The Blooming Lotus

Enjoy a Night in the City Park

Not much was said during their first trip, especially Wenie who was still busy arranging her heart rhythm.

He was not used to just calling names as Frans asked or even looking into his eyes as they conversed, making Frans a little anxious.

There was a distinct impression for Frans as he looked at the young girl sitting beside him. Especially when he realized Wenie who he heard was still speaking in a somewhat awkward tone even though Frans had tried to be as relaxed as possible.

Half an hour later they finally arrived at a seafood restaurant 'Sea Enchantment', located in the city park with a view overlooking a fairly crowded artificial lake.

Beautiful night scenery with colorful twinkling lights decorate the trees along the lake's edge area, coupled with a number of beautiful pergolas that are deliberately used as spots for selfie-ria, there are also many iron benches scattered in the green grassy field that are commonly used by people to enjoy a relaxing time.

Some pairs of parents seem to bring their children to just sit down on the grass accompanied by a glass of iced coffee or enjoy snacks that are widely sold in culinary stands along the park parking lot.

To the west of the lake there is also a rental place for various rides, there are duck paddles, giant balloons, and dragon boats for visitors who want to tour the lake in groups.

Wenie was stunned for a moment to witness the sight that lay before her eyes before they exited the car.

"What's up, miss? You don't like us stopping here .." Frans asked. "If so, we'll find another place to eat" he started to start his car again.

"No! Not so, Doc," Wenie's fingers reflexively held Frans' arm, the man froze.

"Yes?"

"It's good here. I liked. This is Lake Eden Light Park, right?"

"really. It's good that you like it" Frans replied happily. "We're going to eat seafood here. Come on, get off ..."

"Eh, seriously we're eating here, Doc?"

Frans smiled wryly. "of course. This is one of my favorite locations."

"Favorite location?"

"Yes. Sometimes I take the time to eat seafood here" Frans replied. "Well, although not too often anyway, because my work is quite busy."

"Hm, is that it? Honestly, I just came here this time," Wenie said, circulating her gaze.

Frans was silent and attentive. "really?"

"Yes. Thank you for bringing me here, Doctor. Usually I can only see this beautiful lake in other people's instagram posts," he explained.

The girl seemed still stunned by the lively night view on the edge of the lake that glittered to the eyes.

Frans just nodded and smiled sweetly. "Where are we going down now?" frans asked to regain his consciousness.

"Ah, yes. I'm sorry, I'm a tacky person huh," Wenie replied blushing in embarrassment. "Yuk, we're down ..."

"What's wrong. When I first came here I was amazed like you. The night mood is great. Aren't you?"

"Yes, right. Instagramable. Lots of photos."

Frans smiled happily, he was getting excited now. It was not in vain to take Wenie to visit this city park which turned out to be a new thing for him.

Frans and Wenie decided to get out of the car and walk side by side to the restaurant, making the difference in height between the two seem noticeable. Wenie's height was only limited to Frans' chin which made her look petite.

Upon entering the restaurant they were greeted by a friendly female waitress in a plain black combination batik shirt who bandaged her body as she could, making the restaurant look classy. He delivered the two at a separate stage saung that is usually rented if the customer wants a private location.

Frans chose the location because he wanted to relax by sitting down and Wenie just obeyed him while occasionally stealing glances at him while choosing the menu in the book, while the waiter was still waiting.

Frans sighed. "So, what do you want to order, miss? Have you chosen the menu ..."

"Hm, I'm so confused what message? What if the menu is likened to your order, Doc ..."

"Oh, what's the problem?" frans asked, Wenie nodded. "Alright, then I order two jumbo-sized grilled gurame with lime chili sauce, one serving of paddock sauce crab, one serving of oyster sauce squid, one medium rice basket, kale chalice, one serving, and two ice lemon tea yes, ma'am," Frans told the waiter.

"Okay, I noted. Is there another sir, miss?" ask the waiter politely.

"In a moment" Frans said then turned to Wenie. "What do you want for the closing menu?"

"No need," Wenie replied quickly.

"good. Please wait a minute, we will prepare the food soon," said the waiter.

"Sorry, Doc. Didn't most of you order two grilled fish, crab, and squid at once, we're just the two of us?" whispered Wenie quietly.

"Just calm down, it will be out, too" Frans replied in a whisper. "The food here is delicious, you won't be disappointed. Trust me the same."

"Eh, yes. I believe it. Doctor right, it's been a long subscription here huh," said Wenie embarrassed and felt silly.

"You're still stiff, miss? Relax a little ..."

"I'm sorry, I still don't get used to it ..."

"Eat it from now on get used to it, okay? We're friends, right?" said Frans.

"It seems so ..."

To be honest Wenie only felt unsure about being ordinary when facing someone with a different status away from her, so she still felt awkward.

While waiting for the dish to be processed, they engage in a pleasant light conversation. Many interesting things they discussed, especially about Frans' daily life as a doctor because Wenie was always curious. So little by little Wenie was willing to open herself up to start taking a relaxed attitude towards the young doctor.

Frans did not once act smarter than Wenie, although clearly he was not an arbitrary figure. He can balance Wenie who is still a layman with the world of medicine that is hygienic, fast-paced, and must always be alert during emergencies.

In his heart Wenie was more fascinated by him, but of course he just kept quiet without daring to express it.

"Excuse me. Here's your order, sir, miss," said a waitress carrying a lot of food in a trolley with a shiny stainless tray.

"If there's still anything you need, please call me. You can press this bell," he continued, pointing at the push bell and deftly arranging food on a short table. "Good fun.."

"Well, thank you," Frans replied kindly. Then the waiter nodded after nodding his head.

"Well, this is a lot, Doc," muttered Wenie.

"really? I only ordered three menus for our dinner now."

"Hm, but I'm still not sure. Can we spend all this?"

"You like to joke, yeah" Frans said.

"I'm serious, doc."

Frans smiled. "Once, let's eat. Just choose whichever you want," Frans said, scooping rice from a medium-sized basket into his own plate.

Wenie swallowed her saliva carefully.

"We do not need to rush to spend all this, the place we have also rented privately. So just relax," he added gently.

Wenie smiled slightly. "Thank you. Oh yeah, please just call me Wenie, Doc. It feels weird to be called miss, like I'm not."

Frans replied five seconds later, "Good. Then I also want you to call me Mas Frans, how? You don't mind ..."

Wenie flinched for a moment, Frans winked one eye forcing her to agree. "Alright, Doc. Uh, Mas Frans .."

"We deal?"

"Deal ..."

"good. Come on, we'll eat ..."

Then they enjoyed their dinner with pleasure, finishing the ordered dishes without remaining. Frans had already told Wenie to slow down while enjoying their food so that her stomach would not 'shock' due to fullness.

After all Frans had pocketed permission to take her to dinner until the deadline he had agreed with Rahma's mother last by phone.

Not feeling the time to move more and more night, now they are sitting enjoying the breeze on an iron bench on the edge of the lake that is still crowded a number of young people gathered.

They sat in a small circle, one of them brought a guitar and sang a song, making the atmosphere so cheerful as if time did not move forward.

Wenie seemed to pay attention and occasionally hummed to sing the song they were singing. Seeing that Frans only smelled a smile and did not want to disturb him.

Nine o'clock past thirty minutes as the alarm vibrated intensely in Frans' jacket pocket. It had been two hours apparently they were here, with a heavy heart he spread the attention of Wenie who was still fixated on a group of young men his age. They look like a group of students who are spending time off before tomorrow will be busy studying again.

Ah, happy they are, if only I could go to college as well, maybe right now I would do the same. It's nice to be able to get together with college friends, Wenie thought.

"Ehm, Wen," call Frans slowly.

"Yes, Doc?" sahut Wenie without looking, silent. Curiously, he also looked. "Eh, sorry..."

Frans raised an eyebrow.

"What's up, Mom?" Wenie regained her senses and repeated her words.

"It's late, we're home."

"Come home?" Wenie immediately looked at the clock on her phone.

"Oh, yes. Not felt, yes ... A new feeling for a moment here, Mas," he grinned to reveal a row of white teeth.

"Other times if I have time, we can stop by here again. Won't move, the funds ..."

"Yes. Thank you so much for taking a walk to this lake."

"Yes, you're welcome."

"Oh yeah, a minute, Mas Frans. Please take a picture of me in that pergola over there, can you?" wenie Pinta.

"Can. Come on, we're going there," Frans. He never thought about taking pictures at all, but now he even has a chance to take pictures with this cute girl.

Wenie ran a little towards a heart-shaped pergola decorated with vine-lit vines that made her shine at night.

He put on a cheerful smile as Frans took some pictures with his cell phone, then he also asked for a photo with the doctor as a memento. Frans certainly did not reject it.

After being satisfied many times to take pictures and repeat it again if there is a view that Wenie thinks is not good, then they decided to end it. They immediately went home despite the weight of ending this beautiful night, leaving a piece of warmth in each other's hearts.