Rey cried that night. His chest felt tight, as if something heavy was pressing from the inside.
"Ratna only sees me as a friend…" he muttered softly.
Tears fell one by one onto his study desk.
After everything he had done — the attention, the time he gave — Ratna still saw him as just a friend.
Yet Rey was so sure she liked him too.
His fist clenched. The book on the table slammed hard.
"Why? Why is she the only one who can't see me?"
Every girl admired him. But Ratna… Ratna was different.
She wasn't easy to win — and that was exactly what drove Rey crazy.
He covered his face, shoulders trembling.
He was angry at himself, more angry because his heart couldn't stop loving her.
---
Monday morning, the school was lively again.
But Ratna's steps felt different — like there was a new kind of air she couldn't explain.
> "They said Ratna disappeared with Harold?"
"Rey must be burning right now…"
"Harold seems to like her…"
Whispers followed her everywhere.
Her cheeks warmed, not out of embarrassment — but because the memory of the forest still clung to her.
The jacket that sheltered her.
Harold calling her name in panic.
His warm shoulder when she fell asleep.
Ratna shook it off quickly. She shouldn't think too much about it.
When she reached the class, Rey greeted her with that gentle smile — the one that always made her feel safe.
"Morning," he said softly.
"Morning," Ratna replied.
Rey stared at her for a long moment, as if holding something inside.
"I keep thinking about what happened in the forest," he said, voice low and sincere.
"I'm mad at Harold… but I'm even more mad at myself. I couldn't protect you. If he hadn't fainted first, I might've punched him."
Ratna froze. His words pressed something inside her chest.
"I'm fine, Rey. And Harold… it wasn't completely his fault," she whispered.
Rey frowned slightly. "So now you defend him?"
Ratna shook her head quickly.
"I just… sometimes he's annoying, but sometimes he can be nice too."
Rey let out a long breath, voice hoarse.
"You know, Ratna… when you went missing, I realized I don't want to lose you."
Ratna fell silent.
She wanted to speak, but her voice disappeared — leaving only her heartbeat that felt too loud.
---
A few minutes later, Harold entered the class.
His laughter wasn't as loud as usual, his steps slower.
When his eyes met Ratna's — just for a split second — it was enough to make her cheeks flush.
She remembered how he almost collapsed carrying her.
How panicked he was when she was scared.
How he shielded her from the rain with his own body.
Ratna's heart tightened. She didn't know what name to give this feeling.
---
Lunch break.
Ratna sat in the back garden with her lunch.
The wind was soft. Flamboyant leaves fell slowly.
Someone stood behind her.
"Still mad?"
That voice — Harold.
Ratna turned. "I'm not mad."
Harold smiled faintly, without his usual arrogance.
"Because you said you hated me that time."
Ratna bit her lip. "I panicked…"
Harold looked at her for a long moment.
"I panicked too, Ratna. But in the middle of all that… I realized something."
He leaned a little closer.
"I can't stand seeing you scared. I just want to see you smile."
Ratna froze.
Something warm bloomed slowly — but also fear, fear of misunderstanding.
"Harold… don't say things like that. I might misunderstand."
Harold smirked softly.
"If you misunderstand, that means I'm doing it right."
Ratna looked away, cheeks burning.
Her heart raced uncontrollably.
---
Second break.
Ratna returned to the garden.
She had only taken two bites when Harold came with a sandwich.
"You're always alone. Eat with me," he said casually.
His tone was gentle — different.
Ratna stiffened. "Uhm… I'm used to being alone."
"Being used to something doesn't mean you have to stay that way forever," he replied lightly.
He sat down without asking, chatting about his naughty cat.
Ratna laughed softly — her first real laugh that day.
But in the middle of that laugh, she glanced toward the upper corridor.
She saw someone she recognized instantly — Rey.
Standing still, watching.
Ratna's smile slowly faded.
Her heart tangled again.
Rey saw her… with Harold.
Harold noticed her change.
"What's wrong? You suddenly got quiet."
Ratna fumbled. "N-no, just thinking about homework."
"Hmm." Harold didn't push. He chewed, then whispered softly,
"I'm glad you sat with me today."
Ratna froze again. She didn't know what to say, so she just gave him a small, awkward smile.
---
Upstairs, Rey stood still, staring down.
From there, he clearly saw Harold sitting next to Ratna.
They looked… close.
Something twisted inside Rey's chest.
He knew Harold was popular and outgoing — but still, watching them together made him uneasy.
"Rey!" Tim called.
Rey quickly turned away.
"What are you staring at?"
"Nothing. Just looking at the garden," Rey replied flatly, though his eyes flicked back down for a moment.
He watched Ratna laughing with Harold —
a laugh that once only belonged to him.
---
The bell rang.
Ratna packed up her lunch and stood.
"I'll go first, Har. I have physics homework."
Harold nodded. "Take care."
He watched her walk away — long, like he wanted to reach out but didn't dare.
What he didn't know — was that Rey was also watching the same figure walk away.
> That day, something shifted.
Not big, not loud — but enough to move three hearts.
⚘ Harold began to fall in love.
⚘ Rey began to feel afraid.
⚘ And Ratna… still didn't understand what she felt.