Morning Star
Creepy Figure

Angga gulps before trying to take a chat with Kejora “emm.. Have you eaten?” Ask Angga then answered the headband by Kejora.

“We while eating, how?” Kejora nodded in acceptance of Angga's offer and they headed towards Angga's car parked not far from there.

“Do you not work?” Ask Angga, because this is the work hours of Kejora and the first time Angga met Kejora at night like today.

“I don't work a full week lo.. i.” Kejora answered while eating his food, then paused for a moment and looked at the man who was also eating in front of him, Angga stared confusedly as he realized Kejora stopped telling me "what are you?"

Kejora bit her lower lip, “I only serve specially for 1 person if outside the auction event. So, as long as there's no auction and the guy doesn't come, then I'm free.” Continue slowly and make Angga choke because it remembers the shadow that entered it before meeting Kejora.

Sipping the drinking water he was trying to catch his breath making Kejora stare worriedly. Angga cleared his throat before speaking, he looked at Kejora who still gave him a worried look “woah.ini.pedas also.” lied while staring at the food on his side and flicked his hands in front of his mouth, “continue your story” he said allowing Kejora to tell a story.

“At the auction, I will always be placed in the last place and of course at a high price. And you also paid me up to 50 million, right?” Angga paused for a moment recalling that memory. At that time he may have cursed his stupidity that threw such a big budget for his mission, but now he felt it was all appropriate because there was a Corruption that came to his life and knocked on the door of his heart.

“Em..from that 50 million, how many do you get?” Angga asked, slowly stirring his cold drink and letting out an ice sound that collided with the glass wall.

“30%” replied Short Kejora and made Angga stop sipping his drink “that's not fair, he got 70% by himself.” wonder Angga back scooping his food and Kejora just sighed “I have to pay my uncle's debt. My uncle ran away with Madam Den's money and valuables. Actually I got 50%, 20% I used to repay the debt.”

Angga was speechless hearing that, he gripped the spoon in his hand holding back the feeling that it was burning him. Kejora nodded enjoying his dinner, Angga just stared at the girl. “God, why did you make him go through this life.” his mind is still staring at the sad Kejora.

“Hei.” Angga flinched when Kejora called him “what?” tanyanya shocked “you daydream.” Angga shook his head quickly “I just can't stop thinking, he sold you and then made you have to live like this, even have to pay off the debt.” Angga said in a disappointed tone to make Kejora smile thinly.

“Oh yes, yesterday I heard them talking about Wijaya Farma who must immediately agree to their plan, I do not know the details because Madam Den immediately left after that.” Angga nodded slowly hearing Kejora's explanation, he thought for a moment as if he was familiar with Wijaya Farma.

“Hah! Wijaya Farma!” he said astonished after realizing the name, making Kejora stare confused.

"Is Wijaya Farma the pharmaceutical company?" Kejora shrugged with a doubtful look, "you.maybe." she replied.

“What is Mr Vishnu's relationship with Madam Den?” The gum is slow “you know Wijaya Farma?” tanya Kejora and Angga nodded “ya.it is a large pharmaceutical company in Central Java, several hospitals in this city supply medical drugs from there. They also have branches in 3 major cities including Semarang, Surabaya and Yogyakarta. The owner is a friend of my father, Vishnu Cahyadi.” Obviously Angga “then what does it have to do with Madam Den, yes Om Vishnu his plot?” Angga then tried to examine the possible relationship between Madam Den and the owner of PT Wijaya Farma.

"You know what?" Kejora finished his meal and marginalized his dinner plate. "What?" Ask Angga who has finished eating too. "I'm starting to trust you." Angga was silent before smiling "you have to" he said later.

"I wish you could get me out of that woman's trap." The Kejora breathed a heavy sigh. "Kejora.." call Angga softly and Kejora looks at him "if I have spoken, I never hesitate with my words, I will save you from them." Kejora smiled "thank you."

The Kejora stared at the scenery around them "You know? I seem to find hope in my despair." His speech was flat staring at his right side where there was a view of the city lights and vehicle lights that seemed to creep slowly like fireflies.

Hearing the words of Kejora, for some reason when he was considered as the hope that came to save Kejora, as if to be an injection of spirit for Angga. "I hope I make it, we make it." Inner Angga looked at the girl who was now enjoying the view of the city, Angga also turned to his left and followed the lights below them.

“Em, tomorrow you have free time?” Ask Angga when they come out of the dining place where Angga used to bring Kejora there when they first met. Kejora thought for a moment then shook his head, making Angga a little disappointed.

“I want to meet someone before leaving for club” she explained “someone?” batin Angga was curious about someone whom Kejora called. “Emm...good.” Angga said scratching the back of his head that does not itch.

“What's up?” ask Kejora “Ahh.no, I just want to meet you.” Obviously while lowering his head, seeing that Kejora arises ideas. “What if you come with me, if you don't mind.”

Angga directly raised his head staring at Kejora, “by?” her tanyanya made sure and was greeted by a nod by Kejora making Angga smile happily. "Okay, I'm coming!" Angga said showing a row of teeth to his smile, making Kejora also happy to see him.

***

The next day they arrive at a place not far from the city limits, an antique shop that sells unique things. Angga was surprised to see the store, many years passing this road but he never knew there was a store like this.

“Whose place is this?” tanya Angga still looked up to observe the place. “I call her Mom.” Angga was surprised to turn towards Kejora “not that you said you were dead?” wonder Angga. Kejora invites Angga to enter “not bladder” said Kejora immediately greeted the middle-aged woman who was sitting reading a book.

The woman smiled at the arrival of Kejora, and was a little shocked when she saw Angga coming with her. Angga simply observed the two women hugging. “You have a boyfriend? Why not tell me about Mom?” ask the woman and make Kejora shake “not, she's my coworker, Angga her name.” Angga immediately reached out his hand seeing the woman approaching towards him.

The woman smiled looking at Angga from top to bottom. The flustered Angga found himself stared so fixedly at by the woman, as if the eyes had x rays that could scan his entire body, Angga scratched his nape while smiling clumsily.

Seeing that Kejora cleared his throat and stopped his mother's activities. “Angga, would you like to wait here for a moment? I'd like to chat with Mom.” for a moment Angga nodded in relief as Kejora's remarks distracted the woman.

As much as they are, Angga sighed “mad! Just being stared at like that I feel intimidated.” He then looked around at the items displayed in the store. Not so big but a lot of unique things that are rarely marketed outside.

Accessories of the 80s, film cameras, old shoes, old school cutlery and some electronics that are starting to be left by millennials such as walkie talkies, mini compos and walkmen who still use tape cassettes, and even more, there are also cassettes of senior musicians who still have little interest.

Smartphone, change everything it is the first thing that terbesit in the mind Angga. “Woaaah” Angga was a little surprised when he looked at the corner of the room there was an antique turntable there, he walked closer and observed a turntable or gramophone that played music on the disc. “Still great!” his face stroked the surface of the tool, “I didn't know there was a cool place like this.” His words spread his gaze to the corner of the room.

“Is he right just your coworker?” asked Kejora's mother after closing the door, Kejora only answered with a nod, then looked at her mother who was crossing her arms while leaning against the wall and staring at the Kejora who was sitting in the study seat.

“why? Don't think of anything else, anyways he's not a worthy thing for it, he's too good.” Said slowly while playing a miniature rabbit made of ceramic in his hand, The woman approached and rubbed the shoulder Kejora “you have a problem what?”

Kejora put the minuatur back in its place, then grabbed the hand of the woman on his shoulder, wrapped her neck and she drowned her face in the arms of the woman who was already considered like her mother. The woman simply stroked the Kejora's head slowly making her tighten her embrace even more.

“She invited me to work together to fight Madam Den” obviously Kejora slowly and the woman pushed the body of Kejora to look at her, “isn't that nice? Why are you sad?” he said grabbing the cheek of Kejora who looked at him grimly, Kejora just sighed and re-buried her face into his mother's embrace.

“Listen nak.” Said the woman pulling a small chair and sitting in front of Kejora, grasping both hands of Kejora while looking at her softly. “What happens to your heart, you can't control it, you can't choose, hold it or even ignore it. I can't help you escape the devil woman's entanglement, hearing you tell me stories has made me understand your condition. But if it's about someone who's now in your heart, don't ignore that feeling, let that feeling naturally grow there." His words pointed at the chest of Kejora.

Kejora speechless “he is so warm and treats women well, I never met such a man after my father died.” Obviously Kejora “aku.I just don't want this strange feeling to grow.” He looked at the woman in front of him.

“Son, 5 years I know you, consider you like my own son and never miss every night I pray that you meet your happiness, then, let him help you regardless of that damn woman, about your feelings let it run as it is.”

"I must forget that feeling, ma'am, she also can't possibly like me this despicable one." Subdued cruelty. "Hey!" The shock of his mother rebuked him "never say that." He said as the Kejora looked at him, "only God has the right to judge His servant." The Kejora looked down again "sorry.." The woman rubbed Kejora's head and grabbed the tip of Kejora's chin to look at him. "Chin up baby." He said "you are beautiful not only in your face, but your heart is also very beautiful, who will not like you?"

Kejora smiled then turned her face away "let her help you, let you both profit right? he's accomplished the mission and you've escaped the woman's entrapment."

Kejora nodded “iya I already agreed to help her, but..” Kejora pauses for a moment “but what?” confused his mother again “I will still throw away all the things that lead to that strange fierceness.” Said and only made the mother stroke the Kejora's head slowly.

“All decisions are in you son, one thing I never get tired of saying. Don't judge yourself that low. Besides that dirty job, you are my very pretty and nice girl.” Kejora looks at the woman and smiles “try looking at you like I saw you.” he said again and Kejora only silent staring at the middle-aged woman who still looks fit and youthful despite being in her 40s.

“You like antiques?” Angga flinched at the sound of Mother Kejora right beside her as she was focusing on observing the sitting lights that looked ancient yet interesting. Kejora mom laughed at the startled reaction of Angga “ya seemed to like it so much, to the point that you didn't realize I was next to you.”

Angga smiled clumsy “turntable it, still looks good. Serinya is older than my father has, but looks still good.” Angga said pointing turntable vinyl vinyl disc player. Mother Kejora nodded in agreement “it output of the 60s, the collection of my late grandfather. Even I still often play her favorite song.”

Mother Kejora opened the drawer and her fingers combed through some thin albums in the drawer, Angga was left in disbelief when she saw the collection of vinyl albums owned by Mother Kejora.

He tuned a dish and the music of the Jazz genre of the past echoed. “You like the song Ermy leather too? I know this song, don't you? From the album Kasih in 1986?” Kejora's mother turned to her because she was surprised that children her age knew a song that even at that time she had not been born.

“You know? Wow even when this song was released, I make sure you were not born.” Angga chuckles “even though I don't remember much, but when I was little my mom used to listen to this Ermy Leather song, Dad and Mom would dance along with this song.” Angga smiled remembering the moment.

“Did something happen to your mother?” asked Mother Kejora when she saw the change in Angga's expression, Angga looked at her side where Mother Kejora and Kejora stood next to her, “my mother disappeared, since 2005, when I was 8 years old.” Obviously “and no one knows if he is alive or not.”

Mother Kejora was silent as well as Kejora who did not expect to hear this from Angga. “Maaf” said Mother Kejora later, Angga moved both palms “No Madam, no need to apologize.” he said smiling. "Gee..I love this album too." Show Angga trying to melt the awkwardness. And finally they enjoy the strains of songs from the album suggested by Angga.

***

“Thanks for dropping off.” Kejora said when they arrived at the starynight club where Kejora worked and then became the place Angga hated, he just fell silent staring at the packed Kejora, his eyes that were staring at Kejora now turned to look at the building of the place. Strange shadows swirled on his head, strange shadows when Kejora with perverted men or doing other intimate things made Angga feel something heavy and hot in his chest.

His right hand gripped tightly at the steering wheel, he let out a rough sigh and received Kejora's attention. “I don't feel willing to let you into that building.” He said softly but firmly, he then turned towards Kejora “can you run away? I'll accompany you.” His sincere speech made Kejora stunned, they only looked at each other for a moment, then Kejora shifted his gaze.

“If I could've done it a long time ago.” Kejora grabbed his bag to prepare to come out, but Angga's hand suddenly grabbed his wrist, Kejora was shocked and turned towards Angga “Kejora..” he said slowly, The Kejora stared confusedly due to the sudden action of the Angga.

“I think..I think I like you, since that cultural arts festival, I started putting weird feelings on you, angry feelings when you went in there. It was a nice feeling when you asked me to meet, and I was so happy when I saw you. I conclude if, I like you Kejora.” Angga continued and made Kejora round his eyes.

“And I, I feel sick here if you go with your client it.” His words pointed at his chest with his right hand while his left hand was still grasping at the wrist of Kejora. Silent for a moment because not expecting what Angga said, Kejora is at war with his heart, this will feel even more difficult, if only Kejora feels that strange feeling, it will be, it was easy for Kejora to forget it slowly, but if it turned out that Angga felt the same way, then with their togetherness in this mission would make it harder for Kejora to control her heart, Kejora sighed and looked at Angga.

“Don't Ang.” says Kejora took off Angga's hand. “Do not play with my heart, do not give me another hope that can hurt me, I am indeed a lowly woman, but do not demean me by playing with my feelings.” Angga was shocked to hear the words Kejora.

“No, it's not.. The ravages.. Kejora..!” Angga immediately opened his car door as Kejora rushed out, walked around the car and tried to grab Kejora who started entering the building through the back door.

The Kejora turned around when Angga managed to grab his hand. “I'm not playing you, I'm just being honest with my feelings.” Kejora can see different eyes from Angga has many men who reach it but Angga has a different gaze, there is sincerity in it, which further confuses his feelings of sadness.

Kejora just stared coldly at his wrist, then looked at Angga. “Sorry..” said Angga immediately took off the grip. “If you still want to cooperate with your plan, professional is Mr.” He said firmly and left Angga, opening the door with a special card and closing it. Leaving Angga who was silent to stay there.

Kejora leaned against the door, held his chest and tried to catch his breath, he was still in shock with what had just happened, Angga's recognition of his feelings for her, the thing that made his heart feel warm but sick simultaneously. Kejora grabbed his phone and there was a short message inside.

Sorry, I'll be professional.

Stick with our plan.

Don't ignore me and refuse to meet after my confession.

Stay professional I'll try

But that doesn't mean I can forget this feeling.

Kejora let out a long sigh then deleted the message.

Angga pensively staring at the sea of city lights below him, he sat on the car stamps enjoying his own moment. She looked up at the stars in the sky, “you're like a star, shining at night, glowing and beautiful. Of the many stars like your name, you are the brightest.” Angga was wasting his breath trying to ease the tightness of his chest, probably because he had just been denied his love statement.

On the other hand, there were a pair of eyes that witnessed the incident behind the building. "You like it..." Said the guy back in the club.

- in a row