14. Can't Pick Up

There was nothing special other than doing shift work at the hospital the following days. Time flies fast, and I can't believe today is our last day of practice at the Anyelir Hospital. After saying goodbye to the hospital employees, I immediately went back to the boarding house to pack up. After that, I said goodbye to the boarding house owner, who was not far from where I lived with Airin and Ria.

I sat on the terrace of the boarding house alone, waiting for Harsya to pick me up. Ria goes home first with Arbi, and Airin has also gone home because her house is not far from this place.

I spent time looking at the status of my friends on social media. After getting tired of reading statuses on social media, I looked at my watch, and it turned out that I was sitting here and waiting for Harsya for more than an hour. I stood up and stretched my arms to reduce the soreness in my back. Then, I looked out at the road, hoping that Harsya's car could be seen there.

A black HRV seemed to be speeding towards me and stopped in the yard next door. Subconsciously I looked at the car and saw someone getting out of the car. I looked at her athletic posture clad in a black t-shirt and beige pants, making her look very charming.

Feeling watched by someone, the man turned and looked at me. My face immediately turned red, my breath felt tight, and my heartfelt like it was going to jump. Ali! He showed a sweet smile that made many girls on campus crazy about him. I quickly looked away and snorted to cover my nervousness. I never thought that Ali could drive because he always used a motorbike when he went to campus.

Fortunately, Arif came out of the house, and he immediately followed Ali's gaze towards me.

"Not picked up yet, Zie?" Arif asked me when he saw I sat alone.

"Not yet. Maybe Harsya is still busy," I smiled.

"Just come with us!" asked Arif.

Ali looked stunned but didn't say anything.

"I haven't been able to contact Harsya, and I'm afraid that if I go with you, Harsya will be disappointed,"

"How about we wait for Zie until Harsya picks her up, Al?" Arif asked Ali, the guy just nodded.

Ali and Arif came to my place and then sat on the sofa in front of me. Arif and I chatted together while Ali just looked at us, occasionally he joined in when Arif asked. I was stunned when our gazes met and saw that his eyes were not as cold as usual.

My cell phone rang not long after, from Harsya. I stood up and moved away from the two to receive a call from Harsya.

"Hello, dear... I'm sorry, I can't pick you up now. I have urgent surgery, a patient with postpartum hemorrhage, Radian who was supposed to replace my shift suddenly had an event, so I had to take care" Harsya's voice sounded on the other end.

"It's okay."

"So, how do you get home? Do you want to wait for me or take the bus?"

"With Arif, there happened to be someone who brought a car so that we can ride later." I deliberately lied because I didn't make Harsya worried.

"Okay, Be careful then." Harsya sighed. There was a sense of relief in it.

I walked over to the two boys who were waiting for me.

"How?" Arif asked after I hung up my phone.

"Harsya had urgent surgery. He can't pick me up," I replied with a smile to cover my disappointment.

"Then you come with us!" said Arif enthusiastically.

"I'll just take the bus," I glanced at Ali. I didn't dare expect Ali to grant Arif's request.

"Come on, Al! How dare you let Zie get on the bus?" Arif looked at Ali with pleading eyes.

"Come on! It;s late night .." Ali replied as he stood up from his seat.

I was relieved to hear Ali's answer even though his voice still sounded cold, and I walked towards the car with Arif, who brought my things. Ali opened the trunk door and helped put my things there. After that, Ali opened the passenger door at the back and told me to get on and close the door after I sat down. Then Ali walked to the door in the wheelhouse and sat there while Arif was sitting next to him. Soon Ali started the car and ran it.

***