Pretending to Forget

Raihan and Naura have arrived at the restaurant, where everyone gathers to welcome Rico, who has been studying in New York for approximately four years.

Raihan's parents invited only close friends and relatives to gather and have dinner together. And Naura just silently stood next to Raihan's car. Hesitant. Should she enter or not? But she has arrived here. It is also impossible for her to refuse if Raihan invites her in.

"Come on! Why did you stop here, anyway?" invited the man standing next to her.

Naura smiled slightly and nodded stiffly. "Yeah, right, I'm waiting for you first," he grins.

Raihan shook his head slowly, "Come in! My Mom must have been waiting for you. My brother is also curious about you. That's why they asked me to hurry up." The man's story while chuckling and gently holding Naura's hand.

Afraid if the girl ran away because she felt terrible wasn't part of the family. Raihan wanted to prove his words to Naura that he would accompany her until the event was over.

"Mas, is it really okay if I came here?" asked Naura, who knows how many times since then.

"Sure. Calm down, do not hesitate so. Let's say you accompany me to dinner," suggested Raihan casually. While strengthening his grip on Naura's fingers. Just want to make the girl comfortable and confident. And believe in him, that everything will be fine.

Naura nodded in agreement. Her eyes stared at Raihan's warm hand. As if to give her comfort. The girl was sure that everything would be fine. Rico must have forgotten about her. What's more, she was now completely different. There was no way he could remember her as a friend from school. Even though they were only about eight months together at that time. Before finally, Rico moved schools again to Jakarta. Until college.

Naura confidently walked by Raihan's side and spread her friendly smile to everyone who saw her arrival with Raihan.

***

While in a ballroom which is above this restaurant. Especially for events that do not accommodate too many invited guests.

Ratna and Rico were seen talking with their relatives. Suddenly, Ratna saw her eldest son's arrival with the girl she hoped would be her daughter-in-law.

The woman whispered in her youngest son's ear, "Rico, that's the girl I told you about. She just came with your brother. How? Is she beautiful, right?" she said to Rico, who was holding a soda glass and was about to drink it.

Hearing what his mother said, the boy headed towards the door his mother pointed to. Instantly, he coughed. He is too surprised to see that the girl is now being held by his brother.

Rico's eyes blinked a few times. Making sure his eyesight isn't wrong tonight. His mother scolds him for not being careful while drinking. But Rico ignored it. His eyes continued to stare straight ahead. Where two people are walking while smiling to greet the people they pass.

'What is she? But why is it different? Will she recognize me? With my current change?' Rico muttered to himself. His gaze collided with those beautiful, slanted eyes. Immediately the girl turned her gaze in another direction.

For some reason, Rico didn't like it. He felt forgotten in contrast to him, who constantly remembers that sweet girl from the past until now.

"What's her name, Mom?" asked Rico, still looking straight at the girl who was currently looking awkward and turned his gaze in another direction when he accidentally met her eyes.

"Naura. She looks so gorgeous," said Ratna with a smile and looked at her eldest son, who she felt was compatible with Naura.

Meanwhile, Rico's heart beat faster when he heard the same name as someone from his past. He believes that the girl is the same as in his past.

Raihan and Naura are getting closer to where Ratna and Rico are standing. The two greeted the brothers who were there and soon left. Now only Ratna, Rico, Raihan and Naura are facing each other.

Rico tried to keep his face from looking surprised. He just wanted to see if the girl still clearly remembered that they had been in the same school. Even the same class.

"Night, Mrs. Ratna," said Naura kindly while kissing the back of Ratna's hand.

"Night, Sweetie. I am glad to see you here. Let me introduce my child that I told you in another day," explained Ratna, who turned to Rico and asked him to shake Naura's hand.

Rico stretched out his hand while saying his name, "Rico," with a faint smile.

Naura forced a smile and returned Rico's outstretched hand, "Naura," she replied.

"Come on, Na! I introduce all the families who come. Let you know who Raihan's family is," said Ratna, who immediately pulled Naura's hand to follow her.

"Eh?" Naura was surprised by the woman's invitation. She turned to Ryan.

"Mommy!" Raihan looked like he was going to protest but saw his mother shaking her head. The man couldn't do anything. He just stared into Naura's eyes as if apologizing.

The girl understood and nodded. Then followed Ratna's footsteps which led her to a table full of several people.

***

After leaving Naura and Ratna, Raihan turned to his brother, who was still staring at Naura and her mother, who was walking away.

"How? Beautiful, isn't it?" asked Raihan, who also looked to the front.

Rico took a sip of his drink and shook his head slowly. "She's not pretty, Brother. But sweet, her face makes people like to look at her. It makes me want to keep watching it," explained Rico casually.

"Right. Her face makes people feel at home looking at her for a long time," said Raihan, chuckling.

Rico turned to Raihan; his gaze turned serious. However, her brother apparently didn't notice.

"Do you like her?" asked Rico seriously.

Raihan smiled faintly, "If I like her, yes, it's true. But for love? I don't think it's still there," he explained dreamily.

Silently, Rico heaved a sigh of relief. "Better, make sure his feelings first. Has Clarissa's name been lost in her heart? Don't let Naura just run away." Rico's advice was strong. He just left without waiting for an answer from his brother.

Meanwhile, Raihan looked at his brother's back and deeply breathed. "Yes, you're right. Everything has to be clear, whether it's how I feel or how she feels about me."

Raihan decides to look for the whereabouts of Naura, who has been 'kidnapped' by his mother somewhere. Because he had promised to take care of her.

Naura said goodbye to the toilet to Ratna. She wanted to calm herself at this point. In fact, meeting again with that figure is not easy for her. It's not that easy to not know each other. She couldn't hide his heartbeat.

Naura walked to find a quiet place to be alone for a moment. Calm her own heart. She doesn't know. Should she be happy that Rico doesn't recognize her? Or is she sad because she feels forgotten by Rico?

Even though she always clearly remembers every memory that Rico left behind. Before the end, he left without saying goodbye and disappeared without a word to this day.

After several years passed. They meet again but under different circumstances. Not as a teenager anymore. But with an adult appearance and a lot of changes that occur.

***