Nagini's Phone Rings
Pondok Gede Indah Apartment
Nagini had just finished showering. After getting dressed, she walked to her dressing table and began combing her hair.
Her face was very beautiful in the mirror, but she looked tired.
Yes, the emotional clash last night between Suro and Burhan had left her mind exhausted.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
Nagini quickly picked it up.
Nagini: "Hello, Burhan…"
Burhan: "I'm coming over to your apartment, Nagini. There's something I want to tell you."
Nagini: "Alright, Burhan. Come over. I'm not going anywhere."
Burhan: "Okay, Nagini. See you at the apartment."
Nagini hung up. There was still a faint flutter in her chest.
Across town, Burhan also looked happy. Both his hands clenched into fists, and he muttered softly, voice trembling.
Burhan: "Yes!"
***
KFC
Burhan knocked on Nagini's apartment door. His left hand carried a plastic bag labeled KFC.
The door opened, revealing Nagini's smiling face.
Nagini: "You're here already, Burhan?"
Burhan nodded, his chest pounding.
Nagini: "Come in, Burhan."
Burhan stepped inside, and Nagini closed the door.
Burhan: "I brought lunch for us, Nagini."
Nagini: "Perfect timing, Burhan. I'm hungry too."
They both laughed happily.
Burhan took the plastic bag, pulling out two boxes of rice and fried chicken from KFC. Finally, he set out two bottles of mineral water.
They ate heartily.
Between spoonfuls of rice, they stole glances at each other and exchanged smiles. But not a single word was spoken.
Yes, they were enjoying lunch… and the growing, unspoken thrill between them.
***
Duty to the Nation
Nagini: "You had something to tell me, Burhan?"
Burhan: "Yes, Nagini."
Nagini: "It sounds important."
Burhan: "Yes, I think it's very important."
Nagini took her last bite of rice and reached for the mineral water.
Nagini: "So, what is it, Burhan?"
With his heart pounding wildly, Burhan tried to calm himself.
Burhan: "Nagini… this afternoon I'll be leaving for Jogja."
Nagini stared sharply at him.
Nagini: "What do you mean?"
Burhan: "I've been assigned to pursue Mariana."
Nagini was shocked.
Nagini: "What?"
Burhan: "Yes, Nagini. Together with Tono and Rudin, we'll be going to Yogyakarta to hunt Mariana."
Nagini was silent for a moment, her chest stirring.
Burhan: "I want you to come with me, Nagini."
Nagini looked at him, playing with the ends of her hair.
Burhan: "If you won't come… then I need to say goodbye."
Nagini gazed deeply into his eyes, her heart still fluttering from his nearness.
But then… the image of Suro Gebleg flashed in her mind.
Nagini: "This is wrong…"
She thought to herself.
Burhan waited for her answer, his own chest tightening. He didn't want to part in a moment as warm as this—
But this… was a duty to the nation.
***
ATemporary Farewell
Nagini: "I can't come with you, Burhan."
Burhan looked at her in disbelief.
Burhan: "Why? Didn't you come with me to chase Mariana at the Kembang Setaman nightclub before?"
Nagini: "Yes, Burhan."
Burhan: "Then?"
Nagini: "I have no personal grudge against Mariana."
Burhan was taken aback. His face paled in shock.
Nagini: "I pursued Mariana because I wanted to save Sawitri."
Burhan fell silent, his chest pounding in confusion.
Burhan: "Mariana is cruel and cunning. You still don't want to come?"
Nagini looked him in the eye.
Nagini: "I won't come, Burhan. I have no enmity with Mariana."
Burhan looked defeated, as if he'd just lost a battle.
Burhan: "Alright, Nagini… I'll say goodbye then."
Nagini: "Alright, Burhan."
Burhan stood and walked slowly toward the door.
Nagini: "Burhan, be careful. Mariana is very dangerous."
Burhan glanced back at her.
Burhan: "Of course, Nagini. I'll be careful."
***
Searching for Suro
After Burhan left, Nagini returned to her dressing table. She sat staring into the mirror at her beautiful face.
Nagini: "Suro, where are you? Are you in this era? Why can't I find you?"
She asked in her heart.
Her beautiful reflection looked troubled.
Nagini: "I've searched for you so long in this modern age, but you've never appeared."
She thought silently.
Nagini: "I came here for you, Suro—not to develop feelings for someone else. Should I just return to my own time?"
Her heart churned. She reached into her pocket and touched the Time-Splitting Stone. The stone began to vibrate softly.
The sensation of a portal beginning to open.
Suddenly, her thoughts jolted.
Nagini: "Burhan! Mariana…"
She pulled the Time-Splitting Stone from her pocket. Slowly, the vibration faded.
Nagini: "Burhan… how dangerous Mariana is…"
Her cheeks flushed. She was worried about Burhan.
Nagini: "Burhan… what if you truly are one of my descendants?"
Nagini: "I will follow you, Burhan! It would be my greatest mistake if you really were harmed because of Mariana."
Nagini grabbed her phone and called Tina.
***
Nagini's Decision
Nagini pressed the button on her phone. The dial tone sounded. Soon, Tina's voice came through.
Tina: "Hello, Nagini. Strange for you to call."
Nagini: "Tina, I want to follow Burhan to Jogja."
Tina was silent for a moment, then adjusted her glasses. Her voice rose.
Tina: "Are you serious?!"
Nagini: "Yes. I can't just sit still if Mariana is the one they're up against."
Tina: "Nagini, this is incredible news! I'll immediately contact Tono and the 88 team already in Jogja. With you there, this Mariana pursuit mission might actually have a chance."
Nagini: "If you only knew, Tina... how dangerous Mariana really is!"
Tina: "Yes, I've seen it in the CCTV footage. How strong and skilled she is."
Nagini: "I don't want the people sent to Jogja to get hurt!"
Tina smiled again. No need to argue with her superior — Nagini was volunteering for the mission.
Nagini: "I'll join the trip to Jogja. I'll try to save Burhan and the others sent to catch Mariana."
Nagini paused for a moment, stroking the tip of her hair.
Nagini: "But I can't promise I'll be able to defeat her."
Tina: "That's fine, Nagini. Just your presence will shake Mariana to her core!"
Nagini: "How can I catch up to them?"
Tina: "That? Don't worry, Nagini. I'll come with you."
Nagini: "Oh really? What a coincidence!"
Tina: "I actually requested to be sent there to monitor Mariana's movements."
Nagini: "Of course you did, Tina. You're the spying expert."
They both chuckled.
Tina: "Alright, Nagini. Pack your things. I'll pick you up at your apartment."
Nagini: "Alright, Tina. See you soon?"
Tina: "Okay."
Nagini hung up the phone.
***
Tina The KPK Spy
Halim Perdanakusuma Airport – Morning
Nagini and Tina were ready to board the plane to Jogja.
Tina carried a black backpack and wore a KPK cyber team jacket. Her short hair fell straight, and she occasionally adjusted her glasses.
Meanwhile, Nagini stood calmly with a small backpack slung over her shoulders. She wore a red leather jacket, black stretch pants, and white Eagle sneakers. Her eyes were sharp, but her gaze hid restlessness and worry.
Tina: "You look gorgeous in that red jacket, Nagini."
Nagini smiled sweetly.
Nagini: "You look gorgeous too, Tina. Especially with your glasses."
Tina chuckled.
Nagini: "Are they letting you work in the field?"
Tina: "Yes. With you joining the mission, the bosses allowed me to go into the field."
Nagini: "What do you mean?"
Tina: "If I'm with you, I'll be safe."
Nagini: "You flatter me too much, Tina."
Tina chuckled again.
Tina: "Nagini, come here!"
Nagini walked over and saw Tina showing her a small tablet.
Tina: "I can track Mariana's communications from here."
Nagini: "Of course you can, Tina. You're the spy master."
They both laughed again.
Tina: "Burhan probably already knows who he's up against… Mariana, the bulletproof one."
Nagini just listened. But hearing Burhan's name made her cheeks flush.
Tina: "With you in the mission, he'll feel stronger. And happier, of course."
Nagini laughed and pinched Tina's arm.
Suddenly—
The airport staff called passengers to the boarding lounge.
Tina: "That's us."
They walked quickly toward the lounge. Tina glanced at Nagini with a half-smile.
Tina: "Have you ever been on a plane before?"
Nagini: "Never!"
Tina adjusted her glasses again.
Tina: "Well, this is also my first time flying."
Nagini: "Seriously? A cool woman like you has never flown before?"
Tina chuckled.
Finally, the plane began to take off toward Jogja.
***
End of Chapter 34
To be Continued 35