1437 - I Love You Forever

3.

The fact that Gian—as I prefer to call her that way—was also aware of the music I listen to surprised me somewhat because not many people are familiar with it.

I rushed to the foundation's office after bid my goodbye to Gian and saw that my friends and sister were already there.

"Hai Mas, bentar ya, Mbak Andra belum datang."

I tilted my head slightly in response to Agni's statement. Who's Andra?

"I'm sorry, I should have said before, Mbak Andra temennya Kak Haira, she's the one who will assist in maintaining the foundation's exposure."

I nodded in an effort to comprehend what my sister was saying. Haira was already present in the office with Wimar and Jendra. I memorized both of their schedules, and they didn't have any this morning.

"Is this the same friend that asked to check on her yesterday, Kak?" I asked as I set my bag on one of the couches, and then I sat myself down.

"You can check her out after our meeting, lah."

"Then I touched her in this manner? Here?" I asked while practicing my hand on Jendra's chest, who was sitting next to me.

Haira burst out laughing. Forgetting that the procedure for examining a breast lump must really be felt and pressed while the patient is sleeping on their back and raising their hands up.

"I'm sorry I'm a little late, guys." Someone abruptly arrived through the door in front of me and looked directly at me, who was sitting right in front of her.

"Dr. Jagad?"

I frowned.

"Gian?" I looked at my friends and sister. "Don't say that Andra is Giandra."

Haira gave me a perplexed expression before responding to my question with a small nod. "Why tho? And how do you know Giandra?"

"She is the one who initially mistook me for a female doctor yesterday."

"So the campaign will be split into four quarters over the span of a year. With pictures and short videos, each campaign will run every three months to introduce the Andaru Foundation. I will create the script and storyboard afterwards." Gian tidied up some of the files she had just shown us. I thoroughly loved her presentation during the meeting. Though her speaking style was not particularly exceptional, her ideas were worth considering. "Do you guys have anything to ask?"

We shook our heads since she gave a very thorough and concise explanation. At least we asked about the team responsible for writing the storyboard and script.

"I'll invite him to our upcoming meeting so we can continue our conversation. We can go on as long as you guys are comfortable with the plot." Before adjourning the meeting, Gian grinned and turned to face us. "Wim, do you not have a schedule?" Wimar nodded in response after she lightly fluffed his hair.

"Mbak, I also want to be rubbed." I could see Agni, who has a glum expression, clinging to Gian's shoulder.

I winced at the scene in front of me. When did they get so close?

"Are you confused?" Jendra whispered softly next to me, and I only answered with a nod.

"They are acquainted through the cat-lovers' group. And Giandra is actually my friend, as it happens." When Haira informed me what had happened, I just stared at her in shock. "They're clearly simping over her, Gad."

"I'll visit your house next time, all right?" Gian gave my sister's face a gentle pat.

I felt compelled to act after observing one of the people who approached me due to a health issue and who was close to my friends and family.

"Gian."

"Yes?" She looked surprised when I suddenly called her. "How can I help you?"

"Your breast, is it all right?"

I saw her face turn red. I knew she must be really embarrassed when I asked her like that, but I couldn't help but ask.

"D-Doc, can you not discuss it here?" She abruptly took hold of my blazer's sleeve. My clothes were wrinkling as her finger gripped them tightly.

"Mas!" I felt Agni gently hit my back. "Why are you speaking in such a manner here? Aku bilangin mama nanti!"

"Mas? Mama?" Gian gave me a perplexed expression.

"Agni is my sister." I reached into the pocket in my bag and put my business card in Gian's hand. "You can call me directly if you want to check. I am more than a professional when it comes to my patients." I gave my best smile before saying goodbye because I had an appointment after lunch.

I never thought that I would meet patients this way. And somehow, it made me mellow. I didn't know if she was indirectly my acquaintance. Even though I just met her, I didn't rule out the possibility that I would continue to work with her because of the foundation.

Knowing that someone close to us was sick didn't really feel good. I didn't remember when it started. But seeing sick people around me made me uncomfortable. I felt time stop for a few minutes every time I heard that a relative or friend of mine was sick. I was a man of science, and I knew that was impossible. But as a man of science, I knew about *premature ventricular contractions, or what people call "skipping a beat". And that was what always happened to me every time I heard bad news, especially about someone's health.

The same thing happened with Gian earlier.

"Doctor! dr. Jagad!"

I turned in the direction of the voice that was shouting my name right in front of the hospital door. I saw Gian with her slightly messy hair because she ran from the building next door. Her breath was shallow, and I could see tiny beads of sweat trickling down her temples.

"Wait a second.." She stroked her chest and asked if she could take a moment to rest, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Why are you running anyway?"

"I ran after you."

I chuckled and expressed my regret for making her chase after me. "Why thou?"

"This." She made a gesture toward my business card. "Can I speak to you if I want you to check on my condition?"

I frowned. "Isn't that why I gave you my business cards? Of course you can."

She beamed. "The fact that you are a man really startled me. But now I believe it's alright. Can we schedule a meeting for tomorrow?"

"I'll be full tomorrow."

"How about the day after tomorrow?"

I shrugged. "Full."

She frowned and glared. "And the following day?"

"Full."

"Again, the following day?"

"I'm off"

I laughed as I heard her grunt. "I have one free schedule on the weekend. 11 a.m., is it okay with you?"

She gave me a bright-eyed stare before nodding in agreement.

"So, see you this weekend?"

And at that point, I once again caught a whiff of vanilla with tobacco drifting into the air.

*****

*extra, abnormal heartbeats that begin in the ventricles, or lower pumping chambers, and disrupt your regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing you to feel a skipped beat or palpitations.