Chapter 14

"What, you're moving?" Joana gasped at the shocking news.

Teresa and her parents, who didn't look surprised, looked at each other. Joana also looked at them with a questioning look, "you know this?" she looked even more surprised. "So, I'm the only one who doesn't know this?"

"Joana, I want to tell you myself, but I don't dare. Sorry if this is sudden," Zain said, lowering his head.

Teresa, who felt that the conditions were starting to become unfavorable, finally got up from her place and chose to leave, "Sorry, I'll go first," she said softly as she left the room.

Every now and then, the beautiful girl looked at Zain meaningfully and took another step to leave everyone. Joana also saw that look which she interpreted as a disappointment to Zain, who didn't have the guts to be honest with Joana, who had been friends since childhood.

"May I take Joana to the lake?" Zain asked Joana's parents.

The man grabbed Joana's arm and took her away. At first, Joana was reluctant, but she was defeated by Zain, who was now much taller than her.

They went to the lake with clear water and lots of fish. Zain immediately got into the boat when it arrived, but Joana stood still with an angry face.

"Come on, go up, Joana," said Zain.

"Don't want to!" Joana said with a frown on her face.

"If you don't want to, you'll never know what I'm going to say," said Zain.

"Just tell me now," Joana snapped.

Zain took a deep breath, trying to understand Joana's attitude when she was angry. He stretched out his hand and said, "Come on, come on. Don't you want to have the last good memories with me?"

Joana glanced at Zain, looking devastated. Ultimately, she puts her finger on Zain's palm and gets on the boat with him.

The boat was a small wooden boat made by Raymond and Zain's father that only fit 2 people. The ship is used by Raymond and Zain's father to fish in the lake.

However, because Zain and Joana often played in the lake, the boat was also often used by Zain and Joana to play pirates.

Zain also rowed his boat around the beautiful lake while Joana still looked away, angry at Zain, who suddenly wanted to leave her.

"You remember, when you were little, you almost drowned in this lake, then I helped you. At that time, I was terrified something would happen to you because you didn't open your eyes even though I had brought you to the shore," recalled Zain.

Joana's memory was spinning back to her childhood. She really can't swim even now. "Yes, and I only realized when your father and Teresa came to help us," continued Joana, who then glared at the realization that Zain was persuading her not to be angry. "Hey, don't try to distract me. Now tell me, why did you just tell me now that you wanted to move?" she scolded.

Zain chuckled, "You haven't changed at all. You're still as fierce as ever," he said, "I'm sorry, but I really can't say it. I'm afraid to hurt you," he added.

"And now you're hurting me more, Zain," Joana replied.

Zain's eyes dimmed, "Then, do I deserve to be forgiven?" he asked.

"No, you don't deserve it," said Joana coldly.

"You're so cruel, like a witch," Zain mocked.

Joana glared, "magic, you say?"

"Yes, look at your fierce face. Soon your nose will grow like a witch," Zain mocked.

Joana stood up and raised her finger, "hey, how dare you call me a witch!" she forgot that he was in a boat and only realized it when the ship wobbled and lost its balance.

"Joana, be careful, you..."

"Aaaaaaaaah!!!"

BYUUURRRRR

Joana fell into the water and immediately screamed for help, "help! Help me, Zain!"

Without hesitation, Zain immediately went into the water and saved Joana. Luckily Joana didn't drown and lost consciousness because Zain quickly helped her.

He brought Joana to the lake's edge and sat the girl there. "Oh my God, how could you almost drown again? This lake is only 3 meters deep," he said.

"I'm only 165 meters tall. I'm still going to drown," Joana grumbled as she hugged her body which was starting to shiver.

Zain looked at the girl for a moment, "are you cold?" he asked.

"Yes, the water in this lake is indeed cold," answered Joana.

"Then let's go home," said Zain, embracing Joana as he walked her home.

When they arrived at Ruby's house and saw Joana and Zain, she glared at her worriedly, "Oh my gosh, what happened to you? why are you soaking wet like this?" she asked.

"Earlier, Joana fell into the lake, and I helped her," replied Zain.

"Oh my gosh! Come on in and change your clothes," said Ruby, who grabbed Joana's body and led her inside.

"No need, Mrs. Ruby. I'll just go home. My family must be waiting," said Zain.

"Are you ready to go?" asked Ruby.

"Yes, they must have packed up by now," Zain replied.

When Zain was about to leave Joana's house, the girl turned around and called out to Zain even though she was cold. "Zain..." she called.

Zain also turned around, "Yes?"

Joana looked at her little friend full of emotion, then ran to her and hugged Zain tightly, "I will miss you," she said, with clear tears flowing from the corners of her eyes.

Zain returned the hug and said, "I will miss you too."

Ruby also chose to leave the two children and let them say 'goodbye' to each other.

"When will you be back?" asked Joan.

"I don't know, but I'll call you. Maybe in a few years, I'll be back. We'll take another boat ride together. I promise," said Zain.

Joana looked at Zain with sad eyes, "really, you promise me?"

Zain nodded his head, "I promise," he replied, holding up his little finger.

Joana also linked her little finger to Zain's little finger. They hugged again, tighter than ever for the last time.

"Goodbye, Zain."

"Goodbye, Joana."

Joana waved and smiled at Zain, who waved at her as she walked away from him.

That was the last time Joana saw Zain. After his departure, she never saw Zain again. She didn't even receive news from Zain. No phone, email, or anything. Zain is completely gone from her life.

But not long after the departure of Joana's little friend. One morning when Teresa was having breakfast with Joana and her parents at the dinner table, Teresa suddenly felt nauseous and left the table.

The girl went to the sink and vomited there. Ruby, who was worried, approached her, "are you okay? are you sick, my Dear?" she asked anxiously.

However, it was different for Raymond, who actually suspected that something had happened to his eldest daughter because lately, Teresa had often gone to parties with her friends and even lost track of time.

***