She wasn’t usually this nervous for a job interview. Rakia stared at the lobby door of the television station she had visited that day. Several people were going in and out through the door alternately. She was standing on one of the steps, gathering her confidence before entering the building. A week later, after sending several job application files to several television stations in this city via email, only two of the total five locations she sent application files scheduled for interviews. It was far from Rakia’s expectations, but she tried to be strong; however, after she was laid off, she had to start everything again from scratch.After completing the interview in the first building, which was quite time-consuming with questions that had nothing to do with her future work, such as her relationship status, whether she was married or not, and some random questions that she was reluctant to answer, however, she still gave her best answer; she thought that sometimes the random ques

The sound of cooking utensils and processing food was the backdrop of the restaurant Rakia and Dashtan chose for dinner. The atmosphere of a street food place near Chinatown became Dashtan’s choice after Rakia decided to leave the decision of choosing a place to eat entirely to the man. The aroma of seafood combined with spices tempts anyone to stop by and sample the menu. Rakia opted for the rice noodles with grilled squid; Dashtan ordered the same except with a different addition of grilled prawns. She also added chicken dumplings and sweets for dessert.“Want to try tangyuan?” Dashtan asked and offered. Rakia nodded enthusiastically. She ordered her sticky rice balls filled with chocolate, while Dashtan ordered red bean filling.“Do you eat here often?” asked Rakia, just out of curiosity and to start a conversation between them.“Not really; I’m the type of person who isn’t too picky about food. But I don’t eat haram food.” Dashtan honestly answered as he looked at Rakia.“What abo

The scent of lavender-scented bath soap wafted from where Rakia had just come out of the bathroom after a few minutes spent soaking in her favorite soap. Before going to bed, she often takes a bath first, but because she used to live in a boarding house, she only takes a shower, not a bath. Nowadays, her mother’s home provides a bathtub so she can maximize her ritual. It’s been five days, and she hasn’t heard anything about her job application. From various places she had gone, including Dashtan. She couldn’t wait to return to her old routine; she felt only lazier if she stayed home too long and was unemployed.She approached his laptop on the bed, open and on, displaying a desktop wallpaper of the Eiffel Tower—one of the places she wanted to visit. In the past, when she was still with Benjamin, she hoped to go there with him. However, everything was just a dream even though until now, she still hoped to visit that place even without anyone’s company. Rakia sat on the edge of the bed

Liam smiled, looked at Rakia, and said, “Maybe so.” Suddenly, Rakia smiled disapprovingly at that. Dahstan snorted and smiled sarcastically; he didn’t like Liam’s words even though he knew the man was joking. Rakia was silent while finishing her food, and then she took the cell phone from her pants pocket and typed a message for Dashtan.“I have something to talk to you about, but please save me from this friend of yours.” Rakia wrote the message and sent it to Dashtan. Immediately, Dahstan’s cell phone chimed; the man checked his phone and read the letter from Rakia. He glanced at the woman who was eating. Dashtan started his rescue mission; he put his cell phone back in the back pocket of his jeans.“I’m sorry that I have to borrow your lunch companion to discuss something important; you don’t mind, right?” Dashtan gave Liam a severe look to make him believe him. Rakia raised her face and looked at Dashtan; she only pretended to be surprised so Liam wouldn’t get suspicious.“Well, i

Since her communication with Dashtan a week ago, Rakia and Dashtan have been busy with their respective affairs in terms of work. Without Rakia realizing it, a week had passed since she last saw Dashtan’s face and heard his voice. Her current work took up so much of her time and attention that she had forgotten about Dashtan, who had returned to Singapore. She was surprised when the man came to pick her up at DS to see Dashtan waiting for her while leaning against the hood of his car in the front, wearing jeans with a white turtle neck shirt with both sleeves rolled up to the elbows. Dashtan pinned his sunglasses to his collar. Indeed, Rakia would not be able to deny that Dashtan’s figure would always make women out there stunned, including herself at this time. She stared at Dashtan while gulping her saliva as she walked up to the man, and when they were close, Dashtan noticed her presence. The man turned his head and gave her a smile and a look that made Rakia tremble.“Hi, sorry fo