The morning sun had just emerged from the dawn, but the Haris brothers' residence was already abuzz with an ear-piercing argument. Two young men were busy arguing, faintly heard from the living room upstairs.
"I have an early morning class, so if I play first, I'll be late! You know? Mondays are always jammed!" The man wearing a plain t-shirt with a dark blue alma mater with a special logo on the left side of the pocket attached to the front of his chest said grumpily. He stared at the figure in front of him like a bear ready to pounce.
"None of my business! Why don't you just ask Mother for a driver!" In front of him, the young man wearing a denim jacket under his gray-white uniform replied equally fiercely.
"Gallendra, you and Nara go to the same school. What's so hard about going together? Why did you make it so difficult for me?"
"It's just that I don't want to ride with her."
"What did you hear grandma say on the phone?"
"It's none of my business."
"But-"
"Brother, you STOP!"
An ultimatum from the girl who had just descended the stairs caught the attention of the two young men who were making a fuss.
"I'll take a motorcycle taxi, Brother and Brother Allard go first," he said.
The young man who had one hand in the pocket of his gray pants responded with a raw grin.
"From earlier! What a waste of time," he muttered. Then he left by slamming the door.
As before, Gallendra Aksa Labhrainn was always the first to refuse if he was asked to go with his younger sibling. Whatever the reason. Even though this time it was Grandma Ratna who asked for it, because she borrowed the driver from this house to take the middle-aged woman out of town.
Meanwhile, Allard Edberd Xavier as the eldest brother doesn't mind if he's not in a hurry, like now he has to attend morning classes and has to come early. She's old enough to fend for herself. So, he didn't need to trouble others.
Though the girl with the name Naraya Mikailarenza Peony—she was not the typical spoiled youngest who had to be driven everywhere she went without even a driver. If only is Father hadn't authorized it for fear of his daughter wandering off, then Nara wouldn't need to go to school with a driver.
As always, there would be arguments every time the eldest and the middle child were related to her. Having two older brothers and intact parents didn't make Nara feel like the center of attention, but in fact it made her feel alienated every day. Even the big house she lived in felt like hell.
"What's going on? It's already noisy in the morning!"
Immediately after hearing that hoarse, stern voice, the attention of the girls and boys in the living room was immediately drawn to the woman who had just come down the stairs only to find Fani already dressed in her office clothes.
"Just ask her," Allard concluded, pointing at the girl beside him with his chin before swinging his legs out of the house.
Nara smiled bitterly, she glanced at Mother who was still standing in front of her only to get a sharp glare that was so pointed.
"You son of a murderer, not anywhere in between...you're causing trouble! What's the matter? You're not the one who died! Having a child like you feels like a curse," The words that were usually heard always made Nara's heart stabbed until the girl was unable to say any more words. In fact, she just looked down to avoid Fani's expression which was always the same, looking at her with hatred. Although it wasn't the first time she had received such a scathing remark, it always felt the same. Nara never dared to return her gaze before being left behind again.
The tapping of heels followed by the creaking of the door started the silence in the room. Only the roar of cars coming from outside the room and heavy breathing could be heard. Then in a single blink of an eye, a single tear fell down Nara's cheek.
It was incredibly painful, every time Fani showed how much he hated the revenge of Naira's death. Even though she was also her child, but somehow Fani hated her so much. Even though the girl had thousands of words of apology for what she didn't do, it was completely useless.
"Sorry mom, sorry that Nara was born into this world."
The girl wiped her tears roughly. She didn't want to dwell on the situation, because this morning she had to present a group project. So, she left the house as soon as possible. And again, the motorcycle taxi driver in a green jacket and matching helmet was the last way for Nara to get to school.
The black watch on the girl's wrist read seven minutes to ten. The gates were almost closed, and the students were lined up neatly as the flag ceremony was about to begin. The motorcycle carrying Nara stopped in front of the gate of Pradita Nusantara High School after the girl tapped the shoulder of Mr. ojek.
The girl got off. A moment later after handing over the fare, Nara rushed off like a madman. Luckily, there was still an opening for her to enter before the gate was completely closed and locked. Breathing heavily after taking the time to put her bag in her classroom, Nara slipped into line just before the ceremony began.
At first she was relieved to be able to participate in the flag ceremony despite the morning drama. But after a few seconds, Nara pressed her solar plexus which suddenly felt painful along with the cold sweat that began to appear. She thought there was no harm in skipping breakfast, but in fact she now felt nauseous and bloated in the stomach.
"Hustt! Nara! Naraya Shssh."
Whispers could be heard coming from two rows beside Nara, drawing the girl's attention to exchange glances. She raised both eyebrows as her vision caught sight of an unfamiliar figure.
A young man who had soft black hair that fell with bangs that were slightly parted to create an empty space on his forehead. Thick eyebrows and a well-defined jaw. His pupils were black in color, the look in his eyes was soft with the same eye crease. A sharp nose with a mole on the left side of the nose and thin reddish lips that became a perfect unity on the young man's face.
He was one of the popular students —Langit. Not only was he good-looking, but also because he was known to be smart. Most impressive was his well-built posture, tall with broad shoulders, and porcelain-white skin.
"Sick?" the soft squeak was only answered with a shake of Nara's head.
"You're so pale."
"I'm fine."
"Let's be quiet Langit."
The girl returned her gaze to the front, a smile on her face. Followed by classmates who were in that line.
But not for long —without Nara's knowledge, the young man named Langit secretly continued to watch her with a worried look on his face. Because, he often witnessed how that frail body had staggered unbalanced before forcing itself to stand upright again. Even today, it was still the same. Nara looked so determined, even though her face already looked deathly pale and her body was trembling.
"Ra."
"Don't force yourself. Come on in."
The whisper was heard again. Then afterward, made the girl stiffen and return to shaking her head while squeezing her stomach.
"Tsk."
However, no sooner had the squeal been heard than the Indonesia Raya song was sung along with the red and white flag being drawn and all the students saluting in unison, within seconds Nara's body began to relax as her vision began to blur and she saw only a single point of light that began to darken. Before finally she felt her body float and invited people's screams.
The all-white room was the first sight Nara saw when she opened her eyes after being woken up by the same dream. Along with the cold sweat and ragged breathing that came with it. Afterward, the girl blinked a few times to adjust the light entering her noggin. Even her hand lifted up to gently tamper, just to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Because the last time she remembered, Nara was at the flag ceremony and her body collapsed into unconsciousness. However, she now realized where she was lying after feeling the gurney wrapped in white sheets and the faint smell of medicine.
Despite trying to stand strong among the students who were participating in the flag ceremony, Nara finally had to end up in the UKS. The girl with long, back-length hair and a cloth headband on top let out a long breath, her forehead furrowed along with a low hiss when she felt her head throbbing with pain.
"Tsk."
The second after that faint squeal, managed to divert the attention of the girl who was pressing her temples to turn her head to the corner of the room. Not knowing when the person who had been so difficult to see at school was now here, Nara realized that she was not alone in this room.
"Brother?"
The young man she always called Abang stood in the corner of the room leaning against the wall not far from a small cupboard. Where the storage of medical equipment showed its existence. Both hands were stuffed into his pants pockets-showing how arrogant he was.
"What are you doing here?"
The owner of the sweet smile that had been absent since a few years ago turned his head with the same expression-his gaze was so sharp, and sinking. It was always the same expression, stern, displeased. Staring at her with a hatred that was no different from Fani's -Mother's.
To be honest, the young man's smile was very sweet and pleasant to look at. It was just that it had been absent for a long time and had not been seen in Nara's presence for a long time.
"What do you think?"
It was no secret that the UKS was a facility for all students. Perhaps it was the question that was inappropriate and Gallendra could have been here because he was sick. And it wasn't like the young man had bothered to come here to see how he was doing. However, Gallendra showed no signs of being unwell at all.
"Do you really have to? Dorming in the morning!"
"You're so out of work! It's not like you're not at home or anywhere! Seeking attention all the time!"
After Gallendra's outburst, Nara raised both eyebrows high. Honestly, she really did not understand what the young man was saying.
"What do you mean, brother? I'm really sick."
"Why go to school if you're sick? It's good that you're at home, no need to appear in front of me! If necessary, go to the hospital and then don't go home! It's even better if you go home with your dead body!"
"But brother, I have a presentation."
"no reason!"
The girl's words were interrupted when Gallendra interrupted her. Then, in the next second Nara immediately looked down. Although this was not the first time she had received Gallendra's scathing criticism. It was not much different from Fani, who never dared to return his gaze.
"Get up! Finish your books and go home!"
Nara struggled to swallow her saliva that was stuck at the back of her throat. However, Gallendra had snapped back and made her gasp. If only it was break time now. Perhaps the young man's voice would have been heard all the way out of the room. Luckily, class had already started and there were no students wandering around outside. Except, like Nara who had some business in the UKS.
"Home?"
"Ms. Sarah told you to go home. And because of you, I was told to take you home. How annoying are you!" Gallendra said.
"But there's a driver at home, let Mr. Triyo pick me up."
"Are you senile? Mr. Triyo drove Grandma out of town."
Nara smiled faintly. She looked down in a mixture of pain, fear and confusion. There was no way the young man would drive her.
"Indeed. It's okay for you to take me home."
Gallendra snorted in disgust and scowled, "You think? I want to? I didn't say I wanted to, did I?"
"Next time if you're sick, you don't have to go to school! Don't be a bother to others!"
"Yes, Brother, sorry," Nara immediately regretted her stupidity, that she had thought the young man would actually take her home. After all, it was strange that Gallendra would do so. He wouldn't even cross paths at school, so it was highly unlikely.
"You know what you have to do to get home? There are plenty of motorcycle taxis out there! Don't be spoiled!" Again, Gallendra sneered.
"Yes, Brother."
Gallendra replied to the girl's soft words with a raw grin.
"Don't call me Brother! I never had a brother like you," he concluded, before swinging his legs out of the room. Leaving Nara alone.
She could not hold back her tears. Even after the back disappeared behind the door, Nara sighed heavily to her increasingly tight chest.
It hurt. It really hurt a lot every time Gallendra showed how much he hated her for the same reason, because of Naira's departure. Even though he should have known that Naira did not die because of him.
Not only did he get the hatred, but the scars, the fear, and even the trauma were still there. Gnawing at his mind, heart and soul without anyone ever knowing.
"Sorry Btother. I should have died."