(Kayshila)
I staggered into the office building. Even though it's been fifteen minutes, I sat quietly in the car because soon a big meeting was about to start. My client is Laksana Davendra Ishan. Usually, Mrs. Sarah only attends the first and last meetings because I handle the arrangements and subsequent work. My heart skipped a beat when my phone screen rang.
ishan
That's just the name. I typed hastily without capital letters.
"Hello." greets me.
"Where are you? I haven't seen you in the meeting room yet." he asked in a whisper.
"I'll be up in a minute."
That's why my steps are wobbly. Why am I dealing with him? It's no problem if I know him outside the office. I don't like popularity. I must have thought the whole office would be talking about me. I just came in from my extensive leave and had been talking about having a relationship with Ishan.
38th floor.
I walk fast. I headed into my small room, put down my bag, grabbed my laptop, and walked briskly towards a transparent glass room. Where thick glass limits the other rooms, were already people gathered. There are several people that Ishan brought. My hands are cold, and my legs are weak. Not because I haven't had breakfast. But I feel this feeling is strange. I always have bad days. Maybe it's not as bad as my previous life. So I told myself. Ishan doesn't even look at me at all. He thoughtfully stared intently at one of the people who was presenting in front. The meeting went on for a long time. It was almost 13.00 WIB.
I'm busy taking notes and typing by request from my client, Ishan. When he talks to me to give many requests, he often looks at me. Seriously, of course. After he turned his eyes away from looking at me, I could see his crooked smile creeping out. I don't know if he was amused to see my face or what.
"Okay, the meeting is over. Mr. Daven has asked for anything for his needs. Later our team will carry out the execution." said one of the staff Ishan brought. Coincidentally sat next to Ishan. There were probably five people Ishan brought to my office.
"Yes, Sir. I hope all goes well." please Mrs. Sarah while closing her notebook.
Everyone swiftly left the room while I headed for the canteen with my friends.
"I really want to know how you met each other?" asked Ingrid, a relatively short, well-built woman and one who is straightforward.
Some of my other friends did not comment. Maybe it was because they weren't feeling well. I was in and out of the hospital because of attempted suicide and my slump in love affairs.
"I just want to know, honestly." continued Inggrid, unyielding. He put his tray of food in front of me.
"One month ago I killed myself." I tell them.
"Eh? Agaiin????" Inggrid glared at me.
"How come?" Lashira, the shady-faced woman, was surprised. She stopped chewing her food. "I think you applied for the leave to calm your mind from the things that burden you."
"Yes. I thought you were going on vacation." Ingrid nodded.
I even shook my head.
"I'm not on vacation. My sister-in-law is heavily pregnant." I told them the reason. That's not the reason, however. Wherever I go on vacation, I will remember the memory of Edric.
"Thank goodness you're still alive." Darmayanti, the oldest woman among us. Wise but looking sarcastic, he still grabbed his geprek chicken.
"And I'm still alive. Unfortunately, I got shot." I showed them the position of the gunshot wound around my stomach while sipping my iced tea and snacks. "Ishan was also shot."
"Nah! Yes, I read the news on social media!" Lashira said.
"Who shot you both?" asked Inggrid curiously.
I told them everything that happened. From when I realized two police officers approached me for questioning, then until I went to the police station, recognized as Ishan’s fiancée, I fainted—just that part.
"Ooooohhhh, I see." said Inggrid and Lashira at the same time.
"Is that Davendra often stealing glances at you is the part that you didn't tell?" asked Darmayanti. Look elsewhere.
"What do you mean?" I asked again. Frowned.
"Well, for the past two days, Davendra has eaten at the canteen with Mr Dewa. There." Darmayanti pointed at two o'clock from my direction, which was about three meters away. "I have seen several times, Davendra always steals glances this way. Incidentally, your sitting position from yesterday hasn't changed. Stay here."
The one who could see Davendra was Darmayanti, while I had my back to Ishan. That is Darmayanti's analysis.
"Oooooohhhhh, I see." Inggrid and Lashira laughed together.
- Ishan 16.00 WIB
Citra, what time are you going home?
- KCK 16.12
half past 6
- ishan 16.12
From the office, where after?
- KCK 16.18
Back to the apartment
-ishan 16.18
Want to have dinner with me?
-ishan 16.45
Citra?
-ishan 16.56
Citra?
Citra?
The incline to the parking lot in the apartment is a bit steep. So I hit the gas with all my might. As I parked the car, I remembered that I had to buy some necessities to fill my fridge. Since I applied for leave, my money was running low because I didn't receive any salary at all. I was in the supermarket long enough to think about what I wanted to cook my dinner. I bought quite a lot. My walk is a bit slow. Plus, the supermarket in this apartment is four towers away. It must have had an effect on the stitches on my stomach.
"Citra." Ishan called me. He sat on the floor near my apartment door.
"Ishan, what are you doing here?" I am shocked. I must have been so confused that my brow furrowed.
Ishan's face was red. He took off his coat, looking hot. I immediately pressed a few buttons on the door to open the door. One of my groceries was held by Ishan. When the door opened, he sat on the big sofa in front of the TV, moved to the small couch near the balcony, and opened the balcony door wide.
"Have you eaten yet?" I asked. No answer. "I have not eaten." No answer. I let it go and got busy cooking. Ishan looks busy changing TV channels while I cook. It was as if he had often come to my apartment. I didn't speak to him for an hour. When all the food was ready, I called out to him from the small table near the balcony. Ishan did not return my calls at all.
I finally got up from my seat and walked over to him.
"Ishan! What's wrong with you? I called you earlier but you didn't answer." I'm annoyed.
Ishan saw me. Her face started to turn red again. I followed him to a small table. I don't have a dining table unless there are guests; I always put my food on the table near the balcony. I used to eat alone in the pantry. In the pantry, there are only two unique short chairs.
Meanwhile, the small table near the balcony, where I first ate with Ishan, was only used to work on other days. Sometimes I put many snacks on it when I'm lazing around while reading a book. Underneath, I covered the floor with a thick furry carpet for comfort.
Ishan eats silently. Eat it voraciously.
"What's your problem, Ishan?" I asked while eating.
Ishan looked at me.
"Problem with you." Finally, he spoke too.
"What did I do wrong?" I asked again. Confused.
This guy is weird.
"You don't know what you did to me?" He even asked.
"What are you doing? Why are you even asking? I don't know what I did wrong, until you have a problem with me."
No more answers.
"Go home right away after eating." I said coldly. Annoyed. I was wrong. When I got home from the supermarket, I should have kicked him out.
"Okay." the answer is short. Not long after, Ishan came home. Without saying anything.
He had already finished eating.
I'm a little annoyed with his character just now. The thing is, I'm in a good mood. I grabbed my phone in my bag and charged it. After that, I take a shower. After bathing, I did the women's ritual in general. Use body lotion and skincare on my face. Then I grabbed the phone that I was charging earlier.
There are so many messages from the provider telling me a number has called me several times. Fifteen times? And incoming chat messages.
ishan 17.20
Citra- are you home yet?
17.31
Image?
17.54
Citra, I like a wolf
17.59
Let me know
19.20
Citra- me in front of your apartment
I read all chats from Ishan. I think I know why Ishan is acting strangely like that to me. I do not care. I put my phone away from my bed and continued to charge it. Then sleep.
***
(Kayshila) I haven't heard from Ishan in almost a week. Several times I had meetings with employees whom Ishan sent to the company to meet me. Sometimes also meet Mrs Sarah. No chat comes to my phone. One of his social media stories was empty. "Cit, someone wants to meet you in the front lobby." Inggrid opened the door to my small room. I moved my head away from the laptop. I immediately looked at Ingrid while frowning my forehead. "Who?" I asked, then I stood up. "I do not know. I just came out of the toilet. A florist maybe." Inggrid closed the door to my room and disappeared into her desk. I passed the expanse
(Kayshila) 2:15 am in morning, I was somewhere, a vast place like a dance hall. The music that sings slowly, rhythmically can be heard clearly in my ears. I was standing in the middle of the hall. No people at all. Even the hall lights suddenly went out. Dark. I looked at myself. I'm wearing a dress that looks puffy. Complete with lace gloves. I saw Edric at the end of the hall, staring at me without reacting. My chest is tight. My eyes started to darken. I woke up gasping for air. Immediately stood up and ran to the kitchen. Take the water that is in the dispenser. I just kept taking deep breaths over and over so that my chest that feels tight doesn't recur. Why? What is wrong with me? Today I experienced it twice. After that, I could
(Davendra) Flashback, The night before, Santi, my secretary, came with warm honey tea, which I always drink at four in the afternoon. On the other hand, I started calling Citra, asking what time I should pick her up. But, her cell phone was never picked up. I contacted her several times. I even requested Santi to hold my cell phone to keep calling Citra. And I had the phone in front of my desk to call Dewa to inquire about Citra's whereabouts. "I've asked her men. Their said she had been home since three in the afternoon. Just go home quickly." said Dewa explained. I've called Dewa about three times. Citra frustrates me. Santi looked at me with concern. Maybe she just saw me like this, like hot worms.
(Kayshila) The sound of water rushing from the sink faucet made me sprint from the kitchen. I was focusing on preparing my dinner and suddenly got my bathroom was filled with puddles of water. Lord! How do I finish this faucet? It's been a long time; actually, this water faucet leaks a bit, and I always tape it with tape. I ran to my room to grab my cell phone and called Rangga. Nothing. The phone is turned off. Then I called Cath. It's the same. The cell phone is busy. I looked around for the apartment management phone number because I've never had any problems as long as I've lived in the apartment. After all, I just moved into this apartment one year ago. My old apartment was in the Kuningan area. A bit big and looks fancy. I accidentally moved to an apartment adjacent to Rangga and Catherine.&n
(Kayshila) Four months later, This morning I woke up hearing Ishan's voice wakes me up and invite me to exercise. Today is Saturday morning. I refused because I don't really like running in the morning. I prefer to exercise in an air-conditioned room. For example, going to the gym. Finally, I let Ishan run alone in the morning. The morning air makes my heart and minds calm. Not for sweaty sports. So, I always open the bedroom window and balcony door so that the air in the room is replaced with fresh air. For the past four months, Ishan has been staying, eating, and working in my apartment. He never bothered me; even when I was working, he was busy with his own business. Sometimes after dinner, we used to chat a lot. What we talk about. I became dependent on him. There are things that sometimes I c
(Davendra) Two years ago, I knew my life started to change when I met this woman. I vaguely remember it. I first met her on the bus in Sydney. She stood leaning against the bus pole. Her body was limp, with no passion. I had only been in Sydney three days at the time, visiting my friends and doing business. For some reason, that afternoon, I really wanted to take the bus. See the cities in Sydney. Usually, I always rent a car and drive myself. Of course, I have my own international driver's license.I photographed that woman secretly from behind. She was tall and slender, wearing tattered jeans, and a beige jacket. The way she dresses looks fashionable. What I suspect is that this woman is Indonesian. Her gaze was vacant through the window in front of her. Sometimes she looks at her phone and puts it back in her bag. She scan
(Kayshila) The alarm on my cell phone rings loudly. Today is a beautiful Monday. I slept very well last night. Not sleeping too early and not too late. Ishan interrupts me watching after dinner. He chatted with me a lot. I can't help but wait for him to speak. He had lots of questions, and he also talked a lot about his life. How can he achieve success? I like his speaking style. He tells as if that the achievement is challenging. Never once boasted. I was very impressed with Ishan. I woke up from my sleep, took a deep breath, and started walking to the window, opening the curtains that blocked the sunlight that was about to force its way into my room. My eyes searched for a suitcase that used to stand upright behind my big closet. Ishan's suitcase isn't there. That means he's gone. He said he was going to Manila this morning. Do
(Kayshila) I closed my eyes for a moment. Actually, I'm okay and can still work. I really want to finish my work. Only, Mrs. Sinta forced me to go home, and part of my work was done by Lashira. I feel bad, even though I have to go to the client's company for a presentation tomorrow afternoon. "You're not eating? Forgot mealtime or what, Cit?" asked Rangga. He picked me up that afternoon. It coincided with his office hours because the bank always finished operating at four in the afternoon. "Forget. Too busy." "Yes, but you should eat a little. Snacking." "Yes yes." "When will you be able