A short while later...
Val sat in front of the shop, enjoying his lunch—a bowl of noodles treated by the shopkeeper. The old man approached with a bottle of mineral water.
"Here is your water."
Val smiled.
"Thank you, Sir. By the way, where are your kids? Don't they help out with the shop?" Val asked, ever since he came, he didnt see the old man's kid like in the report written.
The old man sighed.
"They're busy working out of town; why bother to come back here anymore? They're all grown up now, and they don't want to run a business like this. They say it's boring and not very profitable," said the man, a little unexcited
Val looked around. The area around the shop was quite busy, with many transactions happening since he'd sat down.
"Who says that? It's pretty busy here," said Val.
"That's because it's almost the weekend. Usually, it's still pretty decent; there's always some income. It's not that bad," said the old man, looking around the busy streets with some pedestrians.
The old man turned to Val, who was engrossed in his meal and didn't notice blood coming from his nose. He hurried to pick up the tissue paper not far from his reach.
"Oh, dear boy, look at yourself! Here, clean your nose."
Val raised his head and looked at the old man with a little wrinkle on his forehead. Initially, he was confused as to why the old man suddenly gave him that. Did he eat carelessly?
"What is it?"
The old man pointed to Val's nose. Val hadn't realized his nose was bleeding and dripping onto his lap. "Oh, geez!" The young man quickly used the tissue to wipe the blood, which wouldn't stop.
"You shouldn't eat too much unhealthy food. Need to take care of yourself, this young man" said the old man, looking worried.
Val smiled. "I'm not, old man. Not pretty often, anyway. I usually eat at the office canteen, and it's all healthy food."
"Then, you should go to see a doctor to check up if anything is wrong with you."
"It's just a normal nosebleed. Why bother going to the hospital? It's a waste of money."
"This brat"
....
The sky had been dark for the past hour. But the activity at the downtown office building didn't seem to be slowing down. The whistle blew, echoing across the rooftop, a basketball court where several young men were drenched in sweat.
"Toss it here, Val!" Jason yelled.
Jason, Val, and Anwar from the marketing team were playing against the accounting team.
Jason's team was comfortably ahead.
Val is incredibly agile; his long legs easily carried him past opponents as he dribbled the big red ball towards the hoop. He was about to shoot when, unexpectedly, Ardi from the accounting team charged in and knocked him down. Val hit the floor hard.
"Ouch!"
"Wow! That's a foul!" Jason and the others exclaimed immediately.
But instead of arguing, the young men burst into laughter. The scene of Val's fall was, to them, hilarious.
"Hahahaha, Val, you are suck! You fell from just a little nudge!" Rian from the accounting team shouted.
Val groaned. Everyone laughed at him, including Jason, who offered him a hand.
They didn't know he was in serious pain, a sharp pain in his ankle, and maybe his pride, too.
"Come on, Val, I think everyone's pretty tired," said the handsome boss.
Val pulled himself up, while groaning from his pain, using Jason's hand for support. His boss can't help to smile at his state now.
"Is it really hurt?" Jason asks.
Val limped.
"This really hurts, boss."
....
A little later…
It was late, tomorrow is Saturday, the office will be off by Saturday; everyone was exhausted and couldn't wait to rush home.
One by one, the employees left the building after their impromptu workout.
"You see that Alex uses his butt to push me," said Rian. His other colleagues in the elevator, Anwar and Alex, laugh hard.
"Well, you see, I've been multitasking, even my butt so eager to win from you," said Alex, the three laugh out laugh while getting out of the elevator.
"Ting!"
The other elevator doors also opened at the ground floor.
Jason stepped out with Dion, the accounting manager.
Being a senior, Dion couldn't participate in the mandatory basketball game, as Jason had decreed. He suggested it, hoping everyone could get some light exercise after a long day of hard thinking, and also to foster better relationships among the staff amidst the high intensity and pressure of work. Put a little burden down a bit.
"We'll discuss that on Monday morning, Mr. Dion. I think Grandpa will understand. The error comes from the supplier's late notification," they were still talking about work all the way, headed for the main door. Dion waved his hand to Jason to get into his car, which was already standing by on the runway.
"See you on Monday!" said Jason.
Jason glanced at his watch; it was already 10 PM. His driver would be taking him home to their family's house tonight. As usual on weekends, his grandfather would fetch him from his apartment and make him stay for a night or two until the next workday.
The long trip to Luwy City made him hesitant to drive himself, especially since his apartment was right across the street from the office building – he could just walk home every day.
Jason went outside the building. His driver hadn't arrived yet; he'd probably wait out front to get some fresh air.
Jason's gaze stopped at someone sitting not far from the garden. He squinted, trying to figure out who it was in the dim light– someone he knew so well. Jason quickly approached.
"Hey Val! Why are you still here? I thought you left already?"