Nervous

  Meanwhile, at Burhan's house…

  The clock read 1:00 p.m. Hunger drove Burhan to the bathroom. On the way, he grabbed a dry towel near his bed.

  The sound of running water filled the bathroom.

  After showering, Burhan picked up his phone. He intended to call Nagini and invite her to lunch.

  As he typed her number, a wave of nervousness hit him. Slowly, he pressed "Call." The dial tone rang in his ear.

  Meanwhile, Nagini glanced at her ringing phone. The name "Burhan" was on the screen.

  Suddenly, her own heart skipped.

  She answered.

  Nagini: "Hello, Burhan…"

  Hearing her voice made Burhan's heart swell. There was a faint tremor in his chest, and his voice quivered slightly.

  Burhan: "Are you awake, Nagin?"

  Hearing his slightly shaky voice, Nagini felt her heart tighten.

  Nagini: "Are you sick, Burhan?"

  Her question made Burhan even more nervous; his chest felt like it might burst.

  Burhan: "I'm fine, Nagini. Actually… I wanted to invite you to lunch. At Kemang Raya Café."

  Nagini frowned slightly, playing with the tip of her hair.

  Nagini: "O…"

  That single syllable made Burhan even more unsettled.

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  Burhan: "If you're ready… I'll come pick you up, Nagini."

  Nagini: "Come, Burhan. I'll shower and get ready. I'm hungry too… Burhan."

  Burhan smiled broadly.

  Burhan: "Alright, Nagini."

  He hung up and clenched both fists.

  Burhan: "Yes!"

  ***

  Out of Words

  Nagini and Burhan sat together in the front seats of the car. Burhan gripped the steering wheel, while Nagini gazed ahead.

  The car moved slowly through traffic before finally reaching the toll gate.

  After paying, the road opened up—smooth and clear.

  Burhan turned on the AC, letting the cool air flow through the cabin.

  Unlike usual, they were silent—holding back that gentle tremor of nerves.

  It wasn't the silence of anger.

  It was a comfortable quiet.

  Burhan kept his eyes on the road, trying to drive properly, though he was clearly awkward.

  Nagini absentmindedly twirled the ends of her hair.

  Normally, they would joke and laugh freely.

  But now… only silence. Awkward silence.

  Perhaps… they'd run out of words.

  Or…

  They just didn't know how to start.

  ***

  Table Number 012

  Burhan parked in the basement of Kemang Raya Café.

  Inside the car, the awkward tension remained.

  Burhan: "We're here, Nagini."

  Nagini: "Yes, I know."

  His trembling voice and her short reply stood in sharp contrast to their usual warm camaraderie.

  Burhan found himself tongue-tied, fidgeting, while Nagini stayed quiet—her chest fluttering slightly.

  Burhan: "Let's go, Nagini."

  She just nodded.

  They walked from the basement to the lift, then up to the bustling café.

  Still no words.

  Just stolen glances and shy smiles.

  Finally, they sat down at table number 012, already reserved for them.

  ***

  Seroja Indah Apartment

  Meanwhile, at Seroja Indah Apartment…

  Giono, Karsiyah, Ngatmo, and Rani and Rina were gathered, discussing Broto's escape.

  Karsiyah: "Damn it! I'm still not satisfied!"

  Giono: "Well, blast it!"

  Ngatmo: "Before we could even touch him, Broto had already run!"

  Rani and Rina exchanged glances.

  They were all annoyed that their target, Broto, had slipped away before they could "teach him a lesson."

  Ngatmo frowned, as if remembering something.

  Ngatmo: "That helicopter… I've seen it before."

  Giono: "What do you mean?"

  Ngatmo: "The tail number—24-C. I've seen it."

  Karsiyah: "Are you sure?"

  Ngatmo: "Yes, I'm sure."

  Rani: "Where did you see it, Dad?"

  Rina: "Maybe in the forest…"

  Rina chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. But Ngatmo's answer was unexpected.

  Ngatmo: "That's right, my child."

  Karsiyah: "Where exactly?"

  Ngatmo: "In the forest, on the slopes of Merapi."

  The others exchanged glances.

  Giono: "Why were you wandering around the slopes of Merapi?"

  Ngatmo: "As a martial arts teacher, I took my students there for training and promotion tests."

  Rani: "I remember—training has to be in a mystical place…"

  Rina: "And haunted."

  Ngatmo: "I happened to see a helicopter flying low, with the number 24-C."

  Giono: "And then…?"

  Ngatmo: "I followed it quietly and saw it land."

  Karsiyah: "Land where? There's no helipad in the forest."

  Rani: "Didn't it hit the trees?"

  Rina: "The rotor's huge!"

  Ngatmo: "You're right—it didn't land in the forest, but at a large building with iron fences, guarded by armed men."

  They all looked at each other.

  Giono: "You're sure there's a place like that in the middle of the forest?"

  Ngatmo: "Yes, I'm sure."

  ***

  Chasing Broto

  Giono: "Karsiyah! Do you still want to teach Broto a lesson?"

  Karsiyah: "Of course! I won't be satisfied until he's limping!"

  Ngatmo: "Broto needs a trip to the hospital!"

  Giono smiled faintly at his sister's anger.

  Rani: "People like Broto—if you don't teach them a lesson…"

  Rina: "They'll just do it again to someone else."

  Giono: "Alright, alright! Then we're going to Yogyakarta. To Mount Merapi!"

  To be Continued