Riana

All night, I kept thinking about Luna. I wondered why she looked at me with fear when I was harsh with May. It seemed like she had deep trauma related to that. I remembered how her hands trembled violently.

I didn't know why she looked so sad and scared. I still felt guilty when I gave her that doll as a replacement. The next day, I invited Luna to have lunch somewhere after she got back from school.

"So, where do you want to eat?" I asked while we were on our way.

Luna took me to a bakery. I just found out that she really loves cheese sandwiches with spicy sauce on top. Without hesitation, she ordered it, while I only ordered an iced cappuccino.

"Why only a drink? Don't you like bread, Andra?" Luna asked curiously.

"Not really, I prefer coffee," I replied while sipping my drink.

"Really? Coffee is good too. I heard my mom drinks coffee whenever she's tired and stressed."

"Yeah, that's what coffee is for," I laughed.

A few minutes later, we finished lunch and continued our journey to the park. There was an abandoned playground near the city park center. Luna was still holding onto my arm, leading me there. We sat on one of the swings installed there.

"I'm going to take you to meet my mom. You're okay with that, right?" Luna said enthusiastically.

"Wait, for what?" I asked.

"Just to introduce you to her. Is that okay?"

Actually, I didn't want to, but this was all for Luna. She seemed so excited, and I didn't want to disappoint her again.

"Umm... okay, why not?" I agreed.

"Great! So, can we go now?" Luna asked me.

"Sure."

We immediately left the place and headed to her mom's restaurant on my motorcycle.

***

"Mom! Mom! Look, Mom!" Luna exclaimed happily, holding my wrist and pulling me as she ran toward her mom, Riana.

"Luna, calm down," I said, almost struggling to keep up with her from behind.

She stopped running once we entered the kitchen. She even dragged me, bringing me to Riana.

"Hi Mom, this is Andra. He's the one I told you about yesterday."

Riana looked at me for a moment and then said, "Ah, yes, I remember now. Luna has told me a lot about you."

She looked younger than I had imagined. Maybe she was around 25 years old or so. Her face was almost similar to Luna's. Straight, long brown hair and smooth, fair skin, like Luna but in an adult version.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs.Riana," I greeted politely.

"Just call me Riana," she replied.

We continued talking about Luna, her only child, which eventually led to a topic that almost touched on Riana's privacy.

"I don't know, Luna once said that one day you could be like a brother or a father to her."

"Really? She said that?" I said with a small laugh, and Riana laughed too.

"Yeah, that girl is full of surprises," she replied.

"If only I could have met you earlier, Riana. You seem really kind."

"Thank you. You seem like a good young man. That's why Luna trusts you so much."

"Actually, Luna never trusts anyone, especially someone she just met," Riana continued.

I sighed softly.

"Oh? Why is that?"

"She's different. Her personality, I don't know, her attitude changes every time we talk."

"Kids are like that, right?"

"But once she gets to know you, she can immediately figure things out, as if she's known you for a long time. She tells me everything about you, and she's so excited."

Honestly, I was very worried about moments like this. It felt like I had given everything to Luna. Even though it was only the first time I gave her that doll as a gift, and it had only been three days since I started taking her to and from school. What I feared was that Riana might think strange things about my relationship with Luna, which was actually quite normal.

"Luna is a shy child and sometimes feels insecure. But not with you, Andra. She's very lucky to have met you."

In the middle of my conversation with Riana, Luna suddenly hugged me from behind.

"Hi, Andra," she greeted with a smile.

"How's your evening, Luna? Is everything okay?" I asked with a smile.

She nodded.

"Let's go somewhere else, okay? You've been talking to Mom for too long," she pointed at Riana, as if she was jealous.

Riana laughed at her only child's adorable behavior.

"Don't worry, Luna, Mom won't take Andra away from you."

"Sorry, Luna, I have a class this afternoon."

Luna's face suddenly turned gloomy. I knew she really wanted to hang out with me, but unfortunately, I had a class this afternoon.

"How about tomorrow? We'll go out together with your mom. If your mom isn't busy here," I suggested.

Luna started smiling again.

"Yes, of course, tomorrow we'll go out, okay, Mom?"

Riana looked shy, as if this was like a date for her.

"Is that okay?" I asked Riana.

Actually, I only wanted to take Luna, but this time I had already met her mom. I just didn't want her mom to think weird things about my relationship with Luna. I was playing it safe so that both of us would feel comfortable, because Luna was still too young to go out with me alone. That's why I also invited Riana.

"It's okay, Andra. It seems like a good idea," she replied encouragingly.

"Alright then," I replied with a nod.

***

The last thing I remembered before riding my motorcycle was Luna's bright smile.

When morning came, we rode the bike again and headed to the park. The three of us enjoyed our trip. The weather was clear, no clouds in sight, and the sky was bright blue. Although, I wasn't sure if the day was really that clear, but it didn't matter. I enjoyed it.

I felt Luna's presence beside me. She was still holding onto my arm, as she always did since we left the house.

"Look, Andra! There's a butterfly!"

Luna saw two butterflies flying around the park in front of her.

"Aren't they beautiful?" Luna said while watching them.

"Why don't you catch them or play with them?" I asked.

"Can I, Mom?" Luna asked Riana for permission.

"Of course, my dear. Be careful, don't go too far," Riana said softly and lovingly.

While Luna was playing with the butterflies in the park, Riana started a conversation with me.

"So, you're the only son of Mrs. Rose?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"She was my supervisor when we were still at the same company. She was very friendly when she trained me there as a new employee."

"Then, why did you quit working there?" I asked.

"There was someone who made me uncomfortable there, and strangely, it was my boss," she replied.

"Let me guess, your boss had a crush on you?"

Riana chuckled and then said, "How did you know?"

"Things like that happen often, especially since I also have a father who's a boss," I replied.

"I don't know why bosses always act like that? They feel like they're at the top and can do anything, like conquering someone or a woman," I continued.

"I don't know either, but I think some people are like that because of their upbringing. Or maybe because of their sexual orientation," Riana clarified my point.

"By the way, you're a polite and gentle man."

My cheeks turned red after hearing what she said.

"No, not really," I replied briefly.

"Do you like men or women?"

"What should I say?" I replied with a small laugh, as it was the weirdest question she had ever asked me.

"Because your attitude is very gentle, especially when you speak. Someone should be proud to have you, but why are you still single?"

"Maybe because I'm afraid someone will leave me in the end," I replied.

"And why do you feel that way?"

"It's hard to explain, but it's true."

I kept talking with Riana throughout the trip to the park. She seemed to understand me very well, and she also gave me advice and suggestions about my own love life.

She was also very understanding and supportive.

In this world where there are many things we don't understand or can't control, it's better to accept advice from others rather than just listening or not listening, because if not, you might find yourself hurt in the process.

***

After returning from the park, Luna didn't want to stay with Riana at her restaurant. She preferred to come with me to my house. She whined and insisted that we leave immediately.

"It's okay, Andra. Maybe she still wants to be with you. I'll pick her up from your house tonight," Riana said.

"Alright, see you later."

When we arrived at my house, I unlocked the door and went inside, heading straight to my room. After closing the door behind me, I took off my jacket and shoes.

Before I could sit on my bed, I was surprised to see Luna, who had also entered my room.

"Luna? What are you doing here? I want to change my clothes."

"Can we watch a movie?"

"Sure, what movie do you want to watch?"

"Any Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast, maybe?" Luna replied with a big smile on her face.

"Alright, we'll watch it together after I change my clothes, okay?"

Luna nodded, "Yay!"

"Alright, can you step out for a moment?"

"Why?" Luna asked innocently while smiling at me.

"I need to change my clothes, Luna."

"Just change your clothes, Andra. I'm still a kid, it's okay, right?" she replied with a shy smile.

"But you're a girl, it shouldn't be like that."

"Okay, okay, I'll step out," Luna left my room while giggling.

As soon as I heard her laughter, I quickly changed into something comfortable to wear at home. Just a T-shirt and shorts.

"Are you dressed yet?" Luna asked outside my room door.

"Yes, come in."

Luna entered and sat next to my bed.

"Can we start now?" Luna asked enthusiastically.

"Yes, of course."

I grabbed the remote control and pressed the "PLAY" button. Then the movie started.

About halfway through, I noticed Luna staring at me intently. I tried my best not to make eye contact with her and kept my eyes on the TV screen.

Not long after, I saw Luna had fallen asleep leaning against me.

"I love you, Andra. I want to marry you," Luna said in her sleep.

I smiled slightly upon hearing it. Maybe she often fantasized about anything in the movie. No wonder, kids are always like that.

"I love you too, Luna. But let's talk about marriage another time, okay?" I whispered while gently kissing Luna's forehead.

I placed her hand on Luna's small stomach and gently stroked her hair.

"Good night, Luna."

I whispered once more before leaving my room.

"Is she asleep?" my mom asked as I came out of the room.

"Yes, she's sleeping soundly now," I replied.

"Riana will come to pick her up soon, but usually she can't bear to wake Luna when she's asleep, so sometimes she lets her stay here."

"It's okay, Mom. Thank you for giving her a place to stay. She means a lot to me."

"I'm glad. Finally, the two of you get along," my mom said.

After that, I said goodbye to my mom and went back to Aunt Julia's house. As I was about to ride my motorcycle, my phone rang. Joseph's name appeared on the screen. Without hesitation, I answered the call.

"Yes, Josh? What's up?"

"We need to talk, Andra. It's about May. Meet me at the cafe near campus now."