Nagini's Phone Rings

  Pondok Gede Indah Apartment

  Nagini had just finished showering. After getting dressed, she walked to her dressing table and began combing her hair.

  Her face was very beautiful in the mirror, but she looked tired.

  Yes, the emotional clash last night between Suro and Burhan had left her mind exhausted.

  Suddenly, her phone rang.

  Nagini quickly picked it up.

  Nagini: "Hello, Burhan…"

  Burhan: "I'm coming over to your apartment, Nagini. There's something I want to tell you."

  Nagini: "Alright, Burhan. Come over. I'm not going anywhere."

  Burhan: "Okay, Nagini. See you at the apartment."

  Nagini hung up. There was still a faint flutter in her chest.

  Across town, Burhan also looked happy. Both his hands clenched into fists, and he muttered softly, voice trembling.

  Burhan: "Yes!"

  ***

  KFC

  Burhan knocked on Nagini's apartment door. His left hand carried a plastic bag labeled KFC.

  The door opened, revealing Nagini's smiling face.

  Nagini: "You're here already, Burhan?"

  Burhan nodded, his chest pounding.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Nagini: "Come in, Burhan."

  Burhan stepped inside, and Nagini closed the door.

  Burhan: "I brought lunch for us, Nagini."

  Nagini: "Perfect timing, Burhan. I'm hungry too."

  They both laughed happily.

  Burhan took the plastic bag, pulling out two boxes of rice and fried chicken from KFC. Finally, he set out two bottles of mineral water.

  They ate heartily.

  Between spoonfuls of rice, they stole glances at each other and exchanged smiles. But not a single word was spoken.

  Yes, they were enjoying lunch… and the growing, unspoken thrill between them.

  ***

  Duty to the Nation

  Nagini: "You had something to tell me, Burhan?"

  Burhan: "Yes, Nagini."

  Nagini: "It sounds important."

  Burhan: "Yes, I think it's very important."

  Nagini took her last bite of rice and reached for the mineral water.

  Nagini: "So, what is it, Burhan?"

  With his heart pounding wildly, Burhan tried to calm himself.

  Burhan: "Nagini… this afternoon I'll be leaving for Jogja."

  Nagini stared sharply at him.

  Nagini: "What do you mean?"

  Burhan: "I've been assigned to pursue Mariana."

  Nagini was shocked.

  Nagini: "What?"

  Burhan: "Yes, Nagini. Together with Tono and Rudin, we'll be going to Yogyakarta to hunt Mariana."

  Nagini was silent for a moment, her chest stirring.

  Burhan: "I want you to come with me, Nagini."

  Nagini looked at him, playing with the ends of her hair.

  Burhan: "If you won't come… then I need to say goodbye."

  Nagini gazed deeply into his eyes, her heart still fluttering from his nearness.

  But then… the image of Suro Gebleg flashed in her mind.

  Nagini: "This is wrong…"

  She thought to herself.

  Burhan waited for her answer, his own chest tightening. He didn't want to part in a moment as warm as this.

  But this… was a duty to the nation.

  ***

  A Temporary Farewell

  Nagini: "I can't come with you, Burhan."

  Burhan looked at her in disbelief.

  Burhan: "Why? Didn't you come with me to chase Mariana at the Kembang Setaman nightclub before?"

  Nagini: "Yes, Burhan."

  Burhan: "Then?"

  Nagini: "I have no personal grudge against Mariana."

  Burhan was taken aback. His face paled in shock.

  Nagini: "I pursued Mariana because I wanted to save Sawitri."

  Burhan fell silent, his chest pounding in confusion.

  Burhan: "Mariana is cruel and cunning. You still don't want to come?"

  Nagini looked him in the eye.

  Nagini: "I won't come, Burhan. I have no enmity with Mariana."

  Burhan looked defeated, as if he'd just lost a battle.

  Burhan: "Alright, Nagini… I'll say goodbye then."

  Nagini: "Alright, Burhan."

  Burhan stood and walked slowly toward the door.

  Nagini: "Burhan, be careful. Mariana is very dangerous."

  Burhan glanced back at her.

  Burhan: "Of course, Nagini. I'll be careful."

  ***

  Searching for Suro

  After Burhan left, Nagini returned to her dressing table. She sat staring into the mirror at her beautiful face.

  Nagini: "Suro, where are you? Are you in this era? Why can't I find you?"

  She asked in her heart.

  Her beautiful reflection looked troubled.

  Nagini: "I've searched for you so long in this modern age, but you've never appeared."

  She thought silently.

  Nagini: "I came here for you, Suro—not to develop feelings for someone else. Should I just return to my own time?"

  Her heart churned. She reached into her pocket and touched the Time-Splitting Stone. The stone began to vibrate softly.

  The sensation of a portal beginning to open.

  Suddenly, her thoughts jolted.

  Nagini: "Burhan! Mariana…"

  She pulled the Time-Splitting Stone from her pocket. Slowly, the vibration faded.

  Nagini: "Burhan… how dangerous Mariana is…"

  Her cheeks flushed. She was worried about Burhan.

  Nagini: "Burhan… what if you truly are one of my descendants?"

  Nagini: "I will follow you, Burhan! It would be my greatest mistake if you really were harmed because of Mariana."

  Nagini grabbed her phone and called Tina.

  To be continued