Life is strange sometimes. Our actions and feelings often don't align. We might like someone, but we end up pushing them away. Such was the case with Ratna.
As soon as the break bell rang, Rey rushed to the front of Ratna's classroom. The atmosphere was noisy; students burst out, almost bumping into him. Rey quickly stepped inside, looking for the figure who was tidying up books at her desk.
"Ratna, I need to talk to you," Rey said seriously.
"That's new," murmured Helen, Ratna's deskmate, smiling teasingly before leaving the two of them alone.
Ratna looked up. Her eyes stared at Rey, confused.
"What is it, Rey?"
At the same time, Harold and his friends walked past the front of the class, laughing. They paused briefly, looking at Rey with cynical smiles.
"I want to apologize," Rey whispered softly, bowing his head slightly, as if afraid his words would be heard by Harold.
"Apologize? For what?" Ratna whispered back, her voice barely audible.
"I... came to your house late at night," Rey replied, covering his mouth with his hand so others couldn't read his lips.
"It's okay, Rey. I was wrong too, for giving you a time that was too late," Ratna replied with a small smile, also covering her mouth like Rey.
Rey smiled in relief. "Thank you, Ratna... for understanding."
Ratna looked down, blushing. There was something warm but strange in her chest.
"Where are you going now?" Rey asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"To the library," Ratna answered hesitantly.
"Good, I'll join you. Let's go," Rey invited, gently pulling Ratna's hand.
"Aren't you going to eat?" Ratna asked in surprise, quickly pulling her hand away.
"I can go to the canteen if you go there too," Rey replied with a charming smile.
Ratna shook her head slightly. "I want to go to the library."
She didn't want Rey to know that she actually didn't have money for snacks.
They walked side by side toward the library. Some friends watched them, whispering. Ratna could feel those piercing glances.
Deep down, Ratna was actually happy to walk with Rey. But on the other hand, she was afraid. Afraid of gossip, afraid her parents would find out, afraid everything would become complicated.
Her steps stopped. She looked sharply at Rey.
"Don't follow me," she said softly but firmly.
Rey was stunned. He hadn't expected that reaction. All this time, he thought Ratna liked him too.
"I don't like being accompanied by you," Ratna quickly continued, suppressing the turmoil in her chest. Yet, deep inside, Ratna wanted to say the opposite: I like you. But she chose to remain silent.
"Why?" Rey asked softly, scratching the back of his head with a confused look.
"I just don't like it," Ratna answered curtly, then rushed away, leaving Rey standing frozen.
Rey watched Ratna's back as she walked away. There was an unexplainable ache. All this time, everything had been easy for him. Everyone liked him, admired him. But Ratna... she was different.
The next day, every time Ratna saw Rey, she chose to turn in the opposite direction. Rey, who tried to wave, could only watch her pretend not to see him.
In her heart, Ratna was crying. But she knew this was for the best. She didn't want them to become gossip fodder. She just wanted them to focus on their studies—even though her own heart was a mess.
Meanwhile, Rey stood in front of his classroom, watching Ratna from afar. The afternoon breeze blew gently, but his chest felt heavy.
"If I did something wrong... why don't you just tell me, Ratna," Rey murmured softly.
The smile on his face faded, replaced by an expression that was hard to decipher—somewhere between disappointment and longing.
And at her desk in the front of the class, Ratna, who pretended to be busy reading, actually knew Rey was watching her. But she remained silent.
Because sometimes... to love means learning to stay away.