4. Lies

Aris broke through the pouring rain, his eyes searching for Allisya but she was nowhere to be found.

Aris punched the air. "Ah! Damn it! Now Zidan is making a move on Allisya," Aris exhaled, his anger restrained. "Just wait until tomorrow, Zidan the student council president. You're dealing with me, Aristede Keano Vavian."

---

Zidan really did escort Allisya all the way to her house. Even walking was no trouble for him.

"I'll walk you to your front door, okay? It's still raining. You might get sick, catch a cold," Zidan was very attentive, kind, and polite.

*'I hope you're interested in me, Allisya. And Aris might not necessarily be able to make you happy. I don't want you to get hurt. A quiet, good girl,'* Zidan thought as he observed Allisya's face.

Allisya nodded. "Sure, if I get sick later, Mom will make me take medicine. It's not nice, it's bitter."

Hearing Allisya's statement, Zidan chuckled. "Bitter medicine, but you'll always be sweet when you're with me."

Allisya frowned. The corners of her lips lifted into a smile. "So if I'm not with you, I'm bitter, then?"

Meanwhile inside the house, Selena and Allister were waiting for Allisya. Selena was the most confused because when she called Aris's number, he didn't answer.

"Calm down, dear. Aris will definitely bring our daughter home. There's no way she'd still be out in this heavy rain. She must be on her way or stuck in traffic," Allister gave his opinion, trying to calm his wife who was pacing back and forth in front of him.

Selena looked at Allister. "How can I be calm? It's raining like this. Aris is on a motorcycle. Allisya will get soaked—" her words stopped when the doorbell rang several times. "I think that's Allisya!" With quick steps, Selena opened the door, but was surprised because it wasn't Aris who brought her daughter home. Instead, it was another man.

"Who is this?" Selena asked Allisya, never having seen his face before. "Your new boyfriend?" Selena immediately accused. So far, any boy Allisya brought home was indeed her boyfriend.

"Mom, this is Kak Zidan. He's a friend from campus, the student council president," Allisya introduced Zidan.

However, Zidan's heart was disappointed at being introduced only as a friend, not a boyfriend.

Zidan forced a smile. "I brought Allisya home because we were in the parking lot earlier. Rather than getting wet in the rain, we went home together. I'm sorry, ma'am, we walked because I don't have a motorcycle right now; it's being serviced at the shop," Zidan explained in detail, hoping to appear good in the eyes of Allisya's parents. It was an opportunity to win her heart and hopefully get the green light if he was lucky.

Selena nodded. "Thank you so much. Allisya, now go take a warm shower; I've prepared it for you. You go inside, it's still raining outside."

Zidan wanted to scream with joy inside his heart; he finally could get closer to Allisya's parents.

"Is your house far?" Selena asked after sitting in the living room. Allister beside her also observed Zidan.

"You must know Aris," he muttered, but Zidan heard it.

"I know Aris. He's a colleague from my organization. Why do you ask, sir?" Zidan wanted to know more about Aris, especially since that guy also knew Allisya's parents.

"Aris—"

"Mom, Allisya doesn't want to eat anything sweet. It's not good, Mom," Allisya interrupted her father's words. Earlier, she had been at the dining table where there were some sweet treats. And that reminded her of Aris.

Selena frowned. "Oh, sweetie, don't you like your mother's sweets? Why don't you like them now? Does it taste bad?" Selena asked, slightly disappointed.

Allisya shook her head. She didn't mean to hurt her mother's feelings. But this was about something else that involved her heart.

"It's nothing, Mom. I'm not hungry. I'm going to study first," Allisya turned and headed to her room.

*'Allisya, why do you look so sad?'* Zidan thought, wanting to know. Allisya's face looked a little pale. He was worried she might be sick, especially after being exposed to the rain.

In her room, Allisya sobbed. Her mind wandered back to how Aris could laugh with another woman. His face looked so much happier than when he was with her, when she was always angry for no reason.

"Why?! Why do all men hurt my feelings?! And it always involves another girl. What am I lacking, huh?! Is it because I'm still a child? Or am I too spoiled?!" Allisya asked herself, sitting behind the door with her arms hugging her knees.

Her phone rang, then changed to multiple notification sounds one after another. Allisya ignored them. She knew they were all from Aris. Let that guy feel ignored.

"Kak Aris is too much! What about your promise that you wouldn't get close to any other girl but me? Kak Aris is a liar! You even responded to that girl and laughed together. My heart hurts, Kak!" Allisya's crying intensified, her voice echoing throughout her soundproofed room. No matter how loud she screamed, no one would hear her.

Allisya winced in pain, her head throbbing. Her vision blurred.

"What's happening to me? Arghh, it hurts!"

Her whole body weakened until finally everything went dark.

Aris tried spamming Allisya's chat for the umpteenth time, and even her phone calls went unanswered by his girl.

"Sya, what's wrong? I'm worried about you," Aris quickly typed those words in their chat room.

No reply. Aris grabbed his jacket and motorcycle keys. He had to make sure his girl was okay. Especially remembering Aqila's words that Allisya had cried while the rain poured on her body. And that she had shared an umbrella with Zidan.

Aris wouldn't forgive himself if Allisya wasn't okay. Her tears would torment him all night long, making his mind restless.

Increasing his speed, Aris headed to Allisya's house. The rain had subsided, replaced by the evening twilight that would soon turn to night.

When he arrived on the front porch, Aris's steps halted when he saw Zidan saying goodbye to Selena and Allister. Too late—Zidan was definitely trying to make a move.

"Be careful, Zidan. Thank you for bringing Allisya home," Selena said happily.

Zidan nodded. "You're welcome, ma'am. I'll go home now. Please send my greetings to Allisya."

"Don't you want a ride? Your house is far," Allister offered. After all, Zidan had been very kind and caring toward Allisya.

"Excuse me, is Allisya home?" Aris bravely stepped closer.

"Aris? Where have you been? Allisya came home with Zidan. They walked," Selena said, though she actually favored Zidan because he had taken good care of Allisya.

Aris smiled awkwardly, inwardly growling in annoyance. Why did Zidan have to be the one receiving that praise?

"There was a gathering with the organization members," Aris was confused about what to answer, even though the truth was the opposite.

"You're lying!" Allisya shouted, her gaze fierce. So Aris dared to lie, and in front of her mother.

"What do you mean lying, Sya?" Selena became confused.

Zidan remained silent, not knowing anything. "I'm going home now," he excused himself rather than getting involved.

"Aris—"

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