"Mother said, yesterday, Sis Susi found you, didn't she?" asked Ares suddenly when they were alone.
"Yes, Res. She wants to apologize for what happened at Cak Irwan's place."
"Tsk! But in my opinion, it's just pretending, Sis. You see, yesterday I saw that Susi was still getting along with Ana," said the younger brother swiftly.
"Let it be, Res. She came to apologize, just accept it. Things behind want to be weird, please just go ahead. It's none of our business. It will be our business if they offend our family again," answered Lia wisely.
"That's right, Sis." Inevitably, Ares had to agree with his sister's opinion, who was very open-minded.
"Yeah, don't worry about it. You better get out of here now. I want to get ready too because there is a morning class. Uh, go there ..." said Lia, while patting her brother's shoulder to get out of her room.
"Give me the writing utensil first, Sis. You said you bought it for me?" Ares said in a spoiled tone which immediately got a punch from Lia.
"Ouch! Brother, how come you're even jittery?!"
"It's amused, it's okay to say it, Res. This ..." Lia handed Ares a set of stationery and again ordered her sister to come out of her room.
"It's out there, hush ... hush."
"Yes, Sis yes. Oh my, how fierce!"
That was the commotion that happened that morning before the two of them set out together to study. Lia escorted Ares to the front of the school gate. Then after that, Lia left for campus.
---
The lecture went quite smoothly, until the last hour of the course in her schedule for that day was completed. The Gang's personnel were also seen to be present in full with no less than one member.
"Are you guys not having an event?" Lia asked her friends who conveyed her intention to visit her father.
"Not available. We've already planned, right? Yes, guys?" Amanda said while asking Bobby and Riyan for support.
"Yes, Lia. We also want to visit Mr. Bimo. Besides that, I also miss your mom's cooking, hihi," said Bobby honestly, who immediately got a punch on the head from Riyan.
"Ouch, it hurts you know!"
"Yeah, just eat what you think about. Weight gain wrote angry seven days and seven nights. Remember Bob, remember," said Riyan spicy, accompanied by laughter from the other friends.
"Yes, if there is no event. Come on. I told Mom first."
"Uh, you don't. Later, your mother will prepare various things. Take it easy, Li. I ordered a snack. So while on the way, Riyan and I stopped first at the cake shop, I see." Amanda explained.
"Well, now you're the one bothering."
"It's okay. Come on, let's go now. Continuing to talk, forget about it later," continued Amanda, to which the four other friends laughed back.
The intimacy of the HS Gang that was formed since their first year of college cannot be doubted. It was as if God had destined them to meet and establish friendships like brothers. So, somehow the five children got to know each other quickly without ever feeling the slightest bit uncomfortable with one another.
Even though they often seem to fight or bicker, it is precise because of this that they become closer. Because, of course, because there was never anything to cover up. So, everything just goes on openly in thought and word. Because of that openness, the friendship that exists can last. And, of course, they hope that it will continue until the end of life.
They agreed to visit Lia's house and were ready to leave the campus parking lot. The plan was for Lia and Bobby to go straight home using their respective vehicles. Meanwhile, Amanda and Riyan stopped by one of the cake shops first.
---
Sekar's attention was lifting the clothesline beside the house, so she was distracted when she heard the roar of a motorbike that seemed to be parked in front of the house. She recognized the sound of a motorbike that her children used to use but were unfamiliar with the sound of another motorbike accompanying her. Curious, Sekar put down her laundry basket and walked to the front of the house.
"Mother... Lia is home," said Lia approaching her mother while kissing her hand with reverence. Followed by Bobby who also shook hands with Sekar.
"How are you, Ma'am?" Bobby asked kindly with a big smile.
"Oh my, this is Bobby, isn't it? Haven't been here in a long time. But, why didn't you tell me you wanted to come? Mother hasn't cooked it yet." That's what Sekar said, who already understands about her daughter's friends, especially Bobby who likes to eat her food.
Hearing Sekar's words, instantly made Lia laugh amused. Meanwhile, Bobby could only look down and smile while scratching the back of his neck that didn't itch, due to the honest guess of his best friend's mother.
They talked for a while, then Sekar asked them to come inside the house. And almost at the same time, Amanda and Riyan arrived. Long story short, they went straight into Lia's house together.
One by one Lia's friends approached Bimo and said a prayer for his recovery. Not to forget, Amanda handed over the cake and fruit parcel that she had ordered. They gathered in the living room which was much wider than the living room itself.
The atmosphere at Lia's house became more lively because of the arrival of the HS Gang, who was funny. Bimo—Lia's father often laughs because of Bobby and Riyan's unbearable silliness. This, of course, has made Sekar and Lia feel grateful for seeing their father who looks so amused.
While enjoying the meatballs that Amanda had ordered, they drifted into happy laughter. Until one time, a knock on the door made everyone turn to each other; question who is coming.
"Let Lia open it, Ma'am."
"Ares, huh?" Amanda asked.
"No, Madam. Ares has school, he hasn't returned yet," said Lia as she rose from her seat.
---
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Yeah... Wait a minute," said Lia hurriedly, then immediately grabbed the door to open it.
"Hi! Good afternoon, Lia," said Angga with a smile advertising a toothpaste that was so wide and showed a row of white, neat, and clean teeth.
Lia widened her eyes in surprise at the arrival of Angga, who she did not know at all. As far as she remembers, Angga didn't send any messages at all. Besides... hasn't Angga been to the house before? What is wrong with his ...
Before Lia's mind could find the answer to her question, Evan appeared smiling and waving a shorthand at her.
"Good afternoon, Lia. Sorry if I just came here. I've been calling you all this time, but... still no answer. So, Angga and I decided to come here right away," Evan explained, which instantly made Lia pat her forehead.
"Ouch, sorry. Earlier, the phone was in silent mode, then when I got home I immediately charged it in the room because I wanted to take a low bath, Van. Sorry again, okay?" Full of regret, Lia apologized to Evan and Angga who had to wait for news without certainty.
"Lia... how come the guests weren't told to come in?" Sekar suddenly approached while rebuking her daughter.
"Oh yes, sorry Ma'am. I forgot to offer entry. Hehe," answered Lia, grinning, which instantly made Evan and Angga look at each other.
'So cute, bastard…' That's how the heart sounds from the gazes of two young visitors from Jakarta when they see the grin of a girl named Lia.
"Come on in. What a coincidence, Lia's friends are also coming. Let's just get together," said Sekar enthusiastically when she returned home with a guest who was the girl's friends.
It's nothing, the middle-aged woman is very happy when Lia's friends visit her house. That means the girl has a good social relationship with her peers. Even that child was able to find friends like the HS Gang, which made Sekar even more grateful.
And now, her daughter has a new friend from a different city. Even though she doesn't fully know who Evan and Angga are, Sekar has welcomed their arrival.
"Sit down, Evan and Angga. I'll make you a drink, okay?"
"Uh, don't bother, Mom," Evan said quickly.
"No problem. It's just water."
"Oh yes, Ma'am. This, please accept it."
Angga handed Sekar a medium-sized fruit parcel, while Evan gave Lia a brown goodie bag.
"Oh, you guys are the one bothering. But thank you, Evan and Angga. Please sit down first."
"Yes, Ma'am. You're welcome."
"Thank you, Van-Ngga. Wait a moment, I'll go in first," added Lia, who received a nod from Evan and Angga.
---
"Oh my… what are you guys doing here? Daddy, why don't they get reprimanded?" scold Lia when she just entered the living room and found her friends were like people who were eavesdropping.
"It's like you don't know your friends, Nok. Daddy has been reprimanded," said Bimo casually, laughing a little when he saw his daughter pouting.
"Sit down, Bro... If you're curious, why don't you come over? Like a thief! Oh, what a shame." With an incoherent grunt on her pouty lips that slightly pouted, Lia immediately gave a long, long grunt.
"Don't be fierce, Lia. Later the guest runs away, you know!" Bobby teased which immediately invited laughter to the others. Even with Lia's father who also laughed.
The jokes and temptations also sounded in Evan and Angga's ears, which made both of them laugh too.
"That's great, Angga," Evan comments at the end.
"Yes. You know, those are friends of Lia's group. It's name is also very funny. HS Gang or Group."
"Hmmm?" Evan asked confused.
"Haha, no-no. But Happy And Successful Group, hihi. Isn't it like a bouquet?" Angga could no longer hide his laughter. Even with Evan, who laughed too because he was amused by the name of the Group belonging to Lia and her friends.
"Drink it, please." Full of kindness, Amanda came out with two cups of warm tea on a tray. Meanwhile, Lia brought several kinds of wet snacks for snacking.
The girl looked very sweet and very flexible as she put the two cups of drink on the table. With gentle movements like a palace princess, Amanda said goodbye, then her shadow disappeared behind the door.
"Kyaaaa... so handsome, oh my gosh very handsome!!" she squealed while tightly hugging the tray that had been used to carry drinks.
"Husshhh! Manda! Shut up, are you shy, you know?" Ryan snapped, who immediately became uncomfortable due to the attitude of her friend who was already like a possessed person. Crazy!
---
"Hehe, sorry for the attitude of my friends. I think different rooms can dampen their excitement a little. It turned out to be the same," said Lia in the end after hearing the commotion from her Gang.
"Just relax, Lia," said Angga.
"Yeah, why weren't you told to just gather here so it's crowded. Your friends must be cool," added Evan with a smile.
"But I'm sorry if they're a bit messy a.k.a ..."
Before Lia had finished speaking, a scream of defense was heard from the next room.
"Hey, Lia! Don't embarrass us, okay?" Amanda said.
"So let's go out now. Time to play with the mice?"
"Cats, Lia," said Bobby, who immediately received laughter from everyone there.
And in the end, the HS Gang got to know Evan and Angga. As seen, they received the arrival of the two young men from Jakarta very well. Mingle and get to know each other because many things are discussed.
***