Not a Choice

11

...******...

..."The word if would only make someone more depressed, if reality does not match expectations."...

..._Byakta Kalinga_'s chat...

...*****...

Ata was fixated, silent for a while while contemplating something. Is Runa married to the figure named Khan? It made him wonder to himself. The rebar in his heart came back to life upon seeing Runa, but it was now slowly dimmed by what he heard . Imagining that, Ata's heart suddenly slipped in pain. He cannot accept if the woman who fills the throne in his soul must belong to someone else. Ata forgot, if she was also engaged to another woman.

David who could not wait for Ata's arrival back to the saung also followed the man. A little confused when looking for the whereabouts of the friend, finally David found Ata standing pensively near the kitchen.

David approached Ata, then patted her on the shoulder. "I'm waiting to daydream here. He said go to the toilet? Why stand here, anyway? Lo stray?" David's series of questions jolted Ata, he also realized that Runa had disappeared from view.

"Vid, I see Runa," cried Ata with a serious look.

David scrunched his forehead. Of course he knew who Runa meant by his best friend. There is no other Runa besides Ata's ex-boyfriend who has always been echoed so far. While abroad, Ata always mentioned the name Runa. Ata always told me if she still loved the woman very much.

However, after a few months of Ata's departure abroad, inexplicably the existence of Runa became difficult to detect. Runa seemed to be lost in the earth.

"Roney? You dream? Where could Runa be here," David looked in disbelief.

"i'm serious. I saw Runa standing there." Ata pointed to where Runa was standing with her index finger, and David followed the direction of Ata's index finger. However, Runa was not there.

"Where? There's no one. You're obsessed with Runa, Ta. Come-on, move on, come on!" david was getting upset. The hunger that afflicted him made his emotions burn quickly.

Ata gave a rough breath. His face looks angry too. "I'm sure I saw him, Vid. I'm sure Runa is here. Help me find him, yeah!" ata Pinta

David sneered with a look of disbelief. "But I'm hungry, Ta. Eat first, then" he asked.

"Later he will hunt away," cried Ata a little pushy.

"No will. In fact, there will be a starving death because of the Runa nyariin that only exist in your delusion." David still doesn't believe Ata's words.

"I'm not lying, Vid. Runa is really here."

David momentarily fell silent staring at the seriousness that emanated on his best friend's face. Runa did disappear from Surabaya, but if the woman was in Dieng, David felt unsure. The reason, Runa has no relatives or other families in this city.

"Okay, let's find Runa for a second. That's Abis we eat." David finally gave up. He could not bear to see his best friend so restless.

A few minutes passed for them to circle around in that place. Even their actions had stolen the attention of other visitors and also the waiter. The waiter asked what they were looking for? Ata said she was looking for someone. He also showed a photo of Runa that he still keeps on his smartphone.

"So Runa is actually in Dieng?" david gawked in disbelief.

"I told you not to lie, right. Try if we just go find him. Maybe Runa is still here," Ata scolded her best friend. His heart was completely agitated, thinking about Runa's whereabouts.

"Yes, yeah. I'm sorry. But now I'm hungry. We'll eat first, yeah!" David put on a face. Wishing her best friend understood the fate of her stomach at this time. Ata is actually hungry. However, the hunger suddenly disappeared when he saw Runa.

"Sir, if you may know, that woman liked to come here?" Ata ignored David for a moment. He asked about Runa to the waiter.

"Yes, Mas. Runa is here often. He is it—"

"Here!" A person wearing the same uniform as the waiter called out to him from behind. The servant named Dini turned to the origin of the voice. Making his conversation with Ata so paused.

"You've been told to take your fancy to table eight!" exclaimed the waiter who called Dini earlier.

"Oh, yes. Wait a minute" said Dini to his friend. Then he turned to Ata, "sorry, Mas. I have to work again." After saying that, Dini immediately left Ata who was still dumbstruck.

"Udah, really. Tomorrow we come here again. Maybe I can see Runa again. You're horrified yourself, right, from the waiter. Runa comes here often. Maybe he's a loyal customer in this diner. I can't wait to cook her cooking. I think it's really good, Ta." David gave a suggestion. In his mind was imagined how delicious eating dishes that they had neglected.

Ata could not say anything. He still wants to find Runa, but pity also sees David starving. Nor can it be denied that the hunger in his stomach is still there. It's just getting distracted by Runa's existence. Ata and David returned to the saung where they had ordered the food beforehand. Then eat the dishes that have been ordered. Resto Madang cuisine is not in doubt. It makes everyone who has ever eaten there so addictive.

During the meal session, Ata's mind was still drifting. Thinking about every memory he went through first with Runa. The taste of the food was so good that it did not attract the attention of Ata, because in her brain and mind there was only Runa's smiling face in front of her. Runa still looks very beautiful, making the longing buried in Ata's heart back disturbed.

If only he had met the woman. It was possible that he would not lose track of Runa again. However, Ata immediately regained consciousness. The word if only will make someone more depressed, if reality does not match expectations.

"Crazy, Bro. This is, really delicious! It is not wrong to choose this restaurant. Recommended anyway!" david praised their food. However, Ata was still busy with her thoughts. He did not pay attention to the words of his friend.

"Woy, think what, anyway? Still think of Runa?" david flicked his fingers right in front of Ata's face.

Ata was shocked. Even he choked and immediately sipped the purwaceng tea in front of him. To launch food that had been stuck in his throat. This made David laugh.

"That's a lot of luck, anyway!" spray Ata after wiping her own mouth.

"Party eating while daydreaming. How would you like to enjoy the food try?" cibir David then finished his meal by drinking his purwaceng tea.

"It's between me looking for Runa again, yeah!" This time it was David's turn to choke with his drink. He was surprised by Ata's request to find Runa in the vast city of Dieng. They just got to that place. How to find a woman without knowing the address.

...****...

...to be continued...