2. College Period

Today was the happiest day for Allisya, Aqila, and Kaila. The three of them got into the same campus after studying diligently and finally passing the entrance.

"Let's take a tour of the campus first, shall we?" Kaila suggested enthusiastically. "I'm tired, you know, after standing in the heat listening to the seniors earlier, and now my stomach is hungry. Actually, never mind, let's just go to the canteen, okay?" Kaila changed her mind, which made Aqila so exasperated that she pinched Kaila's arm.

"That hurts! Why did you pinch me?" Kaila looked at Aqila lazily, and her friend just chuckled. "Laughing, it's all red from mosquito bites, and you're the one who did it," Kaila pointed at Aqila as the culprit.

Allisya just shook her head at Kaila and Aqila's absurd behavior. The two of them always filled her days with happiness, especially Kaila, who had a silly sense of humor and made everyone laugh easily with her antics. Many people were interested in Kaila, but no guy had ever expressed his feelings directly because Kaila had a fiery temper and was very fierce.

"Fine, let's just go to the canteen first, okay?" Allisya said, as her stomach was also hungry, and she also wanted to see what the canteen at her new campus was like, especially the spot where Aris usually sat.

Kaila never stopped talking for a moment, which would have made Aqila the happiest and most peaceful.

"If I meet Kak Arif at the canteen, it'll be like a date. Breakfast together, and lunch in the afternoon," Kaila said, pretending to speak English with full confidence and a sweet, beaming smile. Aqila looked at her in disgust because Kaila had started fantasizing about being a foreigner with her broken English.

Aqila raised one eyebrow. "Do you even know what that means?" she asked, already feeling like pulling Kaila's hair out. "If you don't know, just stay quiet, Kai. You're making me lose focus while walking," she confessed, her eyes scanning the area for Javas. She really missed him.

Aqila nodded; her smart side immediately kicked in because foreign languages were easy for her. "Of course I know," Aqila answered confidently. "Breakfast is in the morning, lunch is in the afternoon, and dinner is at night. Give me a hundred points for the beautiful Kaila Lovo— ahh!" Kaila tripped and almost fell to the floor if Allisya hadn't quickly caught her hand. Kaila cursed in annoyance.

Kaila gave Aqila a sharp look; her friend always seemed to enjoy it when she suffered a little. "Are you satisfied seeing me fall? You're so mean to me," Kaila pouted, pretending to cry. "Sya, thank you for helping me. If it weren't for you, I would have fallen and gotten hurt. Unlike Aqila, who didn't want to help me and just kept laughing. You really enjoy it when I suffer, don't you?" Kaila shot a sharp glare at Aqila, who still wore a look of pure joy.

Aqila laughed happily. "Beautiful from where? You tripped over nothing. The floor probably didn't want to give you a hundred points."

Kaila clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Not like Allisya here, who helped me. She's kind, doesn't complain, doesn't get angry easily, doesn't pinch randomly. And she wouldn't ask me to buy her brea—" her words were cut off when a deep, cool voice silenced her. Her heart pounded; she was clearly nervous whenever she faced Arif. Her feelings of love were different now from when she first met him.

"Kaila? Finally, we're in the same university. I've really missed you. How are you? Which faculty are you in?" Arif smiled happily; he had finally met Kaila easily without having to look for her. If it's meant to be, it will happen, Arif thought.

Kaila didn't even blink; she even held her breath. She stared at her boyfriend, who looked even more handsome. Who else could it be but Arif? During their final year, they had only spent a few months in school before the exams. Kaila had been eagerly waiting for this moment with Arif. And now, he was right in front of her. Kaila was overjoyed to be in the same university as Arif; besides seeing him every day, it also relieved the heavy longing she had felt all this time.

Aqila glanced at Allisya and signaled that they should leave to give the couple some space. "It looks like someone wants to be alone. Come on, let's go—why should you and I be mosquitoes?" Allisya hinted to Aqila, and her friend understood.

Kaila was confused about what to say. "I—" Kaila was nervous. She took a deep breath; she could definitely answer. Maybe it was the jitters from meeting Arif after being apart for a few years. "The Faculty of Office Administration," she answered firmly and calmly. Her gaze locked with Arif's brown eyes. Kaila was mesmerized by the owner of those beautiful eyes. Her heart was swept away by the happiness radiating from Arif; only he could make her days colorful.

Arif gave a small smile. "Alright, I'll pick you up later."

Kaila's heart was so happy; her days would be full of color as long as she was near Arif. Besides, Kaila could meet Arif anytime she wanted.

---

At the canteen, Allisya was being very careful as she carried a bowl of still-hot meatball soup to the table, just a few steps away. Her focus was entirely on the meatballs, so much so that she didn't notice a man in front of her. She bumped into him, and the soup spilled onto his shirt. Allisya was startled.

Gathering her courage, Allisya looked up at the man. "I-I'm sorry. Here, let me clean it," she said, feeling guilty and nervous, afraid of being scolded.

"So you're not going to eat now? Let me replace your meatballs, okay?" He felt guilty for causing the girl's food to spill, which meant she wouldn't be having lunch.

Allisya shook her head. She had thought the man in front of her would be angry, but instead, he was very kind.

"Why does she have to be so close to Kak Zidan?"

"She's a new student; it's normal that she doesn't know who Zidan is."

Allisya frowned at the whispers. So his name was Zidan. But it seemed Zidan was an important figure since all the students knew him. Allisya didn't know who Zidan was or what his position was.

Javas, who was still blowing on his hot coffee, happened to see the scene. Zidan and Allisya were facing each other. He glanced at Aris, who hadn't noticed yet. If Aris knew, would he be jealous?

"Ris?" Javas called, and Aris immediately looked up from his phone.

Aris gave Javas a questioning look.

"Yeah?"

Javas pointed to where Allisya and Zidan were still talking. "Look at ten o'clock. Allisya is with Zidan. I wonder what the Student Body President is saying to her? He's a nice guy, Ris, and a lot of girls like him because of his kindness," Javas teased. Zidan was indeed the dream of many female students on campus. With his handsome looks, fair skin, tall stature, and mixed Western features, he could easily charm any woman.

Aris clicked his tongue in annoyance. If that was the case, Allisya shouldn't get too close to Zidan. Otherwise, she might be drawn to the Student Body President.

Aris walked over to Allisya, positioning himself between her and Zidan so that he wouldn't be too close to his girl.

Allisya was surprised by Aris's sudden appearance. She waited to see what would happen.

"Don't bother. Just clean your own shirt. Why replace her meatballs?" Aris glared, clearly jealous to see Allisya close to another guy who wasn't one of their friends—this one was a stranger.

Zidan was confused by Aris's sudden anger. He had only meant to help.

"She didn't mind, you know. It's a shame she doesn't get to eat. It was an accident. As compensation, I wanted to buy her new meatballs so she could eat," Zidan said calmly and gently, as usual. His words charmed all the girls in the canteen, who sighed in admiration at his kindness.

"Zidan is my dream guy!"

"Zidan is the kindest Student Body President I've ever known in my life!"

"This is the first time I've seen a guy who doesn't get angry easily. Aaah, he needs to be taken home!"

"No," Allisya shook her head. "It's fine, really. I can buy another bowl. Thank you," she said, walking away. She didn't want to prolong the issue, especially since Aris had come over and immediately gotten angry.

Aris waited for Allisya, watching her buy another bowl of meatballs.

Meanwhile, Zidan had already left, not wanting to cause any trouble with the guy who seemed close to Allisya.

But the meatball seller himself brought Allisya's order to her.

"Sya?" Aris called out when Allisya was in front of him. Allisya turned and stopped.

"Yes, Kak Aris?" She waited to hear what Aris would say. It was probably about the guy she had bumped into earlier.

"Eat with me, okay? Over there, do you want to?" Aris offered. This was his own idea because he wanted to prove that Allisya was his.

Allisya nodded. "Sure, Kak. Let's go," she said happily, although she knew it might be awkward, far different from sitting with Aqila and Kaila, where they could talk about anything without needing to search for topics.

Zidan, who was watching the girl, wanted to know more.

"What are you staring at?" Rafi asked, following Zidan's gaze. It turned out he was looking at the girl he had bumped into earlier.

Rafi nodded. He finally understood. "I heard her being called Sya earlier. That's probably her name."

Zidan smiled; now he knew the name behind the innocent girl.

"Sya, that's nice. I'm interested in her," Zidan said, unable to take his eyes off Allisya. He barely even blinked as he admired her beauty.

Aris, who was watching Allisya eat her meatballs slowly, accidentally met eyes with Zidan, the Student Body President.

Aris moved his seat so that he was facing Allisya instead of sitting beside her. He glanced back and smiled smugly because Zidan was no longer looking at Allisya. As a man, he knew that look—it was admiration and interest.

Aris wasn't going to let Zidan take his Allisya.

"Why did you move, Kak? Sit next to me," Allisya noticed Aris had changed seats.

Aris shook his head. "No, it's fine, Sya. I'll sit here so I can see your face more closely," Aris flirted, making Allisya chuckle.

"Kak Aris, you're something else. Sitting next to me is close too."

But Aris didn't reply. His only reason was that he didn't want to share Allisya's beauty with Zidan. He was jealous, and it was only natural—he didn't want others looking at what was his with longing.