A Hope of Meeting Together

El Niño continues to wreak havoc towards any clouds; heat simply comes and goes. So do friends and loved ones in this life. If a beacon of hope is left, keeping them from drifting further is still an option. But to reach their friend in high places, empty stomachs won't do.

Bayu: Let's get some grub and visit Indra! I've called his assistants, but none of them will let us meet him because he's busy.

Agatha: Busy? No way. He still took several days off this month to play games, jog, play golf, and even go on vacation abroad.

Iwan: Unfortunately, we haven't been able to contact him for two months. Maybe something's up with him?

Bayu: Who knows? Let's eat together first.

Agatha: I want a big plate of pecel!

Bayu: No one sells that this late. How about a big fried gourami and rice? We can share it together.

Agatha: I'm not in the mood to share when I'm this hungry.

Iwan: How about chicken satay?

Agatha: Now we're talking!

Bayu: But I still want big fried gourami and rice; pay less, eat more.

Iwan: The only ones who'll eat are you; Agatha and I can only eat the plates and banana leaves.

Agatha: True, you eat so much. I can't imagine how all that fits in your belly.

Iwan: Grilled foods are tastier, have less oil, have less cholesterol, and are healthier.

Agatha: It also smells better; you can order as much as you want.

Bayu: Okay then, chicken satay it is.

Iwan: Nice!

Agatha: Still easy to sway your mind, I see.

Bayu: Speak for yourself. (message attached) Now we're talking!

Agatha: I only agree because we don't have to share food.

Bayu: Sharing is caring.

Agatha: Not when it comes to eating with you.

The three of them ended up in a chicken satay restaurant, an electric grill carrying 50 sticks of satay. Four pieces of raw meat and a piece of fat, pierced by a bamboo stick, battered in spices, grilled and charred in high heat; smoke lifts off, and so do the dishes. Three plates, each with pieces of rice cake, a bit of shallot, ten sticks of satay, and generous sweet peanut sauce. Soft rice cake, chicken meat, and sauce add a fulfilling relief for taste buds.

"Let's meet Iwan at 7 PM; I've bombarded his social media with pleas to meet him."

"Nice idea, Tha. Can I see your pleas?"

"Go ahead, Bay!"

"You have time to drift a rally car on a circuit? Give me your VR game code so I can play with you."

"Still soft, anything else?"

"Nice catch! I'll be sure on the lookout so I can fish you out!"

"He has Ayu, so there is no need to fish him out."

"I mean literally fishing him out."

"Nope, you need to be more brutal. If soft talk won't work, we'll go hard. An example is if you have time to fish, play games, and enjoy a vacation. Go meet your friends already! You know how to interact with humans and maintain relationships, right? As a governor who loves to toil for the people, how can you neglect your own friends? We're your people, too! Even Iwan lives in the same urban village as you! You have Ayu to take care of every duty you have when we meet; that's why the governor and the vice governor are a pair."

"Hold up, I'll add something too. If you don't meet us, we won't vote for you in the next election!"

"Still not brutal enough. Wan, got any ideas?"

"Let's see, are you afraid of us? No need to worry; we won't get political like you. Don't forget to use your implants correctly; it'll be troublesome if your brain goes haywire in a meeting. Remember, power is just a word."

"Good enough… I've sent the message; I hope he'll reply soon."

"Waiting for his reply seems too long. Why don't we visit his official residence after this?"

"That place is securely guarded. What reason are we supposed to give the droids?"

"Keep it real; just say this. We're his friends. We haven't seen each other for a long time. Can we meet him now?"

"That's too simple, dude. They won't let us pass. Agatha, can you hack the droids there?"

"Nope, their security is tight. I rather not mess with droids; failed hackers have been blacklisted from using droids and virtual assistants. Worst case scenario, a group of droids barge into your home and beat you to death."

"That's rather unreal. Why don't we finish our drinks and head off to his residence?"

"It's Easy for you who drink a cup of coffee. I ordered a whole young coconut, and Iwan ordered a tall avocado juice. From the looks of his face, it'll take some time."

"Lemme enjoy this pure bliss of a drink. A combination of plain and chocolate…"

"Just finish it already!"

"Relax, I need to finish this coconut water as well. The clear flesh of this fruit is also worth eating."

"Woah, he replied rather quickly."

"Who? Your ex?"

"No! Indra! Not my ex."

"What does he say?"

"Hey, just chill. There's no need to cook me that hard. Look, I'm sorry, Agatha, my jobs are piling up, and I need some breaks to keep my sanity. I hope Iwan and Bayu can forgive my poor soul as well. How's life for all of you? It's been hell for me lately. What's weird is that when I play games or chill in general, I remember my problems instead of you guys. Why don't we meet up at my residence in Timoho? We can talk all day long. How's that? I'm available starting 9 AM."

"I can't imagine this moment at all. The day our friend finally has time for us."

"No need to be so dramatic, Wan; I'll have to prepare some formal clothes then."

"You have formal clothes, right?"

“…”

"Sorry, I just remember that you rarely touch any grass in a month."

"How sad… A tailor without proper clothes tailored to himself."

"I'll just buy it tonight."

"Alright then, let's end it here and prepare ourselves for tomorrow."

"Wan, walk faster, will you?"

"My belly is full…"