Arrival

(HenCafe, Derisa City)

A woman who feels overwhelmed, is currently hanging out with three of her best friends. She is Melati, a pharmacist at Derisa Hospital who is accompanied by her 3 best friends, namely Tiffany, Gaika, and Viani.

"Mel... Get over it, let's move forward", said Gaika, one of Melati's three friends.

"How could I get over it? Welly is reckless, reckless, reckless and super reckless, you know?!", said Melati, annoyed, while continuing to eat the French fries in front of her.

"Welly is reckless because he really loves you, Mel..", Gaika replied softly and gave Melati an understanding.

"I know, Gaika, but his attitude is humiliating and he lacks of self-awareness..!!", replied Melati again, getting even more infuriated remembering Welly's name.

"What do you mean by humiliating, Mel..?", asked Viani who had been silently listening and listening to the conversation.

"That jerk is so pretentious, Viani. He thinks he's wealthy. At that time, he asked my parents' permission to take me out. He said he wanted to take me out to eat".

"When we got there, his friends were already present. I don't mind, though. Welly always talks big. He claimed he'd cover our dining expenses".

"But when we finished eating, he whispered to me. He said, he borrowed money and would return it later. The reason is he left his ATM card behind".

"Who wouldn't be annoyed with this situation? And it's not just once, but 3 times already. I haven't received my refund yet, even now!!", exasperated, Melati rubbed her forehead.

Tiffany commented, "Does a guy like that really exist?!".

"That's how it is. I'm extremely frustrated. Especially since my uncle told me Welly asked my parents' permission to propose to me. They're clearly thrilled, unaware of the real story", Melati provided an in-depth explanation.

"Have you never told your parents about Welly's behavior?", Gaika asked again and felt that Melati's story was quite interesting and needed a lot of explanation.

"My parents won't believe it. Welly is extremely cunning. He's exceptionally kind in front of them but despicable behind their backs. They'll blindly trust him, no matter what", Melati let out a deep sigh.

"Oh No, Mel. That's terrible", Gaika was shocked to hear Melati's description of Welly.

"Yeah, that's why I have a headache like this, right?", Melati answered, rubbing her temples.

"Just dump Wellyl", Viani offered her advice, driven by her own disdain for men like Welly.

"Viani, I've tried breaking up with Welly multiple times, but he's extremely manipulative. He runs to my parents, distorting facts about me and our relationship. Naturally, they believe him, and I end up getting scolded", with a firm tone and a resounding thud on the table, Melati reacted, causing a nearby diner to jump in surprise.

"Easy, ma'am. No need for drama!", the guy next to her was getting pissed.

"I apoligize, sir", Melati felt guilty, then made a goofy face, causing her three friends to burst into laughter."

"Why not seek someone with a similar profession, like a pharmacist or male nurse? You might even find a doctor who's the perfect match", Tiffany offered Melati some advice too.

Melati remained silent, her mind preoccupied with the latest gossip circulating at RS Derisa Hospital, which left her heart aching. Apparently, the rumor involved Doctors Zein and Zelena.

Overwhelmed with sorrow, Melati returned to her boarding house, retreated to her room, and isolated herself.

Shortly after, her uncle called to inform her that Welly was visiting their family home, announcing his intention to marry her.

Feeling perplexed, Melati invited her three closest friends to discuss her concerns at HenCafe.

"Mel, what's up? Why so quiet?", Gaika noticed Melati's sudden contemplative state.

"Sorry, Gai, I wasn't paying attention", Melati's eyes sparkled back to life as she emerged from her deep contemplation.

"Tiffany was asking about you. Don't you like any guys at hospital? anybody?", Gaika said.

'Just one guy who caught my eye. I fell in love with him at first sight at my old pharmacy. Unfortunately, he's now with Dr. Zelena', Melati devastated.

Melati's gaze drifted away, her thoughts consumed. Tiffany's patience wore thin, prompting a loud shout in Melati's ear.

"Mel..!!!"

Startled, Melati spontaneously uttered a name, "Doctor Zein.. yes Doctor Zein!!".

"Bingo! Who's Doctor Zein?", The air filled with Viani's joyful giggles and her two another friends' supportive clapping.

"Whatever! Let's just be happy!", A hint of discomfort crept into Melati's tone as she deftly steered the discussion elsewhere."

A silent understanding passed between them, culminating in radiant smiles.

'Doctor Zein must be the one who caught Melati's attention', they thought.

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

(At Derisa City Station)

Meanwhile, at Derisa Station, Zara Aleefa, a hijab-clad woman, stepped off the train. Her stature commanded attention, mirroring Doctor Zelena's impressive 183 cm. Additionally, she held a black belt in karate.

With each stride, Zara embodied confidence, deterring drivers from approaching. With urgency, Zara's fingers danced across her phone keypad, dialing Hameed Basrah, Doctor Zein's cousin

"Salamu aleykom, Hameed. I've arrived".

Hameed's warm greeting filled the line, "aleykom assalam, welcome home! Alhamdulillah, safe journey."

Previously, Hameed had sent Zara a message asking about her whereabouts, to which she simply replied, 'En route'.

Before Zara set off, Khalid stressed the importance of informing Hameed about her travel plans. Zara ignored her father instructed, fearing Hameed would spill the beans to Doctor Zein.

"Hurry up, Hameed", Zara replied impatiently.

"Why the hurry? What's wrong?", Hameed asked, perplexed.

"Hameed, I've reached Derisa City Station", Zara's response rendered Hameed speechless.

"What?! Why didn't you inform me earlier? Luckily, I wasn't away. Wait there, I'll come to you", Hameed leapt from bed, hastily ended the call, changed clothes, and rushed to pick up Zara at Derisa City Station.

"Aleykom assalam", Zara replied with a gentle headshake.

Zara understood Hameed's panic and forgave his omission of the greeting. She then waited for him at a small food stall near Derisa City Station to grab a snack and beverage.

Twenty minutes passed before Hameed arrived at Derisa Station in his uncle Abdullah's borrowed vehicle. Stepping out, he prepared to call Zara, but a warm, familiar voice intercepted his intentions.

"It took you long enough," Zara said, opening the car door and settling into the front seat.

"Hi Zara, how are you? Please, get in," Hameed said with a sheepish grin, noticing Zara already occupied the front seat.

"Can we go already?" Zara asked, slightly annoyed.

With a charming smile, Hameed settled into the driver's seat.

"Your destination, my lady?", he teased, speeding off.

Zara's eyes sparkled with amusement before slowly closing, her fatigue from the five-hour journey overwhelming her.

'Zara is indeed beautiful, God bless her. Unfortunately, I'm already married. If my wife, Halimah, allowed polygamy, I would have married Zara long ago', Hamid thought to himself.

Despite his father and four brothers practicing polygamy, Hamid refrained due to a peculiar concern: fear of his wife secretly castrating him in his sleep.

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