NOVEMBER GOT ME YOU

Chapter 17

DINA'S P.O.V

"Are you doing good?"

"Yes, work has been awesome and Brianne, the staff who called me that day, becomes my very dear friend."

"We miss you so much, nak..."

'Nak' is a word in Indonesian language with the same meaning as you speak 'kid' to the younger one, like a lovely expression.

My watery eyes were getting heavier. It was not enough time I spent with my parents before. It was only no more than four months, then I left them again. Deep inside I blamed myself for leaving them alone like this. But we all know I should do this for the sake of a better life.

I'd come home when I'm ready.

"I miss you more, Mom, Dad. Will come home soon when I get enough savings."

"Take care, okay? I'll call again later."

"Sure. You too. Bye bye. I love you so much. Kiss Dad for me."

"Bye sweetheart."

This morning conversation was, though very emotional, succeeded to make my day a little better. To hear Mom's voice was already amazing. I walked to the class happily. Substituted Professor Edwards' class like usual, I also did pre-midtest preparation as I should make official problems to be submitted to the academic so that they could ask the dean to confirm it. Sitting on professor's desk was pretty weird. Brianne told me I should better get used to it. So yeah, 2 PM and haven't got lunch yet.

Bam. Suddenly the phone's ringing. His office's number.

"Professor Edwards' office, this is Sapitri speaking, may I help you?"

The line just came out of my mouth. I blurted. Too awkward. His grammar freak vibe has got into me.

"Very well spoken, miss." The guy chuckled and choked at the same time.

"Professor. I'm so sorry. I was blurting..."

"I like the way you said that." He still giggled, if that's even possible for a 60s year old professor. "I need you to do something for me."

"Anything."

"Check your smartphone now." Yes he spelled iPhone as smartphone because anything was 'smart' to him. "My daughter should have sent you the itenarary."

"Yes I do find it... What itenarary, prof?"

"Your flight."

"Whoa. To where, if I may?"

"Miami. I need you to do a project for me."

My heart, it either stopped beating or blasting out of my chest. I could hear the very loud beat of it.

"Miami, as of Miami, Florida?" I stuttered.

"Where else could you find Miami, Sapitri?"

"Okay. Yes okay I'm sorry."

"You will be taking care of a small class. It was one of my social events I usually did every year. But this year I feel very old already. I will be having flight back to London as you are approaching Miami."

"But, Sir..."

"Read the itenarary, ask later." He noted.

"Of course." I choked in shaky nervous voice.

Damn, it's Miami, Florida.

He ended the call like that with the last suggestion for me to read whatever his daughter sent me carefully, and expect his call again tomorrow morning for further details. I have read his instruction. I should go to Miami, found this guy in an apartment he has rent one room in for me, then the guy would take me with his car to the prospected school where I should work.

"Now to America?" Dad said unsure. "Could you even process it?"

"Have you even had a Visa?" Mom added.

"Okay. Dad, first of all, yes I couldn't say no to him because he's my employer." I tried to explain at this midnight because what else, timezone. "And Mom, I do have the Visa. Still have two more years."

"You sure it's in three days?" Dad asked again.

"Should be making no mistake." I nodded although they couldn't see me. "Alright Dad Mom, I should go to sleep I guess. It's late night I'm so tired. Standby later because I'll call again in two days."

"Vitamin, baby!" Mom shouted from afar.

"I will. Bye bye. I love you."

"Good night princess." Dad blew a kiss.

Hey, life of a daughter. Been talking to them twice today, I know. They deserved to know where I would be heading. I didn't want to make them shock with everything if I ever took longer time to notice them. Gosh, London was somewhat exhausting.

Not to mention my mind was already floating around somewhere, in Florida.

Florida.

Connor's in Florida.

Good morning. Again. Fast forward to my very crazy life, that by now, at 7:15 AM, I already walked fast to the classroom. Done. Normal stuff was done. After the class, I quickly made a turn to Brianne's office.

"Dude! I'll be sent to Miami!" I blasted her ears with loud shout.

"No way." She stood. "Kidding?"

"Not even."

"Oh my gosh. He's giving you the project."

"What project exactly? Did I miss something here?"

Brianne took a minute to dig into her deep stack of folders on her desk. I bet she knew something. I was the one who'd sent to the other side of the world but more likely I had no idea what was going on here.

"His annual social responsibility project." Brianne gave a flyer to me. "He's been doing social work for five years now."

"Wow I never noticed this before."

"Because he usually only flew for maximum five days and would have been come back before your class."

"Probably..." I murmured. "This thing looks sophisticated."

"All you have to do is singing to children in need."

"Wait. No one says to me about singing."

"And don't tell me you think you'd be teaching photography 101 to 6 to 14-year-old kids." She rolled her eyes. "Ain't singing your thing?"

"Been so long." I shrugged.

"Maybe it's time to project the career in the dreamers' land."

"Bree, don't." I grinned nervously.

"Oops." She chuckled.

"Gosh... Alright then I'll take earlier break today. See you tomorrow girl."

"Go away. I still have tasks to do." She breathed heavily.

I walked out of her room sassily, then slowly scanned the campus with my slow steps and heavy thoughts.

Should I tell Steve about this departure?

What if I seriously meet Connor again?