Perwira Negara High School was already full of students on Monday. Most of them are new students. They can be seen in their new uniforms' clothing style and color. Also, new faces full of enthusiasm were seen adorning the students.
Malik drove his motorbike to the parking lot, which was already crowded. Isha got down after Malik turned off the motorcycle engine.
"It's always diligent like this, huh, Boy?" Isha asked while handing Malik the helmet she was wearing.
It's because it's the first day for new students. Including you." Malik received the helmet and kept it on the motorcycle's handlebar.
"You already know where your class is, right?" Malik looks so patient with Isha.
Isha nodded. "Yesterday, when the aspect was finished, we were told each class." Isha then opened her backpack and took something from it. After that, she handed Malik the lunch box.
"Oh, what is this?" Malik, who received the lunchbox, hesitated.
"Lunch. Yesterday I told my mother that she would come home rather late. So, Mother prepared two boxes of lunch. One for me, one more for you." Isha looked at Malik.
"For me?" Malik asked, confused.
"Yes. Maybe as a substitute because you promised to care for me." Isha with a big smile.
Malik smiled and nodded.
"Okay, I accept. It's just that Aunty Rosminah shouldn't have bothered making this for me. I can eat in the canteen if I'm hungry," said Malik.
"I do not know. That's my mother's will. Oh yes. It's okay to have lunch in the cafeteria later, right?" Isha looked at Malik with adorable eyes.
Malik smiled. Why is this girl so adorable?
"Of course, you can. So what?" asked Malik.
"I'm afraid because I bring my lunch, I'm not allowed to eat there." Isha logically.
"I'll accompany you later if you're not used to it," Malik promises to accompany Isha.
"Can. I'll wait for you in the hallway leading to the canteen, okay?" Isha asked innocently.
Of course, Malik will agree to whatever Isha wants. Moreover, this is just eating together. Malik can not refuse it.
"Wait for me in the hall to the cafeteria. Don't go anywhere if I haven't come. Okay?" Malik gave a message before Isha nodded, left the parking area, and headed to her class.
Malik just smiled, looking at the lunch box he was holding. The handsome man shook his head in surprise.
"Already in high school; why do you still bring supplies?" Malik muttered under his breath as he left the parking area with an amused smile.
***
When she finally entered the classroom after the ceremony, a girl from Isha's class approached him. Isha sat in the front row this time because that was the only one available.
"Hey?" Risna, the sweet girl with long hair, greeted Isha.
Isha turned and smiled. "Hey," Isha returned the girl's greeting.
"May I sit on this bench?" asked Risna.
Isha nodded. "Can. It just so happens that no one has occupied it yet," Isha answered.
Risna nodded and then sat on the bench next to Isha.
"Ish, I saw you when I arrived at school earlier," Risna said, starting the conversation in a low voice so the others wouldn't hear.
"Oh yes? Why don't you greet me?" asked Isha back.
Suddenly, Risha smiled with a blushing face, surprising Isha.
"I'm embarrassed," answered Risna.
Isha frowned, then asked, "Embarrassed? Shame on who?"
Risna looked around to see if anyone had heard their conversation. But after feeling safe, Risna approached and said in a low voice.
"Ashamed of the one who piggybacked you earlier," Risna replied with a blush, making Isha laugh.
"Who piggybacked me? What do you mean, Malik?" Isha asked, still with a silent, smiling mouth.
"So the name of your pillion is Malik?" asked Risna, still in a low voice.
Isha nodded.
"I'm sorry. I... I don't mean to talk about your boyfriend, Ish. Sorry," Risna said like that because she thought Malik was Isha's boyfriend.
"Boyfriend? What boyfriend?" asked Isha surprised.
"Malik. Isn't your boyfriend?" Asked Risna, surprised.
Isha spontaneously laughed at Risna's question.
"What a fool! Malik is not my boyfriend. Besides, I can't go out with my mother before I graduate college and get a job," Isha answered honestly.
And indeed, that is the dogma that Rosminah instilled in Isha. Material adequacy should not lull Isha to get through her life without struggling quickly. No! Ridwan and Rosminah continue to invest the value of independence in Isha's soul. They don't want Isha to grow up to be a woman who only relies on her parents' wealth, so it's unsurprising that Isha still has to study well if she wants good grades.
Of course, this demand is more than just dismissed. Due to this demand, Ridwan and Rosminah provided maximum facilities for Isha to study.
"Oh, I see? So, what kind of relationship does Malik have with you? Your brother? Or are you just a friend?" asked Risna, increasingly curious about their status, who seemed very close even since registration. Because Risna accidentally saw the handsome Malik —so that the boy was far more prominent than the other students—accompanying Isha to register and take care of administration.
"Malik has been my friend since childhood. We are always together at school. We are neighbors, although a bit far away. But we are still in the same village, and our families are like brothers. Why are you asking Malik? You have a crush, do you, with him?" Isha guessed while smiling meaningfully.
"Sssttt… don't be loud. Later, our friends will hear that they are afraid it will become a problem," said Risna while putting her finger to her lips to make Isha not discuss this issue too loudly.
Isha just nodded but couldn't stop laughing.
"Okay. If you have a crush, I will convey your greetings to Malik," said Isha, full of promise.
"Is it true?" asked Risna with shining eyes.
Isha nods happily. However, Risna's face, full of twinkles, suddenly dimmed and turned gloomy, making Isha wonder.
"What's wrong, Ris?" asked Isha.
"But… isn't that embarrassing? A girl who has a crush on a boy first?" asked Risna, looking at Isha's face with sad eyes.
"Why be ashamed? Don't worry; I have an appointment to have lunch in the canteen later. Would you like to join?" asked Isha.
Risna shook her head spontaneously.
"No! No. I… I'm not brave enough to do it yet," Risna answered nervously.
"Fine, if you don't want to. But if you want to send greetings, I will convey them to Malik," said Isha.
Risa smiled broadly.
"Thanks, huh, Sha? You are good," said Risna, who was too happy to find a way to approach Malik finally.
***
Break time has arrived. As promised, Isha rushed to the cafeteria, which passed through a long, beautiful corridor. The cafe behind the school is quite large. It was built to accommodate the many students who might miss their break simultaneously.
Isha sat restlessly on the benches on the left and right of the corridor leading to the cafeteria. Most students passing through the hall were looking at Isha, sitting nervously, waiting for Malik. Several times, Isha checked her watch to make sure that Malik had arrived at the place where they promised to meet.
Isha was about to give up when finally, from the direction of the class rows, Malik's figure appeared, hurrying towards her. The boy's hand held the lunch box a little clumsily because he had never carried lunch during school. If ever, it was when I was still at the kindergarten level. So it is okay if Malik looks awkward.
"Hey, Sha. Sorry, I am too late," Malik said, a little out of breath because he had walked in a hurry. Especially when he saw Isha's face was already sullen.
"How long, anyway?" asked Isha with an annoyed face.
"Hey, this is not what you want. I like it to be fast, but the teacher is too late to give the material, "said Malik.
Isha pouted. Like her mother said, Malik always memorized Isha's character, who often looked spoiled.
"Hey, sweet sister, where can you frown? Then, it will lose its beauty. Come on, let's go to the cafeteria. I am hungry," said Malik while gently ruffling Isha's hair.
Although sullen, Isha also went with Malik. They didn't realize that three students were watching the three of them questioningly.
***
Aksara