REDAMANCY - Love's Timeless Path

9th Note

The sound of a laptop keyboard, small chatter from several people, and the sound of heels hitting the floor suddenly disappeared as the tall figure in front of me closed the thick wooden door behind him.

"Why isn't it closed? It's noisy." Pra, who came into my room with a pile of files, got a sharp look from me. I really wanted to throw him out of my room because he kept bringing up new things that I had to learn since I was appointed to fill the position of general manager at Papa's company.

I lay my body face down on the large, dark-colored table in front of me.

"Can I learn this slowly?" I whined. Fed up with everything Pra said before.

Leadership and management skills, financial management, strategic planning and business development, operations management, human resources management, and customer relationship management. Ugh, what was that? Legal and regulatory compliance? I don't think I can remember anything else he mentioned earlier.

Dragging myself through another tedious day at the office, I could feel the weight of Pra's lessons pressing down on my shoulders like a pile of unwanted paperwork. My assistant had taken it upon himself to turn my every waking moment into a crash course on how to be the ultimate General Manager.

"We need to discuss the strategic approach to stakeholder management," Pra announced with a chipper tone. "Do you have time?"

I shot him a look that screamed, "Do I really have a choice?" But, being the polite person I was, I nodded, and he began another round of managerial wisdom.

As he delved into yet another spiel about strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, I could feel my patience waning faster than the office coffee supply. Finally, unable to contain my frustration any longer, I blurted out, "Pradipta, can we press pause on the GM boot camp for a moment? I need a breather."

He, ever the eager beaver, looked genuinely surprised. "What's up, Mbak? You called my name completely."

I could see that he widened his eyes over my reaction. "Feeling overwhelmed?"

"Overwhelmed is an understatement," I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "I signed up for the GM role, not a crash course on how to run a corporate empire."

He undeterred and chuckled nervously. "I just want you to be well-prepared for the challenges, Mbak. You know, knowledge is power."

"I appreciate the enthusiasm, but right now, I feel like I have an encyclopedia lodged in my brain, and it's giving me a headache," I grumbled. "I didn't become a GM to become an expert in every management theory known to humanity. I need to learn on the job, not through a never-ending lecture series."

Seeing my frustration, Pra softened his approach. "Okay. Maybe we can find a balance. Let's focus on practical experiences along with the theory. I just want to see you succeed."

I nodded, "Let's spice things up a bit. How about we discuss real-life situations and actual challenges I might encounter instead of drowning me in theoretical frameworks?"

His eyes lit up with the prospect of compromise. "That sounds like a plan. We'll shift our focus to real-world scenarios, and you can tell me how you'd handle them as a kickass GM."

Now I have asked each other questions and answers regarding how to build and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, including investors, customers, suppliers, and the community. How to communicate company goals, strategies, and performance to stakeholders in a clear and transparent manner. How to manage crises and emergencies effectively by communicating openly and proactively with stakeholders. And how to lead with integrity and ethical principles, setting a positive example for employees and stakeholders.

I was trying to absorb the intricacies of shareholder engagement when a stray thought invaded my mind. With a furrowed brow, I interrupted the flow of our discussion. "Hey, can I ask you something unrelated to shareholders and corporate shit?"

Pra, always ready for a detour, leaned back. "What's on your mind?"

I hesitated before diving into this somewhat personal territory. "Why do you like to bother Jendra so much? Is it because you hate him or something?"

He was surprisingly unfazed by the sudden shift and chuckled. "Hate? Nah, not even close. I just find it intriguing how his demeanor changes when he's with me compared to when he's with you."

I arched an eyebrow, intrigued yet puzzled. "Changes? How so?"

He shrugged. "Whenever he's around me, it's like he's trying to fight with me. I don't even know what's inside his head. But when he's with you, it's a whole different — relaxed, goofy, and completely in love."

I couldn't help but laugh. "You're saying he's like a different person to you?"

He nodded.

"It's like witnessing the two sides of him — the 'annoying' Jendra and the 'Head over heels for Haira' Jendra," He explained with a grin. "Sometimes, he was just like his bayonet, sharp and stern."

"Bayonet? Are you fucking crazy?" I narrowed my eyes. He definitely looks like an angel to me.

"That's why I said earlier that when he's with me, it's different from when he's with you. Sometimes he can even look the sternest than Mas Jagad or Wimar." Pra snorted. "His appearance suggested that he wouldn't care about something trivial. Yet when it came to you, he obsessively recalled everything in vivid detail. Your favorite food. Your favorite color. Your allergies. Even more than yourself. Oh, but allergies are important, ya gitu deh."

I could see Pra rubbing his chin. Like he wasn't sure what he was going to say next.

"What?"

"Though he is sharp and stern, at the same time, his gorgeously handsome face never fails to light up so innocently and submissively whenever he is with you."

"You called him gorgeous."

He shrugged. "Yeah, there really could be no one more suitable for Haira Darmana than him. But that's not the point; I don't hate him."

I couldn't help but laugh at Pra's reaction. But after all, the two of them often don't seem to get along well when together.

Pra looked at me. There was something that bothered me about his gaze on me.

"Why?"

"I don't know if this is polite or not, but I sometimes feel like I can't get along with him because you've been dating for a long time but you're not in a hurry to take it to a more serious level."

I raised my eyebrows. "Why do you sound like an annoying auntie?"

He sneered. "It's not like that; I just sometimes think, is he serious about you enough to date you for so long?"

I leaned back in my soft chair. Digest every question that escaped his lips.

"If he wants, he can look for a better woman than me, Pra. He's a cardiac surgeon, he has a bright future; he is rich; he is the heir to the family, he is young; and as you just said, he is gorge — ,"

"Yes, I know." He cut me off. "So what if he can do that? He could also marry you, right?"

I sighed and stared sharply at the man standing in front of me.

"It's me, Pra."

"Huh?"

"I'm the one who doesn't want to get married."