Meet Me At Midnight's
Small Box

Brian started his work day. He recalled his father's message last night that he should remain vigilant of anyone and not have to trust anyone. Bella will accompany Brian and Brian can consult anything with Bella.

As Brian passed by his employees, the employee saluted Brian. There were some rumors among them that Brian was too young to serve as director. Brian tried not to care about it.

"Learn about employees here. Then the rules in this company. It's the staff manager you'll see a lot of times and it's the name of the board of shareholders" Bella said, giving some files containing names and photos.

"This much?"

"This is not how much. My room is right next to yours so ask me anything if you don't understand. You can also use the company's messenger application if you don't want to be caught if you don't understand." continued Bella. Brian slightly scowled at Bella's words.

"You know you're the rightful heir. Therefore, always be careful of the documents you sign. Read it first because we don't know if it's embezzlement or something else."

Bella.

"Is that so far until there's embezzlement of funds?"

"You must stay careful and do not let your guard down."

Brian nodded in understanding of what Bella said. Then Bella calls someone to come into Brian's room.

"This is Mr. Liam. Your secretary. You can entrust some business to him. I recruited him. So don't worry." explains Bella. Brian shook Liam's hand as a sign of his respect.

"May work well together" Brian said.

"Me too, sir." replied Mr. Liam. It sounds strange, but Brian has to get used to such a call.

"Pak Liam's workplace is right in front of your office. You can call her by phone." continued Bella.

Brian nodded. He did not expect that his brother looked so cool. At home he looks independent, in the office was respected by many people. No wonder Dad entrusted this company to Bella.

"Just get here, the rest of you can ask when your work takes place" said Bella who then left Brian's room, as well as Mr. Liam.

Brian's office space that looks very spacious with sunlight that goes inside, makes him feel comfortable but lonely. Usually he is next to other office friends and gossip about their superiors. Now he can no longer do. Brian's position is different. No friends gossip anymore. Instead, he is the one who will be rumored later.

Brian starts to open the files Bella gave him and learns them one by one. Starting from the names of employees to the board of shareholders.

*****

Gisel walked gracefully down the boutique by the side of the road. He passed by the store of dresses, jewelry and shoes. Gisel's beautiful curves are simply wrapped in a beautiful floral dress to make her look beautiful.

Gisel opened the door of one of the usual boutiques he went to.

The tring!

When opening the door, the bell that was attached immediately sounded.

"Congratulations da.." said a young woman from the inside then said - she stopped when she saw who had come.

"You again" said the young woman with a long sigh.

"Why? It seems very upset to see my arrival" said Gisel staring at the woman.

"No. But you never shop. You just look - look." replied the woman looking for an excuse.

"Who said? I want to go shopping today. Liana." said Gisel with a smile he made.

"A lot of shopping. You have a lot of money" said the woman named Liana in annoyance.

"You look really upset. If you can't serve your customers well, why open a store?" gisel asked indifferently while looking at the dress in the boutique.

"No. I'm fine." Liana replied lying.

"What makes you so upset?" Gisel was still convinced that something was holding Liana's heart back. They're not really good friends. They only met often at nightclubs and Liana famously often said spoiled to rich boys.

"Refused by young people again? Or is it older this time?" gisel asked looking at Liana happily. This time he could give one checkmate to Liana.

"It's none of your business!"

"If you hadn't always worn a wig, those guys would have enjoyed the game with you" Gisel said.

"Why is everyone talking about my wig? Does my wig look bad?"

"My jawab. Who's your target this time?" gisel asked sharply.

"Why? You want to steal my target again?" liana asked her answer.

"Say."

Before long, Gisel came out of Liana's boutique, carrying some paper bags that he bought from Liana. Gisel moved his legs quickly. His heart is not broken. He recalled Liana's words clearly.

"Name's Brian. He's younger than us. He's the director of the Salim Group company. He's handsome, attractive, tall. The dreams of all women including you. I'm sure just seeing it makes you excited."

Gisel got into his car and hit the driver slowly. His heart is getting less and less. Could it be Brian from his past? Not likely. He's just a snot kid who doesn't know what the world is. He was an ordinary child. Not a fancy kid with a life of contentment. So how did Brian become the director of Salim Group? Not likely. This is impossible. Gisel continued to hold in his heart that what he had been thinking all along was not Brian from fifteen years ago.

Gisel started his car, installed a seatbelt and drove his car slowly. Slowly his vision blurred. The tears that flowed down her cheeks. He dismissed all the possibilities that happened. What he believes is that someone named Brian in the Salim Group is not the Brian he lived in fifteen years ago.

*****

Brian placed a small box with the feel of a flower in the corner of his drawer. Often Bella tells her folly of always carrying it wherever she goes. But Brian always thought Bella's words were just the wind. Brian smiled at the little box. The little box he found on the garden swing by the time he returned from the minimarket for the last time. Sometimes he was happy to remember the box from Gisel, sometimes he was also sad because it was the last gift from Gisel.

*****

October, 2004

Brian couldn't lie to his sad heart because today Gisel left this city. He returned to Gisel's house even though he knew, of course there was no more moving truck or Gisel car.

Brian's heart was too stupid to accept reality. He parked his bike on the edge of the park and headed for the swing he usually rode with Gisel. The swing was wet from the rain. And, there's a little box there. Brian grabbed it with lightning speed and opened the box. Two pair of pens with pictures of the moon and stars on top of it are also a piece of paper neatly folded under the pen.

----

*Hi, Brian.

I go first yes.

Remember our promise, you should be able to find me someday. You also have to learn more to be successful someday.

These are little memories from me.

Take care of your health and grow up handsome.

Gisela Aina Zahran*.

----

Brian wiped away the tears flowing down his cheeks. He did not deny that Gisel's departure bore deep wounds. He could say nothing more because Gisel was gone. Brian cried and hugged the little box. The small box contains a pair of pens with images of the moon and stars above it.

Gisel moved to a place he did not know at all. Sometimes he cries because he misses his old town. He could not adapt at all in a city in Borneo. But in any case, inevitably, like it or not, Gisel must be able to adapt.

Sometimes, he remembered Brian and cried himself in the room. Mama was always worried about what Gisel was crying about.

"Gissles..."

Call Mama softly. Mama stroked Gisel's long unraveled hair. Gisel instantly wiped away her tears when Mama came to him.

"Mama knows you're sad. But you have to get used to it here, honey." said Mama pulled up a chair and sat down next to Gisel.

Gisel looked at Mama with spoiled eyes. He wanted to protest against both his parents.

"Gisel can't go to school here, Ma. Gisel was afraid and didn't understand what they were talking about." said Gisel.

"Slowly, Gisel. Everyone needs adaptation. It's okay if one day you're sad again. But remember, you have to smile again." continued Mama. Gisel wiped away the tears that were still flowing.

"Why? Are you the same as Brian?" ask Mom with a warm smile. Gisel always told Brian. The good boy who always plays to his house first.

"Yes, Ma."

"Pray him, Cell. If one day you really have to be met, it must be met" said Mama.

"Yes, Ma..." Gisel nodded slowly.

Since that day, Gisel has been writing letters to Brian every time he misses him, but because he doesn't know Brian's full address, he only kept the letters in a box that he provided specifically containing letters to Brian. Either how many letters that Gisel wrote just tell about his daily life or his longing for Brian.

****

Gisel opened his eyes from his sleep. He was sweating again. For a few days his heart was agitated. Still imagined his dream when he lived in Kalimantan first. His eyes looked at the wall clock. Half-hour two nights. Why does his head feel dizzy? Is it because you are suddenly awake?

Gisel got up from his bed and picked up a glass on his bedside table. He gulped until he was no longer thirsty.

He stared at the picture on his small table. Photo of himself with Mama and Papa at the time in Kalimantan first. Really, Gisel used to live happily with his parents. But when the tragedy happened, it was at once that his happiness was shattered along with the smoke billowing black in the air.