Handsome Chef Heart Enthusiasts

Chapter XVII (Love Adriana Agatha)

Sit in front of the computer. My eyes looked straight at the Microsoft excel filled with numbers, while twitching the temples. It's always like this. Every count no matter how much, up to five hours even though the eyes remain fresh. But every time I count the cost of printing, my eyes are as good as ever.

Since I was a child, I aspired to be a fashion designer or a radio announcer. Never once crossed the plunge into the world of business/business. I hate math and the business world is closely related to math. What power, in this day and age we do not choose a profession but a profession that chooses us. It may also be hereditary. Starting from Mbah Buyut, Grandpa, Om, Aunt, to Mama plunged into the business world. Their business spirit is also in me. 

  If my eyes are already sepet, the only way is to refresh the eyes. Caraku refreshes the eyes can watch films that are handsome actors or see photos ‘roti torn’ from the artist of the country. 

 A smartphone that has been untouched for an hour. Waw, it turns out there are a lot of incoming notifications. The first notice says Agusta Wimala shared the photo on Instagram. Since the meeting that night on Yogya TV show, I idolized the chef from Banjarmasin. Even I accidentally click ‘turn on notification’ on his instagram account. 

I wonder what the chef shared his Instagram photo with? My nimble finger touched the notice. Plastered clearly in front of my eyes a light blue book cover. The book was titled The 1827 Day Journey of Agusta Wimala. “Oh, so he also spawned a biography book like other celebrities?” 

I checked the other notice. The second notice says ‘Agusta Wimala adds you using no.telepon’. A smile on my lips. This is my chance to ask about a book called 1827 Agusta Wimala Day Journey. 

 Previously I wanted to make sure the line account ‘Agusta Wimala’ was originally held by Mas Sweet or held by his manager?

 Hello, thanks for ngeadd me. BTW account line ‘Agusta Wimala’ was originally held by Mas Agus or held by your manager?

Luckily he was again online so a few minutes later the writing I sent for him on the line was read. Can't wait for the reply.

  Ting!

  This is my personal line account. 

How glad my heart is to read my message. When I met at the tivi event yesterday, I did not have time to ask for his Line/whatsapp ID. It turns out that without me asking, he himself was the one who added me. I don't like to make small talk, I ask him something straight away.

  I : Mas, I want the book to be titled Journey 1827 Agusta Wimala Day is published where? Indie or major?

Agusta Wimala: While publishing through self publishing first. If the response is good, the GPU is willing to republish. Print 2,000 copies but I have to buy 125 books. Discon 30% requirements are that.

My eyes widened reading the line message from him last. So like the system of major publishers famous in the country if you choose without selection? One side I was sad because I felt cheated. If I had known him since he first became famous, it would have been published in my Publisher. Automatically if he publishes in my place, turnover will rise drastically. 

Suddenly remembered the words of Mbah Buyut, “There is no late term while good intentions.”

A glimmer of hope emerged. With the spirit of 45, I should be able to invite Mas Manis to publish a book in my place. Since my finger is curly chat, it helps me invite him through a video call. 

And luck approached me. The smartphone signal is stable again and within seconds Mas Sweet has answered a video call from me.

  “Hello, Mas Agus. Are you busy anymore? If busy, I'm matiin video call.”

    “I'm relaxing again.”

    “Mas, can I ask something?”

    “Bby. What's it?”

   “You said earlier, the book was titled Travel 1827 Day Agusta Wimala While published through self publishing first. If the response is good, the GPU is willing to republish. Print 2,000 copies but I have to buy 125 books. Discon 30%. What I want to ask is what author's royalty? Fixed 10%?”

  “Yes, keep 10%. Your novel?”

 “All authormayor yes 10% unless self publishing profit is entirely the author's. GPU books cost 60,000 and above, if the discont is 30% yes the range of 40,000. 40.000x125\=five millions. Mending own print, Mas.Print cost 2000 copies also five millions. Advantage for you 45%, 55% for distributor and bookstore.”

“Wuih, direct business brain way. Hahaha.”

“If your book is sold GPU price is 80,000, guaranteed heavy liquid GPU. Hence Mas, the next if you want to write a book in my place. Full advantage for you.”

“OK, if I want to publish a book, I will contact you.”

 Suddenly the phone connection disconnected by itself. I tried to check Kouta, it turns out kouta is out. At least I've asked him to publish a book in my publisher. 

 Someone patted my shoulder. “Woy, pantes aja lu work calculating the cost of printing is not kelar-kelar. Turns out you're busy video calling the same Mas Sweet. Where make mode nawarin nerbitin book anyway!”

 Without even looking at it I already know the person who cleansed my shoulders was none other than Adena Sasikirana Arundati. My eyes glared at him. “Lu daritadi nguping talk me same Mas Sweet yes?”

 “Gue instead of nguping, but not accidentally denger.” Adeena defended herself.

  “Same as a time.”

 “Hah? So I have to go to Banjarmasin Just to pretend to buy pansy noodles?”

  “Wah, I take the child. Mas Manis lu it open branch cafe Mie Bancir in Yogya.”

  “Lu know where the cafe Mie Bancir Mas Manis is in Yogya?”

  “Tau dong.”

  “Yuk, send me there. I want to give her a novel. When I met on the TV show I did not like to give him a novel.”

 “Bby. Who's afraid! But you're the one who traded me.”

  “Soal it's easy.”

 Me and Adeena also headed to the cafe Mie Bancir by riding two wheels.

*** 

Waw, the interior design cafe Mie Bancir is quite fun. The whole wall coated with woodland shades wallpaper. There are no long chairs or tables, maybe let the customer as if eating a picnic in the open.  

Just five minutes to sit, came the waiter with a menu book. After looking through the menu in the pancir noodles I finally decided to order a menu of puffer pansit noodles and drink mango juice. While Adeena ordered the original pansy noodle menu.

Shortly thereafter the waiter came back this time bringing my order food and drinks. I pay close attention to the form of pancir noodles, who knows can be used as a novel writing idea. 

 Pancier noodles are made from yellow noodles or red noodles. Self-serving with chicken milk, duck eggs, fried onions and celery. I was in a hurry to taste some sissy noodles. It seems steady. Said chef Bona, ‘mak nyus’.  Seasoning soup typical Banjar, sweet soy sauce, ketchup, cabbage, seasoning flavoring, and chicken broth water blend continues to break in the tongue.

“How good are the pansy noodles?” ask Adeena. His order has not yet arrived.

“Lumayan from lu manyun.” My feeling is starting to feel bad. 100% sure Adeena will tease me all out.   

“Yang must be delicious dong. Whatever cuisine made by chef Agus, still feels good in your tongue. In the cooking of loved ones,” chirped Adeena. “Can-can go home from here he will make a novel titled Love Rasa Noodle Pancir. Hahaha,” he continued while laughing out loud.

  Uhuk ... uhuk!   

 I was so overwhelmed when I heard Adeena's words just now. He rushed to pat my shoulders while thrusting water. As fast as lightning I gulped down the water he gave me. The whole thing is gone. “Lu why? How can I sprain? Well, don't-don't the owner of the pussy noodles again talking about you.”

“Sotoy lu. I've been overwhelmed by your words just now. Nih, with me and Mas Agus just admiring each other aja.”

 “Alah, your pretentious artist is not telling me everything. I know the seeds of love have begun to grow in your heart. Evidently each of you chat with her own smile right?”

 I admit this time Adeena's words were right. The seeds may have started to bloom in my heart. “If you love her, I'm not jealous. In fact, seneng finally found a replacement for Mas Ariendra. Who knows you guys are dating.”

Shit, Adeena reminds me of my ex. “I can't be fooled by him. He's too perfect for me. Anyway he seleb, must be a lot of girls queuing up to be his wife,” I said with a cloudy look.“

Dare to bet the same I don't?” challenge Adeena.

 I raised one eyebrow. “What's the bet first?”

“If you are once again reunited with Chef Agus, then he is your match. And you have to fight for love to him.”

“If it turns out I have not been reunited with Mas Agus how?”

 “Means you won. Hmmm .. The gift I buy you eat in pansy noodles every month for one year. How?”

  “OK deal.”

I don't know what the devil's welcome is, I agree to a ridiculous bet with Adeena. What if Adeena wins? Am I fighting for love with Mas Agus? I'm minder.

In the eyes of people I may look perfect, but as an ordinary human being of course I also have shortcomings that are body odor, sticky porridge, like farting carelessly, and fierce. That's why Ariendra cut ties with me unilaterally. He was ashamed to take me to a public place.

 Oh my God what should I do? Should I cancel the bet with Adeena? If canceling a bet, that means it's tantamount to licking your own spit? Adeena will definitely tease me even more. I was horrified to imagine that happening. 

Abstinence to me licking my own spit. Inevitably, I had no other choice. Maybe it's better to live first. In the depths of my heart I also want to match Mas Sweet. May the heavens and the earth bless what is in the depths of my heart.