THE MENTARY FOR THE ESTUARY

CHAPTER 2, HURTS

- Pov Riana

    Jakarta, afternoon. I let out a sigh of despair among the endless traffic jams. In a moment, the Rose Cafe was in sight. But why do these cars feel increasingly tight together, like young people who are in love and do not want to be separated?

I'm Riana Mentari, 20 years old. A girl who is still trying to fulfill her dreams one by one, and protect whatever is left of the babbling people who think everything is just a joke. Armed with the experience of music school from small to the end of High School, made me ventured to run to the breadth of the capital, and find a job that suits passion – teaching, teaching music, to be exact. Yes, music is one of the things that makes me feel like my life is fine. That series of melodies and tones, for some reason, always made me feel calm again after living my heavy days.

I saw the entrance of the Rose Cafe was already less than two hundred meters away. Thank God finally. I exhaled a sigh of relief. I hope I'm not late, Cassian Rey, she'll be waiting for my birthday cake. To be honest, I am not a romantic person, but when I was with Rey – my boyfriend, everything changed. It just so happened that today was his birthday, and after my teaching hours were up, I stopped by one of the cake shops to pick up a special birthday cake that I had ordered all day just for him.

***

“Ri-Riana, uh, elo come tah?” I saw Nico – the owner of the cafe hastily pushing the glass door, and let me go inside.

“Why Nic? Not usually I come here late afternoon-afternoon kelar ngajar?” I asked while hitting his shoulder playfully with the cake box I brought.

“Ri-Riana's... Really sorry... There are those who want me to meetjukin same lo, his party has started from earlier, and Rey is in..” said Nico stuttered. I just realized, that there was something strange with the look in his eyes and expression. I stared fixedly at the typical half bule face, and his eyes immediately turned to other places, as if reluctant to meet with me for long.

“What's up, Nic?” askaku.

“Riana... I'm not sure I should watch this the same. But if I hide, it's even more impossible, and I'll feel really guilty.”.

“Then you do, tell me, Nico,” I quickly cut her words. I could see a look of despair in his eyes, and he ruffled his hair roughly, as if frustrated by the circumstances he was facing right now. He grabbed my one free hand not holding the cake box, then took me on a brisk walk to the elevator to go up to the second floor. This cafe does consist of several parts, there is a bottom for the visitors who just want to hangout or meeting and make an appointment with the client, and, while the second floor is the place for visitors who want to do any celebration party, while the 3rd floor is a private room for workers here. Oiya, here is also available live music you know, either to regularly entertain visitors, or special ones such as the celebration of the party. I myself if the leisure fit, quite often kok entertaining at this cafe, sometimes so vocalist draw it.

The clink of the elevator bell woke me from the absurd daydream that somehow, lately often perched on my head (yes yes, cook on the head of the neighbor, why is that daydream all over there?). Plus, inside this elevator, Nico and I were both silent. So it's getting weird that daydreams go to the head.

“I should have asked Nicolas Fernandes, the Rey know I don't want to come here? Don't get leaked, will you? I want a surprise..”.

“I-Yes, I don't think he knows you want to come here. Come on, come in..” invite Nico. I continued to step into the place where the party was held, with Nico still holding my hand. And either because of the temperature of the room or why, I feel like Nico's hands are so cold.

“Nic, pause,” I said interrupt, stop our steps.

“Why, Ri?” ask Nico wonder.

“Why are your hands so cold? Lo sick?”

“No, I'm in good health. Yuk, login.” Answer Nico. He clasped my hand tighter, and we got closer to the party room.

***

Stalled steps. My heart seemed to be pulled out entirely by a tremendous force out of nowhere. And my eyes... My eyes are forced to see the real thing if I can and if I can, I don't want to see it. With the rest of my consciousness, I looked at Nico, then with trembling hands, I handed the cake box to her.

“To...To-Long, love this cake the same as him.” that's all I can say, before I finally burst, pounding hard against the marble floor that was quite cold there.

(BBC).