[adistiany]

I N T R O D U C T I O N 💫

Hello, everyone! Welcome to my writing blog. You can call me Adis and my pronouns are she/her.

This blog is mainly about my writings, so I will pick a prompt from other writing blogs and write down a scene from it or I will write based on my imagination and mood. I won't write NSFW. Therefore, this is a safe blog for minors.

Any ask and submission are welcomed, do not be shy ✨

[adistiany]

STUDIO CABANA: THE TWO SIDES OF LOVE

When we are in love, we will think it is the best feeling ever. The fuzzy feeling that tickles in the stomach, the warm burning sensation on the face and neck that we cannot control, and the skip of our shoes when we walk towards the person who has our heart in their palms.

That’s what Yukari Maki feels for Yuusuke Kusaka nowadays as she steps the stairs to the school’s rooftop. There, she sees how divine Kusaka is in her eyes; his features that are accentuated by the sun, the soft locks of his raven hair sway with the breeze, and, most importantly, when his eyes dart and lock eyes with her, she swears she catches sight of how his dark irises are glimmering like pearls from this distance.

When Yukari Maki falls in love, she falls hard to the point where she scrapes her knees for falling too hard. On the ground, she’s bleeding and winching in pain, not from the fall but from the realization that her heart will never beat in rhyme and sync with his, for his heart is clutched by another woman. This is a story of an unrequited love….

Studio Cabana is an on-going shoujo manga series written and illustrated by Uma Agri. The series was first released on 24 March 2021 and has been serialized in Pixiv Sylph magazine, published by ASCII Media Work. As for now, the manga has six volumes published in Japan, and sadly, the series has not been licensed in English yet.

The story of Studio Cabana begins with a diligent high school girl named Yukari Maki who keeps scolding Yuusuke Kusaka, the rumored delinquent classmate, for skipping class and school duties. One day, she uncovers that he is a member of a band when she follows him into a music studio called Studio Cabana, and she also discovers that Kusaka writes and sings a love song with such a lovely, melancholic singing voice. From that day on, she is enthralled right away by his presence, voice, and heart.

This manga doesn’t deserve my 3.5 stars rating because I still can’t get over the story and characters in it. I believe I have to change it to a higher number like 4 to 4.5 stars. Oh, but I digress. Studio Cabana is a shoujo manga that hits the nail on the head for me; something I’d been craving but didn’t know what it is before. It’s full of drama and pretty complex for a shoujo. Also, it’s a slow burn romance with a focus on the characters relationship and its development.

Studio Cabana does a great job of blending typical shoujo elements with dark and mature tones. We have soft and funny interactions between the protagonist and the male lead, and on the other side, we see the complicated love affair between the male lead and another woman. It’s like, one is a dynamic of sincerity and welcomeness, and the other is poisonous and destructive. One is showing the beauty of the world; the other is isolating the person from the world. One is pure love, and another is toxic love. To see two different sides of love in a love triangle is not something that I expected in a manga.

To shoujo demographics, love is sacred, love is everything that brings good and happiness. When a manga presents that love can’t be all sunshine and rainbows, and love isn’t shown in a perfect or idealized way, that shatters the concept of love in shoujo, in my opinion. It's not every day to see the portrayal of love realistically. In the real world, love can make people greedy, blind, and dependent on it. It’s such an interesting topic because love, as an abstract feeling, can be a very complex concept for humans. This manga addresses a deep subject that can be quite handful to write, but I’m glad the mangaka does it well.

As Nicole mentioned on her blog romancemangarecs.com in her review: “…Love isn’t romanticized in Studio Cabana. We see some difficult relationships, manipulative personalities, tons of emotion and struggles among the characters, and of course an unrequited love. The author explores a really important topic about relationships and the difficulty of leaving emotionally abusive partners.” I couldn’t agree more.

Obviously, the intention of the author is not always making it a sad, tragic, angsty love story. We get to see the main characters having their sweet moments together as they’re slowly progressing their friendship. It’s also a story about self-discovery, self-acceptance, and self-improvement. One needs to learn and grow before they can break free from toxic patterns and unhealthy relationship dynamics. One needs to learn and grow before they open themselves up to new possibilities in love and understand the true meaning of it.

All in all, Studio Cabana is a manga that surpasses my expectations. It's a compelling series that keeps me interested and captivated by the plot, themes, and characters. I can’t wait to see more of it, and I’m glad I discovered this manga. At the end of the day, it’s always stories that I didn’t expect to love!

[adistiany]

SOUR & SWEET

from may prompt by @creativepromptsforwriting

yknow what? im gonna write a fluffy one-shot for my baby tama-chan ahaha <33

He couldn't ask for a better date.

Him. With his love. In a garden full of strawberries.

He could die right now. But then remembered if he died, his darling would be sad and he would be in distress in the afterlife.

"Dearest, I don't know what you're thinking of, but please, watch where you're going!" His love exclaimed, snapping him out his mind. Their hand was on his cheek, the thumb caress the skin.

Soft and warm.

He could explode at the moment.

He placed his hand atop theirs, then slightly he tilted his face and kissed the wrist of his love's hand; where the pulse was.

"I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I was thinking of you and I still couldn't believe how beautiful you are."

They pinched his cheek playfully, but he could swear they were hiding their smile. "You're making my heart race, Baby. If it's malfunctioned, I'm blaming you."

"I know, I'll take guilty for it."

They smiled then their eyes found something. They picked and held it in front of him. A fresh strawberry.

"Eat this, will you?"

He opened his mouth and they put the fruit inside of it. Then he chewed and he couldn't hide his crumple expression. His love laughed at his face.

"It's so sour, Darlin'," he said after he swallowed it with a force.

They leaned forward and pecked his lips. "Is it sweet now after I did that?"

Now it was his turn to have his heart race. He grabbed their waist and whispered into their ear. "Not enough, I need more of it."

They laughed once again, a sound so heavenly, and kissed him once again.

What a sweet strawberry. With his love. In his arms.

[adistiany]

NOVEMBER PEACE

November felt so blur to me. I didn't recall anything other than the weather became too cold for me, I couldn't be separated from my favourite blanket. And him, too, perhaps.

He was so radiating. Burning. Melting. A case that I couldn't understand until now. He was a source of light, warmth, and home.

But something inside me was scared. If he were the source of radiance, then I would be the fly that attracted to his glow. I would die if I were too close to him. Not physically, I mean.

Just like now.

"You're spacing out, again," he stated. Eyes filled with worry and confusion. "Something's in your mind, do you want to talk about it?"

I stared at him, then I didn't realise my mouth slipped out the words. "What does it feel like when you fall into an abyss?"

His face was neutral. "It doesn't hurt, I guess, but it'd give you some peace. A moment of reconciliation. After that you could have time to plan or think or neither."

"And what would happen at the end of it?"

He grinned. "Another peace."

"You and your hidden dark humour," I said and he laughed. Then a pregnant silence and then: "I wish I were dreaming. About you and I, I mean."

I could feel his eyes on me; burning, melting the skull to get through my brain. The next thing I saw was black, his palm covered my eyes and he brought my head to his shoulder.

"Then sleep." I heard him say, hot breath fanning my hair. "That way you won't wake up from the dream. Shortly, I'll join you. Meet me at the dreamland?"

I chuckled and closed my eyes. Later on I found peace.

[adistiany]

RAINDROPS

The raindrops prickled my skin, I sped up my legs instinctively and tugged his arm. He quickly fell into step beside me whilst hovering his jacket above our heads so we didn't get wet. I pointed an empty place ahead us and asked him whether it was good for us to shelter, he agreed and we ran to go there.

Beneath the canopy, I tried to dry myself. He asked if I was okay, I nodded as a reply. But then he lent me his jacket and put it on my shoulders. I thanked him, he smiled, and then nothing.

He said nothing. We fell silent, the only sound between us was the rainfall. Some silences were comforting for me, but this? I could sense something was wrong, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I did a self-introspection but found nothing, so I drew a conclusion: something was wrong about him.

I looked up to see his face, but once again, I found nothing. His profile was illuminated by street lights, yet they seemed to make it unreadable.

He caught me staring and asked, "Something's wrong?"

I wanted to say yes, but I knew he'd ask for me to elaborate. I couldn't do that before I have a slight, rational thought. A theory. A hypothesis.

Actions speak louder than words, they said. So I did that to answer his concern and for my own benefit. I let my head hit the water and stood in the rain.

His mouth agaped, his eyes widened as he watched me walked backward into the downpour. I did that on purpose so as not to miss his reaction.

"What are you doing?!" He bursted. "You'll get cold, come back here!"

"I am already cold," I whispered into the cool air. Now that he mentioned it, indeed I felt icy. Probaby because I was soaked from head to toe or lacked his warmth. I thought of it, how come I didn't realise it sooner?

Before I pondered it further, he was already in front of me. I looked up and saw his eyes were blazing and hard; as if there were things he hide inside. He was never like this before.

"I don't understand what you were thinking." His voice cut through the chilly weather like knives. Then he grabbed the leather fabric on my shoulder and placed it on top of my head like a hood. "But stop it, please, this is nonsense. Put your health first. I'll go back inside now."

I understood now. "Pour them out," I said and he stopped, eyeing me in puzzlement. "Those aren't your emotions, you absorbed them from people around you. I know you hate being seen as weak, but here's your only chance; here and now. I'm certain no one will see it."

He froze and I continued, "Don't worry, I probably can't tell the difference."

Then he broke down.

After he closed the eyelids, his hands started to shook, then his shoulders trembled until it spread all over his body. I barely heard him making a sound. Later on I saw a dripple of rain ran down from his cheek, but I doubted that was a raindrop.

This boy had so much feelings inside him. A heart too big for the world, yet he carried it with a smile. Since now I was a part of his life, I knew he was suffering. It suffocated him. My duty was to free his pain, even for a while.

I put my palm on his cheek, he tensed and opened his eyes; I saw them glistering. "Feeling better?" He nodded and started to open his mouth, but I wasn't finished yet. "If you have any other odd feelings, come to me and let it out. If you feel yourself as a burden to feel many things, remember my words: you are not—never to me—a burden. Your feelings are valid as long as they are yours.

"It's not wrong to wear your heart on your sleeves if I'm around, it also doesn't make you less a man, a human. You are stronger than you've ever thought, even when you shed tears instead of bleed. If you let me have my thoughts slip out from my mind, then you have to let yourself express your emotions out from your heart in this relationship. Understand?"

He stared at me with those loving eyes, then a smile cracked on his face. Somehow I felt a lot warmer than before. He laid his hand above mine, then he kissed the underside of my wrist; where the touch of his lips made my pulse quickened. "Yes, I understand. Thank you."

No, I thought to myself. Thank you.

[adistiany]

SMALL KITTEN

my ocs from "neither good nor evil" wip

Randika thinks it's adorable to see Erna's wrathful that is caused by him. Sure, she can be like a tiger sometimes, but right now he only sees her like a small, angry kitten.

"What's with that smile?" She inquires in the midst of her resentment, her eyebrows turn furrow slightly.

His head tilts a little. "What smile? I always smile, don't I?"

"Not this time, your everyday smile is constantly a fake facade. This one is somewhat a crack."

"What a perceptive person you are, Erna!" He exclaims.

"Shut the hell up! Now, tell me what're you thinking of! I have a feeling that smile has anything to do with me. Right now, I don't really care if you're thinking dirty of me, I just want to know the reason behind that odd smile."

He fake-gasps. "I would never do such thing like that! But indeed, I was thinking of you but in the opposite way."

"The opposite way...?"

"I was thinking that you are a beast at times when you're mad at me. But today, somehow you remind me of a small, cute feline."

Her eyes are widening. She mutters, "Small, cute...." And then a sudden realisation has strucked her.

He knows what's going to happen next, but he still let it happens anyway.

She bristles and punches him hard on stomach that makes him kneels in front of her. "That's because we were standing and you were towering me!" she growls. "Doesn’t matter how tall you are when you’re on your knees."

She soon leaves him alone, while he's holding his injured abdomen. But it's all worth it, because at the end, the smile of his is fully cracking.

[adistiany]

They said love and hate are like two sides of the same coin; the same emotion that fuels inside you. This happened to him when he saw her. He didn't know what he was feeling, but he knew it was roaring and alive—a feeling he'd never know exist within him.

He was curious about it. He wanted to take it in; as if it was food and all he desire was to taste and smash it between his teeth. And so he declared his love to her abruptly and, of course, she said: "Yes".

When they faced each other alone, he knew this was going to be a wild adventure. To him, she was this cliché 'not like other girls' girl that tried so hard not to draw any attention, yet here we were.

"You think this is fun, huh?"

"I don't know your definition of fun."

"Well," she leaned so close towards him, "since you asked for it, I'm willing to play with you from today until you're tired of my whole existence. I can't wait to see you on your knees, beg to me to stop and vanish from your life."

His eyebrows lifted and a smile naturally formed on his face. "So you're going to give me all your attention?"

She smirked. "What are you talking about, this is all a game for the both of us."

Indeed it was, he had started the game and the players were going to play against each other until one of them lose. After all, love and hate are nothing but a game to finish.

[adistiany]

The young woman approached the lanky man behind his back, raised her finger and pointed at a certain spot. "Damn, look at that giant, hairy rat."

Hearing her voice, the young adult turned and was taken aback when he saw her forefinger was pointing at his face. He frowned. "Were you talking about me? No, wait, don't say it. I know, you are going to say that I have the resemblance with that chef-rat from Ratatouille, right?"

She dropped her arm to her side, it was her turn to frown. "No, I was talking about your hair all along."

"What about it?"

"See yourself, you have eyes."

He rolled his eyes and did what she said. He grabbed his phone and used it as a mirror, then he saw a big, gross hair-like that clumped and sticked behind his head. He was flabbergasted rather than disgusted when he took that clump with his two fingers and then he looked at her. "What the hell is this?"

"That is called hairball," she answered, nonchalantly.

"Hairball? You're saying this is a hairball that came out from a cat?!" She nodded, then his face turned morbid as he got rid of that nasty thing from his hand. "Was that your cat's doing?"

She gave him a funny look. "Who else?"

He deadpanned whilst accumulating his conclusion. "Last night ... it wasn't you who stroke my hair?"

She shook her head. He facepalmed with his other hand.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I wanted to, then I remembered there was something important I had to do first. Besides, now you knew, right?"

He groaned. "This is why I don't want a cat roaming around my house." Then he wiped the last over from the hairball to her shirt.

She shrieked and backed away from him.

He chuckled. "Revenge."

She glared at him. "It wasn't my fault!" She grabbed a spray of sanitizer and sprayed it towards him. "Now you are cleaned, nasty boy."

"The nasty one is your cat, if I find him, I would kick him out of the house."

She scowled. "You won't dare."

He sighed. "Of course I won't. I am too scared of my own wife."

"Your fault decided to propose to me."

"Then it was your fault too to say yes."

After that, they both were laughing.

[adistiany]

A LITTLE SISTER

"You know, Witch, I always wanted a little sister," said Warlock whilst combing her hair.

"Then tell your parents to make one." Witch blurted.

Warlock pouted. "It's not that simple."

"It IS simple, Warlock. Lock them on their bedroom, play a romantic music, roses on the mattress, and let their animal instincts play the part, then--- OUCH! Don't pull that strand too hard!"

"You have the wildest imagination, Witch," he replied, no regret in his voice when he hurt her. "As I said before, it's not that simple."

She didn't respond anymore and Warlock huffed lightly. "But I'm glad, really. I've met you and Wizard, it's more than enough. What I have been yearned all this time is a connectivity towards people and having quality times with them. So I consider you as a family. I couldn't thank enough towards you and him."

Witch glanced backward to him and one corner of her mouth pulled up slightly that he now knew that was her smile. Something gleamed in both of her eyes, something warm and welcoming and a little teary, perhaps?

"I'm older than you, you know," Witch breathed.

He laughed. "Still, I consider you as a little sister because you're smaller than me."

Then she elbowed him on the stomach.

[adistiany]

DON'T JUDGE BY ITS COVER

Warlock believed that Witch was a human form of a cat. She liked to annoy him and Wizard, but her favourite was the latter. She liked to lay down on the soft bed whenever she talked to them in their headquarter, ehem, Wizard's room. She also had a boring look on her face, but when you thought she didn't listen with that expression, she actually heard every words you say.

Warlock believed the term of "don't judge by its cover" on Witch. Everyone said she is the Ice Princess that gave cold shoulders and shut down everybody, but she accepted him and Wizard. She let her real her to be visible to them only. Though Wizard hated this side of her, Warlock didn't. Instead it gave him opportunity to know her depthly and emotionally. And Witch let him do that.

For they had some kind of bond together, perhaps a bit tighter since he somehow could understood the underlying meaning of her every words. Therefore he rarely got offended by her mocks, for he was glad that he met Witch in his life.

"You have that stupid looks again." His trail of thoughts was interrupted by the Witch's voice. He looked up and their eyes met. Her face was flat, but her eyes shone with a little confusion and concern.

"Just got lost inside my head," he chuckled. Witch frowned and flicked his forehead with her fingers. "OUCH! That is actually hurt, Witch!"

"Don't get too long swirling in your mind, it's not good to roam around the unknown."

"Yes, yes, I know."

She messed his hair and pulled him forward. "C'mon, let's go to Wizard's house. It's our schedule to annoy him."

"Not our, but yours," he laughed and walked with her side by side.

[adistiany]

THE MAGICIAN TRIO

my ocs

Exhausted from the numerous of student council's works, Wizard entered his house with slumped shoulders. He bid his sister good night and walked towards his room, but when he neared the door, he heard a laughter from a boy. And he groaned so loud that he hoped the person, or how his intuition said there are two people, inside his room hear it.

He opened the door and started to confront them. "Don't you two have a house to live?"

The boy turned his head towards his best of friend and waved. "Welcome home, Wizard. How's your day?"

"You didn't answer my question."

"You didn't answer his, neither." The one who replied that was none other than the Witch herself.

"Touché, but that's not important anymore," said Wizard, he blew out a breath from his mouth. "Can we please, not making my ROOM as our MEETING place? Besides, tonight is not our usual schedule!"

"First of all," chirped Witch, she propped her chin with her elbows on the mattress, "to answer your previous question, we do have a house; mine is too spacious while Warlock's is too small to fit three people. Second of all, the first time you suggest our meeting was your house, your room which is neither of both of our houses have. So the last but not least, this is not our meeting place, but our headquarter."

She was bombared at the same time by the two boys from "How did you know my house is too small?" to "Those are just your mere excuses to make me suffer more!"

She smirked and laid her back on the bed, his bed more precisely, then closed her eyes without answering them.

Warlock pouted and looked at Wizard. "How do you think she knows my house's size?"

Wizard rubbed his eyes with his fingers. "Perhaps she somehow has her own method to rummage our personal information."

"Now, do tell me, Warlock," began Wizard as he started to sit on his bed, "why did the two of you c--- OOF!"

All the sudden his bottom was landed on the hard surface of his room's tiles and Warlock can only flinched with the sound it made. "What the--- WITCH! WHY DID YOU---?!"

"You almost sat on my right foot, I didn't want your butt on it," said Witch without opening her eyes.

He frowned. "How did y--- oh, forget it, I know you won't answer anyway." Wizard rubbed his sore bum whilst settled his sittimg position.

"You okay, Bud?" Concerned was flashing on the Warlock's eyes.

Wizard could only sneer. "Yeah, should've known better about the Witch's curse on me. As I was saying before, why did you two come here? Any important stuff to tell me or what?"

Warlock shrugged. "None, actually."

"Then why the hell you're here?" He bewildered. "In the middle of the night?"

"You know, I cannot turn down Witch's suggestions. She always brings me in whenever she wants to put a surprise on you and I always accept because, well, she is the only one who knows how to press your button," Warlock chuckled softly, his eyes landed on her sleeping form then a second after they switched to Wizard. "It's like uncovering another side of you, unlike what people at school say about you being the handsome geek, especially your fangirls gossiping."

Wizard hummed and nodded, thoughtfully. "Yes, I agree she's the only one who can make my temper to the limit." But then his eyes hardened. "But that still didn't answer my question."

Warlock gulped hard and he tried not to show his anxiousness, but it still showed on his voice. "W-What was your question again?"

Wizard didn't reply, instead his eyes started to bore onto Warlock's and the poor boy couldn't move an inch. "I knew it, you both are using my fast network's connection this whole time, am I right?"

Warlock's mouth was agape and it seemed he couldn't form a sentence. Wizard only sighed and got up. "You should have never fall on Witch's allure, note that. Now, you," he said, pulling her feet, "out of my bed, right now!"

And to answer that, she kicked his balls.

"You are such a sore point, Wizard." She narrowed her eyes towards the said male who had both of his hands between his legs, with his face morphed from a handsome to a twitching face.

"You made me sore," his voice was small and a bit squeaky, "in both places."

She stretched her back whilst yawning. "Your welcome, and now I am not sleepy anymore."

Wizard tried to reply her remark but he was stopped when someone handed him an ice pack. He didn't know Warlock grabbed this from the kitchen, how fast was he? When Wizard looked up, his friend's face was unreadable. Now, who was supposed to be angry again?

"Alright, that's it." Warlock's voice was cold, even Wizard could feel the sharpness in it. "Witch, apologise to Wizard."

Witch's face was frowning and there were wrinkles on her forehead. "Why should I?"

"You kicked him in his balls."

"So?"

"That's our vulnerable spot and it hurts us the most."

She snorted in unlady-like. "Yeah? And what about childbirth? Women do that all the time when MEN want their offsprings, forced to be good wives with fertile uterus just for-"

She was halted when Warlock pulled her body forcely from the mattress and put her on his shoulder like a sack. "Wha--- PUT ME DOWN, WARLOCK!"

"You won't apologise, so I'm going to take us home," he said then glanced towards Wizard who has perplexed expression. "Just lay down with the ice pack and you'll be fine. See you tomorrow at school, Wizard."

And they left whilst Wizard forgot about the pain in his core.

[adistiany]

"I am the forest and the forest is I," the fairy said.

No wonder, the young prince thought. No wonder she smelled like grass and rain, her presence felt like a cold breeze whether she passed him or stand beside him, her touch was as soft as petal. And he seemed to seek that feeling, feeling to be one as nature itself.

[adistiany]

MUSIC TO MY EARS

"W-What are you doing?" the fairy shrieked, when the prince held her arms and spun her in the air. "Let me down, Prince, or you'll regret it!"

The prince only chuckled, but he didn't stop twirling her. "I would never regret anything that involves you."

She snorted. "What are we doing exactly?"

"This is called dancing."

"Dancing?"

"Yes, when we move our body rhythmically to the music, it is called dancing."

The fairy furrowed her brows. "I don't hear music in the middle of the forest."

"I thought you have the sharpest hearing between us," the prince grinned and stopped their movement. "Look around you, my sweet fairy! The gentle wind that rub the leaves, the beetles flying around, and the flowing river are the music for our dancing."

When he mentioned it, she could hear it clearly. And yes, it sounded like a music. Then he once again moved their feet to the rhythm. But when she leaned her head on his chest, she found that the real music was his beating heart.

[adistiany]

A REALLY GOOD COFFEE

my ocs from "neither good nor evil" wip, based on this prompt by @write-it-motherfuckers

Erna bursted into her archenemy’s office, making a loud noise that would disturb other employees. With a knife in her palm, she yelled when her eyes saw the figure she hated the most in this world.

“Randika, I’m going to kill you!”

The man who sat on his desk only raised his thick eyebrows whilst slurping a mug. Those sentences didn’t bother him nor her sudden outburst. Instead, he waved and smiled widely at her, as if he was actually expect her; though this event didn’t count on his schedule.

“Ah, my dear, sweet Erna! What a surprise!” He exclaimed. He examined her appearance with interest. “My, my! You’ve grown so well! I didn’t know those cells would keep you fit like this. Say, how do you like my company so far?”

Erna grunted. “Stop talking or I’ll sew your fricking mouth! I came here to murder you, not having a nonsense conversation!”

“Hmm,” he hummed, taking another sip from his mug. “Understandable. Could you at least wait until I finish my coffee though?”

She widened her eyes and stared at him irritatedly. “…What?”

He shrugged and winked at her whilst drinking his coffee. “You heard me. It’s a really good coffee.”

[adistiany]

You're Not Doing Your Job Properly

my ocs from "Neither Good Nor Evil" wip

Both Erna and Randika sat in an expensive restaurant. One was amused and the other ... not so much. One was wearing a formal suit, the other looked like she came from hell. Everyone in the room was confused with the pair, but they said nothing. They eyed him with a glint of marvel, whilst for her, she got an odd stare. This didn’t affect her so much, she got used to it. Though she was more irritated to the person in front of her.

She wanted to pierce her claws into his skin, making him bleed on her knees. Red splatters and river flowing from her hand. Seeing him begging for his life is such an unbearable feeling. But now he was in front of her eyes, only separated by a table. A single reach was all she need, yet she knew all those years, all those experiences, she couldn’t. He was out of her reach. And that was one of her mistakes.

“Are you enjoying your dinner, Erna?” Randika’s voice startled her. She composed immediately and put a frown on her face. This made him smile wider.

“Oh, please,” she snorted. “The right word is suffering. I don’t want that event to happen again.”

He hummed as he wiped a napkin on his mouth. “I don’t understand, this is a public space, I couldn’t make that happen again, could I? Besides, I invited you and treat your meal. Can you just appreciate my efforts?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Let me remind you; first, you forced me to come here. Second, I didn’t ask you to order me some food. And last but not least, there is no way I’m respecting you, Randika. Remember our roles here.”

He nodded, seemed to agree with her statements. “Well, then. More wines for me!”

He called the waiter with only a flick of his fingers. The lanky waiter came in a haste with a bottle of wine. Erna though he was perhaps on his first day job. Then accidentally that poor boy spilled on her dress. This shocked her and thought this was another Randika’s trick. But the man only sat there and watched the waiter with narrowed brows. The waiter apologized to her and tried to clean her table’s side and her dress, but she assured him that it was fine and she smiled at him to make him in ease; though it looked like an awkward smile. Nonetheless, this made the waiter flushed and exchanged a shy smile.

Then Randika broke the atmosphere. “Thank you for the unexpected attraction. Although it wasn’t amusing at all. I think you should go back to your den and practice some skills first before taking another steps. Now, I request you to leave our sight immediately.”

The waiter nodded slowly and bowed lower to them. His shoulders slumped and he looked like he was on verge of tears. Then he backed away.

Erna turned towards Randika. “Really? You didn’t have to be so mean. That’s my job.”

He shrugged. “You didn't do your job properly then.” He got up from his seat and smiled whilst reaching out a hand to her. “I lost my appetite. I guess it’s time for getting you a new dress, shall we?”

[adistiany]

BALTER

(definition) to dance gracelessly, but with enjoyment

prompt by @shannaraisles

It was raining heavily, the sound of raindrops above the roof was bombing their surrounding. Fogs were covering the city's landscape and their sight was blurred by the droplets of rain.

The boy was facing the window, but he didn’t look out. Instead, he was looking at the reflection of the girl who was sitting on the floor with her knees up to her chest, her head tucked. That girl had been like that for half an hour; didn’t speak nor move from her position at all. He was a bit scared at first if the girl had died, but he saw her shoulders move; signify that she was breathing.

They sat silently, letting the rain as their background. Then he heard it, another sound that contrasted coming from the girl. He turned his head towards her and he saw that the girl’s body was shaking. Later on, she let out a sob. His heart was aching to see her like that. He wanted to soothe her, to say that everything is going to be alright. But he knew that were all lies. So he sat there motionlessly.

Somehow, the rain was getting heavier; muffling the girl’s sobbing. Maybe it was from the cold that, for some reason, he heard a music waltz from the rain. Maybe it was from the cold that he saw the room as a ballroom. Maybe it was from the cold that he stood and walked towards her. Maybe it was from the cold that he was calling her name and holding his hand out to her.

The girl looked up and her brows furrowed. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, there were still fresh tears on her cheeks. “What is it?” she asked in soft voice.

He didn’t say anything, but he took her hand and lifted her from her sitting position. She let out a small shriek from her throat. Then he grabbed her waist and started to move.

“What are you doing?” she asked with her eyes, searching for an answer from the boy. He spun her and then smiled.

“What do you think I’m doing?” he asked back.

“Well. it looks like we’re dancing.”

“Looks like?”

“Yes, this move is not included in the dance moves,” she said. “Besides, there is no music.”

“The rain is the music to us.”

“Rain is not considered as a music.”

He let out a sigh and stopped. “Can we have fun for a moment, please?” His hands cupped her cheeks and wiped the trace of her tears with his thumbs. The corners of her lips rose whilst she leaned on his hands.

“Now if you’re asking, of course the answer is yes. Lead the way, mister.”

He chuckled. “As you wish, my lady.”

[adistiany]

STREAM

15 JUNE 2021

june's prompt list by @creativepromptsforwriting

The sky is brightly blue with no clouds, the sun is shining so vigorously. Sweat is running down her forehead and her neck, but the girl seems to not bothered by it. Instead, she enjoys the heat.

She enjoys the way the sunlight makes her skin glows. She enjoys the smell of her clothes drenched. She enjoys the sound of beetles and other bugs make. She enjoys the feeling of soft grass under her fingers. But more importantly, she enjoys how the river underneath her knees streams so slowly and brings a cool sensation.

The river is so clear, like a freshly cleaned glass. Which when she looks down, she could see small fish, rocks, and moss. Like in another world, there is a life under her feet.

The girl sways her legs under the water, making small waves and splashs. She laughs at herself and cherishs this moment.

If she dies and reincarnates, she wanted to be a part of the river's stream; where she could flow freely to every countrysides. But for now, she must live as a human-being that pour her loves to the stream of the river.