Jealousy

Today is the birthday of Pancasila University, as expected the campus atmosphere is very lively, more crowded than the orientation period used to be. Ivani had difficulty finding parking for her car. It could be college students who bring more vehicles than usual or there may be other visitors from outside the campus.

Upon entering the gate, rows of small booths were lined up neatly, some selling food, drinks, clothes, knick-knacks, even CDs & DVDs, most of which were pirated. But when Mai, Ivani, and Nica looked around, it turned out that the price offered was the same. Even though the bazaar should be cheaper.

A little later, the 3 on 3 basketball match was starting, the people gathered around the small field where the impromptu athletes were competing. Sometimes there are screams and cheers when the ball goes into the basket. In some corners there are beautiful girls in uniforms, it looks like they are dance participants. What's surprising is that there are participants from high school too, hmmm, it's appropriate that the parking lot is full, outsiders are also celebrating the campus anniversary.

From the stage, the sound of music booming, singing hit songs, the sound came from the CD being played, it seemed that The Whale Gray had not yet come on stage. The MCs also seemed enthusiastic about bringing the event, the scorching heat of the morning before noon did not dampen their enthusiasm.

Mai and her two friends just looked around for a while, they had class this afternoon and they agreed to come back to see this crowd after their lectures.

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Mai ordered takoyaki and couldn't wait to eat it, her stomach felt hungry. Towards the afternoon it is the most suitable for snacking. Nica hasn't come yet while Ivani is busy glancing at cute knick-knacks. Thomas immediately separated himself from them as soon as he left the class, it seemed that The Whale Gray would soon appear.

Mai paid for her order of takoyaki and blew the Japanese snack to cool immediately. It didn't take long for the takoyaki to enter her stomach.

The sound of music sounded from the stage, Mai immediately glanced and saw The Whale Gray on stage. The college students flocked near the stage, enjoying the performance of The Whale Gray, they loved it.

"Come on, Mai, we're going forward." Ivani suddenly grabbed her hand and dragged her closer to the stage.

"Oh yeah... Wait...wait!" Mai stuttered, while she was having fun eating, she was being pulled.

The Whale Gray performed brilliantly, the audience enjoyed their music or maybe their physical appearance. The girls behind Mai are very noisy, gossiping and sometimes shouting, just like watching a boy band concert. Even though The Whale Gray is a band whose music genre is pop & rock, not a boyband, yes, even though the appearance of the personnel is similar to a boyband. The hottest gossip topic must be about Aaron. Handsome, smart, talented, and still single. It seems that no girl has managed to win his heart or at least steal his attention.

"Aaron glanced over here." Ivani was no less excited. The girl even. smoothed out her hair which was a little messy due to the wind.

"How do I look?" She asked excitedly.

Mai just gave a thumbs up because her mouth was busy chewing snacks.

Ivani's eyes sparkled looking up at the stage. Her heart exploded with joy knowing her crush stole glances at her several times until she realized something was wrong. Ivani squinted, glanced at her best friend who was still busy with takoyaki. Then her eyes returned to the stage, and so on several times. Aaron noticed Mai? Not her? Really!

"Have you ever thought that Aaron might be... He doesn't like women." The words of one of the girls with blonde hair and colorful nail polish caught Ivani's attention. The girl glared at the gossiper.

How dare they talk about Aaron being mean! Do they mean Aaron is gay? Haphazard!

Ivani felt like slapping their mouths but Mai pulled her hand away and shook her head.

Why are people like that being treated?

"You don't talk carelessly ah," said his friend.

"But his face is too cute, Riven or Boban are more macho." Said, girls.

Well... Who's the person on?

Aaron is indeed more suitable to be called cute than handsome. His demeanor is also sweet. The kind of man who any parent would not be worried if his daughter went with him, except for Mai's father of course. Such a man would be considered dangerous after all.

"That's right!" The blonde-haired girl chimed in, feeling sure of her opinion.

"But when he's competing, Aaron looks different. His sweet image disappears immediately." The friend of the blonde girl seemed to be hesitating. Initially defended, continued to hesitate, now defends again.

Aaron does look different when it comes to karate, whether it's training or sparring. Mai witnessed it for herself. The look in the man's eyes, which had always been warm and friendly, turned sharp and cold. His face looks serious and of course no smile. Mai got goosebumps, her opponent might also have goosebumps.

As Riven had told her in the library that time. Aaron is not as cute as he looks. He's a thug, thug. That smiling face was always in his mind. His friendliness, care, attention, and laughter. The man never even said rude, at least not in front of Mai. Riven must have been exaggerating. Aaron is a good man, he is not a delinquent.

"That can't be a guarantee. Even a macho man can be gay, especially one that looks cute," the blonde girl still didn't want to lose.

"No!" his friend argued again.

The two women were still arguing. Mai became uncomfortable listening to this unimportant talk. Aaron is certainly not gay. Seriously!

"Maybe so.. Aaron chose to be single because the girls here are sarcastic, none of them are good," Ivani suddenly squealed.

The girls immediately fell silent and glared at them.

"Ivani..!" Mai half-whispered and slowly pulled Ivani away from there. Luckily the girls' reactions were slow, they might fight later, embarrassing.

Ivani was still mumbling at length, while Mai patiently listened to all of Ivani's chatter.

Ivani loves Aaron so much that she gets annoyed just because she hears bad gossip about Aaron.

"I'm sure Aaron can't move on from his ex-girlfriend, that's why he doesn't have a girlfriend until now," said Ivani vehemently.

"Yeah, I guess so." Mai handed Ivani iced tea to calm the girl down.

"But I don't have a chance like that." Ivani looked uninspired, she took a sip of the iced tea that Mai had given her.

"So you gave up?" Said Mai.

Maybe it's good for Ivani to forget about Aaron. Mai remembered about her dinner at a fancy restaurant the other day. Aaron and his ex-girlfriend with their family, that's a serious thing.

Ivan shrugged.

"I've tried everything to get close to him, but his reaction is normal. He doesn't seem interested in me at all." Ivani said.

"Ivani... Be patient. You are beautiful and the man in this world is not only Aaron." Said Mai.

Ivani smiled slightly then her lips pouted again.

"But it looks like he's interested in you." Ivani pouted.

Mai stared. Ivani looks like she's drifting off.

"Are you kidding me, why would you say that?" Said Mai.

Ivani sometimes likes to frown when she sees Aaron talking to Mai even though they don't do anything, it's just a normal conversation which is usually about Mai's trauma.

Aaron helps Mai overcome her panic attacks, provides knowledge and advice on PTSD and hemophobia. There are also advantages to having medical student friends.

Ivani is overreacting, being jealous of her own best friend. After all, such a popular and rich man could be attracted to her mediocre self. Mai looked down on her.

"The way he looks at you is different, it's like something is up." Said Ivani. Think back to when Aaron stole a few glances at Mai earlier. Ivani even believed that she had seen the man smile a little. Irritating! Of course, he wouldn't tell Mai about this. Fear of Mai getting a big head.

"Really? I don't think so." Mia said, Ivani just snorted.

"He is also very considerate of you. When he was in the cafeteria that day, he bought you a drink." Ivani refers to the incident a few days ago.

"Well, everything is treated," said Mai.

"Yes, but only your drink was brought directly by him," Ivani objected again.

Mai scratched her head that didn't itch. Yes, why is that? Ah, at least it's a coincidence.

"And he likes to give you ice cream. Came to the Faculty of Economics just to give you ice cream." Ivani took another sip of her iced tea, her lips still pouting.

"I also don't understand that one," said Mai slowly.

"Tomorrow, if he gives you ice cream, just refuse," Ivani said.

"But..." said Mai.

"Why..? Do you like it?" Ivani's tone was accusing.

Mai bit her lip.

"The ice cream is delicious." Said Mai.

Ivani rolled her eyes. Little kid! She cursed in her heart. Ivani noticed a friend who was younger than her. Her black hair is currently in two braids, jeans, a white t-shirt with the image of 'The Simpsons', and a pink cardigan. At first, Mai changed her appearance, Mai took a slightly mature style with flowing hair and shoes with 3 cm heels, her face was also covered with light make-up but it only lasted a month.