Chapter 17

This is the first time Mentari has seen Senja angry.

Normally, they would just argue with each other and Senja had never been this angry. Even if Senja gave punishment to her for what she did wrong in school, the way he scolded Mentari seemed ordinary. But, now, Mentari seems unable to recognize Senja. What stood before her was not Senja Alexandro as her teacher, but Senja Alexandro as someone else. A stranger.

When he saw Mentari shaking and crying, Senja realized that he had gone too far. He gasped and click his tongue. Then, he gave Mentari's cell phone to Vivi and took a deep breath. His eyes were closed and Senja tried to control his anger. Then, Senja could feel his shoulder being touched, causing his eyes to open and turn around. Awan stood behind him and looked at him sternly.

"You're crossed the line."

"Shut up," Senja growled in a low voice. Low and dangerous. But, Awan didn't feel scared at all. "Do not interfere."

"I read the contents of the short message on Mentari's cell phone just now, when you gave the cell phone to Vivi. Listen, Mentari just doesn't want you to get hurt because of her. She thinks about your safety, as well as my safety and the others. Can't you respect her intentions?"

"I never asked her to protect me, Awan! It's my job as a teacher to protect her!"

"Senja Alexandro! It's not a matter of you wanting to protect her here. The problem here is, you don't even think about Mentari's good intentions to keep you out of harm's way! She's still a minor, only seventeen years old, but she's already able to think ahead of not getting other people into her troubles." Awan pointing his finger to Senja's face. "She cares about you, you bastard!"

Senja is silent. He click his tongue again and glanced at Mentari. The girl was still looking down and looking scared. When his hand reached out to touch Mentari's head and intended to apologize, Senja saw Mentari flinch. Mentari immediately took a step back, making Senja froze.

Did Mentari just avoid him? That brave girl now... looked scared? And it's all because of him?

Vivi and Yunifer immediately approached Mentari and rubbed her hands. Then, Vivi looked at Senja who was still frozen in his place. The girl smiled. "Mr. Senja, how about we stop to investigate Arya, today? Let me and Yunifer talk to Mentari first. I am sure that Mr. Senja's intention to Mentari is good. You just don't want Mentari to get hurt because of the perpetrator."

Awan took a deep breath and waved one hand. He told Vivi and Yunifer to take Mentari away. When the three girls had left, Awan looked back at Senja. His gaze was sharp.

"I didn't think you would be this stupid, Sen," said Awan firmly. "You better clear your mind first! I will follow Mentari and the others. I hope you will apologize to Mentari later. If you don't apologize, I'll teach you a lesson. Remember that."

After saying that, Awan immediately ran after Mentari, Vivi and Yunifer. Leaving Senja who was now cursing and punching the wall beside him until his hands were red and bleeding a little.

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"Mentari, are you all right?"

The question from Awan made Mentari smile. The girl nodded and drank the sweet iced tea that Vivi had ordered. They were all at a fast food restaurant near Mentari's school. Awan knows about it because he had called Vivi. Even though Vivi spoke in a cold tone, luckily Vivi still wanted to tell him where they were.

"I'm okay, Awan. Sorry for making you worried." Mentari took a deep breath. "I was just surprised, because Mr. Senja could be that angry. Usually when he's angry, it's never like this."

Awan nodded. "Please understand Senja's intention, Tar. Senja is angry because he doesn't want you to be careless and ends up getting hurt. Because as a teacher, he must be responsible for taking care of his students. Besides, he's angry because he really cares about you, Tar."

"Care about me? It's impossible."

"Why?"

Mentari frowned. "Because he's always get angry with me."

"He always got angry because of his worry and care towards you," added Awan. He laughed when he saw Mentari's sullen face and ruffled her hair. Near Mentari, Vivi and Yunifer feel relieved because Mentari seems to be cheer up again. "If Senja apologizes to you later, it's okay if you want to be angry with him too. I will support you."

The girl then laughed and nodded. Then, there was a coughing sound. Mentari and the others turned their heads, then found the figure of Senja standing not far from where they were sitting. Mentari immediately stood up, as did the others. Awan then signaled Vivi and Yunifer to follow him and gave Senja and Mentari a chance to talk.

"If you make her scared and cry again, I will really punch you. " Awan threatened.

"If you make Mentari cry again, I will make fun of you every day, Sir," said Vivi. Yunifer was silent, but she nodded firmly. A sign of agreement with Vivi's words just now. Senja could only chuckle and nod in response. Then, when everyone had left him and Mentari, Senja immediately smiled gently at the girl.

"Mentari, can I talk to you for a minute?" Senja looked around. "If you don't feel comfortable talking here because there are quite a lot of customers, we can move to another place. Maybe while eating ice cream? My treat."

Mentari was still a little scared when she faced Senja, but she had calmed down enough. The girl smiled and pointed at the table she had shared with her friends.

"Let's just stay here, Sir. It's okay," said Mentari. She sat back and waited for Senja to sit in an empty spot. Vivi's seat.

Silence is created between Mentari and Senja. Both of them were busy with their own thoughts. Then, Senja cleared his throat and looked at Mentari. "I... I'm sorry, Mentari. My attitude towards you was gone too far. I couldn't hold back my emotions because I was afraid that you would be harmed by protecting me. I don't want that to happen. Because I care about you."

Senja cares and worries about you, Mentari.

Awan's words came back to Mentari's mind. The girl felt her heart warm. Even though Senja was always annoying to her, it turned out that her teacher really cared about her. Mentari smiled and shook her head.

"It's okay, Sir. I also apologize for hiding everything from you, even though we all promise to help each other. Earlier, that person contacted me again, Sir. However, I haven't told Vivi and the others yet. He... asked to meet me. Tonight, at the park near the school."

Senja is silent. He looked out the restaurant window.

"Then I'll come along."