Chapter 4

Khanza's eyes slowly opened.

               The first thing she saw was the ceiling in her room. Grimace in control of the dizziness, Khanza massaged her temples. Closing her eyes for a moment, the girl tried to remember what had happened. She remembered, she saw the homeroom teacher as well as the occupant of the boarding room beside her — Kenzo, was standing at the door of her room, knocking the innocent door blindly. Then, they chatted for a bit, went into the room and ... and ...

               Khanza opened her eyes again and sighed. She doesn't remember anything after that. Slowly, Khanza rose from her sleeping position and took a deep breath. Her forehead frown when she realized she was on the right side of the bed and not on the left near the wall as usual. She also felt the left side of the bed press down a little. Curious, Khanza turned her head to the side.

               And the beautiful girl with the pale white face froze.

               Khanza's heart was forced to stop beating for a few seconds, before finally running wild. Her breath caught in her throat, refusing to cooperate with the girl, as Khanza tried to inject oxygen and release carbon dioxide as usual. Sweat began to appear on her beautiful face. There, on her bed, right beside her body, lay a young, bespectacled, athletic guy whom Khanza knew as his homeroom teacher.

               That's ... Kenzo!

               "Arrgh - mmpf ...."

               Khanza's shout was muted by a large, warm hand. Khanza’s eyes widened and turned her head, to find the strange grimace of her cousin, Keanu. The foreign guy put his index finger from the free hand into his own mouth, implicitly telling Khanza to be quiet so as not to wake Kenzo. After understanding and deciding to cooperate, Keanu took away the hand that had been used to cover Khanza's mouth.

               "Brother Keanu? When are you here? " Khanza asked in a confused tone. She glanced at Kenzo and shuddered in horror. "And, since when has he slept beside me? Could it be that brother Keanu also knows that Kenzo is here?"

               Keanu took a deep breath and brushed Khanza's hair. The guy told Khanza to follow him. Not far from the bed, but according to Keanu it was enough to provide privacy for Kenzo to continue sleeping. However, Kenzo is exhausted from putting all his energy and strength into bringing Khanza back.

               Khanza sat on the floor, in front of a table that separated her distance from Keanu. The girl frowned and turned around in all directions. She looks for the whereabouts of Ven, the talkative ghost who always worries too much for her.

               "Ven is playing outside," said Keanu without being asked. Apparently, the guy realized Khanza's behavior. "He needs fresh air, he said. Kenzo's presence affects Ven a little."

               The existence of ... Kenzo?

               "Khanza, you don't remember what happened before?"

               Khanza's eyebrows rose and she shook her head.

               "I just remember when I went into the room with Kenzo—but, I still keep the door wide open, really! Then, my room was already a mess because of Ven, who was nervous and mad because I hadn't come home yet, then my left chest hurt. After that, I don't remember anything else, Bro."

               Keanu watched Khanza closely. When he wanted to open his mouth, Keanu looked at Kenzo. The guy looked a little restless in his sleep, muttered indistinctly, then turned his body to face the wall so that the guy’s back is on Khanza and Keanu. Then, Kenzo regained his composure.

               "Khanza, he entered your body."

               What?!

               "He took over your body for a few minutes, Za," said Keanu again with a worried tone. The guy took a deep breath and massaged his temples. “You even hurt Kenzo. Before he took over your body, you fainted from the attack. Be honest with me, how many times a day can you get attacked?"

               Khanza is silent. Didn't expect that his biggest enemy would get into her body. Before her greatest enemy was imprisoned by Keanu's parents in an unused warehouse behind Keanu's house five years ago, the evil spirit had never managed to enter Khanza's body. The evil spirit always tries, but always fails. Because of this, Keanu's parents advised Khanza that as much as possible, the girl wouldn't pass out or anything like that. Because Khanza has the power to repel evil spirits, so that in a fully conscious state, evil spirits cannot possess her.

               It's different if Khanza is unconscious. When Khanza is unconscious, the strength in her body weakens, so that the evil spirits who are attracted to Khanza will more easily enter and take over the girl's body.

               "Khanza?"

               Khanza gasped and looked at Keanu. Her cousin gave her a stern look and demanded an answer. Taking a deep breath, Khanza said, "Can be two to three times, Brother."

               Keanu was silent. The situation was more complicated than he thought.

               "You always drink your medicine, right?"

               Khanza's quietness made Keanu sighed. The guy crossed his arms.

               "Khanza, you—"

               "Bro, I'm tired of taking my medicine. I am tired. The medicines did not help me to heal at all, only lessened the pain and prevented the attack from happening. My heart is getting weaker day by day, I'm sure of that. So, it won't have any effect even if I don't take the medicine."

               "But, Za—"

               “Today I passed out because I was tired. Because I was exhausted, my heart was acting up. Because of that I was unconscious. Brother Keanu also heard what the doctor said earlier, right? If today, my heart is fine. There is nothing to worry about. I'm just thinking too much and tired, that's all."

               Keanu took another deep breath and held tightly to Khanza's cold hand. This girl in front of him had suffered too long. Khanza tried to handle everything herself. Khanza felt that no one else could help her. The girl thought, she is alone in this world. Keanu didn't blame Khanza if the girl thought about that.

               What person wouldn't think like that, if she was abandoned by her own family just because they were afraid of her special ability?

               “Khanza ... you can't handle everything alone. In the past, there were my parents and my grandfather who could ward off all the evil spirits that were attracted to you. But, now they are gone. The seal of the demon that loved your body was opened, causing him to roam free and loose. He will look for an opportunity to take over your body again. He intends to take over your body and throw you into another world. You know about that, right?"

               Khanza froze. She had known this for a long time, but it still made her feel scared.

               “My parents and grandfather never told you the reason behind this evil spirit's attraction to you since a long time ago, so we shouldn't be careless. Not to mention that your heart disease is increasingly worrying. I beg you, please try to understand. I came to Indonesia to protect you. Because my parents and my grandfather came into my dream to give that task. "

               Khanza lowered her head. The girl's shoulders began to shake violently. Keanu who saw and knew that Khanza was starting to cry, tightened his grip on Khanza's tiny hands even more.

               "I know you're strong. I know you can ward off evil spirits. However, the demon of our greatest enemy is different, Khanza. You can't fight him alone. Even Kenzo couldn't notice his existence. Twice. First, when in the health room. I'm sure, you are aware of its existence. Second, when you pass out in this room and he starts to enter your body. Kenzo did not know that an evil spirit was in this room. That means, the power of this evil spirit is very strong. ”

               Khanza remained silent and cried even more. She hasn't cried like this in a long time. She wanted to scream, but was afraid of making a scene. She also didn't want to wake Kenzo and took the risk of the guy seeing her crying embarrassingly like this.

               Or ... there was a great power protecting Kenzo, which prevented the guy from interacting with the same great demonic power, so that the guy wouldn't get hurt later? But, wasn't it in the end, Kenzo was still faced with the evil spirit and even managed to drive him out of Khanza's body? In fact, the guy just yelled and hugged Khanza, then whispered something.

               Keanu glanced at Kenzo's back. Something's weird here. He had to find out Kenzo's background. In fact, the ghost named Ven seemed surprised by Kenzo's strength and immediately left.

               Who is Kenzo?

               What Khanza and Keanu didn't know, Kenzo was apparently awake. The guy stared flatly at the wall in front of him and clenched one fist until his book hand turned white.

###

"Hey, hey ... Mister Kenzo said, right, that he already has a girlfriend?"

               She doesn't even know anymore what kind of rumors that Khanza heard from her classmates right now. What is clear, the topic of their discussion is all about Kenzo and his girlfriend. Some said that this morning, they saw Kenzo talking to a beautiful girl with shoulder length hair. Khanza actually didn't want to bother, but, for some reason she was very upset.

               Kenzo ... Kenzo ... Kenzo ... that's always the name she hears! It sucks!

               Is it true, you are annoyed just because you hear Kenzo's name wherever you are?

               THUMP!

               Shit! Why did her inner voice say that?!

               You're actually curious, right? About the beautiful girl that your friends saw talking to Kenzo this morning ...

               No! That's not true at all! I'm not curious!

               You're jealous, right? You're starting to like Kenzo, right?

               Stop! Shut up! All that bullshit! I can't possibly like Kenzo and be jealous!

               You start to like Kenzo ... you're jealous because Kenzo already has a girlfriend ... you're afraid to be left alone again ...

               "STOP!!!"

               Instantly, the atmosphere fell silent. Students who were walking towards the school gate to leave the place where they studied were now directing their eyes to Khanza. Khanza herself blinked and cleared her throat. Cursed herself in her heart for letting go of speaking her own mind.

               "Stop? Why you told me to stop, Khanza? Did i do something?"

               Startled, Khanza immediately looked up. Her eyes met Kenzo's stern eyes. The guy was arms crossed and from his gaze Khanza could tell Kenzo was waiting for an answer. Last night, when Keanu explained why Kenzo could fall asleep beside her, that the guy was using his special powers too much to help Khanza, the girl felt guilty. She had already dragged Kenzo into her own troubles. Then, Khanza went to the nearest supermarket together with Keanu. Once back in her boarding room, Kenzo was not there.

               And this is Khanza's first meeting with Kenzo today. Since morning, Khanza hasn't seen Kenzo again, until she hears a rumor that Kenzo is chatting with his beautiful girlfriend.

               "Ah ... um, that ..." Khanza took a deep breath and counted one to three silently. Then, her expression returned to normal. Flat, expressionless, made Kenzo raise an eyebrow. "Sorry, i just talked to myself."

               Kenzo muttered. Since last night, he had been thinking about Keanu and Khanza's conversation. About Khanza's secrets. About an evil spirit who is obsessed with Khanza's body. About Khanza's heart disease. Without Kenzo knowing it, he was awake until morning. Kenzo was eager to interrogate Khanza, but he was afraid he would be seen as meddling in other people's business.

               It's just ... Kenzo was feeling very anxious, somehow.

               "Kenzo?"

               The call made Kenzo and Khanza turn their heads. A girl with shoulder-length hair and looking very elegant and beautiful appeared in front of the two of them. Khanza looked at the girl with her usual cold gaze, while Kenzo smiled softly.

               "Hi ...," said the guy kindly and ruffled the beautiful girl's hair.

               Khanza couldn't describe how she was feeling right now, but what was clear was that the girl was extremely upset. Khanza wanted to scream, or if possible swear at Kenzo, but the girl didn't know why she wanted to do this so badly. In fact, Kenzo did not have anything wrong with Khanza.

               "Khanza, let me introduce you to her," said Kenzo, who now looked back at Khanza. “Her name is Nandini. She's my— "

               "I don't care who she is, mister Kenzo ... and I don't give a damn at all about your relationship with her!" Khanza bowed slightly to say goodbye to Kenzo and the girl named Nandini. "I have to go, now ...."

               Khanza just left, leaving a confused Kenzo and Nandini who is holding back a smile. When Khanza disappeared from behind the gate, Nandini couldn't hold back her laughter anymore. The girl bent down and shook her head.

               "Why are you laughing?" Kenzo asked, not understanding Nandini’s behavior.

               Nandini looks up and laughs again. And then, the girl straightened her back and took a deep breath. Kenzo grabbed her shoulders firmly.

               "I'll let you find the answer yourself, because I'm 100 percent sure, your feelings are the same as Khanza."

               "Huh?"

###

"Calm down ... I will protect you, even if my life is at stake!"

               The man in white clothes hugged a beautiful woman with long hair who was crying. The woman also wore all white clothes and hugged him tightly in return. The atmosphere in the room was so quiet and calm, but they realized that the atmosphere outside this room was far from that word.

               There was war outside. Wars between kingdoms, as well as wars between humans and evil creatures who help enemy kingdoms.

               The woman now gasped and hugged the man even stronger. From behind the door, someone entered. A man with a handsome face but has a very evil and cruel aura. Even from the look in his eyes, the embers of hatred could make that woman shrivel up in fear. However, the hug from the man beside her was able to dampen all her fears.

               She was sure, she would be fine.

               She was sure, that man would protect her.

               "You! You took everything from me! You made me lose the people I love! I will never forgive you!”

               The scream was accompanied by a strong wind that came from nowhere. All the things flying and falling scattered. The beautiful woman screamed, but still didn't let go of her embrace. Several evil creatures started to enter the room, but the man dressed all in white immediately dispelled them with his special power.

               He can get rid of the evil spirits.

               When the man was busy concentrating on getting rid of the evil spirits helping the enemy kingdom and the person before him, the man forgot one fact. That the beautiful woman he loved so much more than anything in this world was around him. That now, the person who intends to take revenge for the mistake of the father of the man in white has taken his woman ...

               Then kill her right before his very eyes ...

               The man dressed all in white stared. He doesn’t even care when other evil spirits started arriving and filling the room. The loud laughter of the person who had killed his woman didn't even bother him. Now, the man fell to his knees. One hand stretched out and trembled, trying to reach the hand of the woman who was dying while crying. Blood kept coming out of her body as well as her mouth.

               "I ... love you ... forever ... hopefully, we ... will be reunited ...."

               "NOOOOOOOOOO!"

               With one swift motion, Kenzo raised his head. The guy was breathing hard. His heart seemed to be squeezed tightly, that the guy was squeezing his own shirt with the intention of reducing the pain in his chest a little. What ... was that dream just now? Who are the lovers in the dream? Who is the bad guy who killed that woman and finished off her lover when the two exchanged vows to meet again in the next life?

               Why ... why does he feel weird? Why, he thinks that he was the one who was killed by that bad person? But, why can't he clearly see the faces of the people in his dreams?

               “What's this? You still here?"

               That flat, nonchalant voice made Kenzo flinch and turn his head quickly. In the doorway of the classroom, Khanza stood tall. The girl had changed her school uniform to her usual clothes. Then, a thunder sound was heard. Kenzo swallowed hard. His body trembled without realizing it. His eyes were hot, for some reason. As if there was a sense of sadness and happiness rising, which suddenly flooded his chest.

               Jeez? What's with him?!

               “I just want to take the notebook that I left in the desk drawer. I never thought that you were still here," said Khanza as she stepped inside. School hours were over, so she decided not to pretend to be polite as usual. “Why don't you come home and sleep there instead? The security guard wants to lock the school. So, you'd better— "

               Before Khanza had time to finish her sentence, her body was forcibly pulled by Kenzo. A split second later, Khanza's eyes widen when she realizes that she is now being held tightly by Kenzo.

               "Hey! What is this?! Kenzo, let me go!" Khanza tried to escape, but it was useless. Kenzo's hug was strong and honestly, making Khanza feel comfortable and protected.

               "Finally ... I finally found you ...."

               Kenzo's words made Khanza frown. The girl struggled and tried to escape again, but failed.

               "Kenzo, what do you mean? This isn't funny! Let go of— "

               Again, Khanza had not had time to finish her sentence, when suddenly, Kenzo's body just slipped away. The shocked and panicked Khanza could only scream for a moment, before trying to restrain Kenzo's athletic body. She let herself decay along with Kenzo who suddenly fell unconscious. With great difficulty, Khanza reached for her cell phone that was in the pocket of her jeans and called Keanu.

               In the corner of the classroom, staring at Khanza and Kenzo, Ven's transparent figure appeared. Ven clenched his hands and looked away. The guy lowered his head and his jaw tightened. Tears just flowed and Ven decided to sit back and hug both knees.

               "Why ... why the history must ... repeat again...?"

               Sensing something, Khanza turned her head. She squinted when she saw Ven sitting hugging his knees while hiding his face.

               "Ven?"

               Ven!

               THUMP!

               What ... what just ... whose voice? Khanza looked around, but could not find anyone.

               Ven!

               Ven, accompany me to see Kenzo, okay?

               Ven! Kenzo proposed to me! He asked me to be his wife!

               Ven ... if something happens to me, please accompany Kenzo and tell him that I love him very much ...

               Ven! My very kind little brother!

               THUMP!

               Khanza's hands rose. Her hands were shaking violently and were wet with water droplets. The tears that had been running down her face ever since. Her chest tightened with grief, which Khanza herself did not know where it had come from. Then ... an image of a beautiful woman with long hair and a very beautiful hair ornament came to her mind, making Khanza gasp. The girl was now looking down, covering her face with one hand.

               Who...?