I Love You, Pak HRD

"Get a job, Nad. It's okay to grieve, but it doesn't go on forever. It's the same if you don't accept the destiny of God who took your father. By working, at least you don't think about the deceased too much."

The magic sentence from Agung, my school friend was what made me rise from suspended animation. My world just collapsed after being left by Papa, one month ago.

Eating, just being reminded. My activities at home are only filled with crying and crying, I remember Papa every day. And unfortunately, Papa is an only child. So I don't have anyone I can call Uncle, Aunt or whoever it is. Grandpa on Papa's side It's been a long time since I've been around and...and my Mama, passed away five years ago. Just like Papa, my Mama is an isolated woman.

Oooh, what a terrible life my life seems to be destined to be alone.

I who used to live with Papa, suddenly darkened my world when I heard the news that Papa died in a single accident.

But, let it be. Maybe this is destiny from the Almighty. Now I will try to rise.

And here I am now, in front of a growing property company. Three days ago I submitted a job application with a position as an Admin in this office. And Alhamdulillah, today I was called. Hopefully I pass the selection.

Thanks to Agung who has informed me of this vacancy.

I entered. Arriving in front of one of the special room for employee recruitment, it seemed, I saw that there were already many applicants sitting waiting. More or less ten people. Three men and seven women including me. All the same, formally dressed as job applicants, black and white.

I feel insecure when I saw six other women dressed beautifully and perfectly. Meanwhile, I only wear minimal make-up, the important thing is that my face is not pale.

The six women also seem to have a lot of work experience. And again, that thought made me feel down. I have absolutely no work experience because after graduating from high school three years ago, I wasn't going anywhere. I was just at home taking care of Papa who is a retired soldier. . If Papa is there to take care of the project, I just stay at home. I'm not going anywhere.

But I won't give up. I remember Papa's message to me that we can't lose before the war.

One by one the applicants were called into the HRD office. Maybe I was the last one.

One thing I want to say is that the recruitment process in this company starts from the first interview and then the psychological test. It's weird. although I've never experienced it, but what I hear from my friends who are already working, isn't the psychological test first and then the interview with HRD?

Yes but never mind. What can I do? I don't own this company.

"Nadia Annisa Wardani?"

My name was called. My heart was pounding tremendously. I swear, I've never had an interview before. If Agung said, when asked by HRD, don't answer very honestly. You have to lie a little to get accepted into work.

Yes, but do I have to lie? Papa always reminded me to always be honest so that life is not destroyed (a little imitate what Babe Benjamin said in the film Si Doel, a schoolboy, because my Papa really likes the legendary soap opera.)

Ah, what a fool. Anyway, I will answer the questions from HRD later as best I can.

"Good morning."

Hey, it's still early right?

"Morning. Please come in."

This mini room atmosphere is very tense. The room temperature is suddenly cold even though I was too hot before I entered. Even though the HRD is handsome, but why do I feel like I'm in prison?

"Please, sit."

I wrung my hands, trying to make my smile normal so it wouldn't look too much in the eyes of this handsome HRD.

The HRD that I read from his name tag, named Rendra, has asked me various questions. Most of the questions are trapping. You know how difficult the interviewer's questions are, right?

Just one more question.

"Why do you want to join this company?"

Because I want money.

But Agung said, I have to answer this trick question with a little spice of lies. But seriously, I can't lie, even a little.

"For making money, sir."

"If you're just looking for money, you don't have to be in this company right? You can do it in other places too."

Dead, checkmate, true what he said.

Papa, help me!

"Yes, because I want a career too, sir. I've always wanted to work in an office. And in my opinion, this company I want to use as a place to develop my career." I replied with a grin as wide as a horse's.

Whether I'm too innocent or stupid, the answer just slipped out of my mouth.

I don't care whether I'll be accepted or not. Even if I don't pass the interview selection, I can still become an online motorcycle taxi driver later.

"Who do you live with? "

"Alone sir."

"Your parents? "

Why is this a very personal question?

"My mother died five years ago, sir, and my Papa just one month ago left me."

I saw the expression on Mr. Rendra's face changed, "Sorry, sorry."

I smiled "It's okay, sir. I'm sure my Papa Mama is in a better place."

Lie... even though a month ago you were like a living corpse, Nadia.

"That's it. You can wait for the psychological test outside."

So this is the process? Have I passed the interview stage selection?

But that question just stuck in my mind of course.

"Fine, sir, thank you."

And for the first time, we shook hands.

️...

That girl, so innocent.

Making Rendra incessantly daydream about the girl named Nadia.

Every time she was asked, the girl would answer honestly as she was without being made up. Her makeup was also very innocent. Unlike other female applicants who wore Kim Kardashian-style make-up, what was judged by this company if the recruitment of employees was brain, not physical. Yes, appearance is necessary, but not too much like that.

"Thick make-up, expensive appearance if the brain is empty, what's the point?"

That is what Jerry Andrean, the owner of this company, always reminds his subordinates. At the same time, the motto of this company.

That girl, had managed to grab Rendra's attention... a little... but it worked.

And now Rendra has stepped into a special room for psychological tests for prospective employees. In his hands there is a pile of psychological test files that are quite thick for each prospective applicant.

The whole room, which had been buzzing with the giggling sounds of the older women, suddenly fell silent when Rendra came in. Again, the Kardashian Family twins admired Rendra's handsomeness from a far. Except for Nadia, of course. As an ordinary woman, she was also amazed by Rendra's good looks, but Nadia was a girl who are good at behaving... not overdoing it like the six women.

"I'll give you 30 minutes. Do you bring your own pens?" Rendra said after handing the psychological test sheet to the ten prospective employees.

Everyone nodded.

"Okay, just do it. Starting from now."

Everyone was immediately busy with their respective test sheets. Rendra decided to wait while standing. He watched the ten people one by one.

And his gaze stopped for a long time at a girl named Nadia.

This time Nadia managed to grab his attention again. Rendra could clearly see how confused Nadia was in doing the problem but she still tried to stay calm and didn't ask left or right.

Rendra was so engrossed in watching Nadia that he didn't realize that thirty minutes had passed.

"Okay, time's up."

All prospective applicants came forward to hand over the test sheet to Rendra and sat back down.

"I will check this first. If for example someone passes, we will call again via telephone. Make sure your number remains active. If within the next three days someone has not been called, it means you did not pass the selection. Do you understand?"

Again, everyone nodded... including Nadia.

"Okay, thank you for following this selection process and all of you may go home. Once again I remind you that the cellphone number remains active for the next three days."

One by one they left the room, Nadia was last in line.

"Thank you sir."

Of the ten people, only Nadia thanked Rendra before she left the room. This made Rendra stunned. God slipped one woman who knew manners among the nine other people who just left the room.

"Ooh, yes you're welcome. Be careful on the road."

The girl smiled and again, little by little Rendra's attention seemed to be sucked in by everything for Nadia.

That girl is different.

"Besides brains, this company also needs employees who know attitude. Because no matter how smart a person is, if the attitude is zero, there's no point at all."

"Fix, this is Mr. Jerry's ideal employee. But I don't know what her psychological test results are like. I hope they can match and she can pass."

Because what Rendra didn't know, his little heart was already fascinated by Nadia.

"Sorry, Nad, on your first day of work I couldn't deliver."

Nadia looked at the calendar. This is not Eid. Why does Agung keep saying sorry since earlier? Even though Nadia has forgiven him.

"Once again you said sorry, I'm bringing Densus 88 to your house, Gung!!"

Agung chuckled across there.

This is Nadia's first day of work after years of unemployment. Nadia is super excited. Because she was nervous for three days, she didn't know when to wait for a phone call from HRD. On the third day in the afternoon, Nadia started to lose hope. The call that later appeared on the cellphone bearing the bitten apple symbol at exactly 16.00.

Nadia thanked thousands of times. Finally, she didn't have to worry about the cost of living in the future.

"But I promise I'll accompany you home tonight"

"Don't bother, eh?" Nadia asked. Her left hand was busy coating her eyelashes with Mascara.

"Just like who are you!"

Nadia chuckled "Well, I'll be waiting in the afternoon."

"Okay. I'll go first, Nad-Nad. I'm afraid I'm late."

"Okay, bye."

Agung Hendrawan.

Her super best friend since high school. Ah, actually they used to be lovers. But the relationship that had been established since the eleventh grade had to end when Agung continued his education at a University in Malaysia. Nadia doesn't like LDR.

But even though they have broken up, their relationship is still very good as if it had never happened between them before.

After graduating from college, Agung returned to Indonesia. And they became closer than ever. Agung had found a replacement for Nadia who was her college friend, a Malaysian girl named Ros.

Unlike Agung, Nadia is still at home alone. Yes, although sometimes she wants to get married, Nadia is still at home alone. At least until now.

After dressing modestly, Nadia rushed to lock the door of the house and started driving her late Papa's black scoopy motorbike, splitting the streets of the capital, which were probably already filled with residents.

On the motorbike, Nadia can still hear the voice of the handsome HRD on the phone the other day. The slanted man has a super macho voice in Nadia's ears. Nadia melts when she hears that voice. , but it seemed impossible he could make Rendra fall in love with her.

Nadia shook her head vigorously when she reached the office parking lot.

"Work, Nad. Don't blow your brain off!"

Nadia entered through the main door. When on the phone Rendra didn't tell her to go straight to work but was ordered to wait in front of the HRD room yesterday. And while there, there was one man and one woman whom Nadia met yesterday.

Which means that three people were accepted as admins... out of ten people, only three were accepted, including herself.

"Hi, called too?" Ask the woman who Nadia remembers named Acha. Fortunately, this girl is not too young like her friends yesterday. If Nadia looks around, Acha is beautiful. Similar to Ariel Noah, eh, I mean Ariel Tatum.

"Yes, Alhamdulillah. The call was in the afternoon. Even though I've been waiting since morning." Nadia replied, smiling brightly.

"It's still better if you call in the afternoon, I'm near sunset, you know? hahaha, but thank God, now I'm accepted. Now it's hard to find a job, especially after just graduating from high school."

Acha glanced at the boy who looked awkward standing in front of the HRD door.

"Hey, applying to be an admin too?"

The boy shook his head "Yeah."

Nadia's brows knit together "Customer Service or Cleaning Service?"

"Customer Service. Oh yes, introduce me, my name is Danu."

And they got to know each other and then talked about what they might do later.

"I think we're going in training first. I don't know for a few months. And maybe later we won't work right away, at least we'll just discuss the work contract with Mr. Rendra." Danu explain.

Acha and Nadia mumbled the word "ooh". It turns out that Acha is the same, lacks knowledge in the world of work. Understandably, that girl just graduated two months ago.

"I also can't understand why this company accepts employees who only graduated from high school. Even though they usually need a bachelor's degree." Nadia muttered.

"Maybe the CEO likes high school graduates who are fussy." Acha replied while chuckling. "I'm actually not a high school student but a vocational high school student, coincidentally majoring in Office Administration too."

"Wow, seriously?" Nadia asked and Acha nodded "Share the knowledge with me later, Cha." she whined.

"Okay."

Nadia smiled. She was grateful that on her first day of work, she had friends as good as Acha and Danu. Hopefully, the relationship between the three of them will get better later.

Not long, Rendra came. He smiled faintly when he saw the three humans who had been waiting for him.

"Get in."

The three of them followed Rendra's footsteps.

"Sorry I'm late. Jakarta is busy."

The three of them only responded with stiff nods. Rendra's masculine perfume smells very strong on their noses. It makes Acha and Nadia drunkenly while Danu rubs his nose. Danu hates the smell of perfume that is too strong like this.

Rendra shared a work contract that will be signed by these three people. This 35-year-old man is like that. Anti-nonsense and straight to the point.

Rendra only gave a little advice for good work which the three humans greeted with stiff nods.

But not with Nadia.

He smiled sincerely when the two people beside him just nodded stiffly. And again, that smile was able to attract the attention of the man in front of him.

That smile made Rendra's heart tingle. It made him want to know more about Nadia.

"What the hell are you thinking, Ndra. He's only 20 years old!

Rendra secretly patted his cheek lightly to wake him up. What has he been up to since yesterday? How did this girl get his attention? why is this girl able to make him desperately get rid of other prospective employees whose psychological test scores are higher than this girl just so that this girl can work here?

Why?

Why?

"Later the room where you will work will be shown by my assistant. Now you can leave my room."

Dizzy. Rendra wants alone time. Because if Nadia is still in front of him, he will go crazy.

️...

"Who are you coming home to?"

Nadia took a sip of her coffee before answering Acha's question. "With my friend."

"When will you come home with me?" Acha asked, even though her eyes couldn't leave the computer screen and her fingers couldn't leave the keyboard.

"Sip, it's that easy."

Nadia glanced at the clock. It was about twenty minutes until it was time to go home. The girl took out her cell phone and typed a message for Agung.

Acha looked up when she saw Rendra pacing back and forth since earlier.

"Nad!"

"Oh?"

"Look at that!"

Nadia followed the direction of Acha's gaze. Rendra, the handsome HRD who entered his wishlist, seemed busy visiting Finka's room which was not far from their place. pacing back and forth since earlier. don't know what he was doing in Finka's room.

"Maybe, he's dating with Finka's." Nadia replied originally.

Acha chuckled. "Yeah, it's not like that, maybe later when he get home from work. Don't walk around like rubbing like that."

Nadia chuckled softly "Why are you the one who is so angry? Are you jealous?"

Acha sneered "Yeee.. I don't like the old one!"

"But he's handsome, Cha." Nadia tease.

Acha rolled her eyes, making Nadia laugh amused. After teasing Acha, once again she found Rendra pacing back and forth while occasionally glancing at his desk.

Makes Nadia wonder.

What was this man really doing? it doesn't seem like a job. The man looks clumsy and always glances at her desk whenever Nadia catches him by accident.

Did she make a mistake?

️...

Rendra was annoyed with himself when he found a sight he didn't want to see this afternoon.

His target, was chatting with a man in front of the office. A sight that made his heart and eyes super hot.

Rendra turned his gaze quickly. He walked to the car park in a hurry. His hopes were dashed when he saw the girl laughing happily on the motorbike with the young man.

"Shit. I desperately turned out to be like this."

Rendra felt stupid now. He had cheated yesterday so that he could always see the girl up close. He traded other people's fortune for the girl.

"Super idiot!"

Rendra cursed himself. slamming the car door hard then hitting the steering wheel also hard. he was like a madman in a car in a deserted basement.

He just wanted to feel love, but was always broken.

Rendra's smile grew again after he had been gloomy for the past two days.

His spirit seemed to be charged again when he heard something pleasant this morning.

"No, sir. He's my friend. Besides, he already has a fiancé."

That's what Nadia answered when Rendra asked who the boy who came home with the girl was the other day. Driven by extreme jealousy, Rendra had the courage to ask him directly when he found Nadia being escorted by the boy again this morning.

Fortunately the answer is happy, pleasing to his heart.

That enthusiasm blossomed again. The desire to get the 20 year old girl's attention. Because the last few days Rendra thought he couldn't have tried so hard to get Nadia to work here if he didn't have more feelings for the girl.

And now in his office, which he has lived in for almost five years, Rendra is thinking hard about how to get closer to Nadia.

"Excuse me Mr. Ren? What do you want for breakfast?"

Gugun, the OB who is very familiar with the employees including Rendra. Even Gugun is used to not knocking on the door first if he wants to enter Rendra's room because he is so familiar. Sometimes, Rendra gets angry with Gugun's rudeness. But because today is a happy day, Rendra doesn't care.

"Uduk rice is the same as sweet tea."

"It's fun, sir."

"Eh Gun, buy two, okay?"

Gugun frowned "Are you hungry?"

"Not for me!"

"Continue?"

Rendra told Gugun to come closer then whispered something. Hearing that, Gugun smiled mischievously.

"Finally there is also a woman in this office that you are interested in."

Finished writing something down on a piece of paper, Rendra gave it to Gugun as well as slipped fifty thousand.

"Remember, don't let anyone find out. Just be careful if it leaks!"

Gugun auto salute "Ready, sir!"

After Gugun came out of his room, Rendra smiled to himself again. Hopefully this first step goes as he expected.

️

"Are you a human or a goat, Cha?"

Acha is not interested in responding to Nadia's taunt on her breakfast lunch box which contains fresh salad.

"Don't you ask!"

Nadia sneered. "Oh, I don't think so, the food contains leaves."

"No wonder you're bullshit!" Acha mocked back while eating his salad.

"These bullets are sweet, aren't they." Nadia replied not wanting to lose while smiling showing off her dimple on her left cheek.

Gugun's presence in their office made Acha and Nadia stop fighting.

"I don't have anything, you know, Mas Gun." Acha said and Nadia agreed.

"Indeed, but..." Gugun put a packet of Nasi Uduk and a glass of warm sweet tea on Nadia's table. "Someone bought Mbak Nadia Nasi uduk for breakfast."

Nadia was immediately confused, "Eh, from who, Mas?"

Gugun smiled and then left "I can't tell the person Mbak Nad."

Nadia looked doubtfully at a packet of nasi uduk and a glass of warm sweet tea in front of her. No less confused, Acha was too.

"There is a breakfast of nasi uduk and a glass of very sweet tea for you whose smile is also sweet. Have a good breakfast!

Don't be afraid, it's not poison :)

Eat it, if not, I'm angry.

:)"

Acha who also read the writing immediately laughed out loud.

"Crazy bullshit, bitch!"

Nadia scratched her head. Confused as to who was kind enough to send her breakfast and the crappy writing. She read the piece of paper over and over again in shock.

"It's only been three working days and there are already fans with you, Nad!"

Nadia smiled slightly while guessing in her heart.

️

Nadia wanted to complain but she remembered her late Papa's message to always be grateful no matter what happened.

Nadia tried not to swear when it was raining heavily in the capital this afternoon just as she was about to leave the office to look for an online motorcycle taxi.

His motorcycle tire suddenly burst this morning when he was about to leave. He also asked Agung to pick him up to go to the office instead of taking his motorbike to the repair shop because he was almost late.

And Alhamdulillah, again this afternoon, the cell phone died from running out of battery and Acha had gone home fifteen minutes ago with Danu.

Nadia was confused herself. The office was getting quiet because it was almost evening. Only Santo the Security was sleeping in his post.

"How do I get home huh?"

Nadia kept racking her brain until finally her heart stumbled when she heard someone's voice.

"Nadia?"

Nadia turned her body and smiled "Eh, Mr. Rendra.."

"Why haven't you come home yet? I thought you were already home."

"Hehehe.. yes, sir. I want to take an angkot, it's raining. I want to order ojol, my cellphone is dead." Obviously it's clunky.

"Well, just come home with me."

OK.

Nadia's heart was pounding wildly and her eyes widened instantly. She didn't expect her boss to take her home together.

even though Nadia's intention was to borrow Rendra's cell phone to order ojol.

"Eh?"

"It's okay. Just go home with me. Instead of you waiting here for a long time, the rain seems to have stopped for a long time."

Nadia smiled awkwardly but had no other choice. She followed Rendra's footsteps as he walked towards the basement.

"Where is your house, Nadia?"

For the sake of Allah, who is in control of the universe, Nadia is so clumsy right now. Just being alone with a handsome HRD in a car like this certainly makes her uncomfortable. I hope no other employees see them. We can be sure that there will be negative gossip spreading in the office if there is one. who saw himself with Rendra.

"In Cempaka Putih, sir."

"Oooh, but I want to take you out to dinner first, won't you? I'm hungry and I'm sure you are too."

Blushinggggg.

Nadia herself doesn't know how red her cheeks are right now. Are you invited to have dinner with Rendra? The boss?

Ooohh, what a blessing behind the misfortune if this is the way.

Frankly, who is not fascinated by Rendra? He has a well-established career, handsome, ah anyway, a woman's dream. Anyone would feel like a windfall if they were in Nadia's current position.

"Eh, wait a minute. What if the wife sees it? I might be accused of being a crook again!"

"Eh, sir, sorry if I'm presumptuous.. will your wife not be angry later?"

Rendra laughed so hard that his narrowed eyes narrowed even more.

"I'm still single, Nadia. Don't be afraid."

And for some reason, that answer made Nadia's heart happy.

️

"Thank you sir, for taking me home and treating me to dinner." Nadia said when Rendra's car was right in front of her house, which was still dark. Don't forget to give her a genuine smile that secretly made Rendra fall in love.

"You're welcome. Next time if you need help, don't hesitate to tell me. I will help as much as I can."

A sentence that made Nadia even more wondering what was wrong with her boss. Her care was different from the usual caring for her subordinates.

"Thank you very much sir. I hope God will give you the best of luck."

"Amen." Rendra's gaze then focused on Nadia's house "In a house that big do you live alone?"

"What can I do, sir? It's my fate."

Rendra felt pity when Nadia answered her question with a nod and a sad look on her face.

"If you could be mine, you wouldn't be living alone anymore, Nadia."

The words only dared Rendra to say in his heart. In less than a week, this sweet girl had made him fall in love.

In fact, Rendra's feelings became even more intense when Nadia fed the skinny street cat while they were eating. Nadia even gave half of her portion to the cat.

A simple act that may look normal in the eyes of others but not in Rendra's eyes. Nadia's actions were really sincere without pretending. She likes people who love cats like Nadia did earlier. Especially street cats.

"Well, you go in there. It's late. Get enough rest so you won't be late for work tomorrow."

"Ready, sir. Thank you again for your kindness. I will enter first, Assalamualaikum."

"Wa'alaikumsalam."

It's true, a good attitude can make people fall in love more than a perfect physique.

Nadia is the proof.

The girl is indeed not as beautiful as the female employees in the office. Nadia is beautiful with what she has. But Nadia and her sweet smile can make Rendra fall in love so quickly.

And now Rendra can only hope that the universe will bless his feelings.