"Rama, I'm sorry."
Tania has apologized to Rama dozens of times for feeling guilty. Especially when she saw the burns on Rama's wrists which were quite severe and looked wide.
"No need, it was an accident. After all, Novan did it, why should you apologize?" said Ram.
"But I pushed Novan so that the glass fell and hit your hand," said Tania.
A female supervisor as well as a health worker immediately cleaned and smeared Rama's wound with some medicine. Then immediately wrap it with a bandage so as not to cause infection.
"For now you should rest. The wound is not serious, so don't worry," said the supervisor as she rearranged her first aid kit.
"But what about my practicum, ma'am?" asked Ram.
"No need to worry. You and Tania's names will still be on the group assignment," said Mr. Rudi, who had just entered the room. "You can still get grades from theory assignments. I will ask Leo to explain it to you later. Tania, please accompany Rama if he needs anything."
Tania immediately nodded. "Very well, sir. Thank you."
Mr. Rudi then left the two after teasing Tania about something. Meanwhile, Rama is now thinking about the incident in the laboratory. He knew that Novan had dropped the measuring cup on purpose. Novan was angry because Tania was even close to him. But Novan didn't think long, that what he was doing made Tania even more distant.
"Rama, I'm going to the toilet. You'd better rest," said Tania, making the dreamy Rama immediately turn around.
"Okay."
After Tania goes, Rama immediately lay down on the bed. He then grabbed his phone and saw today's latest news on Youtube. He seemed to shake his head when he saw the news about the outbreak of an epidemic of unknown origin and cause in other countries.
The disease outbreak makes the infected people have characteristics like the Zombies in the movies. They infect each other through blood and saliva. Again Rama shook his head in disbelief, how could there be a disease outbreak like Zombies in this world?
"What do you see?"
Rama gasped in surprise when he saw Tania sitting on the bench next to his bed, looking at Rama's cell phone. Rama took off his headset and sat leaning on the bed.
"Nothing. Just the daily news."
"You seem to like keeping up with the news world, don't you?"
"Is that weird?"
Tania shook her head. "No. But most guys your age like games, movies, anime, and general stuff." Tania answered while handing her a bottle of drinking water.
"Thank you. By the way, I also like general things. I also play games and watch movies. But I also like seeing about the development of the world and the conflicts that are going on right now. Maybe it's because I look quiet and serious, so you judge me like that."
Tania quickly shook her head again. "No, Ram. I don't judge you that much. Sorry if my words made you a little uncomfortable."
Rama looked at Tania who smiled awkwardly while downing her water bottle. The girl immediately shut up and chose to play on her cell phone. Rama becomes uncomfortable with this atmosphere. He didn't feel offended, but Tania seemed to have judged herself that way. Or maybe he was too rigid in responding to Tania's words earlier, so Tania thought he would be offended.
The two of them sat in silence while playing with their respective phones. During this time, Tania has always been surrounded by many friends who have made her life far from lonely. And sitting alone with Rama might make Tania awkward and uncomfortable.
"Unusual silence?" asked Rama after a while.
Tania turned. The girl seemed to think for a moment. "Maybe. But I also like silence. But sometimes it's too hard to find a way to be alone."
"I thought you liked your position," said Rama when he saw Tania sigh as if she had a heavy burden that was barely visible. Because Rama sees Tania rarely complains, let alone refuses someone who asks her for help.
"Yes. But sometimes I get tired too and want to stop for a while. But somehow it can't."
"There's nothing wrong with complaining and saying no. You have to be able to manage your own life."
"Yeah, that's true. Maybe I should try," said Tania, smiling. "Then how about you? Aren't you tired?"
"No. Because it's my choice."
"It means you've found your true self."
"You're right. But sometimes I like to think, am I too cold to respond to things? What do you think, am I very anti-social?"
The girl looked at him for a moment. "Can I be honest?" he asked. Rama nodded. "At first I thought you were weird. But it's only natural that you choose to withdraw from the crowd like to be alone and happy with no friends at all. But, we will need the help of others. Although there are many things you can do on your own, There's one thing you won't be able to do alone. I don't want to sound patronizing and pretentious. But if I can give you any advice, it's best if you start to open up. Whatever we do will affect our lives in the future. And not forever. You will continue to be alone, Rama. There will come a time, other people come into your life. I always believed you were a nice and pleasant person. So I never gave up on being friends with you."
Tania smiled sweetly, staring at Rama slowly who began to digest Tania's sentences one by one. Rama looks amazed by Tania's explanation which is easy to accept and understand. Every word and intonation in his voice contained enthusiasm and support. This made Rama feel appreciated, even though they were not close at all.
"No wonder you have lots of friends. You're good at judging and approaching other people. Maybe I'll try that advice later. Thanks, Tania."
"Don't give too much credit. I'm glad to be your friend." Tania smiled, very sweet. The two then laughed, sounding awkward but one looking so happy.
Just then someone suddenly entered the infirmary. Rama and Tania turned and saw the Biology Professor who was in the Laboratory. His face still looks pale and wistful as Rama had seen before.
"What about your wound?" he asked, looking at Rama. The professor walked over to the medicine cabinet and lowered a black bag from the top shelf.
"It's better, sir. I should be able to join the practicum. The wound is not too bad," said Rama.
"The practicum is over, your friends are currently receiving immune injections to prevent the disease outbreak that is currently spreading. You know the news, don't you?" he asked and sat down on the bench near Rama's bed.
"Does the plague exist?" asked Ram. His voice sounded doubtful. Rama investigates, does this man with the title of professor also believe that a Zombie epidemic is spreading? Because for Rama, the news circulating did not happen. Where possible, people will turn into zombies and attack each other. The undead is just fictional characters in movies and stories. If they existed, then this world would end.
"What would you do if they existed?" The professor even asked back.
"Kill them, then survive," answered Rama spontaneously.
"In what way?"
"Finding the company that created them. From the movies I've seen, Zombies are created from viruses created by certain companies. Mainly due to the failure of a study that ended in the creation of a monster virus. They then made animals and humans as guinea pigs. Leave each other alone. to kill, usually, their goal is to find out who can survive and be immune from the virus. Or if not, they deliberately created the virus as a weapon to kill mankind."
The professor laughed heartily at Rama's answer. "Good explanation, but I guess you'll be a Zombie before you find them."
"That's right. It's impossible anyway."
"That's it. I'd better give you an injection now."
"What for? You don't believe zombies exist, do you?"
"No. Don't worry. It's just a simple injection of antibodies to boost your immunity. It protects you from viruses and bacteria. When will you get this for free?"
"But it's safe, right, sir?" asked Rama who was not sure.
"Of course it's safe. How could we give something that wasn't tested for safety first? Do you have any doubts?" The professor looked a little offended.
"Sorry, sir."
Rama and Tania finally finished receiving the antibody injections. For some reason, Rama had a bad feeling when he saw the Professor. His face was pale, as was his whole body. Rama also saw that the veins in his hands were prominent and slightly dark in color. I don't know if it's just Rama's feelings or if he's seen it wrong.
When finished, the two then joined other friends who had finished getting antibody injections. Rama saw Panji and Novan who looked cynically at him, especially Novan who saw Tania getting closer to him. Rama didn't care, after all, he was also annoyed that Novan intentionally harmed him today.
Finally, the study visit ended. It was two o'clock in the afternoon. The tourism bus drove back to take the students back to Jakarta. Rama again sat in the corner with his ear-plugged headset.
Maybe because of fatigue, that time the other students also fell asleep and the atmosphere became calmer. Rama saw Tania who was sitting in the front seat also asleep with her head propped against the windshield. Rama smiled faintly, it seemed that having friends was quite fun.
To be continued...