Bittersweet Arrangements : A Sugar Dady Affair

The next day, Elena went straight to school in her new car. Her two friends, Citra and Melodi, were beyond shocked by the story of Elena who was scared to death when Daddy asked her to talk. Elena thought she would be tried after her night out with the two of them. But in fact he actually got a new car as a gift along with his driver’s license and documents at the same time. Miraculously, he got something he had been waiting for a long time, namely freedom.

But Elena’s face gradually turned cloudy. It turns out that his wishes did not match his expectations so far. Elena thought getting her freedom was something extraordinary. Now he feels uneasy. His mind was haunted by a feeling of guilt because he had dared to lie to his parents.

“Why are you so sad El?” Citra said in surprise when she saw the change in Elena’s face. From being very enthusiastic to being sad.

“I haven’t been honest about where we went last night,” Elena admitted, her eyes wide with regret.

“Did Daddy ask you where we were going? Who were we going with? So what did we do when we left?” Melodi said seriously because if Daddy found out they were lying then the end of their friendship which had existed for almost 3 years.

Elena pursed her lips while shaking her head slowly. A second later, the sound of laughter added to the commotion during break time in class. In unison, Citra and Melodi laughed at Elena until they were satisfied, while Elena, who was the laughing stock of them, just sat silently and stood idly by. Deliberately letting his two friends mock him until he was satisfied. It’s a normal thing he often gets.

“Okay, let’s go to the canteen! I want to buy a cold drink,” said Citra after managing to suppress her laughter.

Elena still didn’t move in her chair when Citra and Melodi left. They looked at each other then pulled Elena’s hand together to come with them.

“If Daddy doesn’t ask and you don’t tell, that means you’re not lying and you’re not guilty, El,” Melodi was annoyed by her friend’s naive attitude.

“Seriously, am I not being a disobedient child?” Elena said seriously.

“Oh my God, El, yes,” replied Citra as she pulled Elena’s left hand again so she could get up quickly.

The three of them then walked towards the school cafeteria. Crowded people are a common sight during school breaks like today. But it didn’t matter because the three of them only intended to buy bottles of drinks and light snacks then return to class.

Not far from them stood Dirga enjoying a bowl of meatballs with his friends. Seeing the arrival of the girl he was targeting, Dirga then got up and went to Elena who was with her two friends.

“Buy what El?” said Dirga with a sweet smile. A warm greeting that is sure to melt the hearts of anyone who sees it. A smile that can divert the attention of the students in the canteen. There are also several students who have had a crush on Elena for a long time but don’t have the guts to approach her because of the rumors circulating about Elena’s Daddy. They were of course jealous of Dirga’s recklessness in approaching Elena.

Who doesn’t know Dirgantara Satrya Putra, chairman of SMAN 1 Yogyakarta magazine who has served for two consecutive terms. Apart from that, Dirga is also a member of the school’s football team and basketball team. It was rumored that Dirga was having a special relationship with several female students at school. However, he never had the slightest bad reputation during his almost 3 years of studying at SMAN 1 Yogyakarta.

“Cold drink,” replied Elena casually. Elena herself wondered why when Dirga invited her to watch last night she felt nervous whereas today she was normal. You don’t even feel anything like women in general when they meet their new crush. Another thing is Dirga who looks happy. The aura of love radiated clearly on his handsome face.

“What would you like me to get for you?” Dirga offered while still gazing at Elena’s beautiful face. Even the girls around couldn’t help but melt witnessing Dirga’s gaze on Elena.

“Just Fanta, 3 bottles,” Citra replied since Elena remained silent.

“Okay, wait for a moment!” Dirga replied, then went to the large refrigerator available in the cafeteria.

While waiting for Dirga to get cold drinks for them, Melodi walked to the snack shelf. She quickly chose their favorite snacks and paid for them. After getting everything they were looking for, Elena promptly bid farewell and thanked Dirga.

***

Unnoticed, the class hours came to an end. As usual, all students had to join the Dhuhr prayer in school before going home. After organizing their belongings, the three of them walked together toward the school parking lot. On the way, Dirga approached Elena again, offering to go home together.

“Unfortunately, you must be disappointed, Dirga. El is driving her own car. How about I accompany you instead?” Melodi replied, as she usually commuted to school with Citra.

“Maybe next time then,” Dirga replied briefly, then quickly left the three disappointed girls.

Not wanting to worry her parents on her first day driving alone to school, Elena drove her car towards the main road leading to her home. Along the way, many thoughts occupied her mind. Being alone was not enjoyable. It felt bland. Usually, she would share many things or just joke around with her Daddy. This time, she was accompanied only by the music’s sound. The music should have succeeded in comforting her as usual. It could flow tranquility into her soul, as she was a music enthusiast. Suddenly, Elena craved for her usual fruit soup. She began to slow down her car and stopped on the roadside not far from the regular fruit soup seller’s cart.

Elena quickly ordered several portions of fruit soup according to the number of people at her home, to take home. She then sat on the only remaining plastic chair. There were around five people, including herself, waiting for the always busy fruit soup seller. Devan, who happened to be riding a motorcycle, accidentally noticed Elena. Immediately, he stopped his motorbike and turned around. Before getting off his motorcycle, Devan scanned the surroundings, looking for Jeremy’s car. Elena was usually picked up by Jeremy or their family driver, and Devan knew all the cars owned by his friend’s family. All the Club Cogan’s vehicles were regulars at his workshop. So, it was reasonable for him to remember them all. Not finding what he was looking for, Devan quickly got off his bike and approached Elena.

“El, who are you here with?” Devan’s words successfully made Elena’s body jerk. Her phone in her hand almost hit the asphalt if Devan hadn’t caught it swiftly.

“Uncle, you really know how to surprise someone,” complained Elena, accepting her phone back from Devan’s hand.

“Where’s your Daddy?” Devan asked curiously, ignoring Elena’s protest.

“I’m alone, Uncle,” Elena replied casually. But Devan was not as calm. Devan’s surprised reaction didn’t surprise Elena because everyone would give that expression when they found out she went alone. “El’s bodyguard gave me this!” Elena showed her car key while flashing a broad smile.

“Bodyguard?” Devan repeated, looking thoughtful for a moment. “You really call your Daddy a bodyguard,” Devan protested, laughing.

Devan then took a chair from a departing customer. He sat beside Elena and ordered two bowls of fruit soup for both of them. Initially, Elena refused because she had already ordered for takeaway. However, out of respect for the elder, Elena agreed. So, the two of them enjoyed a bowl of fruit soup on the roadside, interspersed with light conversations. Devan also shared that Erick would be riding his own motorcycle starting today. So, Devan was no longer bothered to pick up and drop off Erick at school.

Seeing Elena leaving fruits at the corner of her mouth immediately brought a broad smile to Devan’s lips. The girl next to him was adorable and naive. Every time he was with her, Devan always felt entertained by her innocent actions and questions.

“You’re more suited to be an elementary school student, making a mess while eating fruit soup,” Devan said, then pulled out a tissue from the one in front of him. He gently wiped the edge of Elena’s lips like he would do for his own daughter.

Elena held her breath momentarily, pausing her lung’s work. Her heart also protested by beating faster than usual. The fresh citrus aroma greeted Elena’s sense of smell, something she had known for a long time. However, the scent had disturbed Elena’s heart for some time. A pair of hazel irises blinked several times, looking at Devan’s handsome face, which was very close to hers.

“Uncle, you should pay first.” Devan got up from his seat to pay for all the fruit soup he ordered, including Elena’s, while she remained still, trying to calm her pounding heart. Her lungs resumed their work as usual. Although yesterday, when she was with Dirga, her heart didn’t behave as wildly as it did now.

Devan escorted Elena until she got into her car. Only after the girl’s car disappeared from his sight did Devan ride his motorcycle back to the workshop.

At exactly 2 PM, Elena arrived home. Ivand and Viero seemed relaxed, lounging on the living room sofa while playing their favorite online game. So engrossed were they in the game that they didn’t notice Elena’s arrival.

“Here’s the fruit soup,” Elena said as she placed the plastic bag containing the fruit soup she brought.

“Oh, Kak El is back! So nice that you had fruit soup with Uncle Devan,” teased Ivand, playfully diverting his attention from the flat screen he held.

Elena’s eyes widened. She was surprised by what she heard. Once again, Ivand caught her. Elena aborted her intention to go upstairs. She dropped her body next to Ivand, then shook her head while turning to face him.

“Ivand, how did you know where I went?” The question was directed to Ivand, who took his eyes off the screen and turned his attention to Elena for a moment.

“Ivand, did Daddy instruct you to always watch over me?” Elena inquired, still doubting her brother’s words.

“No way, Kak. It’s just that I want to show my friends that you and Viero are my siblings. So, it’s reasonable if they report when they see you or Viero on the street,” Ivand explained.

“Enough already, I want to go upstairs. Tired!” Elena replied, growing more irritated. It seemed that absolute freedom would never be hers.

“Don’t worry, Kak. I won’t report to Daddy or Mommy as long as you’re safe,” honestly stated Ivand, receiving only a wave of Elena’s hand.

“Not different from parents or siblings!” Elena grumbled while climbing the stairs.

However, before Elena’s foot touched the top step, her phone rang, indicating an incoming WhatsApp message. Seeing Uncle Devan’s name displayed, Elena quickly opened it.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Uncle Devan

“El, tell your Daddy to activate his phone. Uncle wants to talk for a while.”