The scene at the club was lit, man. Lupus sneaked in among the crowd and found a spot in the corner. He was checking out all the girls and guys fighting over the dance floor. The song “Don’t Stop the Music” was playing, and it was straight fire. There was even a couple hugging and grinding on each other. Man, this club was wild. No wonder everyone was jealous of this place.
And don’t even get me started on the girls’ outfits. They were all rocking mini skirts and tops that showed off their shoulders.
Lupus looked around and spotted someone he knew. It was Reza, or at least he thought it was. What was that dude doing here? Whatever, man. It’s none of his business.
His eyes then wandered to a dimly lit area with colorful lights. On a plush red sofa, Lupus caught two people making out. Or maybe there were other couples who weren’t interested in getting down yet and were just chatting. Maybe they were talking about the future or planning how many kids they wanted after they got married.
“How about ten?” Lupus overheard the guy say amidst the loud music. He gently stroked his partner’s hair.
The girl looked at him with excitement. “Come on, ten? That’s too many, dude. It’s gonna be exhausting to give birth to all of them. Can we negotiate?”
Her boyfriend nodded.
“How much?” she asked affectionately, tightening her embrace.
The girl accepted it reluctantly before saying, “How about fourteen?”
The guy was taken aback. Lupus burst into laughter from his seat. His laughter was so loud that a few pairs of eyes turned towards him. Lupus felt a bit embarrassed and pretended to lean back on the sofa.
Not long after, a waitress came over to offer Lupus a drink. It was part of the service for the customers. Lupus ordered iced tea, but they didn’t have it. Then Lupus remembered that Poppi had been to the club before and ordered a delicious drink called a snowball. Lupus ordered that without knowing what it looked like.
The waitress walked towards the mini bar, while Lupus placed his tools, a pen and a small notebook, on the table. A moment later, the waitress returned with a glass of snowball.
Lupus tasted the snowball, and man, it was delicious. It reminded him of Poppi, who was now in Australia, learning how to catch kangaroos. The song “Something Happened on the Way to Heaven” by Phil Collins was playing, remixed and pumping. Lupus nodded his head occasionally, following the rhythm of the song. The DJ behind the counter was busy, but he was also grooving. Sometimes he even joined in the rap. He was a DJ, after all, and even though he followed the trend, his rap skills matched the ones in the song. Not like Lulu, who messed up when she rapped in her room. Yeah, Lulu rapped in Batak language.
But Lupus looked really happy that night. He almost forgot about his assignment until he caught a glimpse of a group of cool girls entering the club. Their arrival caused a commotion in the club.
Lupus quickly focused his eyes on them. He observed the group carefully.
Lupus nodded approvingly. It seemed like they were the perfect targets for his report.
“Damn, it’s packed, Dra,” one of them spoke up. “You should’ve reserved a table earlier! Now we’re tired and can’t find a seat.”
“There’s still an empty spot over there in the corner,” Sandra, the one they called out, replied, pointing towards Lupus.
Lupus was taken aback when the girl he had been eyeing suddenly accused him.
“Well, someone’s already sitting there. Let’s find somewhere else,” another girl chimed in.
“But he’s kinda cute, right? He still looks innocent. Even his hairstyle, man. Like a chicken tail. We can mess with him,” Sandra spoke up again. After a few moments of consideration, the group of five girls agreed.
With a lively sway, they walked towards Lupus. And they just sat down without even asking for permission. Lupus felt awkward. These five girls were so chill in their seating. They even put their legs up. And Lupus was in an unfavorable position, sandwiched between them.
To ease his awkwardness, Lupus tried to smile at the girls. But not all of them responded. Two of the girls were too busy shaking their heads and hands.
“Come on, Phia, get down!” Sandra called out to the girl named Phia, who had previously wanted to return Lupus’s smile.
“You go down with Vini first. I want to sit for a bit,” Phia replied, followed by her two friends.
Now it was just Phia and Lupus, who couldn’t quite grasp the slang.
Luckily, the waitress came over to offer drinks. It slightly reduced Lupus’s confusion. Phia ordered Tia Maria.
While Lupus was still mesmerized by Phia, she suddenly blurted out, “All alone, huh?”
Lupus stumbled over his words.
“Y-yeah, um, you too, right? Wh-where are you from?”
“Cigarette?” Phia didn’t answer Lupus’s question but instead offered a white cigarette. Lupus wasn’t used to smoking, but the situation didn’t allow him to refuse Phia’s offer. With a hint of embarrassment, Lupus took the white cigarette from Phia’s hand.
Still hesitant, Lupus took a puff of the menthol-flavored cigarette when suddenly Phia lit her Dupont lighter.
Lupus was amazed. And the flame from the Dupont illuminated his face.
Phia smiled.
Lupus smiled awkwardly and quickly lit his cigarette.
Lupus coughed. Cough… cough… cough…
“Hehehe…” Phia laughed. “Not used to smoking, huh?” she asked.
Lupus nodded hesitantly, afraid of being called a square.
He felt a bit self-conscious.
“I usually chew gum.”
“Gum? Childish. Why not smoke?” Phia kept on babbling. “Scared, huh?”
“No, scared of wasting money.”
“Hehehe…” Phia chuckled. “Scared of wasting money at a nightclub. The cover charge is expensive, you know.”
“Well, I’m here for an assignment,” Lupus said, trying to sound casual. He took a deep drag of his cigarette from time to time.
“What’s the deal with this assignment?” Phia was taken aback.
“I was assigned to find you,” Lupus replied casually.
Phia was even more surprised.
“Oh, you’re such a smooth talker,” Phia said, half pouting.
“No, seriously, I was tasked with finding cool girls in Jakarta. I’m doing a census. And for the girls whose names I write down, they’ll get a cool prize. Do you want me to write your name?” Lupus explained.
“Definitely. But what’s the prize? Is it something awesome or what?” Phia asked innocently.
Hehehe… now it was Lupus who chuckled. He then put out his long cigarette in the ashtray.
Phia looked puzzled.
“Why did you put it out?”
“It gets gross after a while. Smoking isn’t enjoyable. I’d rather chew gum,” Lupus said, reaching into his pants pocket. He pulled out two long sticks of gum.
“Do you want this?” he asked.
Phia hesitated, unsure if she wanted it or not.
“It’s not some kind of aphrodisiac, is it?” Phia asked suspiciously.
“No, I’m a good person, you know,” Lupus reassured her.
“That’s exactly why. I want an aphrodisiac,” Phia replied.
Lupus burst out laughing. Phia took one stick of gum that Lupus offered.
“Wow, you can joke around too,” Lupus said, slightly annoyed.
“Who said I was joking? I’m serious,” Phia said.
Lupus became even more annoyed and pinched Phia’s nose.
“Wow, you’re so flirty,” Phia teased without trying to resist.
“Well, you started it,” Lupus replied.
They both laughed and walked past Madonna singing “Keep It Together.” From a distance, Vini and Sandra looked at them with confused expressions.
“Wow, that kid already found a target,” Sandra commented.
“It’s your fault for not coming down. I actually have a crush on that kid too,” Vini said innocently.
“Oh, you only look at smooth foreheads. Like Phia. Who has money for those kind of haircuts? I’d rather find someone a bit older. They might be stubborn, but their pockets are stacked,” Sandra remarked.
“Once in a while, it’s nice to have something refreshing. Experience something dry like that. Swallowing something tough all the time can be a drag, San,” Vini said.
Sandra burst out laughing.
Dan Lupus was getting deeper into his conversation with Phia.
“Yo, you didn’t answer my question earlier. What’s the prize you’re gonna give?” Phia asked, speaking in her usual slang.
“Oh, you’re gonna love it,” Lupus replied.
“Yeah, what is it?” Phia persisted.
But Lupus stayed calm, making Phia even more curious.
“Ah, I’ll tell you later,” Lupus teased.
“Now, come on, what’s the prize?” Phia insisted.
“It’s a free pass to chill with Benyamin S for a night,” Lupus answered with a chuckle. Phia joined in on the laughter.
“You sneaky bastard,” Phia cursed, then playfully pinched Lupus’ waist.
“Don’t want it?” Lupus asked.
“Hell no! I wanna spend the night with you,” Phia said.
Lupus smiled mischievously.
“Better be ready to take on me, Phi.”
“What do you mean? What do you have?” Phia flicked her finger dismissively.
“Trust me, you can’t handle it,” Lupus challenged.
“Oh, so you’re experienced, huh?”
“Hey, by the way, what game are you talking about? Chess, maybe?” Lupus asked.
Phia burst into laughter.
“Oh, by the way, what’s your name?” Lupus suddenly interrupted Phia’s laughter.
“Well, what’s your name?” Phia replied.
“What’s up with you? I asked you first,” Lupus teased.
“You’re being stubborn, huh?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“My name’s Phia.”
“Phia?”
“That’s the short version.”
“Is there a longer version, I mean, does your name have a longer version?”
“Listen!” Phia whispered something in Lupus’ ear. Lupus blushed. “Psst… psst… psst…,” Phia whispered.
Lupus blushed even more and chuckled.
“What?” Phia asked.
“I don’t know,” Lupus admitted.
“You’re such a smooth talker,” Phia teased, playfully hitting Lupus’ shoulder.
“But what did you say earlier?” Lupus asked.
“I didn’t say anything,” Phia replied innocently.
Lupus playfully punched Phia’s shoulder. But because Phia suddenly changed her position, Lupus’ punch accidentally landed in a forbidden area. Phia yelped, but instead of pushing him away, she grabbed Lupus’ hand.
“Dang, why you so aggressive?” Lupus said, a mix of bitterness and surprise on his face.
“Forget it, if you ain’t quick, you ain’t gonna get a guy,” Phia said, but Lupus quickly pulled his hand away.
“Not cool, it’s embarrassing,” Lupus gave an excuse.
“Oh, so if no one sees, you’re down?” Phia teased.
“Hush! That’s so dirty. So what’s your full name?” Lupus tried to change the subject.
“Just call me Phia. No need for long names. It’s gonna be a hassle to say. And who are you?” Phia replied.
“Lupus.”
“Your name sounds funny.”
“Funny but unique.”
“Do you like eating chips?”
“Your ears need a flick.”
Phia burst into laughter at Lupus’ joke. But it didn’t last long.
Lupus’ gaze shifted to the DJ who was busy scratching vinyl records. Then to Phia’s friends who were dancing like crazy.
“Pus…” Phia suddenly spoke again.
Since Lupus’ gaze was wandering, Phia had been secretly observing Lupus. And Phia felt something in her heart.
Phia seemed interested. But Lupus, who was called affectionately, remained silent. Making Phia curious.
“Pus…” Phia called again. Her hand slowly reached for Lupus’ hand. Lupus was definitely surprised.
Lupus had actually realized that the girl next to him was quite aggressive. But when Phia held his hand, Lupus was still shocked and got goosebumps.
Oh, Lupus started imagining things. And Lupus only realized now what the real nightlife was like. Lupus remembered his time at the magazine office. Lupus remembered Mas Iwan laughing at him when Lupus offered to write about the nightlife kids. At that time, Lupus was just blabbering. Back then, Lupus couldn’t imagine that the nightlife kids would be this wild.
“Pus…” Phia called again softly. Her voice almost drowned in Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U”. But this time, the call made Lupus turn his head.
“What’s up, Phia?” Lupus asked innocently. At that moment, Lupus felt Phia’s fingers gripping his hand tighter.
“You’re handsome, Pus…”
Lupus stared in disbelief at what Phia said. Phia herself just smiled sweetly after saying that. Lupus felt his body shivering. Meanwhile, Phia pressed her body closer to Lupus.
Lupus chewed his gum hard to calm down the mix of hot and cold sensations in his body. It was so obvious that Lupus was nervous.
“Why you look so pale, Pus. Sick or something?” Phia asked.
“Nah, it’s all good,” Lupus replied casually.
But in Lupus’ mind, he couldn’t help but think about how mature Phia was when it came to these things. Man, Lupus felt like he was behind the times. If you guessed Phia’s age, she’s probably younger than Lupus. But she already seemed so mature. Her moves, her smile, the way she talked, everything showed a different kind of maturity. But mature in a different sense. Phia had this wild vibe to her. If it wasn’t for his journalist duties, Lupus would’ve wanted to bolt out of there.
Lupus was afraid he couldn’t resist the temptation.
Phia, on the other hand, was getting even wilder, leaning her head on Lupus’ shoulder.
The night was getting colder.
Cold.
Even though the DJ was heating things up with some sick beats.
“Pus, let’s hit the dance floor!” Phia suddenly got up from her seat. And before Lupus could respond to her invitation, Phia already dragged him onto the dance floor.
Man, why does Lupus feel so awkward in front of Phia? Why does all his goofiness disappear when he’s around her? But Lupus also realized that he had entered a whole new world. A world that he had only imagined before.
