Wildan was startled when he heard that voice. He opened his eyes and saw Galuh already standing in front of him. It seemed the girl had just come home from work. He glanced at the watch on his right wrist—it was a little past one o'clock.
"What are you doing here, Mas?" Galuh repeated her unanswered question.
Wildan gave a bitter smile, ignoring Galuh's question. He closed his eyes again, pretending that he was alone there.
"Are you ignoring me?" Galuh asked, annoyed that her question had not been answered.
The atmosphere fell silent; there was no sound, because Wildan remained motionless. Galuh let out a deep breath. Then she sat down on the bench opposite Wildan. She looked guilty.
"I'm sorry…" Galuh said, lowering her head. "It's not that I… I didn't mean to…." Her words came out disjointed, as she herself was confused about what to say. "Tomorrow I'll receive my salary. I'll start paying back my debt to you in installments."
Wildan still did not react to Galuh's words. He truly enjoyed the night in that position. What he felt was peace.
"I really am sorry. I'll work even harder to pay everything back. So… give me time. I promise I won't run away."
The night grew colder, the sound of crickets chirping among the grass. Wildan enjoyed the rhythm—it made him feel at peace.
"I—"
"Can't you let me listen to the rhythm of the night wind?" Wildan finally spoke after remaining silent for quite some time. He shot a sharp look at Galuh. "You're very noisy." His glare left Galuh gaping.
"Oh… sorry… I thought—"
"Don't always assume things before proving them directly, okay?"
"All right. I'm sorry."
Silence fell again. Wildan closed his eyes once more while tilting his head toward the dark sky. The wind brushed against his skin; the cold air began to seep in.
"You know? I never hear the sound of crickets in my apartment. Tonight, I want to enjoy it. So… give me time."
Galuh nodded in understanding. She adjusted her sitting position, her eyes never leaving the man sitting in front of her—the man who had saved her. A man of few words, yet kind-hearted. At least, that was the impression firmly planted in Galuh's heart after their brief encounters.
"It's not that I—"
"Ssh…"
Galuh pressed her lips together again when Wildan reminded her to stay quiet. She let the man enjoy the night, while she herself wanted to enjoy the beautiful sight before her.
Wildan's tall silhouette was bathed in moonlight. His face seemed to glow like marble touched by light. His high nose, sharp jawline, and the curve of his lips made Galuh widen her smile in admiration.
She then remembered the moment Wildan smiled, revealing his dimples. In their three meetings, she had only seen those dimples twice. That meant the man in front of her rarely smiled.
"I'm sorry. I just heard about your father's condition, Mas."
"Hmm…"
"I really didn't know."
"Hmm…"
"Is it that bad?"
"Hm."
"What… I mean, what can make him recover?"
"Getting married."
"What?" Even though Galuh had already known the answer, she was still shocked by Wildan's blunt response.
"You knew?" Wildan opened his eyes and shifted to face Galuh. His eyes looked sorrowful as they gazed at her.
"What?" Galuh asked hesitantly.
"The one thing I fear most in this world is only one thing."
"What is it?"
"Losing the most precious person in my life, for the umpteenth time." Wildan then smiled widely. And for the first time, Galuh saw both dimples on his face.
"I think everyone feels the same way," Galuh deflected, feeling uncomfortable with the situation.
"That's why I will do anything so that the precious people in my life can last longer."
Galuh fell silent, frozen, not daring to look at Wildan's face. She felt uneasy. Wildan then stood up from his seat.
"Go inside. It's getting late," Wildan ordered. "You shouldn't be coming home this late. It's dangerous. Don't make your father worry."
Wildan took two steps when Galuh called out to him. "Where are you going?"
"Home. Thank you for letting me spend the night here. I feel much better now." Wildan smiled again. "Go inside. It's cold."
"Be careful on the way," Galuh whispered softly.
Wildan waved at Galuh. Then his figure disappeared into the car. Galuh walked closer to the roadside, watching the black sports car drive away, leaving behind a thin trail of exhaust.
"Why are you spacing out? What are you thinking about?" Wenni broke Galuh's reverie, making her flinch.
"Eh, no, nothing. I'm not thinking about anything. What is there to think about?" Galuh dodged.
"Hmm… don't lie. Your mouth can lie, but not your eyes, Galuh," Wenni teased. "Come on, tell me. I'm happy right now—how could you be troubled and I pretend not to know?"
Galuh giggled and wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulder just as the door opened. Wistara appeared from behind it with a tired expression.
"Good afternoon—" Galuh cut her greeting short when she saw Wistara's gloomy face. "What would you like to order, Mas? Cah kangkung hot plate again, or…?"
"Iced Americano, double shot," Wistara ordered flatly.
"Okay, thirty-two thousand five hundred rupiah."
Wistara took out a fifty-thousand-rupiah bill, his gaze empty. Galuh observed his expression. The young doctor was usually cheerful and chatty with her, but this time he was unusually quiet.
"Here's your change, Mas."
"Thank you."
Wistara immediately took a seat in one corner of the café. His eyes were unfocused as he stared out toward the busy road outside.
"What's wrong with our customer?" Wenni suddenly startled Galuh.
"I don't know. He's not like usual."
"Don't you want to know?"
Galuh then took a creamer packet she had forgotten to give to Wistara. Since the café was still quiet, she slowly walked over to him.
"Doctor, here's the creamer." Galuh placed it on the table and was about to turn back when Wistara suddenly muttered something.
"Poor Mas Wildan," Wistara spoke as if to himself, but his words were clearly audible to Galuh. "He has to give up his position as President Director if he still can't find a wife."
Galuh froze, unable to move from where she stood. She could only think about what Wistara had just said.
"That's the fate of being a family successor. Unfortunately, I don't have abilities like Mas Wildan," Wistara said as he sipped his Americano without looking at Galuh. "Isn't there anyone he hopes for who could fulfill his wish?" the bespectacled man continued. "Can't you help him?"
Only then did Galuh realize that Wistara had been speaking to her. She had thought the young doctor was just talking to himself. When Wistara looked at her with pleading eyes, she finally understood.
"What are you talking about, Doctor?"
"I know, so… I beg you, please help my brother."
"Don't talk about things I don't understand, Mas."
"I would be very grateful if you were willing to help him." Wistara's once-friendly face now looked gloomy. There was sadness in his eyes. "Couldn't you marry him?"
***