LOVE THE EXPATRIATE

13. Dating Anjani

At six o'clock in the morning Edward was invited by Uncle Rudolf to go to Tomohon. He sat down beside Edo who was driving, while Uncle Rudolf sat in the back seat. Along the way, Edward seemed to notice the gardens of residents containing vegetable plants and flowers. Tomohon is located on a plateau flanked by Mount Lokon and Mount Mahawu are still active. So it is not surprising that agricultural products in this region are abundant and become suppliers for cities in Sulawesi.

In addition to vegetables, various flowers are also abundant in Tomohon. Therefore, every year the city organizes the Tomohon International Flower Festival. A famous flower carnival and claimed to be the second largest after the Pasadena Rose Parade, in the United States.

Edo turns his car off the highway and into the courtyard of a restaurant.

“We have breakfast first, Edward.” take Uncle Rudolf after the car is parked.

He got out of the car followed by Edward and Edo. The three of them entered the restaurant that looked crowded by visitors. Uncle Rudolf picked an empty table in the corner of the room and ordered three servings of breakfast for them.

“This is Wawahu, typical food Tomohon, Ed. Uncle is sure you will be addicted to the taste.” said Uncle Rudolf when the waiter served the food they ordered.

“More delicious if eaten with this Tomohon wrap rice.” he said again while opening the leaf package.

Wawahu referred to by Uncle Rudolf is processed pork ribs cooked with yellow seasoning sauce and basil leaves. In its development, this cuisine also often uses beef ribs or buffalo. Wawahu is better to eat with Tomohon wrap rice.

But this packaged rice is not like packaged rice in other areas. Washed rice wrapped in thin leaves elongated and boiled until chewy. So it is more similar to lontong or lepat. What makes it distinctive, Tomohon rice is not wrapped with banana leaves or coconut leaves. But with a leaf named laikit leaf. The leaves are endemic plants that can only be found in Minahasa and its surroundings.

The three of them had breakfast.

They finally reached their intended place. Edo parked his car in front of a stilt house on a flat, wide hill. The yard of the house contains clove trees and avocados.

“Whose house is this, Uncle?” edward asked as he climbed the wooden stairs.

“This is your Opamu house, Ed.” he said standing on the terrace divider facing the garden. “Uncle often stay here to care and care for these plants.”

“ Your opinion used to tell us that this land will be inherited for his grandchildren later.”

“Because you as his eldest grandson, you happen to have come home too, then this place I leave to you, Edward.”

“I thank Uncle, who has been guarding this land until now.” said Edward along standing next to his uncle.

“But uncle will know, if the job requires me to move places continuously. So please, just take care of this much-remembered place, Uncle.”

“As far as you go, Ed. Most importantly, Uncle has conveyed the trust of your late opamu.” said Uncle Rudolf.

“Thus, this house and garden will not be abandoned, Uncle.”, Edward said again.

“But Uncle's advice, this place should not be moved to another party. Currently, the government is encouraging tourism throughout the region. From Tomohon, Tondano, Manado, to Bunaken. This place will be a good investment in the future.”

“That was a very wise decision, Uncle.” said Edward embracing Uncle Rudolf's shoulder with a smile.

Uncle Rudolf invited Edward into the house. The man looked over the unbroken goods of Opa and Omanya. Includes photos of them when they were young. Also the little Uncle Maweuri who is still carried by his omana.

By noon they were home. And there, Edward said goodbye to the family to return to Jakarta. He only smiled while shaking his head, when Aunt Dora reminded him to immediately visit Manado to introduce his future wife.

_____________________________________________

Edward was sitting at the bar table enjoying his vodka and cigarettes. Byonce's voiceover of her hits Listen did not comfort her lonely heart enough. He's a little upset tonight.

Actually this afternoon he had agreed with Adrian to meet at this place and drink together. But just now, his assistant was told that he could not come because there was a sudden project business. Edward did not want to know his assistant was working on what side job outside. As long as it doesn't interfere with his performance in Zafora, he doesn't care. But what makes him upset because the project that Adrian is working on has very poor management. The proof of the schedule is still chaotic like this. The man grumbled in his heart, because it had twice ‘dikbetray’ by his assistant because of his damn project, after the man had suddenly left him at the gym.

Suddenly his smartphone on the table creaked. Edward scrunched his forehead looking at the unlisted call number on the screen.

“Halo, good night. Who is this with?” ask Edward. His tone was stiff because there was still a sense of resentment in his heart.

“Goodnight Mr. Edward. You don't keep my number then. This with Anjani .” sounds from across.

“Ouh forgive me Miss Anjani.” Said Edward. He remembers asking for his contact number to Adrian when he was going to pick up the model at the boutique. And Edward forgot to keep it.

“What's up, Miss?”

“So afternoon I heard from Mr Adrian that tonight you drank with him to celebrate the tender of the raw material procurement project for Sweden, is that right, Mr?”

"Yes right. Adrian did not come. So I'm alone here.” he said while lighting his cigarette.

“May I accompany, Mister?”

“I'm taking an acting class. But it's done kok.”

Edward thought for a moment. After Adrian did not have time for him, there was no harm in accepting a good offer Anjani who wanted to accompany him to drink. Who knows, that woman could be his moodbooster.

“How, would you like me to accompany?”

“Please if you want.”

“Good, please share the location yes Sir. See you there.”

Tut. tut's…

Call disconnected. Edward opens Google Maps to sherlok Khayangan Club location. Not until half an hour, Anjani has arrived. The woman looked beautiful with cardigans and skirts combined with sneakers. A backpack was slung on his shoulder.

“You want me to order a drink?” edward asked as soon as the woman sat down. His backpack he put beside him.

“Bby.” Anjani smiled.

“Champagne?”

“Cocktail only.” said Anjani while turning to the bartender.

“It looks like you're not used to drinking, Miss.”

“Can I avoid to keep the body. You must know Mr. Edward, that the most valuable asset of a model is her body.”

“Ya, you are absolutely right.” he said while re-smoking his drink.

” Oh yes, you said you just finished acting class. Do you want to become an actress?”

“In two months I will be filming in Nusa Tenggara. There is a production house that will film an epic story of Indonesia's past. And I got one role in that movie. It's my first debut as an actress, Mr.” she said along with her cocktail.

“Ouh, good job Miss Anjani. Hopefully your project can improve our brand image later.”

“Thank you. But this is just a small role, Mr.”

“Whatever the main character is important, it will still be meaningless without the role of a maid" said the man lit a cigarette again.

"Cinderella would also not be able to lure the Prince if there were no dwarves who made her glass shoes.”

Anjani laughed at Edward's words. The man then raised his glass, and asked him toast.

“For your first film, Miss Anjani.”

“Also for your project with Sweden, Mr. Edward.” said the woman while lifting her cocktail glass.

Ting!

“Oh yes Miss, sorry for my attitude that night that reprimanded you about selfies. Maybe I overdo it.”

“Ouh it's okay, Sir. I was wrong not to follow ethics. I forget that people like you are very private. Forgive me too.”

Edward nodded with a smile.

That night the two of them sat chatting about things until it did not feel like time had shifted to eleven o'clock at night.

“It's almost midnight. We better go home, Mr.” take Anjani while looking at the watch in his hand.

“OK. We go home now.” he said then pay for their drinks.

“Sorry Sir, can you give me a ride. Tonight I did not bring my own car.” said Anjani after standing up from his seat.

“Good. I take you to the apartment.” he said then moved from the chair.

Without Edward and Anjani noticing, a pair of eyes from a dim place watched the two of them who were about to leave the place.