This morning, we were again preparing to climb to post 3. And for some reason, Bambang never let me be more than a meter away from him.
He looks very overprotective, that's why many guys whisper about our closeness, they even openly gossip about us dating.
And unfortunately, why did Bambang keep quiet? He should have kept their mouths shut by denying the gossip.
"Your leg doesn't hurt anymore, right?" asked Bambang after a long silence.
I nodded slowly. Yes, my feet are much better after being massaged by one of my teachers. So, I can continue this climb. I've come this far, it's a loss if I don't make it to the top.
"If you feel sick, don't hold it in. Just talk to me right away!"
"Yes."
After that, there was no conversation between us. It seems Bambang is still angry because I didn't follow his words to stay yesterday. Though I've explained it at length to him, it doesn't seem to have any effect.
"Bams," I called softly.
"Hum?" said the man flatly.
"You're not uncomfortable with the gossip is going out with me?" I asked quietly. I doubt whether to ask or not, but my curiosity is much bigger.
Why would anyone be so casual about being gossiped about like that?
There's no way he didn't hear it, right? Come on, the girls behind us are talking like that.
"Leave them alone, their people have mouths!" said Bambang lightly.
Yes, he's right, they do have mouths. But just because they have a mouth doesn't mean they can say whatever they want that could potentially annoy other people. Like me, for example, I am disturbed by their words which seem to indicate that I do not deserve Bambang.
Who also likes him?! After all, it's not that I don't deserve Bambang, but he doesn't deserve me!
"Bams, you are good to me, why?"
"What do you want to ask me, I'm surprised!"
I smiled widely. We are still walking side by side.
"You can't be nice because you like me, can you?"
After asking, I watched Bambang's face closely.
"You're not my type, so you don't have to think about things, you!" said Bambang casually.
I nodded slowly. It's good that I'm not his type.
"Then why are you nice? The girls say you're not the type to be nice to just anyone!" I insisted.
"Because your mother is good! She is good to me, so yes, I have to be nice to her daughter."
Oh shit! This is not the answer I wanted. I hope he's nice to me because we're friends.
"So, you're good because I'm the mother's daughter? Is that it?!"
Bambang stopped walking, then looked straight at me.
"What are you hoping for?" he asked confused.
"Friend! I thought, because you already considered me as a friend, that's why you're nice to me! So, your kindness to me is not sincere? That's it!" I immediately walked ahead of him after saying that.
To be honest, Bambang's answer made me feel bad. The man must have felt burdened because he had to always take care of me. Then, indirectly, what Paijo said yesterday was true. I like to trouble people, especially Bambang.
"Don't think far. How can you doubt my sincerity?!" Bambang grumbled while looking back at my steps.
I did not respond to Bambang's words and kept walking.
"Bams, you know what, I'm still learning to ride a motorbike, and now I can do it pretty well!"
"So, what does that have to do with me?" said Bambang.
"If I'm already good at riding a motorbike, in the future, you don't have to take me to school! I want to ride a motorbike myself, so I won't bother you anymore!"
Bambang looks quite surprised to hear my words. Again he stopped walking, as did I who stopped too because I was curious about the man's reaction.
"Don't be weird! I never mind taking you back!"
I nodded slowly.
"I just don't want to bother anyone, moreover you're nothing to me!"
"How can you say that I'm nothing to you!"
Looks like Bambang is getting annoyed. But, isn't there anything wrong with what I said? He is nothing to me. He only took care of me at the request of Mother and Aunt Yuyun.
"You're not even my friend!" I exclaimed without hesitation.
We were both silent as a few people walked past us.
"Let's just say, we are big gathering friends!" exclaimed Bambang in the end.
What do you mean?
"You think I'm your sister? We're the same age, you know!" I protest.
"What month were you born in?!" asked Bambang in annoyance.
I nodded slowly.
The mother of the orphanage did not know when exactly I was born, I was left in front of the orphanage when I was a baby. And the person who was supposed to be my mother never gave any clue as to my birth, or what my name was. Sad isn't it? Unlucky!
"I was born in February! So, just pretend I'm your brother! It's over! Don't think too far! It's okay! People say, there is no true friendship between men and women, that's why I'm just your brother so nothing goes wrong understands between us! How?"
I tried to digest Bambang's words carefully. And on second thought, his idea might as well.
"Okay, then, from now on I'm your sister, and you're my brother!" I smiled broadly, while Bambang just smiled a little.
We walked back down the path in front of us.
After arriving at post 3, we rested for a while. Bambang took out a mini thermos from his bag, and two noodles in a Soto-flavoured cup. He handed one to me after filling it with hot water and mixing in the spices.
"For now, it's better if you stop your intention to ride your motorbike to school," said Bambang suddenly.
"Why is it so?"
"We go to school full day, come back before sunset! There are many robbers, especially when the road to your house complex is rather quiet!"
"But so far we've never been robbed, you know!"
Bambang took a deep breath, he then glanced at me sharply.
"We never know what could happen in the future. Just in case! So, before it's safe, I'll pick you up. Or, if you don't want to be with me, ask the driver to take you!"
No. Both options weigh the same. All the students immediately gossiped every time we arrived at the parking lot. And the driver? Not all of my friends are rich people, I don't want to be labeled as a spoiled rich girl because they have to be driven by a driver.
"Judging from your face, it looks like you won't listen to what I have to say, and will be determined to bring your motorbike!" guess Bambang.
"Many of my friends bring their motorbikes, and it's safe!" I protest.
"They're used to it! And most of the people who drive motorbikes are men! Naya doesn't want to bring her motorbike, even though she's good at martial arts, now you're the only one who can pick up people, pretending to want to bring your motorbike?!" Bambang grumbled.
"My noodles are cooked! Enjoy eating!" as to make Bambang stop nagging.