Papa To Kirana

Chapter 19 The opposite

The restaurant looked empty when I got there. Customers whose numbers could be counted on fingers, were in line to order food to take home.

I pushed Kirana's baby carriage straight to Frans' seat, which had been waiting for me since. In front of Frans, there was one glass of avocado juice that had been depleted by half.

I sat in the seat in front of Frans and I let Kirana in the baby carriage next to my seat.

“What do you need, Frans?”

“Ah Balin, put it this way.” Frans moved his chair forward a little. “I have analyzed the sales turnover in our restaurant, and I realized that the more days the turnover is getting down.”

“Well, I'm aware of that too. But I've made sure the waiter and the cleanliness of the restaurant are up to operational standards.”

“Yes, so I invite you to discuss this. Do you have any brilliant ideas, Balin?”

I put my back on the back of the chair. Thinking for a moment, “I think we need to add a new menu.”

Frans' eyes widened, a smile bloomed on his lips, and he swung his index finger, “ah yes. Wonderful idea. There are a lot of food items that are going viral. We can modify a little so that the menu in our restaurant there is a differentiator with other restaurants.”

“Iya yes, I agree and one more.”

“What is it?” ask Frans curiously.

“I think our restaurant need to hold a promo to lure customers order more.”

“Frans?” there was the sound of a woman.

Frans and I looked in the same direction. In front of me was Cindy in her reporter uniform. He sat in the chair between me and Frans. Greet us all one by one, starting with Frans.

I was surprised to realize Cindy also knew Frans and seemed to be very familiar.

Then Cindy turned to greet me and her narrow eyes were fixed on Kirana who was in the baby carriage.

I held my breath waiting for Cindy's reaction. But Cindy showed no suspicion. It was as if greeting the little baby was just a formality.  

I can finally breathe. I think Cindy can realize Kirana is Karina's son once she sees his face. Turns out I was wrong.

“Cindy, you know Balin?” asked Frans who looked dumbfounded.

“I would like to ask you the same. You guys know each other?” Cindy asked back.

“Balin this is my business friend,” replied Frans.

“What?” Cindy chuckles. “Balin is also a college friend with me first.”

“But we are different faculties,”.

Frans nodded. Cindy waved to a servant named Hilda. He ordered a burger and a chocolate drink that Hilda immediately recorded.

After that, Hilda left our desk and Cindy started raving about herself who had just covered traffic news this morning. I stopped by the restaurant because I had no breakfast.

I can see Frans' enthusiasm as Cindy tells me.

“You guys seem to look familiar,” I said glancing at Cindy and Frans alternately.

“Iya, we've met on the talk show 'business talk show'. At that time Cindy who became the host of the show,” said Frans. He glanced at Cindy and smiled.

“Short event bringer,” Cindy low. “I replaced my friend who suddenly got sick.”

“Balin, you certainly did not expect a person like me could be interviewed with Harsa Russell, the successful businessman from America. Know right?”

Frans turned to Cindy. “You remember, don't you, Cindy?”

Whahuh? I was astonished by the fact that Frans had met Harsa. I never expected it before.

“Iya I still remember dong. The topic of our conversation at that time was about the business of young people.”

Frans flicked a finger, “you remember apparently. But it's a pity. Ever since his wife went missing, Harsa has been devastated, which I heard she returned to America to calm down.”

Our conversation was interrupted by Hilda delivering Cindy's order. The service girl smiled and nodded after Cindy thanked him, then she went to another customer's desk.

While my eyes continued to pay attention to Frans's facial features and body gestures. I was deliberately silent, so that Frans would tell me more about Harsa.

“Yes. Harsa is currently overseas, but no one knows for sure. The butler at Harsa's house asked the media not to expose her family's news again. Because Harsa is currently in severe depression due to the death of his wife.”

“He loves his wife very much. I can't imagine how heavy his heart is right now.”

“Frans, do you know where he loves his wife so much?” manya curious.

“I met at a party a few years ago. He came with his wife and they looked so harmonious.”

I looked deeply at Frans. From this moment on I should be on my guard too.

All this time, Frans never asked me about Kirana or my marriage, which was actually just a lie. All he knows is I'm married and have a son named Kirana and hopefully he believes that.

However, Frans secretly investigates the identity of my little Kirana and reports it to Harsa.

But it could be Cindy. I turned to look at Cindy who was devouring her order burger.

Cindy also knew Harsa. Especially Cindy who always comes to my restaurant and once asked Hilda when I usually come to the restaurant.

 Is he watching me?

Or it could be, as Rama said, there are others I didn't realize were investigating me.

“I am amazed by Harsa, in addition to success as a businessman, he is also often involved in several charity events,” Frans said then he interrupted, “arnya a kind man.”

“Good heart?” not realizing that my mouth was making that sentence made Cindy and Frans look at me together.

Their eyes seemed to wonder.

I hurriedly added, “Ya, kindhearted. I didn't know she was involved in a charity event.”

Cindy laughs, “you rarely watch the news.”

The three of us laughed.

Next, we were busy with our own business. Cindy ate her breakfast until the toilet was not left. Frans was busy with a cell phone, apparently replying to a message from someone.

While I chose to separate myself with Kirana. Invite him to play. Poor him that was neglected by me.

However, my mind was filled again with Frans' words. What Frans revealed was far inversely proportional to Karina's speech that night.

Harsa is a bad man.

But Frans said otherwise, he's a good-natured man. There's one more piece of information I got. Harsa is abroad. That means he's not the one who hit my car, but he could have told people to do it.

Or Harsa deliberately made false news that she is now abroad so that the media will no longer highlight her.

Everything could have happened.

Kirana's little hand patted my cheek, which roused me from the daydream. I looked down at Kirana's face in my arms.

Kirana blabbed indistinctly and smiled. I returned the smile and landed a kiss on his chubby cheek.