This Is It?

Chapter 7: Authenticity

As great as anything living life in solitude, saturation is sure to hit. Especially when the tongue smoothly speaks, but does not have friends exchange words. You want to talk or talk, but you don't have interaction space.

The nature of humans as social creatures is inherent from birth. Everyone needs someone else in life. Needing does not mean hanging fate. However, it is more about social transactions. Like a buyer and a seller who have a symbiotic relationship.

Unfortunately, the world is filled with strata. Life must race so that it does not exist at the bottom of the classification ladder of society. Ironically, sometimes the terms of the race are more favorable to those in power. Could it be that the show is made just for flexing? Let it. Now I have everything.

The first day of living life as Bagas was really fun. Indeed, there is a sense of fatigue because all day I look for the existence of Bagas.

When I met him at the boarding house, he wasn't there. I'm looking in the lake too, nothing. All corners that I used to live when tired have also been visited. As a result, he is nowhere. Meanwhile, the motorbike I used to wear was parked in the boarding house. It's strange!

There are a lot of questions I want to ask him. I need to explore the character as Bagas naturally as soon as possible. I also want to ascertain the validity of this body exchange. Is this only temporary or permanent. My hope, of course, is that I want to inhabit this body forever. My life has suffered enough without friends and company.

Tired of going around, I went home for a while. I want to rest. Later in the afternoon Leo invited a hangout in a regular place. I don't know where they used to gather. See how my mood will be.

As soon as it touches the room, it forms a 90-degree angle between the numbers 12 and 3. An hour of sleep seems to be enough to relax the body. Anyway, Leo didn't say what time I should see him. He just said afternoon. Before the sky is dark, it means the afternoon is still long.

Spread both hands. Oh, cozy! A fragrant room with a soft mattress. Plus the cool air conditioner blowing as if in the paradise of the world. My eyes closed slowly.

But as soon as I arrived at the dreamland gate, I was aghast. I sat down with concern.

Nah! What if this body turns to the origin when I sleep? I don't want to feel this happiness in the blink of an eye.

I have to find Bagas again. I must not sleep until there is certainty about the duration of this body exchange.

I'll calm down for a second. In 15 minutes I'll be out looking for Bagas again. I first regulate the circulation of oxygen in the body by stretching. The goal is to prevent drowsiness.

Hahaahhh!!! My body feels fresher. Muscles that had tightened back flexible. What a joy like nothing.

A moment! Looks like something's weird. Yes, I could have fallen asleep before I met Bagas. Huh???!!!

I gathered the flying consciousness by rubbing my eyes. The fear that my body would return to being Ardi soared into space. No. gabe. I don't want that to happen.

As soon as the view was perfect, I stared intently at the entire room. Thank goodness! I'm still in Bagas' room.

Then, I glazed to reinforce the image. Huh! I've been scared to death. Fortunately, this body exchange was not just a taste.

I saw the clock on Bagas' phone, it was already 03:00 in the morning. Apparently, I slept long enough.

Hungry then led my steps out. I immediately headed to the kitchen to look for food to eat.

“Young Master find what?”

Someone asked without giving a sign. I was so shocked that my body felt weak.

“Sorry, Young Master. I didn't mean to make Young Master a shock.”

“OK, okay. It's okay, Bi,” I said as I adjusted my breath.

“Young Master hungry?”

“Iya. There's no instant noodles, Bi?”

“Mie instant?” tanyanya made sure with a confused face. “I make Spaghetti or just food yes, Young Master. Or does Young Master want some other food? Whatever Young Master wants I will make as soon as possible.”

“Ya, already. Please make me a good heavy meal, Bi. Whatever it is, it's up.”

“Good.”

He's coming out of front of me. But suddenly I thought of something.

“Bi, how about I ask to make Goat Fried Rice only? The goat's there, right?”

“There, Young Master. For appetizers and desserts Young Master want what?”

“Nevent gone, Bi. That's enough already.”

The rich are sometimes difficult to understand. To eat alone there must be some kind of ceremonial ritual, opening, filling, and closing.

About 10 minutes waiting, my order was presented in plain sight. The aroma of spices and the burning of soy sauce ambushes the olfactory with syahdu. It must be delicious.

Justright. The first mouthful immediately makes the tongue sway like a biduan. I have wanted this dish for a long time.

Finish “sahur”, I'm back in the room to sleep. It was great to play the role of prince.

I woke up when the sun I saw on the window started to rise. Fortunately, today there is only 1 course at 1 pm.

After the shower, I stared at the wardrobe for a long time. I don't want to be teased again by Leo, because my appearance is too formal.

I try to remember the appearance of Bagas everyday. All right, I tried a casual look for today. For the boss I wear a white polo shirt and a beige bomber jacket. As for his subordinates, I wore stonewashed jeans and sneakers.

Even though I don't know much about fashion, I still understand a little about the type of appearance. Wh why? Because I always imagined being able to look as attractive as many people want and needed some job openings.

“Bagas, today you are handsome once!” greet Mama as I come down the stairs.

Yeah, I've got to get used to calling Mama and Papa.

“Really, Mah?”

“Iya dong, Darling. But where are you going? Isn't your college schedule today afternoon?”

“Bagas want to see you first, Mah.”

“You didn't have breakfast first, honey? Aren't you hungry? Yesterday Mama saw you go home from college straight to sleep, seemed tired once.”

“Later Bagas eat out aja yes, Mah!”

Greetings to grab Mama's hand. The feet go with such light steps.

In the WhatsApp chat group Bagas and 4 of his officers, they kept asking for my position. They even took turns calling me.

Uh! I was lazy to respond. Meeting Bagas is much more important.

Arriving at the gloomy shelter of my life, I quickly climbed the stairs to the second floor. Back to the corner that is not reachable by sunlight.

I tried to open the door. Bingo, open. It means Bagas is inside.

Bagas looked at me with a shocked expression as our eyes clashed. The instant cup noodles in his hands had almost spilled.

“Wah, there's a new rich guy who visited me. What's up, Gas?” the sarcasm.

“Gas, many things I want to ask you. Why didn't you go to college yesterday? Where are you going?”

“Shortly. I'm so horrified that you're paying this much attention to me.”

I did not pay attention, but expressed regret.

“Gas, how long will we exchange bodies?”

“Gue can't answer.”

“Why?”

“Lu ask yourself!”

“What do you mean, Gas? Don't confuse me dong!”

“Lu see who we are now? So, please make it a habit to first call the name according to the body that is being shown. Don't invite suspicion if anyone accidentally hears!”

“But our identity...”.

Bagas interjected, “Starting today we must get used to the changes of each of us. Lu is Bagas, and I am Ardi. Got it? So you don't understand?”

There's been a change in the style of the Bagas. Previously he always spoke in a smooth and authoritative voice. Is this due to the innate influence of my body? Stupid time!

“OK. That's what I harepin is. In fact, we also no longer need to return to the original body.”

Bagas, I mean Ardi, did not respond to my statement. He was busy chewing on instant cup noodles that seemed delicious.

“Gue has not had breakfast. Are there any other noodle stocks?”

“This left is all that remains.”

“Feelings, yesterday the day after I shoved a lot.”

“Oh yes, I forgot. That bagas doesn't like instant noodles. Familiarize yourself with your current condition. Let go of the poor habits that still stick in your brain.”

“Simply Aunty at home bengong fitting I said want to eat noodles instant.”

“Aibi?” Ardi squashed the new noodles in his mouth. “Lu is so sloppy anyway! All household assistants at home should you call ‘Sus’. They have a background in education as nurses. Not a random person who is working to cook and several houses doang.”

I was stunned to hear Bagas' explanation. So, that's why they were astonished when I called Auntie. Duh!

“Why don't you tell me details like this in the beginning? Including about how your attitude to your friends, your attitude at home, what are your activities. I'm looking for you from yesterday for all that,” I said a little annoyed.

“Lu who initially did not believe about my story, just the night swallowed the pearls I gave. Really I did not expect at all with your naivety.”

“Gue only broadcast.”

“Yakin? Not because...”

“What do you mean?”

“Yesterday, when I realized we had exchanged bodies, I immediately opened up all about yourself. I open your phone, your social media accounts, your laptop, your books, just everything that can explain your life and habits.”

“Lu really sassy anyway!” I raised my voice. From that moment the attitude and words he said continued to spark my emotions.

“What? Sassy? You forgot yes, Gas. We are lawful in the care of life. It's only natural that I opened your bleak life in the past. Lu also mengantongin hape I tuh.”

I brought her cell phone to see the time. I haven't been as passionate about scraping the contents inside as he did towards me.

“Terasuru! But, please explain first what I asked!”

Ardi put his cup of noodles. Then, he leaned against the wall.

“Hem, it turns out you like the same Mutia from SMA huh?” abugn.

“Do not switch the conversation!”

“Very many of your notes about Mutia. Unfortunately, your feelings can only be written down into poetry and fiction. Hence, you hope that one day you can become handsome. Haha...”.

“Your original nature is like this? Sucks, hicks, and looks sneaky. So, everything you've displayed before is just imaging? And you bosen live in pretence? How sad!” I turned her life around.

“Gue is just adjusting to my new form.”

Damnit damnit! There are always words that become weapons to strike me back.

“Gue home. I'm not in the mood to chat with you.”

“Hamba apologize if unable to entertain Young Master well!” He stood up, then bowed a little.

Huh! I won't ask him about life again. I'll find out for myself. After all, time will later cultivate habits. I left with a restraining emotion.