This Is It?

Chapter 21: The Threat

I rummaged through the closet to find the identity of the person who now inhabits my body. I also explore every corner of the room that should be a witness to the life of the Muka Dua.

Eyes continue to examine. The mind does not stop concentrating. Unfortunately, I didn't find a single hint of a note about him. Only pictures of myself and family do not imply anything strange.

How could he obtain the Fate-Changing Pearl? Who gave that thing to him? Those are the basic questions I need to find answers to uncover this veil.

If he wants to help me escape the shackles of misery, why does he continue to disturb my life? Isn't that a big oddity? What does he mean by all this?

He also seemed to have no complaints with the new life that had been lived for weeks. What secrets is he hiding? If I analyze more deeply, where is there anyone who lives in perfection just wants to let go of everything they have?! This is not just an ordinary body exchange. There is clearly a great ulterior motive for his attitude.

However, who can I ask to unlock this mystery other than him? The answer is, nothing. So, what can I use to get him to tell a story? The answer is, there is also no.

I can't ask the officers here about Bagas. Did I just ask Andy? Right. That's more rational. At least Andy says he's been friends with Bagas since Junior High. At the very least, there were a few things Andy knew about Bagas.

All righty! I'll try to slowly extract Bagas' story from Andy without revealing this identity. After all, he looks innocent. It would seem that it would be easy to extract information from him.

After hours of uncertainty, I called Andy to meet at the White Horse. There is no college today. I also have no desire to go to the office. So, I can be satisfied to do the investigation.

When I went down the stairs, I was surprised to see the presence of Mama and Papa. They told me they would be home some more. So, why is it suddenly home?!

“Where are you going?” ask Papa. His voice was immediately high.

Why did Papa greet me so unfriendly? Did I make a mistake?

“Ba…. Bagas would like to meet you, Pah,” I replied with a pounding heart.

“Sit!” Papa's orders, instructing me to delay my departure.

I'm following Papa's will. His eyes made me nervous and scared.

“Quiet, Pah!” said Mama while stroking Papa's shoulder.

What the hell is it? Papa looked at me as if I had made a big deal that ignited his emotions. In fact, I feel like I did nothing to bring up the conflict in this house.

“What are you doing as long as Papa and Mama go to Canada?” Papa threw the question with a hand bluff at the table.

“Bagas.... em.. college, to office, em.... home. That's it, Pah,” my light is a little flattened.

Yeah, that's all I do. There's nothing more. Hangout with friends is still in the fairness corridor.

I was confused to face Papa's expression. I can't identify where my fault lies either.

“What did Papa tell you?”

I remember what Papa said before I left. “Papa tell me to keep an eye on the company.”

“That you understand.”

Where is my fault, Pah? I asked in my heart.

I rarely go to the office, because I don't feel much urgency to go there. Is it because of that Papa is angry with me?

Papa held his chest. Mama kept trying to cool Papa with various touches.

“Papa just tells you to keep an eye on the performance of the employees, not take decisions,” explained Papa.

“Bagas didn't make any decisions, Pah,” my rebuttal. I didn't feel like I was making a decision that drew Papa's anger.

Papa threw a document into my body. “You see this!”

“Sabar, Pah. Bagas did not understand about the cashflow of the company. It could be just a mistake. Don't get angry Bagas excessively like this, Pah,” said Mama gently. He's defending me.

“ Anyway, today you are staying home. Papa will teach you to take responsibility for all of this.”

Papa got up from the couch. He then went to his room. In the meantime, Mama gave me tranquilizing words.

I read the documents Papa threw. It says there's a billion-plus losses on the first sheet. For the second sheet there is a statement containing my approval to conduct procurement of goods and inventory services of the company. It was also clear that I had my signature on the stamp.

Damnit damnit! Apparently, someone was fooling me. I remember who asked me to put my signature in this file. I think only approval review reports. Just watch! I'll make a calculation with that guy.

“You don't have to think too much about this, honey. It's been settled by Papa and Mama. Papa was angry that you might only be carried away by emotions for a moment. Papa did not think there are trusted people who use you during our time in Kanda,”, said Mama.

Thank goodness I don't have to drain my brain to take care of this. I still have other important matters that are more directly related to my life.

I called Andy to cancel today's meeting. Is this a signal that my freedom will be eroded?

Ah, no! It's only temporary. After all, all of this is for my pleasure as well. There's nothing I need to worry about. I just follow the path Papa told me to. After all, if later I officially become the owner of Permana Group, my life will be more comfortable. All the enjoyment and success in this world needs a process as well as mental sacrifice, right?!

Papa took me to his study. I also talked about my attitude. He said everything must be understood first. In business, it is not permissible to sign a file. Even when presented a document, it must be completely understood word by word listed.

Papa's emotions had subsided when we faced each other. Then he gave me three books to read. The book is titled How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, Rich Dad Pood Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

According to Papa, the books can add to my insight into the business. Besides, I also want to study directly.

Business must be built in earnest. However, seriousness alone is not enough. Need a solid foundation of knowledge about the business itself, plus perseverance and willingness to learn and innovate.

Finished business management college with Papa, I went back to my room. I put my body into the bed to facilitate the flow of blood. Also, stretch tight head muscles.

As I closed my eyes, my phone rang. I looked at the name of the caller with a feeling of laziness. Huh! There's just a nuisance that greets me when I need a break.

The metha? What's he calling me? I don't want to hear his voice.

I let the call stop on its own. But he called again. What was the need until he repeated his call?

Right. I will not know Metha's purpose and purpose if I do not respond.

“Halo, Met. What's up?”

“Gas...” sounds like you're crying. “I love you. I want you to be my girlfriend.”

I took a deep breath. That's again and again what he's talking about. I didn't know that he was so stubborn. What way should I give him an affirmation?

“Met, I've explained that to you many times. Sorry, I can't force my feelings. Please, stop acting like this,” I said a little scolding.

“But I don't want you to be the same Mutia, Gas.”

“Why? He's your best friend, Met. I really don't understand your mindset. What makes you inconsistent like this?”

“Just if you are dating Mutia, you should be my girlfriend too. Otherwise..”.

Metha outside alone looks tough, it turns out the inside is as fragile as cork.

“If not why? You want to kill yourself? Please, Met! Think a little more mature. There are a lot of other guys out there who might like the same. I hung up the phone. I don't like it if you keep going like this. Don't blame me if I'm gonna hate you,” my bluff.

I understand that sometimes liking someone can break down logic. However, Metha has already overstressed me.

As I was about to turn off the phone, Metha switched to video mode.

“I will jump off this bridge. I'm serious, Gas!”

My bluff is a threat back from Metha. He seemed to be standing on an overpass. His position was already preparing to drop. He also highlighted the streets below where he was. I didn't expect my words to match the scene he was doing.

“Don't be crazy, Met! Go home right now! Don't act silly and stupid!”

“I'll be home after you say agree to be my girlfriend.”

He thinks I'm going to get hit with a threat like that. “As far as you are, Met. The part that will later regret in the afterlife that you are not me.”

“Gas, I'm not messing around. I'm serious!”

Metha extended her left leg out of the bridge handle. I also noticed her face was wet and her eyes were red. Looks like she's after crying. The tears are still thick.

“Go home! Don't be reckless, Met!”

Metha shook his head.

I nearly committed suicide because I felt life was meaningless. My life is empty and empty. Now I'm watching someone else do the same.

It seems that Metha is ready to accelerate his death. Should I leave it and not care? Of course, no.

If Metha really killed herself because of me, I would be overshadowed by a lifetime of guilt. Then, if Metha's death entered the mass media, then I would be overshadowed by questions from her family, the police, and journalists.

Uh! Metha cleverly aimed at my weakness.

“Where are you now, Met?”

“Do you ask me where?” snapped Metha.

“Share your location soon. I'll be there,” my door firmly.

“I want you to say agree first if you want to be my girlfriend!”

I've guessed he'll force me to say it. “OK, okay. Ja. Now quickly tell me where you are!”

Metha sent the point where she was standing. I was ready to leave.

As for what I said earlier, I thought it was just the wind. Metha asked me to say “agreed”, while the one I chanted was “iya”. That's not an affirmation or a promise, is it?!

As soon as I got to the porch, I remembered that Papa banned me from going outside today. What am I supposed to do? Just go sneak around? Hem. This house has many good supervisors who breathe or who do not.

Then, Mama called me. He asked me why I was observing something.

Then, I explained to Mama honestly about Metha. My mom told me to leave soon. He guarantees everything will be okay. He'll be responsible if Papa finds out I broke the rules.

First hurdle clear. I called Mutia and Andy. I need them to prevent Metha's crazy actions. If I go alone, I'm afraid of getting caught up in emotions.

Basic Metha! He could have attacked me in such a small way.