Twenty Nine

"Tet! Tet! Tet!"

The sound of the school bell signaling that the school had finished interrupted Eshika's thoughts. It sucks, but Eshika has to admit that all day she really couldn't concentrate on her studies. She was lucky, today the incoming teachers include teachers who are not very active in teaching. Just write on the whiteboard, then give assignments. She could not imagine that the teacher who came in today was like Mrs. Wati, who once every ten minutes appointed students to answer her questions. Ugh! Eshika definitely wouldn't be able to answer a single question.

"Ting!"

Eshika opened the incoming message. And from who else if not Tama?

[ Tama ]

[Don't forget to pick up my bag, okay? ]

[ Bring it to UKS. ]

[ Hmm.... ]

[Btw, your Mom called me for a moment. ]

[Ask how we are. ]

[Then I said that we were fine. ]

Eshika's face felt like it fell out of place. She growled. Know with certainty the meaning of the last three sentences of Tama's message.

What if you weren't threatening Eshika?

You gave one kilo of devil's chili pepper to Tama? What do you mean, Esh?!!!

The image of Popi getting angry immediately appeared in Eshika's mind. And not to mention if Mawar finds out, maybe Eshika won't really be trusted by Tama's mother anymore.

Eshika got up. After tidying his books in his bag, he got up and was stunned for a moment.

"Tama is still in UKS, right, Ki?"

Reki nodded. "I'm going there first."

"Together then," said Tere. "Here are the books, let me tidy up."

Eshika's eyes rolled.

Fight with Tere or get scolded by two parents?

Argh!

Eshika squeezed her hands together.

After all, the source of my life is our Mom, and Tama. Better to face Tere than the three of them.

"Uhm!"

Tere and Reki both looked at the approaching Eshika. Eshika was seen glancing at Tere's hand. The girl was putting a textbook into Tama's backpack.

"Why?"

Eshika took a deep breath. She hated finding and getting into trouble the most, but now what could he do?

"You don't have to bother tidying up Tama's books," said Eshika. "Let me do it."

Tere frowned. "You mean?"

Eshika's hand raised. "Here is Tama's bag and books. Let me take care of it."

However, when Eshika intended to take Tama's book and bag, Tere held onto them tightly.

"Is this your business?" asked Tere. "You said there was nothing wrong with you, so why do you want to tidy up Tama's bag?"

Eshika's eyes rolled around.

I hate getting into trouble doesn't mean I don't have the courage to face problems.

"Because it was Tama who ordered."

"Tama?"

Full of confidence, Eshika took out her cell phone. Shows Tama's message to Tere.

"Look?" asked Eshika. "Tama told me to pick up his bag. If he really needs you, he will call you. Not me."

Tere was silent. Her hands clenched.

Not to mention when friends also read the message, before finally Eshika put her cellphone back into her uniform pocket. With a lazy smile, Eshika snatched Tama's book and bag from Tere's hand.

Ignoring Tere, Eshika quickly tidied up Tama's textbooks. She glanced briefly at Reki and Velly who were nearby.

"You want to go to the UKS too?"

They nodded. And right after that, Eshika felt how her body was pushed as Tere moved from there.

Eshika closed her mouth tightly. She know for sure where Tere is going. And sure enough! When the three of them arrived at the infirmary, he heard Tere's limp voice.

"How are you, Tam? Still sore?"

Tama shuddered. He inched away when he saw Tere's hand intending to wipe his sweat.

"I'm fine, Re."

Reki and Velly entered the UKS, while Eshika with pouting lips preferred to sit across the room. With his chin on the table, he carried two backpacks.

"Still going back and forth to the toilet?" asked Reki amused.

Tama glared. "I've been drinking ORS, it's a bit better."

"It must be because you eat a lot of chili, Tam," said Velly later.

Tama glanced at Eshika. "It seems like yesterday I ate too much cayenne pepper. That's why it's such a mess."

Eshika froze.

"So," Reki continued. "How did you get home?"

"Ah! Just let me deliver, Tam!" Tere exclaimed. "Just stay in your car at school. I'll pick you up tomorrow, too."

Tama glanced at Tere.

"How?"

Reki rubbed his chin. "It makes sense. And UKS will be closing soon."

Tama let out a long breath. "It's safe. I also want to go home now."

"With me?" asked Tere expectantly.

Tama glanced at Tere again. Shaking his head.

"So, what's next? Take a taxi?"

Tama shook his head. Then said.

"Esh! How long are you going to sit there?"

All eyes turned to Eshika. The girl blinked her eyes. With her mouth clenched shut, she got up.

"Some here! Help me! My body is weak you know?"

"Eh?"

Eshika with annoyed steps approached Tama. Trying to help the boy to sit on the edge of the bed.

Tama reached into her trouser pocket. He pulled out his car contacts and made three pairs of eyes bulge when he handed the contacts to Eshika.

"Bring it later, don't speed, okay?"

Eshika greeted the contact without saying anything. As if no one was there or Eshika was aware of her current pinched state, she grabbed Tama's hand.

Tama tried to hold back his amused smile when he saw how Eshika grabbed his hand and held his body as he stood up.

I didn't break my leg, did I? Just pretending to have diarrhea.

"Um...."

Eshika, who originally intended to immediately bring Tama home, suddenly stopped her footsteps. Noticing how the three of them stared at them dumbfounded.

"Are you still going to the UKS?" asked Eshika.

Velly looked at Eshika. "Are you taking Tama home?"

Eshika glanced at Tama briefly, then nodded.

"Oh..."

Tama waved at them and said. "We go first."

Left by Eshika and Tama, making the three wonder in their respective places.

"And Eshika still wants to dodge if they don't have anything?"

Velly turned. "There really isn't one."

"If not, why did he bring Tama home?"

Reki gulped. Trying to fill the gap between the two girls. Hope there's no fuss.

"Hey hey. We go home."

"Tama chose to go home with Eshika, that's because Tama doesn't want to go home with you," said Velly with a sneer. Then, he immediately left from there.

Tere growled in annoyance at Velly's ridicule.

"Eshikaaaaa!"

*

tbc ....