Chapter 5 — Communication is a Two-Way Street (Dim Moon in the Sky)

"You won't be able to trap someone as straight as Mr. Angkasa, Uncle. Watch out or you'll fall into your own trap... besides, why on earth would I want to frame a branch manager?" Bulan chewed on Cheetos in front of Bara.

Bara folded his arms. "You just need to make him drive you home. Just to the alley, no need to go to your boarding house. Someone driving you home means they like you."

"Isn't that just a normal thing when someone wants something? Like what you're doing." Bulan tore open the Cheetos bag and continued chewing, indifferent.

"It’s different with Angkasa. Angkasa only drives Dara home...." Bara slid a phone across the table. "Use this phone. Just install a wiretapping app on Angkasa's phone and tell me everything he plans."

Bulan rose from her chair. "It seems the Regional Head likes the branch manager more than a business deputy like you. I’m starting to worry Mr. Angkasa might take your position."

"Watch your mouth."

"You watch your position, Uncle. Mr. Angkasa keeps meeting the Regional Head. I’m sure he’s already talked about your gratification trap."

Bulan left a panicked Bara as he began making calls. The heavy luxury door closed. Bulan headed down the stairs and walked toward the GOR terminal, earphone plugged in. Her eyes stared blankly as she waited for the bus in the crowded shelter.

‘You just need to make him drive you home. Someone driving you home means they like you,’ Bara’s words echoed in Bulan’s head.

Tuk-tuk. The sound of Angkasa’s shoes on her boarding house stairs from a month ago played in her mind.

‘Be careful,’ Angkasa had said, even carrying her mother to her room.

‘You’re... a caring child,’ Angkasa had said, adjusting his bag strap in front of her room.

‘Thank... you.’ Angkasa had walked straight toward his own place. Every memory of Angkasa was recorded clearly, ringing in Bulan’s head because of Bara’s words.

‘Someone driving you home means they like you.’

‘Are you... just getting back from your part-time job?’ Angkasa had stood in front of the Chinese stall.

‘Where... where are my shoes, Bulan! Am I not good enough to receive your shoes?’ Angkasa had even chased her on the sidewalk.

‘When people treat you well, you should treat them just as well. No more, no less.’

‘That gratification was a trap... I have never accepted one.’ Angkasa had walked ahead of her on the way home.

‘Half of the working world is filled with two-faced people... people bring each other down not for pleasure, but out of fear.’

‘Thank you... for stopping me.’ Angkasa had adjusted his bag strap at the entrance of Bulan’s alley.

Woosh!

Bulan’s daydream shattered as the bus suddenly pulled away from the stop. Angkasa, who had been lost in thought, also snapped to his senses. He stood up, holding the bus handle, staring at Bulan through the window. As the bus exited the terminal, Bulan ran to catch up.

“Sir, I’m going to do some shopping as well. Do you want me to buy you some bread?” Angkasa approached the conductor and driver.

The driver smiled as he gave money to the conductor. “Sure, get some for the conductor too. We want to buy lunch boxes.”

“No, Sir... let me pay for it.”

Angkasa and the conductor got off at the Circle Q stop. The branch manager walked slowly, choosing bread while on the phone, then paid at the cashier. His eyes scanned the window; the sidewalk was empty.

“Dara, I’ve made some fried rice for you... the box was left in our late child’s room again.”

“I’ve already taken it, Angkasa... thank you.”

“Don’t work too hard. Take care of your health.”

Angkasa ended the call. Bulan was running through the POLDA intersection; a tree branch scratched her hand until it bled. Angkasa and the conductor boarded the bus. The branch manager sat down, holding a purple plastic bag.

“Wait!”

The driver looked back as Bulan reached the stop. Just as the bus was about to leave, the driver pressed the button. The door opened automatically. Bulan boarded, out of breath, and sat next to Angkasa, who looked at her gloomily.

“Why... were you daydreaming?”

“My mother... she’s finally registered in the DTKS (Social Welfare Data).”

“Use the PBI insurance to treat her at the hospital... she’ll be better looked after there.”

Woosh!

The bus sped over the broken asphalt. The sun reflected off Bulan’s face as she stared out the window, her reflection passing through the shadows of falling leaves. Her hand gripped a purple plastic bag containing bread and plain milk.

☾ ☾ ☾

Applause filled the meeting room. A handover ceremony for precious metals was being held for the best branch. The pawn NPL (Non-Performing Loan) had dropped drastically. The Regional Head smiled happily as he shook Angkasa’s hand. Bara wore a fake smile watching the scene.

“Good people will always be the best....” The Regional Head handed the gold to Angkasa. “I’d like to meet the intern who helped with this.”

Photos were taken of the executives. The meeting ended. One by one, the attendees left the hall. Angkasa returned to the branch. The service booth was busy during the break. Feri’s eyes widened as he looked at his phone, a wide grin spreading across his face.

“Mr. Angkasa! We’re number one in NPL reduction and monitoring updates... Wow, this is amazing! The NPL went from 12% to 2%.”

“Really, Fer? Yes! That means there’s a bonus.”

“Exactly, Ratna... don’t forget to ask Mr. Angkasa for a treat.”

“You’re great, Lan... being able to drop the NPL that much and keeping up with the uploads....” Feri gave a thumbs up toward Bulan’s back, then suddenly lowered it. “Oh right, we’re enemies.”

Feri ruffled his hair. Bulan stayed focused on copy-pasting on the PC. Angkasa patted Feri’s shoulder and placed a bottle of Betadine on the desk, causing Bulan to stop her mouse movements as she felt the scratch on her finger.

“Get ready.”

“Get ready for what, Sir?”

“I’m treating everyone to Sushi Tei right now.”

Everyone happily tidied their files and grabbed their motorcycle keys. One by one, the staff and interns left the branch. Komang was mopping the floor as Feri stood near the door next to Angkasa, who turned back.

“Aren’t you coming, Bulan?”

Bulan didn't answer, busy copying numbers from the system app to Excel.

“Just buy her something like you did for Komang, Sir... Bulan is busy compiling large pawn customers into my Excel file. To chase the Outstanding Loan target.” Feri opened the door.

“You really love ordering the interns around, Fer.” Angkasa sighed softly, making Feri grin sheepishly.

They left Bulan and Komang at the branch. Komang went to the bathroom to put away the mop. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Bulan at Angkasa’s booth.

“What are you doing, Lan?”

“I never hurt good people.”

Bulan was busy tampering with Angkasa’s phone, which was charging on the desk. Komang placed a purple plastic bag beside her. Without a password, Bulan wiretapped Angkasa’s phone, connecting it to her own new device.

☾ ☾ ☾

The sky was pitch black. A strong wind blew. Bulan rode her motorcycle to her part-time job. She parked and carried a basket of fish to a regular customer. Her earphones were plugged in.

The door creaked softly.

“I... I once cheated on you, Angkasa,” Dara”s voice sounded raspy through the wiretap in Bulan”s ear.

“I already knew, Dara.” Angkasa”s deep voice responded.

Bulan”s steps stopped for a moment. She swallowed hard, continuing her work while eavesdropping on their conversation.

“That”s why I don”t want to reconcile... why do you keep trying to save a relationship that”s already broken, Angkasa?”

“If I don”t fight for my marriage, then in the future, I will always end up in divorce.”

“You need to hear the perspective of a cheating wife like me to understand. A relationship is maintained not just by trust, but by being open.” Dara sobbed.

The traffic moved slowly; Bulan”s motorcycle crawled through the intersection. Dara”s crying filled Bulan”s ears.

“Communication is a two-way street. If you bury all your feelings, I have to ask, what is my purpose by your side? If you hate someone, then make me hate them too, Angkasa.”

The sound of a soda can opening against the background of a television program could be heard.

“I feel restless every time I see you come home from work. You always go to your mother”s stall, drinking and brooding without telling anyone. Every time I ask, you never answer.”

“How could I say it... when the person bringing me down is Bara, the person closest to you,” Angkasa”s voice drifted mournfully.

“You should have told me; then the wound wouldn”t have stayed open. I would have stayed away from Bara, given him no space to fill my restlessness. I did it unintentionally once, and Laras—our child—saw it on the day she died.”

Bulan”s motorcycle stopped at the curb. She stared blankly at the road.

Angkasa”s breath hitched. “So—so Laras didn”t die just because of an accident?”

“She—she saw me cheating in your room and ran into the street and was hit. Every time I look at you, I just feel guilt. I regret it. I”m sorry, Angkasa. I truly feel like trash.” Dara”s crying grew louder.

Bulan”s eyes turned red, flashing with spite as she heard Dara”s sobs.

“Forgive me, Dara... can you go to your room? I don”t want to hurt anyone.”

A door creaked followed by the television volume getting louder. Faintly, the sound of Angkasa”s stifled sobs could be heard.

The moon shone darkly among the stars. Bulan stood still amidst the passing vehicles.

☾ ☾ ☾

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