4. Annoying Guy

"The red ribbon is good, is it blue, Mel?"

I just smiled when mom was busy choosing which ribbon clips to wear to school.

Honestly, who cares about the color of the ribbon I wear?  Either way, I'll just keep looking like a spoiled rich kid.

However, I don't mind that at all.  Getting the love and attention of the mother is more important than the judgment of the people out there.

"Just pink!"  Mom exclaimed, attaching the pink ribbon clip she'd just taken from the drawer.

"Oh yeah, how about your new school? If you feel uncomfortable or whatever, you should tell mommy!"

"My current school is much better than before. My classmates welcome me well, Bambang also always accompanies me, and just so you know, the children there are quite afraid of Bambang, so they won't dare to make trouble."

My mother laughed out loud when she heard my story.

"You know? Bambang's parents used to be athletes! Yuyun is a martial arts athlete, Bams' father is also a taekwondo athlete, so don't be surprised if their son is like that!"

I nodded in understanding. No wonder, compared to other mother's socialite friends, Aunt Yuyun is the most tomboyish. She doesn't really care if others are talking about diamonds, branded bags, and so on.  She only cares about what food is served, and the latest sports car.

"In the past, mom once thought, if one day I have children, I will set her up with Bams," said mother without even glancing at me.

Her gaze was still focused on the ribbon clip attached to my flowing hair.

I'm dead! I just want to start a new life, hopefully, there won't be any matchmaking drama that will stress me out.

"But, that was first! I'm not going to force you to match up with Bams. After all, Bams will always be on standby if you need him."

"Bambang is very good until he wants to be ready."

"Maybe he wants to repay the favor or I don't know. In the past, the Yuyun family's workshop was on fire, it was all gone, she really went bankrupt. And coincidentally, when Mark wanted to start a business from scratch again, mom helped."

"Mark?"

"Yeah, Bams' father."

I nodded in understanding.  If I were in Bambang's position, I would do the same.

"Bams is still selling durians, you know! His father takes care of their new workshop. Surprisingly, their family is rich in seven generations, but they still struggle like that."

Perhaps, because of the character of Aunt Yuyun and her husband, a family that was independent and hardworking was created.

***

Bugh!

I almost fell because someone bumped into me while we were at the corner of the corridor.

But, that's not the case!  The problem was, the drink I was holding spilled onto my uniform, which made my insides look faint from the outside.

I immediately covered my wet uniform with both hands, and when I looked up to see whom the bitch wasn't using his eyes, I was shocked beyond measure.

All right, it turned out to be him!

"You did it on purpose? Do you want revenge for the other day? Are you satisfied now?"  I'm annoyed.

The man glared at me. So sharp that my body immediately shuddered in horror just by looking at the man's sharp gaze.

"Here! You can see your underwear! Next time, just wear plain ones, don't do polka dots!" the man sneered as he threw his jacket at me.

If it were possible, I would have tossed the jacket back to him.  But, whatever, I really need that thing right now.

After I put on the jacket, the man immediately left me just like that.

Up to you!

Oh shit!  Why is he looking inside me?  I want to curse out loud.

But, he had a point too.  I'd better use the plain one next time.  Who would have thought that something like this would happen?

Drrrrt!

I was surprised my self to feel a vibration from the pocket of the jacket I was wearing.

Actually, it's not polite to pick up a call on someone else's cellphone. But, what if it matters?

Since the shaking wouldn't stop, I decided to check it out. Who knows this caller is an important person.

My brows knit together as I frowned as I saw Bambang's name and his face appear on the screen.

Without hesitation, I picked up the call.

"Hello," I said.

"Who's this? Where's Paijo?"  cried Bambang frantically.

"It's me, Melody!"

"Mel? How come Paijo's cellphone is on you? Ah, damn it! Please, put Paijo on the phone, it's very important, Mel!"

Paijo?  How about this?  He's anywhere, I don't know.

"He's no longer with me!"

"Huh? Please look for him until you find him! It's important Mel!" cried Bambang half shouting.

This looked very important, so I couldn't help but run to find the man's whereabouts.

Oh, if I only knew where Paijo's class was.

Canteen!

I ran straight to the cafeteria, because that was the only place I hadn't looked, and thankfully, he was there.

The man was enjoying a bowl of meatballs and a glass of iced tea.

"Paijo!"  I shouted as I ran to him.

Paijo looked up at me in confusion.

"Call! Bambang!"  I cried out of breath.

Without saying anything else, Paijo immediately grabbed her cellphone from my hand, then put it to her ear.

Shortly after, he immediately ran away from me and the food that was still left was a lot, just like that.

Oh, it's a shame the meatballs are so tantalizing that they have to be ignored.

"Mel, do you know Aji?"  someone said from behind me.

When I looked back, a girl with shoulder-length hair stood looking at me probingly.

I know her.  She is my classmate, her name is Miya.

"I can't say I know him, I only know that his name is Paijo!"  I said as honestly as possible.

Well, I don't want them to misunderstand that I know that annoying guy, especially his fans.

I don't know what made the girls crazy about him.

"If you know him, match me with him!"  Miya insisted.

"No, Mi! I don't know him! I only know Bambang! Do you want me to introduce you to Bambang?" I said originally.

Miya immediately pouted at me annoyed.

"Bambang doesn't like girls! Why am I even getting to know him? My beauty is in vain!"  Miya grumbled.

I immediately laughed at the girl's words.  But ...

Bambang doesn't like girls?

"Wait! How can you say that Bambang doesn't like girls?"  my mask.

Miya shrugged, then sat down on one of the empty benches not far from me.

Out of curiosity, I continued to follow Miya. Seriously, my cocky soul smoldered instantly.

"He's from middle school never seen to have a girlfriend! Everywhere with Roulette, it's suspicious!"

Wait! What did she say?

"Roullete? Bambang know them?"

This time, it was Miya who was surprised to hear my question.

"Don't tell me you don't know that Bambang is a Roulette's?!"

Oh my God, what kind of conspiracy is this? Didn't Bambang tell me to stay away from Roulette?