Taera saw Stefa in the cafeteria was drinking hot tea and eating toast. Class started at 10 a.m, but Taera came early because she had to do group work with Dino. She then walked over to Stefa was engrossed in eating her favorite peanut chocolate toast.
"How come you have breakfast in college? Usually, you have breakfast at the boarding house because Yuna always cooks for you," Taera asked.
Stefa put down the toast she was eating. Of course, it made Taera very surprised.
"Taera, you think I'm a best friend, don't you?" Stefa asked.
Taera looked confused by Stefa's question. Why did she suddenly ask that?
"Of course, Stef," Taera answered without hesitation.
"Then why didn't you tell me that you were with Ardilo?" Stefa asked.
Luckily the cafeteria was still quiet, and Stefa kept her voice low even though she was angry, so no one reacted excitedly.
"How do you know?" Taera asked, panicked.
"It doesn't matter from where I know about it. The most important thing here is whether you think I'm a best friend or not? I don't even know that you're close to Ardilo. Even now, you're dating him," said Stefa, then went to class leaving Taera who was still sitting there and confused about what to do.
***
"Have you been with her?" shrieked Serry, almost shouted.
"Ssshhh, don't be loud," said Ardilo.
They were in the library doing their homework before class started. The library is a place to hang out for Serry and Ardilo to learn and vent.
"Sorry," whispered Serry while looking around to see if anyone had heard their conversation, as well as Ardilo.
"But why don't you guys want to go public?" asked Serry.
"Taera doesn't want us to go public yet. She's worried about people's reactions if they find out we're dating," said Ardilo.
"Yes... I understand what she means. By the way, the chairman of SEB must have a lot of fans," said Serry.
Ardilo just nodded in agreement, "I'll be more protective of her. Since not many people know that I'm dating her, maybe there will be guys who get close to her."
"Don't forget that there will be many girls who will approach you," said Serry.
"Yes... I have to guard my heart. I'm loyal to her," said Ardilo.
Serry smiled, "Great."
***
Taera is still confused. She felt guilty for not telling this to Stefa, who had been her best friend since entering this campus. Taera then entered her class. She sat on any chair because Stefa didn't want to sit close to Taera. Taera then sighed. She looked at Stefa was busy chatting with the friend next to her.
I don't want to lose my best friend, Stef. Please, forgive me, Taera thought.
***
Taera is getting used to Ardilo's busy schedule as the chairman of SEB. They rarely go out together. Sometimes, they have to go to the secretariat of the SEB Faculty of Economics first. But Taera didn't complain. She also began to enjoy her busy life as a SEB member and focused on making proposals for work programs for her department, and focused on her studies.
All this time, Stefa was still away from Taera. Taera has tried to apologize and talk to Stefa, but Stefa is still angry with her. Taera is sad. She sat alone in a chair near her faculty garden. She accidentally met Ardilo.
"Taera? What are you doing?" asked Ardillo.
"Waiting for class. It's still an hour," Taera replied.
"Then why are you here alone? Usually, you are with Stefa," asked Ardilo, then sat down beside Taera.
"Stefa is angry with me," Taera vented.
"Why?" asked Ardillo.
Taera recounted why Stefa was angry with her. Ardilo felt guilty.
"We'll finish it together later. I'll also talk to Stefa later," said Ardilo softly.
Taera nodded.
"I have to go to the secretariat first. I have a business. We'll discuss it later," said Ardilo.
"Yes, thank you," said Taera.
"Bye, dear," Ardilo then went to the SEB secretariat.
"Bye, dear," Taera said, then smiled.
***
In the afternoon, Ardilo and Taera waited for Stefa. But Stefa instead went home with Hano first. Because Taera and Ardilo's handphones were low battery, they couldn't contact Stefa or Hano.
"Yeah, it's okay. Let's talk tomorrow with Stefa," said Taera.
"Well. Let's go home now. You don't have a meeting, do you?" asked Ardillo.
"Nope," replied Taera.
"Do you want to eat first?" asked Ardillo.
"Eating together? Then people will suspect again if we are dating," said Taera.
"Yes, we are indeed dating, dear," said Ardilo.
Taera's face turned red every time Ardilo called her 'darling'.
"Let's eat at the usual restaurant. Today I'm free. There are no meetings or assignments," said Ardilo.
"Yeah, let's go," said Taera.
***
After they came back from eating together, Taera went straight to the boarding house, and Ardilo went straight back to his boarding house.
"After walking with Ardilo, huh?" Sella asked when Taera reached the 2nd floor and was about to enter her room.
There were Sella, Hyona, and Sonia were watching TV. They immediately looked at Taera and waited for Taera's answer. Meanwhile, Taera looked shocked. How did Sella know that she was out with Ardilo?
"Wow, Taera now has a boyfriend," said Sonia.
Taera speechless. Where do they know? She thought.
"People already know who you were dating earlier?" Hyona asked Sella.
"Ardilo," answered Sella.
"Yes. Same with Ardilo. Just now, when I passed in front of your faculty, people were talking," said Hyona.
Taera didn't answer. She went straight to her room and charged her handphone. When she turned on her handphone, many chats came in. Some wondered how she could be with Ardilo. Some congratulated and supported them. Some didn't like it. Her ask. fm account was also flooded with questions about Ardilo and her.
Taera then wonders how do people know that she and Ardilo are dating? While in college, they were rarely seen together and interacted like normal friends. If they go for a walk together, they often bring their car. And Taera and Ardilo's friends who know that they are dating are Kaino, Stefa, Serry, Alex, Yuna, and Hano. Who told this to the public?