PART 4 ​​- SELVI, VEER, AND MARVEL

Kalila left her boarding house at six past fifteen. There was a morning class, so that she must arrive at the campus before 7 a.m. Today was the day she got a schedule for her group presentation. She must be in a hurry right now.

"Aunt, I'm going to campus first," said Kalila to the landlord who was sweeping in front of the house.

"Yeah, Kalila. Be careful on the road!," said Aunt Mawar then Kalila nodded her head to her.

Mrs. Mawar was the owner of the boarding house where Kalila lived in. She was five years younger than Kalila's mother. As you know, Kalila had been living in her boarding house for a long time, then she already considered Aunt Mawar just like her own mother.

According to Kalila's friends who lived in the same boarding house with her, Aunt Mawar was a kind person, she wasn't a fierce person, but more like a firm person. A firm in what? Mrs. Mawar gave a rule for all the girls who lived in her boarding house that they had to be already back no later than 10 p.m. In addition, they're also not allowed to bring male guests into her boarding house.

Maybe there were some people of the boarding house who didn't agree with the rules made by her. But for Kalila herself, it was not a big deal. She actually felt more safe if there's no men could enter her boarding house.

Okay! We're back to Kalila's story, now she already arrived at her campus. Kalila parked his motorbike in the parking space provided. It's literally so early, there weren't many motorbikes parked there.

"Literally, the annoying thing of the morning class is... when you wanna take your motorbike out, you have to get rid all of the other motorbikes which blocking yours," Kalila muttered when she took off her helmet.

"But I'm literally happy tho, I don't need a go to campus in a freaking hot weather at noon. I can feel my full spirit for this morning class," she added.

After locking her motorbike, Kalila walked to her classroom on the third floor. Yeah, the third floor. This week, her classes were fully on the third floor without she could even know the feeling of having classes at the first floor.

"Kalila!"

That call made Kalila stopping her steps. She looked back and then saw Selvi who was still sitting on her motorbike.

It was so rare that Selvi went to campus with a motorbike. Usually, this girl went to campus either with her personal driver or else with her beloved brother.

"How's my outfit and make up today? Do I look good, don't I?" Selvi asked excitedly. Showing her new crop top and bag she bought last night.

"You look pretty," Kalila replied. Not only just to please her friends, but yeah, basically Selvi's already beautiful with or without having make-up and wearing fancy dresses.

"What is it? New outfits and having make up??," Kalila noticed Selvi's unusual appearance.

In a usual day, Selvi would be already complaining about morning class and stuffs. Even when she came to campus, she preferred to come when the class was about to start. Maybe five minutes before the lecturer entered the class.

"Wanna pick up my future!" Selvi said in a loud voice.

"You mean.. Marvel? Has he finished his studies?" Kalila asked.

Selvi nodded quickly. "Now he's officially become a doctor. He's so cool, isn't he?"

Kalila nodded as she's agree with her. As far as she heard about Marvel from Selvi, she thought that Marvel was someone who's very smart and amazing. Moreover, Selvi said that Marvel often won many competitions.

"Oh! You went home with Veer yesterday, didn't you?" Selvi suddenly remembered her brother's words yesterday.

"Ain't like what you think," said Kalila. "We met by accident. You know I didn't bring my motorbike yesterday, and I's also running out my internet data, then he offered to help me for going home. That's it."

"What with that so much explanation, Kal? The point is you two were going home together. Weren't you?" Selvi tried to confirm it.

Kalila nodded again. There's also no point explaining in more detail anymore. If she did, then Selvi would get even worst nagging Galang for ignoring Kalila.

"Imagine if you're not the one who's with him yesterday. I'm sure I'd literally be mad at that person for being late for coming home," Selvi said with an expression that looked like she was holding back her annoyance.

Luckily, Selvi didn't think anything else about it. If Selvi did think that it's like there's something strange, Kalila would find it difficult to explain it to her then.

"Have lunch together after classes, Kal?" Selvi asked while they're entering the classroom.

"I'm in," Kalila quickly agreed. "Oh! I wanna do my monthly shopping after that. Do you wanna come along?"

"Yeah! Absolutely!" Selvi exclaimed with her sparkling eyes.

After a little chatting with Selvi, Kalila sat on a chair in the third row. While waiting for the lecturer, she joined her group to prepare their presentation.

***

"Veer!"

Marvel - A close friend of Veer who suddenly met him while he was working, made Veer feel annoyed.

"Can You just.. shut up? If you can't help anything here, just don't make any noise then," Veer glared at Marvel who was sitting on the sofa.

"Working like a dog but still ain't getting rich," Marvel quipped him.

"Going to college but still ain't graduated yet. Still asking parents for money even though ain't young anymore," Veer quipped against him.

"What're you talking about, Bro. I'd already graduated this year for your information, Mr. Veer Alatas," Marvel began to bragging himself.

"Congrats," said Veer who actually did feel happy for his friend.

But because it was literally only one word and was said in a totally flat tone, it didn't make the people who heard it feel any moved at all. Even so, Marvel had no more comment about it. He already understanded what Veer's true nature was.

"Going straight to work or taking a fellowship program first?" Veer asked while he was correcting his students' works

"Maybe I'd take fellowship program first, if I wanna take a sub-speciality after all," Marvel replied.

"Have you made up your mind?"

Marvel smiled faintly. "You know how my dad really wanted his son to be a surgeon like him, right. Even though I don't want it, I still have to do it after all."

Veer stopped his work then turned to look at Marvel, who looked so depressed. Marvel, who's known for his cheerfulness and intelligence, he could always manage to hide all his sadness in front of many people. But it didn't work while he was talking to Veer.

"Ellen also just graduated, you know. Don't you wanna meet and congratulate her? I think you're quite close with her," said Marvel, changing the topic.

"Not for now. Just tell her how I'm happy for her graduation when you meet her then," said Veer with a short smile on his face.

"Are you sure you don't like Ellen at all? Or are you just saying no 'cause you know that I've liked her for a long time?"

Marvel's question made Veer laugh softly. "Still thinking that I like Ellen?"

"A little," said Marvel. "Ellen and your parents are very close. She also cares a lot 'bout you. I think everyone who sees the two of you, would also think that you two're dating or having something special."

"If I really like Ellen, I've been asking her out for a long time. If so, I've also done marrying her from the past years anyway," said Veer without hesitation.

Marvel who heard Veer's response was relieved. Even it didn't really make him happy.

"Isn't the answer clear enough? Still can't believe me that I don't have any special feelings for Ellen?" asked Veer.

"No. I believe in everything you say, Veer," Marvel replied. Pulling the corners of his lips to reassure Veer that he is no longer suspicious of that man.

***

June 27th, 2022 (11.06 PM)