Null Existence
17. Crossroads
Swarnadipa's large logo is projected onto a giant screen that hangs behind a row of chairs and a long table on stage. Filling the row of seats are Swarnadipa Bangun Persada stakeholders, one of the giants of the property business in Indonesia.
The room lights were dimmed during the presentation of their latest project exposure, Magna Carta, a new city project that will later become a satellite city from Jakarta. A big target for occupancy fillers is the lower middle class, especially young workers.
Magna Carta obtained funding of more than 250 Trillion Rupiah from home and abroad, in addition to 55 Trillion which was the initial capital derived from their own cash.
Olympus Investment is one of the big investors from Japan who also targets the expatriate market with a design of 1200 Japanese apartment-style residences.
During the presentation, Rangga explained everything in language to the three Olympus delegates with Fukunishi who filled the gap of information related to the company's internal.
The four of them plus one female secretary, sat around one of the dozens of well-arranged round tables inside this huge Hall.
Unlike what Rangga had previously expected, the three delegates he guided had more direct discussions with Fukunishi after the long and tedious exposition was completed.
Rangga only translated question and answer sessions when they asked, he quite understood that there was a limit to the information he could not access in his role as translator.
As it went on, Rangga fled by snacking on the dishes available at the table. Then remembered, the reply message that came for a fragment of poetry that he sent last night.
He was surprised and happy when his notification came in last night, so glad he almost wrongly hung the Rice Telor he bought last night on the handlebar of the motor, not in place.
So happy, he was confused and hesitant to reply with the style of what the message came in. So busy thinking about it, the message is still not open and of course not reciprocated.
Falling in love does often make an intelligent person become insane, his rationality scorned for umpteenth time.
You're noisy! Rangga in my heart.
With a slight thump he pressed the column of messages sent by his Princess's master, the narrow chart extending all over the screen and displaying a piece of sentence.
Do not think you know too, often read the book Literature? – @realkarendp
I usually read comics, I happen to read the quote earlier - @not.a.brucewayne
Had someone decided to suddenly turn on the dim Hall light, it would have been obvious that Rangga's face was red and the smile he was trying so hard to see.
Rationality is now followed by looking at the contents of the reply that Nina sent from behind Rangga's shoulder, he wore a tight tactical dress in black as they used to wear.
Just like that I was wrong, in vain like I was forged in and out of ‘Hell’cuma to be subject to such pettiness, he mocked to Rangga.
Rangga turned his head in anger towards him who was now sitting at the table, among them and Masahiro, one of the expatriates he guided.
Noisy you are, is it wrong if people want to feel happy? Reply Rangga.
The rationale was a short chuckle, then a grinning smile, stabbed Risoles at the table using a small Bayonet used instead of a fork. After eating voraciously he persuaded Rangga with the end of Bayonet.
If your version of happy definition is self-destructive and acts like a loser whose brain is plugged by a yearning reed? Of course I feel it's wrong, man!
The lazy Rangga listened to the lecture in his head trying to get rid of the ruffles with a sip of sweet Tea in his glass.
Loser, you say? exclamation Rangga.
Yes, Loser!
Living a normal life like most people is probably an unfamiliar concept to you!
Rangga heard his own voice long chuckling at him from the table, then the tangible figure of him in the past jumped down from the table and gripped his right shoulder tightly.
There is a difference between Normal Life and Life as a sick person who lies to ourselves, we both know it, right? Remember, we're Alpha! No opponent has ever managed to defeat us.
Opponent, what do you mean? Rangga asked back.
Rangga felt his grip loosen as his shadow shifted from their table and walked to the middle of the room clamping down on his Bayonet blade.
I mean this!
As powerful as Bayonet was thrown towards the speaker's desk from Swarnadipa on the stage, whistling softly the blade turned towards Nathan who was busy answering questions from the invitation present, it passed over his shoulder at a very thin distance before it tore the presentation screen behind him.
The room lights were then turned on instantly, followed by a boisterous applause from the invited audience who were satisfied with the results of today's presentation. Everyone got up from their seats.
Rangga was reflexive to rise from his stool and clapped, trying to reply to comments from Masahiro next to him that he did not pay too much attention to, he said, his figure in tactical clothes has now disappeared along with the imaginary Bayonet on the presentation screen exposed to the boisterous sea of enthusiastic invitations.
He looked towards Nathan who was also with the other members of the Swarnadipa Board of Directors to stand applauding the audience. Smiling triumphantly.
He feels like a person who is not sane with the inner monologue that happened just now, how is it possible from a sense of flowering will reply to messages from people he likes to turn into this kind of dialogue.
It feels like only recently he sometimes chatted with ghosts, ghosts in the form of his own figure from the past.
Maybe I should drink less Bobba Tea, his mind trying to get rid of disturbing thoughts.
***
“Rangga-san, tonight after the event we will pick up the CEO of Olympus who came later. You don't matter, do you?” fukunishi asked as they were busy eating the banquet provided.
“No problem for me,” replied Rangga.
Rangga then returned to chat with Masahiro and Chie, their secretaries about the tourist attractions they could visit on the weekend before returning to Japan.
Tonight they plan to stop by one of the popular Clubs for Japanese expatriates in Jakarta.
Sake drinking culture is indeed closely attached to the world of Japanese society, especially related to the ceremony of success, sometimes to refuse even need to be careful so as not to offend people who invite.
After the event at Swarnadipa, Olympus delegates and the invitees immediately disbanded. Rangga escorted Masahiro and the other two delegates to a car that would take them back to the hotel first.
He asks Chie if her role will still be necessary, she thinks it should not be because they will be there together and the places they visit are not difficult for native Japanese speakers, either, but he was still invited to join.
This answer is confusing for him, Fukunishi said he needed to come along, Rangga finally replied he would consider attending if possible.
More than an hour later, he and Fukunishi had raced through the entrance of Soekarno-Hatta Airport accompanied by the orchestra Flight of The Valkyrie which resonated from the music player on the dashboard.
It feels like he wants to tread more deeply on the gas pedal, following a more dramatic tempo. Fukunishi looked satisfied with the results of this three-day visit, he himself asked his favorite Wagner playlist to play since they came out of Swarnadipa parking lot.
It feels like he wants to tread more deeply on the gas pedal, following a more dramatic tempo. Fukunishi looked satisfied with the results of this three-day visit, he himself asked his favorite Wagner playlist to play since they came out of Swarnadipa parking lot.
When they arrive at the International Arrival Terminal there are already some Yakuza members who are on standby to wait. Fukunishi did not make as many small talk as three days ago.
Rangga felt that something was strange and his trained instinct was on standby to sniff out the dangers that were still visible. He glanced at Fukunishi who was different.
Whatever may happen, he feels the airport crowd will still protect him.
The announcement of the arrival of the flight from Haneda was already twenty minutes away, dozens of people began to crowd the exit.
Rangga's question was answered when a group of Japanese citizens burst out from the crowd. Dress business like most Yakuza, but with a more expensive suit.
There were two young women among a dozen members of the group who approached them, Fukunishi and the waiting members rushed over to greet. They bowed deeply to a dapper figure with a long-coat in black.
Does a worldwide crime boss have to be this cliched? Inner Rangga sneered, while watching the leading figure who had since exited the door continued to lift his cold gaze.
The man ignored Fukunishi who made small talk and bowed deeply, instead draped his long-coat which he wore on Fukunishi's back, breezing past the other pickers towards Rangga.
Need to look up a little for him to meet with Rangga who is much higher, even it did not dampen his smile. He gave a hand to his children who were about to rebuke Rangga who they thought was insolent.
“I didn't expect we would meet again, after so long.” he exclaimed.
“You don't look as messy as the last time we met, Asano!” sahut Rangga's.
***
“When the Fuku sent the information about the replacement translator to Japan, I did not expect it to be anyone I knew,” Asano said when both were in the Limousine cabin that took them from the airport.
“If you think I'll care about whatever your plan is, you're wrong. I'm not as active as I used to be, it's up to you. I'm just an ordinary person,” replied Rangga in a lazy tone.
Asano laughed and opened the available Champagne, he offered Rangga who rejected him with an unenthusiastic face. Since when did the Yakuza have an idea to get along with it, Rangga thought.
“You National Hero, why did you stop. Did you lose something in Tokyo, three years ago?”
“So, if you want to repay me for saving your face and life, just pay my services and overtime double. The events of three years ago did not necessarily make us friends or countrymenya, we even did not win on Facebook, okay?” Rangga felt more saturated and did not want to waste more time.
“Wah, you can sarcasm now. Looks like retirement isn't a bad idea,”
“Well, it's up to you. Just retire or continue *****-whine your Yakuza case is up to, I don't care. Tell your driver to stop after exiting the Tol.” door
Asano took a quiet sip of his drink, adding back the contents as well as liquid ice cubes, he then said “The office where you work takes care of the projects we fund, he said, besides us there are big players too whose interests need not be disturbed. I hope everything goes without problems,”
Rangga turned his head and commented on the branching remark just now, “I'm just a driver there, can I interfere in any of your affairs? Anyway, I reiterate again. I don't care!”
“Yeah, just a reminder. Mana knows there are young workers in that place who are too idealistic and take care of things that are not right.”
“What do you mean just now?”
“Nothing, just a waste of your time. You don't care, do you?”
“Since when did you become a Drama Queen like this?”
The car then stopped after exiting the inner city toll road, Rangga came out immediately. Asano looked up from the car and exclaimed to Rangga,”Test come to the Hotel where I stayed, I still want to try dueling back with you.”
“What?” Rangga sniffed both of his shoulders as if in disbelief.
“If you do not come, your salary will not be paid,” Asano smiled grinning.
One of the bodyguards then closed the door and the car drove back leaving Rangga on the side of the road. He ruffled his waist observing as if he could not believe the incident that had just happened.
“Chikuso!” objurgation.
In his tent hard plastic trash cans that are nearby until the crumbs are thrown and scatter their contents into empty streets.
“Ihh, handsome kok jahara deh, Tong is wrong what, Mas?” reprimand the sound of a boy with a mini-skirt and tangtop that has since stood on the side of the road.
