Taera saw the happy faces of Ardilo and Yola behind him from a distance. Ardilo was seen chatting with Yola. Seeing the smiles on Ardilo and Yola's faces, it seemed that they were very close and familiar with each other. Taera then remembered Kaino's word that Ardilo was close to Yola. Suddenly Taera feels insecure about herself.
"So you are close to Yola, aren't you?" muttered Taera. There was a feeling of sadness that crossed her heart.
Taera was busy watching Ardilo and Yola, so she didn't realize Dino was looking at her. It turned out that Dino had been watching Taera, who had been looking at the SEB secretariat of the Faculty of Economics. Dino thought maybe Taera was waiting or wanted to meet someone.
"Taera!" said Dino from the front of the SEB Secretariat of the Faculty of Economics with a bit shout.
Ardilo and Yola automatically turned to look at Dino who was waving his hand. They saw Taera was standing there feeling shocked. Especially Ardilo.
OMG, Taera thought. She was confused about what to do. She doesn't want to run away. Want to come, but clumsy don't know what to do.
Taera, who realized that she was carrying a gift for Ardilo, immediately hid it in the back of her bag. She could see Ardilo was now smiling at her. Shortly, Ardilo walked towards Taera. It's making Dino and Yola confused and wondering why Ardilo suddenly approached Taera. Dino wondered whether Ardilo knew Taera well.
"Who do you want to meet, Tae?" Ardilo asked when he was quite close to Taera.
Taera is a little clumsy. Because she could see that several pairs of eyes were now looking at them. Not a few of them are whispering. But Ardilo doesn't care. He was comfortable chatting with Taera even though many saw them. As if he didn't care what other people said. As if he wanted everyone to know that he was close to Taera. Meanwhile, Yola and Dino were watching them and looked confused from a distance.
"Ehmm... Nope, it just happened to pass by and sit for a while," Taera said. She smiled faintly while Ardilo studied her closely.
"I hope you want to meet me," Ardilo said, then smiled.
There was an awkward atmosphere there. Taera's face flushed red. It felt like she wanted to run away right then and there. But Taera's heart led her to stay. She wants to meet Ardilo. She wants Ardilo to know that she is there for him.
"Oh yeah, congratulations on choosing to become chairman of the SEB. Greetings to Ervan, too. Congratulations," said Taera somewhat awkwardly.
"Thank you," Ardilo then smiled, "Don't be nervous like that. Just normal. Just let people see it. It's up to them to say what."
Ardilo is good at calming someone's heart. Taera is getting better. She's not that nervous. But still, there was a feeling of excitement in her heart.
"I... I'll go back first," said Taera.
"Tae..." called Ardilo when Taera had walked a few steps.
Taera turned around.
"I'm still waiting for your answer," said Ardilo.
Taera then remembered that she would answer Ardilo today. But not right now, with more and more people watching them.
Taera nodded, "I will go first."
***
Taera returned to her boarding house, which was still quiet because the others had not yet returned home. After she took a bath, she sat down at her study table. She is still thinking about the incident earlier. Taera opened her laptop and started looking for information about Yola on social media. After discovering several, Taera became interested in Yola's blog.
Taera reads the blog. The contents are many and varied. There are tips and motivation, lectures, about the organization, leadership, and some experiences in the activities she has participated in. If she thinks about the chats of the girls at that time, it seems that Yola fulfilled all the criteria for girls who were similar to the Ardilo character. Taera suddenly feels insecure about herself.
She then took the gift she was going to give Ardilo. Taera looked at her as if what she was going to do might be in vain. Maybe Ardilo wasn't impressed. Even the gift might not be valuable to him.
"Ardilo, I love you, but..." Taera could not find the right words. She is upset now. Should she accept Ardilo's feelings or reject them for many reasons?
***
A few days later, Ardilo was busy preparing for the Open Recruitment (OR) for members of the SEB Faculty of Economics. He's been busy in meetings these days. Sometimes he misses Taera, but Taera doesn't contact him. Ardilo tried positive thinking that Taera understood that Ardilo was busy.
Ardilo could have contacted her first. But seeing Taera's behavior, who met him near the SEB Secretariat of the Faculty of Economics, made him think maybe Taera was uncomfortable and wanted to be alone first. Ardilo understands Taera's feelings. Although, this made Ardilo think about it.
"Bro," called Dino.
"Yes? Why, Din?" Ardilo asked, checking some forms for Open Recruitment.
"Bro, do you know Taera?" asked Dino curiously. Dino had never seen Ardilo that close to a girl. Maybe Dino didn't know. But Dino was a little suspicious of their closeness.
"Yes, I do. Why?" Ardilo asked back.
"It's okay. She's my classmate, bro," said Dino.
"Oh, yeah?" Ardilo asked in mock surprise. Afraid Dino will suspect that Ardilo likes Taera. Somehow Ardilo suddenly thought that maybe it wouldn't be good for Taera if many people knew about their closeness. Ardilo felt guilty about the incident a few days ago.
Dino nodded.
"In the past, I thought she was a student from another faculty. I didn't know that we were in the same faculty, your classmate. The world is narrow," said Ardilo, then smiled.
"Have you known her for a long time, bro?" asked Dino, increasingly curious? It was like he was interviewing an artist who had a new girlfriend.
"I've known her for a long time, but I just met her a few days ago. So far, I just accidentally met her or exposed her," Ardilo replied modestly.
"Really? When the day looks close," asked Dino again. He did not want to get a simple answer. Dino must know in detail.
"Yes, Din. Yesterday I deliberately greeted her. She is an acquaintance of Yuna and my friends. She just wanted to come here yesterday, but it was uncomfortable with us," said Ardilo explaining.
"Ah, I don't believe it, bro. I'm sure there is something between you and her," said Dino, not wanting to lose.
"Yes, if for example, I was close to her, so what?" asked Ardilo, who finally got a little annoyed because Dino had always asked him.
"Wow... Could it be that you love her? Right? Just admit it, Bro. I keep your secret," said Dino.
Ardilo just smiled and nodded.
"That's right. I don't want to admit it. Calm down. I support it when you are close to her. Taera is a kind girl and not adventurous," said Dino.
"Yes. That's why I like her. Please pray for us," said Ardilo.
"Yes, bro," said Dino with respect like respect for his boss.
Although there was a feeling of calm in Ardilo when Dino blessed him, there was also a feeling of worry. Why hasn't Taera answered yet? Does she still have doubts? That has always been the question in Ardilo's heart.