Flavor Anomaly

15. airport

...There have been many characters that I have scratched on the orange sky.. ...

...The pain becomes a pen, and the wound becomes ink.. ...

...........

"So you finally went to Latvia? Didn't he say it was canceled yesterday, did he?" ben asked surprised. Chat after chat eventually led them to a discussion about Jeslin's departure to Latvia.

"It's not canceled, but it's postponed. I was only there for a few days anyway. For the filming process, it's not going to be done anytime soon."

"How long?" Ben looked at Jeslin with round eyes.

"For at most one week. But after the airport there's a quarantine."

Ben fell silent. Because it meant that he would not be able to see Jeslin for 2 weeks or even more. Their closeness now is a miracle for Ben. He had not expected before, if Jeslin was willing to meet him and behave warmer than before.

Laughter decorates Ben's apartment. All thanks to Jeslin who has given a new color in his house. Although Ben who dominated the funny chat between them, but seeing Jeslin can smile because of him, is a pride in itself.

Lazily getting late, Jeslin yawned while staring at the clock on his wrist. Ben, who understood the meaning of the attitude, immediately offered to drive the girl home.

"Would you like to go home?"

"Yes. It was night."

"I'll drive you home, yeah. It's night time, it's not good you go home alone tonight."

"No need. I brought my own car. You're not sick, are you?" jeslin asked back while watching Ben's face which looked fitter than before.

"I've been sniffing. I'll take her. Clock this prone, Jes. Yesterday there was a case of begal in this area. Especially if you are a girl, alone again. Where are your car keys?" pinta Ben forced. The reason for the case is true. Not Ben's plan to get close to Jeslin.

"Eum, but ... You're sick, Ben."

"I'm okay. Udah. Whereabouts? I'm taking it."

"How will you go home?"

"Easy. I can take a cab."

Due to the coercion, Jeslin could no longer resist it. He was actually also afraid of the rumors that were rife lately. But if he'd agreed to Ben's words in the first place, then he'd feel really bad. Of course because Ben is sick, even though now it looks good.

Ben grabbed the jacket and immediately put it on. Jeslin gets up and gets ready to go home to Ben's. They walked down the corridor to the elevator without much discussion. Everyone is busy with their own thoughts.

"Have you eaten?" ask Ben to Jeslin. He did not remember, to offer dinner for the girl while still in the apartment. Although he never cooked, but he had a stock of food in the refrigerator that could be warmed by microwave.

"Udah. I will eat again at most. If Astrid was in the apartment, I wouldn't be afraid of hunger."

"Oh that. So that's your temen? What's-her-name? Astrid?"

"Yes, Astrid. He's from the time we were in school. We're one school and keep in touch until now."

"I look like Daniel's a Panji, huh?"

"Hm, yes. That's how it is."

"That means you guys are pretty tight, huh?"

"Yes, all the things I've been through, I must have told Astrid. And vice versa."

"Eum, so about Ian ... Astrid knows?"

Jeslin was silent for a moment, took a deep breath then nodded and smiled at Ben. Ben nodded and refocused on driving.

"I know that you hit Ian, because of Astrid."

"Oh yeah? How can?"

"She took me to her friend's birthday, at the karaoke place. Eum, what's his name. Anyway, there's a discotheque."

"Oh, summercamp?"

"Well, yeah! Just there. Uh, how do you know? Do you go there often?"

"Not often. One time, just like Ian yesterday."

"Oh yeah? Quickly enough. Astrid's friend said Ian was hit there. It turns out Ian's dating one of Astrid's friends, and yesterday he was waiting for Ian in the hospital" she said."

"Oh he's still in the hospital? It's good that way" said Ben cynically.

"Ben ...," call Jeslin softly while grabbing Ben's black jacket sleeve. Automatic Ben turned his head and instantly melted when stared at like that by Jeslin.

"Hm? Why, Jes?"

"Thank you very much. For everything you've done to Ian, but I hope, don't beat Ian again."

"Why is that?" ben asked confused even his forehead to wrinkle.

"I'm afraid, later you are the reason why because of this problem. I know how Ian is. He is hard to accept defeat. I'm afraid, later he just won't accept, and reply to you."

"I'm not scared, Jes. I wasn't wrong. Okay, I admit, beating Ian was a violent act and it was wrong. But ... What Ian did to you was also a criminal act! Even if I report it to the police, he can definitely be in jail!"

"Don't, Ben. I beg you."

"Yes, I know. That's why I didn't do it, knowing your position, Jes. Anyway, if he's like that again, I won't hesitate to beat him up, even I kill him if I have to!" Ben started to get emotional, he was very upset when he remembered Ian's treatment of Jeslin. His heart is sick. Every name was heard in his ears, Ben's emotions instantly rose.

"Yes, already. I hope he won't bother me anymore, yeah." Jeslin stroked Ben's left arm to appease the young man, and succeeded.

Ben's emotions began to subside, he continued to regulate his breathing while smiling at the girl beside him. Jeslin's gaze made Ben instantly drift away in peace. Ben still does not think, why Ian actually did it to a girl like Jeslin. Most depraved men, will certainly approach the woman he wants in a good way either, although in the end their intentions are just lust, but never Ben heard, but not yet, if a friend rapes the girl they're after. All of Ben's friends are famous playboys, but they still value women and still treat women well.

The car arrived at Jeslin's apartment. They both went down. "What time do you leave for the airport?"

"Eum, morning anyway. About 8 o'clock maybe. At 9 hours the plane leaves. Why?"

"I ... Can I take you to the airport?" ben asked doubtfully as he glanced at Jeslin beside him.

"Can. If so, take my car home. It's late at night, don't take a taxi."

"Eum, what's wrong, I'll take the car?"

"It's okay, Ben. You'll take me to the airport tomorrow."

"Yes anyway. Yes already. I'll be here tomorrow at 8, yeah."

"Eh but, Ben ... You're not going to the office?"

"To the office, after you've been delivered."

"What is it?"

"Not what, Jeslin. Yes, you go in there. It's night, rest."

____________

Jeslin has started packing whatever items he wants to bring to Latvia. Not so much, but it still takes up space. Even one large suitcase is ready to be taken away on a plane later.

Apartment door on tap. Jeslin, who was making an omelette for breakfast, stared straight at the door. He immediately ran small towards the door, and it turned out his conjecture was correct. If Ben comes.

"Well, it's early morning! He said 8 o'clock here?" jeslin asked as she stared at the wrist, which showed it was still at 07:30.

"Yes. Let's not get stuck" said Ben, lying. He came in the morning, wanting to spend more time with Jeslin.

"Sign in first. I'm having breakfast again. Have you eaten?" jeslin asks Ben inside.

Ben followed Jeslin and followed him into the kitchen. He was looking around. "Your friends don't exist?" ask Ben.

"Yes, Astrid's staying at her friend's house."

"The theme isn't your friend?"

"No, Ben. Not all of Astrid's friends are my friends, and vice versa."

"Oh."

Jeslin made two servings of breakfast for her and Ben. Their closeness began to look ordinary, like a friend who had not met for a long time. There is no longer a sense of awkwardness and stiffness when talking together.

Breakfast done. Now Ben's got Jeslin's suitcase out. They will be leaving for the airport as soon as possible. Because the morning flight won't wait for Jeslin to arrive at the airport. Especially if you are stuck in traffic. They'll be late later.

"Jes ...."

"Yes?" Jeslin, busy with the device in hand, did not turn his head, only replied while still replying to messages from other friends.

"When you get there, let me know, yeah."

Jeslin immediately turned his head, and looked at Ben who was still focused on his wheel. "okay."

A faint smile rose on Ben's face. For some reason since Jeslin's arrival last night, Ben has always been happy. He kept smiling, even for the slightest thing.

They arrived at the airport, apparently there was already Balqis, Aira, and Aqila who were waiting for Jeslin. The plane will soon fly, Jeslin said goodbye to Ben.

"I'll go first, yeah. Mobile ... You take it first, tomorrow if I go home, I take it. Or if it's a hassle, Daniel told me to take it, yeah."

"No need. Let it sit in my place. Daniel's busy anyway, where'd he pick up your car."

"Eum, okay. Thanks, Ben. Your heart goes home. Straight to the office, right?"

"Yes, Jes. You are also heart. Don't forget to let me know that it's landing. "

"Yes, definitely."

They also separated. Jeslin leaves with his friend, while Ben still stands in his place until Jeslin gets into the plane. Not only that, he even waited until the plane that Jeslin was riding on flew. There was a void in his heart, as he watched Jeslin leave. Because it meant that he would not see Jeslin for a while. He hoped that Jeslin would really let him know when he arrived.

______

"Meeting with Mr. Yunus, what time, Sis?"

"Later noon, sir. Yunus sir won't wait until the afternoon, because there's some business out of town."

"Okay, I'm in the office. Ready everything. We're meeting Jonah now!"

"Good, Sir."

Siska hung up the phone from her superior with a puzzled face. Until now he had never understood the way Ben thought as his boss in the office. Sometimes Ben seems unconcerned about the work, and chooses Siska who takes care of all. He just takes care of it, and waits for a report on his work, but suddenly Ben wants to take care of his own work.

"What's this tambet, Boss?"

All day long, Ben kept up the job really well. Even Siska was often amazed by the hard work of her Boss. It turns out that Ben is quite interested in taking care of all the company's affairs. Only, all this time he was always under the pressure of his Papa. Being in the company is not his ambition, but he must undergo all the responsibilities because of his sense of service to parents.

______

Latvians.

Latvia is one of the countries in the Northern European region that is not too well known among the citizens of Indonesia. The country once controlled by Soviet and German has an area of approximately 64 thousand square kilometers.

Latvia has a large forest. About 54% of the area is forest, and 10% is muddy. In the forest it is also inhabited by black storks, eagles, beavers, lynx (a type of cat), wolves, deer, wild boars, elks, and red foxes.

One of the forests used as a national park is Gauja National Park which is the largest and oldest national park in Latvia. This national park has a famous icon, the Devonian Sandstone Cliff.

Its capital, Riga, has a charming urban architecture. The old town or Verciga in Riga was rebuilt with its original foundations in the 1990s, with the same design as the original building. Many of the original architectural foundations were damaged by the war. Centrs is the part of the city of Riga most visited by tourists because here there are 800 an Art Nouveau building that is still intact. Do not let you miss the Open Air Museum of Latvian Ethnography which presents the history and culture of Latvia, traditional houses, to people who mill around with very authentic clothes.

In addition to Riga, as the setting for the novel, Jeslin also chose another city that fits the theme of his mystery novel. The Gauja National Park.  It is a combination of panoramic views of highly manicured caves, spectacular cliffs, clear flowing rivers, and lush green trees that cool the eyes. One of the most interesting places to visit is Gutmanala. The walls of this cave are filled with various inscriptions and scribbles of ancient life. In the cave there is a water source that according to legend has the power to cure various diseases. The beauty of Gauja National Park is more complete with the flow of the Gauja river surrounded by stunning cliffs. In Gauja National Park you can enjoy a variety of interesting activities such as mountain bikes, hiking, and canoes.

He chose a natural landscape with many ancient relics because the main character in his novel was the werewolf incarnation. Not just in Gauja National Park.

Cesis became the second place because it has a remnant of the glory of the Latvian royal period in the past. In the old town of Cesis located in Central Vidzeme Upland offers the beauty of a royal castle surrounded by charming cobbled streets. While the center of attention in Cesis are two castles that are still well maintained. The first castle was built in the 13th century when part of the building was damaged, while the second castle was only built in the 18th century. The two castles are built side by side and offer incredible architectural beauty. Today both castles function as houses of Cesis art and history.

Jeslin staying at Jurmala. Jurmala is a seaside resort located not far from the city of Riga, the capital of Latvia. Jurmala is known as a resort-resort with charming wooden architecture. Together with five other friends, they were finally able to rest after a long journey.17 more hours they were on the plane.

It was past midnight, when they arrived. Jeslin just washed his face, then climbed onto the bed. In that room there was only himself, because everyone had their own room. The resort is indeed a classic, but still impressed with the luxury with quality furniture.

Jeslin pulled the blanket. Fortunately, the weather is hot in Latvia. However, it is not as hot as in Indonesia. The summers that the country has, the summers are cool and wet. Jeslin tried to close his eyes, about to sleep because tomorrow his schedule would be very crowded. But then he suddenly remembered something.

"Geez, almost forgot." Jeslin grabbed the device that was on the side nightstand. His phone hasn't even been switched on yet. While waiting for his phone mentally, Jeslin picked up a bag where there were some snacks he had stored there. Milk packaging he had not had time to drink since.

"Ben is sleeping for sure. I'll send WA now or tomorrow, okay?" he mumbled asking himself. "But I promise you news after you arrive. If I wait tomorrow, I will forget. Yes, it is, now."

Jeslin sends Ben a message. Within seconds, the message instantly ticked blue and Ben's status was typing. "Wow, she's not asleep?"

[Finally. Thank goodness you have arrived. How was the trip? Smooth, right? Have you eaten?] Ben replied with a back-to-back question. Jeslin sent a message. [I have arrived.]

[Current. Eat and ready to sleep. Why aren't you asleep, Ben?]

[Yes, I can't sleep. Any minute. Yeah, you rest first, yeah. Tomorrow will be busy.]

[Yes, I'm tired. Tomorrow again, yeah. You sleep too. Tomorrow to the office, right?]

[Yes. Yeah, well, good night, Jeslin. Have a good dream.]

[Night too, Ben.]

Both Jeslin and Ben put their phones down. Both are not directly asleep. They smiled, remembering their moment together yesterday. Jeslin immediately grabbed the blanket, and so did Ben. The lights are off, they're really going to sleep now.

"Good night, Jes. Have a good dream, come home soon, I'll miss."

"Night, Ben." Jeslin was not used to a two-way relationship, let alone a young man who was the same age as his sister. Worse yet, the young man was indeed his sister's friend. He did not open his heart to Ben, but he tried to open up from now on. Moreover, Ben is the second person who has defended his pride dead. Well, Daniel is the man who will always be there for himself. Whatever and whoever annoys Jeslin, will never be able to escape Daniel's rampage. Only, Jeslin did not want to trouble his sister anymore, and now it was his sister's best friend who had defended him died. Even Ben, do not hesitate to beat people who interfere with Jeslin's life without fear of dealing with the police.

Jeslin thought being nice to Ben wasn't a mistake that would ruin his life. At least he had friends other than Astrid, and comrades in his office. Because friends in the office, not included in the category of his close friends.

______