Novels by Aldrich Candra

"Did you choose to settle here?" This was Maureen's question. I've gotten to know her better since moving to this country. Maybe a few blocks apart, but close enough to do our weekly shopping together."Ben said he had some business, so I guess his offer for me to stay here until graduation wasn't a bad choice," I explained as I pushed our shopping trolley into the trunk of the car, while Maureen looked tired from pushing the babies' stroller."Yeah..., I think your choice isn't bad. I can have someone to talk to too while you guys aren't back yet." Her intonation was clearly hopeful.For me who barely had any friends, moving around more than expressing what I felt, being friends with Maureen was a luxury. She was quite chatty, and I barely had anything to talk about other than responding to her."The twins really enjoy sleeping ...." I glance at the presence of Maureen's babies. Boys.I thought Maureen had a special relationship with Ben, but she ended up marrying Angga. I guess I wa

"Are we really moving there together?" Rena questioned after seeing the e-ticket I had on my phone screen. Well, that was a bit of a surprise. "It depends on how long you want to stay there." Since the visa Rena applied for was also for non-immigrants, it was valid only during the student exchange. If she wanted to extend it as a tourist or even stay, I wouldn't mind. In fact, for the time being, it might be better for Rena to take a vacation or find something that isn't tiring. The previous incident that took away our future child sometimes made Rena shed tears. "How are you doing?" Rena asked again. She continued to fix the toga I was wearing. Even though there was no departmental photo session and it was okay to take off all the graduation gear attached to my body. The weather lately has been in favor of taking off my clothes. "Which job is it?" I moved closer to Rena's side, looking at the photos of the camera she had just taken from the tripod, used earlier to capture moments

"Any hurt?" I asked after finding Rena pinched between the passenger bench and the protective airbag. At least I could still breathe a sigh of relief knowing Rena could still walk out after the collision just now.I saw Satya still on the driver's seat, pressed against the door next to him that was wrenched in. He was unconscious.Maybe someone could say that I was really reckless in crashing the motorcycle into the car carrying Rena, and the four-wheeled vehicle swerved to avoid me. It was partially destroyed by the road divider.Me? Well, I'm fine with a little friction on the skin of my arm from being dragged on the asphalt when I let go of the motorcycle I was riding earlier. After all, the injuries I got before were much more. All of this... is nothing."Ben? How could you...," Rena was holding my waist, more like she was pulling my arm to rest on her shoulder, "you still have to need rest?""Think of yourself, Rena!" I refused, feeling that she was much more in need of help."Me?

A few months in a second-floor room in a Somerville neighborhood, about an hour away from campus by public transportation, was not so foreign to me. It was like sharing a house with strangers without interfering in each other's private affairs.Shared common spaces, with private rooms. Don't forget the private bathroom for me. It's a bit more expensive than the rent for other residents' rooms, but it's better than having to wait in line at a crucial time.This morning I was surprised by the arrival of a thousand white roses, the delivery courier said. It's a good thing they weren't real roses, or I would have acted like I had a cold all day.Who knows about my allergy other than close friends? Uncle Darren has 'almost killed me' many times for giving me real flowers.By the way about Uncle Darren, I offered him to redo our relationship completely from scratch. As a good cousin, not based on desire that I know is hard to resist.Who could resist a Maureen?Okay, call me narcissistic. A

"We need to talk, Uncle." Maureen almost pushed the blanket off her legs when Darren nodded. In his opinion, they needed to settle their dangling relationship outside of the decisions of the people around them. They had the freedom to decide their future regardless of the stigma attached to Maureen snatching Darren. "Yeah, we have to," Darren smiled instantly even though the airline's departure announcement seemed to delay them, "but later. See ya." The man signaled his departure by pointing outside. Of course Maureen clearly knew she had to wait for Darren to meet her. However, the flight--which she had read on the internet--lasting for over eight hours until arriving at the transit airport further strengthened her curiosity. "Shit!" There wasn't the slightest hint of enjoyment in any of the amenities that could divert his curiosity. The airline's signature main course reminded her of eating with Angga even though it was served in small portions. The expensive wine offered by th

"Yes, Grandpa gave me a first class ticket. It's really cool, isn't it?" After going through the check-in section, Maureen dragged her suitcase through the corridor directed by the attendant to be placed on the flight baggage entry rail while continuing her phone call to a friend on the other side. "Not really. I've only ever been on private jets."It wasn't just a different island, but also a different continent. Serena's friend had already left for another country."I and Angga just let it flow. We don't have to get married quickly." Maureen's steps quickened as she looked at the white gold band-like watch around her left wrist. Her departure time was just around the corner. She needed time to relax her waist for a moment."Are you sure he can stay with you so far away?" Serena's question had been a long consideration for Maureen to maintain a relationship with Angga until it needed to be discussed.Angga's time-consuming profession sometimes made Maureen doubt if the man was only o

An impromptu visit that I didn't expect, it turns out Angga told me our wedding date so Matthew and Ben came, of course with their spouses. Maybe they're on vacation?Then the arrival of Darren who followed alone with a line of food service workers was enough to confirm that they intended to hold a small party without the host's permission.I only saw him after changing into a looser floral overalls that allowed me to breathe. The dress was too tight although it still didn't cover my pregnancy at all."You weren't invited, but you came." The satire I said wasn't funny at all, but they still laughed when I returned to the center of the conversation with a bottle of champagne ready to open."Ow! How cruel, Sister." Matthew snatched the fun out of my hands and quipped back, "Alcohol is not for pregnant women.""Damn it!" I cursed in annoyance, only to be met with an instantly infectious laugh.Angga had just followed me to where I was standing. He handed me a glass of avocado juice and a

"Maureen!" I faintly heard Angga calling my name, then it was replaced by the echo of air bubbles in my ears.I thought I could die here or wake up somewhere else. In fact, when I gave up, a stream of water replaced the blast of air on my face.I was still very much conscious, just afraid to open my eyes and face reality. The chill of the early spring air washed over my already wet skin along with the pressure behind my shoulders and behind my knees. It was warm on the right side, but instinct demanded that I find a grip.Angga, who I first saw, was also wet. His slender neck becomes the target of my trembling grip. This time, I'm afraid of being dropped.From this vantage point, his parted lips along with the angular movement of his firm jaw create a charisma of their own. Could Angga possibly hide the cruelest side of a warrior like him?Fool. I should have remembered that everyone has a dark side, a poison from their own life experiences. They only need to choose; oppress or be opp

Maureen demanded an explanation, before we had even had a chance to change?She and I had just arrived in our room, barely stripped to the surface of the fabric that covered the entire bed. Dusty, full of sawdust and mustiness. We should have taken down all the protective covering before attempting to use the room.Yes, almost.Just being alone with her could heat up the temperature around us. It felt like breaking free from all the coverings and letting instinct take over.Then, Maureen's question threw everything off. "So..., did you make a deal with Grandpa?"I was still in front of her, on top of her body while supporting myself using the elbows perched on either side of Maureen, avoiding the pressure on her stomach. Our lower waists were already attached as our legs slipped over each other.Argh! She messed up the appetizer.The look of rejection forced me to roll over to Maureen's left side, following her to gaze at the room's ceiling covered with sheets of bright albasia wood. T

Deciding to get married was not on my life list at all, especially under the age of thirty. What's happening now?Just a few months ago I turned twenty-five and within minutes had signed the marriage certificate. Everything I've been through has been beyond expectations, pregnant and married?Still in my simple wedding dress-just a white lace-covered overalls that didn't hide the size of my belly at all, I noticed Angga's figure when dressed officially like now. A clean-cut face and freshly cut hair refresh Angga's look with a black suit overlaying the white suit inside.Even though it was only a few days ago that I saw his face full of bruises, the main reason I made the choice and said yes, so that he wouldn't have to do such menial work anymore.What was I thinking at the time?"Not like this again!" I shifted the conversation from Angga's request to the cause of the bruises on his face, again he said about marriage.Des he really want to tie me up in a commitment? So what, I can't

I was almost desperate as I repeatedly checked my phone screen, waiting to hear from Maureen's friends about her whereabouts in the last two days. Maureen was unreachable, her phone dead.I don't know how many cans of beer I've consumed since returning home from last night's brutal game. I could have killed someone out of disappointment with myself. I felt like a failure.The phone screen lit up, but it wasn't someone I wanted to call. Maureen's sugardaddy was listed there. I deliberately gave him a name like that, so he'd think twice when he needed help. I still couldn't make peace with the past between them.Just glancing at the message display outside, without opening the messaging app, it was clear that each word indicated the address. No pleasantries or greetings.That's funny. He asked me to come there?A few minutes after putting the empty cans into the trash bag, an incoming call echoing the voice of a prominent rapper distracted me. Darren seemed genuinely intent on asking me

"Aren't you in college or doing something?" Uncle Darren was already babbling this early. Even the sky outside the window when he drew the curtains wasn't fully lit yet even though the alarm clock on the nightstand read seven o'clock. "Really, Rin, I'm confused to see you just lying in your room these days."A few days? I've only had a mattress this soft for two days. The sheets were soft and didn't rub against my skin. This time I can somewhat agree with Angga's previous insinuation about our ... well, lifestyle.The only choice is for me to give in and try to lower my standards, or for him to raise his income. Fix, yeah, I don't want to get married yet.In the last month of living together, I can't keep giving in to the future that Angga offers even though everything can be distracted with sex or Netflix and ignore everything.But, how to talk about it? Our fights would only continue to end with unification. I hated that."Why did you wake me up, Uncle?" I squirmed and kicked off th

I kept my promised."Are you sure you just need a ride here? "I asked Aryo again after we arrived at the parking lot near the entrance to the mall's inner lane. I speculated that they would meet in a public place.If I were Aryo, I would have chosen a private place that could end in warmth. With that, I'm sure the auntie Aryo mentioned wouldn't have a problem. I'm just addicted to Aryo's body."Sir?" Aryo was already preparing to open the car door that was still locked. He said, "Done, just get here."I pressed the unlock button on the right side of my elbow. "I'll pick you up?" Aryo might need a ride, I already miss him again even though we haven't separated yet."Sir Levi, wait at home. I won't run away." He showed me one of the cards I'd given him in his wallet organizer and took a few rupiah bills from my pants pocket. He had memorized the location so well that it wasn't even awkward to hear me moan against his touch. Just smelling his breath, I could already get aroused."Sure, y

"Loudspeaker!" I handed Aryo the cell phone that I had taken because the tone of the call hadn't stopped. Over and over again until it sounded sickening."But-""We have an agreement! Obey!" Without waiting for Aryo to pick it up, I crammed the flat object into his palm that was fused on his lap."O-okay ...." Aryo's voice trembled. Not very manly, even though he has many female clients.What's that term Milly used to say? Like a ladyboy? Aryo is not the type of young man who moves like a womanizer. He's manly, which is why I like him.Wrong? For those out there, there are still many people who think it's wrong for a man to like another man's personality even if it's not a matter of sexual orientation.Maybe they think everything leads to bed, huh?Honestly, I like the way it works that follows the rules of the payer, in this case me. As far as I know, I've never seen Aryo involve his feelings in his work. He's a professional.Including the kiss in the car when Aryo asked me to go home

I almost die of boredom when I wait for someone who is so sick. Charles should have died or been in a coma forever, but instead he woke up. Well, even if he can't speak clearly yet. At least I'm free from the accusation that Milly pushed my eldest brother. "I told you, didn't I?" I rolled up my shirt sleeves after handing the suit to Bulan while responding to Milly's voice on the loudspeaker stuck in my earpiece. "As annoyed as I am with this old man, I'm not going to be like him who can get rid of other people." Obviously, I was speaking in front of Mas Charles, who kept glaring at me in annoyance. Unfortunately, there was nothing else he could do since waking up from the coma. Being in a coma for a few days apparently took away his strength altogether. No punches, no stomps, not even just shouting he could only laugh at me. "You want to wait for me at home? Are you sure? Okay." I turned off the voice call connection and sat on the chair closest to the gurney occupied by Mas Char

"Sir Levi?" he called as he opened the door after a few knocks. He looked surprised. "How come?" This small house-well, the smallest size of the properties my company used to market-didn't take long for the occupants to open the door. "Just a moment." I took off my glasses and hung the folds in my pocket before raising my eyebrows, signaling my desire to enter the house. "Shame, Sir ...." He pushed me back, away from the door that closed behind his back. Nabastala Putra, the real name of a gigolo who claims to be Aryo. More interesting, actually. However, this man who was taller than me by a few inch seemed to investigate our surroundings with an annoyed look. "Just a moment..., just a moment." My forefinger and thumb formed a small pinch in the air. Perhaps pinching the tanned circles on his chest was much more fun than starting a conversation like this. "Guest, Bro?" Another voice asked from the open door behind Aryo. Ah, I'm used to calling him that. Aryo. Similar words of in

"Allevino Wiratama!" The call coming from the corridor made my steps stop. The distinctive feminine voice of the French-born girl, Camille Zoe. I was so surprised that I froze in place, then made sure the buttons on the shirt I was wearing impromptu didn't have the wrong holes. "I'm dead!" My lips clamped shut as the words came out. "Are you crazy, leaving me behind just for a guy?" Her foreign accent was still very noticeable. I turned around to face her figure who was walking quickly closer. I grabbed her fingers and showed her the shiny object wrapped around her ring finger while forcing a smile. "The important thing is that you got the ring!" Our agreement when we met in her home country was about the concept of sexual freedom. We could get married, but there were no restrictions on dating as long as she and I were honest with each other. Maybe sharing a partner is included? I don't know, I haven't tried that yet. She needs an excuse and the money to travel, I need a wife-to-

"You still like the old days?" I asked after releasing the rough tug on the lips in front of me. He always had a sweet taste, especially when his tongue twisted around, taking turns sucking saliva into my oral cavity.Never got tired of kissing him, again and again, after a long absence. How long has it been? Maybe a year?"Engh... no, Sir." His answer sounded hoarse, more like a whimper as I gripped the evidence of his erection from outside his pants.He still uses the same nickname for me. Yet earlier outside this room we had only shared gestures before separating ourselves from the engagement party outside, then removing all masks of falsehood after the door was locked from the inside.I took off his suit, shirt, and the last of his belt and trousers. He... didn't struggle like most women who pretend to resist and then weaken under the erotic mix.Obviously, the figure before me is clearly a man. He was mature and had a body that was well-proportioned among metrosexuals. His muscle