Autumn In Kent
Half Price

‘No. I'm used to this frame,’ said Puti while extending his glasses to the optician.

‘I agree with you. Taking a long time to adjust to the new frame, the old optician’ named Julie said while receiving Puti glasses.

‘Hey, isn't it cracked in his bridge,’ exclaimed Steve as he pointed at the center of Puti's glasses. Julie checked it and nodded.

‘Yes, there is indeed a crack here. I think you should change the frame too. You can choose one that is similar to your old frame,’ her advice.

‘Ugh..’ complained Puti. There's no other choice. He had to find the cheapest frame. But it should be comfortable to wear.

‘How about this one?’ Steve took out a frame made of pearl oysters with a purple tinge. Really pretty. But seeing the logo in the top corner, Puti immediately knew that the frame was too expensive. Not in his pocket.

‘I'm looking for a simpler one. The cheaper one,’ said Puti. Steve almost opened his mouth to refute, but undone it. He remembers Puti criticizing the car he was driving.

‘Why don't you try first,’ suggested the optician, as if reading in Steve's mind. ‘If appropriate, later I give you an interesting discount.’

Puti tried it and looked at her face in the mirror. The glasses were made especially for him. The thick round eyes similar to the ping-pong fruit look more brilliant with the frame.

‘What do you think?’ He looked towards Steve. Steve looked at her stunned and made no attempt to hide his admiration.

‘Perfect,’ compliment. Puti smiled doubtfully and turned her gaze to the optician.

‘How much is this frame price after discount?’ Puti ventured to ask.

‘You have insurance?’ Ask Julie.

‘Have. But I don't think it covers the teeth and eyes, ’ replied Puti.

‘Give me your student card, try me to check,’. Puti held out her student card. Julie accepts and goes into the office.

‘The glasses are perfect for you. And I promised to replace your broken glasses. I'll pay for your glasses,’ whispered Steve carefully.

‘I won't let you pay for expensive glasses, Steve. My broken glasses, cheap glasses.’

‘I've promised,’ says Steve short. Puti hoped that after the discount, the frame was not too expensive, so she could pay half of it.

About fifteen minutes later Julie appeared with a big smile on her lips. In his hand were several pieces of paper.

‘You have complete and excellent insurance,’ he said happily. ‘Gigi and eyes included in it. So all eye and lens examination costs are covered by insurance. But for frames there are limits. Cannot exceed 100 dollars.’

‘Julie, are you sure that my insurance coverage covers the eyes?’

Julie nodded while reading the paper in her hand

‘Puti Larasati, 20 years old, lives in Salem Ohio, guardian: Willian and Nancy Gray. Right?’

‘Yes, it's me,’ said Puti while exhaling a sigh of relief. Try to know from yesterday, he thought. ‘Now show frames that cost under 100 dollars,’.

‘If the frame that was tried Puti, we have to add how much?’ Suddenly Steve who was standing right behind Puti asked.

‘After discount and tax, less 232 dollars,’ reply Julie quickly. Apparently he's counting it.

‘OK, we take it,’ says Steve sure.

‘Steve, I want to find the one covered by insurance only,’ prevent Puti. Steve shakes.

‘You fit in so well wearing those glasses. The glasses were designed specifically for you.’

‘Then I paid half,’ Puti tried to bargain. Steve shakes. His face looked serious.

Waiting for the lens to be made. Puti and Steve went to the administration to take the drugs, settle administrative affairs and lack the payment frame.

‘You are beautiful with those glasses,’ Steve complimented when Puti put on her new glasses.

‘Thank you, but I'd be happier if you let me pay half the price of these glasses,’ replied Puti.

‘I've promised to change your glasses.’

‘I don't want to be accused of using you.’

‘No one will accuse you,’ Steve said to reassure Puti.

‘What about your wife? He's not mad you're spending so much money on another woman?’

‘What are you talking about?’ steve asked, laughing loudly. ‘You said my wife? Ha .. ha ..ha. Just this time someone thought I was married. Why can you think like that? Do I look like a married man? Puti .. Puti,’ connect Steve still with laughter.

Then who was the woman in your apartment that night? ask Puti. But the question was not said. Asking that question is akin to admitting that he had wandered all the way to Steve's apartment on Halloween night. Moments earlier, he had told Steve that the only ones entitled to Halloween night were children. That is also why he did not mention Emma Walden. Though he really wants to be right, he reveals Emma's mysterious attitude . What is going on between Emma and Steve?

‘Where are we now?’ steve asked seriously.

‘Return,’ says Short Puti.

‘You really want to go home? We still have time to go to the garden and see the last rose.’

‘I have to go home. I have to work later.‘

‘OK,’ said Steve disappointed while turning his car towards the campus. A few minutes later they started to enter the campus.

‘I have no show this afternoon. Can I take you to Arbor Circle?’ Steve's still trying to be with Puti longer.

‘Not necessary. I used to walk or take the campus bus.’

‘You're still mad about the price of glasses?’ steve asked as they approached Puti's dorm

‘Why should I be angry? There are kind people who are angry,’ said Puti.

‘What if now you don't have to pay half the price of glasses, but sometime you buy me dinner? A rather fancy dinner,’ suggested Steve while stopping his car in the parking lot of Puti dormitory.

‘OK,’ Reply Puti while descending quietly. ‘Thank you, Steve,’ he continued while closing the door. Steve immediately sounded the horn. Puti who was ready to leave him looked.

‘When do we meet again?’ steve asked after lowering his car window.

‘Contact,’ says Short Puti.

‘When do you intend to treat me?’ chase Steve is not satisfied.

‘We set it later,’ said Puti then waved his hand towards Steve who looked at him confused. Puti realized, Steve was offended by his attitude. He should have behaved sweeter. But his apprehensive state of eyes did not allow him to be sweet to others. He was worried thinking of a moment. One day his eyes could no longer function.

‘God, when that time comes, will any hand guide me? I am alone in this world, Lord,’ complained Puti lirih while raising her face as if she knew God was above her.

☘️

Steve Caroll took a deep breath. With his eyes he followed Puti's steps until Puti entered his unit. There was something about Puti that made Steve want to know him more deeply. But it seems Puti is very closed and takes distance from him.

While Steve was staring at Puti's apartment, suddenly the window glass next to him was knocked from outside. Steve rolled down the window.

‘Emma!’ He cried when he saw who was knocking on the window.

‘Do not try to approach him. Listen carefully, don't disturb him!’ Threaten Emma with cold.

‘How about Puti who approaches me?’ Steve asked with a faint smile.