Chapter 18 - Answer

"Hello, Tae," Kaino said into the phone.

"Yes? Why Kai?"

"Where are you? I want to say something important."

"I'm eating with Ardilo."

"Oh... Are you going out with Ardilo again?"

"Yeah. I'll talk about it later when I get home."

"Hmm, okay."

Taera hangs up the phone. She was a bit uncomfortable with Ardilo because she was about to talk, but instead, there was a phone call. But yeah, how about that. Taera had to pick it up.

"Who is that?" asked Ardilo.

"Kaino," Taera replied.

Ardilo just nodded. He seemed to understand, but Taera didn't want him to misunderstand. Remembering after this, Taera will answer about her feeling.

"I'm just friends with him," Taera said suddenly.

Ardilo smiled. He knew that Taera explained it so that Ardilo wouldn't be jealous. Ardilo suddenly believes that Taera loves him and doesn't want to lose him.

Ardilo then nodded. "Thanks for explaining that. I won't be jealous of him. I know you can't be close to more than just friends with him if you are close to me."

Taera just smiled awkwardly.

"Oh yeah, what were you talking about?" asked Ardilo.

"What are you talking about?" Taera asked back. She tried to remember.

"Just before Kaino called. You want to talk something," Ardilo answered.

Taera remembered that earlier she wanted to answer her feelings to Ardilo. Suddenly she became nervous. In her heart, she prayed that this decision was the best.

"Oh yes... That's... I want to answer to your feelings for me," said Taera.

Ardilo was silent and stared at Taera intently. He is very nervous now. He was suddenly worried that Taera would reject him.

"I... I want you. I want to be your girlfriend," Taera finally said.

Ardilo sighed. He smiled. He is very relieved now. Finally, after a long time of waiting, Taera accepted his feeling.

"Thanks, Tae," said Ardilo. He looked so happy.

Taera nodded, then smiled.

"But Ardilo..." Taera said suddenly.

"What?" asked Ardilo.

"Can we backstreet first? I mean, maybe after this, there will be a lot of heartbroken fans," Taera explained.

Ardilo chuckled. It's something he likes about Taera. Taera always tries to understand him.

"You don't want us to go public?" asked Ardilo.

"It's not that I don't want us to go public, but I don't feel ready yet. Maybe there will be many people who don't like it if we become more than friends. Yes. I'm just an ordinary student," Taera explained.

Taera remembered the incident when she and Ardilo ate together in the cafeteria at that time. After that, she received many questions to ask. fm about her close relationship with Ardilo. Even though at that time they were just close. Especially, now that they are dating. Not to mention the rumors circulating among the students of the Faculty of Economics about her and Ardilo.

"Am I an extraordinary student? It's the same, ah, I'm also an ordinary student," asked Ardilo.

Taera was silent. "That's not what I meant."

"Yes. I understand. I don't mind even if we don't go public. How comfortable are you," said Ardilo.

Taera smiled. Ardilo is boyfriend-able. "Thank you."

***

The next day.

"Kaino," Taera called.

Kaino was sitting reading a book because there would be a quiz later lifted his head and saw Taera walking towards him.

"What did you want to say yesterday? You said you wanted to call. I was waiting for you, didn't you call last Saturday," Taera asked.

"I fell asleep that time. Sorry," said Kaino.

"Okay, now just tell me yesterday what did you want to say?" Taera asked.

Kaino thought for a moment. Yesterday he wanted to take Taera for a walk and confessed to Taera. But it turns out that Taera is going out with Ardilo. He now wondered if this was the right time to talk to Taera about his feelings.

"Ah, it's been a long time. I'll go first. I want to give you super important news," said Taera.

"What news?" asked Kaino.

"I dating Ardilo already," said Taera.

"Haa????" Kaino was shocked.

My hopes have been dashed, Kaino thought.

"But please keep it silent," Taera said.

Taera then told Kaino how Ardilo liked her at first. Then she also said that Yola was only close as friends with Ardilo, nothing more.

"Yes, I'm sorry, Tae. I thought Yola was close to Ardilo. I also just found out yesterday that it turned out that Yola was Hendo's girlfriend. When Umin and I watched movies, I kept seeing the two of them. You've been thinking about Ardilo all this time. close to Yola," said Kaino.

"It's okay, Kai. Take it easy," said Taera.

They were silent for a moment.

"Oh yeah, I just met you yesterday, I wanted to ask you what you wanted to say yesterday, so I'm the one who confides first," said Taera.

"Oh... It's okay. It's not important. I also forgot what I was going to say yesterday," said Kaino.

"Oh... please, " said Tara.

"Well, I've been to class first. I'll be taking a quiz soon," said Kaino, then put her book into his bag.

"Okay, I'll treat you some time," said Taera cheerfully.

Kaino saw Taera's happy face. Looks like it's time to give up on his feelings for Taera.

"Congratulations, you've been with Ardilo. I hope you guys last forever," said Kaino.

"Thanks, Kai. You're my best friend," said Taera.

Kaino then said goodbye and walked away from Taera.

"Yeah, I'm just a friend forever, right? Nothing more?" mumbled Kaino.