3. Chronology of Events

A woman was running to escape a group of thugs who were trying to take her bag. Breathing heavily and occasionally looking back, her gaze was unfocused until a car speeding at full force hit her. Her body was thrown far, until finally her head hit the asphalt road. The local residents immediately called an ambulance. And the car that hit her had already fled.

"Well, that's the story. Aren't you going to the hospital too?"

"Thank you for the information. We'll go," Javas said.

---

A car slowed down after feeling it was far enough from the scene. Someone inside immediately called Luna.

After the call connected, Zahra told her about the misfortune she had today.

"Hello, Luna! This is bad! I just hit someone! Oh my God, I'm doomed. What if the police catch me?"

Luna, who heard this, smiled. Oh, an accident near Aris's campus. This news had already been broadcast on all television stations. It was probably the most shocking and tragic accident news. Luna also knew who the person Zahra had hit was: Aris's mother.

"I salute you, Zahra. Because you've succeeded in making Aris sad. That's his mother. Since you've done something great without needing my orders, as a reward, I'll transfer 50 million rupiah to your account," Luna said decisively.

Zahra's eyes widened in disbelief. What? 50 million?

"Are you serious, Lun? You're not lying, right? Wow, if I'd known, I would have just hit her until she died. But it's too late now, I don't want to be seen, or else I'll get beaten up by the locals," she said weakly, but for Zahra, this was a stroke of luck.

"I'm serious. But keep your mouth shut. That is, if you don't want to get caught by the police. Because this was purely your own doing. Understood? I care because you're my subordinate. So you must always stay free."

"Alright? I'm driving here. I might hit someone else again. Bye," Zahra ended the call.

Her smile couldn't fade. Getting that much money so easily just because of her own carelessness—hitting Aris's mother. How would that guy react if he knew?

"Should I go there too? Alright then, so Aris can be happy getting attention from a girl as beautiful as me, hahaha," Zahra laughed happily. She was truly insane.

"The hospital is near Aris's campus. Okay, I need to buy something to bring there."

---

At the hospital, Aris sat in the waiting room with his father.

"How could this happen, Dad? Didn't you take Mom to her social gathering?" Aris asked, his voice weakening, his composure gone.

Andre shook his head. "Dad was working. I also had the car with me, so your mother couldn't drive. She can't."

"Then? Did Mom walk?" Aris asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

Andre nodded. "It seems so. Let's just pray she is given strength and recovers quickly."

"Aamiin, O Lord of the worlds. Dad, when Mom gets better, please advise her. If she wants to go to a gathering, tell her to call me so I can pick her up," Aris said, very worried. He didn't want that incident to happen again.

Andre nodded. "Definitely. Dad can't always look after your mother. You know that, right? I'm busy with work, because that's the only way I can make you both happy."

Aris acknowledged that his father was a hard worker, but it was all for him and his mother.

"Ris, how's your mom?" Javas arrived with Arif, carrying a bag of oranges.

Aris shook his head slowly. "We still don't know. Why are you guys here? Don't you have class?"

Arif clicked his tongue. "We don't feel like going, Ris, without you. Besides, we wouldn't be able to ask questions."

"Whatever. How did you know?"

Arif pointed at Javas. "He overheard your phone call," as if pointing to the culprit. Javas pushed Arif's hand away. "So what, I already heard anyway."

"Kak Aris!" Zahra's cheerful voice made Aris frown. Who was that girl? He didn't even know her.

"Do you know her?" Javas asked.

"No. Just deal with her. I don't want to," Aris knew she was probably one of his fans from school. Many girls liked him.

"Kak Aris! Hey, you guys move aside, don't stay here," Zahra said, pushing Javas and Arif away.

"Watch your attitude. His father is right in front of you," Javas warned, annoyed.

Zahra looked at Andre, who was now staring at her flatly. Oh no, this was her future father-in-law too. She couldn't afford to lose his blessing.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I am his girlf—"

"Aris already has a girlfriend and will soon be engaged. So, don't bother my son," Andre said firmly, clearly displeased.

Zahra felt awkward. "Aris, I'm just bringing this. Sorry if I'm disturbing you; I'll go home now, okay?" In reality, Zahra had really hoped Aris would escort her home.

As she walked down the hospital corridor, Zahra passed by Allisya.

"Why is Zahra here? Not wearing a uniform—did she skip school?" Allisya asked Kaila. The girl had insisted on accompanying her to the hospital to support Aris and also wanted to see Arif. Her boyfriend was surely there.

Kaila shrugged. "How would I know? Hey, you don't think Zahra came to visit Kak Aris's mom, do you? I don't buy it. She probably just got scolded."

Allisya nodded. "You're right, Om Andre must be there. Anyway, Kak Aris and I are going to get engaged after I graduate," Allisya revealed. This was something she should have told Kaila and Aqila. But Aqila had chosen to go home because she was too sleepy and wanted to take a nap.

"What? You're going to get engaged to Kak Aris? After you graduate? Sya, isn't that getting married young?" Kaila whined, feeling reluctant that Allisya would be getting married first.

"I'm older than you and Aqila. I should be the one getting married first," Kaila said disapprovingly.

Hearing Kaila's voice, Arif turned toward the source. Sure enough, it was Kaila and Allisya, though one person was missing—Aqila.

"Not with Aqila today? Where is she?" Javas asked, surprised. He was also looking for her, missing her. The last time they met was three days ago, and it had been brief. His longing was too heavy to be satisfied with such a fleeting meeting.

"She's usual, wanting to take a nap. All she does is sleep in class. Sooner or later, I'm going to splash water on her face so she won't be sleepy," Kaila said fervently. Aqila needed a warning. That girl was lucky, unlike herself.

Allisya chuckled. "If you fell asleep, you'd get scolded and punished by the teacher, Kai."

Kaila nodded in agreement. What Allisya said was true. "Yeah, so unfair, right?" she argued enthusiastically, unaware that Andre, Aris's father, was watching her intently.

"Her boyfriend must be really dizzy having such a chatty girlfriend," Andre spoke up. Kaila, feeling targeted, looked at him. "Oh, Om Andre. He's not dizzy at all; in fact, he loves me more. Right, Kak?"

Kaila's hand clung to Arif's arm.

"Day by day, I love you more and more. There's nothing missing or lacking, because you're truly worth fighting for, my snow bunny girl," Arif teased at the end. It was a fact that Kaila was a huge fan of that ice cream sandwich.

"Ahem. Ugh, my girlfriend is taking a nap, so I'm all alone with no one to keep me company," Javas cleared his throat. That was just his luck.

The atmosphere, which had been sad and tense, began to ease with the presence of Kaila, who was super chatty as always.