"Aunt, has Nilam ever been to this city before?" I asked. This afternoon Aunt Rosi and I are making cake dough for tomorrow. After I came home from school to be exact... yes, after that incident. Me and Ricky.
Aunt Rosi, who had been kneading the dough, stopped her, her forehead furrowed as if she was confused. "No. Who said that? We've always been to the next town. Don't you know, Lam? We moved two years ago."
"Then..." I asked, pausing. Between asking and not, I'm at a loss about how to put it. "A guy who often comes here, did Nilam know him before?" I continued carefully.
"Son Ricky? New subscription, Auntie?" guessed it. I nodded vigorously. Aunt Rosi even laughed while waving her hand. "No, my aunt just met him, let alone you. And he wasn't your school friend either, right?"
I nod. It is true. Aunt Rosi's words are valid.
"If you've ever known him, you'll remember, Lam. You don't have a memory disorder. It's just weird."
Maybe I'm overthinking. But, yes, that's for sure...
I just replied with a smile. I shouldn't have thought that far. Why do I have to think about Ricky's strange words, even the red-haired boy? There was something odd about them. And that, not me. I'm sure of that.
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"Morning, Lam!"
"Morning, beautiful girl!"
Lala and Genta. They both hugged me tightly and then let go. The two of them smiled so brightly, as bright as the sun this morning in the dry season.
"Morning!" I answered. I'm happy now too. Because the rainy season has said goodbye, my hair won't be as scary as it was in the rainy season. While still very curly curls, at least not too fluffy.
"The first day of the class meeting, I hope our class wins, huh." please, Lala. She is one of the cheers whose activities are 'eye Lala' on the sidelines while carrying pom-poms and wearing a sexy uniform.
"You have to shout at me the loudest, okay? While saying, Genta! I love you!" he said. Genta really can. You are stealing opportunities in adversity. Lala just rolled her eyes, ignoring Genta's strange words.
Today, it sucks. Usually, the kids would bump into me, ignoring me would also bully me. But, right now, they were looking at me instead. And as if scared. What happened?
"Never mind about it. They're crazy," said Genta. Look at his confused face. I don't know anything.
Perhaps...
"They are now calling you a snitch. Just because your boy is a school thug."
"What do you mean? Because of Sis Aldi's problem?" I guess. Genta and Lala nodded.
"The student council spreads rumours. Ricky beat Aldi and other student council children. Because they often ordered you to. So, from now on. You are here, and you are the most feared child in school."
"That's impossible. I--"
"We know." now Lala spoke. She and Genta hugged me alternately.
I'm sure Lala and Genta know me better than anyone. That's why they trust me. I never had such a lousy mind to complain to Ricky about this problem. When hurt by his friends, I'm not a child who will cry and then tell everything to his parents. I'm not that small.
I sat on my bench. Shortly after, Bondan and Ricky entered together. Bondan looked at me timidly then he sat down on his chair. As for Ricky, yes, he is. Still, he walked past me with his relaxed behaviour while smoking the cigarette in his hand. This morning, he was smoking.
"Morning, Rick! Where have you been?" Mondy, already sitting on Ricky's chair, waved his hand. The two of them high-fived each other. Then Ricky sat down.
"Finished filming," Ricky replied nonchalantly. He's suspended. And can still joke. Is his job just playing around all the time? To the extent that Mrs. Marita's threat is considered unimportant by him?.
"You're looking for Ready. He said there was a little problem with the boy from the school next door."
"What?"
"Usually, our stall is taken over by them."
"Oh...."
"So, when do we leave?"
Long time, I did not hear Ricky's answer. I only listened to the soft tapping of his fingers, which kept tapping the table with a reasonably regular rhythm. I'm sure he's considering it. And it made my heart beat wildly. Can he say 'no.' Why do I want to hear that answer.
"Okay, tomorrow after school."
Why I'm a little disappointed with that answer, I should have known if Ricky agreed. But, unfortunately, he's the type of guy who won't say 'no' to things he finds challenging because he's an idiot.
"But, Rick! You have already received a threat from Mrs. Marita. You are caught in another brawl, and you are expelled from school!" Bondan is now speaking. I know when it comes to fighting. Bondan and Ricky are allies. You could say they are a gang.
"After being kissed, it will be silent," he answered. Why wasn't that polite to Master. What's more, am I here? Oh, Nilam. You are too confident if you are the most critical part of Ricky. The proof, even now, Ricky ignores you.
Mondy and Bondan laughed. To the extent that it interferes with the learning activities of some children. But, they would not dare to rebuke because the consequences would be fatal if that happened.
"So, about Nilam. Are you dating the lion girl?" Mondy pointed at me with his chin. I looked down, pretending not to see. Busy yourself arranging the books on the table while talking to Sekar because Lala was in the toilet. Meanwhile, Genta is preparing for our school's first game.
Silence, no answer. I'm sure Ricky just answered it with gestures. Either nod or nod. But, I sensed, he shook his head.
"How many girls are you? How are you? Is it nice to be with you? You're not that small, Rick! Of all the girls you've dated. She's the worst. Maybe after you put her to bed, you're going to dump her, right?"
"Don't be like that, Mon. If you ask for a kiss, you'll get wet at the most! Hahaha!" now, Bondan replied to Mondy's words.
Immediately, I got up. At the same time, they pulled Sekar's hand to get out of the classroom. But, before that, I had a look. Those brown eyes stared at me without blinking. With that disgusting smile. As if making me the butt of his friends was the best thing ever. Is this what they call dating? Of course, not. He was toying with me, nothing more. His changing demeanour always confused me. His kind demeanour made my big head, and his attitude like this made me know myself. Just know not to dream too high.
"Lam! Where are you taking me?!" I screamed in surprise when Sekar pinched my arm gently.
I just realized that all I had been doing was pulling Sekar's hand up to the school garden.
"Oh, that... we help the student council." my lie. My intention was only to avoid Ricky and his friends. Whatever, anywhere. The critical thing is far from Ricky.
"You don't know, do you? We are relieved of our duties this time. But, Mila and Aldi said, our work is done differently."