Meeting

It was exactly 11pm when I walked out of the Columbarium. Almost every day I pass by this place, but it's always quiet and gets quieter at night. Before going home I decided to take a short break. Opened several packs of cakes that I bought from the mini market on the way. Enjoying this silence with them, for a moment I was swept away. I looked around and realized that I was sitting alone, on a park bench that was almost filled with momiji. Looking up at some squirrels who don't seem to have hibernated yet, jumping from one tree branch to another tree branch so agile.

“Saw something interesting?”

Almost jumped in surprise when he heard the sound. I turned to someone sitting on the other bench. He lit his cigar then turned back to me. “good night, sir!” I quickly got up and bowed, surprised that it was Mr. Nikolai.

Hearing me he just laughed. “Don't be so formal with me!" I can only smile to cover my nervousness. How can I be informal, if someone who is beside me right now is the owner of the biggest art gallery where I work. “Who's here?”

“Eh?" Shocked, my expectations he will be very terrible. But his words were so gentle with his cold voice. “My friend's mother!”

“Wah, you're so kind. Your relationship must be close huh?!”

“Yes, but actually because today he has to go home and I replace him praying!” I smiled happily, because Mr. Nikolai turned out to be very kind.

“Em..., you go home alone?”

“What?” ‘Is he going to take me by asking like that?’.

“Want to go home together?” I really wanted to accept the offer, but I brought my own motorcycle. There's no way I left my motorbike in the Columbarium alone, right?!

“Thank you very much, but my rented house is near from here and I bring my motorcycle!” I had to refuse.

“Really, where is it?” I don't know what made Mr. Nikolai so enthusiastic about hearing about my rent. “Really close from here?” He asked back in disbelief.

I explained where my rented house was, which was only 500 meters from the Columbarium gate. A simple house rented by the owner at a low price. I rented it because the owner is an acquaintance of my father's. Besides that, the location is close to the art gallery where I work, so I can save money. It would be a different story if I had to travel to work by bus or train.

“What are you doing here?” I am now curious about what Mr. Nikolai is doing at 12 at night in the Columbarium alone.

“Visiting father and mother!” He managed to silence me and then he turned to me with a smile. A cold smile that referred to a grin. Unfortunately, now I no longer fear that smile, after hearing his words that were so polite and gentle. The tremors that I experienced when I first met him also disappeared. “They are here. I usually visit them!” Mr. Nikolai handed me a mooncake. “It's delicious, I also share this with them. This is our favorite food for New Years!” I received one and then ate it. “Both of your eyes are bloodshot, are you okay?”

I paused, realizing something. Maybe this is what makes Mr. Nikolai always pay attention to me when in the gallery. “I stayed up all night because of games!” I'm trying to lie.

“You're crying?!” Shut up, I can't move. “I know which people stay up late and which ones cry all night! You know, I used to sleep at 3am and wake up at 5.30am!” I looked at Mr. Nikolai in shock. “How do you think I'm going to take care of all my father's legacy if I don't neglect bedtime?! if I can buy 1 day to be 40 hours, then I will buy it! If I could be born again, I want to be like you!” I was silent, bowed my head in shame.

“I've never even been grateful with my life,” I feel like a bad human now.

“She must be very pretty, right, to be able to reject you?!”

“Em...,” Good at guessing. At first I was hesitant to tell the truth, especially Mr. Nikolai is the half brother of Anne Lazuardy. “He's a boy,” Mr. Nikolai looked at me in shock as if in disbelief. “We dated for 11 years until finally he had to marry a woman who was much better than me. Such a relationship does not have a sweet ending!”

“Wau!” I was surprised to see the change in Mr. Nikolai's expression.

“Yes, I'm gay!” A crazy question that will probably get the cake fired. I took a deep breath, feeling tired of saving everything for 11 years. Maybe at this time someone can figure it out. After all, the relationship is over. “Yes.. but now it's over and I already know what a relationship is like. I will learn to be someone other people say is normal in their own sense!” I can smile now, telling the truth is way better than lying.

“You're great to admit it, some people choose to hide it so as not to be ostracized. You might as well have taken the risk or not thought I'd fire you out of disgust with it?” I just smiled in response. “Is it funny for you? I might as well not be playing!” .

“No, sorry, I don't mean to laugh at your words. I'm just tired and don't want to pretend anymore. 11 years is not a short time. Now that it's all done, I've said that. I want to forget about it and start over with something new,” Relieved. There is one thing that finally made me feel relieved after saying it. Who would have thought that when I couldn't tell my problem to my parents, God sent Mr. Nikolai instead. “That was my past and now I will start anew!” I took a deep breath, didn't know how my chat with him could make me feel so much better than before.

“Coffee?” He pointed to the nearest minimarket which was still open.

“Of course, thank you very much!” You walk hand in hand towards the place.

...-------------------...

“Let me treat you this time!” I put some cans of coffee on the table, some kiwi and strawberry cream cakes and other treats. “Being able to tell all that, really makes me so much better. I thank you for that!”

“Let me guess, no one knew this beforehand?” I nodded. “Am I the first?”.

I remember, “Actually no, but our relationship never got better when they found out I was gay and I didn't want to make more enemies. You have a response that is very much different from them, this is what makes me feel better and calmer to convey it!”.

“Ah... That's not how to judge someone,” Mr. Nikolai began to open his first can of coffee. “It's not that I hate them, or think they're weird. I usually just limit myself from them. So maybe I will also limit myself from you, but believe me I don't hate or despise you. is that okay?”.

I nodded and smiled happily. “Thank you!” I opened the noodles I bought, the strong curry aroma wafting along with the melted cheese. Mr. Nikolai handed over a bottle of water after opening the lid for me. Strange and magical, when later I ate at a simple mini market with a Lazuardy who served me. This is great.

“Then he must be very handsome, right, Samapi can refuse you?!” I choked, the noodle soup I ate splashed everywhere. “Sorry!” And that just made him laugh.

“Hmm... yes.. like men in general! He's not handsome, just nice.” I admit it. “He's a good person”.

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