REDAMANCY - Love's Timeless Path

5th Note

The midday sun bathed Jakarta in a warm glow as I finally settled into a chic restaurant nestled amid the city's vibrant energy. The aroma of Indonesian spices lingered in the air, blending seamlessly with the contemporary décor that adorned the space. I couldn't help but appreciate the sophisticated ambiance that enveloped us as we embarked on a lunch that held more than just culinary intrigue. As the name suggests, this restaurant really offers typical Indonesian dishes full of spices. I never doubted Haira's ability to choose a place to eat.

I took a deep breath. At first, I really didn't want to come to this lunch because Haira mentioned Pradipta coming with him. But like this, I was sitting across from this tall man, who was a year younger than me. As we perused the menu, my thoughts wandered to him. I couldn't shake the curiosity that gripped me—a desire to understand what it was about him that captured her attention.

I became attuned to the small gestures—the way he absentmindedly touched the rim of his glass, the gentle tapping of his fingers on the table, and the contemplative gaze that accompanied his attention to his phone.

I cursed Haira in the back of my head for leaving me alone with this man. Well, I couldn't blame Haira because she had to buy things that her mother suddenly needed.

Again, I took a deep breath. The restaurant buzzed with the hum of conversation, creating a lively backdrop for our lunch. But the silence at our table was brutal. Amidst the unpleasant silence that currently prevails between us, finally the waiter appeared, and we placed our orders. It helped me to calm myself, who had been struggling with my thoughts.

"Seeing that you've been paying attention to me for a while now, it's clear that you don't like me, Mas."

I almost choked when the man in front of me suddenly spoke without warning. His pointed eyes looked at me from behind his reading glasses.

"You've been dating Mbak Haira for ten years, and during that time, I know you don't like me." He took a sip of tea from his glass. "It would be a shame if your ten-year relationship was ruined because you didn't like me. It'd be best to avoid any conflicts."

I chuckled in annoyance at the words that escaped his mouth. "If there's a conflict, Haira will just get annoyed at me, and I'll listen to her. It's as simple as that, so don't bother with your silly advice."

The air thickened with tension. Our conversation had taken an unexpected turn, veering into the territory of disagreements and conflicting perspectives.

"Mas, you really shouldn't harbor any ill feelings towards me," he quipped, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "After all, hatred isn't a shade that complements anyone's aura. Especially not yours."

I furrowed my brows, attempting to mask the annoyance that simmered beneath the surface. His words carried a biting edge, and his ability to cloak his intentions in satire only heightened the frustration.

Ugh! I hate this man.

"You're quite the philosopher today, aren't you?" I replied, my tone laced with a hint of sarcasm. "What's your grand theory on relationships and camaraderie, Pra?"

He leaned back in his chair, a self-satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "Relationships are like delicate soufflés. They require just the right amount of heat, a dash of patience, and an avoidance of unnecessary bitterness. Hate, my friend, is the spice best left out of the recipe. Oh, and don't call me 'Pra'; only Mbak Haira is allowed to call me that way."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his analogy. The way he artfully spun his words, turning a potentially serious conversation into a theatrical display of wit, irked me. My patience wore thin, but I restrained the impulse to unleash my frustration.

"And what exactly makes you an expert on my relationship with Haira?" I retorted, my words more pointed than I intended.

He chuckled, seemingly unfazed by the tension. "I'm no expert. I simply observe and offer my pearls of wisdom. A humble service, really."

His nonchalant demeanor grated on my nerves. "Listen, Pradipta," I said, attempting to maintain a semblance of calm. "I don't need your pearls of wisdom. My relationship with Haira is none of your business."

He leaned forward, his gaze locking onto mine. "Fair enough, Mas. But remember, harboring hatred doesn't bode well for anyone. Mbak Haira wouldn't appreciate it, you know."

I shot him a steely glare, attempting to mask the frustration simmering within. He had a knack for turning any conversation into a battlefield of wit, and I found myself reluctantly drawn into the fray.

Before I could formulate a response, Haira just came at the right time, a beacon of serenity amid the verbal sparring. She approached our table with a warm smile, seemingly oblivious to the charged atmosphere.

"Hey gentlemen, how are you both doing?" she asked, a genuine concern etched on her face.

Caught off guard by her arrival, Pradipta and I exchanged a quick glance, each attempting to conceal the traces of our disagreement. I mustered a smile, my irritation momentarily masked by her presence.

"We're doing just fine," I replied, shooting a pointed look at Pradipta.

Haira, ever perceptive, sensed the undercurrents and raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure everything's okay? You both seem a bit... animated."

Pradipta, quick on his feet, chuckled as if it were all playful banter. "Oh, just a friendly debate on matters of the heart, Mbak. Nothing to worry about."

Her laughter resonated with a soothing melody that diffused the tension lingering in the air. "Well, as long as it's a friendly debate, then, well, yes, don't let him lead you astray with his charming words."

With a playful wink to me, Haira deftly defused the charged atmosphere, leaving Pradipta and me with no choice but to follow her lead.

The hum of conversations, ranging from hushed whispers to joyful laughter, wove together to create a lively ambiance. And I hoped in my head that the busyness of one of these restaurants could reduce the emotions and irritation that had been building up in my chest. I didn't want this lunch to be disturbed just because of my stupid argument with Pra.

I hadn't finished calming my feelings when Pradipta's phone suddenly rang, making him answer the incoming call. The short call then made him call Haira's name softly, completely capturing the attention of the girl beside me.

"Mbak Ra, there's a message from you."

"Oh, was it Papa who just called?"

"Yeah, I don't think he knows we're having lunch together."

"Okay, what's the message?" I could see Pradipta turning his gaze to me. "Is this confidential?"

Pradipta nodded and made Haira put her ear closer to him. Allowing that tall man have to bring his face closer to Haira and whisper something there. His expressive eyes met mine, and a smug grin danced on his lips, leaving me momentarily at a loss for words.

THIS SON OF A BITCH!