Chapter 6 - Cry me A River

Part 1.

2 days earlier…..

Sepermegian Hans ke Bali mempermudahkan pergerakan Tika menyelesaikan tugasan di pejabat. Bebanan kes yang rata-rata perlukan 'your immediate attention'. That’s the thrill when you race against time….the adrenaline rush feels like bursting.

Tetapi masih ada lagi hal penting yang perlu di selesaikan. It has been a while since I’ve spoken to him. Has he been very busy?

Perhaps it’s me who has been  avoiding him……..So, Tika decided to give Ghaz a call.

Ringing…….

Ringing……..no answer.

We’re sorry the number you have dialled is out of coverage. Please try again later.

Tika hang-up.

Out of coverage….? Dia pergi mana……..

Half an hour later Tika tried again but received the same out of coverage message…..is he avoiding me or worst does he knows about me and Hans. Pucat lesi Tika rasakan mukanya …tekak tiba-tiba kering and nak pitam pun ada….aku terduduk….

That night I decided to catch a movie at D’pulze. 'Apa ada dengan cinta 2' was playing at TGV. I was looking forward watching it as I am always a sucker for romance movie. The best romance story line I will never get bored was from watching The Bridges of Madison County. Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, two extra ordinary screen legend, what more can I say. Finished a jumbo cup of ice lemon tea and small pop corn with no Hans and no Ghaz. It's I, me and myself.

Aku dan Ghazz  met when we were studying  abroad and we were crazy in love. Eight years later we got engaged upon both family request and a grand wedding planned a year after. This is all part of family business arrangement.  Aku terus setuju sebab I loved him with all my heart. Kami macam belangkas, ke mana saja mesti berdua.

But, it has been three years and I kept swallowing, “I am not ready to get married” from Ghazz. I don’t know how long can I afford to wait. I am not getting any younger.

One day while having a dinner, Ghazz shocked me with his proposal.

“Kalau kita putus saja macamana?", Ghazz suggested….." after all we do not have feelings for each other lagi."

"Ghazz kenapa you ni? Are you insane? " Tika berasa agak marah dengan cadangan Ghazz. "Don't you have feelings for me, anymore? We still can make things work, Ghazz. Kalau bukan untuk kita, at least for our family".

"There's no point Tika. We both know, seriously ok, yang perassan kasih sayang kita dah lama pudar. Why do we need to deny it?"

"Nampaknya you sendiri yang sudah buat decision tanpa discussing it with me kan...?"Tika bertanya.

"Isn't this what we're doing now? We will let both family know when the time is right…", Ghazz keep on insisting dengan keputusannya.

"And bila tu….the time is right?", Tika seakan-akan meyindir.

"We just know……", jawab Ghazz dengan ringkas.

"So all this years ….you, me this is it....sucked into the drain? Oh…hold on, I see I get it. You have someone else ya Ghazz…….that’s why you beriya-iya nak break-off our engagement.", Tika meneka.

"Do you think we are going to be satisfied pretending in front of everybody the fact that how much we want to get out of this mess? I did loved you Tika,…..once…….".

"This mess....is that what you think? Thanks a lot Ghazz……you make it looked so easy...". Tika hampa dengan tindakan Ghazz.

"I just wanna move on Tika…..maybe I've found someone….", Ghazz menarik tangan Tika to get her full attention.

"Let's think this over Ghazz. Malu I........., and malu family I.....", Tika mula menangis.

"I am really sorry....................", he took one look at Tika and fled off. Tika terpinga-pinga, "Ghazz...!"

Perhaps, Ghazz was right….Ever since that day we have not seen or contacted each other.

Dalam masa itu pula aku bertemu semula dengan Hans. Aku perlukan seorang lelaki yang can take of me, appreciate me for who I am…..Every pros and cons has been in favor of Hans. Mungkin sebab dia pernah melalui perceraian and more mature when dealing with feelings. "Ghazz, may be we are not meant for each other." Our family will be devastated by his decision at least in the beginning but I'm sure they will pull through the embarrassment after some time......detik hati Tika.

Lamunan Tika terhenti di situ. "Wow that was devastating", Tika said it out load. "What was devastating?", Hans voice appear and she turned to this gorgeous guy sitting next to her…she just smiled.

"Are you sure you want to continue on watching the TV?", Tika asked. "I think I wanna hit the sack. Good night", as Tika lean over to give Hans a kiss.

"Let me walk you back to your place.", Hans berkata sambil bangun dari sofa.

"No, no, I’ll be fine. Dekat je...", refuse Tika....."and thank you for the dinner".

It was only 100 meters separating their villa. As she reached her villa entrance, she retract and decided to walk around the villa towards the lighted pool. She sat by the pool and switched on Sportify to Julie London’s 'Cry me a River' while dipping her legs in the cool pool water.

Credit to mothraBlues and You Tube

She's enjoying the quite night while singing to the tune…….”Is there anything bothering you, babe?”

It's Hans…..she didn't turn but smiled to herself.....sambil menjawap, “Who me?” Nah, tak ada la…..just clearing my mind and trying to figure out things….”.

"You know, when you're alone it's easier to think......", Tika explained but Hans cut in...."Like what?". Hans stepped forward closer and the closer he gets she could just smell his cologne. Hmmmmm…….you smell so good.

"You know, things….we all have things to think about? Don't you?", Tika membalas pertanyaan sambil menjeling ke arah Hans.

"But I wanna hear yours. What's bothering you?" asked Hans.

"Nah, don’t wanna bore you.....". Tika malas nak bercerita.

"There’s only you and me here and no one else."….he sat behind me and slide his legs into the pool too….with me now in between him. He wrapped me around his arm and kissed the back of my head. Charming……

"Can I hold you like this when you’re thinking?"Hans asked softly. Oohhhhhooooo smooth Hans……just don't let go....

"Well,....it will definitely clear my mind....", and followed by a soft giggle.

Tika took one breath and snuggle her pint size body in Hans huge physique, and said, "Thanks for taking care of me.".

We were swaying and rocking in each others arm just enjoying to Julie London selections of old songs................delightful night.

Part 2.

Tika had a good night sleep. After her long shower she is all dressed up to travel to Kuta. She is still wondering what could be so important that she had to make decisions on some drawings. "Pelik pulak rasanya..."

"Good morning precious.....", Hans greeted...."Let's grab breakfast then we head off to Kuta. We are meeting Bapak Yoka around 10:30 a.m.", Hans held out his hands. Tika hold on to Hans while she slide on her sandal for balance...."Ok, I'm ready...". said Tika.

As we drove out I see a view of a beautiful misty mountain backdrop. The Damai is quite and  secluded located in the hills overlooking Lovina Bay of northern Bali. This part of Bali is  surrounded by rice paddies. In a close by small fishing village here you can go for dolphin watching and enjoy underwater activities. 

After 2 hours of driving and non stop conversation or rather debate we finally arrived at Bapak Yoka Sara's office. We passed what looks like the drafter section that led us to where Bapak Yoka was standing in the hall way. He greeted us and both updated themselves on a house design. So is this how my life would be like if I'm married to Hans? Like a puppy following his master....

"Babe....come over....", called Hans...Tanpa segan silu memanggilku 'Babe' depan strangers...makes me look cheap. 

"I have been designing a house by seaside. I got a small land in Port Dickson and we are finalizing the floor plan on the house. I am just going to explain the design to you and let your imagination run wild.". And now am I being told how to think .....? 

I participated in the discussion and to the agreement of all parties, I approved the drawings and contracts were signed.

"Terima kasih Bapak Yoka...terima kasih."Hans looked so happy. 

"You are smiling from ear to ear. This house, means so much to you..... " Tika is happy for Hans too.

"Bapak Yoka agreed to build my house according to my design and my specification, which is a rare acceptance", Hans shared details of agreement.

Not an expert in the architect world,  Tika acknowledged and said, "I'm impressed....", caressing his back while walking out the office. Hans grabbed Tika's right hand and kissed it once, "Thank you for believing in me". Tika smiled and responded, "You did all the work, Hans and not me....."

"Because one day when you are ready, I want you to move in that house as my wife"......Hans stopped and turn facing me. "I know you have your life and I have my life....I waited you for 2 years and I can tell you I don't give up easily........it has always been you. You inspire me, Tika.", and kissed her forehead.

"Come let's celebrate!"

Part 3.

"Hopped in", Hans mengajak ku menaiki a convertible classic car. It looks so smooth and slick...., "Wow, cool nya?", tegur Tika.

We started our personal tour just the two of us and Hans was the driver for the day. He asked me, "Tell me, who is Tika? Let me understand her likes and dislikes so I can learn how to make her love me." Tika tossed her head back in the air and smiled under streaks of hair covering her face.....

"It'll take a whole day to discover who she is." Tika said.....enjoying the ride.

"A haa...that is where she is wrong. Tell her that I want to discover Tika my whole life!" and the whole afternoon they were all over each other.

We visited Tanah Lot which is a temple which sits on a rock formation. During low tide you can see a path way leading to the temple.

We stayed the whole performance of 'Kecak Dance' and enjoy the sunset.....in Uluwatu.

Finally we arrived at The Four Seasons for a romantic dinner by the sea in Jimbaran.  We dine under a sea of stars in one of their secluded foreshore gazebos. The smell of exotic flowers circling the air. We experienced an exquisite four-course dinner, which included seafood, and lots of seafood. We allow time passed by slowly as we don't want  the night to end.........

Credit to The Four Seasons and Google Search.

But all things must come to an end....so does our time in Bali. I learnt that Hans is a man of full surprises. I, once told Ghazz that I hate surprises but now I'm loving every moment of it with Hans......

At nights, he likes to hang out at my villa whenever I take a dip in the cool swimming pool. He sits on the wooden pool chair and have casual conversation with me while watching me swim. I am grateful for the time I spent with him because we will never know if there will be a next one..............