I smiled a little. Memories of my childhood came flooding back. I recalled my short childhood with Aqila. Being only 6 years apart in age from Aqila, didn't make me feel distant from her. I loved Aqila very much. Even though she is now in Heaven, I will always remember her forever.
"Is that woman Nadia?" asked Nina, which made me stunned.
"Nik . . . Niko!" called Bobby suddenly which made me and Nina immediately look at him.
"What's wrong?" I asked confused.
"Let's go to the lab now, Ms. Isye is already in the lab!"
"Isn't Ms. Isye said she wouldn't come in, huh?" asked Nina, who looked confused.
"No Nin, Ms. Isye is coming, she's already in the lab. Come on, let's go to lab now!"
"I'm dead, if we're even a little late we won't get into practicum. Let's go now!" I exclaimed, who was immediately busy chatting incoherently and tidying up my books that were scattered everywhere.
Today was very tiring, all day on campus, busy with a myriad of assignments and impromptu exams, making my brain feel like it was about to explode. I really wanted to take a break and eat as much as I could because my stomach was hysterically screaming for nutrition.
Because today's lecture is over. I, Nina and Bobby went straight to the cafeteria to take a short break because it felt like my brain was working beyond its limits.
"Lah, is that Bella?" Bobby exclaimed when he saw Bella approaching our table.
"Haven't you guys come back yet?" asked Bella with her bowl of bakshi.
"No, we just finished an impromptu exam and now the assignment is waiting for us again. I think we'll spend all night on campus," Bobby replied while eating the rice and grilled chicken he had just ordered.
"You're not back yet, Bel?" I asked, opening my voice.
Bella shook her head slowly as she ate her meatball with gusto. "Are you the same, Nin?"
"Huh? What's the same?" asked Nina confused.
"Will you spend all night on campus?" asked Bella again.
"I think so," Nina replied shortly.
"Where's Nadia? Isn't she with you?" I asked, realizing that Nadia wasn't with Bella.
"Oh my God, I forgot to tell you, Nik!" she shouted suddenly, which confused me. "Earlier in class, Nadia's presentation score was the highest. Because she got the highest score in the class, she was asked by our lecturer to make an observation at a mental hospital.
"Yes, sort of like doing research. That's why she was so busy, rushing home to do the assignment. She hasn't eaten yet!" Bella said at length.
Hearing that Nadia hadn't eaten, I suddenly had no appetite. "Why doesn't she eat? I already know she has magh!"
"I told her, but she was so ignorant. She also asked me to give the car keys to you," he said, putting the car keys into my hand.
"What? So, what did she use to get back?"
"By bus," Bella replied, which made me even more annoyed.
"That's a real boy! Guys, you can continue doing your work at the library. I have to go back."
"Okay, be careful, Bro."
After finishing all the remaining food, I went straight to the parking lot and hurried home. I called Nadia, but she didn't seem to be answering my calls at all. Annoyed, I was speeding down the road like a Kimmi Raikonen racing driver. When I got home, I saw that the headlights were already on. Apparently, Nadia was home.
When I walked in, I saw that the house was in a very messy state. Thick psychology books were scattered everywhere. But Nadia was nowhere to be seen. Where had she gone?
"Nadia?!" I shouted. "Geez, what are you doing there?" I asked when I saw Nadia busy typing on the floor while eating some snacks.
"Uh, are you home yet? Sorry the house is messy, I was looking for books for the early semesters. So, I put the books everywhere. But, don't worry, I'll sort it out later."
"Have you eaten yet?" I cut in quickly.
Nadia shook her head slowly and was still focused on her laptop screen. Hearing the word hasn't eaten yet, I immediately pulled her hand roughly and put her laptop on the table.
"Well, why are you keeping it? I'm not done yet. I still have a lot of work to do, I'm on deadline."
"It's okay to do your assignments, but don't forget to eat!"
"Just eat later."
"I don't want to know, eat now! Do you want your magh to flare up again? Your magh is chronic, do you want to be hospitalized again?"
Nadia shook her head slowly. Seeing that her face was starting to look pale, I immediately took her to the kitchen and made her some fried rice. After a few minutes of cooking, I immediately gave her the dish that had just finished cooking.
"Eat!" I ordered fiercely.
"Yes, it's really fierce," she said with a grin.
"Finish it!"
After finishing the food I made, Nadia went back to her work. Apparently, tonight was going to be a tough night for us because we both had to finish our assignments on deadline.
"Nik," Nadia called suddenly.
"Mmhh . . . ."
"Good luck, I hope you can become a great doctor and you can realize your big dream."
I turned around and looked at Nadia's face who was doing her job in the TV room.
"We'll both work in the hospital, I'll be the medical doctor and you'll be the psychiatric doctor. We will complement each other, Nad. So, good luck to you too."
Nadia nodded and smiled softly again. "Come on, let's realize our dreams together."
We both smiled at each other. Slowly, I closed my laptop and approached Nadia who was busy with her assignments. I looked at her face for a long time.
For some reason, I felt like hugging her as a sign of my affection and gratitude for her. I held Nadia's hand so gently, then I also hugged her so tightly.
"Thanks for everything, Nad."
"Thanks for what, Nik?" she asked confused in my arms.
"Thank you for everything you've done for me. Thank you also for making me who I am today."
"Niko?" she said softly.
I released my embrace and looked deeply into Nadia's face. I ventured to kiss Nadia's lips with one peck as a sign of my affection for her.
And, this one kiss was sincere from the bottom of my heart. A clean and loving heart, as a sign of my gratitude for my current wife.
"My special gift to you," I whispered in her ear.