30 DAYS WITH U
26. BE MY TRUE LOVER 6

“Where to, Brother?” holly and Nuri shouted that saw Keila walking away from the company building at lunchtime.

“There is something I have to take care of, so I can't come to eat with you guys,” Keila replied as she glanced at the message that went into her phone. Shit, Andra called me. It means he's waiting for me.

“Who called you, Brother Key?” asked Nuri who was curious about Keila's vibrating phone. 

“I'm sorry. But this is something urgent, I have to go.” Keila checked her phone and saw incoming messages and incoming calls from Andra. “Tomorrow, I must have lunch with you guys.” 

Keila then turned around and immediately walked quickly towards the place where Andra was currently waiting for her. In the same location where he got off Andra's car, Keila saw Andra's black Pajero pulled over. After turning her head to the right and left and making sure no co-workers saw her, Keila then opened the door of Andra's car and got inside. 

“Why go to and fro?” Andra asked as soon as she saw Keila get into her car. 

“Have not asked much. Quickly step on the gas pedal of this car and quickly go where you want to eat!” said Keila while installing the seatbelt. 

Without asking much, Andra then stepped on the gas pedal of his car and began driving his car carrying Keila to the food he wanted to go with Keila. After a five-minute drive, Keila and Andra then arrived at a small restaurant on the outskirts of the alley.

“You don't mind eating in this place?” ask Andra before turning off the engine. 

“Why not?” Keila turned around asking while looking at the small restaurant on the outskirts of the alley. “If the food is good, any place I won't be a problem.” 

“Good then.” Andra turned off the engine and then got out of the car followed by Keila. 

As usual, Andra would hold Keila's hand and lead her along. Without asking, without giving any cue, Andra would clasped his hands as if it was something natural, as if it was something he should do. At first Keila tried to get her hands off Andra's, but as time went on Keila got tired of arguing with Andra and finally let it become a habit. 

The restaurant chosen by Andra is an old restaurant with a distinctive smell of home cooking. 

“Welcome.” 

A mother whose age may be the same age as Keila's mother appears and greets Keila and Andra. 

“Auntie, I'm coming,” Andra replied with a smile on her lips. 

“For a long time no see Nak Andra. It's been a month, you didn't come here to eat here.” 

The mother called Aunt by Andra then patted Andra on the shoulder like her own niece. 

“Yes, Aunty. This month, I've got some important business I can't afford to put off. So I can't come visit and eat here, Bibi.” 

A month? It just so happens that with a month where Andra always spends her time eating with me. What does Andra mean by this month? Keila spoke in her own mind to see Andra and Aunt greeting each other. 

“Who's this, Son Andra?” Aunty glanced towards Keila whose hand was grasped by Andra. 

Damnit. Don't tell me he'll call me 'the 'th

“My love. Name's Keila. I deliberately brought her here to introduce her to Aunty.” Andra answered Bibi's question with a smile on her face as if innocent introducing Keila as her “lover” without Andra's consent. 

As expected, his mouth was really annoying. Always arbitrarily alone gave me the status of “Kekasih” without my consent. An irritated Keila could only vent her sense of regret in her own heart with a smile on her lips. But this time, Keila did not want to let this continue. Keila felt she had to clarify that she was not Andra's lover. 

“Okay, Son Andra. Your girlfriend is beautiful.” Aunt praised Keila's beauty. 

Seeing the opportunity, Keila then opened her mouth to clarify that she was not Andra's lover. “Ah, Aunt. I am only a friend of Andra and not the “th 

“Not really, Auntie? Keila is beautiful, that's why I chose her to be my lover.” 

Andra cut off Keila's words quickly along with letting go of the grip on Keila's hand and moved to Aunt's side to praise Keila's beauty. 

Damnit. Keila cursed in his mind. 

“Already. . . already,” said Bibi with a smile on her lips while hitting Andra's shoulder. “Don't let your lover wait any longer to eat.” 

“Something that is not so heavy. Is there any other menu besides rice? After this, I had to read a lot of new novels that came in line.” 

Andra nodded her head understandingly and then turned her gaze towards Auntie. “I order menu usually only, Bi. And for my beautiful lover, Auntie can make her Auntie spicy noodles. My girlfriend really likes spicy food.” 

“Alright then. You guys sit down and Auntie will make it as fast as lightning.” 

Andra then invited Keila to sit in a chair usually sitting – on the side of the window facing the street. 

“I'm surprised you know a fringe place like this,” comments Keila looking out the window where people are walking past the diner. 

“This is my subscription restaurant since school. I'm at school near here. The owner of this diner that I called Auntie, was an acquaintance of my mother. So Aunt already thinks of me as her own son.” 

Keila nodded her head understanding. “Ah, that's why you're close to Auntie? Apparently you guys have known each other for a long time.” 

“Yes. I used to eat here after school. Then because I had to study abroad, I had not visited this restaurant for several years and after returning, I diligently visited the restaurant.” 

“You studied abroad?” Keila was shocked to hear the story of Andra's life. 

“Ya.” 

“Wah I never thought you were great too,” praise Keila. “Then why not work there and just come back here?” 

“Ehm, there's something I have to do here. That's why I came back here and chose to work here.” 

Keila was about to ask further, but her intention was stopped when the food ordered by Andra came. Because of the limited hours of rest, Keila inevitably had to postpone her intention and chose to eat her lunch immediately. During the meal, silence returned between Keila and Andra. There was only the sound of Aunt's cookware and the sound of people talking as they passed through Aunt's humble restaurant. 

Fifteen minutes later, Keila and Andra finished eating and then immediately said goodbye to Auntie. 

“Lain times come again.” Aunt clasped Keila's hand with a smile on her lips. Auntie then gestured to Keila to bring her ears closer. The aunt then whispered to Keila. “I'm so glad Andra got a beautiful lover like Keila. This was the first time Andra had brought a girl here. Andra must really like you, Keila.” 

Hearing Aunt's remark, Keila immediately glanced towards Andra and caught a smile on Andra's lips. Keila realized something had changed in Andra's smile. Since when? Since when did his smile turn out to be like this? His face was no longer as cold as when he first met. The cold smile she had always displayed now turned into a warm smile. Since when has Andra changed? 

Keila smiled towards Aunt and replied to Auntie's whisper. “Is that what Aunty saw?” 

“Yes, that's what Aunty saw from Andra's eyes and face at the moment.”

After saying goodbye to Bibi, Andra then drove Keila back to her company building. In the middle of the road, Andra accidentally stopped by to buy some iced coffee glasses. Keila thought the iced coffee Andra bought was for Andra and Andra's co-workers. But Keila's guess was wrong. 

“This.”

Andra suddenly thrust a package containing several glasses of iced coffee to Keila who was about to get down from Andra's car. 

“Forku?” Keila did not think that Andra had accidentally stopped by to buy ice coffee for her. 

“Yes, for whom else. One for you and the rest you can give to your colleagues.” Andra replied with a smile on her lips. 

Keila accepted Andra's gift and then turned her countenance serious. “Actually I have something to tell you. I was going to say this when you picked me up, but I don't seem to be putting this off anymore. I have to say it right now.” 

“What is it?” Andra asked still with a smile on her face. 

Seeing the smile on Andra's face that looked happy, for a moment Keila felt unbearable. But what Keila was currently about to say was something important, which she had to do right now before it was too late. 

“I think I can continue to receive this kindness of yours: dropping me off and picking me up, eating together and spending time together. But I don't think I can let this continue any longer, Andra. You continue to cross the line, continue to introduce me to your people as your lover without my permission. Have you not thought about my position at all?” Keila who had been enduring her grief for this month, finally spilled all her feelings towards Andra. “Today, my co-worker saw me get off your car. After that incident, I still felt like I didn't want to have a relationship. I was afraid that the relationship I had would eventually end and endanger my close ones again. I don't want to be the subject of people anymore either. So. . I beg you, Andra. From the day on stop being nice to me. Stop chasing me from today. Stop giving me status as ‘yourlover’ without my permission.” 

Andra was speechless hearing Keila's outpouring of heart that she had been holding for this month. While Keila who saw the reaction of Andra who was just silent, then chose to leave and leave Andra just like that. Keila got off Andra's car while carrying a pack of iced coffee that Andra had bought for her.