Autumn In Kent
Summer Indian

‘You're going home to Salem?’ steve asked in disbelief.

‘Yes. You think I want to stay in the dorm alone?’

‘That's not what I mean. I thought you didn't want to go back to Salem again.’

‘What's the reason?’

‘Emma said that your engagement has broken up. Is he lying?’ ask Steve. Puti stunned. He didn't think Steve knew much about him. And she didn't expect Emma to tell Steve so much about herself. Since when did the two of them get along and become friends? Doesn't Emma rarely talk to Steve?

‘Emma doesn't lie, only he shouldn't tell you that,’ Puti said emotionlessly. ‘Anyway, the break-up of our engagement does not mean the break-up of the family relationship. Before becoming a fiance, Mike first became a brother.’

‘Puti, maybe this is a bit interfering in your personal affairs. But I wonder how you would behave when faced with your former fiance, especially if he came with his future wife? Aren't you just going to hurt your own heart?’

‘I don't know, Steve. The only way to find out is to go back to Salem. Sooner or later, ready or unprepared I have to meet them. I can't keep avoiding. They are the only family I have in this world,’ Puti replied lethargic while continuing her work again.

Steve looked at her with pity. If only he had the right, he would have banned Puti from returning to Salem. He doesn't want Puti to languish. He knows for sure Puti still loves his former fiancee. He imagined how heartbroken Puti would be if she had to gather with the man she loved along with the woman who had snatched the man from her. Suddenly Steve felt angry. Angry at the man whom Puti loved. A man she knew nothing about. The only thing Steve knows about this man is that he has broken the heart of the only woman who does not chase him. The only woman with whom she can comfortably cooperate without involving love. Without involving love? Did ya?

At ten o'clock all the cost details have been completed, just combine them in the presentation format. Steve offered to do it.

After coffee at the cafe near his apartment, Steve drove Puti on foot back to his dorm. That night the air was warm. There is no snow. The snow that had fallen before had melted back. The heat of the air is like the heat of a summer night. Summer in the middle of winter. They call it Indian Summer. For about a week the sun was shining. Indian Summer is hated by everyone when it comes to coincide with Christmas because the White Christmas they crave does not come true.

‘You know, Put, half of my heart is glad our work is finally done, but the other half is not?’ steve said when they almost got to Puti's dorm.

‘Why?’ ask Puti.

‘Means our cooperation is complete. You definitely don't want to see me again.’

‘Why don't I want to see you again?’ ask Puti while smiling sweetly.

‘Does that mean I can meet you’ asked Steve unsure.

‘If you have no evil intentions of course you can,’ replied Puti. From their association so far makes Puti better understand Steve.

Since Christy was born, Steve has officially lived with his biological father, a successful businessman in Ohio and one of the richest people in America. Since childhood Steve has been spending money. His father's steady state of celibacy and his free relationship with all sorts of women had an influence on little Steve. The lameness in affection made little Steve grow into the Steve he is today. Steve is hungry for love and tries to find it in the wrong place.

His handsome face, athletic body, cool appearance and strong financial support are magnets for girls to approach him. Steve enjoyed the attention of the girls.

‘What do you mean by malicious intent?’ ask Steve again.

‘I guess you know better, Steve,’ replied Puti briefly while smiling funny. They then walk in silence. When he arrived in front of Puti's dorm, Steve asked.

‘Is giving you a good night kiss also including malicious intent?’

Puti laughed amusedly at the question. ‘For tonight yes,’ replied Puti after her laughter subsided. ‘But somehow a few years to come,’ he continued. Replace Steve who laughs amusedly. This girl is another, Steve thought. But he's really fun.

Puti and Steve's relationship that seems to be getting closer is not not not inviting many responses. Billy McCroom, a man who knew all Kent residents, had long warned Puti to be careful. According to McCroom, Steve is not the type of person who ‘can be trusted’ to be a friend.

Puti just let that opinion. Doesn't dispute it, but doesn't deny it either. He knew no one believed he said his relationship with Steve was a working relationship. Platonic relationship. Not a love relationship. No one believes Puti said Steve wasn't trying to catch up with him. Steve actually tried to maintain distance and respect for Puti.

☘️

Indian Summer is over. The air is cold again. Snow began to fall to the earth. The longer it gets bigger. The roofs of houses, grasses, bushes and roads have been filled with snow. White is the dominant color.

Puti and Emma stood in front of their unit's window, watching the truck drive back and forth to get rid of the piles of snow in the parking lot and sprinkling salt so that the snow solidifies and makes the road slippery to melt. Suddenly the apartment door was knocked from the outside. Emma slackened from the window and opened the door.

‘Puti, you've been picked up. He could not get into our compound because of the snowpack,’ Tim, barista Cafe Building Manager who now stands in front of the door it announced. Puti nodded and thanked him. He immediately picked up a ready backpack on top of the living room sofa.

Emma walked up to him with a small package in her hand.

‘Christmas Gift for you, Put,’ he said as he extended the package to Puti. Puti thanked him. After putting the gift in her bag, Puti immediately walked to her room and took out two packages.

‘This is a Christmas gift for you,’ he said as he held out a pink package. ‘And this is for Steve,’ he continued while handing over the other package.

‘Thank you Puti,’ says Emma. ‘Steve know you're home to Salem today?’

‘Ya,’ Reply Puti. ‘I already said goodbye to him yesterday.’

‘I think he really hit the stone now,’ muttered Emma.

‘You mean?’

‘He used to always underestimate the love of women. Only now is he getting drunk because the girl he really loves turned out to ignore him,’ Emma explained.

‘Who is the girl?’ ask Puti.

‘You,’ says Emma.

‘I?’ ask Puti while laughing a lot. Emma nodded her head.

‘Emma, you were wrong. Steve is not interested in me. Let alone love,’

‘Bare a bet?’ challenge Emma sure. Puti did not respond to the bet. She approached Emma then kissed her right cheek as a farewell greeting. After wishing each other a merry Christmas, Puti immediately went out of the apartment.

Puti was so shocked to see who was waiting for her in the car parked not far from the gate of her apartment complex. He thought the one who came to pick him up was William Gray, his foster father. She did not expect Mike to come to pick her up. Years ago it was Mike who was always in charge of picking him up, but not for this year, thought Puti.

As soon as he saw Puti appear in front of the gate, Mike immediately rushed up to him. Then he kissed Puti's cheek gently.

‘How are you, Put?’ mike asked whispering.

‘Good,’ replied Puti still could not calm her heart due to the change of Mike's kiss. Usually when they meet Mike will kiss his lips. Not cheeks.

You should be satisfied with cheek kissing, Put. The rest is no longer yours, Puti told herself.