LOVE STRATA 1

CS1 Blank

Months have passed since the cancellation of Mario-Anjani's wedding. As predicted, the case of John's affair that had been highlighted by the media slowly receded. No more media crews trying to break through the office to hunt for news related to John and his family. The grapevine that is still heard only comes from the relationship of John and the company, also from new relationships that apparently kepo also with the news that had gone viral in the media.

The question of a new relationship does not matter. All overcome because of a speaking ability to the friendly persuasion of Uncle Li and Leon. Alenna helps sometimes. Alenna's ability to take care of business has grown rapidly, until Leon also admitted his good performance.

The image of John's company slowly improved again as the leading products of new shoe design were immediately in demand on the market shortly after the launch. Leon immediately rose, got the title of a young talented businessman.

Alenna, who is always with Leon at every company event, also highlighted. Alenna was even thought to be Leon's future wife. However, Alenna quickly denied it at once. Alenna's paras and the month-long appearance did attract the public's attention. Not infrequently there are business partners who ask about the origin and identity of Alenna. Until now, Alenna's status as John's biological child is still not in the public ear.

“Success is always for our company cooperation. Thank ye. Then excuse me to go back to the office first, Mr. Leon, Miss Alenna,” said goodbye to the middle-aged man who is a business partner of Leon and Alenna.

Leon and Alenna shake the hand of their business partner. Neither Leon nor Alenna had gotten used to having business meetings outside the office that afternoon. Through a well-planned strategy, everything goes and goes through properly.

Alenna breezed casually out of a luxurious restaurant where she met her business partner earlier. Leon followed casually behind him after paying the bills for food, drinks, as well as places he had booked.

As if something was troubling to mind, Alenna suddenly stopped her steps when she saw a man carrying a bouquet of white roses. Alenna's expression suddenly changed, there was sadness drawn there.

Leon's steps have taken him to the car park. When he saw Alenna who was still not there, Leon turned his body. The first time that Leon caught is the sad face of Alenna. A few seconds Leon ruffled his waist while watching Alenna standing in place.

“You want a bouquet of white roses too?” asked Leon who was already standing beside Alenna.

Alenna smiled, then shook her head firmly.

“No. The white rose reminds me of Mario. Mario used to give white roses to Anjani. I used to flirt every morning. Hehe ...” Alenna chuckled softly recalling those memories.

“O. That's the past. Anjani has rejected Mario, right. Already, forget it. Enjoy our current success,” said Leon lightly.

Alenna stared intently at Leon, not liking the words that had been uttered. Meanwhile Leon responded to the reaction Alenna showed casually. His right hand flicked towards Alenna's face, then told Alenna not to take any dizziness either.

Not mempan. Alenna was still grumbling, even to the point of scapegoating while putting a jutek face to Leon.

“Mario should be in the middle of the company's success. After all, most of the plans that have been realized are Mario's ideas before he transferred his position to you. Remember that!” Alenna.

“Hahaha. Yeah-yes. I admit it, and I won't forget it. Okay sorry. What can I do as a sign of apology? Want me to ask Vina to come to the office again so I can talk about foreign products? Or want to treat orange ice in a plastic container?” Leon offered with a smile.

Alenna thought for a moment, weighing, thinking of the attractive offer from Leon. Ever since his first meeting with Vina back then, Alenna had always felt comfortable chatting with him. Moreover, Vina knew a lot about foreign products, and had the same interest as her. When Leon makes an offer to invite Vina to the office, it certainly tickles Alenna to agree. However, on the one hand orange ice in a plastic container becomes a completely unmissable option to choose from.

The two choices given by Leon apparently were not chosen all. Alenna had another idea to free herself for a moment from the routine of office work.

“I'm permission to go home from work now, yes. No more meetings, right?” pinta Alenna's.

“OK. Doesn't matter. Please, kuizinkan.” Leon kindly allowed.

Alenna girang's. He has prepared an agenda to meet Mario and his girlfriend, Juno. Alenna rushed to her car.

“Alenna. If you meet Mario please say hello from Vina. Tell him also that Vina really wants to see him,” Leon said shortly before Alenna got into his car.

“OK. I'll tell you later,” replied Alenna and then closed her car door.

In the car. Alenna drove her car to Ken's house. Alenna knew Mario and Juno were there. While driving, Alenna turned on the radio channel, to accompany her journey. The acoustic version of pop songs sound comfortable to the ear. Alenna smiled, and just suddenly felt something strange in her heart.

Career okay. The lover is okay too. A lot of things are okay. But ... Why is there so much empty space in my heart, huh? Strange, Inner Alenna.

***

Irregularly arranged papers on the table. Two lecture material books were opened and left lying just like that next to a black ballpoint pen. The terrace table that previously looked wide, now only leaves a little space. The paper and the book on the table belonged to Ken. While the owner is still cool in completing crossword puzzles on applications that have just been installed on his smartphone.

Across the chair Ken was sitting in, Mario sat down while writing, completing his college assignments. Fifteen minutes passed, Mario was done with his task. Mario's pen and paper are also finished. Mario checks his smartphone and replies to some of the short messages that came in. Until Mario is done with everything, Ken is still cool with the crossword puzzle he is working on.

“I heard something. Your job is yelling at you, Ken. Don't you intend to finish it?” ask Mario at the end.

“Casual. Besides, Mr. Nizar will understand if I am late to collect it,” said Ken without turning his eyes away from his smartphone screen.

“While discussing Mr Nizar, yes Mas?” juno asked, suddenly appearing while carrying a tray containing three glasses of mango juice.

“Yes, as you heard, Jun.” Mario confirmed.

Indeed, Mario and Juno's friendship has improved over time. None of the two dared to discuss stupidity in the flower shop Kak Lisa a few months ago. The improved friendship relationship was also supported by the persuasion and advice of Alenna who was constantly asking Mario to make up with Juno. Naturally, considering Alenna is Juno's lover and desperately hoping that her brother can be good friends with her lover.

“Pak Nizar has more and more fans on campus. How to teach is cool, does not make bosen. Friendly to anyone. It is only fitting if many idolize it,” added Juno, then sip the mango juice part.

“Eh, but why not get married, yes?” asked Ken who suddenly put down his smartphone, as if interested in the conversation about Mr. Nizar.

Juno coded Ken not to talk about marriage, marriage, or anything like that. The discussion was worried that it would offend Mario, considering Mario also had failed to get married before.

“Ups. No-no, I mean Mr. Nizar is still young, so it's worth it if you're not married,” explained Ken later.

Free. Initially Ken tried to rectify the question according to the code from Juno. However, his new statement instead remains alluding to marriage and youth. Ken got clumsy himself. His best friend himself at a young age also failed to get married.

Duh, so it went wrong! batin Ken while clearing his throat and fixing the position of his glasses.

Mario is not stupid. It was easy enough for him to catch the reason for Ken's clumsiness back then.

“Don't hold, Ken. Just say,” said Mario while smiling.

“Everyone lives by bringing his own story to the way he was destined. Getting married is not just about readiness, a mature age, or maybe even being pushed around because of someone's demand. There is a destiny line that holds itself. No need to worry. It's about time. Trust all in the Owner of Destiny" explained Mario.

"Eh?"

"Huh?"

Juno stopped drinking mango juice. Ken gawking. Neither Juno nor Ken were a little surprised by Mario's unusual speech - usually saying that.

Mario smiles at the expressions of his two best friends. Mario enjoys the look of wonder on the faces of his friends while drinking his mango juice.

Ken, who is usually the origin of the slips in saying, immediately at that moment hesitated to throw a response sentence. In the end, Ken was only able to interrupt the ordinary.

"Ehem, suddenly alim, nih!" chirped Ken.

Mario's smile again. Back the mango juice is slurped while giving a thumbs up to Juno.

"For Anjani, huh?" ask Ken from the beginning.

"Not really. Maybe Anjani is just an intermediary. This heart has been empty for too long. I'm too thirsty for real love. Love for the Creator" said Mario, as if there was no burden in saying so.

"Ah, so gini goosebumps, deh!" Juno.

Ken throws Juno with a paper ball.

"Game!" exclaim Ken.

After that the conversation came back crisp. Ken suddenly returned excited to work on college assignments from Mr. Nizar. While waiting for Ken to finish with his task, Mario and Juno chatted lightly. More conversations were made about lectures, especially about Mr. Nizar.

***

At the same time, in a different place.

Anjani sat alone on a long bench near one of the campus gazebos. Anjani's eyes were fixed on a bunch of pots containing ornamental plants. One of them had a rose plant, and was in bloom. Coincidentally also the rose that is beautiful is a white rose. Seeing it makes Anjani a little soar considering the past.

Mario, I miss you. When can we let go of each other's egos and get back to talking to each other like we used to? inner Anjani.

The white rose continued to be stared at by Anjani from a distance, from where he was sitting at that time. Sitting silently without being seen often winked, of course making some fellow students wonder. In their eyes Anjani looks dreamy with blank eyes. Even so, no one reprimanded Anjani. Except ... one, namely Mr. Nizar who happened to be passing by at that time.

"Excuse me" said Mr. Nizar kindly.

Anjani. Really, look shocked in front of Mr. Nizar.

"Sorry, I'm surprised, yeah." Mr. Nizar apologized.

The apology from Mr. Nizar actually makes Anjani not feel good. Mr. Nizar is not wrong, Anjanilah should not be over-expression like before.

"No-no, Sir. I should be the one apologizing. I'm sorry, sir." Anjani stood up and bowed while saying sorry several times.

"Hehe, that'sit. You welcome. Can I sit here for a minute?" ask Mr. Nizar.

"Sit here? Oh, of course you can, sir. Please sit down, sir!" sahut Anjani's.

Anjani was wrong at the time. All the consequences of his daydreams about Mario and his white roses. He became unfocused, to the point of being shocked excessively when Mr. Nizar greeted him.

Anjani also sat on the same bench as Mr. Nizar, while maintaining courtesy to his lecturer. Some students who passed by looked towards Anjani and Pak Nizar. Some hysterically restrained, envious of Anjani who can sit with Pak Nizar, the idol lecturer.

"So it was clear you were daydreaming alone. A lot of thoughts, huh?" ask Mr. Nizar.

Anjani smiled sweetly, then nodded confirming.

"I won't ask what's bothering you. It's just that I hope you don't leave your heart and mind empty, until daydreaming like that. When it is empty, remember Him immediately. Call it his name!" advice Mr. Nizar.

"Him?" ask Anjani who does not understand. Anjani had thought that what Pak Nizar meant was the name Mario.

"Yes, He. The Owner of Life, the Giver of Ease. Your creator," explained Mr. Nizar.

Anjani's eyes blinked. He began to understand what Mr. Nizar meant. Silently, and slowly. A feeling that has not been felt for a long time, is like a longing.

"Every problem is always accompanied by a solution. Let Him be the first time you tell your story and complain. Just confide in Him," continued Mr. Nizar advising.

Back, there was an unusual taste in Anjani's heart. Anjani realized that the space of her heart was still filled with emptiness. It felt so clear, and Anjani really felt and realized it.

Ja. I have long been far from Him, Inner Anjani.

Anjani lowered her head, then took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Afterwards Anjani raised his head, and looked towards Pak Nizar.

"Thank you for the advice, sir. I have realized something" Anjani said with a smile.

"Either. You're one of the students in my class, right? Can you know her name?" ask Mr. Nizar.

Anjani. "My name is Anjani" Anjani replied.

"good. Anjani, I'll excuse you, yes. May your business be spared" said Mr. Nizar, then move on and leave Anjani.

Anjani noticed Pak Nizar's steady pace going away. His smile continued to grow. There was a new feeling in his heart. The feeling that should have been there a long time ago is love number one.

"Hm ... Anjani is envious, huh!" meli who suddenly approached.

"Start, deh." Diamond protest on Meli's attitude.

"Eh, Diamond. No nyesek, anyway? We both met Mr. Nizar's duty directly to his desk, so we can talk as well. Uh, it turns out that Mr. Nizar was even here chatting with Anjani," complained Meli.

"Udah, ah. It's up to you to say," replied Diamond, casually responding.

"Ah, tomorrow you want to act sad in front of Mr. Nizar, deh. Let me get some advice, too" said Meli.

Diamond pinching gaunt cheek Meli. "You mode!" exciting Diamond.

"Easy-after. Yuk, home!" bring Anjani.

Diamond and Meli agree. The three of them also stepped together towards the parking lot, returning home using Diamond's car.

Connect ....

***

Thank you for reading the novel Love Strata 1. Looking forward to the story, yes. Hopefully, your readers still like the storyline even though the author added a new genre 😊 See You ✨