Chapter 2. Love Confession

They always spent beautiful days together full of joy, busy studying, and got along Putra's ignorant behaviour.

Naya and Abi always competed to win titles at school, while Putra didn't even care about that.

Putra felt that he didn't have to bother about all of that because his parents determined his life path.

Education, career, and maybe even a life partner was planned by his parents. So, Putra was just enjoying this moment as his wish before his space was limited.

Without noticing that the graduation exam was getting closer, all students were busy preparing for the exam.

Abi was no exception. He was always the champion.

Naya? She was also not calm at all in facing tests.

Putra? He was as usual, too relaxed just like he didn't have life burdens.

A month later, the exams have finished and now was the time for the graduation announcement.

The graduation ceremony was being held at school today.

An hour later, the boring event ended.

"Abi, come with me. I have something to tell you." Naya whispered to her best friend, as soon as the graduation ceremony ended.

"About what?" Abi was curious.

"Just come along. You will find out later." Naya replied.

"Don't be noisy. The principal is singing." Putra tried to make a joke, but it wasn't right.

"Hushh, your reputation! He obviously gave graduation advice." Abi protested.

"I don't know where this young man's brain is. It's still zero about school stuff for three years," Naya sneered.

"You guys are noisy, I'm just adding." Putra protested.

Putra wanted to reply again, but suddenly his phone rang. It required him to stay away to receive the call because the hall was quite noisy.

"Hello? Hello? Yes, wait a moment, I'll move first. It's too noisy here." Putra went to a quieter place.

"Abi, come with me," Said Naya as she didn't want to miss the opportunity while Putra was busy.

"Yes," Abi replied.

He had been pulled by Naya's hand.

Naya brought Abi into the sports building. Abi could only obey his friend's invitation.

"Um, Abi…." Said Naya doubtfully.

"Yes?" He casually replied.

"Congratulations on your graduation." Said Naya pleasantly.

"Thank you, congratulations to you, Naya," Abi replied.

"You're welcome."

"By the way, why did you bring me here? You said there was something you wanted to talk about? What's wrong?" Abi asked.

Naya looked very nervous. Her forehead began to sweat and her chest was pounding.

"It's okay, just talk," He added.

"Uhm, Abi. Actually, I wanted to say this for a long time. You have always been a good example and a role model for me, so I want to be like you and... I like you.."

With a blushed face, Naya finally finished her sentence.

Abi smiled thinly.

"I like you too."

"Ah, really?"

Naya was delighted. She looked at Abi with great joy.

Naya felt very relieved.

"Yes, I like you. You are my best friend just like Putra."

'I am sorry Naya, you will be happier if you are not with me.' Abi muttered in his heart.

Flowers that had just bloomed suddenly wilted and dried up until they were no longer beautiful to look at.

"I mean..." Abi deliberately interrupted Naya's words.

"Oh yeah, I forgot there was an appointment with the supervisor. I'm sorry Nay, but I have to go now." Abi tried to avoid.

He immediately looked for an excuse before Naya asked further.

"Okay."

Naya held back her tears that felt like they were about to spill.

"See you later, Naya."

After Abi left, Naya hobbled out of the sports hall not far from the entrance, where the graduation ceremony was being held.

Putra who saw Naya hobbling approached her. He was worried that something might happen with Naya.

"Nay, what's wrong with you? Are you okay? Are you sick?" Putra suddenly became worried.

Naya didn't answer.

She then hugged Putra and burst into tears in his chest.

Putra finally gave up his wet clothes, holding Naya, and gently rubbed her head.

No more annoying words from Putra who always came out for Naya.

This time, Putra was silent, allowing Naya to bring out all the restlessness in her heart.

"What happened? Just tell me."

Naya was still crying, ignoring Putra's question.

"Okay, calm yourself down. Cry as much as you want," Said Putra, calming Naya.

Finally, Putra let his clothes become wet because of Naya's tears.

When he felt Naya's crying subsided, he tried to see Naya's condition by looking at her face.

Somehow, she instead buried her face in Putra's chest.

Putra felt as if his heart was stirred by feelings that he didn't understand how to express it.

For the time being, he preferred to drift away, following the current flowing water.

"Tra, please take me home," Naya requested when she was able to control her sadness.

"Okay, but first, keep your face off my chest."

Putra held his breath for a moment. His heart was beating faster than usual. Being so close to Naya made him nervous.

"Sorry, I'm feeling messed up."

"Ah, I'm used to your messy state. Even if your skin is outrageously messed up, I can still accept it." Putra tried to comfort Naya.

"Geez! When will you stop teasing me?" Naya complained.

"Maybe, if I die?" Putra replied, joking.

"Hey! Watch your words because they can be a prayer. Take back what you say. Hurry!" Naya snapped.

"Okay, pull it for me," Putra froliced.

"Putra, stop joking around."

"Alright, So, should I take you home or not?" Putra asked.

"Yes, please take me home."

"But first, wipe your tears. I don't want to be mistaken for hurting you."

"If people want to care, they won't be able to do anything if you really do it. Because no one can touch you in this school. The son of the school owner." Naya satirised.

"Do you think I'm a ghost? Can't be touched?"

Putra was shocked, the joking girl was too crazy, not stepping back a little.

Putra giggled to himself with his thoughts.

"OMG!" Naya patted her forehead.

"I forgot when I talked to a squat IQ bug" Naya pretended to be annoyed.

"What are you saying?"

"You, burnt girl!" Putra anxiously pinched Naya's cheek.

"Aaaww, my goodness. Hahaha," Naya groaned.

"Ah, thank goodness. Finally, you laughed too." Putra was relieved.

"Hmm, thank you. Tra, Even though you like to tease me, but now I know you are useful too. It's not in vain I have kept you all this time."

Naya smiled broadly, showing a line of neat white teeth with tooth braces.

Putra smiled with relief.

"When do we get to your house if you talk too much?" Putra walked towards the parking lot, leaving Naya who immediately caught up with her long strides.

"Hey, wait! Don't leave me. Huh! You're walking very fast." Naya complained.

In the car, Naya told him the incident that made her cry all the way to the house.

"Earlier, when you went to receive a call, I talked to Abi." Naya tried to see Putra's reaction.

"Then, I talked to him at the gym. I confessed my feelings that I have been hiding all this time."

Naya saw his friend's response again, but Putra was still calmly driving the car.

"What happened next?"

"Abi rejected my feelings." Naya's eyes began to tear up again.

Tears fell down again.

"Cup, cup. Don't cry. There are still plenty of boys out there."

Putra used his left hand to rub the top of Naya's head.

In his heart, Putra liked the news.

"Stupid girl, just cry."

"Women's feelings are more sensitive. Men couldn't understand that."

"Oh, yeah? I doubt it. You're not a woman, right?"

"Huh! What did you say? Come here, I'll pinch you!" Naya started pinching Putra's waist.

"Hey, stop it. It's ticklish. Stop, I'm driving."

"Yes, I know."

Putra safely escorted Naya home.

Since that incident, Naya rarely met and talked to Abi. It wasn't because she was avoiding him, but rather because after the graduation ceremony, most of their time was spent preparing to enter the University.

Naya's parents were already preparing for her education abroad.

After a long struggle, Naya was finally accepted to study at one of the leading universities outside the country.

Meanwhile, Putra was also accepted to study at a foreign university prepared by his father. As a successor to his father's business, it was inevitable that Putra's life would have his parents' interference.

Naya still frequently communicated with Putra even though they were in different countries.

Somehow, Abi was different. They hadn't heard Abi's news since the school farewell.

To be continued.