That XX
Strangers

Anastasia—

Gossip and breaking news are daily meals for those who work in front of the camera. Public figure. Or for me as a model who is at the peak of my career, where I almost fill the front page of the magazine, and go back and forth in television commercials. Now I'm getting some sap from gossip— that I hope—with Mas Wira.

Not the sad part of the gossip, the part where I read the clarification from Mas Wira's side. The title of the article says that Mas Wira already has a lover who comes from non-celebrity circles. So what was I expecting all this time?

My fault is also because all this time only harbored feelings alone, hope—again—if Mas Wira will know what I feel. Stupidly indeed, times have developed and I still expect no miracles or anything like that to happen for my own feelings.

“You have read the article more than a thousand times, Nas,” said Mbak Nimas.

I smiled amusedly. “Mbak do not count manual what?”

Mba Nimas's face was worried, and I saw it a few days ago when this article appeared. I should be very understanding to control the emotions in the face because of a model, but Mas Wira is different, the effect for me is incredible.

I closed the article. We have arrived at the set of the photo shoot for the new project Mas Wira which I have signed. I have to be professional, I agreed to join because I liked the concept shown, Mas Wira is just a bonus. One thing that has not escaped my mind since yesterday, will Mas Wira's lover be present?

“I'm just surprised, Ma'am, later also said by yourself. Give me some more time.”

I got out of our van without waiting for Ms. Nimas. To be honest my thoughts have been muddled ever since the gossip came out, my first gossip as a model. I was afraid of all the consequences that might arise, the reactions of others, my superiors, even Mas Wira. All that culminated when this article came out, plus I was always reminded to be careful not to fall into gossip like this again.

The slightest mistake I made, would lead to other mistakes that the other party might create. The world I'm running is very heavy, very cruel, a miracle I still survive here as Anastasia Renjani.

I think I need another vacation. Amazingly, the rumors that appear do not make me take a vacation or vacation for a moment. Yeah, I did it with Tamara, but it wasn't a vacation. This vacation I mean is really a vacation, I can calm my mind for a moment, and just be alone.

“I can request a vacation schedule, Ma'am? Two days or three days maybe?” I asked Mbak Nimas who was busy with a tablet in his hand.

“Where are you going? Don't tell Tamara that you're getting out again?” search Mbak Nimas. That calculated look made me want to laugh out loud.

“I want a vacation, Ma'am, I also need to mind.”

Again the look of sympathy stopped in the face of Mbak Nimas, was I as sad as that until Mbak Nimas unceasingly gave the look of that face.

“Indeed I'm that sad, Ma'am? I just want this vacation.”

“Nope. I just feel this time the problem is serious, you never ask for a vacation so far, most of Tamara also means you vacation.”

I shrugged, then sat back quietly in front of the mirror to finish the makeup for the photo shoot this time. I want the job done quickly this time. I don't think I want to meet Mas Wira.

**

After twenty-seven years of living, this is the first time I have successfully realized a dream for a holiday by myself. Just three days, but that's enough for me. No Dean or Tamara would have cheated my life.

Don't get me wrong, I love my two best friends, it's just, sometimes we need time alone to calm down. It's not just about being with friends. This time I just need to be alone, alone it's calming. Imagine how confused Tamara and Dean were to see my attitude now, they would have assumed that if I had been very depressed.

“Halo Renjani, how are you?”

I instantly came to my senses from my memory, a shadow as yesterday Mas Wira greeted me on the set with an unusually friendly smile as if nothing had happened. My heart was tight to see the incident, even now I still like that smile.

It was very difficult to get rid of this liking in that man, nor did I ever completely dispel this feeling. It's just, that smile feels foreign to me, that sweet smile feels foreign to me. Because I know I can't have it anymore, there's no chance of it.

The shoot went well, I was very lucky not to have done the embarrassing thing I could have done.

“Branjani, do you have a minute? Something I want to talk about.”

Me and Mas Wira decided to pull over a little to talk about something that only Mas Wira knew.

“What's up, Mom? Are the photos less good?” my many.

“Everything is good, I am very satisfied with the result, so is my team. Your reputation as a top model is not wrong.”

I gave a thin smile. “Then, what's the problem, Mas?”

“On that rumor, I'm sorry. Shouldn't have met you like yesterday, if it wasn't for that meeting, the gossip wouldn't have spread and become big like this.”

I thought, back then, that I was the only one who liked our meeting, only that I was grateful that we met by accident, I thought Mas Wira said that to her lover. Wasn't it enough with the article? Why add an apology like this?

Well, it's lucky whoever he is who became Mas Wira's lover. And I, lucky enough with my current self, am still able to survive in this situation. Maybe this is one of the clues for me to stay away from Mas Wira. Luckily again, I'm not Tamara who's going after a man for his high self-esteem.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not vilifying my own best friend, it's just that it's a reality. It wasn't once or twice that Dean and I tried to advise Tamara to reduce her ugly nature, but Tamara wasn't that easy to obey, he must get a proper reply from what he did to deter himself.

I should be thankful enough for what I have right now, a caring friend, a good career, a better life, than to be busy with this feeling of disappointment myself. There will be time until I can get what I want, later. Not many people can be patient, and I have to do it.

I hugged myself, I purposely just wore a shawl behind the sleeveless dress I wore. I want to feel the wind that hits my skin, and it feels very soothing even though it feels quite cold. The sun was about to set, the sky was also getting darker, which was why the air was also getting colder.

“You can get cold.”

When I turned around, I thought I was just on this beach. I was stunned to see the figure behind my body, I thought I was hallucinating. There is no way Mas Wira is also on this beach, there is no way he will follow me, it will be very strange.

“Mas Wira?” my question, more to myself. The figure I was avoiding and the one I couldn't possibly find was intentionally near me, on the same beach. What kind of coincidence is going on?

“You kayak abis squirming demon.” Mas Wira laughed crisply, then walked over to me.

The laughter felt very real. Is this really just a hallucination?

“At first I couldn't believe it was you, and after looking at it further it was you. I happened to have a photo shoot in Lombok, I was with my team as well,” said Mas Wira.

Ah, it's a coincidence. What am I expecting again? He could have come with his girlfriend too. I smiled bitterly, a reality that I had to accept and hit me hard. If this rumor had not appeared, it would have been a priceless bliss, now it is not the same anymore.

“Sunset is good, Mas,”.

Awkward and very foreign. I know enough about what limits I have, we're just coworkers now, and I can't get into a scandal with anyone anymore.

“Sunrise is also good here, you must see before returning to Jakarta.”

“I went back to the inn first, Mas.

“Banne..,”

The name still sounds so beautiful when it is said, so beautiful that it feels like this heart wants to explode. I still like everything that Mas Wira does or says, I am not immune to all his charms.

I turned my body to look at Mas Wira. Just a smile that he gave without saying anything.

“May your holiday be fun.”

Alright. This is enough. I'm gonna start forgetting what happened, I should have done this. Just remember him in the corner of my heart.

**

“Where is your holiday?” ask Tamara.

Vacation huh? Even on vacation, I found no peace at all. If it was like this, even if I was given a vacation for a month, it would feel the same. How to escape the shadow of Mas Wira.

I just gave the trinket as a sign if it ended badly. Really bad. And I still have a six-month contract, what a nightmare.

“Teach me, Ra.”

Tamara looked surprised by the look on her face, as well as the sudden enthusiastic tone.

“Whatever is on your mind right now, mending lupain aja,” replied Tamara reluctantly.

“How can I forget the same Mas Wira? Drunk or one night stand?” my continue.

Tamara let out a long sigh, I know this is indeed a very crazy idea. I even always advised Tamara if she did both, and now I propose the idea, consciously, then only because of a man.

“I don't mind doing both, but if Dean finds out, I could be killed with him. Dean that exceeds our parents.”

I chuckle amusedly. Yeah, lucky we had Dean as our mediator. He could have been the sane one if we both had lost control and brought out our crazy side. Why don't I just like Dean so that all these feelings come easy?

Y'all know? Dean is the form of the perfect man, who I'm pretty sure if you want him too. Handsome, well-established, gentleman, then what else do you need? He can make it happen if he already loves a woman.

“So what heartbreak cure?” tanyaku.

“Fall in love again, fall in love more deeply with someone who can make you forget the same Mas Wira.”

“That, yes.”

The problem is, I don't want to fall in love if it's not Mas Wira.

**

Hola, is there anyone waiting for the story of Ana and Tamara? What do you think of their story? Comments dong 😉