Flashback - May I get to know you as a new friend?

During the afternoon break, as usual, Putri went to the school park bench. She brought some food and drinks and started enjoying her lunch and listening to songs through the headset.

This school has a broad enough garden, where students can comfortably enjoy their break time or fill their spare time to study in an open space.

Several fish ponds are neatly arranged, creating a beautiful artificial natural atmosphere.

There is not only one school park bench. There are many benches spread across the park.

The benches overlook the sports field, the library, and some directly overlook the fish pond.

Some of the students that Putri saw came with their friends. Some brought lunch as well and covered a few topics.

But it seems that only Putri always comes alone.

Putri took a deep breath, then put her lunch beside her. She was listening to some of her favorite songs while taking out a notebook from a small bag.

**Putri's Notes

After a long time feeling alone.

At this time feels different. It sinks my empty heart.

Everyone has to face it.

Unable to escape what was already a part of me.

The more I stay away from it, the more loneliness it faithfully accompanies.

No one needs to know how much it hurts.

Until I can find a medicine that can heal these hurt feelings

Or I'm just waiting until the pain goes away and disappears.

***

Putri put a pen and book beside her while closing her eyes. She tried to live up to every lyric of the song is sung.

Putri still closed her eyes. The singer's voice was very soft. But Putri felt someone touched her shoulder once.

Ahh, maybe it's just Putri's feelings getting too carried away.

But Putri still felt it again, and now not once but many times. Someone touched her left shoulder.

She opened her eyes, wondering what touched her shoulder?

Putri saw an index finger on her shoulder and was still tapping on Putri's shoulder.

"Hello? Finally, you opened your eyes." A male figure wearing a neat uniform with a tie removed was observing Putri's face very seriously.

"What? Can I help you?" asked Putri in surprise.

But instead, he gave a big smile. He has an athletic body with black hair. A little bang gives a sweet impression on his face.

He tilted his face even more and was now close enough to sit beside Putri.

"Don't be so mean. I'm Andy. Can I get to know you?" Andi said with a wide smile and held out his hand to offer a handshake.

"Sorry, but I'm not in the mood to talk or get acquainted with anyone," Putri replied curtly and tried to put her headset back on. But Andi pulled her headset strap instead.

"Why don't you give me a chance? I'm still getting acquainted." Andi is still smiling broadly.

Putri was annoyed and got up from her chair. She put her book and headset into the small bag she was carrying, then started walking away from Andi.

"Too bad you didn't finish your lunch, babe." Andi teased with a big smile. He pointed to the Putri lunch box that was on the bench.

Putri leaves and gives a brief answer to Andi.

You can throw the food away. I suddenly felt full.

***

The next day, during recess. As usual, Putri went to the school park and sat on her favorite park bench.

She saw that the bench was empty, without any strange students who had bothered her yesterday.

Just now, Putri felt calm. She just devoured her first bite of bread. A male figure suddenly appeared behind Putri. He greeted cheerfully.

Putri was surprised and made a choke with the bread that was still in her mouth.

"Are you ok?" ask Andi, still with a big smile.

Putri stood up and turned around while tidying up the bread spices on her school skirt. Her face already showed annoyance.

"Can you not bother me?!" Putri commanded while inflating her chest and taking a deep breath.

"Sure, I can," answered Andi shortly.

Putri was a little surprised. It was easy to throw Andi away without any resistance. Then she sat back down without asking Andi.

It turned out that Andi did not leave Putri. He just walked towards the front of the bench and then sat beside Putri.

Putri gave Andi a cynical look. "What are you doing? Why are you still in here?"

His cynical gaze didn't affect Andi at all. Realizing Putri was looking at him, Andi looked at Putri's face and smiled again.

"The bench is empty, right? It's too wide if you're the only one sitting alone. Don't worry. I promise I won't bother you. As you wish," Andi said.

Putri did not give any statement. Sitting again while enjoying her lunch and listening to songs on her cellphone is the best way to ignore Andi, who is right beside her.

Andi crossed his legs while playing his head as if he heard the sound of the music being listened to by Putri. And occasionally, looked at the Putri's face, which was flat and expressionless.

Andi continued to make movements. Her legs kept alternately crossed. Make Putri's concentration be scattered.

"Hah?! If it's not comfortable to sit. Just move to another bench." Putri said very curtly and took off her headset.

Andi looks happy when Putri talks to him.

"Did you talk to me?" Andi said again, smiling sweetly.

"I'm Andi. And I want to continue about yesterday. I want to get to know you as a new friend. I've just moved this week," Andi offered his hand to offer a handshake.

As a friend? FRIEND? Putri thought.

It's been several months since Putri has had no friends. Instead, stay away from friends. Suddenly someone he doesn't know offers to be friends.

Weird and crazy, according to Putri.

Putri got up from her seat and remained silent, without asking Andi still holding out his hand.

"You'd better not be friends with me. You don't know who I am."

For some reason, the words suddenly came out of Putri's mouth. Will this hurt Andi's feelings?

But isn't it better like this than later Andi knows the truth about Putri? And in the end, he will stay away from Putri. The same thing his friends used to do?

Andi looked at Putri, who was walking away from him.

His curiosity was more increased than before, curiosity and a sense of closeness to get to know the figure of Putri.

The following days during the break, Andi continued to do the same thing. Even this time, he was the one sitting waiting for her.

Putri realized it chose another bench to avoid Andi.

After a week had passed, Andi was never absent to always appear on the school park bench. But the same thing when Putri always avoided him, she always tried to stay away.

Until finally, on Saturday when break time. Andi is not seen in the school garden.

"So lucky today. He no longer follows me," Putri thought. She didn't have to work too hard that day to keep avoiding Andi.

That lunch, Putri passed very quietly. She feels happy because Andi did not show up.

After the break is over. As usual, Putri returned to class. And apparently, students were sent home early because the teacher had to attend a meeting invitation in the afternoon. So the teachers have to hurry and get ready.