A Room from 22 Years Ago I
"It's a shame.. Ah, my integrity is trampled."
"Aruna... I intend to make a fool of her today. I didn't expect it. I was bullied."
"Sir, may I help you?" A saleswoman approached, asking the meaning of the man who was squeezing foam display of one of the underwear brands.
"Eh." Hendra immediately let go of his hand. He was surprised to find his fingers out of control.
"Is there anything I can help you..?" The saleswoman asked once again.
"Erm… Is there... Size 36D?"
"Of course." The woman in the black uniform cheerfully replied.
"Do you like foam or... ??... Oh, sorry, I mean, your wife usually uses foam or no foam?"
'Ah, what?... What else is this?' Hendra didn't understand.
"I'll take it all."
***
'The lamp is already on. Is Surya back?' Hendra just arrived at the mansion.
"Where is Aruna?" Hendra asked his secretary, the man who was busy tidying up the pantry.
"She had gone home," Surya flatly replied.
"Really?!"
"Are you disappointed buddy that she's already home?" Surya mischievously whispered.
"Don't joke around." Hendra put down some groceries.
"How about the water tap? Is it done?"
"What did I say? We have to renovate this place first!!"
"I am just asking."
'Why is he angry?' Mahendra thought.
Hendra walked through the living room.
Someone in her new clothes tried to get up from the sofa where she was watching television. The snacks were still clinging to a mess.
"Have you got clothes?" The man watched her movements.
Again, he accidentally confirmed the circle in front of her chest.
'Eh, I think she's got that too.'
"Yes... Mr Surya bought it for me," Aruna replied.
"So you don't need this?" Hendra innocently asked, while lifting a bag of plastic that he bought with tremendous mental pressure.
"Eh, that..." Aruna quickly walked. Her one leg seemed troubled.
"Give it to me." The girl rudely snatched it.
'What an ungrateful little girl.'
"You didn't forget to say something?!"
Hearing Hendra's words, Aruna replied by looking away indifferently.
"Who made me like this!? I will be grateful if you apologise." Aruna was annoyed.
Somehow, she was starving, tired and upset all together.
"Okay, I'm sorry."
The blue-eyed man seemed to weaken whenever Aruna showed a sulking expression.
"Thank you," Aruna softly replied.
"What? I can't hear you."
They started talking informally.
"Thank... you … young… mas.. ter..." Aruna spat out the words, imitating the reading tone of a kid who was just learning to read.
She was sure Hendra had heard what she said. The man liked to tease her.
"You tease me again. Are you tired of living, huh…??"
Hendra grabbed a phenomenal plastic bag, a symbol of his trampling integrity as the Wenceslas Group's CEO.
It was easy for him to keep the bag from Aruna. He just simply raised his hands up. With Hendra's tall posture, little Aruna could only jump in vain.
The girl didn't lose her mind. She deliberately jumped to stomp on Mahendra's leg.
When the man groaned and lifted one leg, she immediately pushed his tall and sturdy body.
'What?!?'
Hendra fell to the floor.
He couldn't stop thinking that this little girl would dare to crawl on top of him and then snatched the things she wanted. Her hair and shirt even brushed his face.
'Blush.' Hendra flushed. His ears turned hot too.
His heart pulsed so fast as if it wanted to get out of his chest.
The man then froze for a moment, stunned alone, before noticing the reckless little girl had disappeared behind the door.
***
The food that the two best friends made smelt good, hovering in the air slipped into Aruna's nose.
She hadn't eaten anything since morning. Plus, she experienced tiring event series, leading the girl out of hiding.
She then came out with aching legs.
'I'm exhausted, does anyone want to help me?'
"Mr Surya..." Aruna asked for help.
She was quite visible from the pantry. But, she felt like just getting there was quite tiring.
"Please… call me another way." Hendra's secretary seemed to object to being summoned by 'Mr' in front of his name.
Aruna racked her brain. She wasn't brave enough to just call out a name. That was impolite.
"M.. Mas?!" (a Javanese call)
'He is Javanese, right? It's also impossible for me to call him Aa.' (a Sundanese call)
"Hey, you can't give that call to him..." Hendra interrupted.
"Oh, come on, help me. My leg hurts. You're guys still arguing."
Hendra put down his job. He quickly came to Aruna.
"No... No... No... Not you. I don't need your help." Aruna stepped back, shaking her head. She wasn't pleased to receive Hendra's help.
Hendra didn't care. He lifted Aruna's body.
"Ah, get me off!! You just need to hold my hand... I don't want to be carried."
"I want to come down! Get me down!!" This girl was noisy, hitting Hendra's shoulders and chest several times.
Mahendra was consistent. He didn't flinch and relaxly lowered Aruna on the pantry chair.
"Wash your hands first." Hendra put Aruna's hands away, which immediately grabbed the food.
"Bring the water here then..." Aruna asked.
The man prepared the water in a small bottle and tissue for the girl.
"The plate... give me the plate, Sir." Surya slipped a plate in front of Aruna.
This girl was already good at bothering her boss. She was delighted to have a comrade in arms.
Aruna swiftly took the rice and piled all the side dishes, vegetables, into one like a hill. She was starving since morning.
The spoon was full. Aruna devourely ate her food, ignoring the two pairs of stunned eyes, who were observing her appetite.
"For the sake of magic clam... This is so delicious!" Aruna exclaimed.
"Ha ha ha ha..." The two people who were observing Aruna, spontaneously laughed.
'What are they laughing at??'