HOW I LOVE YOU

Hira was on the phone across the street while looking at the two magnificent houses in front of her, the boarding house consists of 3 floors, and the main house also has the same height.

The top floor is a vegetable garden whose greens can be seen from down below. The road climbs and turns because this house is indeed at the foot of the mountain. There are many lovely private villas around but never seen the occupant, and they are so quiet.

The cool air and the rural atmosphere are serene, plus there are no other kinds of marts around, only small warungs*) that enter a small alley belonging to the natives, adding to the sacred atmosphere of this place.

While speaking on the phone, she thoroughly enjoyed the house's windows from a distance; the architect was so luxurious. The building was sturdy, and the environment was attractive. According to Viny, this house is a new building, only two years old. No wonder it still looks clean and beautiful.

She didn't realize that someone was watching her. A man came out as the garage was open. Hira watched the man move as she continued to talk on the phone. It was so cool for the eyes and heart to see the figure.

Who else, if not Billy, the owner of the palace?

Hira pretended to be busy with her talk while watching the man back his car, however, it was strange; instead of back to the right, the road leading to the highway was to the left. But he backed away to the left, the car was facing the woman's direction.

And sure enough, the car drove past in front of Hira. It's just that Hira busies herself with her phone.

After a while, the car came back again, apparently turning around in a U-turn after her. She was surprised not to expect Billy would go back and forth in front of her and slow down to the side.

A Jay had just come out of the parking, approached the boss behind the steering wheel, and they both seemed to discuss something. Then Billy laughed before the vehicle drove away.

And A Jay closed the gate of the main house.

A simple moment but enough to make Hira's heart blossom the morning before noon.

***

How complicated it is to take care of a Covid-free letter for a trip out of town.

Arriving at the Puskesmas*), it turned out that the procedure was not that simple. Not to mention the overwhelming number of patients or visitors to the Puskesmas.

It turned out that they had come early to take the queue number; it is said about 5 am, the people had already begun to pick up the number and then came back when the Puskesmas opened at 8 am.

To be able to issue a Covid-free letter, the Doctor asked for a Rapid Test Result. The test itself was held elsewhere, not around this Puskesmas. The cost is in the range of 300-400 thousand rupiah. And to take the test itself, there must be a cover letter from the local RT and RW*).

Ah, it's still a long process. Hard to manage. Finally, Hira temporarily postponed her departure out of town because the letter was only needed as the requirement to ride the train.

Fortunately, the train tickets that have been purchased can be returned 100% in cash if canceled on the D day of departure. If the cancellation is made before, the refund will be subject to a 25% cut, and won't get cash instead of transferred to the passenger's bank account a month later. This new rule recommends a 100% cash refund on the D-day cancelation to support the passengers who have a positive Covid result.

All day long take care of the matters but nothing was done. Hira fell fast asleep in her room and woke up unconsciously when she heard the sound of a car's engine entering the garage.

Her eyes were red when she opened the door and stood in front of the room. This time she wanted to see someone's face up close. Someone she misses so much.

And her wish came true.

The man got out of the car and quietly passed in front of Hira while looking into the girl's eyes. Hira returned the man's gaze; strangely, his eyes were also red like he had just woken up tired. Only half a meter away, and it was the closest distance so far to see each other. Their faces were flat only longing souls holding each other.

The short moment of silence afternoon. Their hearts and souls were met yet so quiet... longing for someone who was half a meter away.

***

She took her silent heart to the 3rd floor. She vented her longing for vegetable growth, the evening breeze, and the irregularly shaped clouds.

A song came from her earphones, and she was lost in the atmosphere.

Engelbert Humperdick, How I love you...

==========================================================

'You hold me in your eyes

In your own special way

I wonder how you know

The things I never say

I can't imagine life

Without you by my side

The power of your love

Is all I need tonight

I know there have been times

That I have caused you pain

I'd turn them all around

If I could start again

There's something I must say

I know it's overdue

The sweetest things I've known

Forever called my own

Begins and ends with you

How I love you'

==========================================================

Suddenly appeared from downstairs, A Jay... followed by Billy. Wearing a loose green T-shirt with knee-length pants looks so cool.

Hira is at the east end, and they are at the west end. They looked at a glance for a moment and then drowned in the busyness of each other's hearts.

A Jay is seen showing vegetables and answering his boss's questions. Standing a step behind Billy and walking around the garden, sometimes they stopped and talked in an area for a long time; Billy carefully listened to what A Jay said with his hands clasped as he occasionally threw eyeballs at girls in the distance. Love in the air.

And Hira walked down the stairs with a pounding heart as they walked toward the area where she was.

The evening is approaching.

***

*) Warung is a small family-owned business in the form of a shop, kiosk, small shop,

*)Puskesmas, Community Health Center, is a health service facility that organizes public health efforts and first-level individual health efforts

*)RW, Rukun Warga, is a government institution consisting of several RT groups in a village and led by one RW head. Meanwhile, RT is a Neighborhood Association that gathers several heads of families in each village/kelurahan .