LOVE THE EXPATRIATE

3. Micailae

Edward was swept away in Mike Posner's I Took A Pill In Ibiza.

Last afternoon he was looking for a good reference place to drink on a travel site. The man found a club that received a five-star rating and became a hangout for expatriates from various countries, especially Europe. Edward was interested. He felt that the cafe was suitable for those who were new to being immigrants, as well as minorities in this city. Maybe he'll find his community there.

But finally now, he chose to be in this place. Khayangan Clubs. The cafe is located on the second floor of a plaza located a few blocks from his apartment. The cozy place and the best wine and beer display in the lounge bar convinced the man that this place became a representative piece, from the city which was said to be a haven of entertainment that night.

Although Edward will not find his community here, he can still communicate with local visitors.

Right place for the new beginning. A good place for a start of the journey.

Edward ordered a drink to the bartender. He deliberately chose champagne because he did not want to warm up. Even from this afternoon he felt angry with the hot air of Jakarta.

He just wanted to stir up a little bit of his passion. The drink that the bartender poured into his glass. And lit a cigarette that had been tucked in his lips.

Inadvertently his eyes were fixed on a woman wearing a strappy tanktop and trousers sitting at the bar table alone while playing with a glass in her hand. The woman came to Edward's attention not only because of the only female visitor who was not with her male partner. But also because the dim light of the lamp did not prevent the man to see his beauty.

The woman had brown hair, fair skin, prominent nasal bones, and slightly squinty eyes. With such a physique, Edward guessed that he was not a native of this city. Maybe he came from a country in the middle east or West Asia.

Edward moved from his seat, carrying his glass to the woman's place. Delicious drinks and cigarettes will certainly be more perfect if spent with an attractive woman, he thought.

“Excuse me, may I sit here?” edward asked the woman politely.

“Please, this is a public place. And I am not waiting some one.” said the girl turned her head.

(Note Author: the conversation of Edward and Mikaila is further described using English.)

“Thank you.” Edward sat down on the bench next to the woman with a smile.

Edward felt the woman's response was less warm, so he tried more aggressively to approach her. He offered his cigarette. Unexpectedly, the woman took it. The man immediately ignited a lighter for the woman. His first hispan produced smoke that soared into the air.

“You also like to smoke?" ask Edward.

“Not really. I sometimes smoke if I want to neutralize the mind or am enjoying a moment.” he said with a smile to the bartender who disbursed an ashtray for them.

“I think miss accepting my offer is not the first reason because it looks like you really enjoyed tonight.” said the man hypothesized.

“That appearance can be deceiving, Mr.” said the woman smiled sinisterly making the man beside her laugh.

The man extended a hand. Lazily the woman returned her hand.

“Mikaila.” the answer is short.

“Sorry, you are not like the natives of this city. Are you a tourist?” Edward asked.

“You yourself how, Mr Edward? On vacation in this city? “ the woman asked back.

“I'm from England. Manchester.” said Edward while re-smoking his drink. "And will work here."

“I am from Moscow.” the woman explained her origin.

"Indonesia is actually becoming the second country for me" explained the man.

"Oh yeah? How's story?" ask Mikaila surprise.

"My father is a pure British, while my mother is of Indonesian blood. My mother's family came from the city of Manado on the island of Sulawesi. Fifty years ago they, my grandparents, became immigrants to England." Edward tells us his origins.

"Have you visited this country before?"

"Yet. This is the first time. But maybe I will stop by the family of my cousin, if later on a working visit to the city of Makkasar."

"Good luck, Edward." said Mikaila.

"Thank you." Edward replied.

That night Edward spent time chatting with Mikaila. The order again two drinks. Tequila to Mikaila, and vodka to herself. They tell each other their work.

The woman apparently worked as a chemical analyst at a German-owned pharmaceutical company. He's been in this city for three years. He previously worked in Munich. But when the company where he joined to expand into Southeast Asia, then stranded now he is in the wilds of Jakarta.

Mikaila was very interested in Edward's profession as Zafora's grand manager. His work allowed the man to interact with many people in many places. Unlike him who always struggled alone in the lab cold and quiet all day, sometimes even late.

He has known the international brand for a long time but has never used the product. Edward offered the woman to visit his outlet sometime. He promised to provide special services for her.

Before parting ways, Edward and the woman exchanged contacts on WhatsAp and Instagram. Because Edward and Mikaila are each alone and not attached to a relationship, they also make an appointment to meet again later in the weekend.