SECOND DESTINY

08: MINE

This day had finally arrived, a day that stressed Dirga even more. It's not that he doesn't believe in Andien, but given how short their relationship is, and the fact that he has no idea how far his rival's step is, the man wakes up in a free-falling mood.

Dirga prepared himself after his morning prayer to arrive at his office early. He put on his work suit and dialed Andien's number, switching to speaker mode.

A dial tone is heard.

Once.

Twice.

"Good morning, baby!" exclaimed Andien from the other end.

"Good morning too, your voice sounds really far off?"

"Yeah, I'm getting El and Anne ready, so I'm using speaker mode."

"Good morning, Eeeel... Anneee!"

"Good morning, Uncle!" exclaimed the two children.

"Has Cantika awakened yet, baby?"

"Not yet. Why are you calling me so early in the morning?"

"Can't I?"

"You're vexing! What's the problem? You appear to be very sensitive since you returned from here, rivaling me when I'm pre-menstrual! After all, I was only asking, not prohibiting."

"I'm not sure! How can I possibly love you this much?" Dirga ruffled his hair.

"Are you certain it's because you love me? Not because you're upset with me?"

"Yes, I can be upset because I love you. Why should I be upset if I don't love you? It's a waste of emotions!"

"I see."

"Today I have a meeting with Ian. We should have met in my office. But I'd like to change the location to Tanamera instead. Even if you tell me not to, I'll be there."

"Okay."

"OK?" Dirga asked, surprised.

"You said you'd come even if I told you not to."

"Yes," Dirga said languidly.

"But please let me talk to him later, okay? I don't want him to get it wrong. I'll introduce you to him after I speak with him."

"Seriously?"

"Do you not want me to introduce you to him?"

"Oh, I don't mind at all. I need to prove to him that you are mine."

"You're overconfident!"

"Yes, indeed! It must be!"

On the other end of the phone, Andien laughed.

"Okay, I'd like to prepare the kids first, baby. I need to get them to school before Cantika awakens."

"Okay. Baby, I love you."

"I love you, too."

Dirga immediately sent a short message to Ian, his childhood best friend, after calling Andien.

[Me] Let's review the design on Tanamera, okay? 12.30, ok?

[Ian] Kemang? Okay. Please do not be late. I have a meeting at 3 p.m.

[Me] Okay. Ready!

[Ian] Ok. See you later, bro!

[Me] See you.

Dirga was in his office at exactly half-past seven o'clock in the morning. He had just drowned in his computer, laptop, and draft design sheets that he hadn't had time to check while working late last night. He still set aside several proposals and other letters, waiting for Borne to explain the contents of the letters, concerned that some details had been overlooked.

When he heard a knock on his door, Dirga exclaimed, "Just come in!"

Borne entered his best friend's office, shaking his head at the chaos. Dirga's desk was empty except for a PC and draft design sheets, while the long guest table and sofa in the center of the room were already crammed with items moved from his desks, such as laptops, document folders, desk calendars, and nameplates, including the photo of Dirga and Andien that frequently adorns Dirga's desk. Not to mention the work coat he had tossed into one corner of the sofa.

"What the hell happened, bro? I guarantee that whoever becomes your wife will be angry every day!"

"Why?"

"You just have to look at this! You let your workspace ruin like this!"

“Has Rena arrived yet?" Dirga ignored Borne's chatter, instead of asking about the presence of one of the drafters who was also a member of the core team on the project he was going to present that morning. "If she comes, tell her to come to my desk; she's been making wrong drafts since yesterday," Dirga said again.

"You're insane! You request that she work overtime for several days until late at night. Perhaps she was too tired to concentrate on her work."

"Please assist her as well. She appears to be afraid of me. If she walks into my room, she'll keep her head down! Did her dollar ever fall here?"

Borne laughed as he heard Dirga grumble.

"The issue is that if the draft design is incorrect, the estimated cost will be far off, bro. We will be responsible for covering the loss later on. Please double-check her work so that this draft is not revised multiple times." Dirga continued once more.

"All right, boss!"

"Has the superintendent position that I requested for the drafter's leader been filled yet?"

"Not yet boss! According to HRD, people with your qualifications are difficult to find."

"Just get rid of Abram! Why should I pay him a big salary if he can't even find someone?" scolded Dirga again.

Borne said calmly, "I'll ask Abram again as soon as possible."

'This person is very scary when he is angry! Scarier than the devil!'

"If he hasn't found anyone by next week, have him prepare a resignation letter! It doesn't make sense to me; the position has been vacant for six months; how come he can't find anyone?"

"All right, boss!"

"Anyway, you'll tell Rena to come to my room! I'm running out of patience when I see a mess like this!"

"All right, Capt."

"I also ask that the Budget Plan for the Orchid Project be revised and completed before lunch. Another thing is that the Danish Project mockup can already be made. The mockup must be ready for our meeting next week."

"Ready!"

"What kind of proposal is that?" Dirga asked, pointing to a stack of papers on the guest table.

Borne's voice filled the next few minutes, explaining the contents of documents, schedules, and various things that the boss, who was also his best friend, had to follow up on right away. Dirga spent half of the day working on various designs, meetings, and project presentations.

***

Elsewhere, Andien jogged to catch the Bogor-Jakarta train, which was still crowded despite it being noon. Her beautiful face looked annoyed, holding anger because of the attitude of the people she would meet that noon.

When she arrived at Pasar Minggu station, Andien took out her cellphone to order an online motorcycle taxi to Tanamera Coffee. Upon reaching her destination, she decided to clean herself up first. She wiped her face, stained with pollution, then her slender fingers brushed the natural makeup, making her beautiful face look fresher. She rearranged her disheveled shoulder-length hair before letting it hang loose. She then sprayed perfume on her body to get rid of the street odor from noon.

As she emerged from the restroom, she noticed the man she was looking for sitting at one of the cafe tables. He smiled as he waved to her, and Andien approached the man.

"Hey, Kei!" exclaimed the man, Arga, Andien's high school ex.

"Hi, Ga... Have you been here for a long time?"

"It's only been a few minutes. Let's eat first and then talk."

"Okay."

Arga then called up the waiter to place an order for food and drinks for both of them.

"Are you not hungry? Why limit yourself to just snacks and drinks?" Arga inquired.

"I'm still stuffed," Andien responded simply.

She didn't even eat a proper breakfast this morning. Her mood plummeted when the car she planned to drive today refused to start. Not to mention Cantika, who was upset because Andien didn't allow her to come with her.

Instantly she remembered her frustration with the man in front of her since last week when she requested that their meeting be held in Bogor. The annoying thing is that Arga refuses her request because their meeting is on a weekday.

"I have to go back to the office after we meet. I only have work to do in Jakarta, Kei. And the work must be finished on the same day because my placement is no longer in Jakarta but in Bandung," replied Arga at that time, as if Andien had nothing to do.

Not giving up, Andien requested that the meeting be held only at the end of the week; once again, the man refused for a variety of reasons.

"You appear to be a tomboy, Kei." Andien was awakened from her daydream when she heard the man's voice.

"Is there anything wrong with my look?" Andien inquired.

"I prefer to see a feminine woman. That doesn't mean you have to wear dresses everywhere. But seeing you in ripped jeans, oversized t-shirts, and sneakers..." Arga frowned, indicating that she did not like the idea of Andien's clothing choices that day.

'Oh, my goodness! Why should I attempt to seem beautiful when I meet you? 'Who do you think you are?'

"Hi, sweetheart!" exclaimed Ian, who had sat arbitrarily beside Andien. She has no idea when or where this man came. Behind her, her lover walked slowly, smiling at Andien.

"How come your face doesn't look cool?" Ian inquired, realizing that something was wrong with his best friend's girlfriend's expression.

"It's fine. You know, you're a genie! Suddenly, you were seated beside me!" Andien responded. Ian simply smirked, revealing a row of white teeth.

"Who are you?" Ian's attention was drawn to the man in front of him.

The man extended his hand. Ian greeted him sluggishly.

"Arga."

"Ian."

"Come on, bro!" Dirga said, patting Ian on the shoulder and inviting him to move to a different table so as not to disrupt his lover's meeting.

"Are you sure you don't want to join here?" Ian inquired, unable to understand Dirga. Dirga responded by shaking his head.

"Don't annoy my twin!" Ian warned Arga. Arga simply agreed with a nod.

Ian stood up from the chair he was sitting in and walked towards a table near Andien and Arga. Dirga followed Ian, but before he arrived at their desk, Dirga turned back and stepped straight toward Andien.

"Baby, when you're done, tell me, or simply come to my table," he said while kissing the top of Andien's head. Not waiting for Andien's answer, Dirga immediately left, leaving a furious look on Arga's face.

'Feel it, jerk! She's MINE!' Dirga thought with a cynical smile.