Chapter 2 - KANGEN

So how was it...what do you think of the introductory? Of course for a first timer like me, I still have lots to learn and bunch of things to explore. I have so much ideas floating in my mind and it is a matter of plucking and arranging then in sequence order.

A few feedback came back and it was very encouraging. It does boost my confidence. Thank you.

Please enjoy the next piece for your reading pleasure. Let's try from Hans perspective....

Part 1.

He slept well last night. He was very happy with the outcome. Laying in bed all he could think off is Tika. And it made him smiled....he got up and sat at the edge of the bed while staring out of his window.......beautiful morning, isn't it Tika?

"Tika, apa you buat sekarang. Maybe masih tidur di buai mimpi lagi....". he whispered and cupped his face with both hands. He recalled the best part of the meeting yesterday....

"Hans...?"
"Yes Babe....?"
"Jangan tinggalkan I....?"
"I janji I akan tunggu you...."

Hans continued, "I want this to happen and I am so sorry to put you in this position". His arms held tight on to Tika's petite frame. "Every moment all I do is think of you...."

But Tika interrupted,.."sshhhh......please don't say anymore. Don't make me change my mind". The warmth of Hans toned body felt as though she is being craddle like a baby.

He lay down again in his bed and tersenyum puas. Dia memang tidak mahu kehilangan Tika. Yes, I will wait for you for as long as it takes.

Sambil mencapai cellphone yang terletak di atas bedside table Hans membelek-belek kalau ada text message dari Tika but nothing.

Hans got up from bed, took a quick shower and put on a t-shirt and kain pelikat before his Subuh prayer.

After his prayer he walked to the kitchen and his made himself latte. He went over to his drawing table and looked through some of his designs.

"Wah, banyaknya yang perlu di siapkan." while sipping his coffee. Checking again his cellphone. Masih tak ada apa-apa message dari Tika. Hans mengeluh.

Pacing around his 2 bedroom apartment which he just purchased 6 months ago, dia rasa macam serba tak kena. Agaknya beginilah rasanya when you're in love. It kind of sneaks up on you. When you get to see her, everything is more define. Macam you put on eye glasses for the very first time, wow, everything is so clear and in perspective. Being with her makes Hans feel like that.

Macamlah aku tak pernah bercinta. Dulu sebelum berkahwin dengan Marianne pun aku bercinta sakan. But kenapa bila jatuh cinta buat kali kedua with Tika, it feels so different. Is it because I'm in a more mature stage of a my life? There was no other women selepas Marianne walaupun banyak gadis-gadis di pejabat yang cuba-cuba goda aku. Just not interested in them. For the last 2 years it has always been Tika in my mind..

Hans checked again his messages. "Maybe I am over reacting...." lalu searched Spotify on his iphone for his selection of songs. Tika's favorite songs dah mula memenuhi playlist dalam cellphone Hans. He selected 'Kangen' (piano version) by Maliq and d'Essentials.

Credit to Max Ben Adnan and You Tube

ada bayangmu dalam kesendirianku

mungkinkah kau alami juga rasa ni

mestinya kau ada disini bersama diriku

memadu kasih kita berdua selamanya

bawala daku bersama ke dalam setiap langkah mu

dimana pun kau berada

rindu ku semakin meraja

tiada akan dapat ku obati

tanpa ku nikmati

senyum mu…

senyum mu…

tiada lagi dpt ku buat untuk hilangkan rasa ini

lagu ini tak kan membuat

hasrat hati yang ku miliki

Hans tak dapat menanggung rindu and sent a text message to Tika.

>Hi Babe, hope you arrived safe last night.<

>Take care.<

After the open conversation we had yesterday we agreed on several terms and conditions. Aku faham her priority is with her family, work and the jerk she called fiance. She has to carry on whatever she has been doing as normal as it could possibly can be. Begitu juga aku. Aku harus banyak mengalah dalam situasi ini. Aku sendiri yang terjebak dengan cinta tiga segi jadi aku harus tanggung the consequences. 

Cellphone berdering.....

Tika?.....

"Hello?....Hello Hans,...hey man what's up?"

Johan? Ahhh....apa hal pulak dia cari aku pagi-pagi ni?

Johan : "Apa cerita...? Jom kita pergi training. Looks like a good day outside. Jomlah", pujuk Johan.

Hans :  "Ye ke....aku macam tak de mood lah pagi ni. Banyak design nak kena siapkan untuk full presentation Monday nanti...". Alasan Hans.

Johan : "Dude, kau dah seminggu tak training dengan aku. Dualthon tu next weekend tau.....", Johan memujuk lagi.

Hans : "Ya, ya I know......hmmm....ok, pukul berapa kau sampai Cyber?" Hans bertanya.

Johan : "Aku dah on the way. Dalam 10 minit lagi aku sampai kat Tasik.", Johan menjawab.

Hans : "Ok, ok, I'll meet you at the carpark. Eh, jangan lupa bawak aku punya chain checker. Dah sebulan kau pinjam", Hans reminded Johan sambil membelek-belek t-shirt yang terlipat kemas di dalam closet.

Johan : "Ya, ya ada ni. Sorry la dude", jawab Johan.

Hans : "Ok see you soon, ciao man", Hans mengakhiri perbualan mereka. He went to change into his cycling attire.  

Before he stepped out of his apartment he checked again his cellphone. Nothing. Tika do you know that waiting for someone to come online is a painful and sometimes heartbreaking thing - you have no idea how true that is. Please reply my message......Hans mengeluh lagi.

Part 2.

Habis satu Cyberjaya mereka pusing. Finally they stopped at Starbucks melepaskan penat sambil discuss strategy for next week's competition. 

Sambil minum dan bersembang, Johan bertanya, "Eh, kau ni apa hal sekarang? Susah dah nak ajak keluar and lepak? Ada problem ke?".

"Problem? Tak de la...problem aku dah selesai for now...", Hans sengih. "...and I am happy the way I am..." Hans tambah sambil sipping his Cinnamon Latte.

"Ialah, dulu duduk KL, sekarang ni dah pindah Cyberjaya. Kat ujung dunia. Kau tau tak tempat ni tempat jin bertendang tau.  Dulu-dulu gangster bila dah bunuh orang dia orang campak mayat kat sini tau.....lepas tu kau sanggup tu drive KL pergi kerja hari-hari. Aku tak pahamlah kau ni. Ke kau ada simpan apa-apa kat sini....? Johan cuba mengorek cerita dari Hans.

Hans ketawa mendengar cerita Johan. "Sudah lah kau, itu cerita dulu. I like living in Cyberjaya. Community kecil, small township, dengan umur aku yang dah di catogory as 'veteran' aku rasa selesa. Tak seperti KL, jem sana sini, riuh and sesak. Kau tau tak aku sampai rumah je, aku rasa tenang, tak ada member-member yang kacau ajak pergi clubbing....", sambil mencebik ke arah Johan.

"Lagi pun banyak competition around Cyber and Putrajaya. I am okay with that", tambah Hans.

"Perghhh.....so you are saying I'm a bad influeance ya....? Man you've changed so much. Habis tu love life kau macamana? Si Nadia tu asyik-asyik  suruh aku ajak kau keluar sekali...., Alexandra yang dulu kau ada crush tu pun sibuk minta phone number kau......(sambil memandang kelilingnya...)Yang kau tinggal kat sini ada ke awek-awek cun? Kau ada tackle budak-budak MMU ya......?" Johan mengusik Hans.

Hans smiled. Johan if only you knew...........

"Johan, Johan.....you never changed. Budak MMU? Tak main la....", terbahak-bahak mereka ketawa memecahkan kesunyian di dalam Starbucks tengahari tu. "Lagi pun, aku dah ada pilihan hati and aku sekarang dalam proses kenal mengenali each other. She works in Cyberjaya.....",

"Aaahhhhh, begitu ceritanya.....patutlah kau sanggup pindah ke sini semata-mata nak rapat dengan mata air lah ni....", usik Johan. "So bila nak introduce aku dengan mata air kau?"

Tiba-tiba pandangan Hans terpaku ke arah pintu masuk Starbucks and dia rasakan jantungnya habis luruh. Tika? Is that her?......or he thought so.........

"Eh dude where are you going?", Johan tanya.

"I want to say hello to someone I kenal, but tak pe la aku rasa salah orang....anyway, aku pergi gents kejap then kita blah. Aku kena habiskan presentation untuk resort kat Bentong tu. The architect is flying down from Bali tomorrow", Hans replied.

"Ok, I'll wait for you outside....", jawab Johan.

Actually it was just an excuse he gave to Johan. There wasn't any need to use the gents. He just wanted to check out the lady who just stepped in the Cafe. But he was disappointed that it wasn't Tika. He finds it strange baru 12 jam lepas dia jumpa Tika, she's on his mind all the damn time. "Man I wish she was here" race through his head, all the while trying to justify he's not stalking her. Tika, I missed you......

"Dude, are you ready?'Johan sapa as he saw Hans walking out of Starbucks.

"Yeah, lets ride back to the car park and I'll see you off. Lepas tu aku balik la....", Hans replied.

Both of them cycled out from Starbucks parking lot and headed to Taman Tasik Cyberjaya where Johan left his car.

At the same moment a Nissan Kicks drove in to Starbucks drive through....

"One hot Caremel Latte please.....", said the driver.

Part 3.

That night Hans kept himself busy finishing his presentation for tomorrow. It was 9:45 pm and he stopped to make himself a bowl of cereal…..he switched on the television and didn't find anything interesting to watch and he continued on with his work.

"Ok all looks in order. Aku nak shower and sleep early so I can start fresh tomorrow….according to the itinerary Bapak Yoka  akan sampai KLIA 11:00 am. Then we will drive straight  to Casabrina in Bentong. All right cantik…..", confirming his plan.

After changing he crawled into bed……he then remembered he did not check his cellphone since he came back this afternoon.

Message from Johan again. He smiled reading Johan's message.

 >Kirim salam kat mata air kau ye<

Message from Yana, his secretary. Additional itinerary during Bapak Yoka’s trip here. 

Message from his client Mr Tee.

>I’ll be a bit late for the meeting tomorrow. You proceed the meeting with Bapak Yoka. I should be in Casabrina by 3 p.m<

Message from his sons reminding that next weekend to pick them up for a sleep over. It made him smile….those two boys are very precious to him. How they grown up so fast.

That’s it? No message from Tika? Is she alright? Kenapa dia tak balas my message? 

Just as he was just about to put down the phone, it buzzed and instantly he checked the message…..

>Hans, sorry for the late reply.<

>Yes I got home just fine.<

>Hope all good with you.<

>You take care too.<

Hans was so elated by the reply and kissed his cellphone beberapa kali. He was contemplating whether to reply or not…ahhhh…..gasakla....

>I’ll be going outstation whole day tomorrow for work.<

>Miss u so much. I’ll call you tomorrow?<

>send<

Buzz…buzz…

>OK 😊 <

Yessss……that made Hans so happy. 

Part 4.

Last week headlines.

Hans was already at the airport waiting for the arrival of Bapak Yoka. Nasib baik the firm hantar Abang  Razali to pick me and Yoka Sara this morning. Tak payah penat-penat drive ke Bentong.

Siapa yang tak kenal dengan Bapak Yoka di Indonesia? He is a famous architect yang berpejabat di Bali and sudah 2 tahun menjadi mentor aku. Mostly hasil kerjanya mengekalkan identity Balinese yang sangat popular di kalangan orang-orang ternama di Malaysia.  His main concern is with balance not only in the external elements of the site and client but also on conceptual approach i.e. human being using feeling, mind, imagination and teamwork. Cara begini boleh membuat sesuatu ruang communicate with each other as well as the surrounding land of the site. Throughout the structures, ada pergerakan berterusan refreshed spiritual orientation so that each space is alive in itself.

Hans melambai ke arah tetamunya yang baru sampai.

“Apa khabar Bapak......”, greeted Hans and they shook hands.

“Ya baik. Kita ketemu lagi…apa khabar?”sahut Bapak Yoka sambil menepuk-nepuk bahu Hans.

“Good, I am good and it is nice to have you back at Casabrina. The investor was here 2 weeks ago and everything went as planned.", said Hans.

“Wah, bagus ya. Kita akan terus ke Casabrina, I presume?”, kata Bapak Yoka Sara sambil menolak trolley ke arah pintu keluar terminal ketibaan.

“Yes, we are. Lunch is waiting for us there”, Hans confirmed the plan. Abang Razali already waiting in the driver’s seat to drive us to Bentong.

www.casabrina.net

Selesai meeting Hans minta diri untuk pulang ke pejabat. Bapak Yoka will be staying in Casabrina for the whole week. Jadi Hans terpaksa berulang balik ke Bentong beberapa hari ni.

Abang Razali will drive me back to KL petang ni and I should arrive home around 8 pm. Wah penat rasanya….

“Bang, nanti abang boleh hantar saya balik terus ke Cyberjaya? Saya tak jadi la nak turun ke office. Saya pun tak drive hari ni”, sambil mengenakan Ray- Ban....

“Boleh Tuan, Tan Sri pun cakap I am yours today….”, sambil pointing himself than to Hans. “Eh Tuan, tuan duduk belakang”, sambung Abang Razali.

“Wah, abang pun boleh speaking ya….eh, tak pe boring duduk belakang sorang-sorang. Kalau depan boleh sembang dengan abang dan please, panggil saya Hans saja. Tak payah ber-tuan-tuan dengan saya”, said Hans as he opened the car door.

 Mereka bersembang semasa perjalanan balik and celoteh abang Razali membuat Hans tak kering gusi. Once in a while he checks on his messages.

“Hans ni selalu check handphone, tunggu orang call ke? Kat highway ni kadang-kadang memang susah dapat line”, said abang Razali.

Hans smiled and replied, “Biasa la bang, busy. Kadang-kadang ni saja cara cepat untuk berhubung dengan dunia luar”.

“Oh macam tu…maaf ye abang nak tanya sikit. Ala abang bukan nak menyebok tapi abang dah kerja dengan Tan Sri lebih 10 tahun. Abang kenal dengan semua staff kat ofis tu tapi Hans ni tak banyak bergaul dengan staff-staff yang lain”.

“Saya tak faham maksud Abang Razali? Macamana tu?, asked Hans.

“Maksud abang tentang Hans….dah berkahwin ke bujang? Sebab ada juga budak-budak kat office tu syok dekat Hans”, sengih abang Razali. “Rata-rata mereka kata Hans ni kacak tapi tak ada girlfriend ke? Bujang lagi ke?” Mereka tu bukan apa saja nak berkenalan dengan Hans........", added abang Razali…..

Hans laughed. “Oh Abang ni jadi informer dia orang la ni. Korek rahsia saya….”, he continued laughing.

“Saya ni memang private person bang. Saya ke office untuk kerja dan bukan bersosial. Yes, saya pernah berkahwin dan kemudian bercerai. Ada dua anak lelaki, mereka pun dah besar.”, Hans explained.

“Oh begitu,….habis tu tak cari pengganti?”, abang Razali asked.

“Maaf bang, sekejap ya,…hi, how are you. Dah, I am done for today and heading back to Cyberjaya. You’re free for late dinner tonight?....... Ok I’ll meet you there….” Hans ended conversation on his cellphone.

“So dah ada pengganti la ni….mengganga je la budak-budak kat office tu…..”, they both laughed.

Sampai saja di rumah Hans terus text message Tika.

>We are still on tonight, right?<

Buzz….

>Yes. Meet you there.<

Lega rasa nya dapat jumpa Tika malam ni. 

It’s just something about her…something about her makes me smile. All of a sudden you find yourself wanting to see her more–and you don’t really know or understand why. You talk to her as much as you can, or you try to anyways. 

Part 5.

“Hans….nice to see you again”, sapa Tika as she walked closely towards Hans extending her hand to greet him.  Being a gentleman Hans bukan saja menyambut salam malah a kiss on the back of her hand. That should send shivers running straight up to her arms......

Tika agak terkejut sedikit dan memerhatikan sekelilingnya. “Don’t worry nobody’s watching”, Hans assured her. Sambil membetulkan kerusi Tika, Hans berkata “I’ve missed you. You look gorgeous, fresh and smell delicious tonight. Dolce & Gabbana right? By the way I like your bracelet, too". And a light squeeze on her shoulder.

What Tika wore for dinner.

Oh...wow..... this guy sure knows how to play his cards right. “You look not bad yourself. Do you always look this good?”, Tika mengusik sambil Hans menanggalkan sports jacket nya sebelum duduk across the table menghadap Tika. Hans had a very simple white shirt and denim jeans but it really compliment his good looks.

“Well that is for me to know and for you to discover. You wanna give it a try?” Hans cuba his pick-up line skills. Tika tunduk sambil memerhatikan menu di atas meja.  Malu dan terdiam.

“Don’t worry I did not order dinner for you tonight but I did order a special dessert for you later….”, selamba saja reaction Hans.

"Sure, not a problem. I will order for myself. Anyway, the meeting went well today, I heard?", Tika memulakan conversation sambil memberanikan diri untuk merenung wajah Hans.

"Indeed. All according to schedule. The only set back was Bapak Yoka is staying in Casabrina this whole week and I will be meeting him several times up there. Do you wanna come with me? It's beautiful  up there and very peaceful....", Hans suggested sambil memandang Tika yang very interested about his day.

"It's okay. I tak mahu interfere dengan your work. Anyway to get there I just can't take off from work.", Tika memberi alasan.

Hans senyum saja but he will try his luck again. He really wants to spend time dengan Tika just like how they did the other day in Avillion. "How was your day?", Hans bertanya.

"Mine? The usual...work and no play", Tika menjawab sambil membetulkan fork and knife di atas meja. Dia memandang ke bawah. Tika mengosok-gosok kedua-dua lengannya.

"Kenapa? Are you nervous? A bit chilly in here ke?" Hans dapat mengagak.

"Nervous sikit especially kalau you keep on staring at me like that. It gives me the chills.", Tika berterus terang.

"Well than you nak I tengok dinding sebelah ni bila bercakap dengan you?' Hans mengusik. "I can try but I'll look weird". It made Tika laughed.

"No, don't get me wrong. Your eye contact is very strong and rasa tembus ke jantung I", and Tika took a sip of drink while her eyes are running around wild checking out in case she bump into someone she knows.

Hans heart too was running around and try not to have a heart attack every time he sees her. His pulse will be skyrocketing. I want to see her more. I want to hold her more. And above all else I want her to smile more…because all of those things, they give me a rush I just can’t replace.

The conversation went on and dinner was exquisite. Towards the end of the dinner, the waiter came over to their table and passed a small package to Hans. "Thank you", Hans said. He waited until the waiter left.

"Babe, I got something here for you. Please pemberian ikhlas dari I and I hope you'll like it", sambil menghulurkan package tadi to Tika.

"What's this? You don't have too...Errrr..., did you have get guy to delivered just this.......you're really something else.....", Tika menolak.

"Please you'll break my heart if you can't accept it. Open it, go on", Hans memujuk.

Untuk ti dak melukakan hati Hans, Tika membelek-belek beg yang bertulis Pandora dengan ikatan pink color ribbon on top.....Dia membuka beg dan mengeluarkan kotak berwarna putih lalu membukanya. She smiled and took out the beautiful bracelet.

PANDORA Gold Clasp Sterling Silver Charm.

"This is beautiful Hans and expensive I am sure, I couldn't possibly.....", Tika cuba menolak sekali lagi but Hans beat her to that, "No it's yours and tomorrow you will wear it when we go up to Casabrina".

Tika's jaw almost dropped to the floor. "Hans, I am flattered but....",

"I can't take no for an answer. Come with me tomorrow, please. You'll drive to my apartment and leave your car there. We'll take my car. And we will be back by lunch", Hans has already planned out everything.

He's making Tika miserable. "Hans, I just cannot drop everything and follow you macam tu saja...".

Hans was a bit disappointed by Tika's response, "I want to be with you and I want to share with you what I do at Casabrina. Please at least think about it?".

Dinner was done and as they walked out the restaurant, Hans slowly took Tika's hand and walked her to her car.

"So I'll see you at my place 8 am?". Hans testing Tika.

"Hans don't push it. I'll think about it.", Tika replied.

They hugged and Hans kissed Tika's right cheek.

She got into her car, waved and drove off......