The Moon Among the Stars

146

Fika just shook her head slowly. He himself was also hesitant about the words of women who looked hysterical but implied a wide smile.

"Don't believe it either. Is there a female OB in this hotel? There will be none. Tuh ngadi - very yes," said Fika realized that in this hotel there are no OB women. But, he forgot just now that he and Ayumi had been swapping roles to become an OB since morning.

"Well that's him. There are no OB women here. Yes already. Sometimes, hotel guests like to ngadi -ngadi if you want to drop the good name of the hotel. A thousand ways they do," Ayumi insisted with her alibi. Don't let everyone know about him. He could have been fired from the hotel where he worked because of someone else's fault.

Fika nodded - nod her head again and confirmed the words of her best friend. Ayumi herself breathed a sigh of relief because Fika trusted Ayumi's words without much debate. At least Fika can understand Ayumi's intentions. After this, if a truth is revealed. Ayumi must be ready.

***

It's exactly twelve o'clock in the afternoon. It means it's time for lunch break. Ayumi and Fika usually do not take lunch hours. They prefer to eat together after the shift. At least eat the snacks they have prepared since the morning they put in the drawer.

"Eat first. Cobain, shrimp sumpia. Yesterday I bought it in an Asian mini market" Fika told Ayumi.

"Yes. Eat first. I again recap the guest data today first, let it be easy," Ayumi told Fika.

"OK," replied Fika slowly.

Ayumi still counts the number of hotel visitors who book a room at this hotel.

"Ayumi, it's lunchtime. Mommy wants to talk to you," said Mother Icha quickly. Sontak Ayumi and Fika stared at the middle-aged woman in front. This time, Fika stood up and approached Ayumi to ask who this woman was.

"Sorry lady. Isn't the madam who lives in room two. That was in the room that had a commotion?" ask Fika to browse.

"Ohh yes it is. She, Ayumi, my daughter. It's time for a break. I wanted to take her away for a while to have lunch with my other children," Mother Icha asked Fika for permission.

"Sorry Mother. Wait until Ayumi finishes work later in the afternoon. Ayumi does not want Ayumi's job to be interrupted. Please respect Ayumi as an employee at this place," Ayumi asked politely and continued her work.

"Jasmine. Toha's father has been waiting for you and is eager to see you. There's something Toha's father wants to say to you" Mother Icha told Ayumi.

"Mother. We'll meet you outside the hotel. After four o'clock," said Ayumi to Mother Icha and again greet the visitors who have stood up want to leave the room to check in.

Mother Icha stepped back. He knows, Ayumi now looks different, not like before. Ayumi is more independent and more assertive about deciding things.

Ayumi glanced at Mommy Icha who looked disappointed. But, Ayumi had to stick to her stance to remain silent and stupid.

Mother Icha chose to sit on the sofa in the lobby and no matter how long she had to wait yaumi in that place and Mother Icha did not care about it.