I went to this small restaurant near the beach in Kenjeran as my mother would say, wearing white shirt and black jeans. Just a fifteen-minute ride from Kartawisnu, as the first order of business in the morning. The place was bustling, strategically positioned along the shoreline with the northern winds sweeping through and seagulls squawking overhead like an unruly chorus. Perched on the edge of the beach, the restaurant exuded a chilly yet inviting atmosphere. I couldn't help but wonder about the person behind such an establishment.
As I inquired around, hoping to find someone named Theo, a worker directed me to wait while she summoned him. After nearly ten minutes, Theo finally appeared. He greeted me with a warm smile, his apron still tied around his waist as he gestured for me to step outside. It seemed like he wanted to have a conversation, perhaps this was indeed an informal interview.
Theo and I found ourselves standing behind a concrete wall beside the kitchen's back door, surrounded by mesmerizing street art that emitted various vibes. The occasional noisy roar of a modified bike from the main road was the only disruption to the tranquility of our spot. It was a scene unlike any other. Pedestrians strolled by, seemingly enjoying a brief respite by the beach. Among them were couples, hand in hand, prompting a fleeting thought: why shouldn't it be as acceptable for two men to hold hands in public?
"It feels quiet over here, huh?" He started.
"Yeah," I agreed.
He handed me his cigar, as he lit off his. A mischievous smirk playing on his lips as I took one, and he lit off mine as well. Our eyes met, and in the sunlight, he seemed even more striking. With his messy yet endearing hair and those big hazel eyes, he was undeniably handsome. His pointed nose and fairer skin, in contrast to Hesti's Chinese heritage, hinted at a mixed-race background.
"Well, so your mom talked to my dad that you needed a job right?"
I turned to him, "Yeah she did."
"Well, you're lucky that I still have a job offer for you."
"Okay."
"Though, if you really want, you can work for me. We need one more waiter since the other two are only working part-time."
His offer caught me off guard. While part of me hesitated, fearing the potential pitfalls of the job, another part recognized the practical need for steady income. Despite my reservations, I couldn't deny the necessity.
"I could pay you minimum wage plus a percentage, how does that sound?" Theo continued.
The offer, though modest, seemed fair for a waiter's compensation.
"Sure, that sounds great," I affirmed.
"Then you've got yourself a deal," Theo said firmly, shaking my hand with a surprisingly strong grip. His serious expression caught me off guard as he continued, "Do you have any passion for being a waiter? Because, you know, this is more than just a job. We work as a team here. It's not just about cooking; it's about creating art and serving it to our customers."
His intensity was unexpected, and I nodded fervently in response.
"If you feel like you can't handle it, it's better to quit now and save yourself some trouble," he warned.
"Got it, Theo," I replied, taking his advice seriously.
He chuckled, breaking the tension. "Don't call me that. I was just messing with you," he said with a smile. "Seriously, Raf? You don't remember me at all?"
His question left me stunned. Had I hooked up with him? Was I really that lucky? Who was this person?
"I... uh... I'm sorry, I really don't remember you at all. Have we met before?" I asked, feeling a sense of unease creeping over me.
He dramatically touched his chest. "Ouch, that hurts. It's me, Raf! Theo? Remember me from high school?"
The pieces slowly fell into place as I scrutinized his features. Suddenly, it clicked. "Wait, don't tell me you're the 'cheated-on' Theo?"
"Yep," he confirmed, a mixture of embarrassment and offense crossing his expression.
I immediately regretted my reckless comment. The truth was, I barely recognized Theo at all. We rarely exchanged words in school, and if we did, it had slipped from my memory. He was the 3rd year and somehow they all intimidated me. He's the type of dude who always had been quiet, even if he was popular among the girls. Well, that was no surprise.
The one thing i remember was he used to get cheated on by this girl named Sarah. She was attractive and they both would certainly made a good looking little babies, unfortunately The Slutty Sarah went for someone less attractive but had a very nice ride. Therefore everybody at school hated her for that, Sarah eventually transferred schools due to the bullying she received. It was a classic high-school rom-com main character moment for him.
He also somehow very active in every club activities.
As a bit of a nerd who was more invested in my fictional friends than real-life social circles, I often found myself forgetting people's names in high school. Gilang, my only best friend wasn't always around, except for our morning commute to school. While he had his own circle, typically consisting of third-years, I was content with my own solitary company.
So, the fact that Hasbi was now friends with Gilang didn't strike me as particularly surprising anymore. Kartawisnu was a small city, after all. It wouldn't be far-fetched for Hasbi to be friends with someone like Theo as well; it seemed highly likely given the close-knit nature of our community. They both could be friends with him too? If that was true, i would be pleased to perform Harakiri.
"Sorry that was a bit rude."
"At least you remember me. You were always hanging out with Gilang, yes?"
"Yeah," I confirmed.
"Looking back, it's weird that we never really talked to each other," Theo mused.
"You were a senior while I was in the first grade, so..."
"Still, you could've joined Gilang every break to play football with us back then," Theo pointed out.
"Sports aren't really my thing," I admitted.
"Really? What kind of man doesn't like football anyway? You prefer dolls and Barbie or something?" Theo teased.
"Yeah, huge fan of them," I replied sarcastically.
"Yeah, it's been in the family for generations. I took over about three years back, right after finishing college. Originally, it was meant for my dad, but he's a professor, didn't have the time. So, the reins landed in my lap. I've spruced it up a bit, gave it more of a beachy feel," Theo explained.
"That's impressive," I said sincerely.
"Thanks. But running a seafood joint wasn't a walk in the park initially. But i've been in the game since I was a teen," he replied. "i figured, since i've had some experience, why not?"
"Was it always your ambition to run a restaurant?" I queried.
"Nah, I had my sights set on football. Mom vetoed that, though, especially with her being unwell. So, here I am, stuck in this spot. It's a mix of feelings," Theo admitted.
I smiled at him, thinking, perhaps some people aren't that lucky to do whatever the heck they please without bearing the big responsibility. Maybe i was lucky I'm not one of them. At the same time, that means i also had to pave my own way through a successful life. Without my family's help nor their past achievement.
Theo draped an arm around my shoulder, offering a reassuring massage. His proximity made me tense, but his demeanor was calming. "Interested in starting Monday? Just shoot me an application letter afterward, for the records," he suggested.
"Thanks," I replied, feeling a mixture of relief and excitement bubbling within me for this fresh opportunity.
"Thanks, by the way," I added, acknowledging his gesture once more.
"Let me get you your uniform, and you can swing by here at four. Send me your college schedule; I'll make sure it won't clash," Theo instructed.
"Thanks again, Theo," I said gratefully.
He took a final drag of the cigar before extinguishing it by stepping on the ember.
"Don't mention it," he said with a casual shrug.
It was late Sunday when I headed over to Gilang's house to hang out with his usual crew, which included Ikhsan and a guy named Toni. Though there were more guys in their circle, only the two of them had arrived early. In the kitchen, I found myself helping Rani cut the chicken that Gilang's dad had bought for us-two whole chickens.
It wasn't uncommon for us to grill chicken at his place, usually for special occasions like New Year's, Thanksgiving, or for sending prayers to loved ones who had passed away. For some reason, Gilang always made sure to invite me to these gatherings.
I couldn't recall the last time he and his friends had grilled chicken together-maybe it was two or three years ago. Whether it was rinsing the meat, making drinks, or just hanging out with the rest of the group while we waited for the preparations, I was always happy to be involved.
Gilang had invited Hesti to join us, hoping that his sister would come along too, but she was swamped with assignments due in a week-typical Hesti. He also mentioned that he'd invite Hasbi, which felt like a win for me. Unfortunately, Melody couldn't make it due to her night shift job. I could practically see the disappointment written all over Gilang's face. I couldn't wait to tease him about it all night long.
As the evening unfolded, Theo arrived with a guy named Rangga, accompanied by a familiar face that had been on my mind for the past few months. Quietly trailing behind them, he carried a large paper bag on his arm.
My jaw dropped as I struggled to process the information of sudden appearance of these new arrivals and their connections. While I had anticipated the presence of the familiar face, I hadn't expected Theo to be accompanying him as well. The unexpectedness of the situation left me stunned and at a loss for words. Did Hasbi and Theo really know eachother?
How?
It was a little surprising to find out that Hasbi and Theo were friends. Perhaps the reason I had never seen the two together before was because I rarely joined Gilang's hangouts. Gilang certainly had an interesting circle of friendships.
Meanwhile, Rangga rushed into the kitchen and greeted both Rani and me with fist bumps, just as he did with the other guys. Rani had finished cutting the chicken and instructed me to wash it while she rinsed the rice beside me. Hasbi began unpacking the items from the paper bag onto the table, revealing snacks and coke. Theo engaged in conversation with Rani before taking over the seasoning duties.
"Didn't expect to see you here," Theo remarked, breaking the silence.
"Same."
"Joking, i was actually expecting you to be here."
I grinned at Theo in response to his comment, opting not to say anything further. Across the room, Hasbi caught my eye, and we shared a brief but meaningful moment of connection. His warm smile prompted me to raise my eyebrows in acknowledgment.
As Theo rummaged through the refrigerator, Hasbi and Gilang approached us.
"Where did you put the galangal?" Theo asked, pulling out some chili from the fridge and placing it alongside the onions, soy sauce, and bay leaf.
"Oh, the ingredients are all stored in the third cabinet from the left. The second one's for noodles, and the fourth is for plates and containers," Gilang informed him.
"I'll help you with the cooking," I offered, surprising Gilang and Rani, who looked at me with disbelief, perhaps unsure if I could be of much help. "I'll start by chopping the onions."
"Why don't you assist me with the grill?" Gilang suggested, offering a better plan. "Let Hasbi, Rani, and Theo be in charge of the cooking."
"Sure," I agreed readily.
I followed Gilang into his garage where he stored the grill and some charcoal. As we worked, the thought nagged at my mind: how did Hasbi and Theo even come to know each other? It didn't make sense to me. Moreover, it seemed like everyone I encountered had some connection to Hasbi, including Hesti. Was my life revolving around Hasbi without me realizing it?
"I heard you recently got a job at Theo's?" I asked as we poured the charcoal into the iron container, and Gilang flattened it out.
"Yeah, that guy who got cheated on, right? I'm starting tomorrow," I confirmed.
"Tomorrow? That's pretty quick, isn't it?" Gilang remarked.
"Agreed," I replied, clapping the dust away from my hands. "Honestly, the whole situation feels really weird."
"How so?" Gilang inquired.
"Well, it turns out that my mom and his dad know each other," I explained.
"You mean Mr. Hari? Isn't he your professor?" Gilang asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
I paused, absorbing the unexpected revelation. "Wait, his dad is Mr. Hari? The Literature professor?"
"Yeah," Gilang confirmed. "You're just finding out about that now?"
"Yeah, I... My mom knew him, so I assumed her boyfriend was just some random colleague of hers. He did mention his dad is a professor," I explained.
"How did they know each other?"
"No idea. Kartawisnu is a small city. You can practically find connections everywhere. Suddenly, you're close to someone who's apparently your friend's friend, who you like so much, and then, before you know it, you're dating your estranged second relatives."
Gilang stared at me, wide-eyed. "That's exactly what happened between me and Melody too!"
"Or the fact that you've known Hasbi all this time, and he knows Melody too," I added. "The fact that i ended up working for your friend, who apparently knew my friend, Hasbi as well."
"You kind of have a point."
"Good God, why is my life revolving around that frigging guy anyway?"
Gilang mused, pausing to think. "Wait a second, could you mean that Melody could presumably be my close second relative?"
"What?" I raised my eyebrows and shook my head. "Possibly?"
"Man, that sucks," Gilang sighed.
"You guys are a bunch of idiots," Rani interjected, suddenly appearing behind us. "There's no way you and Hesti are relatives."
"I mean, they both were pretty rich, and Gilang's sister looks half Chinese for the most part," I pointed out.
"You're unbelievable," Rani shook her head.
"No, Rafi's right. Oh, man. What if Melody's my second cousin?" Gilang exclaimed.
"I mean, that's okay maybe, like in the US. Or the royal family," I joked.
"Rafi, stop talking," Rani ordered.
"Okay."
"Anyway, Gilang, the guys are looking for you. You should probably come inside," she changed the subject.
"Sure," Gilang replied, heading back indoors.
Rani approached me, her expression a mix of amusement and disbelief. "You're twisted."
I shrugged, trying to downplay the comment. "What? I'm just expressing my speculation."
She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "That you and I might be related too?"
I laughed, caught off guard by her playful teasing. "How much did you overhear?"
"Not much. Julia told me about your new job. Congratulations! I mean, at the restaurant? That's great!"
"Thanks, it's nothing though," I replied modestly.
"Still," she insisted.
"I was about to tell you sooner, you know. I just sort of had a weird interview this afternoon. But thank god that rat couldn't keep her mouth silent."
"Don't blame her, she always told me everything."
"I bet it's nice to have someone like that," I mused, offering her a warm smile.
"It does, but sometimes it felt too share-y, you know? I couldn't keep a secret, or even lie to her."
"I understand," I chuckled sympathetically. "She's too suspicious, wasn't she?"
"What do you mean about a weird interview?" Rani inquired, shifting the topic.
"You know, apparently I'll be working with Theo from high school, and he was being all teasing the whole time," I explained.
"How teasing?" Rani pressed, curious.
"You know, like-forget it," I dismissed, deciding not to dwell on it. "You know, it's kind of funny how life turned out in the end. I didn't expect I would just work for one of my seniors from high school that I've never talked with, but apparently he recognized me as Gilang's friend."
"In my case, I'd never expect that I'd quit my job and plan to start a new business."
"That's like, HUGE. And I mean huge. I'm so proud of you and excited about it! I mean, congratulations," i exclaimed, eyes wide with enthusiasm.
"Thanks, babe." She gave me a smile before patting my head with her palm. I leaned into her touch, playfully attempting to nibble her finger. She chuckled, pulling her hand away, "who is this Hasbi?"
I squinted my eyes at her with narrowed eyebrows, "ah, so you overheard that much?"
"I couldn't help but-" I quickly shushed her, glancing around to make sure nobody was listening. She continued in a whisper, "I couldn't help but listen! You guys seemed to be having a very serious conversation. Until it turned into something totally dumb."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Well, what about him? Wait, did Julia tell you about him too?"
"Julia knew?"
"Yeah, I thought you guys told each other stuff."
"Well, she told me that you have a crush on someone and that she didn't care."
"Oh, believe me, she cares. She cares too much. It's starting to become annoying. I've had to do chores for like a month just so she'd shut up and not tell Mom about my crush. Otherwise, Mom would be on my case too, and maybe if she found out that it's a HE, she'd kick me out of the house."
"So she blackmailed you?"
"You know she's a supreme evil being." Then I stopped for a moment, a sinking feeling settling in. "Oh, fuck. Did I just admit that he's my crush? Forget I ever said that. Oh crap, now it feels weird that I've said it out loud."
She stared at me with a wide smile. "Raf? Oh my god, I'm so happy for you! Tell me everything!"
"Maybe not here. Oh, fuck, I really regret that. Maybe I should've shut the fuck up."
"Don't be! It's huge!" Rani grabbed both of my shoulders, excitement bubbling over. "Oh my god! Does Gilang know?"
"Not yet. I haven't found the right moment to come out to him, you know?"
"It's your call, but I think you should tell him soon."
"I plan to."
"That's better." Rani's grin was wide as she playfully punched my chest. I felt a pang of embarrassment, wondering if any of the guys had seen us and got the wrong idea. "And he's handsome, Raf. You've got yourself a good catch."
"Yeah, he's got charm, brains, the works. Basically the opposite of me."
"Don't sell yourself short like that! I mean, you're smart, attractive, and have a unique personality."
"What's so unique about being a chronic complainer and a bit judgmental?"
"It's unique because you're always deflecting compliments," Rani teased. "And you're kinder than you give yourself credit for."
"I still don't get it."
As Rani pulled me back inside, I chuckled at the height difference between us. "By the way, now that you know... just, don't bug him too much, okay? And don't make it too obvious that-ah, never mind."
She chuckled in response. "You're such a character, Raf."
"And you're one to talk."
"Alright, don't worry, babe. I won't be grilling him with questions," she said with a mischievous glint in her eye.
I covered my face, "i'm gonna kill myself."