10. Always Helping

Emilly stopped walking when she reached the front of the tent. "You wait here! I'll take it first."

Daniel nodded his head, then Emilly went inside and looked for the medicine box lying next to Rachel's bag.

The medicine box was already in his hand, he immediately got out of the tent and gave his first aid kit to Daniel. "Tell Alan, I'm sorry for forgetting to return it."

Daniel smiled faintly. "Yes, sweetie!" Emilly rolled her eyes in annoyance, then walked past Daniel and left him.

When Emilly had rejoined his friends, Daniel immediately turned and walked over to Alan and Jeff who were sitting in front of the tent. Daniel's hand stretched out in front of Alan's face. "Here," Daniel gave the box to Alan.

"Cancel!" Alan grabbed the bottle that Jeff wanted to drink and then drank it down, then gave the empty bottle to Jeff.

"That's really good, you know! I'm really a scavenger who collects empty bottles!" Jeff mumbled and threw the empty bottle into the trash next to his tent.

Daniel sat on the trunk of a big tree in front of Jeff. "You don't feel sick to your stomach anymore?"

Jeff chuckled. "Alan doesn't have a stomach ache, Niel."

Daniel's eyes bulged. "What do you mean?"

"Ah, you pretend not to understand," said Alan.

Daniel thought for a while, "Insolent!" he said as he threw his first aid kit which hit Alan's head.

"You're also happy that you've held hands with Emilly in the morning, hehehe .." Alan said giggling. Then Alan's eyes looked at Emilly who was excitedly telling stories with Rachel and Amel, occasionally Emilly laughed to show holes in both cheeks. "Looks like you're really interested in Emilly, huh?" he asked.

Jeff nodded while looking at Daniel. "Yes, Daniel, it's really hard for you to be willing to participate in this kind of activity. You don't really like it!" he said.

Daniel chuckled. "He's different—"

"Do you think Power Ranger?" Jeff interrupted Daniel's words, making Daniel smack his head hard.

Daniel threw a few dry leaves in front of him at Jeff's legs cross-legged. "He's fierce! But, sexy."

Jeff stood up, patting his thighs which were dirty from the dirt from the leaves that Daniel had thrown. "You like to waste your life, Niel," said Jeff curtly, then sat back down again. "It's useless to be sexy if you are fierce! Can't be invited—"

Daniel kicked Jeff's leg. "What did you say?"

Alan's hand reached out to take his cellphone inside the tent, then opened an incoming message.

-Don't be tired, okay! If you have a signal, call me, babe!-

Alan smiled faintly when he read a message from Jessica, his new girlfriend a few days ago. Because Alan is busy with his activities and responsibilities, Alan doesn't care about his cellphone. Even though the message that Jessica sent was two days ago, before his left for Mount Slamet, Alan only opened it now. Plus, there's no signal at the top of the hill like this. Alan slightly regrets not contacting Jessica first before carrying out his activities this time.

Daniel nudged Alan's leg, making Alan wake up from his long daydream. "Help me please!" Alan frowned in confusion. "Help what?" "Matchmaker! The Raka's used to it," said Jeff.

"Fighting alone is happier in the end, Niel," Alan chuckled. "Don't be aggressive! That's the message if you want to get close to a fierce girl!" he continued.

"A saying from Mario Tegal!" Jeff laughed. "Very suitable to be a member in charge."

"Oh yeah, what time do we continue?" asked Daniel, Alan got up from his seat and was followed by Jeff who also stood up.

"Half an hour to go. Take a shower there! You stink!" Alan ordered then left Daniel and Jeff.

Jeff went straight into the tent to get toiletries next to Daniel's bag and then got out and ran. "I borrow it, handsome Daniel!"

Daniel's eyes widened when he saw the towel, and his toiletries were brought by Jeff, then Daniel chased Jeff with big steps. "You bastard!"

Rachel and other members who accidentally saw the pursuit of the two friends, then burst out laughing. Except, Emilly.

****

Emilly rubbed her forehead which was starting to sweat. Not because she was tired, but the sunlight this time seemed to burn the white surface of her face and body.

"Tired?" Said Daniel who was next to Emilly.

"No!"

The fairly high incline made Emilly repeatedly slide down, while the rest of his group had already walked first. Daniel alertly extended his right hand towards Emilly, but Emilly was still trying hard to climb it himself.

"Come on, we're already far behind!"

"Well, there you go! Just leave me alone!" Emilly said.

Daniel brushed his hair back. His right hand stretched out again, he wouldn't do what Emilly told him to do.

Emilly's heart and mind seemed to collide, she wanted to accept the helping hand if it wasn't Daniel's hand. Emilly didn't know what mistake Daniel had made, to make him so sick of it. Emilly looked at Daniel who was smiling meaningfully at him, then his hand was raised in response to Daniel's outstretched hand.

Their eyes met. They were still silent in silence, until finally Daniel grabbed Kiya's hand and pulled the girl's hand until Emilly was surprised and then stepped his foot to get to the top.

When Emilly's feet were a little closer, suddenly there was a tree branch in front of her, making Emilly's feet stumble.

Daniel who was still holding Emilly's hand immediately caught Emilly's tiny body which almost fell down. Daniel hugged Emilly's body, making Emilly jump in surprise.

Emilly pushed Daniel's body away. "Don't look for opportunities!"

"You're welcome!" said Daniel.

Emilly chuckled. "Thanks!"

Daniel smiled faintly. Emilly averted her gaze from Daniel's eyes who were staring at her deeply. "Let's go on!" Daniel grabbed Emilly's hand and held it and asked her to walk. Emilly just stared, not trying to let go of the grip between them.

****

To Be Continued...