"It's up to you. Just watch out! Don't blame me if I suddenly speed up in the middle of the journey," Diaz had warned Afika.
"Yeah … don't speed!" Afika protested. "Prioritise driving safety," she advised.
"Let's get there quickly," Diaz replied.
"You're carrying someone's child. It's like having nine lives. Remember! You have to take responsibility for taking other people's lives," said Afika.
"Ah, nag!" Diaz didn't want to respond to Afika's babbling anymore. He stepped on the gas and almost knocked Afika off her feet.
Reflexively, Afika's hands immediately wrapped around Diaz's waist. She also put her body behind Diaz's back as he immediately sped up.
***
A few days later, Diaz and Afika rarely saw each other at school anymore. Was it because the semester holidays were approaching? Diaz was never seen hanging around the school corridors again. Very strange, isn't it? Afika cast her eyes around the school.
Diaz was nowhere to be found. Not even in his secret place. Afika made sure to go to the arts centre behind the school. She felt so lost. She wanted to ask one of her friends in Diaz's class, but she was too proud.
That's all right. There's no point in asking either. It would only attract the attention of many people and create all kinds of speculation later. Afika retreated from her search. She chose to take a walk by herself in the school garden. It was a quiet week again.
"Hi, you're Afika, right?" greeted Alan who approached her on the park bench.
"Eh, yeah, Alan. What's wrong?" replied Afika half-nervously.
"It's nothing. I just want to make sure that you're really Afika," Alan said.
Afika frowned. It was strange that Alan was looking for her now. A big question mark arose in her mind.
"How long have you known Diaz?" Alan asked to the point.
Deg!
Afika averted her gaze, then looked at Alan. Since when did Alan care about her?
"What's wrong, Alan?" Afika asked back. She didn't understand what Alan meant by immediately asking about her relationship with Diaz.
"It's nothing. As far as I know, Diaz doesn't have any friends. How come you're suddenly close to him and you're ... dating, huh?" Alan said.
"What?" Afika widened her eyes in shock. "Who said that, Alan?"
"Yes, someone did. They said you were a fan of Diaz. Who knows, it could go from being a fan to dating," Alan explained.
Afika continued to deny it. She assured Alan that there was nothing between her and Diaz. Just casual acquaintances. Because Diaz often ordered food at her father's shop. That's how Afika explained the real situation to Alan. So that there would be no misunderstanding between them.
"So, don't believe the gossip, Alan. It's all not true," Afika clarified. Alan nodded and smiled at Afika.
"That's good then. I thought you two were ...." Alan's sentence stopped for a moment. He saw Diaz standing and observing him from a distance.
"No, Alan. It's awful! It's true. I have nothing to do with him," Afika assured him once again.
"Yes-yeah, I believe it."
Diaz was still watching the movements of Alan and Afika who were sitting together. They were chatting in the school garden very intimately. Not long after, he walked away. When Helmi approached him.
"If possible, you should not get close to Diaz," Alan advised.
"Why is that?" Afika frowned at her senior's suggestion.
"Just don't! He's a troubled person," Alan warned Afika.
'Everyone has their own problems. So, where's the difference?" Afika wondered.
How could Alan give advice that Afika didn't understand what he meant by saying it about Diaz.
He meant that he wanted to demonise Diaz in front of Afika. Is that so?
"What are troubled people, Alan? I have a lot of problems too. You do too, right? There's no way we don't have problems," Afika defended.
"Yes, we do. I'm just telling you. I'm glad you listened. Not really, it's okay. It's your right." Alan was still trying to convince Afika.
But the girl was not easily swayed. She couldn't just trust people. Even if it was Alan who said it.
"That's all right then. I'll go to class first, Alan," said Afika. She got up from her seat and walked ahead leaving Alan in the school garden.
"What's the point, badmouthing Diaz in front of me?" grumbled Afika. As she quickened her pace in the classroom corridor.
***
After school diaz already started packing in his room. He had secretly packed his clothes and other items, according to him needs, into a small suitcase. All that's left is to leave tomorrow. Ah, what a relief. Tomorrow would be a very exciting day for him.
DRRRTTT!
His mobile phone vibrated. An incoming message had just appeared on her mobile phone's notification screen. It was from her father.
[Don't forget, you have to attend the trial tomorrow!]
Diaz only glanced at it and read it briefly. Without replying to it. He doesn't want to spoil happy mood. Let's just say, he's maintaining his current mood. Don't let tomorrow go so bad mood.
Tok-tok-tok!
"Yaz!" mummy called from outside his room. "Are you asleep? Or are you doing your school work?" she asked. Because as usual, Diaz always locked his bedroom door after school.
There was no answer from inside the room. Instead, Diaz lay on the bed with her earphones in and pretended to be asleep.
"Yaz, Mummy has something to say. Don't forget to come to the court tomorrow!" Mummy reminded her son.
So, Mummy just wanted to say that. Just like his dad. Who reminded Diaz to attend his parents' divorce hearing. What the hell! He'll never go there.
Early in the morning, Diaz would go to the office of the tour and travel agency alone. Because his departure schedule was expected at 6am.
***
It's nighttime at Warung Ayam Geprek, and Afika is daydreaming alone at the cashier's desk. There were so many customers crowding into her father's shop. It looks like tomorrow will be a super busy day. In fact, tomorrow is her first day of school holidays.
"Woooiii! Why are you daydreaming? Work! Work! Work!" Afika's cousin surprised her suddenly.
"Oh my, Wandi! What a surprise. Did you come here?" Afika greeted him back.
"Yes. I just wanted to eat at Mamang's stall. Where did he go, Fik?" asked Wandi as he looked around.
"Father is away on business. He'll be back in a while. What do you need? I'll tell you later," Afika told him.
"Not really. I just need you," Wandi replied. Afika frowned.
"Well ... what is it then?" Afika immediately pressed him. She was going to be very busy from now on.
Wandi gave the holiday tickets to Afika, his younger cousin. "Just for you. Tomorrow starts the school holidays, right?" Wandi guessed.
"Huh? Seriously, Wan? Really for me?" Afika widened her eyes in disbelief. Wandi nodded firmly.
Wandi explained that he couldn't go with the travel agent that he had scheduled in advance. He failed to go on holiday to Jogja. Because there was an extra class at his university.
So, with a heavy heart, he had to give his holiday ticket to Afika. Instead of wasting it, she didn't use it. It can't be refunded either and can just be forfeited if it's not used. So, it's better for Afika to go, he said.
It's amazing. It feels like a windfall. Thanks to her patience all this time. Finally, Afika can also go on holiday. Not bad for healing while travelling. When else can you travel for free. So how do you tell your father later?