Beautiful Monster
Peak Nights

"What trick? You guys were dating when I called? Sorry if I interrupted your date."

Kemala had clearly known about the rumors that Ignacia and Rajendra were dating at home. That's a more plausible reason why Ignacia can pick up Kemala's call on her lover's phone.

"No, I'm not dating. I went with Nesya to buy prep stuff before college. I met Rajendra after you called, Kemala."

Kemala nodded his head in understanding, undoing his intention to ask further. The girl lay herself on a soft carpet her friends held on the grass. This place rented Rananta for a full day for the other nine friends to relax.

Utari and Maharani were sitting near the lake in that place while watching Widia and Hanasta. The two girls were walking on the dock as if they wanted to try a small boat there but did not dare. Just pushing each other slowly to ask permission to use the boat.

"We are not allowed to use this because the boat has not been refurbished" Rananta said as he approached the two. Both were taken to another place to take photos.

Then in a tree house near Ignacia sat down, Aruna and Dianti were busy taking pictures. Both are like sister if they are united. Helping each other capture moments and point of view.

And do not forget Indri who is now walking near the place of Ignacia and Kemala. "Toilet's great. I'm glad this place was rented just for us." Indri sat next to Ignacia after commenting on the toilet she used a while ago.

"Indri, can you take me to the toilet? I don't want to go alone" Kemala asked for help. He rose up later with Indri leaving Ignacia alone. Though Indri had just sat down when Kemala invited him. Without much protest, Indri agreed.

"Ignacia," called Aruna from the top of the tree house, "can I ask you for a moment?" Ignacia already knew even before Aruna and Dianti said their purpose. Must be some help taking pictures.

Once you get to the top, the view is wider. The other side of the lake was clearer and the surrounding trees seemed to shorten. It is fitting that Aruna and Dianti do not go down and choose to stay longer. Another reason as lazy up and down stairs as it seems.

Ignacia is not good at taking photos, but Aruna says if she can just take pictures and later the results will be considered. "Take as many photos as you can, Ignacia. But don't be so bad."

"Friends, let's take a photo with a polaroid camera," Rananta made the announcement as he walked closer to the picnic spot, "we'll make a lot of photos and share each one. Let's do as much as possible!" He looks very excited.

Kemala and Indri have not come, so wait for them first before starting to take pictures.

While waiting, Ignacia glazed over the background of her phone to make sure it wasn't bad. And then, a message came in. From Athira. Suddenly he asked Ignacia to go home as soon as the activities with her friends were over. It's not usually Athira like this.

"Then, Indri, let's take a picture together!" Rananta shouted out. His right hand held up his polaroid camera high to the two approaching friends. Kemala took Indri to come soon. No one wants to miss a photo session with friends.

Someone from the place that Rananta rented helped in capturing the tenth moment of this friend. The best person selected, so all the photos will not disappoint. Because it uses a polaroid camera, the results should not disappoint.

Ignacia was standing near Aruna who was about the same height as her. Maharani and Dianti are on the other side. Next to the Maharani there is Utari then on the other side there is Rananta. The one in the middle of Hanasta, Kemala, and Indri. Widia prefers to pose in front of her friends rather than make a row.

The pose is only for the first photo. In the next photo they do not think about the pose, the important thing is to smile. The results are random, but they look funny. Ignacia to the point of not being able to hold a smile and the picture is always the mouth that tries to close but there is always a ruckus behind it.

...*****...

"You're coming to the summit night, Ignacia? If so I can take you on a double date later," Kemala smiled until her eyes looked like lines, "let's come. This show there's only one before the 12th grade graduates."

Kemala looked begging.

Ignacia smiled slightly. He turned his head for a moment to look at Kemala and returned again to his hands that were still washed with soap. The cream from the cupcake that Ignacia had eaten was not accidentally touched. "I'll come or not. I'll ask permission first."

"Come, Ignacia," Utari came out of nowhere. Follow hand washing next to Kemala who is drying hands with tissue. "Rajendra will come right away if you ask for it. I rarely see you guys together. I don't know if I rarely look out. But you better come to the top night."

"I'll think about it later, guys."

...*****...

"Be careful on the road, Ignacia."

Again the last Ignacia left the meeting place. Rananta waved at Ignacia who was picked up by his father. And the girl who had the party still did it until she could really not see her friend.

"I'll miss you all" he aimed while holding a smile.

"Nesya didn't come?"

Ignacia's father knew Nesya, so it was natural to ask. Their parents know each other and are familiar. Ignacia shook her head, explaining that this picnic had only been attended by friends of Ignacia since Junior High and it happened that Nesya also had an event with her friends.

On the way home, his father's motorcycle suddenly pulled over. Stop in front of a department store. "Dad will buy something. Is there anything you need?" Ignacia shook her head. Stay on the motorcycle waiting for her father to return.

Ignacia took her phone out of the bag. Checking if Rananta might have sent the photos of them on his phone. There are a lot of photos other than the polaroid photos that they made earlier.

"I will miss these moments when I have not met them. Oh, any messages?" Ignacia's finger moved to press the incoming notification.

New Message from Rajendra ⁇ ◝ ⁇ ◜ ⁇

How was your day, Ignacia?

You're coming on peak night?

If yes, I'll pick you up

A small smile appeared on Ignacia's face. He's happy to wait for Rajendra's message all day. At least the man did not forget to send a fairly long message before sunset.

...*****...

"What time?" Mother asked. Questions that seemed to give hope to Ignacia.

"It starts at 6 p.m. I don't know what time it's gonna be."

Mom and dad exchanged looks.

...*****...

"Where?" Ignacia walked as she brought her phone closer to her ear, "next to the great hall? All right, I'll be there." Call terminated. Ignacia can say goodbye to her parents who will go to dinner and enter the school area that has been filled with many people.

The permission given by the school is only those who are invited by a student from High School. So there is a special invitation so that not many people come and ruin the night intended for the students of the last year of High School. So that the night is more memorable and there are no cases.

Nesya raised her hand high as soon as her eyes caught the figure of Ignacia from a distance. Ignacia knew what color clothes Nesya was wearing, so she immediately approached when she saw the hand being waved in the air to attract her attention.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's okay. Let's go in."

The hall is filled with about 400 people. Yes another addition comes from the invited guests of the students. Ignacia doesn't need access to it. Her friends and boyfriend are in school. Aruna invited Dianti to come. They're complete ten tonight.

The committee did their job well. The decoration is installed perfectly, the stage arrangement is extraordinary, also the placement of the appropriate soundsystem. Do not forget the snacks on the side of the hall. People can come and take it as they please.

The food was from the sponsor of this event.

Seeing the warm atmosphere, Ignacia could make sure that tonight would be perfect.

Ignacia still hasn't seen Rajendra. Maybe he is still with his friends. He said he had come when Ignacia was on her way.

"I brought an old friend here. After meeting Rajendra, I'll find my friend. If you need anything, just call me."

Nesya still clasped Ignacia's hand until the two could join the crowd. Ignacia could not say anything. Nesya does not usually behave like this. Ignacia also didn't usually want to put Nesya aside for a while. Nesya's words made Ignacia feel bad.

"Rajendra has arrived, right? He didn't say where he was? That man could be anywhere." Nesya spread her gaze. Looking for the position of the lover of his close friend.

"I haven't seen Rajendra since, either" Nesya muttered.

"Maybe Rajendra is waiting somewhere. He didn't tell me the location." Ignacia also gave a glance. Looking at the sides that his eyes could see. But it has not yet found the whereabouts of the men sought.

"I guess..." Nesya looked at Ignacia, "oh forget it. He's a-comin. I think I can go now. We'll see you later." Nesya just left without waiting for Ignacia to speak. It was as if he already knew where the position of the friend he had invited was.

Meanwhile Ignacia could not move. His position that was in the middle of some people made him feel awkward. Nor did he know what Nesya meant earlier. Yeah, until someone stood next to him. Ignacia was surprised but also pleased. Meet at last too.

Rajendra knows the clothes his girlfriend uses, so he immediately finds it after doing a search. A-Line Dress short knee-length royal blue. Perfect match with Ignacia's stylish brown hair Half Ponytail.

"You're coming," pleased Ignacia as she looked at the man who had just arrived. Rajendra looks different tonight. Dark blue shirt, slim fit pants white, then black shoes. When will Ignacia ever see Rajendra look like this?

The show started 10 minutes ago. Ignacia and Nesya arrive late for their own reasons. It was only until when the High School band finished performing the umpteenth song. They're going to leave the stage until someone comes on stage and gives something.

"Oh sorry, looks like we have a request from the committee. We'll grant it this time." The vocalist combed her hair by hand, attracting the attention of women who fell in love with her face. He is handsome, well suited to his behavior.

A large hand held Ignacia's hand. The girl turned her head automatically, finding Rajendra's timid face beside her. Both have often done skinship. So what makes Rajendra look so embarrassed? Maybe because there are a lot of people here.

Ignacia smiled, drawing herself closer to Rajendra as if it was nothing. There's nothing they're talking about. Just enjoy the slightly sad pitched song of the band up ahead while holding hands. People who bring their lovers do the same. It's just that they are communicating with each other while Ignacia and Rajendra are not.

"You don't take videos like people do?" Rajendra pointed with his chin towards them - those who recorded the band members' performances on stage. The girl gave a glance. Seeing some people holding up their phones high was like a parent's expectation to record.

Ignacia shook her head, "I'm not that interested. I don't know the song he's playing anyway." Ignacia rests her head on Rajendra's shoulder. It cuts a lot of distance between the two. "You don't want to record a female guitarist there, Rajendra? He looks cool."

Now Rajendra shakes, "you are prettier than her. My memory would be wasted if I had to record it." Ignacia smiled faintly at Rajendra's words and strengthened her grasp.

The next ones to appear were the disciples of extracurricular dance. Ignacia couldn't really see it because people were so tall. Be he just look as good as he can and listen to music that flows so passionately. The thing Ignacia has to prepare in addition to clothing for an event like this is height.

"Can't you watch it?" Rajendra just realized it. He was tall, so he could see well. Ignacia nodded without saying anything.

Rajendra then grabs something from inside his jacket pocket, turns on the phone in camera mode and asks Ignacia to just look at the screen. The stage is bright, so it is easy to see through the camera. Ignacia doesn't need to look forward because on the screen Rajendra is already there.

It was funny when Ignacia looked at Rajendra who raised his hand a little high in order to be able to show what was being displayed on the grand stage of the hall. Ignacia became like a little sister watching her brother's phone to see the situation on stage.

"Well they're cool. You don't want to record it either?" Ignacia wants to tease her lover. Making Rajendra shake his head and make excuses like when he saw the band. Though Ignacia is okay if Rajendra keeps the videos of the girls from extracurricular dance in front.

No one can take Rajendra away from him.

"Would the girl do a split?" Ignacia was interested. And as his head gets closer to Rajendra's other hand carrying a cell phone, Rajendra kisses the girl's head without saying anything.