LOVE NARA

3.25. AN UNUSUAL TASTE

"You still like soto tripe, Al?" ardi asked while driving Yoga's car out of the hospital courtyard.

Alya turned her head and looked at the man beside her. Once again Ardi asked about things related to the past. About his favorite food when they were in college.

"Still," Alya replied softly then looked back towards the front.

"What about tripe fried rice? You still like him too?" Ardi took the direction of the road leading to the clinic where Alya worked.

"Yes." Yeah." Alya answered again without looking at her side.

"It turns out he still remembers her ...."

Alya held her smile so as not to be known by the man who was still focusing on driving the car.

"Actually I'd like to take you to lunch with one of those menus. But here, I don't know where the restaurant provides it. Can you tell me where the best place for us is to enjoy it, Al?"

Alya thought for a moment and then nodded. His right hand began to give directions according to what he said.

"Follow the lead from me. Not far from here there is a soto stall that is quite famous and liked by the immigrants and guests in this city."

Ardi nodded and smiled. His efforts succeeded, inviting the graceful woman to lunch together.

Soon enough, they had already reached where Alya meant. Ardi swiftly went out first, to open the door for Alya.

"Be careful, Al. Watch, your head!"

Although it has been protected by Ardi's hand, but because of his nervousness Alya was stumbled on the door that was already open because trying to keep his distance.

Immediately Ardi touched Alya's head covered with hijab and rubbed it unconsciously, making Alya stand looking at him without blinking. His heart rippled softly, full of a beautiful taste that suddenly burst forth without any excuse.

In the next second, Ardi gasped and realized his mistake. Directly pulled the hand that was originally on top of Alya's head then retreated and rubbed his face violently.

"Sorry, Al. Sorry .. I was not intentionally," said Ardi regretfully.

"Are you okay?" Ardi wanted to be sure again and Alya answered him with a slow nod of his head.

He again lowered his stupefied gaze at the man. Tidied up her hijab to make sure no child's hair pokes out from behind the simple hijab she wears.

Both of them were silent for a while, until the sound of a whistle from the parking attendant who was arranging the entry and exit of cars and motorcycles in the courtyard of the food stall.

"Come, we go in" Ardi asked after closing and locking the door that was still open because of the unexpected incident. Alya walked first and followed Ardi beside her later.

Choosing an empty table in the front corner, they sat facing each other with a loud bang on their chests. Without asking Ardi, Alya wrote the order note immediately and gave it to a waiter who had been waiting.

"You eat here a lot, Al?" Breaking the silence between them, Ardi opened his voice first.

Alya shook her head slowly. "I order it more often through online applications" he explained briefly.

The order came quickly so they could enjoy it immediately. Alya ordered a different menu for Ardi because what he remembered, Ardi did not like tripe like it. So he ordered a regular meat filling for the man he loved.

Even with drinks, if Alya chooses orange ice as a companion to his favorite food, Ardi prefers other sweet drinks such as iced tea or ice syrup.

"Please enjoy. Hope you like the taste of the cuisine here." Alya waited for Ardi to taste first and waited for his response.

Ardi smiled and first thanked him before starting to put the first spoon in his mouth. She was happy because Alya had not forgotten their habits just yet, including the kind of food and drink they had not one taste for.

About their hobbies and daily habits, they do have a lot of differences. But there is never a problem because of it, because each other has known and remembered each other.

Alya smiled with relief and then also enjoyed her favorite menu with someone special in front of her.

"Thank you also because you still remember what I like and dislike. I'm so happy, Al," honestly Ardi made Alya pause to regulate his sudden heartbeat.

Ardi who caught the red tinge that adorned Alya's charming face, was happier to see her. The friendly and smiling woman always makes her feel anxious whenever she shows her merry face that makes Ardi more captivated.

They continued their special lunch in silence. Trying to be ordinary even though in the heart is holding an unusual taste.

"I'll keep you remembering all the memories of our past, Al. One by one, I will make you realize that the feelings between us are still there and are always stored in the heart."

They finished lunch without wasting much time, considering Alya had to get to the clinic immediately for duty.

After Ardi got up and finished the payment at the cashier, the man came back to Alya and took her out to the parking lot.

"Al, tomorrow morning Aura will do a re-examination. Can I have a minute of your time to accompany her?"

In the car that has been driving, Ardi conveyed his request. She knew Alya would be hard-pressed to resist if it came to her beloved little daughter, who was now also the darling of the woman sitting beside her.

"I'm sorry, Son. Dad took advantage of the situation on your behalf so that he would be willing to accompany you tomorrow morning, so that the three of us could be together again."

Alya has not answered Ardi's question. He picked up his phone and checked his errand schedule for tomorrow morning.

"How, Al?"

Alya kept her phone and nodded her head with a fixed gaze looking forward.

"I'll accompany Aura tomorrow morning. Hopefully the results of the examination are getting better so we do not need to do drug therapy to support his recovery."

Ardi smiled in relief and was happy to hear her request was fulfilled by Alya, despite having to use the excuse on behalf of her beloved little daughter.

"Thank you, Al. Aura must be very happy because tomorrow morning there are you who will accompany her again."

Ardi wanted to make the most of her time to be with the woman who loved her daughter so much, before they had to split up again because she and Aura had to go back home.

The man did not want to expect much for now. At least he already knew that Alya still kept all the good memories of their past. And it will make it easier for her to open Alya's heart to accept it as it used to be.

"I don't know what will happen after this, Al. But I hope that before I go home, I can get a more definitive answer about the feelings between us."

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