"Kids? Do you have siblings?" I asked. Ricky nodded, fiddling with his phone again. Then they showed me a photo that took me by surprise.
"Brother... we are twins. His name is Raka."
"Raka?" I asked as if repeating his words in that professionally taken photo. There were two boys wearing shirts with almost the same faces. I know twins must be identical with similarities in looks. However... I never thought that Ricky had a twin brother. What's more... his brother doesn't go to school here either.
"You know where I am?" he asked. I pointed at the boy hugging another boy with that sweet smile.
"This is it, right? The one in the dark gray shirt?" I guess. He nodded, then smiled again.
"How did you know?"
"Your dimples... Raka doesn't have that." He looked down, his smile still etched the same. Honestly... apart from the dimples, there are still some differences between Ricky and Raka. There are other face shapes.
"He's different like me... just the same face. A sweet, smart, and quiet guy. It's not like I'm always a thug."
"Then... where is he now? Why don't you go to school with you?"
"He?" long time, he did not continue his speech. And it managed to scare me. Is he mad at my question? "He's there... with Mama. While I'm here with Papa."
"Sorry." I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked like that. Ricky must be sorrowful because my question made him remember the pain of separation between his parents.
"Those shoes are cute, huh..." he said, ignoring my earlier apology, "they only have one pair that fits perfectly. I hope we can be like that."
"You hope so?"
"Yeah... now you're happy, aren't you?"
"Happy why?"
"I'm rambling."
"Oh... so it's just gibberish?"
"Usually, girls like to be bullied."
"Oh..." I answered again. Confused as to what to answer. Though... I thought he was serious when he said that. Though... my heart was beating like crazy when I heard it.
"You don't like it?"
"You like it!"
"Well, I'll change. This is serious."
"What?"
"You are like grass in the schoolyard."
"How come?"
"If you see, it makes me cool," I looked down, embarrassed. I don't understand. But I quite know that he's trying to be romantic.
"Have you been romantic yet?"
"Well, that's that then."
"You like it?"
"Like."
"I'm going to the toilet in a minute," said goodbye.
Actually... what was our conversation about? I have absolutely no idea. The kind of dry, lousy conversation. Then... what's the purpose? Although, to be honest... I blushed hearing that.
"Are you close to Ricky?" I looked up. Arya came towards me full of sweat, then pulled my hand until I stood up.
"He's my boy." there was an angry glint in his eyes as if he didn't like it.
"Not him, Nilam. He's a killer!" again... I heard those words. Again... my body shivered with cold from those words.
"I can't believe it."