Let us face the truth. This morning, when I just finished taking a shower, there were fifteen missed calls. Who was that crazy person, eagerly ringing my phone in such an early morning? It turned out to be Mazmur. Turning crazy.
It was the first time he contacted me by phone call. We usually do text messaging or use online chatting apps. That's why I postulated there might be something urgent he would like to convey.
My phone vibrated again. I decided to pick it up immediately.
"Yes, Mazmur? I'm really sorry for not picking up the phone before. I was taking a shower. Is there anything that I can help?"
"Hi, Desiree. Oh, I am sorry for disturbing you this early morning. Err, actually, I am not asking for help but..." His voice hang in the air.
"It's okay if you need a hand from me. Just tell me what it is, Mazmur." Proposing the idea of reaching out your hands has proven to be an effective way to get people's sympathy. You know, the diplomatic and networking strategy.
"Well, I am offering you a help instead of asking for it."
I was coping with hesitation. "But I don't think I have asked you for help lately."
"Desiree, we've been good friends since the very first day in the university. Let me help you for once. I know you're busy preparing for the selection. That's why I called you this morning. So...," he coughed for a while. "There is this friend of mine who can be a perfect sparring partner for you. I mean, you can practice debating with her. I believe you'll be much more prepared and ready if you take this offer."
Something sounded weird. "Oh, Mazmur, how kind you are! I will be more than thankful if the offer is really for my sake. May I know who that person is?"
"Who the person is shouldn't matter. Believe me, it will be useful to you. So, deal or not deal?"
I stopped for a moment. His way of convincing me was just... not convincing enough. He must be hiding something. But, as a matter of gratitude, I finally agreed with his idea. Why not appreciating a help from a friend?
Yet my decision was the wrong one. Until I knew who that person was, I really had no negative feeling. Mazmur picked me up at home and drove me to campus. He invited me to go to the library, the place he made an appointment with his friend to meet up at.
Then it was that awkward moment when I saw who his friend was. She was his friend. And mine, too. My rival as well. Aruna. Who, I guess, was as astonished as I was. As soon as I got back to my consciousness, I saluted her with a hello. A bloody hell-o.
[D]
