Pre-Gathering

Today is Saturday, Taera has no class, and most other students are also on vacation. Sella is enjoying her time off to sleep, while Sonia and Hyona are working on their thesis. There is no time off for them. Both of them are busy in their respective rooms working on thesis drafts. Taera, who is free from duty, today wants to join the inaugural meeting with the Department of Arts and Culture, SEB, Faculty of Economics.

Immediately after the announcement of the acceptance of SEB members of the Faculty of Economics, each department head immediately included members of each department into the Department group and the SEB group of the Faculty of Economics. Taera is very happy because this is like a new beginning to start an activity she has never dreamed of. Everything had changed since she met Ardilo.

While in the Department Arts and Culture group, Taera was very active and got along well with others. Taera is also happy because they are fun and kind people. But when in the SEB group, Taera was more silent. She was afraid that people would be suspicious of her closeness to Ardilo. Sometimes Taera observes the chatter of people in the group. Taera can see that Ardilo is close to Yola. Yola seems to know a lot about Ardilo, sometimes making Taera jealous and self-conscious.

Taera parked her car at a cafe not far from her campus. She and her friends from the Department of Arts and Culture agreed to meet there before the Pre-Gathering event the next day. When they got there, Taera was the second person who had arrived. The head of the Department of Arts and Culture, Belinda, had already arrived.

"Taera, come here!" call Belinda.

Taera immediately recognized Belinda's face that she saw in the profile photo of her chat account. Belinda may seem rude and unfriendly. But, in reality, Belinda was a very kind, friendly, and nurturing girl. Taera could feel it since they met in the group.

"How long have you been?" Taera asked, then sat down next to Belinda.

"No, I just came too. Before I came here, I was doing a group assignment with Koko. But when he came home, he said he wanted to pick something up, something forgotten. I don't know what," Belinda explained.

Tara just nodded. Just then, Anna came. Anna is Belinda's younger sister. Immediately she knew that it was Belinda and Taera who was sitting by the window.

"Hello, Belinda," said Anna, then sat down beside Taera. Taera smiled at Anna.

"This must be Taera," said Anna, then held out her hand to Taera.

Taera greeted Anna, "Yes, you are Anna?"

"Yes. Belinda didn't tell you?" she asked.

"I didn't tell you on purpose. So you can get to know each other first," said Belinda and then smiled.

"Hmmm, Belinda. Can't you recognize your senior?" Anna grumbled.

Just then, Koko came with a box of cakes that seemed very delicious. He then sat near Belinda, opposite Anna and Taera.

"Hello everyone, I'm Koko. Belinda's classmate. Her sister is Anna," said Koko.

"Nice to meet you, Koko," said Taera.

"This must be Taera, huh?" asked Koko.

"How do you know, bro?" asked Anna, confused. Taera and Belinda were just as confused.

"I've seen you walking with Ardilo and his gang in the parking lot. It's been a long time. But I still remember your face," Koko explained to Taera.

Taera suddenly became anxious. What if people found out he was close to Ardilo. She didn't want any gossip to spread.

"Really, Tae?" Belinda asked.

"Oh, that... at that time, I happened to be with my friend, Stefa. She knew Alex and Hano, Ardilo's gang. Then I was invited to go for a walk with them. Not alone with Ardilo, really," Taera explained.

"Oh, Stefa is the second secretary, huh?" Belinda asked again.

"Yes, Sis, she's Yuna's sister," Taera replied.

Everyone nodded. They seemed to understand what Taera was explaining and didn't misunderstand. Taera is very relieved.

"Oh yes, I brought cake here. But we'll eat it together when the others come," said Koko.

"Okay, bro," said Anna. Others also agree.

After a while, the members from the Department of Arts and Culture that were majoring in Management arrived. There are Erlita, Gaga, and Danisa. They immediately sat on the chairs provided and got to know each other.

"Taera herself is an Accounting student," said Belinda.

"Yes, sis. It's okay. I'm happy to be able to meet others," said Taera.

"Looks like your face looks familiar," said Erlita.

"Not strange, why sis?" Taera asked, confused.

"I think I've seen you eating with Ardilo in the canteen of the Faculty of Economics. Are you really? Isn't it? Because at that time, it was really excited," Erlita asked.

"Oh... the news from that time? Yes, I remember. Yes, is that you, Tae?" she asked.

Danisa and the others looked at Taera waiting for an answer from Taera.

"That...that...at that time I was eating with my friends. Then my friend was invited by brother Hano to eat at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science's canteen. So I ate alone. Then there was Ardilo, who came to eat with me. That's it," Taera explained. She hoped they would understand and not think anything of it.

"Oh, it's a coincidence, huh? I thought you two had an appointment," said Erlita.

"Yes, the second-level Management students are already excited, Sis. Ardilo eats together with a girl. They think she's his girlfriend," Danisa commented.

They were still talking about Ardilo. Taera just listened to her. She responded with a smile only. Suddenly she felt a burden inside her if people knew that she was really close to Ardilo. Even Ardilo had already confessed his feelings to her. Just like that, they were already excited. What if Ardilo met Taera? It will be so exciting. Taera suddenly became worried and hesitated to accept Ardilo's feelings.

***

Stefa is attending a pre-gathering from DEB (Daily Executive Board) SEB Faculty of Economics. They gathered at the SEB secretariat. After introductions and casual chat. Ardilo invited them to discuss the concept and vision and mission of the Economics Faculty SEB this year. Stefa, who already knew Ardilo through Hano and his friends, became normal. Something was bothering Stefa. For some reason, the one who was the most excited was Yola. She knew that Yola had been close to Ardilo for a long time. But Yola's response sometimes makes Stefa wonder if it's possible that Yola likes Ardilo.

"Stefa, why are you so quiet?" asked Ervan, who watched Stefa as if she was thinking about something.

"Oh... I'm fine. I just have a little stomachache. I'll go to the toilet first," said Stefa to the others.

"Do you want to be delivered?" asked Airin, Treasurer 2.

"No need. I'm alone," said Stefan.

Stefa immediately walked to the toilet, which was not far from the SEB secretariat. "Is it possible that Yola loves Ardilo? You look like that. It's like you love Ardilo. I'm curious," Stefa muttered.