Chapter 4

A spoon tapping gently on the plate’s surface distracted Lizzy from enjoying her breakfast. She turned her gaze to the source of the voice that was right in front of her. Rakia looked glum with a lackluster gesture and just made that noise.

“Eat it, Kia,” said Lizzy. Rakia reprimanded, only sighed. A week after the celebration of burning the wedding dress, Rakia entered a confused phase. As a result, it affected all her activities, including her appetite. Lizzy is worried about her best friend’s condition because Rakia has had stomach ulcers since high school.

“Later, your ulcer will relapse. Do you want to go to the hospital? It’s not good to eat; it’s not good to sleep?” Lizzy threatens so that Rakia will eat properly. She understands that Rakia’s situation is one of the most challenging things in a woman’s world. When her heart is hurt deep enough, it will directly affect all aspects of her life.

“It’s also like being in a hospital; it’s not good to eat, it’s not good to sleep,” said Rakia Lizzy with a sigh.

“If you are sick because you tortured yourself, come on, don’t punish yourself because of this incident.” Lizzy tried to motivate her even though she knew it wouldn’t have much effect on Rakia. Her parting with Ben hit her hard; she had not finished grieving about her lost job, and now she has to be hit by another bitter reality. Like sprinkling salt on a wound, the pain multiplies.

“I don’t know, Liz,” Rakia said. Then she tried to enjoy her breakfast and only finished half the chicken porridge. Lizzy smiled. At least there was progress regarding portions from the last few days.

“Going somewhere?” Lizzy offered; she tried to be someone always there for Rakia at times like this; as a friend, she couldn’t bear to see Rakia go through this alone.

“Where to?” asked Rakia, staring at Lizzy flatly.

“Do you want us to go cycling? While tomorrow is a car-free day.” Lizzy smiled enthusiastically. Rakia thought for a moment, then nodded even though she was a little reluctant with that plan, but she knew that it was a form of Lizzy’s attention to her. Rakia also knew how hard Lizzy was trying to cheer her up and calm her down so Rakia wouldn’t go out of her way even though the desire was always there. Still, Lizzy was more or less able to be there as the person she needed.

At night, Rakia got a call from her mother, and she told her what had happened by trying to sound harsh, but in the end, she faltered.

“Oh dear, you must be very lonely. How about you come here and cheer yourself up? Pedro will be very pleased with your arrival.” The mother offers exciting things.

“I’ll think about it, Mom, but that sounds fun. It’s been a long time since I’ve visited Mama and Pedro,” Rakia said. Her mother and father divorced when she had just finished her bachelor’s degree program. As an only child, she felt the physical burden of his parent’s decision. However, after custody fell to his mother, Rakia began to get used to it and accept reality. However, that doesn’t mean that she completely lost the figure of a father; the communication he built with his father was still excellent, so he began to be able to live and accept reality.

“Have you told your father about this?” The mother reminded. Rakia looked down, sad. She didn’t want to give this bad news to a man who unconditionally loved her.

“Not yet, I’ll tell you later,” Rakia said honestly.

“Stay strong and consider Mama’s offer; you need a pleasant place to heal your wounds.”

The mother’s words made feelings of emotion rise to the surface, so Rakia started crying again. She also misses the figure of a woman who has loved him unconditionally. Rakia couldn’t hate her parents for the divorce because it was none of her business. As she grew older, she began to understand that sometimes there are things she can’t force in life; they will worsen things if forced.

“Yeah, I’ll think about it; I love Mom,” Rakia said, trying not to sound so loud crying.

“Mama loves you more; rest; tell Mom whenever you are ready to come here.”

Rakia nodded even though her mother didn’t see her.

“Yes, for sure.”

They said their goodbyes before ending the conversation. Rakia sighed, then wiped the tears off her face and lay down. She stared at the white ceiling of the room without any decoration.

She grabbed the bolster pillow on her left side and hugged her with her body, which she tilted to the right. And for the first time, she fell asleep faster than usual; she gave up on that drowsiness.

Two women rode their bicycles at average speed past early joggers and cyclists like them. Rakia enjoys this morning’s cycling activity, watching people through the black aviator glasses she wears to block the dazzling sun. She and Lizzy cycled quite a distance, which gave Rakia plenty of time to cool off. They also chose monas as their final stop.

Rakia also made light stretching movements by getting off the bicycle and lowering the bicycle support so it was parked perfectly. The sound of a fountain in a nearby pond added a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Lizzy chose to sit by the pool and drink from a plastic bottle she had brought. People throng this place on weekends; Rakia removed her aviator glasses and let them hang around her neck. Her jersey shirt began to leave traces of sweat on it. Rakia removed her cycling helmet and joined Lizzy, having previously taken a water bottle pinned to one of her bike’s frames at the bottom.

“Kia, let’s see.” Lizzy motioned for Rakia to follow her gaze. Rakia also obeyed and looked in the same direction as Lizzy at this time. And suddenly, She was stunned.

“What’s the matter? See the ghost again?” Lizzy was confused and surprised at the same time.

“That’s the guy I told you about the other day when we went to have lunch at that restaurant,” Rakia said, answering Lizzy’s curiosity.

“Wow... he’s so hot,” commented Lizzy with her gaze that didn’t move in any other direction except to the man who was currently talking to a woman who seemed to be a reporter.

“Look at that reporter, you can’t even blink like that,” commented Rakia, who commented on the female reporter who interviewed the man.

“He must be someone important,” Lizzy guessed.

“Not all those interviewed were important people; it could be ordinary people; maybe the reporter chose that guy because he was handsome,” said Rakia.

“But his style is too flashy to be called a commoner.” Lizzy was not to be outdone. Rakia took a big gulp of her drinking water.

“Most of all because of his striking physique,” said Rakia. When the man positioned his body facing towards where Rakia and Lizzy were, his gaze immediately fixed on Rakia. Rakia suddenly realized that and hastily looked the other way. Lizzy realized what was going on and looked at Rakia, confused.

“I think he remembers you,” Lizzy guessed again.

“What a fool you are; people who just meet occasionally immediately remember.” Rakia dismissed Lizzy’s guess.

“Yes, who knows, first love first sight like that.”

“Well, that’s even crazier. Let’s go home this afternoon.” Rakia immediately took preventive steps to avoid things she didn’t want. Still, when she was on her bicycle and getting ready to leave, the man she didn’t want to meet tripped over the steering wheel of her bike by grabbing her. Rakia was surprised with wide eyes. She shifted her gaze to the hand’s owner, and her green eyes met the man’s black eyes. Rakia felt that at that moment, she was transfixed and let the man see to the bottom of her soul.

“Hey, we meet again,” the man greeted and smiled. Rakia, suddenly nervous, immediately tried to calm herself down and returned his greeting.

“Oh, yes, hi. We’ll meet again,” Rakia said a little awkwardly. The man laughed at Rakia’s awkwardness; to him, it was adorable.

“Already want to go home?” asked the man.

“Yeah, I was just about to go home,” Rakia answered, still awkwardly.

“Oh yes, introduce.” Rakia turned towards Lizzy, who was behind her.

“This is my best friend, Lizzy,” continued Rakia while Lizzy showed off her best smile. The man just smiled politely and then looked back at Rakia.

“Why did you pretend you didn’t see me?

Rakia snorted in her mind.

“Oh, am I? I don’t.” Rakia just answered casually; Lizzy was already giggling in the back. Someone’s voice called the man.

“Ash! Let’s go home!” take someone who goes with the guy.

“Oh, God, I also have to go home. See you,” said Rakia, who immediately stepped on the pedal and made the man inevitably step aside and stare at Rakia’s departure with a small smile.

“Who’s she?” asked a man who approached Dashtan a few seconds later. Dashtan turned to his little cousin and said, “No one but she is attractive. Go home now?” He also embraced his cousin and left the monas.