Linger

Family Meetings

Kalea thought Gavin's relationship with Karel would gradually improve since the cuddle incident two weeks ago, apparently she was wrong. Instead of improving, the two men were even more vigorous to carry out the invisible attacks they gave off from the dislike gazes every time they accidentally visited Kalea's house at the same time. Kalea felt like a prisoner of war being fought by two opposing camps, and she did not know who to side with because it felt wrong.

But, of the many unexpected things that happened during these two weeks, one of the most unthinkable for Kalea was to find Gavin and Karel sitting next to each other at the dining table. In a family meeting that was intended only for the Kalea family and the Gavin family because the purpose of this family meeting was to discuss their further matchmaking. Somehow Kunyuk Karel could end up being involved in the meeting tonight.

"Who is this?" ask the middle-aged woman who looks beautiful in a gray brakat dress. The woman who had previously introduced herself as Gavin's mother seemed astonished by Karel's presence.

"My firstborn." Mama replied with a smile that did not fade from her face.

"You have a boy? How could I never know?" Mother Gavin seemed surprised to hear the words of Mama who sat opposite him, right on the left side of Kalea.

"Boleh nemu on the side of the road, malem-malem abis came home from the front street martabak complex." Mama giggled amusedly afterwards, glancing at Karel who had now put on a face of annoyance because he had indirectly been lent the child picked up by Mama.

"Handler." Mama said after her laughter stopped. "long history. If you do that, it won't be enough for one night. Anyway Karel is my firstborn." The next one that instantly made the sullen look of Karel disappear just like that.

Shortly after Mother nodded her head, the waiter came to serve a variety of menus that had been ordered beforehand. Then no one spoke anymore. Everyone was busy eating their own food in a silent mode. There was only the sound of clinking created from the impact of the spoon with the plate. But in the midst of that silence, Kalea had stolen a glance towards Gavin who had been sitting restlessly. After the war scene of his gaze with Karel was completed, Gavin was seen several times checking his phone. And to be honest, it was quite disturbing to Kalea's mind. Is Gavin waiting for a message from someone? Wh who? Someone Gavin said he wanted to protect that night?

The question never had a chance to be asked because after putting food on his plate, Gavin resigned. The man got up from his chair with a cell phone that had taken all his attention. Gavin says he wants to go to the toilet, but Kalea believes the man just wants to find time to contact someone Kalea herself doesn't know who.

After Gavin's departure, the parents began to get busy with their own chat. Mama and Mommy seemed cool chatting about the collection of ornamental plants in Mother's house, as well as the idea of building a flower shop together later in the day after a series of Kalea and Gavin wedding preparations were completed. While Papa and Papa Gavin were serious about business, none of their topics were understood.

Across the street, Karel was silent. Noting how Kalea was sitting unsettled, her eyes repeatedly glanced towards the entrance of the cafe, perhaps beginning to fidget as Gavin never returned.

"Kale," Karel called out quietly, leaning his body towards Kalea who was sitting across.

"What?" ask Kalea. Not at all surprised when Karel's face knew was already at a close distance from his face.

The parents were busy chatting, until when Karel got up and pulled Kalea's arm to leave the dining table, they didn't notice.

Kalea, according to him, followed where Karel's footsteps took him. Apparently, the rancid boy took him to the back of the cafe, taking him to sit on an empty bench near a shady planted tree.

"Gue wants her to be the same again" said Karel, holding Kalea's shoulder with both hands. His eyes looked seriously.

"Lo sure you want to marry Gavin?" tanyakanya.

Kalea let out a breath of air. I don't know how many times Karel has asked this since a week ago. In fact, Kalea always gives the same answer, but Karel seems never satisfied with the answer he gave.

"You've been doing this a lot."

"Answer. Lo sure?"

Kalea sighed bitterly. "Surely, Karel."

"How sure? What percent are you sure about Gavin?"

"Rel,"

"How much?" Karel has not given up.

"It turns out you're here, I've been looking for you."

Suddenly Gavin's voice interrupts, making Karel and Kalea turn their heads.

"You looking for me?" ask Kalea.

Hearing that Kalea had changed the way she called herself in front of Gavin, Karel turned her eyes to the girl. Since when did Kalea and Gavin become so familiar that Kalea could call herself me?

Not yet answered the question, Karel must be made furious because Gavin suddenly pulled Kalea's hand to make the girl rise from her seat. With a slow but determined movement, Gavin brought Kalea's small body to his side, embracing her shoulders leisurely.

"Gue said the same thing to Kalea." Karel got up, looked up at Gavin who only showed a flat face.

"Mom tell me to bring Kalea in, there's an important conversation that we need to discuss." Gavin said as he smiled a smile that looked annoying in Karel's eyes.

Gavin had turned around, taking with him the Kalea he still embraced. But his steps were off and he turned his body back to face Karel. "And I think you don't have to get involved in this important conversation because you're nobody." Then it passed completely from before Karel.

Karel's jaw is hardened. Both of his hands clenched beside the body and he nearly lunged at Gavin if only Kalea had not turned her head in the midst of his increasingly distant steps while shaking her head, gesturing for him not to make trouble.

********

After discussing some matters regarding the wedding preparations that had been agreed to be held two weeks from now, Gavin asked Mama for permission to take Kalea for a ride in the car before driving the girl home. Mama certainly did not mind, the woman was happy because Gavin had the initiative to get closer to Kalea.

In the car, during the journey they took, Kalea was more silent. She thought a lot about Karel and the same question that the man always asked her. Then, like a poison that seeps in the body slowly, the question begins to creep into his head to make it feel cramped and full.

As Kalea turned her head, watching how Gavin focused on the road ahead with a face that was hard to read, the question seemed to echo so loudly in the head. Is he sure of Gavin? Is Kalea sure of the wedding that will be held after the introductory process that only lasts not up to two months? Kalea is blind. He still can't feel what Gavin really looks like. On many occasions, she felt Gavin was someone warm, evident from how the man treated her well as long as they went both ways several times. But, on several other occasions, Kalea felt as if Gavin's dark bead, which is now one of her favorite things, kept many secrets that were too tightly stored to be difficult to uncover. Kalea often felt Gavin's soul was out of place when they were both. There was a time when Kalea felt Gavin was thinking about other people while they were engaged in a conversation.

"Other times, I take you on a night ride on my sport bike. Wanna?"

Kalea tried to look ordinary when Gavin suddenly turned his head. The traffic light up ahead is on red. The streets were deserted and several impatient two-wheelers appeared to be barging through the red lights, causing a horn sound from other vehicles about to cross.

"Kalea?"

"Can."

"okay." Gavin smiled happily. But somehow, that smile did not reach his eyes. It was as if the smile was deliberately trained in such a way as to look genuine, when it was actually full of pretense.

Maybe this is the effect of the question that Karel asked repeatedly, Kalea so much questioning about Gavin. Even before the boy asked a lot, Kalea felt okay with everything Gavin did.

The car drove back and quietly became the ruler. There was one more thing from Gavin that Kalea realized. The man never asked him to talk while he was focused on driving. Either because Gavin wanted to make sure they got to their destination safely, or Kalea was no more attractive than the streets and traffic lights they passed.

Half an hour's drive took Gavin's Pajero to a house located some distance from the city crowd. A three-story house that in some parts is dominated by glass. The house is surrounded by a high fence, as if the residents really want to isolate themselves from the surrounding environment. The distance between homes in the area is also far. There is a fairly large vacant land as a barrier between one house and another house.

Kalea flinched as Gavin suddenly released a seatbelt wrapped around her body. He was too focused on looking around to the point of not being aware of Gavin's movements and knew that the man's face was already right in front of his face. Maybe it was only five fingers wide. Because now, Kalea could feel Gavin's breath hitting her face.

"Don't daydream, let's go down." Gavin said in a low voice before distancing his face and getting out of the car first.

While Kalea needs more time to neutralize the heartbeat that began to craze. Gavin had done this to him many times (moving suddenly and thrusting his face at close range in front of Kalea) but he was still unfamiliar.

"Kalea?" Gavin called from the outside. The door on Kalea's side was already opened, so Kalea immediately got off the car. He did not want the already walking Gavin to turn towards him and again make him hold his breath with his sudden movements.

"Whose house is this?" Kalea asked as they walked hand in hand into the spacious courtyard of the house.

"Our house." Answer Gavin lightly.

The originally light Kalea steps practically stopped. He turned to Gavin, only to find the man smiling so sweetly.

"This is the house I'm preparing to live in after we get married." He said, making Kalea clench her lips tightly.

What do I still doubt about someone like Gavin? ask him to himself. Just because Karel kept asking how confident he was to Gavin, should Kalea feel doubtful towards this man with no clear basis? Kalea is not.

"Come, let's look inside." Gavin grabbed Kalea's hand.

Warm immediately felt as the big hand clasped his hand so tightly. They walked into the house. Kalea was immediately amazed by the simple interior of the house but still impressed elegant and luxurious. His eyes went around, sweeping every corner of the house without the slightest hint of being missed.

"This house is my own design. I used to study architecture, so since I was a student, I already had my own dream home design."

Kalea stopped her steps, as did Gavin who was still clasping her hands tightly.

"When did you get this house?" ask Kalea. I am beginning to wonder about the history of this house.

"Since two years ago."

"That long? When you don't even know who you're going to live with?" he asked, a little surprised to hear the words of Gavin.

Gavin nodded. A smile still lingered on his lips. His eyes collided with a pair of boba belonging to Kalea for quite a long time. Until finally, he said something that would keep Kalea from sleeping until a few nights from now.

He said, "And I'm grateful that you're the one who's going to live with me in this house, Kalea."

Damnit. Mahesa fucking Gavin.