Eps. 8 – Cranky Like A Baby

(Kayshila)

          I staggered into the office building. Even though it's been fifteen minutes, I sat quietly in the car because soon a big meeting was about to start. My client is Laksana Davendra Ishan. Usually, Mrs. Sarah only attends the first and last meetings because I handle the arrangements and subsequent work. My heart skipped a beat when my phone screen rang.

        ishan

        That's just the name. I typed hastily without capital letters.

         "Hello." greets me.

          "Where are you? I haven't seen you in the meeting room yet." he asked in a whisper.

          "I'll be up in a minute."

          That's why my steps are wobbly. Why am I dealing with him? It's no problem if I know him outside the office. I don't like popularity. I must have thought the whole office would be talking about me. I just came in from my extensive leave and had been talking about having a relationship with Ishan.

          38th floor.

          I walk fast. I headed into my small room, put down my bag, grabbed my laptop, and walked briskly towards a transparent glass room. Where thick glass limits the other rooms, were already people gathered. There are several people that Ishan brought. My hands are cold, and my legs are weak. Not because I haven't had breakfast. But I feel this feeling is strange. I always have bad days. Maybe it's not as bad as my previous life. So I told myself. Ishan doesn't even look at me at all. He thoughtfully stared intently at one of the people who was presenting in front. The meeting went on for a long time. It was almost 13.00 WIB.

          I'm busy taking notes and typing by request from my client, Ishan. When he talks to me to give many requests, he often looks at me. Seriously, of course. After he turned his eyes away from looking at me, I could see his crooked smile creeping out. I don't know if he was amused to see my face or what.

          "Okay, the meeting is over. Mr. Daven has asked for anything for his needs. Later our team will carry out the execution." said one of the staff Ishan brought. Coincidentally sat next to Ishan. There were probably five people Ishan brought to my office.

          "Yes, Sir. I hope all goes well." please Mrs. Sarah while closing her notebook.

          Everyone swiftly left the room while I headed for the canteen with my friends.

          "I really want to know how you met each other?" asked Ingrid, a relatively short, well-built woman and one who is straightforward.

          Some of my other friends did not comment. Maybe it was because they weren't feeling well. I was in and out of the hospital because of attempted suicide and my slump in love affairs.

          "I just want to know, honestly." continued Inggrid, unyielding. He put his tray of food in front of me.

          "One month ago I killed myself." I tell them.

          "Eh? Agaiin????" Inggrid glared at me.

          "How come?" Lashira, the shady-faced woman, was surprised. She stopped chewing her food. "I think you applied for the leave to calm your mind from the things that burden you."

          "Yes. I thought you were going on vacation." Ingrid nodded.

          I even shook my head.

          "I'm not on vacation. My sister-in-law is heavily pregnant." I told them the reason. That's not the reason, however. Wherever I go on vacation, I will remember the memory of Edric.

          "Thank goodness you're still alive." Darmayanti, the oldest woman among us. Wise but looking sarcastic, he still grabbed his geprek chicken.

          "And I'm still alive. Unfortunately, I got shot." I showed them the position of the gunshot wound around my stomach while sipping my iced tea and snacks. "Ishan was also shot."

          "Nah! Yes, I read the news on social media!" Lashira said.

          "Who shot you both?" asked Inggrid curiously.

          I told them everything that happened. From when I realized two police officers approached me for questioning, then until I went to the police station, recognized as Ishan’s fiancée, I fainted—just that part.

          "Ooooohhhh, I see." said Inggrid and Lashira at the same time.

          "Is that Davendra often stealing glances at you is the part that you didn't tell?" asked Darmayanti. Look elsewhere.

          "What do you mean?" I asked again. Frowned.

          "Well, for the past two days, Davendra has eaten at the canteen with Mr Dewa. There." Darmayanti pointed at two o'clock from my direction, which was about three meters away. "I have seen several times, Davendra always steals glances this way. Incidentally, your sitting position from yesterday hasn't changed. Stay here."

          The one who could see Davendra was Darmayanti, while I had my back to Ishan. That is Darmayanti's analysis.

          "Oooooohhhhh, I see." Inggrid and Lashira laughed together.

- Ishan 16.00 WIB

Citra, what time are you going home?

- KCK 16.12

half past 6

- ishan 16.12

From the office, where after?

- KCK 16.18

Back to the apartment

-ishan 16.18

Want to have dinner with me?

-ishan 16.45

Citra?

-ishan 16.56

Citra?

Citra?

          The incline to the parking lot in the apartment is a bit steep. So I hit the gas with all my might. As I parked the car, I remembered that I had to buy some necessities to fill my fridge. Since I applied for leave, my money was running low because I didn't receive any salary at all. I was in the supermarket long enough to think about what I wanted to cook my dinner. I bought quite a lot. My walk is a bit slow. Plus, the supermarket in this apartment is four towers away. It must have had an effect on the stitches on my stomach.

          "Citra." Ishan called me. He sat on the floor near my apartment door.

          "Ishan, what are you doing here?" I am shocked. I must have been so confused that my brow furrowed.

          Ishan's face was red. He took off his coat, looking hot. I immediately pressed a few buttons on the door to open the door. One of my groceries was held by Ishan. When the door opened, he sat on the big sofa in front of the TV, moved to the small couch near the balcony, and opened the balcony door wide.

          "Have you eaten yet?" I asked. No answer. "I have not eaten." No answer. I let it go and got busy cooking. Ishan looks busy changing TV channels while I cook. It was as if he had often come to my apartment. I didn't speak to him for an hour. When all the food was ready, I called out to him from the small table near the balcony. Ishan did not return my calls at all.

I finally got up from my seat and walked over to him.

"Ishan! What's wrong with you? I called you earlier but you didn't answer." I'm annoyed.

Ishan saw me. Her face started to turn red again. I followed him to a small table. I don't have a dining table unless there are guests; I always put my food on the table near the balcony. I used to eat alone in the pantry. In the pantry, there are only two unique short chairs.

Meanwhile, the small table near the balcony, where I first ate with Ishan, was only used to work on other days. Sometimes I put many snacks on it when I'm lazing around while reading a book. Underneath, I covered the floor with a thick furry carpet for comfort.

          Ishan eats silently. Eat it voraciously.

"What's your problem, Ishan?" I asked while eating.

Ishan looked at me.

"Problem with you." Finally, he spoke too.

"What did I do wrong?" I asked again. Confused.

This guy is weird.

"You don't know what you did to me?" He even asked.

"What are you doing? Why are you even asking? I don't know what I did wrong, until you have a problem with me."

No more answers.

"Go home right away after eating." I said coldly. Annoyed. I was wrong. When I got home from the supermarket, I should have kicked him out.

"Okay." the answer is short. Not long after, Ishan came home. Without saying anything.

He had already finished eating.

I'm a little annoyed with his character just now. The thing is, I'm in a good mood. I grabbed my phone in my bag and charged it. After that, I take a shower. After bathing, I did the women's ritual in general. Use body lotion and skincare on my face. Then I grabbed the phone that I was charging earlier.

There are so many messages from the provider telling me a number has called me several times. Fifteen times? And incoming chat messages.

ishan 17.20

Citra- are you home yet?

17.31

Image?

17.54

Citra, I like a wolf

17.59

Let me know

19.20

Citra- me in front of your apartment

I read all chats from Ishan. I think I know why Ishan is acting strangely like that to me. I do not care. I put my phone away from my bed and continued to charge it. Then sleep.

***