Gathering

Today is Sunday. Taera's activity is attending the inaugural SEB gathering of the Faculty of Economics. Taera is nervous. She doesn't know why. Maybe this is her first meeting with Ardilo under the same auspices. Taera is neat and ready to go. She left with Stefa.

Arriving at the college, they gathered in a classroom near the SEB secretariat of the Faculty of Economics. After filling out the attendance list, they sat down with their respective departments. Previously, each department had gathered in advance to get acquainted with each other. Taera is already familiar with her fellow department members.

Taera walked over to Belinda was sitting on the left row of chairs. Taera didn't realize that Ardilo was watching her. Ardilo watched her since Taera came earlier. His gaze seemed to be unable to escape from Taera. Ardilo missed her.

"Hey, beautiful," said Belinda.

"Hi, sis. Where are the others?" Taera asked as she sat next to Belinda.

"Anna and Danisa have arrived but are still in the toilet. Now that's Erlita," said Belinda.

Taera then looked at the door, saw Erlita filling the attendance list. A moment later, she saw Ardilo was sitting in the front, helping Dino and Ervan seemed to be the MC for this event. Taera then studied Ardilo's face. She hasn't contacted Ardilo for the past few days because she knows Ardilo is busy, and Taera doesn't want to disturb him. A few moments later, Ardilo looked back at Taera and smiled. Taera was embarrassed by herself, but Ardilo still smiled at her. Finally, Taera just smiled briefly then immediately looked in the other direction. Incidentally, Erlita then walked towards her.

"Hi, Erlita. Sorry, I was with Stefa earlier," said Taera.

"It's okay. I was with Gaga," said Erlita, then sat down next to Taera.

Not long after everyone gathered, the event immediately began. Dino and Ervan were the MCs. After the event was officially opened, it was followed by remarks from Ardilo as the new chairman of the SEB of the Faculty of Economics. When Ardilo gave his speech, he looked handsome and very charismatic. Everyone focused on Ardilo. Taera realized that Ardilo was indeed very inspiring. She seemed to be excited when she heard Ardilo's remarks. And maybe the people there who listened to it were also excited. There's nothing wrong with Ardilo being one of the girls' dream boys in his faculty, maybe even on campus.

"Well... Now after the greeting from Ardilo, what's the next event, Din?" Ervan asked Dino after Ardilo finished giving his speech.

"Then we will get acquainted with each department so that we can get to know each other better," answered Dino.

"That's true. We are a family here, so we have to get to know each other. Which department do you have to meet first, Din?" Ervan asked.

"DEB first. Do you agree?" Dino asked everyone who was there.

"Agreed."

"Okay. DEB, please introduce yourself," said Dino.

A few moments later, DEB introduced itself. Ardilo and Ervan introduced themselves first. Then Yola, Stefan, Yuna, and Airin. At that time, Yola was standing near Ardilo. Taera doesn't know why it feels like seeing the two of them like a dream couple.

After DEB introduced itself, other departments followed. During the event, Taera could see that Yola was really close to Ardilo. Suddenly Taera became angry.

So is this what you call jealousy? Do I really love you? Taera thought.

After the event was over, some of them went straight home, and some were still chatting. Taera is still waiting for Stefa because she was with Stefa. Stefa was still busy chatting with Yola and Ervan. Taera waited for her in front of the classroom.

"Tae..." Ardilo called.

Taera was surprised because now Ardilo was standing beside her.

"Yes,?" asked a surprised Taera.

"Why aren't you home yet? You don't have a car?" asked Ardilo.

"No. I was with Stefa," Taera replied.

"Want me to come?" asked Ardilo.

"Nope. Thank you," replied Taera.

Ardilo felt Taera was avoiding him.

"Well, be careful when you get home," said Ardilo, then went back into the room.

"Sure," said Taera. Taera refrained from looking jealous. She then waited for Stefa in the front seat of the SEB secretariat. She could no longer see Ardilo talking to Yola.

***

Ardilo just arrived at his boarding house. He went straight to his room after chatting with Johan, Umin, and Jeffry. He sat on his bed. He was confused by Taera's attitude, which seemed to move away from him. Ardilo felt like he had something wrong with Taera.

Ardilo then called Taera.

Not pick up.

He called Taera again.

Not pick up.

Ardilo still hasn't given up. He called Taera again.

"Hello."

The word 'hello' from Taera made Ardilo smile. Taera's voice always cheers Ardilo.

"Hi, Tae. Have you arrived at the boarding house?"

"Just arrived. Why?"

"Didn't you go home earlier? Where did you end up?"

"Yes. Earlier, Stefa bought a snack for Yania, first."

"Oh. Have you eaten already?"

"Already. How about you?"

"I ate with Hano earlier. Tae..."

"Yes?"

"Are you mad at me?"

"Ha?"

"I feel like you're angry with me. Earlier, you were avoiding me."

Taera was silent for a moment. Ardilo felt that Taera was indeed angry with him, but didn't want to say it.

"I'm sorry if I have something wrong with you, Tae."

"Nope. I'm not angry with you."

"Really?"

"Yes. Take it easy. I'm sorry, I want to do my homework first."

"Oh yeah, cheers up, huh."

Taera hangs up the phone. Ardilo then thought.

"Is Taera jealous because I talked to Yola earlier?" mumbled Ardilo.

***

Taera hangs up the phone. She did feel angry at Ardilo. But she couldn't say. Taera is jealous. But Taera's position is still not officially Ardilo's girlfriend. Taera knows that. Therefore she could not say.

"Sorry, Ardilo, I'm not being this pretentious or selfish. I only want you to be sensitive. I'm jealous. I'm annoyed ah," Taera said while banging her pillow against the wall of her room.

Sella, Hyona, and Sonia were in the living room, were surprised by Taera's attitude lately.

"Taera, what's wrong? I think she's still angry," Sella asked Hyona and Sonia.

"I don't know either. Taera gets angry the least. Isn't that right?" asked Hyona.

Sella and Sonia nodded in agreement.

"Is she mad at her boyfriend?" asked Sonia.

"Which boyfriend? Does she have a boyfriend?" Sella asked.

"Yes, who knows, secretly has a boyfriend. She hasn't told us about boys all this time. It's possible that he already has a boyfriend," said Sonia.

"Yeah. Who knows," said Hyona.

"I became suspicious. Maybe she had a relationship with Ardilo. She became the spirit of the SEB list. And many things made me suspicious," said Sella.

"Hmm, we'll just monitor it. Don't interfere if she doesn't tell. Okay," said Sonia.

"Okay..." said Sella and Hyona.