
When it was time to go home, Jane tidied up all her work equipment on the table, turned off the computer screen, and checked if there were any additional tasks.
Joe, who still looked serious, continued to look at Jane with a look like he didn't want to let her go.
"Sir Jonathan" he exclaimed, and Joe nodded in response.
"I'm going home now, maybe there's some extra work?" jane asked, while Joe looked less focused. His gaze was empty as he continued to look at her.
"Helow," Jane exclaimed as she resuscitated Joe from his daydream.
"Oh, yes, Jane," Joe was slightly aghast and scratched his nape, feeling uneasy from his confusion.
"I'll excuse you" said Jane, then turned and stepped towards the door.
He walked with several other employees to the finger print machine before returning home.
In the area, Jane is reunited with Irsan who has just completed her finger print process. Jane followed.
"So how?" asked Irsan while arranging his steps to align with Jane. The girl nodded with a smile.
"Yes, so dong," Jane replied as they planned to search the apartment.
"But what about our vehicle? Maybe it's better if I go home first because it's difficult if we bring our own vehicles," said Irsan gave a solution to not bother, and Jane agreed. Boldly, Jane took Irsan by the hand, while Joe quietly watched his activities from afar.
"It's lucky that Irsan!" joe muttered with emotion. However, he is aware that this is a personal affair and he must maintain professional ethics at work.
"Mas, is your house far from here?" jane asked as she continued to hold Irsan's arm. Irsan, it seemed, did not mind at all, and the atmosphere between them was comfortable.
"Her service anyway," Irsan replied while throwing a warm smile at Jane, which made him even more fascinated.
They finally arrived at the basement. Jane heads to the car park, while Irsan goes the other way to pick up the bike.
Jane sat in the car and waited for Irsan. It didn't take long for Irsan to get back on his bike. He paused briefly in front of Jane and opened a slight visor of her helmet.
"Come on, Jane, follow me!" Irsan. Jane nodded and immediately spurred her car to follow Irsan.
"Mas, don't speed too much!" jane yelled out a warning, and Irsan drove slowly to make sure Jane stayed behind him.
They drive down the streets of the city that are heavy with traffic, and the weather is very hot due to the long drought.
Jane felt her throat dry, then picked up a bottle of isotonic drink by her side. In an instant, he drank the water to quench his thirst.
Focusing on driving, he looked at the back of Irsan who was right in front of him as he rode a motorcycle.
"From the back, it looks so enchanting" Jane murmured while praising with a smile. In his heart, he imagined if he could establish a relationship with Irsan.
It didn't take long, Irsan pulled over in a simple housing. Jane parked her car in front of the yard, then opened her seatbelt and exited the car door.
Irsan grabbed Jane by the shoulder and led her to the door. He knocks gently. "Assalamualaikum," said Irsan. Shortly after, a middle-aged woman wearing a hijab opened the door. Irsan respectfully kissed the back of the woman's hand, and Jane did the same to the woman who was likely Irsan's mother.
"Who is this?" ask Irsan's mother, whose name is Hani's mother.
"I'm Mas Irsan's friend, Ma'am," Jane introduced herself politely.
Not long after, a middle-aged man appeared behind Bu Hani and gave Jane a welcome greeting.
"Come on, come on in!" mr. Rustam, who is the father of Irsan, told Jane.
Jane sat on the sofa, and Ms. Hani kindly made drinks for her guests. Jane explored her gaze around the room. There are many calligraphy, family photos, and also photos of Irsan at graduation. It was obvious that Irsan and his family were religious and fanatical people.
Jane greatly appreciated the difference in confidence between Irsan and herself. Ms. Hani returned with drinks and snacks for Jane.
"I'm sorry, there's nothing" Ms Hani said as she placed some cookies and drinks on the table.
"Well, it's okay, ma'am, sir, no need to bother, I'm so bad" Jane replied.
"Ah, it's okay, son. Come on, have a drink and taste the cookies. It's Umi Irsan's, " said Mr. Rustam. Jane nodded and raised her cup to appreciate Irsan's parents.
Jane tasted Bu Hani's cake. "It feels so good" Jane praised. Bu Hani is a cake seller who always takes orders every day. The atmosphere in Irsan's house was warm and filled with kindness.
Both of Irsan's parents invited Jane to talk and ask about Jane's background. While Irsan was in the bathroom to clean up after coming home from the office.
Jane answered honestly, and instantly Bu Hani's expression instantly changed. However, in contrast to Mr. Rustam who remained calm.
Ms. Hani is worried. She doesn't want her son to be romantically involved with a woman who has different beliefs. The atmosphere in the room became even more tense than before, and Jane felt awkward in the situation.
Shortly after, Irsan returned, this time he appeared fresher and more handsome behind the casual clothes he wore. Jane raised her face, transfixed by the charm implied in Irsan.
"It's so handsome," murmured Jane praised silently inwardly.
Irsan called out to Jane, and the girl responded with a smile, then stood up from her seat. "Run now yuk!" take Irsan, and Jane nods happily.
They also say goodbye to Mr. Rustam and Bu Hani, while Jane has told them that Irsan will help find a place to stay while in Jakarta.
"Be careful, yes" Mr. Rustam said to the two.
"We set out, Assalamu'alaikum," said Irsan, followed by an answer, "Walaikum Salam," from Mr. Rustam and Mr. Hani.
After leaving, Ms. Hani immediately persuaded her husband to talk about Jane. He strongly disagreed with the closeness of Irsan and the woman.
"Obviously, Jane is different than us!" said Bu Hani with a worried tone. Mr. Rustam tried to understand and said, "It doesn't matter, they're just friends. We should respect each other's differences, baby."
However, Ms. Hani still felt anxious, and Mr. Rustam tried to explain further so that his wife would not worry too much about the closeness between Irsan and Jane.
Just then, Jane let Irsan hold the wheel while she sat next to him. They already know the purpose of their trip, as Jane has found the appropriate apartment unit through the app and is already paying a down payment.
During the trip, the atmosphere was warm and cheerful.
Jane continued to show interest in Irsan, and gradually, Irsan began to feel at ease. However, their relationship is still limited to friendship.
Jane and Irsan have a 3-year age gap, and Irsan, as the older one, brings a maturity that makes Jane feel comfortable being around her.
Unlike Joe, although the age gap between Joe and Jane is very far away, Jane actually does not feel safe being nearby. Joe seems to disrespect women, which makes Jane feel hurt and traumatized. Although Joe has a handsome face, perfect physique, and abundant wealth, it is not enough to conquer Jane's heart.
Jane is attracted to men who know how to respect a woman, and she has found that trait in Irsan.
Shortly after, they arrived at their destination. Irsan swiftly helped Jane get the suitcase and other items out of the trunk.
"Mas, it's heavy" Jane said as Irsan lifted the suitcase.
"Light go this way," Irsan replied with a smile. They walked together towards the lobby and talked to a receptionist to take care of their needs.
Finally, Jane and Irsan arrive at one of the apartment units. Although simple, the unit is comfortable with complete modern equipment. Irsan helped Jane organize her things.
Meanwhile, Jane cooks in the kitchen and the smell is very appetizing. Irsan was curious about the menu that Jane was cooking.
"What are you cooking, Jane?" Irsan asked while Jane was sauteing vegetables.
"I'm cooking capcay" Jane replied as she kept busy in the kitchen, hoping Irsan would love the results. Jane hummed while cooking, sometimes checking her phone.
Suddenly, he gets a call from Joe. Worried if it was work-related, he picked it up and greeted it respectfully, "Yes, hello Mr Jonathan?"
"Jane, where do you live?" Joe asked worriedly.
"You want me to live where it's none of your business!" jane replied in a cynical tone, then decided the chat was one-sided because it had nothing to do with the job and she did not want to talk any longer with Joe.
Irsan was surprised to see Jane's reaction at that time and asked, "Well, how come you answered so anyway?"
Jane looked at Irsan and smiled, "Hehe, because there was a small problem, sorry," Jane said, feeling bad about the reaction.
Irsan shook his head and approached Jane who was cooking. "Jane, he's our boss, people don't dare to snap at him" Irsan said, trying to explain Joe's situation. Jane rolled her eyes lazily.
"Mas, how about we just talk about something else, okay?" Jane suggests a change of topic, clearly indicating that she doesn't want to talk about Joe.
Irsan nodded. "Okay, all right," he answered, and they began to talk about each other's hobbies.
...
Seriate...