ASIF SHEIKH A SHORT STORY BY MASTIN RUSMALA

ASIF SHEIKH

It is a letter from Asif Sheikh.

Dear Anaya….

I know l was wrong to write this letter but l should go away from you before I really got pain after l saw you got proposal from your boyfriend, but before we were close you never told me that you had a boyfriend until we did not realized and l guessed you did not realized that we did one night stand after that party of your grand opening of your new product.

I know l was wrong to take you everywhere to hangout and enjoy everything in Bali until you forgot that you got a boyfriend in Pakistan and after l knew that he is also the owner of this café and Subway.  I hate you and l do not want you to see or looking for me anymore. L will stay away from you and l am so sorry for everything.

Asif Sheikh

I do remember about that letter and it reminds me about him. I decided to forget him but l could not do that.

Saturday night is a good night to spend my time with my buddies. We usually spend in mall near Twin tower petronas Malaysia.

I hear a song is played around mall and it is from ED Sheeran “ Perfect”. That song reminds me about Asif, and l was like crying to remember all everything about him and l have no idea where he is now.

My friend keeps calling me until l did not realize that she was calling me so many times. She grabbed me in the center of the mall and got curious about what is happening why so many people out there and then l saw a guy who proposed a girl with a perfect song by Ed Sheeran and he sang it for her. And you know what ? Who is that guy. He is ASIF SHEIKH. My ex employ, my ex friend, my ex half boyfriend.

Everyone around there screaming and say “yes”. And before it happens l scream and said “ NO”.

And Asif spontaiously see me and wonder that it was me. Yes and l was the only one girl who stopped his proposal. And seriously l was so happy. After that accident l spoke with Asif and got his contact. On Sunday we had a coffee near Batu cave, Malaysia it is a place like little india because there are so many kuil and Indians people but seriously Asif does not live in Malaysia. He came here only for a job contract 2 months so he told me he will come back to Kolkatta, India. I talk with asif a lot and told him everything about my past with haidar and what was happening after that and he was like yeah, oh really. Well l guess he does not care about me anymore then we decided to leave. Because l know l can not be with him all day long. He has a girlfriend now and l do not know that girl was really like indian or something but l guess she is from south India.

“ Anaya, l am so sorry. I should leave because my girlfriend called me.”

That was the last time Asif’s sentence said to me.

But seriously Asif you are the only guy who really l need and had a precious memories to me. I just can not stay away from you but it is all gone now. And l do not want to force love that not loving me back.

********

I was so busy these weeks. I got so many assigments that our professor gave us. This year is my final year in one of University in Malaysia. I have a plan after l graduate from here l will stay in lndonesia and get a job there.

Asif messeged me :

Meet me in a park of twin tower. At 4 pm.

I replied :

OK.

I was thinking. Why he suddenly want to meet me after what happened and we both have our own life with someone else. I decided to visit him with my friend, Bona.

We reached there at 4.15 pm and Asif was waiting there. Sat and playing guitar and sang a song “ Perfect by Ed Sheeran”. Deep down from my heart. Why that song. Why. ?

“ Asif, l am so sorry, l am late and please stop that song.”

“ why.”

“ Because it reminds me about you.”

Again he said :

“why”

“Stop or l will go.”

Suddenly he stared Bona and he was like trying to introgate him. Asking so many question about Bona. In fact he is just my friend.

Before asif left the park he gave a letter to me. Then he left. It was a short our meeting and he gone and never said anything.

After l came home then l read that Asif’s letter.

Dear Anaya

Tomorrow at 11 Am is my flight to India. If you want me to go back in your life again. Meet me there before my take off. And one thing about my girlfriend or whoever is it? Seriously l know you in Malaysia and l was following you here  because l want you to go back in my life again.

Asif sheikh

*****

I was like, Oh my God. I am confused so much because tomorrow is my final examination and it will be started at 10 AM until 12 PM. If l failed l will never get my graduation.

I went in my university to pass my examination, l tried do my best to finish it quickly. But l finished it at 11.30 Am and then hurry l went in Klia airport to see Asif and l asked in information center and they said flight to India has been taking off 30 minutes ago.

I called Asif so many times but his phones was off. I decided to call him again at night and still his phone is off.

I lost him like twice. l do not know where does he live in kolkatta?

But one thing if it is called “ Love”. I am sure. He will come back to me.

******

Today is the best day of my life because l have graduated from my bachelor degree and some of my family and friends came to congratulate me.

After l got my graduation as l said l will come to Indonesia and get a job in Bali. One day l visit kuta, Bali and see Subway dan Café that me and Haidar build and l saw it is changed and empaty. People there said it is close.

I went in some of the places that reminds me about Asif. But he is gone and l do not know, where he is.

And Shitttttttttttttttttttttt…. It is happening! Why this song is always played around me.

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath

But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight

“Please, stop it.” I said and threw my shoes to that guy who sang that song.

I started crying and remember Asif. I do not know where should l looking for you?

I got a call from my friend and she told me to watch a tv now on music channel. And l watched doing a concert in Jakarta. But l am in bali now. I was like why, Why? We should get far from each other when we really need and want to be reunite again.

I keep watching that tv show and when there is a call session about a song request. I tried to call and said ;

“To the guy who want to sing this song, remember me Anaya.

A perfect song from Ed Sheeran. I will wait for you in Bali.”

*****

I wait and wait all the time. It is been almost 5 months after l called and l am sure he knew that Anaya Girl was me.

But today in the middle of the night. Suddenly my friend grabbed me and asked me to accompany her out in café.

I agreed and went in café. A new café built with a good atmosphere of accustic music.

When we ordered a coffee. Suddenly that song was played again. Oh Come on!

But this one is different. He sang it and that guy is Asif and he came to me and said ;

“ Will you marry me?”

Seriously l was shocking and happy, and l do not know what should l do.

No wonder why my friend asked me to came here. So, it is about this.

And calmly l said ;

“YES”

No matter how long you will wait for your love. If it is really your love and you both feel the same. I am sure you guys will be unite and never be separate anymore. Because love can be forced even once you have made mistake. And if you love that someone and he also do the same. It is “Love”. Love is never enough to reach a happiness.

With you l am happy, and with you l am enjoying every single time l have and everything you give. It is my grace.

Thank you for the perfect life and thank you for the perfect love. ASIF SHEIKH

PERFECT BY ED SHEERAN

I found a love for me

Darling just dive right in

And follow my lead

Well I found a girl beautiful and sweet

I never knew you were the someone waiting for me

'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love

Not knowing what it was

I will not give you up this time

But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own

And in your eyes you're holding mine

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath

But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight

Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know

She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home

I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets

To carry love, to carry children of our own

We are still kids, but we're so in love

Fighting against all odds

I know we'll be alright this time

Darling, just hold my hand

Be my girl, I'll be your man

I see my future in your eyes

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful

I don't deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

I have faith in what I see

Now I know I have met an angel in person

And she looks perfect

I don't deserve this

You look perfect tonight