JUST MISS
Chapters. 2

I opened the light brown room curtains. Today was exhausting for me.

I looked up, where the stars scattered beautifully. It is like the jewel of the earth.

Tonight I feel happy. Don't ask me what makes me happy.

Because I don't know, either, why.

Standing on the balcony for a while, I have made my hair stand because of the night wind that blows piercing the skin.

Suddenly I remembered Alden. He rode a motorcycle without wearing a jacket. Isn't it cold?

Drrt....

The phone I was holding suddenly shook. I immediately saw what notification was inside.

Alden Pramudya's.

Surprised? Sure.

"Rest now. Because you're my partner, so you're coming with me tomorrow."

I'll reply to Alden's message immediately. I move my fingers on the phone screen.

"Where? Tomorrow is a holiday." Nada Winata's.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow at 06:00."

I snorted in annoyance. Tomorrow is me time but it's being interrupted by Alden.

°°°°

tock.tok..

I faintly heard the sound of knocking on the door from inside the room.

I grabbed my phone on the bedside nightstand. I widened my eyes when I saw that the clock was already showing at 06:10 am.

I immediately got up from the bed and opened the door of the room when someone knocked on it a second time.

The middle-aged woman with her hair smeared on top was already standing with her upset face.

I put up an innocent whimper.

"What's the matter ma?" askaku.

"If the covenant is kept. There's this guy named Alden, I'm sorry you've been waiting 10 minutes outside. Try if mama doesn't come out of the house, surely don't know if there's anyone waiting for you."

I guessed it. Surely my mama will scold me early in the morning because I forgot if there was an appointment.

"Yes I forgot my mom. I'm asking Mama for help, tell her to wait another 10 minutes. Thank you ma." I said by giving my mama a morning kiss routine before I finally closed the door and rushed to the bathroom.

3 Minutes I was in the bathroom, now I quickly look for clothes that fit me to wear this morning.

Once everything was ready, I grabbed my phone and camera to document Alden's training today.

All I've brought, it's time for me to get down to the living room.

There I could see Alden and Alvaro sitting and having a warm conversation.

I don't know why Alvaro was able to get along with Alden whom he had even just met today.

"Gue's ready" said I cut their conversation.

Alden and Alvaro looked at me as I cut through their chatter. Alvaro shook his head, then stood up and walked towards me.

"Our habit" said Alvaro, sneering as he rubbed his hand on my head.

I immediately took his hand away from my head, as his hand had already made my hair fall apart again.

"Isa. Habit also lo, getting tired of his own hair." said I was annoyed by getting back to tidying my hair.

Alvaro laughed, "Let's look ugly in front of another guy" he said.

I hit Alvaro's arm as hard as I could, "Bother you" I said annoyedly.

Alvaro laughed loudly at the irritated expression on my face, "Jaudah go there. Mama's shopping again, papa's still sleeping." he said with his laugh.

I glanced at Alden who had been sitting and silently watching me arguing with Alvaro.

Feeling the lyrics, Alden finally got up and said goodbye to Alvaro.

"I'm going to ask Nada to come out" Alden said, asking for permission before leaving.

I saw Alvaro nod. "Jagain is me. Even if he is lazy, he is the one I love the most." Alvaro said.

"Yes because it's just me, bego." I'm pissed.

Alvaro laughed again, "Well, you know." he continued.

I grabbed Alvaro's hand and crucified him. He kissed me on the forehead for a moment. "Be careful" he said.

Alden and I walked out of the house. There was a neat CBR motor.

He walked up to his bike, took his helmet and gave it to me.

"From the outfit that you wear, it turns out you also understand where I want to take it" he said while giving his helmet to me.

"Because you jump in the morning - the morning blind and the partner's reason, of course I understand." answered me.

After Alden put on his helmet, he now rides the bike and starts the engine. I got on and sat in the passenger seat.

Again, throughout this journey we have only been silent a thousand languages. Our unfamiliarity makes us awkward if we want to interact. I get that.

The sound of vehicles rumbling into one on the street, dominated my mind this morning.

He accompanied me on every trip with Alden.

"Gue wants to take you to see me practice" Alden said breaking the silence.

I nodded even though Alden didn't know. "Den, sorry for waiting 10 minutes" I said regretfully.

"I was angry because I wasn't on time. But after the horror of your brother's story, I became maklumin lo." replied Alden.

Whahuh? Alvaro told Alden? What stories?

"What story did I tell you? It's not weird, is it?" I said a little screamed because Alden was again speeding up.

He shook. "No" she replied again.

There's no way Alvaro didn't say anything strange to Alden.

15 Minutes passed, and we arrived at the place where Alden was referring to.

It's a basketball court.

Wait for. Why deserted? couldn't it be that Alden trained and played by himself?

I got off the bike and took off the helmet. We walked into the indoor field.

Sure enough, it was still quiet and there was no one here at all.

Then why is Alden taking me away so early?

I stopped stepping right after 5 steps into the field.

"Lo lied to me?" I said to Alden when I saw the empty field.

Alden walked ahead of me. I can see him shaking his head.

"Gue doesn't like to lie or be lied to" he replied as he placed his sports backpack on the sidelines.

"Certainly, why deserted? He said he wanted to practice. Can't you just do your own training here?" my spoken.

Alden turned his face towards me standing up. "We make a 9am appointment" he replied.

"Lo crazy? If the agreement is at 9 am, we can come at 8 am Alden. Not 6 in the morning." I said grumpily.

Alden didn't bully me. He started a warm-up movement for his body.

"Aishis. I should still be able to sleep, my God." I grumbled as I walked closer to Alden's bag.

I sat there and pulled out my phone. I play on my phone and wait for 9 a.m.

I have to do something.

I also opened the camera application on the phone, and began to style eliminate boredom.

When I was taking pictures, I was surprised when someone reached out his hand in front of me.

I looked up and looked towards him. It turned out that Alden was standing with his right hand which he extended to me.

"Gue wants you to be healthy" he said suddenly.

I put my bag and cell phone next to Alden's bag. Then I stood up helped by Alden.

"Gue ajakin lo leaves at 6 am because, I'm sure you'll be late this morning. So, I left faster" he said by moving his body so as not to stiff.

I nodded in understanding. "Oh yeah, who's the basketball?" ask me to divert the conversation.

"SMA Bakti 5" he replied.

I nodded back.

"Good morning for sport. So you have to move your body" he said by guiding me to warm up.

It was just the two of us in this vast field. There was no sound other than the squealing of our shoes while warming up.

"Ehm, Den." call me to break the silence.

Alden looked at me. "What's wrong?" tanyakanya.

"Why is your attitude cold? Is this your real nature, or is it just meeting strangers?" ask me.

Alden stopped warming up when he heard my question.

"Gue is the type of person who is uncomfortable with other people. But once I feel comfortable with that person, I can open up" he said with a faint smile at the end.

I'm stunned. "Lo ever had trauma with someone?" ask me back.

He was silent not responding to what I just said.

Alden started by running around the field. I followed behind him too.

"If I am one of those who cannot be silent. My mouth itches if I have to keep quiet." I told him even though I didn't know if Alden heard it or not.

"Every day, I'm always arguing with Varo. Mama equally papa may have tired of writhing we are begging every time we meet." I said with a laugh when remembering how the mama who looks dizzy when scolding us both.

Ha ha ha...

I was shocked when I heard Alden's laughter. This was the first time I heard her voice laugh.

He has a warm side that is rarely known by others.

"Gue believes that you are chatty" Alden said with an occasional look at me.

We laughed and I kept telling her funny things while running around the field.

After finishing 3 rounds, I sat on the sidelines where my bag was.

I'm tired and hungry.

Not long after I sat down, Alden also sat in front of me.

"Straighten your legs" he said telling me to straighten my legs.

I also obey him.

"Gue laper's. Want to eat." I said to Alden who was sitting casually in front of me.

Not long after I said that, Alden grabbed his bag beside me.

He took out a medium-sized loaf of bread and two glasses of mineral water.

This kid is very prepared.

"Eat it" he said by offering me bread and one drink.

My eyes lit up as I looked at the bread Alden was holding. I grabbed it and ate it.

Wait for. Did Alden eat?

"Have you eaten?" I asked him when he only saw me eating bread voraciously.

"Gue can eat at any time" he replied with a smile at me.

I feel bad. Maybe it was the bread he had brought for himself.

I turned my bite-marked bread down. I tore the bread with my hand and fed it to Alden.

Alden looked at me confused as my bread-filled hand was in front of him.

"Open your mouth." I ordered him.

He shook. Refused my bribe.

"Judah I eat it." threatened me.

In an instant, Alden immediately opened his mouth and I immediately put the bread into his mouth.

I smiled winning. My threats always work.

°°°°

Now Alden and his friends have gathered. But, where's my photographer partner?

Why am I the only one who sees them fighting?

When everyone is ready and about to enter the field to compete.

Alden walked up to me in the stands. I was told by Alden to move to the stands, not to get hit by the ball.

"Lo sits here. Look at me play, don't take pictures of me. You focus on the game." Alden told me.

Waitaminute!

So I'm just here to be told to keep him doang?

"Where are the others? Why is there only me?" ask me.

Alden shaking. "Gue don't know."

Alden walked back to his friend, because he had been called.

I was just about to scold him. But it's been.

Game's starting.

15 Minutes walk and Alden's team took the lead.

I smiled as Alden continued to score for his team.

It turns out Alden is as cool as they talk about.