1 Relapse

"HAACHIIH! HAAACHIIIH!!"

"Ouch … wait here, Van. I bought medicine first. You already know you have allergies, but you forget to take all your medicine with you!"

Evan did not respond to the ravings of Angga. He even waved his hand like someone was chasing flies. If possible, Evan wanted to curse Angga, who had been only nagging him. But let's not talk, because even just trying to get up from his seat, Evan had no power at all.

Angga chuckled in annoyance, then half-ran left Evan to find the nearest pharmacy. Understandably, they are newcomers who just set foot in the area for the first time.

'UNLUCKY!'

Evan cursed in his heart when the sneezing he experienced did not subside. And not only that, because the feeling of discomfort that is now starting to spread throughout the body, has instantly made his eyes start to water as a result of constantly sneezing.

'FUCKING UP!'

Again, Evan cursed in his heart, while covering his nose and mouth that would not stop venting the desire for an itching sensation to blow. And now, he finally regretted his decision. Namely, when agreeing to Angga's invitation to go find a restaurant that provides special dishes from the area.

If only Evan didn't follow the stupid idea that came from his best friend. Perhaps, he wouldn't have collided with someone carrying a large bouquet, causing his allergies to flare up!

At that time, suddenly Evan became continuously sneezing. Until his odd activities have attracted Lia's attention. Where the girl had just parked her motorbike in front of one of the florists in the shopping complex there.

"Sir, here are the flowers. Please check first, I'm staying for a while, okay?" said Lia while handing a few bunches of cut chrysanthemums to the florist, then half running over to Evan.

"Hacciihhh!! Hacciihhh!!" Many times Evan kept sneezing until his body felt sore and tired.

---

Without saying anything, Lia immediately knelt beside Evan and took out a handkerchief from her bag. With all the softness, she slipped it into Evan's hand so he could immediately use it to cover his nose that was constantly sneezing.

At the same time, Angga has returned after buying allergy medicine at the pharmacy around them. He also immediately knelt near Evan. For a moment, Angga turned to Lia who was also now looking at him. Instantly, he knew that it was Lia who had given Evan a handkerchief and accompanied his best friend while he was buying medicine.

"Thanks," Angga said briefly with a smile.

But before Angga spoke again, Lia's phone rang. He just nodded, then signaled the young man to leave. Without waiting for Angga's response, Lia half-ran back to the florist to collect the money from the sale of the cut flowers.

"Sorry for waiting, Sir."

"It's okay, Miss. I thought Miss Lia forgot, that's why I called. Besides, after this, I also want to go."

"Okay, Sir. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Miss Lia. Where have you been?"

"There for a moment. Someone are allergic to pollen, it seems. Keep sneezing, Sir."

"Ohhh ... already know allergies, why don't you wear a mask when you come here?" said the father, shaking his head in surprise.

Lia just smiled with a shrug, then decided to say goodbye because she had to deliver cut flower orders to other florists.

***

"Go straight home!" Evan said in an annoyed tone, still covering his nose with a handkerchief.

"Well, we haven't eaten yet, Van!" protest Angga did not accept.

"Whatever!"

"Oh so brave. I'm hungry," Angga whined which instantly made Evan feel nauseous.

"Alright, pull over the car."

Angga just obeyed what Evan ordered. In his heart, he was very happy. He would soon eat because his stomach was rumbling. However, it seems that Angga's expectations must be crushed, when Evan fiercely asks him to get out of the car.

"I'm fine and can steer on my own. If you want to eat, please come down and eat yourself." It was very cold, Evan said that which instantly made Angga's hair grow hot.

He already knew; if Evan changes the dialect to Gue and Lo, it means that his best friend is really angry.

"Eh, it's not like that, Van. We eat together." Angga still tries to argue and persuade Evan even though he knows that his efforts will be in vain.

"Get down now." That's what Evan said while pointing at the door as a sign to ask Angga to get out of the car right away.

"Evan..."

"Go down and reflect on your mistakes today. Fast!" Evan snapped with emotion which instantly made Angga jump in surprise.

"Mr. Stevan Harshil, but please… I…" Angga changed his sentence to be much more polite which made Evan even more disgusted.

"One ..." ignoring the whining of his best friend, Evan began to count for Angga to get out of his car.

"Van... you have the heart, don't be like that..."

"Two ... hurry up, Angga! If you don't, I'll fire you now!"

"B… but…"

"T..."

"Shit, Van. How dare you! Yeah, yeah, I'm going down right now. After all, why do you want to looking for local specialties here? If you don't want to, just say so," Angga snarled as he pushed the car door to get out.

"You're wrong! But you still acting like completely innocent. Oh My God, get out now! Over time, I can get hypertension because of dealing with people like you." While still covering his nose which was still itching, Evan pushed Angga to get out of his car.

"Van... don't be like that." Angga even whined again when Evan was about to close the car door.

"Whatever! I don't care for a fucking friend like you! So, find your food. Alone!"

Blaam!!!

The car door was tightly closed. Evan quickly moved to the driver's seat. Then ignoring Angga's screams from outside, he started his car again at high speed.

"Oh my God, what sin do I have to have a crazy friend like Angga," Evan muttered softly while rubbing his chest.

Evan continued to drive his car towards the house which had been a stopover for some time in the area. He couldn't stand it at all and wanted to get there soon. Allergies due to pollen have indeed made him unwell. That's why he wanted to get there as soon as possible so that he could lay down his uncomfortable body.

***

Dddrrrttt... drrrrtttt...

The vibration of the cellphone that was felt from inside his pocket, made Angga decide to stop for a moment to check who was calling. He hoped that it was Evan who called and would kindly pick him up to return home.

That exaggerated dream immediately collapsed again, when Angga saw that the name that appeared on the phone screen was not Evan, but Jhonatan—Evan's father.

'Oops dead!'

"Ha ... hello, good afternoon Uncle Jhonatan," Angga greeted a little stammered.

"Afternoon, Angga. Have you arrived yet?"

"A… already, Uncle. We arrived just before dawn. Did… didn't Evan tell Uncle Jho?"

"Ohhh, not yet." Jhonatan's answer was short, but there was a sad tone in his sentence.

"I'm sorry, Uncle. I should have also told Uncle Jho when we arrived."

"You should. Because I want to talk to Evan."

Angga rubbed his forehead when he heard the request. For a few moments, he was silent as he thought about what reason to convey to Jonathan. It's impossible if Angga said what had happened recently between them. In any case, he got fired and Evan had to go home right away.

"Erlangga Rahagi, are you still there?"

"Oh of course. I'm here, Uncle Jho!" cried Angga spontaneously when his full name was mentioned by Jonathan.

"So, how?"

"What, Uncle?"

There was a sigh from the other side of the phone as a form of patience being tested.

"Stevan Harshil Hemachandra, I want to speak with him." Jonathan again repeated his order and instantly made Angga regain his senses.

"Oh yes, okay Uncle. Evan ... Evan was in the toilet. We just finished lunch. I'll tell him later when you call," answered Angga with a fairly fast tempo, making Jhonatan frown because he was surprised.

"Alright, soon then."

"Okay, Uncle Ready to execute!"

The call ended which left Angga frustrated.

He ruffled the hair on his head roughly, then looked back at the phone screen to call Evan. However, despite repeatedly trying to make phone calls, there was no answer which made him feel a little worried.

Finally, Angga decided not to eat lunch at a typical regional restaurant and chose to wrap it up instead. Of course, he didn't just buy for himself, but also for Evan. Then after finishing the payment, he hurriedly rushed back home. He was worried about the condition of his friend who could not be contacted.

***

Finished cleaning himself, Evan checked his cellphone and found dozens of missed calls and chats appearing as notifications that filled his communication tools. He sighed, then turned his attention to the name Jonathan at the bottom of the list.

***