A Girl Like Me

"Just like this, what I don't like is a girl like you!"  said Paijo lightly.

"A girl like me? What do you mean?"

"The daughter of a rich person, who is super spoiled, and likes to trouble people! You don't feel sorry for them? Yes, I understand that, since you were a princess, you will get whatever you want, everyone will obey whatever you say! That's why you never think about other people."

I was just silent hearing Paijo's words.  Every word he uttered touched my conscience.

If only I were right.  If only I were like that, I always got what I wanted.  If only ...

"If you don't know anything about people's lives, you don't need to know anything! If you're not sincere, you don't volunteer to help people, there's no need to be angry, and talk badly about the people you're helping!"  I said slowly.

Maybe it's true that Paijo hates me.  From the start, he had always thought badly of me.

But why?  I never bother, or seek trouble with him?  Why am I always so bad in his eyes?

A spoiled woman who likes to trouble other people?  Seriously!

"Here you are!"

I smiled, then pulled the flashlight out of my bag.

Reluctantly, Paijo took the flashlight from my hand and turned it on.

"Come on!"  he cried as he walked ahead of me.

With all my might, I stood up and dragged my feet to walk after Paijo.

My feet hurt so much every time I walked.  I fell many times and got back on my feet before Paijo nagged again.

Maybe I stepped too much today. I didn't know that I was this weak.

A light was seen a few meters in front of us, when the light went out, we could see Gepeng running towards us.

"Are you all right?"  asked Gepeng worried.

"Good thing you came, I almost forgot the way back!"  said Paijo casually.

"Mel, what's wrong with your leg? I saw that your path was a bit limp," said Gepeng slowly.

I just shook my head weakly.  No matter how painful it is, as long as I can bear it, I won't trouble anyone else.

"Are you sure it's okay?"  asked Gepeng again.

I just nodded slowly in response to his question.

"Come on, let's go. The others must be worried. Mel, just walk beside me, if you're behind, I'm afraid you'll miss it!"

Good manners!  A man should have this attitude.

Gepeng waited for me, then walked beside me, while Paijo followed behind us.

"How did you get lost, Mel?"  asked Gepeng without looking at me.

"Earlier, because someone fainted, I told Bambang to go first, so that the girl could get help quickly. It's my fault because I didn't listen to Bambang's words to just wait there."

"Just make it hard!"  Paijo chirps from behind me.

Up to you!

Bruck!

Unlucky!  Why did I have to fall at a time like this?  Paijo will be more aggressive in accusing me of causing trouble to others.

"Are you all right, Mel?"  shouted Gepeng who immediately crouched down to see my condition.

All right, I give up.  My ego wasn't strong enough to endure this pain anymore.

"Legs ..." I whispered.

Paijo pointed the flashlight at my feet, while Gepeng immediately took off my shoes and saw my condition.

"Your legs are swollen, no wonder you're limping!"

Woe!  After I come home from here, my mother will not allow me to participate in events like this again.

Gepeng put my socks back on, then lifted me on his back.

"Peng, what do you want?"

"If you are forced to walk, your feet will hurt more, so I just carry them!"  said Gepeng as he started to walk.

"No, I'm heavy!"

"If you talk a lot, it will get heavier! So, just stay away!"

Honestly, I'm quite relieved by Gepeng's treatment like this.  It's for my good anyway.  Good thing he wants to carry me, otherwise, when can I get to the next post with legs like this?

"Sorry for bothering you. Next, if you need my help, whatever it is, you just say it," I said quietly.

"Do you still remember what I said in the field that time? As for taking care of you, that's also my job!"  said Gepeng casually.

"And you'll remember what I said at the time, if something like that isn't necessary, Peng! But, thanks for now."

There was silence after that until suddenly Paijo spoke.

"Isn't it still far, Peng?"

"Ten meters at the most. Well, there's light ahead!"

Without saying anything else, Paijo took the first step and left us.

"By the way, later if Bambang nags, you just keep quiet, you don't have to answer, if you answer, he'll nag it longer," said Gepeng in a half-whisper.

"Okay. But, he's really angry, isn't he? What if I pretend to be unconscious?"

"Why is it so?"

"Let Bambang not scold me!"  I whispered too.

Chuck chuckled lightly.

***

I stretched the muscles of my arms and legs that felt stiff, then I tried to open my eyes.

Okay, I'm in the tent now.  It's really strange, because of the original plan, I just pretended to pass out in Gepeng's arms, but who would have thought that I fell asleep?

But, isn't that great?  I was so spared from Bambang's scolding.

Because my sleepiness had completely disappeared, I decided to get out of the tent.  Outside, there were only a few people, by the bonfire, and they just so happened to be my classmates.

I slowly walked over to them.

"Mel, how's your leg?"  shouted Nisa who realized my presence.

"It still hurts, but it's okay to be able to walk," I said, sitting next to her.

"We're really worried about you!"  interrupted Eka.

"The important thing is that Melody is okay now, so that's it," Nisa said.

I just nodded in agreement with Nisa's words just now.

"We're not the only ones who are worried, Mel! All the Roulette guys who are going hiking are looking for you!"  Eka said.

"That's true, especially Bambang and Paijo! Wow, crazy! They went up and down the mountain in an unclear way looking for you!"

Okay, it's not strange if Bambang is like that.  But Paijo?  Seriously!  He must be looking for me because Bambang asked for it.

"And even more horrendous, you came in Gepeng's arms! Crazy! All the women here immediately made a fuss!"

Oh no, looks like I'll be bullied again after this.

"Originally, very manly flat. He doesn't seem to mind at all when he's carrying you! It's as if you're light cotton!"

I smiled hearing Nisa's words.  Maybe, because of the frequent fights, the Roulette guy has quite a strong physique. I'm not that thin to be considered light!

"Mel, when you were carried by Gepeng, did you feel something like that?"  Eka insisted.

"Heh, you're crazy! Melody fainted at that time! How can she feel something! The brain is being used, baby!"  Nisa growled.

What did I feel at that time?

Apart from him being fragrant and warm, I didn't feel anything.