"You..."
"What are you want to say, bro?" Taera asked, confused.
Ardilo sighs for a moment. He has to say this. He had harbored this feeling for quite a while. Even though this felt very fast for Taera. But for Ardilo, he had been harboring this feeling for too long. He feels it is the right time. Ardilo was anxious in his heart.
"Do you want to be my girlfriend?" Ardilo asked, looking at Taera's eyes closely.
Taera blinked. She was confused. Ardilo confess to her? Seriously?
"Ehmm... I know this is too fast because we just met. But I love you, Tae. I've loved you since you were a new student," Ardilo said, still staring closely at Taera's eyes.
Taera was still dumbfounded. She is confused about what to answer. She felt was this happening? Or is this just a dream for her? Since new student? Taera never even remembered whether she had met Ardilo before. She only remembers they met the first time near the photocopy when it was.
Okay, she does love Ardilo. But, maybe that love is still limited to her admiring, just fans. Just like other Ardilo fans. It has not grown into a feeling of love. However, Ardilo had immediately confessed his feelings for Taera. Moreover, Ardilo said that he loved Taera since Taera was a freshman. That means one year has passed because now Taera is in her second year of college. Taera is now confused. Should she accept Ardilo's feelings right now?
"You may doubt my feelings, Tae. But honestly, from the first time I saw you, I love you. And after we met and got to know each other, I love you, even more, Tae," said Ardilo.
Taera still blinked. She was still thinking, what should she do. She did not know when she had seen Ardilo before Stefa showed her a photo of Ardilo in class at that time. Either Taera forgot or Taera didn't realize that all this time they probably passed each other without knowing each other.
"Bro..." said Taera finally.
Ardilo could see the expression on Taera's face. It seemed that Taera was still confused by her feelings. Ardilo was getting ready to accept whatever Taera's answer was. However, he had to be wise. He will not force Taera's feelings.
"You don't have to answer now if you're not ready. I know this is too fast for you because we've only met for a few days," Ardilo said.
Taera was still staring at Ardilo awkwardly.
"Bro... Sorry I'm not ready to answer now," said Taera finally.
"Yes. I understand, Tae. I only want you to know that I love you. You can answer anytime when you're ready," Ardilo said, then smiled.
Taera then felt bad for him. Should she only accept it? But Taera was still doubtful about her feelings. Taera wanted to discuss this further, but just then their food order arrived.
"We will discuss it some time again. I will also tell you about the first time I saw you. Now we eat first," Ardilo said, then smiled.
Taera gets awkward. She doesn't feel good with Ardilo. It was as if she had rejected Ardilo. Even though she was happy when Ardilo said he loved her.
"Don't be awkward," said Ardilo.
Taera just nodded stiffly. The two of them then started eating. Ardilo is very relaxed, while Taera is a little clumsy.
"Here, try it. The fish is delicious," said Ardilo, about to feed Taera.
Taera is confused. She looked at the food and Ardilo took turns. Does he want to feed me? Taera thought.
"Give it a try. It's delicious," said Ardilo, then gestured for Taera to open his mouth.
Taera then accepted the food.
"Isn't that good?" Ardilo asked.
Taera just nodded and chewed it.
"I like to eat grilled fish here. It tastes so good. Let's try another menu sometime," said Ardilo.
The smile on Ardilo's face had not subsided. Taera just stared at him in confusion. Taera then wondered if they would hang out together often after this? After Taera hasn't answered Ardilo's feelings, isn't Ardilo angry at her? Taera was confused.
"Yes... We will often hang out together after this. I'm not angry with you. Take it easy," Ardilo said as if he could read Taera's mind.
Taera smiled briefly.
"Do you mind if, for example, we often hang out together?" Ardilo asked.
"Ehmm not really, bro. As long as you don't just have a lot of tasks. You are also busy. Especially if you choose to be the chairman of SEB. You must be busy," Taera replied.
Ardilo nodded, "You are very understanding."
Taera smiled awkwardly. There is a feeling that Taera will always remember this moment as a sweet reality. Not a dream.
***
Taera immediately went to her room on the 2nd floor as soon as she arrived at her boarding house. The moment was very happy for Taera. She couldn't hide her happiness it is.
"Hi," Taera said happily to Sella and Sonia who were in front of the TV in front of her room.
"Are you so happy? Where did you get out of this?" asked Sella in surprise.
Taera just cringed and then entered the room. Shortly after Taera closed the door of her room, Taera was jumping excitedly in her room. She was so happy because Ardilo confesses to her. Even though they haven't officially started dating yet, Taera is very happy.
"Hey, don't jump around!" shouted Hyona, who was cooking in the kitchen, and the kitchen is right under Taera's room.
"What's wrong with her?" Sella asked Sonia.
"I don't know... I'm having a headache. My thesis draft has a lot of revisions," said Sonia and then went downstairs to taste Hyona's cooking.
***
D-4 Election of the Chairman of SEB...
"So, how is it?" asked Serry when Ardilo had just joined him at a table in the library.
"She hasn't answered yet," said Ardilo in a whisper so as not to be noisy, considering they were in the library.
"But she didn't refuse you, did she?" asked Serry curiously.
"I don't know. Taera hasn't answered yet. I don't know whether it's accepted or rejected," Ardilo said, then opened his book to do an assignment.
"But she responded well, right?" asked Serry, who was now looking at Ardilo was focused on looking at the book.
Ardilo nodded.
"I mean, you told her that you've loved her since she was a freshman? It means you've loved her for about a year," asked Serry again.
Ardilo nodded again. He is still focused on looking at his book.
"You already told her when you first saw her. Why do you love her?" asked Serry.
"Not yet," said Ardilo, now starting to do his job.
"You have to tell her, Ardi," said Serry and then continued doing his job.
"Yes. I'll tell Taera if this is the first time I've seen her," said Ardilo.