Chapter 18

"Are you happy?"

"Yes!"

I thought about the short conversation with Garvi last night after his fight with Nareswara. At first, I was hesitant to answer the call but after the second call, I picked it up and he immediately asked me that question. Of course, I was honest about my feelings of happiness because Nareswara hit him without me asking. After a short answer, I turned off the connection even though I faintly heard Garvi about to say something. I waited for him to call again but he didn't so, that's it.

My feelings for Garvi after he betrayed me seemed to have dried up right then and there. Like the hibiscus flowers he once gave me. My heart is reluctant to find out why Garvi cheated because there is no justification for the reason for the affair. All this time I've been reluctant to make guesses because I'm afraid, afraid of my guesses. Maybe I'm too cowardly to find out all the reasons Garvi cheated because if I found out, then I would be low in self-esteem and lose self-confidence. So, let's leave it like this.

"What's bothering you?"

I almost threw the sushi Arthur gave me in any direction when Nareswara's voice startled me.

"You," I answered curtly then ate the sushi which was the length of my thumb and the width of three fingers when put together.

"Are you daydreaming about me," he asked in a confident tone that made me want to throw up the sushi but it would be a shame if I did because it tasted good.

I ate some more sushi and then chewed while feeling how delicious this Japanese food is. Arthur never makes a mistake when giving food alms because the food Arthur gives never seems to stain my mouth or stomach, it spoils it. It was so fun that until the third bite, I still ignored Nareswara because I was afraid that Nareswara would take this sushi. Because Arthur only gave me three sushi while he gave the rest to Mr. Rahmat, the school gardener. Yes, Arthur and Mr. Rahmat are close because Mr. Rahmat's father used to work for Arthur's grandfather's family.

In the end, they didn't come out. "Fine, it's work for my income, and thank you, my good friends," I said whatever, he couldn't deny it and said thank you.

"So, how is Nares?" Now I'm looking at Nareswara, who looks as flat as the wall of the principal's office.

"Your faces bring fortune and assets to the nation," I said to the two of them then I pointed at Nareswara who was sitting next to me. "Don't waste my ideas because real proof of my ideas has just been provided by testimony."

I packed the lunch box and Tupperware bottles into a paper bag because break time would be over soon.

I patted Nareswara's shoulder then stood up and patted Arthur's shoulder. "See you at the archery building, National Assets." I walked as if I was floating while carrying a paper bag and rubbish from used sushi containers.

"Has he been crazy since he was little?" Arthur asked Nareswara.

"I can hear it," I shouted and then giggled.

*.*.*.*

Stretching tired muscles after exercise is a relief, especially if it makes a popping sound. Ah, it feels like the tiredness hanging in your muscles disappears for a moment. The most disturbing thing is the neck muscles because they feel very stiff after practicing archery. I want to buy something that can soothe my neck.

Washing my face in the locker room sink has become my habit after every practice. Not only that, I also wash my armpits so they don't smell too bad. What I do always attracts the attention of my female friends in the changing room. "Don't try to record me in a situation like this because it constitutes pornography and electronic crime." I always say this to them because I just don't believe them. Remembering those who don't like me because of Mr. Handoko.

Just be careful, if they record me and distribute the video, or even record it, then I will never stay silent and cry. I will find the perpetrator and pull the perpetrator's hair until it falls out and sue him. I'm not playing around for this.

"Don't take photos," I admonished myself when I saw them busy taking pictures of something and I immediately became suspicious.

"It's so exciting to be a person! Let's take a photo ourselves," said a classmate who didn't know any manners.

In the beginning, the archery team's underclassmen didn't like me because of the seniors and my classmates. Those younger classmates also don't like me. I have repeatedly introspected myself about what my mistakes were. It turned out that the fault was theirs because they were too jealous of me, who was Mr. Handoko's golden child.

"Oh." My response was to take my sports bag after finishing wearing a T-shirt and then look away and leave the changing room.

"It's annoying! They think this is all my will! Of course not!" I mumbled to myself after slamming the dressing room door and the sound of cursing could be heard from inside the dressing room.

Arthur and Nareswara approached me and they both looked like they were getting along. It's nice to see them and hopefully,y they can be good friends, as good as my friendship with Arthur.

"Need a lift home," Arthur offered to Nareswara and me.

"Three pillions," I asked.

"Why not," replied Arthur with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Crazy," I cursed and got a laughing response from Arthur and Nareswara.

Maybe the three of us ride together, just imagining it makes me want to hit my head because it's too ridiculous