The sun was high when Naufal stepped towards Hotel Pelangi, a five-star hotel known for its luxury and excellent service. His heart was still pounding erratically. Since the previous night, he hadn't been able to contact Sinta, his girlfriend.
Her WhatsApp chat only showed one checkmark, a mystery hanging in his heart. The anxiety grew as he remembered his promise to take Sinta out for dinner and a movie, a promise he had to cancel due to work demands.
He parked his car and entered the spacious and elegant lobby. The scent of luxurious perfume and refreshing air conditioning greeted him. Antique furniture and valuable paintings adorned the room, creating a calm and luxurious atmosphere.
However, that calmness couldn't soothe the anxiety plaguing his heart. He imagined Sinta's face, her sweet smile, and her crisp laughter. That image only strengthened his worry.
At the reception desk, a beautiful young woman with a friendly smile greeted him. Her black hair flowed beautifully, and the hotel uniform she wore looked very neat.
"Good afternoon, Sir. How can I help you?" the receptionist asked in a soft voice.
"Good afternoon," Naufal replied. "Could you please tell a hotel guest named Sinta Ramadhani that Naufal Hasbi is waiting in the lobby? I forgot the room number."
The receptionist smiled, then typed something on her computer. Her fingers moved nimbly across the keyboard, making Naufal even more curious.
He noticed the details of the room; the sparkling crystal lamps, the soft Persian carpet under his feet, and the beautiful painting of Riau's natural scenery. All of that seemed unable to distract him from his anxiety.
"One moment, Sir. I will check the reservation," she said, still smiling. Naufal only nodded, his eyes fixed on the computer screen displaying various hotel guest data.
After a moment, the receptionist looked back at Naufal. Her smile had now faded slightly, replaced by a slightly sympathetic expression.
"Miss Sinta Ramadhani checked out this morning at 8 AM, Sir," she said in a soft tone.
That sentence was like a direct hit for Naufal. His feelings immediately plummeted. Sinta was gone. Without saying goodbye. Without any news. The world seemed to collapse before him. He felt suffocated, as if choked. All the plans he had made to spend time with Sinta this weekend vanished just like that.
"Checked out?" Naufal asked.
"Yes. She asked to be taken to the airport around 8 this morning," the receptionist replied.
Naufal was silent for a moment, trying to digest the information he had just received. His mind was confused. Where did Sinta go? Why did she leave without telling him? Did something happen? A myriad of questions filled his mind. He felt very guilty, feeling that he had failed to maintain his relationship with Sinta.
"Oh, okay. Thank you," he said finally, his voice almost inaudible.
"You're welcome, Sir," the receptionist replied.
Naufal left the hotel lobby, his steps feeling heavy. He walked towards his car parked in the parking area. The afternoon air felt so hot and suffocating, as if reflecting his confused feelings.
Inside the car, he tried to contact Sinta again. This time, Sinta's number was active. He hoped Sinta would explain everything, would give a reasonable explanation for her sudden departure.
After several attempts, the phone finally connected. Sinta's voice was heard from the other side, and her tone sounded cold and different from usual.
"What's up?"
"Where are you? Going home?" Naufal asked, his voice still filled with anxiety.
"No. I decided to vacation in Bali!" Sinta replied, her voice sounding a little high, filled with pent-up anger.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Naufal asked, feeling confused and a little offended. Disappointment mixed with guilt.
"What if I told you, would you care?? You promised to take me out last night, but where were you until dawn?? No contact at all!" Sinta's voice sounded sharp, full of disappointment. Her words pierced Naufal's heart.
"That ...." Naufal tried to explain, and Sinta cut him off.
"Ah, never mind!" Sinta cut off Naufal's words. "I'm not your priority!" That accusation made Naufal silent. He knew he was wrong, and he didn't expect Sinta to react this harshly.
"Last night's business at the office took a very long time, I only got home at 3 in the morning and immediately fell asleep as soon as I got home. This morning before leaving for the office, I chatted, but your WA was checklist." Naufal tried to explain, trying to defend himself. He tried to convey how busy his job as a lawyer was, how he had to handle urgent cases, even late into the night.
"I blocked you!" Sinta snapped. "What's the point of having a boyfriend if he never considers me to exist!"
Naufal felt suffocated. He realized that he had been negligent in paying attention to Sinta. He was too focused on his work that he forgot the person he loved.
"I know I'm wrong, but this is not how it ends, Nta. You can't just do whatever you want either. You called and said you wanted a weekend here, but suddenly said you were already at the Airport. It's still a workday with my work piling up and it's unpredictable if suddenly there's a case we have to solve." Naufal tried to explain again, and Sinta didn't want to listen anymore.
"It's up to me!" Sinta hung up the phone.
Naufal sighed deeply. He felt tired, both physically and mentally. A call came in from Wisnu, his member in the office.
"Hello," Naufal greeted. "What's up Wisnu?"
"There will be a press release at 2 o'clock, Bang, regarding the success of last night's operation." Wisnu reminded. Naufal looked at his watch. He had to get to the office immediately.
"Yes, I'll be otw to the office soon." Naufal ended the call and turned on his car engine. He drove away from Hotel Pelangi, leaving behind a deep sense of disappointment and regret. The journey to the office felt so long and heavy. He had to face the press release, and his mind was still focused on Sinta, on their relationship that was now on the brink.
In the corner of the airport waiting room, Sinta was still sitting and contemplating. The morning plane she took had flown a few hours ago. She regretted her hasty decision. Her cellphone rang. The screen read "Papa".
Sinta picked it up.
"Yes, Pa."
"Papa just read the message you sent. What do you mean? Asking Indra to pick up your things at the airport. While you don't go home." Her father's voice sounded worried.
"That was... that was, I missed the plane."
"Really? How can you miss the plane when your luggage has already been checked in?"
Sinta was silent.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, Pa.. That, earlier the plan was to go home, but at the last minute I wanted to fly, I changed my mind. I still want to be here. It's only been a day."
"Okay."
"See you later, Pa."
Sinta quickly hung up the phone. She stood up.
"Ah, once again I have to admit that I love a heartless man too much whose voice I always miss," Sinta grumbled as she stepped out of the waiting room.
"Just wait, Naufal, next time I'll make you regret it if I leave."