17. Where Has the Hatred Gone?

My parents were already waiting in the living room when we arrived, and they rushed to the door when they heard the sound of a car stopping in front of the house. Mother seemed to be frowning when she saw Ali and Arif get out of the car, and maybe she wished Harsya was among us. I told my parents that Harsya couldn't pick me up from the hospital and take me home because a sudden surgery needed to be done, so they took me home.

"This is Arif, right? You haven't been here in a long time?" Mother immediately recognized Arif, and the guy had indeed come to the house several times with some of my other friends.

"Yes, ma'am," Arif replied with a smile and greeted my parents.

Standing next to Arif, Ali also smiled and greeted my father and mother. The two looked to observe Ali for a while. This is the first time Ali has come to my house, so mom and dad don't really recognize him.

"What's the name of this handsome guy?" Mom smiled at Ali while Dad just stared at him.

"Ali, ma'am," said Ali politely.

"Zie's friend too? "

Ali nodded in agreement,

"How come I've never met you? Usually I know who Zie's friends are. They often play here," Mom looked at the guy standing right in front of her.

"Ali is Zie's mortal enemy, ma'am. It's just a shame today that they get along. Usually, they always fight," Arif chuckled.

Ali and I were shocked to hear Arif's words while Mom and Dad just looked at Ali and me alternately with curious faces.

"My husband and I thank you for taking Zie home," Mom thanked the two boys standing behind me.

"You're welcome, ma'am. We happen to be in the same direction, really," I was surprised to hear Ali's answer. What direction? Clearly, his house is in the Town.

Arif also looked surprised to hear Ali's answer, but he didn't say anything. He just smirked at me. Ali and Arif immediately said goodbye, but their mother immediately restrained them and told them to go inside.

"Come on, come on in," my father's voice was deep and firm.

"Come in first, and I'll make you a drink,"

"Thank you, sir, ma'am. It's late, and anytime we can stop by here." Ali refused politely, while only Arif nodded in approval of Ali's words.

The two boys finally entered the living room after their father and mother forced them to enter the house. My parents didn't want to be thought of as people who didn't know how to repay the favour because they had accepted the kindness of Ali and Arif, who had brought me home. The two of them sat on guest chairs made of teak wood accompanied by their father and mother. They then talked intimately, and I don't know what they talked about.

I walked to my room with my things, after that, I cleaned myself and changed clothes. I put on my favourite purple pyjama suit, put on a jacket to cover my pyjamas and walked into the living room. Ali and Arif seemed to be having a friendly conversation with their father and mother. Ali glanced at my presence and returned to their conversation after ignoring me.

I sat beside my mother. At the same time, Aunty Ijah came to bring a few glasses of sweet tea for Ali, Arif, Dad, Mom and me, of course.

"Come on, drink the tea first, son," said the father to the two boys.

Arif immediately took the glass, brought it to his mouth, and took a sip. He immediately put the glass back because he felt his tongue burned by the still-hot tea. Everyone chuckled seeing him while Arif just smiled shyly. I felt that both my father and mother asked Ali more questions, maybe because they had just seen him, so they were curious about the guy. After finishing the sweet tea, the two boys then said goodbye. Father, mother and I escorted them to the terrace. Actually, I wanted to go straight to the room as soon as they said goodbye, but I felt bad for Arif and my parents because I had to follow them.

"Be careful on the road, son," said the father as the two of them got into the car.

"Thank you, sir. Assalamu'alaikum," Ali replied as he raised his car window. Soon the car left my yard and disappeared into the night.

I immediately walked to my room to rest, and today was very tiring. The whole trip, even after arriving home, my chest beat faster than usual every time I met Ali's cold eyes. I cursed myself for being soft on Ali today. I don't know where the hatred sitting in my heart has gone. The hatred is so deep for him that I can't dissolve in his charm.

"Zie, why isn't Harsya driving you?" my mother asked as I walked past the living room.

"He suddenly had a surgery, Mom. Incidentally, Ali and Arif were still there, so I could come in their car. I didn't know they brought me home," I replied, de.

I'm just lazy to sit next to my Mom, watching soap operas.

"Very nice of your friends, Zie. They want to take you home,"

"That's because Arif asked him, Mom. He couldn't bear it if Zie waited for the bus at night, fortunately Ali wanted to," I deliberately lied to my mother by showing Arif's. Fortunately,Thank God, luckily Ali was willing to drop off. Otherwise you would have just arrived."

I smiled then said goodbye to mom to rest. Actually, mom looks like she still wants to talk but seeing my eyes that are already five watts and yawning many times, finally mom let me go to my room

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