Beautiful Monster
Out of Town

...Rajendra ⁇ ◝ ⁇ ◜...

| Looks like tomorrow I'm not going to school

^^^Why suddenly? |^^^

| There was my brother outside the city who died

^^^Tomorrow no weight lessons? |^^^

^^^You do not have a test? |^^^

| I don't think anything is heavy

| Only physics and mathematics interest

^^^Oh physics, your favorite |^^^

| Yes right

| But tomorrow I still don't go in

So tomorrow Ignacia can't see Rajendra anymore? Hah, even though he thought he could meet his favorite man. Since watching a music show at a culinary event at that time, Rajendra was busy taking care of things without saying anything to Ignacia.

Ignacia missed him a bit.

"Where is Dad going?"

Ignacia saw that her father was ready with a jacket as if he was going somewhere. It just so happened that Ignacia's father and mother took a leave of absence because there was an event at Arvin's school this afternoon. So at night, it's still at home. My mom and dad just got back from buying food outside.

Why are you going out again now?

"Something's wrong with your bike, Ignacia. I'll check in the workshop." The father's reply, who hurriedly grabbed the key behind the door and stepped out, certainly made Ignacia rise from her seat.

Ignacia even almost spilled the snack she was holding while receiving a message from Rajendra earlier.

"Then what am I going to do tomorrow?" Ignacia did not have time to ask, her father had already left first. Maybe his father was in a hurry to finish.

His father left immediately after dinner, his mother said. Hah, a father does have to be so even though he just felt full?

Ignacia sat back on the sofa, eating snacks while waiting for her father to return. Hopefully the bike is fine and can still be used tomorrow. Because if he doesn't, how can he go and go home from school?

"Ignacia, can you help me for a second?" Call from the kitchen.

Ignacia got up with heavy steps after tightly closing her snack. He saw the mama who was busy slicing meat and put it in a skillet with spices that already smelled good.

"Please mix these meats with the seasoning. Mama's still gonna slice up the other meat."

Ignacia said nothing, she immediately did as her mother asked without protest. He was busy thinking about whether his motorcycle was okay or not. The school was on his bike.

"How's Rajendra doing?" Mother asked. Put some meat back into the pan.

"Tomorrow he won't go to school. There's a brother who died and had to come."

"Oh really? You won't see it tomorrow. Just like when she was sick that day."

"Yes right. What happened to my motorcycle? He said there was a problem."

"There's something wrong with the wheel. Dad said it might leak and the rear tire should be replaced immediately."

Hopefully it doesn't take long. Tomorrow Ignacia cannot be picked up by her parents. Both of his parents had to go to work a few minutes after Ignacia's return home. Then his father would go around in circles after picking up Ignacia.

...*****...

"Later if you can, I'll pick you up. Dad came home first. Have a good school" said his father before turning his motorcycle back to a crowded street. Ignacia breathed a deep breath before she began to step inside her school.

His motorcycle will pass a check in the workshop. Maybe later this afternoon can be taken. Yesterday too my father arrived almost too late. The nearest workshop will close early because the owner has an event. So his motorcycle stayed overnight and started in the process this morning.

Very amusing. Ignacia is confused who will go home with.

Arriving in class, Ignacia has no passion for getting through the day. Rajendra wasn't there. Who can you see outside of class? Now only Nesya can make him feel better.

At her desk, Ignacia simply put her head on the table, dressed in her school bag.

"I didn't see your bike in the parking lot" Nesya's voice roused Ignacia. Making the girl without the hair tie improves her sitting position. The direction of his eyes followed Nesya's footsteps who then sat beside her.

"My bike needs to be fixed. The afternoon is just over. So you drove me around."

"really? Then how will you go home? Your dad's gonna pick you up?"

"Eitherway. He said if I had time, I'd be picked up."

"If not, I'll take you home. You used to drive me home. I'll do the same."

Nesya gave her friendly smile to the friend who was less excited.

"thank you. May you not be troubled because of me."

Ignacia saw Nesya's reaction which had no objection at all. He said instead he was happy to be able to repay the kindness of Ignacia who had gone all the way to bring him home. It was also fun to go home together.

"If we don't move, if you don't move, Ignacia. Maybe we'll go home and go to school together every day. Play, do chores together."

Ignacia recalled the sentence Nesya had said when she brought the friend to her house. Ignacia's thinking about it again now.

Ignacia checks her phone at random. See if Rajendra sends a message. From last night Ignacia didn't open her phone. Rajendra went to bed early to wake up early. There is no reason for Ignacia to open her phone if Rajendra is not online.

...Rajendra ⁇ ◝ ⁇ ◜...

| Today I woke up very early

Oh there was a message that came about two hours ago. Rajendra must be very far from the city. Where's he been? Is he enjoying the natural scenery around?

...Rajendra ⁇ ◝ ⁇ ◜...

^^^Wah surely you have been very far |^^^

^^^ When are you going home? |^^^

Ignacia puts her phone on the table, choosing to ignore a phone that won't carry any messages from Rajendra. He prefers to enjoy his time without a cell phone. It might even be possible that he opened the phone just to see if there was anything important in his message.

"Ignacia, you know, looks like there's going to be a lot of novels released this December. I got a lot of information that there are some writers who will release their latest novel later this year." Nesya showed her phone screen, there were several lists of books to be released soon.

"certain. But why not just go with Rajendra? You may need a first date before you get busy with all the exams next year."

Also true. Nesya never knew if she and Rajendra actually often went both quietly. Ignacia never discussed it with anyone. Only Mama and Athira knew. Her desire to go on a date has quietly worked so far.

For the past year, no one knew.

"I'll think about it."

...*****...

Ignacia's parents couldn't pick her up. His biggest disappointment when leaving with his father came as expected.

The bike is already home, but it might come here alone. The girl also no longer wished for Nesya. His best friend had to come to an important organization meeting after school.

Ignacia sat in front of her school, not knowing how to go home. He could not order an online motorcycle taxi because his phone memory ran out and the friends who had the app had gone home. Be Ignacia consider having to go home on foot or fly only.

"Well if Rajendra went to school today. Maybe I can be sent home by her."

Ignacia leaned against the school gate, looking up at the overcast sky that had accompanied her since thirty minutes ago. He was really confused now. Between confusion, panic, and being upset into one.

No public transportation is passing there at this hour. No friend is a neighbor either. The school is getting quieter. Even the security guard at the front asked when Ignacia would be picked up.

From inside the bag, Ignacia could feel her phone ringing. Who's gonna call at this hour? Athira alone may not know if her brother can't go home. Father and mother? they've gone to work. Rajendra's? Where could the man have contacted.

Bahri

The name is on the screen of Ignacia's phone. Make voice calls. With hesitation, Ignacia shifted the green button on the screen, bringing it closer to the right ear.

"Why call me? Your boyfriend will be mad at me."

"Hey I'm in your town. I'll be here for two days because my school is off. I intentionally want to play here. Where are you? Want to drop something? I'm on the road right now."

How fortuitous.

"Where are you? Can you pick me up? I was in front of the school. No one's picking me up." Ignacia doesn't expect much, but hopefully Bahri will pick her up.

"alright. Stay there. I'll be there."

Call ended. Ignacia rounded her eyes in disbelief. His old friend who had to move house this far away returned to the city by a very coincidence. Even Bahri can come to pick him up here.

About ten minutes later Bahri came with his face still exactly the same. For three years they had not met. Messaging is very rare. Ignacia is afraid that Rajendra will be angry while Bahri himself already has a lover overseas.

Ignacia got up and approached Bahri who was ready to thrust a helmet as if he had planned this beforehand. "This is my helmet. How'd you get it?"

"I was in the minimarket in front of the housing when calling earlier. I stayed at my old neighbor's house in your house and stopped by to pick up your helmet from Athira. Lucky he still remembers me."

Ignacia put on her helmet and sat in the back seat. This isn't the first time he's been hit by Bahri. No awkwardness or anything. Is it because the two have been close before? A familiar friendship.

"What if I buy Thai Tea for a while? You still like that drink? You told me before."

Ignacia stared in disbelief at this man before her. How could Bahri remember the drink Ignacia liked for so long?

"If you buy it for you, I don't care" Ignacia said half-jokingly. It is assumed that Bahri will not buy him Thai Tea like the past.

"certain. I saved up enough to get here. So you want to? We'll stop by for a minute."

...*****...

"Here," Bahri came out with two Thai Teas, thrusting them both at Ignacia. "both for you. If Athira wants to, just share it with her."

There's something really strange about this guy. Her boyfriend might be depressed if he sees Bahri so good to his old friend. Hopefully the girl is not disappointed with the friendship between Bahri and him.

"thank you. I was just kidding."

"No problem. Now let me take you home. Where's your boyfriend going?" Bahri asked while wearing her helmet properly. "Why doesn't he just take you home? Is he with the OSIS organization or something?"

"Rajendra is not in school today. His brother died, so he had to go out of town."

"Oh that? I bought you a drink and drove you home won't make you mad, will I? He looks so scary when he's angry. Like when I bought you Thai Tea for the first time. He's angry at us. The atmosphere felt bad because of his arrival."

Ignacia smiled wryly. Due to his immature attitude that night, Rajendra so the day comes and meets Ignacia who is enjoying time with her friends. Rajendra does not look to hate Bahri, but Ignacia knows very well if there is discomfort around him.

"I'm not gonna tell him about this. By the way I'll change your money for Thai Teanya."

Bahri who was about to ride a motorcycle stopped his activities, staring intently at Ignacia who was reaching into the uniform pocket.

"I bought you my savings, why did you have to replace it? I haven't seen you in a long time. Let's just say it's a gift because I'm back here."

"By what? You bought this Thai Tea in my town."

Bahri resumed the activity of riding on his motorbike while chuckling. Showing a sinless face that looks ridiculous.

"Let's go up quickly. I heard your parents came in the afternoon. So you better not wait too long. You should take a shower too."

...*****...

Arriving home, Ignacia continues to say thank you until Bahri gets tired of hearing it. After Bahri left, Ignacia stepped into the house. Athira was sitting on the terrace stairs. Obviously if he must have seen Bahri who drove him home earlier.

"Look at what I brought."

Ignacia raised her right hand, showing the two large Thai Teas Bahri had given her. But the souvenirs brought by his brother were not able to change the water of Athira's face.

"Sister will get in big trouble if Kak Rajendra knows brother is ushered home by Kak Bahri. Big brother isn't afraid of having a big fight again? You guys used to fight a lot because of other men."

Athira nagging. She felt annoyed but also could not scold her brother too much.

She just doesn't like it if her sister gets into a fight with her lover. Athira did not like to see her brother cry just because of the men again. It was enough of her former sister that made Ignacia both confused and sad. If Rajendra could only get angry at Ignacia, Athira would fight him. No matter what.

"Then let not Rajendra know," cf. Ignacia resigned. "My act was wrong for asking another man to pick me up. But if Bahri hadn't delivered me, maybe now I'd still be on my way home with all my leg strength."

"Thai Tea that?"

"Bahri just gave it to me."

"What do you really think?"

"I'll take care of myself, Athira."