Les Laches

Almost

“Sorry yes, Ti. But I really can't tell you about Alvin's problem. To be sure, I can't leave him for now.” Hera's voice on the other end of the phone sounded clear.

Tian let out a long breath. Actually he really wants to hear what problems one of his most cheerful friends is going through. However, he does not want to force if Alvin has not been willing to share his story.

Tian recalled the incident when he was in Safira's villa. There, his premonition did indeed say something was hidden by the young man. Tian regretted not asking any further back then. At least, although Alvin refused to answer– considering his closed personality–Tian could give more attention to the young man. More of a sausage and cheese pizza shake, of course.

Tian got up from his spring bed and walked towards the walk-in closet in his room to change his clothes. Today, he plans to visit one of his subscription boutiques, Bella's subscription to be exact.

Initially, Hera promised to escort Tian. He recounted his plans while staying at Safira's house. Hera who was enthusiastic when she heard the word “shop”, immediately offered her services to accompany Tian. Tian even hesitated that the girl heard Tian's reason for going to the boutique.

Tian does intend for “shopping”. However, not to buy his own needs, but to Meda. He wanted to buy some warm clothes for his girlfriend. Next month the young man will be leaving for Paris. Tian heard from his mother that Paris in June had indeed entered spring, but the season that was still close to winter was often experiencing erratic temperature changes. Bella recalled, last year, she once woke up one morning with temperatures reaching eleven degrees Celsius. It has also passed daytime temperatures reaching 27 degrees Celsius.

Therefore, Tian planned to prepare something useful for Meda as well as to remind the young man that he was always waiting for his return. Meda might not be as cold as Afgar, but Tian still wanted to make sure that the young man kept his body well there.

Remembering Afgar made Tian plan to buy one more piece of warm clothes. Afgar's birthday will be celebrated in a few days and Tian realized that he had not bought anything as a gift for his childhood friend.

After finishing changing clothes, Tian rushed out of the room. However, just as it was about to lock the door, Tian cancelled his intention and re-entered. She stepped in front of the dresser and swept a thin make-up over her face. That one habit was still a little foreign to Tian. Because of this, he often forgets.

Tian stepped out of the house and entered the garage from outside. Since the fall from the staircase that connects the living room with the garage, Tian was a bit traumatized to go through the same path.

“Tian?” As the garage door opened, a voice called out his name.

“Afgar?” Tian frowned when he saw the figure he had thought about a few minutes ago that appeared in his yard. “Kok here no word?”

Afgar smiled wryly. In the past, before their relationship had stretched, he could come to Tian's house to meet the girl at any time, without needing to give any news.

“I came here because Papa gave me a task to send something to Om Adler,” replied the young man while ignoring his slightly hurt feelings due to Tian's previous question.

“Sketsa?” ask Tian again.

Afgar nodded.

 “I heard next week Om Adler same Aunt Bella want to Sweden, yes?” He asked back.

This time it was Tian who nodded. There was no need to ask where Afgar knew that, as both of their fathers were close enough to share such news.

“Where are you going?” asked Afgar again while looking at the car keys hanging on Tian's right index finger.

“Butik subscription Mama,” replied Tian briefly.

“Tumben.” Afgar stopped his words before asking again. “You bought a gift for me?” guess it.

Tian chuckled slightly before nodding in confirming. Years of knowing Afgar made him do many things with the young man. Celebrating each other's birthdays is only a small part of the routine tradition that they have been through so there are no more surprises for that one ritual.

“Sama Hera?”

“Ngak. He's the same Alvin.” 

“Alvin didn't tell me anything about the problem?” Tian spoke again.

Afgar. “There is absolutely no story. But I heard something from Hagan. Said, Dominiq in jail.”

Tian's round eyes widened. “Kok can? What's the matter? I have not heard at all the news about the Petra family other than the news that Alvin's mother got another award.”

Afgar shrugged his shoulders. “I'm also surprised, Ti. I just heard that story last night, when Hagan was talking to Papa.”

"But Alvin is not close to Dominiq. Is it just because his brother's in prison and Alvin's so moody?" tanya Tian was astonished.

"It could be that Dominiq's problem is just the trigger. The real big problem may be in the Alvin family. You know Dominiq's name must be on the top of the list as Om Tristan's heir, right? If his name is tainted because he has been in prison, is it still possible that he became the successor to Om Tristan business? It could damage the company's image. If so, of course the name Alvin as the second successor, raised. You know Alvin, right? He never liked to jump into the business world. He even refused to study seriously so as not to be involved in company affairs. He went to college, but not to study. He followed Hera, even to her college major."

Tian shook his head slowly. He knew that the Alvin family was very complicated and not as beautiful as the image displayed by the media. Dominiq in Tian's own memory was not a man who could be said to have a good temperament. Tian could see that the man was very fond of women and often flocked to change partners. However, he could not guess what he had done this time until he made himself in prison.

Tian regained his senses as his eyes caught a bluish bruise on Afgar's right arm. Spontaneously, Tian pulled the young man's arm to get closer towards him.

“This is why, Gar?” tian asked after successfully seeing the right side of his best friend's upper arm which was decorated with other bruises.

“Gar?” urgently Tian returned when Afgar did not answer.

“Yesterday because I told you about the location of Alvin to Hera, Hera came to the place of Alvin tongkrongan,” Afgar explained carefully. 

Tian's facial expression instantly hardened as he could guess the continuation of Afgar's story without needing to hear the rest. Therefore, Afgar hurriedly added.

“I was wrong. Alvin's barrel is all male. Obviously Alvin was angry because I let Hera there without an escort. Fortunately, he met Alvin there. If not?” Afgar almost shuddered at the thought of its continuation. “Because I also Hera was snubbed there.”

“Dilecehin?!” Tian's tone of voice rose by several octaves.

“Verbally.” Afgar added before Tian's imagination sketched out a no-no bad scenario.

“Udah taken care of the culprit?” Tian still looked furious.

“You know Alvin. Hera kesandung aja, the stone is wronged.”

Tian laughed amusedly at Afgar saying that while putting on a serious look. The girl's laughter rubbed off on Afgar, who was smiling.

“But still he can not make you battered like this.” Tian looked back at the bruise on Afgar's arm.

“I will beat myself up if Alvin doesn't do anything. However I have already put Hera in a situation that could endanger her safety.”

Tian let out a long breath. No longer know what to comment. True, Afgar almost made the fatal mistake of letting Hera go to that dangerous place alone, but his little heart still could not accept that Afgar had to be hurt because of the problem. Tian must have taken action to confront Alvin for violence against his own friend if he did not remember that the young man himself was “kau”. It was also that reason that might make the young man darken his eyes and attack Afgar.

Confused by his own inner upheaval, Tian could only daydream while looking at the bluish trail on Afgar's arm. Afgar, on the other hand, felt a strange thump in his heart upon seeing Tian's concern. The concern that he thought had disappeared after the two had experienced a lot of conflict in recent times. In fact, Tian still loved him and that fact made him happy. Very happy. It seems, he was back in the days of High School, when the relationship has not been as complicated as it is now.