1

The restaurant's ballroom was full of dignitaries. From the sub-district head of a village to the CEO of a well-known palm oil company in Indonesia. Although lots of people come to visit the restaurant, it doesn't make the restaurant feel stuffy and cramped. Instead, it became more festive and luxurious because it was conjured up in such a way to welcome the grand reunion which was organized by one of the campuses of the General Achmad Yani University, Cimahi City, West Java for the 2015 batch. The excitement that was built and the luxury organized by the restaurant made people there laugh happily. It feels good to see old friends who have been successful together. The noise created did not make anyone feel undisturbed, instead, they felt warmth because the noise created had become warmth for the people who came to the reunion.

Ghina, who had just arrived, felt that warmth the first time she entered the restaurant. Her eyes looked at the people who were talking as well as passing by carefully. It felt like she had not seen these people in a long time. Who just passed by? Reihan? Alvin? She had forgotten the names of those people. All she remembers is the appearance and past stories of these people.

Being an outgoing girl who likes to be suddenly invited to confide in, it has become a daily meal for Ghina when she was on campus. She is always known as "the butterfly" because of her behavior that is known to almost half the population of her department, Government Science. Because it made her know almost half the story of everyone who greeted her from exiting the parking lot to entering the restaurant. Even though Ghina forgot to remember what their names were.

"Ghin!"

Ghina waved when she saw a group of her friends had gathered at one of the round tables in the corner of the room.

"Here!" Anne, the woman holding the beautiful baby girl, called out to her. She waved her hand, motioning for Gina to come closer. "Here!"

Gina approached quickly. It felt like she couldn't wait to meet her friends she hadn't seen in a long time. But, feel anxious too if later they ask her one thing.

"Too late," Anne said, annoyed when Gina was sitting next to her. Her child has moved seats to Gina.

Ghina pinched the cheeks of Ica, Anne's daughter, exasperatedly. Her eyes then turned to Anne who was still waiting for her to open her mouth. "I have a meeting earlier. Can't leave the deadline."

Anne's eyes narrowed. Doubt Gina's answer. How long had they not seen each other? How long had Ghina been absent from every meeting they had? It feels like a lot of Ghina has a different alibi every time she's late.

"You're alone?" Ardi walks from beside Ghina and sits across from her, not forgetting the camera that he always carries with him wherever he goes. Ah, people's pride, Youtuber. "Where's Tera?"

Tera. Ghina has already prepared an answer if someone later asks her where Tera is and why Tera is not with her or not coming with her.

The woman does not bother Gina, with all the busyness Tera gets, always manages to have an alibi to avoid every meeting her friends make. I don't know how long the woman must always avoid this gathering. Luckily her alibi never lies. Tera always has the right time and coincides with the event taking place. Pray for Ghina if at the time of her wedding Tera doesn't have an alibi to escape. If that happens, Ghina will make sure she doesn't want to see Tera's nose bridge again for the rest of her life.

"Is she late or not coming?" This time it was Dea, another of Ghina's friends, who asked. "What's the reason now?"

Ghina grimaced at Dea's irritated tone. It's a little difficult to make an alibi for them, though. "She has to go to Singapore, she has an important meeting."

"I think she almost goes to Singapore every time we get together, huh." Dea shook her head in disbelief. The child in her arms tried to take the cold drink that was in front of her. "It's cold. You will get a cough."

"Ow." (Thirsty). Dea's son tried to rebel in his lap.

Dee shook her head firmly. "Cough. Just drink this." Dea gave a bottle of milk to her child which was accepted with great joy by her son.

"If she's not come, she will be late. Almost everyone is already in the parking lot, then she comes." Risya, another of Ghina's friends, also chimed in. "She's so busy, hey! What is she doing in Singapore?

Ghina turned to Anne. Asking for help, because among the others, only Ghina and Anne know the real reason why Tera didn't come. Anne who saw Gina's pitiful gaze immediately cleared her throat.

"She wants to be rich. That's why her life is just work and work. She'll come when the time is right." Gina smiled gratefully at Anne. "Let's have fun now. John and Hari have made the show as lively as this, it's a shame if we even debate because Tera didn't come."

Before Gina could breathe a sigh of relief, a man came over to Gina's table. Her eyes blinked. Adi! Ghina exclaimed in her heart. One of the men who had disturbed Ghina's day on campus a little because of her nature came over to her desk. Making the table that was previously noisy because it was busy disturbing Ardi, who had started his YouTuber action, became silent for a moment. The guy who has a really bad track record in Gina's group. Oh, welcome to the grand reunion, Ghina.

"Can I join here?" Starting when he arrived in front of other friends. His eyes twinkled playfully. "Why are you guys suddenly silent, eh? Even though your table was the busiest lately."

Without the owner's approval, Adi sat beside Kiky. A quiet and calm man among Gina's other friends.

**

"Sir, can I pray first?" Tera tapped Mr. Benny's shoulder who was watching the Volleyball team playing a match between the teams at the Citra Stadium in Makassar City.

Mr. Benny, who was focusing on the volleyball team, glanced at Tera before nodding and allowing Tera to worship.

Tera immediately rushed after taking her bag which was in the audience seat lying along with the bags of other friends.

Today she flew straight from Singapore early in the morning because there is a core recruit for the league her office is holding for the coming year.

Tera walked limply out of the Stadium located far from the city. It feels like Tera's body is nothing more than a zombie who still has a conscience. The body feels dismembered because it has not received intake since 2 days ago. Eyes that feel heavy because Tera feels like she has forgotten what a soft mattress feels like. Paper piled up in every Tera street feels very stifling and fun at the same time. Her job in Singapore is still very vulnerable for her to leave. The times are sophisticated and you can do it at home or anywhere. Moreover, her job in Singapore is very flexible and allows her to be able to run wherever Tera is. However, her teammates still kept Tera distraught because she couldn't do it without Tera's supervision. Singapore has been her second home for several years. She always commutes to Singapore every week or month just to check on her work. Even her mother and sister also joined her on her journey. A little makes Tera feel lucky because there are friends on her journey and of course encouragement.

Tera began to take ablution water solemnly, after looking in the mirror for a while, she walked slowly towards the mosque. The mosque is magnificent and feels warm to Tera. It always feels calm every time Tera enters God's house. Feelings of fatigue, tiredness, and boredom always disappear as soon as Tera returns to plead to strengthen all the feelings that are in her heart. And thank Her for trusting her to be able to take care of the treasure that God has entrusted to her.

The sound of the cell phone ringing made Tera, who was wiping the mukena she had used, stop. When she saw the name written on it, Tera smiled a little.

"Hello ..." a loud voice immediately caught Tera as soon as she picked up the phone.

Gina chuckled. "Where have you been? I called earlier."

Tera put her mukena into her black Kanken bag which had been wrinkled and eroded by time. "Praying." Tera closed her bag and leaned against the wall behind her. "The reunion went well?"

This time Gina snorted in annoyance. "They are ask you. You are always absent at every meeting, Tera." Tera heard Ghina sneering on the other end of the phone. "I'm confused, every time I gather, you must be the one to handle."

"Well, what can I do," Tera shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm a really nice person."

"Tch!" Gina replied, annoyed. "Are you still in Singapore?"

Tera sighed tiredly. Her hand suddenly pinched the bridge of his nose. "I was back--"

"You're back, but you didn't come to the reunion?" cut Gina quickly.

Tera's part that snorted. "I was back. but now I'm in Makassar." answered Tera patiently.

"Hah?" Gina mumbled. "What are you doing?"

"Soon my office will be holding a volleyball league. I will be on the committee that recruits people to join my team. Incidentally, my office wants people who are on the rise now. And the person is in Makassar, so I went to Makassar with the team to re-enact and check the person."

Gina gave a long oh. There was a clatter and grunting before Ghina answered. "Then when are you going back to Jakarta?"

"Maybe tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Or it could be more. Why?"

"I want some ..." replied Gina shamelessly. "Bring lots of gifts, okay?"

Gina and her gifts. Tera's best friend always asks for souvenirs wherever Tera goes. Tera was sure that her best friend had been to the same place that Tera had visited. For some reason, gifts are valuable gifts for Gina.

"I work here, not on a vacation." Tera felt Deja Vu with her own answer.

"I know," Gina replied casually. "At least, if you can't bring gifts, bring me 'boy' news from you."

Tera knew what Gina meant. It had been a long time since Ghina had been discussing the same thing, and ended up with Tera letting out a sharp sign.

Gina's voice turned soft and gentle. "It's time you open your heart again, Ter." Oh no! This discussion again. "You've run enough. Now it's time for you to turn around and go home."