29 Rude

Aileen's breath hitched. She was tired, and her core ached. Aileen had never felt this bad before.

"Sorry," Farez squeaked softly. If he had done it he would be hurt by the promise not to hurt Aileen.

"You said not rude." Aileen wanted to be angry and she pouted, but because it was her duty, Aileen tried to understand.

Maybe it's a bit natural for that to happen. Farez got out of hand for some reason. Aileen also had to do it first. It's normal to feel sick.

"Oh yes, who is the girl who picked up your phone?"

"My friend. She's a widow. I helped her when the loan sharks asked to pay above average."

"How did you two meet?"

Aileen was curious, so she asked further. This story about Rumi is both interesting and disturbing to Aileen's mind. Even more that person is a woman and Farez is familiar with her.

He replied quickly looking relaxed and that way Aileen wasn't too worried. If Farez likes Rumi more than a friend Farez will show interest.

"Um... coincidentally. I have a project around her house. So yeah, there you go."

Aileen nodded in satisfaction at Farez's answer. But she still had something to say. Too bad time was not on their side.

"I'll go first. My time is up."

"Leen, wait."

Aileen turned. "Please take good care of yourself. I don't want you to get into trouble. I'm sorry I haven't been able to take care of you. But please, be firm in yourself in dealing with the people around you. Your welcoming nature is good, I don't blame you. Your friendly and kind nature is very dear to me. Even so, you still have to keep your attitude. Something excessive will not end well."

Aileen stared blankly before nodding. She admitted Farez was right about she was not firm. Aileen was too welcoming so not a few people misunderstood.

"Why do people want weird stuff? I just want to be friends." Aileen shook her head remembering Jack was tireless in expressing his feelings even though he had been rejected many times.

He is stubborn.

***

Just a step after Aileen stepped foot in the command post, many people looked at her intently trying to find her mistake. Searching does not stop before finding an answer.

"Why?"

"Where are you going Leen, attracting the attention of the village people again?"

"Going out without asking permission. When you go was a KKN supervisor. You know the lecturer is disciplined and strict, our group was given a warning and deducted points. One of the group members went nowhere." One member of the group scowled and stared intently.

Aileen was scared, she swallowed the saliva that felt stuck in her throat. While lowering her head she spoke slowly looking guilty. "Sorry, I didn't know."

Asya chuckled in annoyance so Aileen looked at her still looking guilty. She was used to her flat stare but it still felt scary. From that look, Asya was angry and disappointed.

"Then where did you go?" Asya asked for clarification. People around also want to know why Aileen left.

The most prominent angry group friend is Oliv. He saw this as a good opportunity to corner Aileen so that she looks wrong in the eyes of her group mates.

"Go to be a bitch. See the way she walks weirdly. Must be done with that," Oliv grumbled sadistically. She was hurt to break up with Jack. Anger continued to eat away at the marrow of his spine, even Oliv was sick of just looking at Jack and Aileen's faces.

Aileen is indeed wrong but she can't accept being called a bitch. Emotions were running high, and pain in the groin was no longer what Aileen cared about. Her eyes glowed with anger, she took one step closer to Oliv. The two face each other. "Keep your mouth shut. I'm married." Aileen was forced to speak about her status no matter the reactions of the group members.

"About the surveillance team coming and I'm not there I'm saying sorry. I didn't know they came all of a sudden."

Everyone is quiet. Called an exaggerated bitch and Aileen's reply was no less sadistic. He rebelled and the effect spread until one felt intimidated.

Meanwhile, Aileen smiled cynically. He had enough of people's bad looks, he was fed up.

"All of you." Very brave without a doubt Aileen pointed at people one by one. "Stop acting as if you've never made a mistake and then judged me. Okay, I'm not a good person and I have to correct my mistakes. At least you are aware that you don't insult other people by judging them badly. I'm ready to get punished because I was wrong." Aileen chuckled sarcastically at everyone. "If other people make mistakes, do you punish them? No."

Aileen's fists clenched tightly. She felt she was being treated unfairly. She was intimidated by people's discrimination against her. It felt like Aileen wanted to hit something to relieve the pain. Whatever it is, the important thing is the emotion is channeled.

Aileen was disappointed. Group members hide behind firm attitudes that end up cornering each other. They know about good and bad things but the way to handle them is not right.

"Never mind, Leen calm down. We won't punish you. Now join the others. Our peak program hasn't been carried out yet. In this last program, we have to work harder to make up for the points deducted. You are in charge of all of this so we are counting on you."

Aileen breathed a sigh of relief that she managed to sort things out pretty well. While nodding she smiled knowingly which changed great enthusiasm. She is feeling better now and will take full responsibility for their final program.

There are still many intimidating flat stares that Aileen ignores. All bad assumptions she brushed away. That way Aileen's heart and brain at least feel better so she can focus on contributing to the maximum.

***

"Aileen."

After making the cake as well as what ingredients are needed for the final program, group 09 cleans the ball field. This activity is carried out about four times a week. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly according to plan.

*****