LOVE YOU, UNCLE

“Gee! Where are you heading?”

Denisa intentionally halted Ghea’s steps upon seeing her rushing to leave right after the lecture. Just from her demeanor, it was clear that Ghea was in a hurry to exit the class.

“I’m going to catch up with Mario. I want to consult about the internship. Remember, time is tight. We need to submit our schedules to Mr. Andreas the day after tomorrow. I still haven’t found a suitable placement at all.”

Denisa nodded in understanding. As final semester students, it was mandatory for them to undergo an internship for a few months as a graduation requirement. Some students already had permission to start their internships.

“I’m all set. In fact, I start working tomorrow. Joshua too.”

“See, you guys are so lucky,” complained Ghea. It seemed like she was the only one who hadn’t secured a place for the mandatory assignment until now. It was her fault for underestimating the deadline given by the advisor. Lately, Ghea appeared quite relaxed while her peers were busy searching for internships.

“I’ve invited you several times before. Not just once. Even multiple times. Do you forget that Joshua and I invited you to check PT Persada? They have 25 internship slots available.”

“Are there still slots available now?” Ghea asked.

Denisa shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. But it probably filled up quickly. Besides, it’s a popular company. It’s your fault for being too laid back all this time.”

Ghea sighed. Not wanting to waste more time, she chose to continue on her way. She was afraid that if she delayed, the person she was supposed to meet would have already left.

“Alright, I’ll catch up with Mario first. I’ll do my internship at his office. It’s easier to get in there.”

With the driver, Ghea truly went to meet Mario, who was currently on standby in his office. Fortunately, when she arrived, he didn’t have much work, so Ghea didn’t have to wait long to meet him.

“In what context did you suddenly come here? Uncharacteristic of you not to call first,” Mario remarked when Ghea was in his office.

“In a hurry, bro. That’s why I didn’t have time to give you a heads up.”

“Lucky for you, I happened to be in the office. If I were out? Would you be left empty-handed?”

“You wouldn’t have left. I know your daily schedule. Besides, you’re always organized and consistent. So, everything must be according to the schedule.”

Mario then smiled. He admitted that among all the people, it was Ghea who paid so much attention to him. So, it wasn’t surprising that the younger sister knew all his habits and schedules.

“Back to the initial question, why are you suddenly here?”

Ghea changed her seating position, reaching for the shopper bag she had placed on the table, took out a folder, and then showed it to Mario. “Here, read this.”

With a furrowed brow, Mario reached for the folder that his sister handed him. After reading for a moment, he gave a response.

“Internship proposal? You want to intern?”

Ghea nodded. “Yes, can it be at your office?”

Again, Mario smiled. A moment later, he gave an answer that left Ghea astonished.

“No, it can’t, dear.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“Well, obviously it can’t. This company is in the field of retail and product marketing. It’s a different field from the major you’re pursuing, Ghe. Interning at Dad’s office is also not possible. It’s a hotel, right? What would you investigate there? And what position would you take?”

Ghea sighed deeply. She had deliberately chosen Mario’s company for the convenience and flexibility it would offer when working later. However, she was aware that her brother’s company and her chosen field of study didn’t align at all, as Mario pointed out.

“It’s okay, maybe, bro. Our professor allows us the freedom to intern wherever.”

“Yes, freedom to choose, but it should still be related to your major. Not randomly like this, Ghe. Why are you being so careless?”

“Then what do I do now, bro? The deadline is the day after tomorrow, and I have to submit my work schedule. Where else can I find a company that accepts interns on such short notice?”

Mario thought hard, trying to help his sister find a solution. Fortunately, he cared. Otherwise, he would have let Ghea struggle to find a company that would accept her in such a tight timeframe.

“Why don’t you try interning at your husband’s company? Aren’t Akasia and Atmos in the construction business? Besides, Randy is an architect too, Ghe.”

Ghea was taken aback. Why was her brother suggesting the very company she had been avoiding from the beginning? Even Denisa and Joshua had given the same suggestion. However, because she didn’t want to have anything to do with Randy, she flatly rejected the idea.

“No way! I’d rather try another company. Surely you have friends, contacts, or business colleagues who can accept me for an internship, at least for three months.”

“I don’t have any,” Mario shook his head. “I don’t have connections in the construction industry. It’s clearly a different field. How could it work?”

Ghea slumped down. Her hopes of getting an internship at her preferred place were shattered. Her brother was really useless. He couldn’t compromise even a bit.

“Then what about me, bro? I won’t graduate if I don’t fulfill the internship requirements. We have to submit our schedules the day after tomorrow.”

Mario seemed indifferent. He had given good suggestions, but his sister rejected them.

“If you want it easy, timely, and related to your major, my answer remains the same. Try interning at your husband’s office. Besides, if you ask nicely, your husband will surely give you a good position right away.”

“But, bro-”

“It’s up to you, Ghe,” Mario cut her off hastily. “If there’s an easy option, why look for something difficult? You have a good privilege and don’t use it. Weird!”

“The problem is, I want to be independent, bro. If I keep asking for Randy’s help, it makes me seem too dependent.”

“Huh?” Mario raised an eyebrow. “Then why force yourself to ask for my help if you want to be independent? You should intern at some other company if you really want to. Okay, that’s enough. Don’t overthink it. It’s better to go home now. Take a shower. Then dress up nicely. When you meet your husband, just tell him your intentions and goals for the internship. I’m sure he’ll agree. What’s better, repeating a year of college next year? What will you choose?”

Ghea pressed her lips tightly. It seemed she had to surrender her ego and ask for Randy’s help to accept her internship at his office.