THE GUARDIAN OF THE HEART

Chapter 23, Rendezvous (Part 1)

Heavy rain fell and washed the earth. The hanging cloudiness added to the darkening of the sky that afternoon. But it did not discourage Shaka and Bobi to continue moving out of the Cafe. At the door, Shaka said to Bobi.

"Bob, yukk go to the warkop lesehan usually" said Shaka as he went to the motorcycle parking lot in front of the cafe. After that, he took a helmet hanging on the rearview mirror of his motorbike and then started his motorcycle to go to the coffee shop.

Bobi could only nod. He understood the place Shaka meant. Then he also went to get his bike and went to follow Shaka.

Along the way, they were covered in heavy rain. Their clothes were drenched with rainwater that was ceaselessly hitting them. The cold air attacked, making them shiver with coldness. But they continued to travel to where they were headed.

For Bobi, this trip was so long. The cold and the heavy rain did not bother him much. He was only worried about what he should tell Shaka. Because he was sure, Shaka must have asked about the incident that happened to Sherly this afternoon. He knows Shaka will not scold him, but he is reluctant to Shaka considering that Sherly is a close friend of Shaka.

Ten minutes later, they had already arrived at the warkop of lesehan in question. Then they parked the bike in front of the lesehan then went into it.

Lesehan Warkop has a unique effect. Rustic themed interior design concept illuminated by bright colorful lights. While the exterior is natural-sounding covered by an umbrella - a large umbrella and supported by the concept of a backyard illuminated petromax lights on it.

Shaka and Bobi chose to sit in the exterior area. They then ordered ginger coffee prepared by Barista Warkop itself. Before Shaka could ask, Bobi had already started the conversation.

"Shak, very sorry. I was fucked up. I didn't think Sherly was that angry. But I'm also confused about how Sherly should be" said Bobi, shivering in the cold.

"Where's the story, Bob?" shaka asked who rubbed his hands to ward off the coldness that attacked him.

Bobi then told me what happened. He only tries to comfort Sherly when Sherly feels very uncomfortable with the presence of Dance.

"He looked at her very sharply, Shak. It was as if there was a feeling of hate building up inside him" said Bobi.

Then Bobi continued the story until finally Bobi gave up on all that effort. To get Sherly's attention, Bobi is forced to choose a topic between Shaka and Sherly. Bobi asks about Sherly and Shaka's relationship. Bobi also wants to know how Sherly actually feels about Shaka. Especially how now if there is already Besty who fills Shaka's heart.

"He was very angry when I told him to let go of his feelings for you, Shak" said Bobi.

"I feel so sorry for her because she keeps expecting you, Shak." she continued.

"She said it was her own business and she'll keep waiting for you." he added.

Shaka just silently heard the words of Bobi. He listened carefully to Bobi's words. Before he spoke, waitress came and served them both a ginger coffee. Then did not wait long, they immediately sipped the coffee to warm their bodies which had been hit by the cold rain and the air of Malang City.

"Shak, he was so angry and broke into the table when I told him he had no place in your heart, Shak" said Bobi.

"You have to act, Shak. You have to tell him the truth about what happened. I want him not to keep getting hurt, Shak. I want her to be happy" Bobi said.

Shaka then drank his coffee. He took a sip twice, then looked at Bobi and said :

"Bob, Sherly it's not the same as most girls."

"With her cheerful nature, she's a picky girl, Bob."

Shaka then recounts the beginning of his meeting with Sherly. It also tells how the nature and and character of Sherly. Not to forget also he explained the things that made Sherly sad and happy all this time.

"Therefore, I just kept quiet, Bob. But I didn't give him any hope either" Shaka said.

"I let it pass over time, running according to the line that formed between me and Sherly."

"If I force him to move on from me then trust me, we will lose him forever. We won't recognize her as the Sherly we know today."

"Let her feelings fade by themselves. Let time slowly answer it. I promised not to leave her, Bob. I promise to always be with him and be there for him. Because I don't want him to lose his identity if he's hurt so much" Shaka said.

Bobi just silently heard Shaka's words. He seemed to regret all his actions and words to Sherly.

" Then what should I do, Shak." asked Bobi.

"I think if you want to make amends, come to his house to apologize. You're going to need a pretty persistent effort for that. Because it's very possible that he doesn't want to see you" Shaka said.

"Keep if he keeps not wanting to meet me and forgive me how, Shak?" ask Bobi further.

"He'll forgive you, but meeting or meeting you depends on your efforts" Shaka said.

Then Shaka waved towards the waitress standing in the corner of the Cafe. When waitress arrived, Shaka ordered a Cake Pancong (Bandros) Tiramizzu and Deep Chocolate two boxes. This cake is another mainstay menu in this Warkop. Shaka then asks for a bill of all the food and drinks he has ordered. Bobi was very astonished and asked Shaka.

"Well, where did you get the money? Must be a lot of pocket money?" ask Bobi.

Shaka laughed at Bobi's question and he replied :

"I never asked for pocket money or tuition, Bob. It was all my savings from winning the championship result" Shaka said.

"I try not to overburden my parents. I gave myself coaching money when I won the championship." he continued.

"Your parents don't mind you holding the money yourself?" ask Bobi.

Shaka laughed and said :

"My parents taught me since 1st grade High School. Once - a time, my parents asked me. But I was lucky enough that my parents believed in me."

"Wuiiiihhh, that's delicious, Shak. While I was, only given rations once a week." muttered Bobi.

"That means all this time, you used your own money to cheat with Besty?" ask Bobi.

Shaka smiled as he nodded his head.

"I self-financed my own needs, although sometimes I often asked my parents for advice and input for it" Shaka said.

Then Shaka paid all the bills offered by the waitress and took the two packs of boxes of cookies that were on their table.

"Yukk, home. I still have business." said Shaka.

"Where are you going?" ask Bobi

"There's a dehhh." replied Shaka with a smile.