See You Tonight

Chapter 44: Sunday Night

Saturday, August 13, at night around 19:30 after dinner, I walked around the city. I walked aimlessly this time. I just feel bored at home and want to feel the typical air at night.

Tonight, the atmosphere of the city was very crowded. Maybe because it's Sunday night. Many people pass by, some are with their friends, family, partners, some are alone like me at this time.

I haven't had a chat with Sofia in about a week. Every time we cross paths at school, we throw smiles at each other.

I don't know why, lately I've been thinking too much about Sofia too often. I think more often about the problems Cindy is facing. Until now I still do not know exactly what problems he is facing. One week ago, he almost told me about his problem.

I walked slowly under the floodlights of urban lights. Sometimes, there is the sound of vehicle horns racing to their respective destinations.

I then inhaled the air that was blowing around me deeply. It feels, really calming. The whole burden of my mind, as if melted and went out with the air that I exhaled again.

On the corner of the sidewalk across the street, I saw a young man who might be older than me sitting on the edge of the sidewalk smoking a cigarette. I don't know why he smokes in such a crowded place. Is he enjoying the night air just like me? Or maybe he was just waiting for his friends who never came? I don't know.

After walking far enough, I also decided to take a short break while drinking in a minimarket. I bought a cold orange drink. After I finished paying, I immediately sat in the chair displayed in front of the minimarket.

There are not many seats available here. Only about 6 seats plus 3 small tables only. I'm lucky there's still one seat left empty. I sat down on that empty chair.

I started to unscrew the sealed bottle. When it opened, I drank it slowly. Once a sip, twice a sip, my thirst slowly disappeared.

Not long ago, unexpectedly I met with Risa, my classmate. He came alone on a bicycle. He also looked surprised when he first saw me.

"Eh Alone?" said Risa who just parked her bike.

"Yes" I replied briefly.

"Tumben isn't with Cindy hehe?" suddenly Risa taunts me.

"Why should I be with him?" reply me.

"Eh, aren't you two dating? Hihihi," led Risa again with a laugh.

"It was lost that time, if we just happened to watch together. We're just friends" I explained.

"Ehhh so really you guys aren't dating? Yahhh," said Risa in a slightly disappointed tone.

"And from the beginning you were the only one who said we were dating" I said again.

"Hmmm. Yaudah deh, I want to buy something first yes," said Risa then went to the minimarket.

"Oh yes," I replied.

I sat down and looked at the streets in front of me. Because Risa mentioned Cindy, now I think about her again. What is he doing right now? Is he still sad at the moment? I hope everything will improve soon.

"Oi Lang, why are you saying that? Don't you think about Cindy anymore?" risa said who had just sat down.

"Whoever daydreams, I just look at the streets" I replied.

"Hihihi, by the way you are not with Ahsan the same as Ruben? The three of you will always be together at school" asked Risa again.

"So I don't take them" I replied.

"Oh that. So, where are you going alone like this?" ask Risa again.

"Not anywhere. I just went for a walk because I was a little bored at home" I replied.

"Is that all?" ask Risa again.

"Yes, why?" say me.

"No papa si, it's just strange to go without a clear purpose so," said Risa.

"That's it, but I think I do it a lot" I said.

"So it's true about the rumors. You really are a strange person hahaha. Yasudah yes I went home first," Risa then left the minimarket.

After Risa returned from the minimarket, I also plan to return to continue my journey that does not have a definite purpose. I kept the unfinished drink in my hoodie pocket.

I also started walking again. This time, the wind felt even louder and colder. I also use my hoodie headgear so it doesn't get too cold.

At the crossroads at the end of the road, I decided to turn towards the road that led to my school. For some reason, the later the night, the more crowded it feels. I'm starting to walk a little fast now, because time has shown at 20:45.

After passing through the intersection, I saw a coffee shop on the side of the road that looks very crowded. Not an elegant coffee shop, just a simple stall whose roof and base use plastic tarpaulin. However, somehow the place is so crowded, even to eat the body of the sidewalk is quite long. I also had to go down the paved road when passing through the coffee shop area, because the sidewalk where I walked used up as a seat for the visitors.

Mostly, the coffee shop visitors were men who might be above my age. Probably around college kids. The sound of the guitar is also very clearly heard when passing through it.

After I turned again, somehow the atmosphere changed 180 degrees. The road I was going through looked lonely. In fact, there were only one or two vehicles passing through. The left side of the road is filled with old buildings, probably from the Dutch era. Along the road approximately 100 meters is not anyone who sells.

I've heard the myth that along the way it's haunted. Rumor is, many strange and mystical events often occur in this place. However, I do not care much and believe in these rumors. I walked along as usual.

The old building on the left right side of the road also looks uninhabited and unkempt. Many wild grasses grow high in the yard of these buildings. In addition, there was a large banyan tree in one of the courtyards of the old building. In addition, there are also many bats in the area. Perhaps such things add to the sinister impression along this path. Even so, I still don't feel afraid.

***

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