Babel Novel
Gradually
Vonda:
Since I’m feeling generous, how about I treat you to a free meal this Saturday?
It took Max longer than usual to digest the meaning and intent of Vonda’s message. It made him momentarily leave his lunch at a restaurant not far from the office. Not quite sure, Max decided to ask rather than immediately accept Vonda’s invitation.
Max:
Free meal? What do you mean? Where?
Max put his phone down without closing the WhatsApp application. He also did not leave the conversation with Vonda or take his eyes off the phone screen. Fortunately, Max was skilled enough to make sure that the spoonful of sliced beef rendang went into his mouth, not his nostrils.
Vonda:
Oh dear. Relax. You won’t come to any harm having a free meal with me. Just be ready this Saturday. You’ll pick me up.
Max frowned and furrowed his brow in confusion. For a moment he had the feeling of deja vu, then his eyes widened. Strangely enough, he chuckled a moment later.
Max’s chuckle grew even louder as he confirmed his suspicion by scrolling through their past messages from some time ago. Messages he had sent to Vonda when he had invited her to Lucas’ house.
“Seriously!” Max shook his head. “She copied my message, didn’t she? Hahaha!” His eyes narrowed. “With a little modification, huh?”
Of course, Max’s amused grin was directed at Vonda’s latest message. It wasn’t Vonda who was going to pick him up, as Max’s previous message had said, since she had copied his message. As it turned out, Vonda had said the opposite, telling him to pick her up. After finishing his lunch, Max chewed as he typed his reply.
Max:
Hey, I’m serious. Where are we going? Is this meal worth the energy I’m expending to pick you up? I’m not satisfied with just a plate of chicken rice, you know.
Max grabbed his glass and took a sip of water. More than enough to soothe his throat. It felt a little heavy from the chili oil he had enjoyed.
Vonda:
Absolutely worth it. More than worth it. You can eat all you want. No problem with how much you eat. Oh, and you also have the chance to receive a free bouquet of flowers. What more do you want, Max?
For the second time, Max’s eyes widened as he read Vonda’s message. His brain quickly connected all the information in the message.
Free food. Eat what he wants. As much as he wants. A chance to receive a free bouquet of flowers too. Max’s eyes blinked weakly.
Max:Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.
You mean it’s a free meal at a wedding reception, huh? Is that right?
It did not take long for Vonda to answer.
Vonda:
Wow! Do you have a sixth sense? You’re amazing to figure it out like that. Hahaha.
Max shook his head while typing his answer.
Max:
I don’t need a sixth sense to figure out what you mean. So, it’s true, right? A wedding reception? Where is it? Is it in the morning or in the evening? What time?
While he waited for Vonda’s answer, Max decided to finish his lunch. He quickly finished the remaining rice on his plate in one big bite, then reached for his phone again. But there was no reply from Vonda. So, Max decided to get up, pay for his lunch, and hurried out of the restaurant.
As he drove to the office, Max checked his phone several times to see if Vonda’s reply had come in. By the time he was almost at the office, Vonda hadn’t responded to his message at all.
“Well, why bother using WhatsApp at all?” Max muttered as he reached for the car door. “You just open the door and meet the person.”
Just as Max said that, his retina caught sight of Vonda getting up from her seat. She immediately spoke to him.
“My phone ran out of battery, so I couldn’t answer your message.”
Max closed the door behind him and approached Vonda, stopping her from getting up from the table. In fact, she sat back down when she saw Max pull out a chair and sit down.
“So…” Vonda leaned over the table slightly. “… the event is in the evening. We can leave my place around six. Don’t want to get stuck in traffic, do we?”
Max rolled his eyes once. “Did I say I’d go with you?”
“Jeez! Cruel,” Vonda muttered. “Besides, you don’t have any plans for Saturday night, do you?”
Max was about to answer that question when Vonda’s hand lifted and quickly continued her words.
“Never mind. Singles like us don’t have to pretend to have many plans. We’re both single. So, I know your routine for Saturday nights.”
“Oh, please tell me what.”
Vonda’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Scrolling through Instagram and Facebook feeds. You know, just killing time. Hahaha!”
“You!”
“Hey, but seriously. I can’t possibly go to a wedding reception by myself. Because the bride told us to bring partner.”
Max brought a hand to rest his chin on the table. “Your friend? Sarah Robbers?”
Vonda’s stomach tingled when she heard Max say Sarah’s name like that.
“She’s busy with her husband,” Vonda replied with a slight shrug and a meaningful smile on her face. “It’s just a Saturday night.”
Max immediately burst out laughing.
“Hahaha. Well… because I’m kind-hearted and feel sorry for you being alone, I guess it’s okay,” Max said then. “Is there a certain dress code?”
“No dress codes. Don’t worry,” Vonda replied with a shake of her head. “The important thing is that you’re still wearing clothes. Hahaha!”
Vonda’s playful remark brought a mischievous grin to Max’s face. It made him shake his head as he got up from his seat. But before Max went to his room, he spoke again.
“Alright. I’ll pick you up at six, but you pay for the gas, okay?”
Vonda’s laughter grew louder.
*
By Saturday night, Max was all set in his unit. He looked neat, wearing a semi-formal outfit. A combination of black khaki pants paired with a white shirt, completed with a vest of the same color as his pants. A simple but elegant combination for someone like Max.
Glancing at the wall clock, Max noticed that it was only five o’clock in the afternoon. Well… maybe a few more minutes.
Max’s phone chimed. It was a message from Vonda.
Vonda:
Max, don’t forget. It’s six o’clock now.
Max’s thumbs moved quickly as he typed a reply to Vonda’s message. A mischievous grin appeared on his lips.
Max:
Oh dear. I totally forgot.
I’m going to take a shower first.
Not long after that, Vonda’s message came in. It was just as Max had expected.
Vonda:
Don’t play with me, Max. I’m ready here. Just waiting for you to come pick me up.
Max chuckled quietly, but he did not want to stop. He still wanted to tease her.
Max:
Ready, huh? Really?
A minute later, a photo appeared on Max’s phone. Accompanied by a message that read:
Vonda:
Look. I’m ready. So hurry.
For a few seconds, Max stared at the photo Vonda had sent, then replied.
Max:
I’m on my way.
After sending the message, Max put his phone in his pocket and tried to dismiss the picture Vonda had sent earlier. Hmm… not a picture of her face. Rather, a photo of a pair of long legs adorned with shoes. The legs looked quite alluring somehow.
Five minutes before the clock struck six in the evening, Max had already parked his car in the parking lot of the apartment building. Walking casually into the building, Max was greeted politely by a receptionist.
“Are you here to pick up Miss Scott, Sir?”
Max’s steps stopped. He looked at the receptionist, who turned out to be none other than Rika. Max blinked once, then asked again to confirm.
“You mean… me?”
Max even pointed at his own nose when he asked this question.
Rika nodded. “Of course, Sir,” she replied. “Who else? Hehehe. Are you here to fetch Miss Scott?”
“Uh… yes,” Max replied nervously.
“Aww… someone’s ready for a Saturday night,” Rika teased. “Having a good time, Sir?”
Max could only gape and then force a stiff smile before walking away. He made his way to the elevator and stepped inside. It did not take Max long to reach Vonda’s floor. Whistling softly, he strolled down the hall.
Outside Vonda’s unit, Max rang the doorbell. While waiting for the door to open, he checked his watch again. Just to make sure he was not late for the pickup.
A creak…
Max lifted his head at the sound. The device door opened. And at that moment, Max felt like he was in a slow-motion action movie scene.
Max knew this feeling well. It was as if a gun was pointed at him and then fired. The bullet glided straight and plunged, piercing his heart.
Baaammm!
Everything in Max’s field of vision went dark until a face with a beaming smile appeared. Lips painted in a soft mauve-pink lipstick moved to greet him with two simple words. But strangely, it felt different to him.
Vonda smiled.
“Hi, Max.”
*