When Love Should Choose

Hansen Meets Nia Home - Ardian Upset Waiting

Chapter 19

Nia sees Hansen running his car slowly. This time the goal is to take Nia home, because the clock has shown at 5 pm. Because of the fun of going around and reading in the bookstore, they forget time.

Nia herself was somewhat surprised to realize it was already afternoon. This time he went to another place after college. And only today did he come home late.

Is there anyone at home waiting for him or worried about him? There is none, thought Nia. Om Vishnu and Aunt Siska usually come home at night and rarely can meet with Nia who has entered the bedroom. Meanwhile, Ardian, since college came home at night. Just Bik Aini maybe, thought Nia amused.

His face can still smile and even laugh when Hansen tells of one funny incident he had experienced. Not feel tired in his body even though all day college and surround the bookstore.

It is true, if we are in a comfortable place, doing things that we like, with people who are pleasant to us, the day will pass quickly unconsciously and tirelessly.

Because it was late afternoon and the clock came home from work, the highway passed by Hansen's car with Nia had a traffic jam. The travel time to Nia's residence which is usually half an hour more if not jammed, is now an hour more.

“It's late afternoon yes, Nia,” Hansen said while running his car in the middle of a traffic jam.

“Sya, Hansen. I'll be home by night. You are the only one who feels sorry, you have to go back to your house and a new night arrives. Maybe your mom is waiting for you to worry,” said Nia.

“I told Mama it was through WA, will be late home. New afternoon arrived because the first walk to the bookstore with friends,” said Hansen.

“Ohya? Your mom's not mad?”

“No, I'm late coming home from college not wandering around, but looking for a book to read.”

“Oh..”

“Ohiya, my mother asked, who went to the same bookstore? I said to a college friend. Keep asking again, college friend guy or girl? I said chick. My mother directly asked me other questions. Hahaha,” Hansen's story.

Nia frowned. “Indeed, your mama strafed you with what question?” ask Nia to know.

“He asked me, with a girlfriend huh? Hahaha.”

Nia laughed. “Hahaha. So what are you answering?”

“Jawabku, not with a boyfriend, but with a prospective girlfriend, my dear mother.”.

“Jiaaah..!” Nia laughed out loud. “You could have had a joke, Hansen,” said Nia shyly.

“I'm not kidding, Nia. I'm serious,” said Hansen.

“You mean?” ask Nia carefully.

“I mean, I'm serious about you, Nia. Wishing you would be my girlfriend,” Hansen said as he glanced at the girl beside him.

Nia coughed. His heart was shocked as well Hansen suddenly expressed his intentions. Unexpectedly, Hansen dared to say those words in front of him. All this time, Hansen thought good to him because they were good friends on campus. Unexpectedly, Hansen harbored other desires and hopes in his heart, making him a girlfriend.

Ah, that man is hard to be a good friend apparently, thought Nia. He never thought of having a girlfriend this fast, because his college is only 1st semester and just living in Medan. Everything still feels new to Nia. He needed time to adjust even longer before deciding to have a girlfriend. Although Hansen was kind and felt to fit his favorite type of guy, but in Nia's heart as if something was blocking and blocking.

“Tuh, no more jams, Hansen. Run the car,” said Nia switched the conversation.

Feeling that Nia did not want to answer her wishes, Hansen did not force her. She was a bit disinclined, afraid that Nia might suspect her kindness all this time was just because she wanted to make her a boyfriend. Then, their good friends for this month how is their fate? Nia may be disappointed in him and then stay away from him.

“After reading the book later, we exchange, yes?” hansen also changed the subject.

“Beres, I will soon spend the books of this novel, because I am indeed a nerd,” Nia giggling.

Hansen breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully the girl was not angry after hearing Hansen express his intentions earlier.

The car arrived at Ardian's house in the evening. Nia had Hansen stop his car in front of the fence of the house Ardian alone, then he went down while holding his college bag and plastic asoy branded containing books of the novel he bought earlier.

“See you tomorrow, Hansen,” Nia waved. “Still a lot, yes!” yells.

Hansen opened the car window, looking at the large fence that Wak Amat was opening. He noticed that the house the girl was riding in was indeed very large and magnificent. Much larger and more luxurious than his own house which is actually quite decent.

“Good night, Nia. See you tomorrow!” he then runs the car away from the house. The goal now is to go straight home because the sky is getting dark, the sun almost sinks in the western horizon.

“Night, Wak,” he told Wak Amat.

“Night, Non Nia. How is today Non home tonight? Not the same as Son Ardian anyway?” tanya Wak was very curious.

“Iya, Wak, Ardi had gone to group work at her friend's house, so Nia after college took a walk to the bookstore with friends,” replied Nia.

“Oh...,” Wak Amat see asoy plastic branded bookstore that girl tipped. The asoy plastic looked heavy containing thick books. The girl did not lie, Wak Amat thought.

“I go first, Wak,” say goodbye to Nia while nodding her head slightly to Wak Amat and walking past her.

Arriving inside the house, Nia was greeted by Bik Aini waiting in the living room. “Wah, Non Nia to anywhere, how come home this evening? Aunt waitin from earlier, Nak Ardian also.”

“Ardi is home, Bik?” nia asked as she walked towards the living room sofa. He means to sit there for a while, the same story Bik Aini.

Not yet Bik Aini replied, a voice sounded loud, “Where have you been?”

Nia jerks. Turned his head to the origin of the sound. He saw, Ardian somehow since when standing at the end of the stairs with a cold face mixed with anxiety.

“I... to the bookstore,” said Nia canceled sitting on the living room sofa. Holding his college bag and plastic asoy containing his groceries then walked closer to Ardian.

Ardian looked at the heavy item Nia was carrying in that branded asoy bag. It seems like reading books. “Whose name?” ask her in a rather soft voice now.

“Sama... college friend,” replied Nia. He hesitantly mentioned Hansen's name in front of Ardian, afraid that in case the young man was angry he went with a fellow college boy. Although Ardian has been cold to her lately, Nia doesn't want to take any chances either.

“He drove you home? That guy, who's your classmate?”

Nia gulped. How does Ardian know about Hansen? Guys who are my class, that means Hansen means it. So all this time, Ardian knew about Hansen? Though Nia remembered very well, never introduced Hansen to Ardian, so where did Ardian know?

“Iya, Hansen, college friend,” replied Nia briefly.

Ardian held his breath, he actually wanted to get angry, but hearing Nia's short sentence spoken was quite clear, his guts were shriveled.

“Starting tomorrow, have Hansen pick you up for college, Nia,” Ardian said suddenly. The sentence felt surprising to Nia even though it was pronounced Ardian in a soft tone.

“Kok?”

“Yes, tell Hansen to take you to campus, I can no longer be your driver every day,” he said.

The chauffeur? How did Ardian say he was the driver? But they will go and go home together because they are both there? All the way, not bothering Ardian, he thought. Nia never thought it would be such an unsettling thing for Ardian. Except Ardian doesn't like them going out together anymore. Or, was it Ardian's move to further avoid and move away from him?

“Don't say so, Ardi,” says little Nia. “I couldn't have Hansen drop off for college every day. Will trouble it.”

“Lho, how difficult is it? Wouldn't he be happy? So are you?”

“What do you mean?” Nia looked at Ardian, asking to be made clear.

They stood at the end of the lower stairs, talking face to face in a voice that was both soft and cold. The presence of Bik Aini who observed and listened to their conversation seemed to be ignored by the two.

“I mean, you and Hansen are a good fit, you can go home from college together. With Hansen always picking you up, it can close your relationship with him. The next stage you will be his girlfriend,” explained Ardian.

Nia fell silent. Why is that what Ardian has in mind? And that was Hansen's mind? Is it hard for both of them to turn a friendship between a man and a woman into romance?

“I invited Hansen to the bookstore,” said Nia. “We just stroll through the bookstore, look around and read until we forget the time. So aware, it was late afternoon and because the streets were jammed so late to home.”

How did that explain Nia? Did he mention a girlfriend? thought Ardian. Oh, the girl's switching the conversation apparently.

“I want to go upstairs first, Ardi,” said Nia walking past Ardian, up the stairs to the 2nd floor.

In the bookstore, the streets were not tired. After arriving home and interrogated so by Ardian, it feels so tired.

Ardian stood up while frowning. Usually Nia would give in, but this time how come her speech was firm? Therefore, Ardian canceled continuing his frustration waiting for Nia earlier. He knew that if Nia had answered firmly, it meant that the girl wanted to end the conversation to prevent a fight.

* * *