LAST GREETINGS

Episode 9

Mike broke his body when he arrived at the boarding house. His mind was still staring far away thinking of Tania, the girl he met just now in the park, who was sitting alone in the usual place he and Mega used to spend their time.

Mike kept thinking about it - his sharp eyes, the soft touch of his hand when shaking Mike's hand and also his laughter when he realized Mike's strange behavior when offering him a ride even though he had just met for the first time.

"It seems like tonight I won't be able to sleep because I think about Tania."

There are no more Mega shadows at this time. Plus, Mega hasn't contacted him at all. Mike knows his crazy idea from his sister Tania.

Now, there are three girls named Tania in his life; aunt Mery's niece, Mega's sister, and the girl he just met and is now starting to haunt his mind.

"Tomorrow I must go there again after coming home from work," he murmured recklessly in his heart. "But this time I have to give something memorable to Tania."

Mike got out of bed, picked up a piece of paper and pen, and his finger started dancing on the paper while picturing Tania's face.

TANIA

*girl under the moonlight

on a night out in the park

love threatened me

witness park bench

you are now wandering in my memory

I can no longer afford to hold him

when the moon permits and the night blesses

I want you here tonight

so that I can tell the world

I started my story here - with you

I admire you - Mike*

Mike smiled a little. He lit a lighter and then burned the ends of the paper to produce a stunning piece of poetry. He put the paper he had burned on his desk.

Mike stood away from his desk, walked to the bathroom, cleaned his body and then came back and laid down his body.

"May God bless my intentions" he murmured, closing his eyes.

*****

Mike's work time is over. As determined as he was last night, he had to go to the park tonight. He wishes Tania was there. Mike did not want to let the shadow of his face that began to haunt his mind since last night go to waste.

Carefully riding his motorcycle, Mike drove towards the park. He deliberately did not buy drinks.

Upon thinking of the motorcycle safely, he greeted a middle-aged father who was in charge of guarding the parking lot there. Then back to the park.

His heart suddenly thumped. He glanced at his watch, he found it was already at 20:47 WIB. I hope Tania is there. I hope he comes back here again tonight, he hopes.

Mike stepped up gontai. This time he did not go to an ordinary place. He took a little distance to sit a little bit. The place is still empty. No one was sitting there.

Mike struggles with his thoughts - worrying about the situation and the scenery he sees, Tania is not there.

"Didn't he come tonight ?" Ask in my heart. What if Tania really didn't come ? What should he do ?

Mike decided to wait a moment. Take the phone out of her side bag and open whatsapp and read some messages in the group.

No message from Tania, Mega's sister. Mike doesn't care much about that right now. Then he placed his phone on the stone table, trying to glance at an ordinary place but there was no one there yet.

Just now he turned his face and touched his phone again, there was a laughing sound of two girls approaching an ordinary place. His heart is beating fast. He began to shake.

Mike ventured to look to the side to see who was coming and his eyes widened in shock at who was coming.

On the table there are two leather side bags that are also deep black. Mike can clearly recognize the slightly more pious girl is Tania. He came with his friend. Maybe they just finished attending an official event and stopped at this park.

His eyes quickly turned to look for sellers who peddled merchandise in the form of drinks in hand. Mike found a boy about twelve years old. He called her pretending to buy a bottle of tea. Hehehe, Mike can only afford such an expensive drink for now.

Mike talked to the boy. He gave him a ten thousand note. Mike quickly offered him a job before he was about to return the change.

"Not to be returned. But there's a condition" Mike told the boy. The boy looked confused.

"What's the signal, bang ?" Ask the boy politely.

"Do you see those two girls ?" Mike asked whispering while showing the two girls sitting there.

"Yes, I see a bang," the boy replied quickly after his eyes hit the two girls he showed.

"Please bring this paper, give it to one of them who is slightly more observant" Mike explained his work to the boy. The boy nodded then took the paper from Mike's hand, walking towards the two girls sitting not far from him while shouting out his wares.

Mike looked at the boy. He walked up to the two girls, handed them the paper and they seemed to chat for a moment before the boy finally darted away.

Mike could clearly see Tania's reaction when he received the paper. She saw Tania smiling a little, followed by the laughter of her friend who mocked her. He looked calm, but his eyes were fixed on the paper.

Mike let Tania read it through to the end. Then Tania looked up her head, looking around for Mike. Mike immediately turned his face and lowered his head to play the phone so Tania could not recognize him.

Mike let them both tell him there. Sometimes they laugh together but Mike can see Tania's anger.

"Maybe he thinks that I'm the crazy guy he's met. But wait, could he just get a poem from a man so his face reddened ? Hehe."

Mike turned his face towards them again. His feet suddenly moved on their own, standing up and quickly walking towards Tania and her friend when he saw them picking up the bag and standing about to go home.

Without further ado - stale Mike approached them. Reckless.

"Last night he said next time. I hope tonight the opportunity is there for me. Can I take you home, Tania?" Mike asked suddenly so that made the two of them startled together. There was confusion on the face of his friend. Tania showed a red hue on her face. He was also surprised not to see Mike suddenly appear in front of them.

Tania is still dumb. Her face flushed. Mike thought he'd be mad.

"Uppss, sorry. I don't want to ruin your moment. I'm going first. Bye," Tania's friend said quickly when she realized Tania recognized Mike. He knew that Mike was the owner of the poem. Tania is still sculpting. She's nervous. His friend walked away leaving them both.

"Eitt, wait. We go home together," Tania slowly tries to hold her friend back but Mike dehemes and gives Tania a smile as Tania quickly glances at her.

Tania silent. He turned his face to Mike again. Sharp look. Mike's heart was suddenly racing.

"What would she do if Tania got angry and refused her brawl again ?"

Mike looked back at him. Their eyes are looking at. Again Mike felt the same vibration enter his body through the glare of Tania's eyes.

"What you did tonight was impressive" Tania said quietly. The tone is flat but it sounds a little romantic. Mike smiled but Tania still looked at him sharply. He suddenly became nervous.

"I'm sorry. Can I take you home ?" Mike asked once again no matter what Tania said just now.

"Why do you really want to take me home ?" ask Tania suddenly. Mike is getting nervous but trying to stay calm to look a little cool.

"I just want to make sure you get home safely" said Mike calmly. Spontaneous. He no longer thought about who he was for Tania so he dared to say that. All he wants now is how to make Tania a part of his life and he will try at all costs.

"We just met last night" Tania replied flatly. Maybe he didn't like Mike's answer that seemed a little excessive just now.

"Later we'll talk about this" Mike casually replied as he bent his body slightly, showing his hands forward and letting Tania walk. Tonight he was like a royal princess' bodyguard.

Tania just kept quiet and obeyed what Mike said. He walked away from the spot that had been a witness to their first meeting and Mike followed him with a small smile. Tania was silent. He did not see her sweet smile.

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