1 The Betrayed Lover

Kaluna stepped into the room and froze for a moment as a young man with short black hair and square-rimmed glasses sat waiting for her with a judgmental look.

“Kaluna Demetria?” the man asked in an ice-cold tone. The young man’s broad back arched slightly as he sat in his chair and his sharp eyes seemed to be judging Kaluna for a mistake that could never be forgiven.

Kaluna was surprised by the atmosphere in the room that felt so different, plus the presence of the young man he recognized as Estefan, a math teacher and his homeroom teacher at Oasis High School.

“You... called me?” Kaluna whispered, uncertainly looking into Estefan’s eyes hidden behind the lenses of his glasses. “What is it, Sir?”

“Sit down,” Estefan pointed with his eyes toward the chair in front of him.

Without needing to be ordered twice, Kaluna obeyed and immediately sat on the empty chair.

“You’re a final year student, and you’ve changed schools several times based on the additional notes written by your teacher at your old school.” Estefan flipped through the book spread out on the table. “Your reasons for leaving are almost always the same: skipping class, making noise with male friends, not doing your assignments, and answering test questions carelessly.”

Kaluna remained silent and did not argue.

“You always repeat the same mistakes in this school,” Estefan continued, closing the book and looking at Kaluna straight on. “Do you intend to change schools again to break the national record?”

Kaluna remained silent, but his mind drifted to the last moment that made him choose to leave his old school and be stranded at the new school where Estefan taught.

***

That morning Kaluna should have arrived at school earlier because her boyfriend Dewa wanted to celebrate their first anniversary, if only Aunty Ola hadn’t told her to have breakfast at home first.

As an apology, Kaluna stopped by to buy a box of cakes for the two of them to eat on the roof of the school.

Once arrived, Kaluna eagerly climbed the stairs that would take her to the roof while carrying the box of cookies she had bought earlier.

“Dewa!” called Kaluna with a cheerful face. “Sorry, I’m late ....”

The joy that radiated on Kaluna’s beautiful face instantly dimmed in just a split second when she saw Dewa tightly hugging another girl who turned out to be his own close friend: Rara.

“Dewa?!” repeated Kaluna in a high shrill voice and successfully separated the two humans of the opposite sex.

“Uh, you... you came already Lun?” Dewa straightened his hair and uniform immediately. Rara moved away with a slightly mischievous look.

“What are you two doing?” asked Kaluna in a judgmental tone, her gaze staring at Dewa and Rara in turn.

“Lun, let me explain first...” persuaded Dewa as he approached Kaluna. “I was waiting for you and you didn’t come.”

“I didn’t ask about that!” Kaluna snapped, looking at Dewa sharply. “I asked about her and you!”

Kaluna’s index finger pointed clearly at Rara who stood not far from him and Dewa.

“Answer!” snapped Kaluna when Dewa remained stunned. “Today we’re supposed to be celebrating one year of our relationship, but you’re... celebrating by cheating on my friend?”

To Kaluna’s astonishment, neither Dewa nor Rara denied her accusation at all. Did that mean the two of them had really been in a secret relationship behind her back?

“You better be honest, Dewa.” Rara ventured to speak up.

“Who told you to talk?” asked Kaluna fiercely while looking at Rara with eyes narrowed with anger.

“Didn’t you ask for an explanation yourself?” Rara still dared to answer. “Dewa and I want to explain it to you, Lun.”

Kaluna snorted.

“You two are very good at acting,” Kaluna commented pretending to praise. “Before class, it’s good to relax here while eating cake ... it also happens that today is exactly one year of my relationship with Dewa.”

“Lun, I can explain...” Dewa aka Dewangga interrupted. “I accidentally met Rara at ....”

“I remember, I just bought a cake!” said Kaluna as she opened the cake box and walked over to Rara who was looking at her with suspicion.

“Lun, I know you’re angry with us,” said Rara logically, while Dewa just kept quiet and let Kaluna do as he pleased.

“You have to eat this, Rara.” Kaluna opened the cake box and held it out to Rara with a sweet smile. “So you can share in the celebration of my anniversary with Dewa.”

Rara looked at Kaluna hesitantly. Just as she was about to take the box, Kaluna dropped the cake on Rara’s head, making her hair smear.

“Arghh ....”

“Luna!” scolded Dewa angrily as he grabbed Kaluna’s wrist to stop her. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Let me go!” snapped Kaluna with his eyes focused on Rara who was trying to get rid of the cake that had soiled her hair and uniform. “Doesn’t that cake taste as good as you cheating on your friend’s girlfriend?”

Rara shook her head hurriedly.

“I just feel sorry for Dewa, Luna ...” She said reasonably. “You’re insensitive to Dewa, who wants your attention and affection.”

“So because I don’t pay enough attention to Dewa, you feel the need to take my place?” asked Kaluna in a high tone. “Don’t justify your reasons because what you did was wrong!”

Kaluna pushed Rara without being able to hold back anymore, so Dewa had to hold both of Kaluna’s hands to prevent her from attacking Rara.

“Rara, you better leave!” said Dewa who was still trying to hold Kaluna who was struggling. Without needing to be told twice, Rara immediately walked away and left the school roof.

“Rara, I’m not done with you yet... let me go, Dewa!” Kaluna jerked Dewa’s hand with all her might until it came off. After that she ran to catch up with Rara who hadn’t gone too far, but Dewa nimbly wrapped his arms around Kaluna’s waist and pulled her back.

“I said let go, Dewa!” cried Kaluna as she smacked Dewa’s arms tightly around her waist. “I want to make a deal with that traitor!”

“Shut up Luna, or you’ll be even more embarrassed than this.” Dewa threatened as he lifted Kaluna’s body easily.

Kaluna struggled with all her might but Dewangga continued to carry her away so she wouldn’t chase after Rara. The boy shackled Kaluna until he stopped struggling because he was tired.

“Sit here, let’s talk nicely.” Dewa only released Kaluna after making sure the girl wouldn’t struggle anymore.

“No matter what you say, I will never trust you again.” Kaluna replied angrily without paying attention to Dewa’s order.

“I want to explain everything properly Lun,” Dewa said sharply. “Isn’t that what you want to hear?”

“I’ve heard enough,” Kaluna said, shaking her head. “I don’t need any more explanation from you or Rara. You’re both untrustworthy.”

Kaluna turned around, but did not leave immediately.

“From this moment on we’re breaking up,” she said without turning around. “I want to transfer to a faraway school so I don’t have to see you anymore.”

Without waiting for an answer, Kaluna immediately left the lover who had just betrayed her.

To Be Continued—