Meaning of Love

Old Friend

The afternoon shift is a time of work filled with busyness. The pace of the wall clock that was clearly displayed above the Balimoon Liquer display was as if it felt lazy and not powerful to move its needles. Ordinary employees will be furious with boredom waiting for home time. But Aditya prefers it that way, even wanting it to feel like he works all day though it would kill him. Being silent without work is worse than death.

"Excuse. Could you give me salt and paper?"

"Yes, sir"

The atmosphere of the restaurant looks more crowded. Twenty-four tables with two seats each leave only five empty tables. Live music, a combination of keyboard and guitar performed by two singers, is very interesting for guests who previously walked on the side of the road. They decided to enter the restaurant just to down a bottle of beer. For those, the most important thing is to enjoy the music that tends to present old music but with contemporary style.

"Excuse me, one beer radler, please," a guest asked Aditya.

"Yes, sir. Wait a moment!"

The more the night guests. June is the beginning of the high season in the world of tourism of course this is normal. But the restaurant power quota is inadequate. There began to be guests who complained because they were not satisfied with the service provided.

"Hey, who is the manager?" A man with visible hair started to whiten in a voice high enough to ask a servant. The female servant was a little nervous but swiftly Aditya came over.

"Excuse me, sir. How my assist you?"

"Who are you? Are you manager here?"

The guest was really upset.

"No, sir. I am captain here. May I help you?" Aditya is still trying to control the situation.

"No! I don't need you. Call your manager now!" He insisted on meeting Bang Yudha.

"What's up, Did?" Bang Yudha approached them. Aditya was a little embarrassed of him. Because it shouldn't be that this problem goes straight to the manager when he's around.

"I think you are the manager" he was eager to make complaints, grievances, and all sorts of things in his brain right now.

"Yes, sir. Could I help you?"

"I came here two hours ago and O order my food too. But until now my food not come. Do you think my hungry will lose just with drink a bottle of this beer?" He made his complaint while lifting up a large beer bottle that was almost gone.

"I am sorry, sir. Our employees not too much, and many customer come in suddenly.." before continuing his words, the guest snatched the opportunity of Bang Yudha to speak.

"It's not just about it. That customers came after me, and order after me. Why they get the meal before me?"

Bang Yudha was at a loss for words when what the guest said was true. Soon the guest left the restaurant upset. Bang Yudha turned towards Aditya.

"Damn!" Aditya cursed inwardly knowing what he would get now.

***

Looks like the AC function here is starting to decline. Aditya's forehead keeps sweating. He continued to look at his manager who was still silent. After months, Aditya was spoken to in a hot situation. In the room with the entrance and exit in the form of glass and the front wall facing the yard is also made of glass, lined with ten dining tables, each of which is equipped with a seat. It is usually used for management board meetings and global briefings if HRD wants it, considering that this restaurant is not independent but one of fifteen branches. This room has a bathroom inside. In addition to meetings, it can also be used for dining. But rarely anyone is interested in sitting here, because live music can not be seen from this room. Only guests who want tranquility or are away from the distractions of the crowd intend to sit in it.

"Don't strain, Dit. I'm not going to tell you," Bang Yudha began the conversation. His face was starting to look normal.

"Actually I want to snap you earlier, but I am so sorry considering this is not entirely your fault. So I'm not going to scold you, "next.

Huft...

Aditya breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well, now your punishment is to find a new employee to be placed waitrees!" The command of Bang Yudha with emphasis on the word punishment.

"Yeah, I said I'm not wrong" Aditya was a little surprised.

"Change your mind" replied Bang Yudhaa as he left.

A pair of eyes were looking at them from afar. Because the glass door was really like nothing. Aditya's eyes with his eyes met. Aditya looks carefree, but hasn't approached him yet. Aditya still has to continue his work.

***

The restaurant was about to close, the man approached Aditya with a fluffy smile.

"Hi, bro. How are you?" He hung his hand to Aditya's neck.

"good. When are you coming home?"

"Two days ago. The contract is over."

Alan Wijaya's. White with neat shaved hair. Very showing his profession as an employee on a cruise ship.

"Dit, to the cafe yuk. Long time no hangout" he asked.

"Okay, you're the treat,"

"Okay, Buddy."

Cafe Cruisan with sparkling lights typical of cafes that tend to be like discos. The PAR (Parabolic Aluminized Reflector) lamp collaborating with Spot Light spotlights really adds color to the night. Reggae music is so lively that it is even heard up in Circle K which is located miles away.

Guests choose to sit and enjoy their drinks, while dancing in front of the music stage.

"Don't be sad. Let's party together," the singer shouted to excite the audience. The waiter as soon as the difficulty passed carried the order with a crowd of guests who stood up and jogged.

Alan and Aditya chose to sit at the very back table. In addition to not being too crowded, also so that they can chat casually.

"So right did I hear about you?" Alan started the conversation. Aditya simply nodded while still focusing on the beer in his hand.

"I don't think I'm. It could be like that. How about now?" ask again.

"Still the same as before, Lan. You know how I feel. It's impossible to change from the beginning" Aditya said.

"Lo crazy, Dit. " Alan who was surprised to hear the word Aditya was not able to think with what was said by a friend who was like his own brother.

"Well, what should I do? I don't have the power to change let alone erase everything, Lan. I can only do it. No matter what other people think of me," Aditya drank down his drink.

"Who knows?" ask Alan again.

"It's just you, Lan. I am ashamed to expose such disgrace. Let them know what's on the surface isn't what's behind it,"

"Keep until when?"

"Until I can't breathe anymore. Because after that I can be free," Aditya smiled to Alan who was still staring at him.