Looking For Randi

Panji had expected that this would happen. Where the surprise event as well as this proposal will be chaotic like this. Laras ran away, the atmosphere was crowded and chaotic because the invited guests were wondering what had happened to the woman.

Where he stood, Panji was still faithfully holding the bouquet of red roses he bought before coming here. When his father told him about this proposal, Panji immediately refused. But again he could do nothing but obey. As he wished. And now, it's all messed up. Laras will definitely hate it. There will be no more gaps for the woman to put her heart on him, just a little.

"Panji, I'm sorry, son. I didn't think Laras would embarrass herself in a public place like this." Yuni said with a panicked face. Panji knows, this woman is the type of person who upholds self-esteem. So, when something tarnished her good name, she would be furious.

"It's okay, Auntie. Maybe Laras is surprised and angry to be given a surprise like this." Panji smiled faintly. He was trying to make sure he was okay.

"No. Don't worry, my husband is after Laras. I'm sure she will come back no matter what." Yuni said firmly. As if she was very sure that what she said would happen.

"Yeah, I hope so too." Panji replied, with his eyes fixed on the restaurant entrance. The door that Laras had just pushed hard to get out of his reach.

***

This morning in Jakarta was already heavily congested. The taxi that Laras was traveling in kept stopping due to red lights as well as various kinds. Whereas in the back seat, Laras was already in tears. Her nose was getting redder as she sobbed that wouldn't stop.

There's no point in cursing at God either. It's all happened. Laras was embarrassed in front of many people. Embarrassing hilerself, just like Yuni said. But, this is better than marrying someone she never loved at all.

"Thank you." Laras said when the taxi stopped in front of the tall and sturdy gate of the house.

"Nindy!!!" Laras immediately screamed when she saw Nindy who was about to enter the house.

"Nindy, open!!!" Laras kept shouting loudly until finally Nindy ran to her.

"Why are you here?" Nindy did not wait for Laras' answer, she immediately opened the padlock that locked the gate.

As soon as the gate was wide open, Laras immediately hugged Nindy tightly. As if she would get an energy from hugging her best friend.

"Why?" asked Nindy worriedly. While Laras, she was still crying. Her back was shaking violently as hee sobs got louder and louder. All Nindy could do was just return Lara's hug just as tightly, while occasionally her hand moved to gently stroke Laras' back.

Nindy had no idea what had happened to Laras today. She had just finished throwing trash into the bin until she heard Laras scream from the gate. With a beautiful long dress, Laras came in a mess. Hugging Nindy's body and sobbing loudly in her arms.

"No problem, just cry. I'll wait until it's finished."

Ten minutes Laras did not let go of her arms. She was still crying though not as hard as before. It didn't matter how messed up the face was, nor the red nose and eyes. Laras let go of the hug and looked at Nindy sadly.

"I proposed." Laras said quietly. Her eyes filled with unwanted tears again.

"Same Panji?" Laras nodded wearily.

"I was proposed in front of many people, I had no choice but to accept. But I don't want to, Nin. All I want is Randi, not Panji or anyone." Laras explained in a hoarse voice. Her throat still felt tight, just like when she found Panji coming with a bouquet of roses in his hand.

"So you choose to run away?" Laras nodded again.

Nindy didn't know what to respond except to give her best friend a warm and tight hug. This time, the problem involved not only two people, but many people. It would be a big problem if Laras made the wrong decision. Like now, Laras chose to run away rather than accept Panji's proposal.

"Alright, let's go in first."

Nindy gave her a glass of water which Laras immediately gulped down. "Thank you." She said when Nindy also held out a box of tissues in front of her.

"I'm tired, Nin." Laras said while wiping her face which was damp with tears mixed with sweat.

"I know, even without you telling me, I know, Ras."

"I don't know what to do." Laras continued.

"Your position is also awry, Ras. You can just accept Panji's proposal and it's all over." Nindy voiced her opinion.

"But after that, I will suffer, Nin. No one can be happy when she lives with someone she has never loved before."

"But, Ras, love comes because you get used to it. So, it's not wrong if you start to open your heart to Panji. What I see, he is a person who is quite responsible." Laras reflex shook her head after hearing Nindy's suggestion. I swear to anything, she never wanted to marry Panji or have anything more than partners with him.

"No, Nin. I don't want to." Laras still refuses.

"Why? Is Panji not good enough for you? Is he not handsome enough to replace Randi?" Laras still shook her head. That's not what she meant, Nindy didn't understand how deep her feelings for Randi were.

"That's not it, Nin. Panji is really good, judging from his attitude, he's even better than Randi. Judging from the physical, he's also more than enough to be said to be handsome. But that's not the point, Nin. You won't understand because you never know what it's like to love someone with all your heart. But that person leaves without a trace at all."

"You are wrong if you say I don't understand. Because on the other hand, I really understand. But what I understand here is, you are selfish. You only expect Randi without thinking about the child in your womb now. It's clear that Randi is not a man who is responsible, but you still have hope for him. The banner is clearly a reflection of an angel, he is even willing to be responsible for a child who is not of his own flesh and blood. But you? You never want to be nice to him. Laras, what's wrong with you?!"

"Nindy, I can't," said Laras. It was almost frustrating to explain all this.

"You can't because your pride has been taken by him?"

"What the hell, Nindy?!" Laras screamed, she never thought that Nindy would be this rude to her.

"Okay, sorry. So what do you want now?"

There was a pause before Laras continued her speech. "Accompany me to Jogja, look for Randi."