It was a cloudy afternoon, as cloudy as Manfred's heart. He was so restless. Earlier, he was called by the school finance department, because tuition was three months late. And if he didn't finish it in one week, he couldn't take the final semester exam. He didn't know what to do. His mother and father were having a hard time. Because Marieta had been hospitalized for the past few days because of dengue fever.
"Manfred!"
Manfred turned. Niar approached him.
"Why so lethargic?" He walked next to Manfred.
"No, nothing," said Manfred.
"I know. About tuition, right?" Niar guessed. No. She knew what was going on, she must have meant to approach Manfred.
Manfred was silent. He didn't understand what Niar meant by coming to him.
"That's easy. I want to help you. But I also need your help. So, we help each other," said Niar. That's right, Niar was planning a devious thing.
"I have money for you to pay tuition fees. I can give you more. Here, there is some money in this envelope." Niar thrust the envelope in front of Manfred.
Manfred looked at the envelope in Niar's hand. What was she really planning?
"What do you want?" Manfred's voice became cynical.
"Make Yuana angry with Bobby or vice versa. I want them to disband." A sly smile graced the little girl's lips.
Manfred looked at the envelope in Niar's hand. It was big money! It was not easy to get that kind of money all of a sudden.
"If it works, I'll add it. So, you can pay off your tuition until next semester." Niar heated up Manfred even more.
What a bad day! A tempting offer.
"Oh my God, what is this ordeal?" Manfred thought.
"Come on. Don't be embarrassed by the others. A boy as handsome as you, Caucasian too, is in arrears in school fee." The sentence didn't sound very pleasant.
"Thank you," said Manfred. He didn't take the envelope but he walked away from Niar.
"Manfred! Wait!" Niar pulled Manfred's hand.
"I'd rather be embarrassed because I can't pay tuition than I'd be ashamed for being a traitor's friend. Your millions of money are useless compared to our friendship. Sorry. If you want to ruin Bobby and Yuana, just do it yourself," said Manfred firmly.
Faster Manfred left school. Niar stomped her foot in annoyance.
*****
The next day Manfred was still sluggish. He couldn't get out yet. And didn't dare tell mom and dad that he was called for tuition at school.
"Hi, Fred!"
Hearing the call, Manfred turned quickly.
"You see Bobby?" Yuan approached.
"Haven't seen him. Haven't met him yet." Manfred tried to be natural.
"Fred, are you alright? You aren't sick, are you?" Yuana also noticed that her friend was a little upset. "There must be something. You're lethargic and sad. What's wrong?"
"It's just your thoughts, Yu." Manfred dodged and walked again.
"You cheated, Fred," said Yuan.
Manfred turned and saw Yuana. "What? Cheat?"
"You are always there for me. For Bobby. You are the one who accompanies me and Bobby. You always take care of us. But it's your turn to have a problem, you don't want me to know," said Yuana.
Manfred was silent. Yuan was right. But did he need to talk about the problem.
"Fred, we're friends, right? Don't be the only one who feels like you have friends. And you don't. In difficult situations you feel alone," Yuana urged.
Manfred relented. He chose to sit in a chair not far from him, near the school garden. "But promise, you will remain calm, not angry, let alone angry."
Yuan sat down. "Why is that?"
"Promise me," said Manfred.
"Okay. Promise." Yuan nodded his head.
It was with a heavy heart that Manfred told her about the school fee arrears. Honestly, this was very unpleasant. He hoped as he spoke, it was the right decision.
Yuana understood the predicament. In her heart, he would immediately help Manfred. But the next sentence stunned Yuana.
"And ... someone came to me asking me to do something in exchange for money to pay tuition." This was more difficult for him to say.
"Do what?" Yuana frowned, feeling bad for Manfred's words.
"Making you and Bobby fuss, then break up," Manfred spoke more slowly.
"What?" Yuana glared angrily.
"You promise to stay calm and not get angry," said Manfred.
Yuana clenched her fists in anger. "I know who did it. Then, what did you say?"
"I wouldn't want to. I wouldn't have thought of doing such a silly thing. You guys are my best friends. So much more than all the money that I could get." Manfred looked down at his worn black shoes.
Yuana smiled. "Thank you, Fred."
"Thank you for what? You and Bobby are happy, I'm happy too." Manfred smiled too.
"Thank you for being honest with me. It feels you are really my best friend." Yuana smiled as she shook Manfred's hand.
Manfred smiled widely. The two of them went back to their respective classes. But Yuana went to the finance office first. She asked about Manfred's tuition and paying the boy's tuition arrears.
Yuana didn't speak because she knew Manfred would definitely refuse her help. So, he'd better do it quietly.
*****
After that incident, Niar didn't bother Bobby and Yuana too much anymore. Moreover, Bobby was also increasingly indifferent to her. Maybe she was getting tired.
One thing that relieved Bobby, in grade 11, was his relationship with Yuana was getting closer. Their friendship with Manfred also grew stronger.
After school that afternoon, Yuana met Manfred. He thought Yuana wanted to go home together because Bobby had nothing to do that day, he went home first.
"There's something important I want to talk to you about." Yuana tracked Manfred's steps.
"Shouldn't you be talking to Bobby?" said Manfred.
"It's not about Bobby and me. It's about you." Yuana looked at Manfred.
"Me? Why?" They walk together. "I'm no longer in arrears on my tuition fees. So don't bother paying it."
Manfred reminded the matter of the past. Finally, he found out that Yuana was the one paying the arrears of her tuition fees. Because the school's finance department told him, it was paid off. Manfred could guess who was helping him.
"Why do you talk about it?" Yuana said. It was not good to hear Manfred bring that up either.
"I owe you, Yuan," Manfred said that seriously.
"You said our friendship was more important than money." Yuana reminded again what Manfred said.
"Yeah, sorry," said Manfred.
Yuana chose to sit on a park bench not far from the school gate. It was better to talk sitting down, because according to her what she wanted to talk about was quite serious.
"Someone falls in love with you." Yuana looked at Manfred.
"Huh? No, it is just kidding." Manfred frowned, slightly surprised.
"She really does," said Yuana. "You know Nindia, right?"
"Nindia?" Manfred looked more closely at Yuana. "How are you sure?"
"She sits beside me at class. Of course, I know. Every day she keeps talking about you. She likes when you sing. Your voice is soft and heart-rending. You play keyboard and guitar are cool. Many things just about Manfred," said Yuana with a big smile.
"Ah, I don't care! I love you. If Bobby wasn't there, I'd ask you to be my girlfriend," said Manfred. But only in his heart.
"Oh?" That was what came out of Manfred's mouth.
"This is true," Yuana spoke confidently.
"Well, okay, but I can't, Yu. I still want to focus on school. Find a job, help mom and dad, and then just thinking about girls." Manfred reasoned.
Yuana tried to persuade Manfred by saying it was about Nindia. She was a nice girl and she would fit with Manfred. But Manfred chuckled, unmoved. Obviously, because Manfred had no feelings for Nindia. And there was no way Manfred would have a relationship with a girl without love.
"Poor Nindia." Yuana spoke pitifully.
"It's worse if she's in a relationship but her boyfriend doesn't love her," Manfred explained what he thought.
"I want you to be as happy as I am with Bobby, Fred." Yuana pretended to be sad.
"Yeah, but not now. The feelings can't be forced, Yu." Manfred fiddled with his eyebrows, trying to make Yuana smile.
"Whatever. You're more mature than me." Yuan pouted.
"Why are you upset?" Manfred furrowed his brows.
"I am sad. I can't be mad at you. You're too kind." Yuana shrugged his shoulders.
"Hmm, I feel my head grow bigger." Manfred ruffled Yuana's hair gently.
"Uh, your hand!" Yuana said.
Manfred laughed when he saw Yuana pouting again.