A few days after their last meeting, Reyhan started to feel that something was different. Something seemed to be empty inside him but he didn't know exactly what it was. All he knew was, after he was no longer able to chat with Salsa, he became lonely. Even though he had immersed himself in the busy schedule—studying, working as the person in charge of a cafe—it still made Reyhan not feel well.
Before long, Reyhan's phone vibrated several times. The pop up sign indicates that someone sent the message. He took the cell phone and saw who was texting at this time of night.
Apparently Sabila. He asked if Reyhan was busy or not tomorrow morning.
Sabila : [Are you busy tomorrow?]
Reyhan quickly replied to the message.
Reyhan : [No, why?]
Sabila: [Then let's accompany me to the supermarket]
Reyhan : [Stumped. There is an event?]
Sabila : [Yes. Small thanks. How can you not?]
Ryan thought for a moment. He is indeed free tomorrow and does not have any plans.
"It's also good for getting rid of late. And again, I can ask him about Salsa's condition," he muttered. Then after that he replied to Sabila's message. Reported that he would be willing to accompany her shopping tomorrow.
***
The next day.
Sabila was waiting in front of a bus stop. Wearing a pink middie dress and high heels in the same color. Not to be missed, Sabila also made a curly effect on her lower hair, giving an elegant impression on her body.
Reyhan brought his car closer to the curb in front of the bus stop where Sabila was standing. He deliberately didn't pick up Sabila at his house for fear that the events of the other day would repeat itself and cause misunderstandings. Sabila waved and smiled at Reyhan. He gave a code to Sabila to get into his car immediately.
"Well, shall we go straight to the supermarket?" Reyhan asked for sure. Sabila nodded as he fastened his seatbelt.
In fact, Reyhan rarely uses a car as a daily vehicle. He prefers to use his old motorbike. According to him, it would be much easier to use a motorbike on the congested streets of this big city. However, because today the weather was a bit cloudy and it was feared that it would rain later, Reyhan decided to just drive a car.
The city streets now feel a little quiet, not jammed like a normal day. Maybe because people prefer to curl up under a thick blanket while enjoying a warm meal or drink. Reyhan focused on looking ahead, watching the road.
Sabila, who was bored because the car was silent with each other, decided to ask first.
"It's okay, I'm asking you for help. You're really not busy, are you?"
Reyhan looked at Sabila for a moment, then looked back at the street.
"No dad, why? Luckily, today is my day off. Well, that's just refreshing," Reyhan answered casually. The reason is, even though the two of them are friends, they are not very close and this is the first time they are traveling together.
Reyhan was about to ask Sabila something, but he couldn't because he was embarrassed.
Reyhan's car was quiet again for a while. Leaving the sound of soft music playing.
Unexpectedly, Sabila suddenly said something. "Oh, yes, so you really took Salsa home at that time?" asked Sabila again pretending not to know. Even though he himself complained to his mother about it.
Reyhan initially hesitated to answer the question, but finally he nodded.
"Oh, so you're right." Sabila again pretended to be surprised.
"I couldn't bear to leave him alone at that time. Did Salsa tell you?"
Sabila nodded. He said that his twin was afraid of being found out by their mother.
"Ah, so that's why he doesn't want to see me anymore," Reyhan muttered, but Sabila could still hear him.
Sabila has been silent since. He noticed the change in Reyhan's face that felt very guilty and sad.
"You guys are dating, right?" asked Salsa again. This time Reyhan's face suddenly turned red like a boiled crab. He's getting worse.
"Ah, so-and-so, no, we're already here," Reyhan stuttered. He turned his car into one of the shopping centers in the city.
Sabila who saw how Reyhan reacted couldn't help but laugh. Then they continued shopping for kitchen necessities for thanksgiving.
Because he was waiting for Sabila to shop, Reyhan was getting bored. He previously only followed behind Sabila whenever he chose groceries. However, Reyhan finally decided to go around for a while and Sabila agreed.
Reyhan walked to the drink stand. Walking around made him thirsty. After that, by accident, his eyes caught something interesting inside the bookstore. Reyhan went into it and saw a lot of the latest books which were very epic and unique.
“Pretty good marketing strategy,” Reyhan said to himself and continued to walk around.
He went to the comics shelf and read through it for a few pages, then moved on to economics books. Moved again to the social shelf and arrived at the fantasy novels and translation shelves.
Reyhan took one of the novels entitled The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. Instantly made him remember a few things. Yesterday, when he spoke with Salsa for the last time, Reyhan remembered that Salsa liked translation works like that. Reyhan intended to buy it for Salsa, but he thought how to give the book, even though they had never met.
"Should I just leave it to Sabila? Oh, that's a bad idea. Later he will think that Salsa and I do have a relationship." Reyhan put the novel back where it belonged.
A notification message came into Reyhan's cell phone, from Sabila.
[Where are you? I have finished shopping here]
Reyhan hurriedly left the bookstore and headed to the supermarket. However, in a split second, Reyhan's hand grabbed the novel he had put on the shelf and headed for the cashier.
"I'll think about that later," he said to himself.
***
"Where are you from?" Sabila asked with both hands already filled with plastic shopping bags.
"Oh, here, I bought a drink because I was thirsty. I also bought one for you," Reyhan replied while handing Sabila a glass of boba drink and taking the plastic shopping bags from Sabila's hands.
Sabila who received such treatment felt flattered. "Thanks," he said, smiling at Reyhan. This time, Sabila's smile was a little bit flirtatious, which made Reyhan even more confused.
Reyhan doesn't want Sabila to know he bought something for Sabila's twin sister. He hid the book he had just bought under his jacket.
"Where are we going after this?" Reyhan asked, trying to disguise his nervousness.
"Just go home right away. I'm tired. My mother must have been waiting for this shopping anyway."
"Alright."
The two of them headed for the parking lot and Reyhan took Sabila to his house.