After getting off the plane, Alina and Raysa collected their luggage and boarded a shuttle van that took them to downtown Jogja for about an hour. They arrived at the hotel at eleven in the morning and checked in right away.
“Ah, finally, I can lie down.” Raysa immediately threw herself onto the hotel bed. “Do you want to go find something to eat, or what, Ray?” Alina asked as she put away her things. “I think I’ll rest first, Kak. I ate quite a lot on the plane, so I’m still full. Are you hungry, Lina?” “Not really. I’m still full too. Besides, I still have the bread my mom bought at the airport earlier.” “Can I sleep first, Kak? I’m exhausted. We can find something to eat after we wake up, then walk around for a bit.” Her eyes were already drooping, almost completely shut. “Sure, go to sleep. Your eyes can’t stay open anymore.” Alina let out a small laugh at Raysa’s behavior.
As the only daughter and youngest child in her family, Alina had always wanted a little sister. She once had a younger sibling, but it turned out her sibling had gone to Heaven before they could meet. After working with Raysa, who had such a friendly and engaging personality, Alina came to see her as a little sister. Alina went back to arranging her belongings. Once she was done, she made the tea provided by the hotel and walked out onto the room’s balcony. Alina watched people coming and going along the street.
*Ah, I just remembered that Vano used to go to college in Jogja. I wonder if he’s still here.* *Or has he settled in Jakarta? I met him in Jakarta last month.* *I wonder if I could run into him here.*
Alina thought about Vano. She had no idea where he was. Running into Vano last month had been completely unexpected. A small part of her hoped she could meet him again.
*Could I meet Vano again?* *Oh, no, I can’t. I already promised myself I’d forget him.* *I can’t keep thinking about him, or I’ll never be able to get close to another guy.* *Should I try to get close to Vano? No, no. Vano has had way too many ex-girlfriends. I can’t handle his past—especially his beautiful exes from wealthy families. Come on, move on.*
Alina clenched her fists to encourage herself. She convinced herself that she could forget Vano.
“I can definitely do it!” “Do what, Lina?” “Ah! Raysa, you scared me. When did you wake up?” Alina answered half-shrieking, startled when Raysa suddenly responded to her. “Just now, Kak. You suddenly yelled, ‘I can definitely do it!’ so I came over to see what was going on. What can you do, anyway? Is there a new project?” “Nothing.” Alina was puzzled by how Raysa had only just woken up but was already bursting with energy. Maybe waking up was the reason she was so energetic? “Are you hungry? Come on, let’s go downstairs and check out the street food stalls. Maybe you’ll find something you like,” Alina continued, walking back to the table to set down her cup. “Okay, Kak. My stomach’s been growling for a while, so that’s probably what woke me up. I’m going to take a shower first.” Raysa grabbed a towel and went straight to shower, while Alina waited and worked on her tasks little by little.
“Kak, there are so many angkringan stalls here. Which one do you want to go to, Lina? I like pretty much everything.” Raysa was thrilled by all the food lining both sides of the street, like a child who had never been taken out before. “I’ll leave it up to you, Ray. Or do you want to go to Jalan Malioboro first? There are usually lots of people selling food along both sides in the afternoon.” “Um, sure, Kak. Maybe they’ll have something I like there too.” “Oh, right, Lina, do you have any plans while we’re here?” Raysa continued, her eyes darting from side to side as she took in the crowds. “Not really. I’ll just follow your schedule, Ray. Oh, but I’d like us to rest on Saturday and Sunday, okay? I have some other work I need to finish.” “Hmm, okay, Kak. Oh, right, Lina, you—”
Raysa’s voice suddenly sounded faint in Alina’s ears. A faint woody musk scent that Alina could still detect stopped her in her tracks.
*This scent again? Is Vano here?*