other, then continued the discussion. Fortunately Panji had been warned about Ben, so as not to tell the problem of Jeslin with Ian to Daniel. Because after all, this is still a secret. If Daniel should know, let Jeslin explain himself. So Ben said to Panji.

_____

"Tumben you're here" Jeslin said as Daniel walked into his apartment.

"Yes, I'm out of Ben's place, want to go home really lazy, brother. Faraway. I'm sleeping here, yeah" Daniel asked and walked inside.

"Have you eaten?" jeslin asked as she followed her sister into the kitchen. Daniel opens the freezer and sips mineral water. Eating too much spicy made his throat start to hurt.

"Udah, Brother. It was at Ben's. Uh, sister ... Ben came here yesterday?"

"Eum, yes. Why?"

"You kicked him out?"

"No. Just saying that I'm tired, I'm going to sleep."

"Oh." Daniel immediately sat down in front of Jeslin. Seeing his sister's face seem to hold something, Jeslin was curious.

"Why is that?"

"Ben looks like a stressed person. Don't eat, don't go to the office."

"Why?"

"It's because of you, Lin! That time I don't know," sambar Astrid who just came out of the room with still wearing a face mask.

"Kok me?"

"forget? Yesterday you were a son of a man? Brother Lo's heart is colder than snow, Nile." This time Astrid actually looks compact with Daniel siding with Ben.

"Wrong, huh?"

Daniel and Astrid looked at each other and turned the eyeballs. They are quite caught off guard by Jeslin's sometimes outrageous attitude towards men.

"I slept ah. Tired." Daniel then moved and went into the guest room he used to use while staying at Jeslin's apartment.

Astrid washes her face, leaving Jeslin, who seems to be not bothered about what happened to Ben. Though actually he knows, if his attitude has been outrageous to Ben, but Jeslin does not want to show his guilt in front of others.