Yuni's Party

Night has come, where at eight o'clock it will be time for Yuni to blow out the candle with the number 32 written on it. Laras should have been sitting nicely in Panji's car, but what happened instead was she just sat quietly on the patio chair while grumbling softly.

"Is this Panji here, isn't it? Why is it taking so long?"

Laras repeatedly checked the watch on her hand. It's seven past thirty, but Panji hasn't shown the bridge of his nose yet. He also refused the ringing on Laras' cell phone several times, because the call came from Iwan who kept asking when it would arrive.

"If I call again, you don't pick up, just watch out."

Laras again contacted Panji via telephone, but again the man did not answer. Snorting, Laras stood up. She was already furious with Panji, she decided not to come to Yuni's event. But before that, a horn sounded from outside the gate. But as Laras recalled, the car in front of the gate was not Panji's car.

"Laras?!" Widia's voice sounded loud, making Laras immediately run to her.

"Aunty?" Laras greeted confusedly, when she saw Widia getting out of her white car. "How come Auntie picked me up, where's Panji?"

"Come in first, let's go? Afraid of traffic jams, you'll be late." Just obeyed. She sat beside Widia who was driving.

"So, where's Panji? I didn't pick up the phone." Laras spoke up. She was so curious about where Panji had gone that the man ignored his phone call.

"He can't come, Laras. He's not feeling well anymore. And regarding your phone, it looks like he's taking a break. He actually rarely opens his cellphone when he's at home."

Laras nodded. "Oh, I see. I thought he was mad at me. Because I wasn't being nice to him." Laras confessed. She didn't want to cover up the fact that she really didn't like Panji. Instead of acting sweet and getting a positive response, it's better for her to be as she is. So, both Widia and Satya will retract their decision to match Panji with her again.

"No. Besides, you don't have to worry. No matter how bad you treat Panji, he will never get angry. Even if you make him unable to walk, he won't be angry."

"Why is it so?"

"Because he loves you, with all his heart."

***

Being in a circle of businessmen of various ages made Laras head dizzy. If only Panji was here, she could just ask the man to take her home. But unfortunately, the man was not even present. Even though she was the one who asked Laras to come to this party.

Ah, actually can't be called a party. Because most of this event is only filled with congratulations from various important colleagues from Yuni.

"Laras? Why daydreaming?" Satya came, sat beside Laras while sipping the red syrup he brought.

"It's okay, Uncle. I'm just bored, I thought the party would be fun. Turns out it's just like this." Laras answered honestly. Hope Satya is kind and allows her to leave from here.

"It's like this, businessmen's birthday parties. It's just greetings until you get bored. Panji always goes home first when he attends events like this."

"Oh, yes, Uncle. What's wrong with Panji, huh? He said he wasn't feeling well?"

"Yeah, he's sick to his stomach."

"Stomach ache?" Satya nodded. "Yes. This afternoon he came home early from work, even though his schedule was busy. He said he had a stomach ache, after eating spicy food."

Instantly guilt invaded Lara's heart. Panji's stomach must have hurt because he was forced to finish the kebabs this morning. But, come to think of it, this is also Panji's fault. Who told him not to say?

"Is he okay now?"

"I don't know, but I don't think so. His stomach is very sensitive, he can go back and forth to the bathroom for two days if he eats carelessly."

Whoops! Laras just felt more and more guilty.

Without thinking, she stood up from her seat. "Uncle, I'll go first, okay? Tell aunt and uncle." Laras intends to use her sling bag, but is restrained by Satya. "Where are you going? My aunt will be angry, you know, if you go home you don't have permission first."

"I want to see Panji." Satya was pensive because of Laras' answer.

"Oh, okay. Just use my wife's car." Satya held out the key to Laras, which the woman immediately accepted.

"Thank you, Uncle."

Laras rushed to the parking lot. Impatiently, she read the black car plates one by one, until she found the initials of WD's name. Immediately she went inside. Fortunately, the streets of Jakarta are not so congested. It's a bit unnatural because usually on weekend nights, it's usually very congested because of the large number of young people who go out. Whether for dinner or just spending time walking around the streets with loved ones.

Ah, Laras has to remember Randi again. Because usually the man always takes her around Jakarta regularly. Either just wandering aimlessly, or occasionally stopping at street vendors and chatting about random things there. But again, Laras had to swallow the bitter pill because all that was just a memory.

Neither she nor Randi are clear about their relationship. Is it still a lover or no status?

What should Laras do after this?

Time will continue to run, the fetus in the womb will develop along with the enlargement of the stomach. Everything will continue even though Laras doesn't want it at all.

Should Laras accept her match with Panji? Because at least, if she was with Panji, her life would be fine, even though the heart had to be sacrificed.

Oh shit! She had just arrived at the gate of Panji's house.

Fortunately, the tall gate was not locked, nor was it left wide open like the Panji house. So, Laras can go straight inside without having to bother opening it.

Laras pressed the bell in the center of the door. The sound was very loud, sure to be heard as far as Panji's room which was on the second floor.

One time, no answer.

Twice, still not open the door.

Three times, Laras started to get annoyed.

Four times, Laras was starting to run out of patience.

"One more time, if it doesn't open, I'll just go."

Just as Laras was about to stretch out her hand again to press the bell, it failed because the golden doorknob moved, indicating that someone inside was about to open it.

"Sorry for taking so long, I went to the bathroom for a while. Ma--" Panji's words stopped when his eyes met Laras' face who was also looking at him. "Laras? Why are you here at night?"

Panji's face was so pale, his lips were no longer pink. The hand that is usually tucked into the pocket of his pants, now he uses to hold his stomach, which may be painful. Laras feels even more guilty towards Panji. Then without a word, she pushed Panji back inside. Closing the main door with such a loud bang.

"Hey, what are you doing??"