Hard Slap

Ardilo is not focused on studying. He still imagined Taera's words this afternoon that asked him to break up. He couldn't imagine it. He loves Taera. Even in the course of their story, Ardilo had to wait a very long time to get acquainted with Taera, and also to wait for an answer to his feelings all this time. Will it all end like this? Ardilo didn't want their story to end.

Because the others were busy studying, Ardilo finally went to Umin's room, the person who, according to Ardilo, was the wisest among all his acquaintances in his boarding house. Ardilo knocked on Umin's room slowly. He is afraid to disturb Umin, who is working on his thesis.

"Ardi, what's wrong?" asked Umin when he opened the door to his room and saw Ardilo standing with a pitiful face.

"I want to talk, bro. Are you busy?" asked Ardilo back.

"No. Come on in," said Umin, then allowed Ardilo to enter his room.

Ardilo sat on the chair in front of Umin's study table while Umin sat on the carpet while tidying up the reference papers to do his thesis.

"What do you want to talk about? Your face is really sad. Do you have a problem?" asked Umin.

"Yes, bro. Taera wants to ask for a break-up," Ardilo answered honestly.

"Because of what happened with you and Yola earlier? Before you went home, Hano and Alex told me that there was a scene in the SEB secretariat before you started the exam," said Umin.

"So, the guys already know, right?" asked Ardilo worriedly.

"They were excited because they saw you chasing Taera, Yola who came out of the Economics Faculty SEB secretariat while crying, and Yuna and Putra who looked around because they were confused about what to do," explained Umin.

"I'm sorry for Taera if the other kids talk about it later. No wonder her handphone hasn't been active since earlier," said Ardilo.

"Actually, why were you with Yola earlier? I only heard that you were alone in the SEB secretariat. But why did Taera cry?" asked Umin.

"He saw Yola hug me, bro. She was jealous. She was annoyed why I let Yola hug me. I also didn't know if Yola would hug me. I'm also confused about what to do," said Ardilo explaining everything.

"Hmm... I understand Taera's feelings. Maybe she thinks you should dodge when Yola hugs you," said Umin.

"It's okay, I've tried my best to let go of Yola's arms, but she hugged me tightly. It's like she's fragile. I know I was wrong, but what can I do? I'm also confused about my position as a close friend of Yola, "said Ardillo in frustration.

Umin nodded, "We've discussed this before, right? If you have to be careful with Yola, right? Maybe she wants to be close to you again. It's not that I want to think badly of her. But, if you look at her recent movements-lately, I'm worried that she's deliberately interfering with your relationship with Taera," explained Umin.

"Yes, bro. I have also warned her when the day will be so that she doesn't come near me. But, even things that I didn't expect happened," said Ardilo.

"Now, you should first let Taera think. Maybe she's sad and disappointed. That's why she wants to be alone first. You'd better give her time. Even so, you also have to straighten this issue out with Yola. Don't let there be a misunderstanding. Remember, you're a public figure. You're the chairman of the SEB. What you do gets people's attention. Next time you have to be careful, okay," said Umin, giving advice.

"Yes, bro, thank you for the advice," said Ardilo.

"Yes, with my pleasure. Hopefully, your problem will be resolved quickly," said Umin.

"Yeah, I hope Taera changes her decision too. I don't want to break up with her, bro," said Ardilo.

"I pray for the best for you," said Umin.

"Well then, I'll go back to my room first, bro. Thank you again," said Ardilo goodbye.

"Okay, cheer up, Di," said Umin.

Ardilo smiled and nodded. He then returned to his room. He looked at his handphone. It turned out that there were ten missed calls from Serry. Ardilo knew that his friend must be worried about him. Ardilo decided to call Serry.

"Hello, Ardi. Where have you been since you didn't pick up the phone?" Serry asked as soon as she picked up the call from Ardilo.

"Sorry, I went to Umin's room earlier. What's wrong, Ser?"

"I'm just worried about you and Taera. She still can't be reached?"

"Her handphone is still not active, Ser. I'm confused too. But she said that he wanted to be alone first. So, I guess I'll give her some time to herself first."

"Yes, but you also have to keep in touch with her, Ardi. Don't let her feel like you just let her go. She just said that if she asked you to break up. I was really scared. I don't want you to break up. Do you remember how you fought for it? You have to fight for it, Ardi."

"Yes, Ser. I know. That's why I'm dizzy. My head feels like it's going to burst. But I already asked Umin for advice. He said that I should sort this out with Yola."

"Yeah, You have to. I'm also annoyed with her. Why is she playing cuddles with you like that? I'm not the type of person who likes to yell at her, but I feel like hitting her. How can she be like that."

"She was dumped by Hendo, Ser. Her boyfriend is a medical student, you know. She is sad and desperate."

"But that doesn't mean she's free to hug someone's boyfriend, right?"

"That's true too. Yes, why is she like that, huh? How come I just thought of that?"

"Ardi... Ardi... you are sometimes between innocent and stupid."

"You're so mean. I'm also sad right now. Are you taking care of me?"

"It's not like that, Di. I'm just sorry why Taera had to see the incident with her own eyes. It hurts."

"That's true too. Come on, the more we talk about it, the sadder I get, the dizzier I get. I'll study first. Tomorrow is still an exam. I also have to think about my studies."

"Yes, that's true. I still lack two more chapters. Well, cheer up, Ardi. Hopefully, the problem will be resolved quickly. Bye."

"Bye."

Ardilo hung up the phone. He then lay down on his bed while staring at the ceiling of his room. He hoped everything would be fine. He didn't want this relationship to end. He still loves Taera very much.

***

The second-level Accounting student has finished his exams, Taera goes straight home because she doesn't want to stay in college for long. Yesterday's incident made many people talk about Ardilo and Yola. Taera couldn't stand it. Stefa, who saw Taera was very upset today, made her anger rise even more.

She waited for the third-level Management student to finish the exam. After waiting a few hours, Stefa saw Yola and her friends coming out of the exam room.

"Yola!" call Stefa.

Yola drew closer to Stefa, "What's wrong, Stefa?"

Plak... Stefa slapped Yola's face hard.

"Stef... what are you doing?"