The streets are pretty busy, with vehicles driving each other towards their destination. It is understandable that on Sundays, many people are rushing. Harsya runs her car at a moderate speed while listening to soft music from the music player. I told about what I experienced while practicing at the hospital and at the boarding house and many other things, to which Harsya responded with great care.
Harsya also tells many things and always makes me laugh with his stories. The trip home with Harsya today was so fun; I could not think about Ali for a moment.
It didn't feel like we had arrived at my boarding house. Harsya immediately helped carry my things into the house. Tia immediately greeted us with her trademark smile. We chatted for a while before Harsya said goodbye.
***
It was still early; we had gathered on campus, the bus we wanted to ride was already on standby in the campus yard. Today, we will go to Karanganom village in PKMD activities or community health development. That is a program that aims to improve the health status of the community in the village with various activities. This activity is like KKN or actual work lectures but specifically in the health sector.
Some of my friends and I have started to get on the bus, and there are still a few people who haven't boarded before the bus leaves. I sat next to Tia, but she excused herself from sitting with Dicky in the back seat, so the seat next to me was empty.
After Tia died, I put my headset on my ear to listen to music. I looked out the window, looking for Ali, who wasn't on the bus yet. I was pretty surprised by my behavior, and I don't know why, even though there was a guy who had constantly been arguing with me.
Sometime later, I saw Ali getting on the bus, and he was the last person to board the vehicle other than the bus crew we were on. Ali flashed a smile at everyone on the bus. He walked while greeting our friends until he stopped two lines in front of me.
At first glance, I saw Ali still standing next to the chair Airin was sitting on. The chair next to Airin looked empty; maybe Ali would sit there. Airin seemed to smile at Ali while the boy seemed busy calling.
I immediately turned my gaze out the window; for some reason, I felt my heart hurt a little seeing the closeness of Ali and Airin. I tried to concentrate on the song I heard and hummed softly following it, trying to forget the sadness that had suddenly appeared without me noticing.
After all the students got on the bus, Mr. Andi gave directions and led a prayer before leaving. After praying, the driver immediately started the car leaving the campus, which was still getting busy with students' arrival.
I was still staring out the window when I felt someone standing next to my chair. It seemed like he was putting something in the trunk above me. I lifted my face to see the face of the owner of the athletic body standing next to me. My heart skipped a beat when I realized who it was.
After placing his luggage in the trunk above me, Ali casually sat down next to me without saying anything or smiling at me. For some time, we stared at each other expressionlessly. I quickly turned my gaze out the window, gazing at the scenery along the side of the road. There was no conversation between us; I was lost in the songs from my headset.
Today Ali didn't talk as much as usual, although occasionally, he joined in the chatter to chime in with the jokes of the other passengers. The atmosphere inside the bus was boisterous, with various jokes that made passengers laugh. Some of them sing accompanied by Arif's guitar strumming with confidence, even though some sound fake.
The bus went without any significant obstacles. The cheerful atmosphere continued throughout the journey. If it were not for Ali by my side, I might join them and sing along or laugh out loud at our funny jokes or experiences.
When the bus started to leave the main road and into the winding village road, I started to feel dizzy; my face looked pale. I held my throbbing head; I tried to hold back the pain in my stomach. This must be because I haven't had time to eat this morning.
"Why, Zie?" asked Ali gently.
I just shook my head, then closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on the soft music in my ears. I was surprised to hear his voice which was not as cold as usual.
Ali stood up from his chair, which made me a little relieved even though, on the other hand, I felt disappointed. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly; I love it
hope, confused with my feelings. I felt like I was starting to break out in a cold sweat, I tried to reach for my drink bottle in my bag, but I felt my head getting dizzy.
I don't know when Ali returned to his position; suddenly, he was sitting next to me. Ali touched my shoulder gently, making me open my eyes slowly, and found Ali smiling while handing me a small packet of bread and a bottle of drink as well as a paracetamol tablet that he got from someone.
Ali told me to take it and eat it immediately. I shook my head, but he didn't give up. Ali opened the drinking bottle and then thrust it into my mouth. My face turned red, especially when some people started to notice us and tease us. Not wanting to be the center of attention, I quickly took the bottle from Ali's hand and started sipping it.
"Thanks," I said with a forced smile.
"No problem," Ali replied to his nonchalant mode.
After finishing a pack of bread and a bottle of mineral water and taking the medicine Ali gave me, I closed my eyes again. After some time, my dizziness subsided, and I started to fall asleep.
***