The Woman Behind The Scenes

Chapter 2 - Dara and Savana

Dara's a beautiful girl. She was born in 1995, with a face more like a girl of Arab descent, people do not expect Dara blood native to Indonesia. Taking care of yourself is her pleasure. He looks so graceful with a knee-length skirt, and a shirt that always looks polite. Her straight hair, which was dark brown, was allowed to unravel and had touched half of her back when she passed.

In 2012 he was a talented SMK graduate with self-taught foreign language skills. He also excelled in various subjects, and came out as a class star who continued to win first place. All these abilities made him lucky to be accepted to work at a 4-star hotel that was just about to open in his hometown. At the Pandawa Hotel, he has been working for 1 year, and got two promotions. Dara is an expert at working hard. He knows what qualities are expected by those who are entitled to promotions and raises. Working overtime because of the many events that come, he is used to doing. Dara became the sales clerk who most often went home when the day was very late, and also who came the morning. He will not let the activity of makeup be the reason for late coming to work. Forty-five minutes before work begins, she is usually already in the office locker room. Drying her hair, wearing stockings, also polishing her face with thin makeup, she used to do in the room. Breakfast, too, will be eaten in his office with three colleagues in his department. No need for a fancy menu, sometimes just a pack of instant noodles and eggs that he has prepared from his home.

Dara rushed to the basement floor, where her office was at the Pandawa Hotel. As usual, the room was empty. He was the first to enter and then turned on all the air conditioners and lights. Dara sat in her chair facing a table full of files but so neatly arranged. He took out his breakfast box, and pinched his hair back and was ready to eat fried noodles dominated by green vegetables.

“From! Hmmm until when the hell you want to be our office waiter, hehe” his friend Fredy who just came immediately teased him because it came very early. Dara smiled and quickly swallowed her food.

“Fred. Very neat? Is the calendar full? Still selling today. Crazy, ya” Dara back criticizes her coworker. Fredy keeps his briefcase on the desk and shifts his chair right next to Maya. His eyes seemed to be watching the surroundings quickly then spoke in a soft voice, “Dar... Emm... Today you have to be a friend. Hehe. I have an appointment with someone important, Dar. Could also be an opportunity for you”

Dara stopped eating for a moment and gulped down the mineral water from the bottle which was dewy from the cold.

“Important? The opportunity? It's about the sale at our hotel, right? A ... Or ..”

“Sssstt. Nope. Naughty little shit, Dar. You know that five-star hotel that's being built? I'd like to see the queen. Listen, they're looking for a team for the hotel. You have no interest, Dar?” Fredy finally leaked out what he was going to do today.

Dara actually did not mind his friend's offer. He and Fredy have been pretty close all along. They often travel tasks together, and are compact in any case.

“Dooor! What are you talking about again? Secret mission? Want to resign, right? Haha” Tia appeared suddenly and broke the silence. Now the conversation is not a secret talk anymore. Tia seemed to already know what her two co-workers were planning.

Dara smiled widely, and gestured for Tya to slow down her voice. He was always afraid that the wall would have ears to hear. “Casual, sis. We have to move if the salary is okay. Life has to keep getting better. Yes no, Fred?” tia convinced Dara to continue the conversation.

“Iya, Dar. I was just meeting, but I told you that I want to take you, you are also looking for a new job, said Fredy while smiling at his two friends.

“Go only. I keep the cage here. Since I was the least likely to resign, I had a loan at this office” Tia tried to convince Dara to come with Freddy. Dara smiled and went back to eating her breakfast which was getting a little cold.

That afternoon he kept his promise to Freddy, along with meeting the important person said by his colleague. They enter a cafe that is familiar because Dara often passes on the way to work.

At table number 5 sat a young man; perhaps only 10 years older than Dara. With a light gray shirt suit, and a slightly darker matching color suit, he looked convincing as a higher-up. Her hair was neatly arranged, shiny giving a fresh impression on her face that attracted attention. A watch with a minimalist circular design on his left hand, as well as minus glasses with a style that perfectly matches his appearance.

Freddy pulls Dara's hand, they approach the man, and he instantly realizes their whereabouts, “Hai Fred! How are you doing? Thank you, yes you have been here.”

Fredy shook the man's hand, then the man's eyes immediately turned to Dara who was standing to Freddy's right. How not, a young girl with a little mini skirt, smooth legs, beautiful face, and elegant fragrance from her perfume.

“This must be Dara, yes ‘kan? I am Bima Arya. Call it Bima, or Bima. Dara's smile alone, Bima” is so friendly with Dara. His eyes were stealing occasionally looking at the woman's face as the three of them chatted. Dara seemed very pleasant in the conversation. With the age of just 19 years, it turns out that there is quite a lot of knowledge in the work environment that he has absorbed, and makes Bima amazed by his intelligence. Dara is also a sales department employee who brings many clients, and helps his team to achieve many targets.

It's no secret that Dara has become ‘golden’ for the General Manager of his hotel and some officials there. They were impressed by his achievements, regardless of his young age and alma mater. That's what Freddy kept talking about to Bima in the last 30 minutes, and makes Dara occasionally smile in response to Freddy's praise. Like a promoter, he continues to tell the figure of his coworker.

Not a lot of serious stuff was talked about. Bima is a 5-star Hotel General Manager that will open soon. He had just arrived in the city two weeks ago, and was now living in a house rented out for him by the hotel's owner. Apparently he is a single man who has been in the hospitality world for quite a long time, and has worked in several well-known hotels abroad. Pioneering a career in a hotel kitchen at a very young age like Dara, Bima is now getting a very comfortable position to add to his coffers.

“So when can Dara join Hotel Savana? Soon, right?” Bima cursed while Dara was sipping his coffee.

“Me? But I just delivered Freddy here, Mr. Bima ... Sa ... I ..” Dara was a little stunned because it did not fit the scenario drafted by Freddy.

Freddy chuckles with Bima. It seemed like the two were enjoying Dara's slightly shocked expression with the question.

“Dar. So, this Mas Bima, the need for women to join his team. If I have a new place to join, in the hotel that has just left Mas Bima. Wanna, huh? This is also a well-known brand, you must have darted fast there. Darling, you are still very young,” as expected, Freddy was deliberately arranging this meeting for Dara.

Dara's brain rotated quickly, in just an instant he thought about the advantages and disadvantages, joining this quite famous hotel. After all, this could be a place to take classes for him.

“Thirty days, Mas .. ng .. I mean Mr. Bima. It took me thirty days to join. But what about the details of the rights I will get?” Dara finally decided that quickly.

“Okay, thirty days. Simplest. I will ask my HRD for an email to Dara. Please leave a business card, yes” Bima smiled satisfied and gave her business card to Dara, who also then gave the same.

Bima could feel the softness of Dara's fingers when taking a business card from her hand. Every time this girl moved, the soft scent of her perfume always stopped at Bima's smell.

That day, Bima kept her promise. Dara received an email with details of her salary, job title, and anything else she would get when she joined. Logically, he will not be able to refuse an offer that provides a salary 2 times greater. As the backbone of his family, he needed it to reduce the burden of his mind a little.

Without a second thought, he signed a contract and replied to an email from a prospective HRD where he worked. He quickly drafted his resignation letter, and rushed towards the HRD room. There is not much to ask Dewi, HRD Manager. As a fellow employee, he was well aware of Dara's decision to resign. In his heart he hoped to get the same opportunity as Dara.

Despite numerous offers and negotiations with some of the top brass in Pandawa, they were finally able to appreciate Dara's decision to leave. At least, Dara is open to the reason for moving, and of course supported by some officials there. They realize Dara is talented to develop his career even further.

...****************...

Everything seemed to be going well, within a month Dara finished his work in Pandawa, and his first day in Savana was quite smooth. He did not meet Bima on his first day. In his new office, there were a lot of changes. Of course; he used to work with Tia and Freddy, but this time he had to get used to his new co-workers. The hotel, which has not even been painted, has an office space that has been completed by the craftsmen.

Dara walked to his office, on this fourth day, he was better adapted to 6 female team-mates. Right next to his office space, was a room with glass windows so clear, without curtains. Similar to an aquarium, he could see a light brown wooden table, with marble on it, as well as a large work chair that looked so luxurious. “GM Office” as soon as a sign sounds on the door of the room. Dara watched the room for a long time, she could see the steam from a room's fragrance diffuser.

“Morning! You there, Dara?” a familiar voice surprised him. Dara turned back, looking at Bima who had somehow been there watching her for a long time. As usual, Bima was so full of friendly smiles, and her fragrance easily stopped at the smell of Dara. This time he used the same uniform polo shirt as Dara.

“Pagi Sir. Yeah, just got here..” Dara answered. He slightly lowered because Bima still looked at him. Inwardly, she thought a lot about whether there might be something wrong with her makeup today?

Bima held Dara's shoulder instantly and made the girl almost aghast, “Lunch hours, out the same as me huh, Dar. I'd like to meet this afternoon.”

“Good, Sir. Do Bu Monik need me to bring?” Dara ascertains whether he needs to invite the Manager of his Department.

“Oh, no need. It's enough me and you, Dar. You're a real person here. It would be more suitable if the same you,” again Bima replied with a distinctive smile.

Dara nodded her head giving a sign that she understood the instructions of her superior, then rushed towards her room.

As fate would have it, in this old and new workplace, he was again the first to come, turning on the lights and air conditioning. Dara worked with 6 other people in the room. He has a Manager, Assistant Manager, in the marketing department. Two administrative employees who will help him, a Graphic Designer, and a Public Relations.

So far they are a solid team, and it's been fun. Dara still holds the record as the youngest employee. He is also very liked by his teammates because of his pleasant personality, likes to talk funny things, and very straightforward in speaking.

In this formation, Dara was fortunate to be under the manager, and an experienced assistant manager to and fro. They taught Dara a lot of new sciences, also motivated him to develop his career. At the age of a dozen, Dara was thinking very mature to be the backbone of his family. He has a mother, and a sister who is still in school, so college is not the right thing. Dara has never met her father since she was in 2nd grade. The man disappeared as if swallowed by the earth, and never again appeared until he was an adult. But of course, all that he no longer thinks about. With a mother who works odd jobs, and her younger siblings who go to school, there are many things that she should think about first compared to curiosity or sadness about her father.

Dara kept her promise, that afternoon she tidied up her tote bag to go with Bima. There were mixed feelings in his heart, so he decided to tell his manager that he was going to go out with Bima.

“Oh yes? Hmmmmmmm. Shay! Dara was invited to date with Bima” Monik leaked what Dara told Tasya the assistant.

“Hah? Seriously? Love young sorrow yes, hahahaha” Tasya also tease Dara with Monik.

“Seriously, he's so nice, Dar. Not too old, though. We've both been working with him for 4 years. “ Monik tried to convince Dara who was trying to signal that her manager could shrink the volume of her mail.

“Bu Monik, Bu Tasya. It came out because he said someone wanted to be found. So everywhere,” Dara tried to defend himself, but the two superiors continued to bother him until he left the room blushing.

 

...****************...

“So, Dara has a plan at this age? I mean, you're very young, beautiful, and smart. Do you have any plans in the near future? Suppose college?” Bima opened the conversation at the lunch session. He took a sip of his iced latte and then looked back at Dara.

“Kul ... lecture .. seems not to be able, sir. I want to keep working until I finish school. Maybe after that just college”

“You financed the sisters? Sorry didn't mean to offend, Dar. Ng ... I just want to know. That's right, Dara to tell a story or not,” Bima can not hide her admiration for the figure of Dara. What else is less than this girl? He knows he's been interested in Dara ever since Freddy recommended him.

Dara tidied up her bangs while smiling thinly, “Iya is nothing, sir. I am really the backbone. Papa hasn't been seen since I was in elementary school. Guess has not much choice. Hehe”

He is not a good person to act. Dara always looks awkward when talking about her family. In school, he was often confused to explain the whereabouts of his father that he did not know. Nevertheless, he can still continue to review the smile on his face and act positive.

Bima was swept away in a chat with Dara. He liked to see the young lady's gesture. Despite being very young, Dara is very insightful when speaking, and humble with every compliment given.

“Pak. Who do you want to meet where the guy is?” Dara remembered the reason she went with Bima.

Bima looked a little clumsy and chuckled to cover it up. Meeting someone is certainly just a mere reason that he made. Indeed, far away he did want to invite Dara to chat, on the basis of his interest.

“Mmm. Looks like the guy didn't come, Dar. Vendors for procurement of goods in hotels. It’s ok ‘kan?” Bima tried to keep covering his true purpose.

Dara smiled a little wider, and nodded. He could inwardly tell that his GM was just making excuses to get out to lunch with him.

Different ... That's one impression that Bima caught about Dara.

It felt like this one lunch session would not be enough to tear down her curiosity about Dara.

...****************...

Savana certainly promises a good career path for smart women like Dara. Another plus is because Bima has fallen in love with him.

More than twice he has managed to invite Dara to go to lunch with him. However, maybe Dara considers it only a problem between colleagues.

Behind his feelings for Dara, he can still judge her professionally. With the result of Dara's work, she knew her choice to have the girl join was the right one.

The sound of Bima's cell phone broke the silence in her study. A WhatsApp message apparently.

Tomi: [ Hi bro. The landing! See you in Savana! ]

Bima replied with a thumb emoticon.

Tomi is a friend who has often gone to and fro, moving from one hotel and another with Bima. Their career is certainly different, because the perseverance of Bima has brought him to the highest position at this time.

With an incomplete team, Bima accidentally recruits Tomi to join as Restaurant Manager in Savana. Tomi can not be seen one eye, because many experiences he wrestled in the field ranging from domestic to foreign.

Geck... Geck...

The sound of the marketing department's office is tapped. Instantly enter Bima with a man who is not yet known Monic and his team.

“Ladies. Kenalin, our retreat manager. Tomi,” Bima introduced the newcomer.

Monic looks wide once smile and immediately stand shaking hands Tomi, “Nyampe here you, Tom”

Apparently Monic and Tomi already know each other. We joke with both of them. One by one the team members came to greet Tomi, but not Dara.

He kept busy typing, while listening to the song on his headphones.

“From! There is a new person,” Monic tried to call his favorite staff. Dara still did not flinch.

“Dar! The virgin! Da-“

“Have let me just the nyamperin,” Tomi cut Monic.

He approached Dara's desk and aligned his face right in front of Dara's face making the girl aghast, and removed her headphones.

“Si ... who is it?” Dara slightly retreated her body and stammered, making the entire room boisterously laugh.

“Busy really. Hotel is not open yet, bu” joked Tomi to Dara.

“Indeed if the hotel is not open yet, so the work must be playful?” Dara slightly answered the unknown person.

Tomi chuckles, “Hehe. Young soul, yes. Still on fire. I'm Tomi, I'll be the restaurant manager here. Dara ‘kan?” Tomi introduced herself while looking at the name-tags attached to the right of her shirt.

“Iya, Dara.” Dara briefly replied and shook Tomi's hand quickly.

Bima noticed the interaction of the two staff, and immediately broke the atmosphere.

“Tom. This virgin seedlings excel here. His golden son Monik,” Bima praised Dara in front of the whole room.

Tomi smiled, and could not hide the interest about what she saw. Young girl with shiny hair, fresh white skin, natural red lips, and again the fragrance of soft perfume that always be an impression when people meet Dara.

“Iya, that's my golden boy. Dar, watch out for this same guy, yeah. Old crocodile. Do not get smitten,” Monik answered Bima's praise, and followed the laughter of some people there.

“Quiet. Dara let me take care,” Bima back to Monik, while looking at Dara with his trademark smile.

Tomi and Bima left the room after chatting with the marketing team. Bima seemed to continue to pay attention to her heart throughout the conversation. In the midst of the conversation, he still saw Dara who continued his work.

...****************...

“Bim. You often meet at the office with him. Haha. Do you like that same kid?” Tomi teases Bima in their lunch session.

“Hah? Who?” Bima pretended not to know who was being talked about.

“From. Her name is?”

“Ah. Yes, Dara. Uhh! No bro. Crazy lu. She is still young.” Bima tried as much as possible to cover his interest. Tomi looked at Bima's clumsy face and smiled mockingly.

“Really yes? If I did, the first impression was attracted to girls so. Beautiful, different attitude, bro. I'm not saying nyalib, it means?”

“Crazy lu. Don'tdon't. Still young, Bro” Bima takes Tomi's talk seriously.

Tomi chuckles. He knew very well Bima was interested in Dara. But on the one hand, he also could not lie his interest with Dara since the first encounter. More or less his charming figure has made Tomi have a curiosity to Dara.

He has joined almost three weeks with the Savana Hotel, and many times saw Dara with his attitude that attracted attention. Dara famously doesn't talk much to people other than her team. However, he seems to be friendly to anyone, and speaks in a polite tone to older employees. He is also very charming with a natural makeup look, as well as his skin is so well maintained.

Tom did not meet one or two women. He is actually a widower who has four children. He had just divorced a third time, and moved to another city to work. Tomi is experienced in failure, with many divorces that he has gone through. However, he did not want to try to find the accompaniment of his life again. At the age of three-headed, he increasingly felt the need to find a new companion faster.

Tomi picks up her smartphone, and opens her WhatsApp. He was considering what was the right word to start a conversation with Dara. Since his introduction to Dara, he has been trying to start a conversation, but he knows women like Dara will ignore him if they just mince words.

[ Hi, Dara. It's me Tomi. Have a WhatsApp Monik number? ]

Tomi ventured to send a message that seemed very alkaline.

Drrt, Drrt!

His phone shook, and he quickly saw it.

Dara: [ Hi. You don't have a Monik's mother number? ]

‘Ah shit! Too visible to mincere’, he thought inwardly.

Dara: [Take it in the group, Mr. Tomi. Or ask the HRD. Why should I come to me? ]

Hm ... It's the same ... It turned out that Dara was still ketus to him after their first meeting.

[I'm sorry, if I'm sorry at first. I'm good at the original. I got it from Bima. Caught the mode. Hehe ]

Hopefully this message changes his attitude. That's what Tomi expected while replying to Dara's message.

It seems that the expectations are not appropriate. The message was only read by Dara, and she did not reply again.

Tomi smiled as she looked at Dara's profile picture. The girl was not only beautiful, but her aura was also completely different.

If this time he is rejected by Dara in his approach, it is not a big thing for a survivor in romance like Tomi. After all, he had seen the tendency of Bima to like Dara, so it was possible that very little hope could invite the girl to go for a walk together.

Tomi lay there staring at the profile picture on Dara's WhatsApp account, until a message came in on her phone.

The message said: [When will you be back? The kids want to meet. Do not forget that the post must be added a little ]

He pinched his forehead for a while, then exhaled a long breath. His ex-wife can not be compromised about ‘jatah’ monthly for his children. The woman who had just parted with him would casually continue to ask Tomi for more. What can I do? At least he still let Tomi see his children through photos.

Drr!

His phone once again shook. ‘Sial! What else does he want this time?’, he cursed in his heart and then opened his phone with a shriveled face.

Dara: [Where to stay here? The same Mr Bima? ]

“Yes!” Tomi felt the bait had been bitten. He quickly replies to Dara's message, and continues to try to reply to other messages from his target quickly.

Friendlier... It turned out that Dara was not everything he imagined. Maybe the way Tomi introduced herself back then was less fun for a guy like Dara. The proof does not take long, Dara is more able to freely and casually reply to each other's messages with him.

It worked!