The heat of the city of Jakarta immediately greeted me as soon as I left the airport. I waved at one of the taxis, and immediately got into the taxi while the driver put my luggage in the trunk.It's been more than five months since I left Jakarta to volunteer in one of the remote towns in Kalimantan. A month after the birth of the twins, a very big disaster occurred in Kalimantan. I decided to join an organization from my campus to volunteer there. Because the conditions were so bad, I decided to stay there longer than the other volunteers.I asked the driver to take me to a cafe that I used to frequent with Violet.After arriving there, I sent a message to Violet to meet me at that place.“Kei!” Violet shouted from the entrance, making all the customers there immediately turn to look at the girl. It seems like she's still as noisy as before.Violet ran to hug me tightly.“Oh My God! Are you wearing make-up?" shrieked the girl in disbelief.Oh, yes! While I was in Kalimantan, I liked
I ran as fast as I could. Almost Mr. Abdul--the school guard, closed the gate.After staying up late to do the Aster Gang's errands, I was finally able to sleep a few hours. I'm really lucky, usually, I can only sleep an hour before going to school.The reason why I was always ranked number one in school, was not because I was born smart, but because I had to study harder to be able to do the homework for members of the Aster Gang, who of course had different majors.This is where I am, at Gemilang High School. A beautiful place, but terrible.I stopped running when my name tag fell, a beautiful name written on the name tag made me feel sad.Kei Innaya Susilo, that's my name. It means a Beautiful flower growing on the rock. I should be as strong as the name my parents gave me. But in reality, it's the opposite of what was expected.I am weak. That's why they bother me. The Aster Gang. A group of fierce spoiled girls, and stupid men who always do all the girls' orders.The only thing I
I ran into my room, locking myself inside with the music playing loudly. Ah, no! Very hard precisely because only then I can cry to my heart's content. No one wants to live so miserably like this.I'm not a bad girl, I'm a good girl who never hurt anyone, but why did God put me in this position? Why?I paused and covered my mouth tightly when I heard a knock on the door. I know exactly who is behind that door. Yes, it must be Dad. I thought he was not at home as usual."Kei, have you eaten?" shouted Dad from behind the door.No, I haven't eaten, and it's better not to eat than to show my face covered in dried henna streaks. Dad would be very hurt if he saw his only daughter become a victim of bullying. And of course, I don't want that to happen."I already ate at school!" I shouted."Could you open the door?" asked Dad."No! I don't wanna see anyone! I'm on my period!" I shouted while holding back my tears."Alright, meet Dad whenever you want!" shouted Dad.I put my ear to the door t
I could only cry when slap after slap landed on my cheek. They call this punishment for a brat like me who usually only complains. Not just a slap, now Lenny even strangled my neck.Don't ask how it feels, I almost lost my mind if only Lenny didn't take her hand off me. They were angry because I entered the counseling room. Of course, they knew what chat we had in there. The only problem in my life is them, so it's pretty easy to guess."What did you say to Mrs. Merry? You told me how much you suffered because of me? This idiot thought the counseling teacher could stop me from hurting her, really stupid!" Lenny shouted, pushing me against the wall until I hit my head."Don't waste your time! Do you know this is a private school? And the biggest donors in this school are my parents, instead of getting into trouble with me, those stupid teachers would rather let you be my toy!" exclaimed Lenny while putting her hands on her hips with an annoyed look.That's right, they are stupid teache
"Why? Who are you? Why do you want to help me?!" I said to the man.I've asked for help from everyone close to me, friends, teachers, and relatives, but none of them wants to help me, why does this unknown man want to help me?"Because a woman as beautiful as you is too fond of being bullied," said the mysterious man casually.For some reason, I doubt what that man said. It didn't make sense for him to bother helping me just because I was pretty."Forget it, you won't be able to help me!" I cried desperately."So what? Are you trying to commit suicide again? Don't you have a family at home? Is there someone waiting for you at home? How do you think they would feel if they found out that you died in vain because of a useless bunch of humans ?!" cried the man as he stood up, and came back to me.I was slapped by the man's words. He was right, Daddy worked all day long to provide a good life for me, and he would be very hurt if I died by suicide."And those bullies, they will never chang
"What's this?" I asked confused as soon as Kenan showed me the various photos that I knew belonged to the Aster Gang which were neatly pasted on the blackboard."Take your target's photos!" said Kenan casually.The man was still busy pasting photo after photo on the blackboard.As usual, we always meet in this old building every morning. Kenan regularly invites me to exercise in the morning, trains me in martial arts in the afternoon, and at night we just talk. We've been doing this routine for almost a week."If you want revenge, you have to get to know them deeper. That way, you can find their weak points." Kenan shouted while pointing at the blackboard in front of us."Okay. So, you spied on them? What did you get?" I'm starting to get excited."There are four members of the Aster Gang. Their leader is Lenny, then the two useless maids, Miranda and Feby, and the idiot who can hit women, Marko! You have to know the ins and outs of their family!" Kenan exclaimed while pointing at the
"Wait! "You wanna wear that uniform?" Kenan shouted while glaring at me in disbelief, making the employees in the store also surprised and look at us with strange looks that made me feel uncomfortable.Alright, I don't see anything wrong with the school uniform I'm holding. Well, it's new, clean, and nice; what makes Kenan surprised by those glaring eyes?"Now I understand why they targeted you from the start! You must look nerdy wearing a big-size uniform like that!" Kenan with his hands on his hipsYeah, actually, I never cared about anything like looks or anything; I just wore what made me feel comfortable. Is it wrong? And just because someone wears a dress that makes them look weird, stupid, or whatever doesn't give you the right to bully that person.Kenan shook his head slowly, then left me to get a uniform in another size."Try this," Kenan said as he handed me the uniform."You don't think this is too small? Well, I need a comfortable uniform to move around freely in case I h
Kenan smiled broadly as I came out of the house. Even though I refused, Kenan still insisted on taking me to school. Luckily, Dad had left for work this morning, or he would have interrogated me about Kenan. Where is his home, who are his parents, and so on? Ah, that would be too troublesome."Wow, you look beautiful!" Kenan praised me while giving me a helmet.I just smiled faintly and put on the helmet that Kenan gave me."Are you nervous?" asked Kenan while winking one eye at me.Nervous? Of course. Am I brave enough to fight them? Well, I'm sure I can face Lenny, Feby, and Miranda. But Marco?"What are you worried about?" asked Kenan after starting his motorcycle engine."Marko," I answered quickly."Kei, we already have Marko's ace card; just relax; he won't dare to bother you again," Kenan said casually.Kenan drove his motorcycle through the busy streets of Jakarta. A refreshing woody scent wafted from the jacket Kenan was wearing. It's quite impressive; why would a handsome an
The heat of the city of Jakarta immediately greeted me as soon as I left the airport. I waved at one of the taxis, and immediately got into the taxi while the driver put my luggage in the trunk.It's been more than five months since I left Jakarta to volunteer in one of the remote towns in Kalimantan. A month after the birth of the twins, a very big disaster occurred in Kalimantan. I decided to join an organization from my campus to volunteer there. Because the conditions were so bad, I decided to stay there longer than the other volunteers.I asked the driver to take me to a cafe that I used to frequent with Violet.After arriving there, I sent a message to Violet to meet me at that place.“Kei!” Violet shouted from the entrance, making all the customers there immediately turn to look at the girl. It seems like she's still as noisy as before.Violet ran to hug me tightly.“Oh My God! Are you wearing make-up?" shrieked the girl in disbelief.Oh, yes! While I was in Kalimantan, I liked
Violet and I immediately stood up and looked around when the group of police entered the campus area. Some of them entered the Chancellor's room, and some immediately spread out and arrested several people."What happened?" Violet screamed while hiding behind my back."They came to arrest drug users and dealers," said Vano, who had just come to us with Kenan."Does this have anything to do with Adipati's case?" I asked while looking closely at Kenan.The man just nodded slowly. I breathed a sigh of relief hearing that."Unfortunately, the perpetrator of the murder is still at large, the police are hunting him in Bali, because they fled there." Kenan looked at me with a sad look.I smiled in response to his words.“Sooner or later they will be found. I am sure of it. After all, the drug suspects had been caught, Adipati's struggle was not in vain. Now just wait for them to be found!” I said casually.Kenan smiled faintly, then nodded slowly. Kenan's cell phone rang, the man immediately
"Wisnu?" I shouted, surprised to see who was coming towards us.I turned to Kenan who also looked confused.Wisnu sat down and drank the coffee that we previously ordered for the informant who contacted Kenan."You shopped for necessities for your sister?" Wisnu asked with a smile.I nod quickly."She's seven months pregnant so we bought some things," I said even though I was still confused."Someone keeps following me, so it's safer to meet in a public place like this, as if meeting a friend and having a casual chat," said Wisnu casually.I nodded slowly.“Why don't you message me with your own number? Or if you are being followed, you can say it in a message," Kenan said.Wisnu smiled so widely."I don't know, I'm afraid if my number is tapped or something, it's just my worry. Technology is so scary these days.” Wisnu said, trying to look relaxed.I nod quickly. I don't care what the reason is. I only need the information that Wisnu will convey.“Recently on campus, drugs are spread
"Mafia members who are related to the Marko family," Kenan said slowly.I stared into Kenan's eyes sharply. He said it so confidently.“They did it? So, Marko's family is behind this murder? Why does it have to be Adipati? Why don't they just target me? I mean, Marko is in prison because of me, not because of Adipati. Why are they doing this?”Kenan just shook his head weakly in response to my words."I will investigate, I will bring the culprit before you," Kenan said while stroking my cheek gently."You promise?" I insisted.Kenan nodded slowly without the slightest hesitation.“I doubt if they killed him to get revenge for Marko's capture. I'm sure there are other things that make them target Adipati,” Kenan said slowly.I shook my head slowly. I don't remember if Adipati ever had anything to do with them.“Is there anything I can help you with? How are you going to investigate this?” I urged Kenan.The man just shook his head slowly, he looked at me deeply."Calm down, we have to
I'm still here, I'm still with you, when dusk greets me, I feel your presence. You are a source of warmth, comfort, happiness. Why don't you take me with you? You went and left all these memories with me.It's too fast, I'm not ready, I'm not willing to let you go.What shall I do without you, Adipati?What should I do?"Kei..."Violet's gentle voice greeted my eardrums. The girl came to me and sat beside me. I don't want to see her, the whiny me will cry again if I look at my best friend's face.Violet just accompanied me in silence in front of Adipati's grave."It's almost evening, don't you want to go home?" Violet asked quietly.I looked up at the sky which was starting to get dark, the cold wind continued to blow at us."Can't I just stay here? Adipati will be lonely here," I answered quietly."No, he will be angry and sad if he finds out you spent time in a dark and scary place like this," said Violet.Correct. If he saw me, he would definitely be furious.“Your dad and Selena a
Vano slept curled up on the sofa while Kenan played games on the bed. Violet cleared her throat, making Kenan and Vano open their eyes wide.“Kei?" Kenan shouted as he approached me. He pulled the IV tube closer to me who was still standing in the doorway.“Your face is very pale, are you okay?” I asked slowly.Kenan smiled faintly, then nodded slowly. Violet helped me to sit on the sofa. She then woke up the sleeping Vano and invited him to go to give me space to talk to Kenan.Kenan sat beside me, looked at me from head to toe, and breathed a sigh of relief."It's not your fault, so don't blame yourself," I said matter-of-factly.Kenan immediately averted his eyes, not daring to meet my eyes. He looked nervous. Kenan, who is always full of confidence, suddenly gets nervous when he's with me. That's how much guilt he has.I took Kenan's hand, and then held it gently, making him immediately turn and look at me deeply."This is not your fault. It's just a road I have to walk, we pass.
Marko was still looking at me sharply, occasionally he gripped both sides of my cheeks with one hand.I don't know what was in that man's mind. He could have done whatever he wanted quickly, why was he stalling for time? What does he really want?"What if we do this? I will release you on several conditions!” Marko suddenly shouted."What conditions?""First, you withdraw your report at the police station, second, give Kenan to me!" Marko exclaimed quickly."What?" I screamed in disbelief.“You know, he's not just anyone, I had a hard time injuring him! I've already sent several people to kill him, but it seems like he has nine spare lives. Very hard to kill!”I gaped at Marko's story. Did he ever try to kill Kenan? Why didn't Kenan tell me anything? Oh, I forgot. Kenan never told me anything.“Help me trap Kenan, haven't you two broken up? It should be easy for you to do! Just like you saved Violet by falling into my trap, save yourself by bringing Kenan to me!”My tears just flowed.
"Is this necessary?" asked Selena seeing the presence of a bodyguard among us."Only until this case is over," I said quickly.Selena glanced at Dad, and Dad just nodded slowly."How about you? You might also be in danger, rather than me, you should be guarded by bodyguards!” Selena snapped."Don't worry, I have a handsome bodyguard who will always take care of me!" I wink at Selena mischievously, making her smile knowingly."I'm sorry that I didn't take good care of you, you got into all kinds of trouble like this." Dad came closer to me and looked at me with deep eyes."No, it's not because of you, it's my fault because I used to hide everything from you. If I had just told you everything in the past, things wouldn't have gotten this bad!” I said quickly.Dad hugged me very gently. I don't know when was the last time he hugged me like this, what I know for sure, is it's been a very long time.“I will make sure to punish those naughty kids!” cried Dad with great emphasis.I didn't sa
The sound of the phone ringing kept disturbing my sleep. Hearing Violet's screams from the cell phone made me very annoyed. If I didn't remember that my cell phone is quite expensive, I wouldn't hesitate to slam the thing on the floor right now.And seriously, why does Violet always use her voice as the ringer on my cell phone? Crazy!I straightened my body, stretched my tense muscles, and took a deep breath of air.Good morning world, today… Please don't be so mean to me.I pulled out my cell phone and picked up a call from Violet.“Please, don't fiddle with my phone anymore! Your voice penetrates my dreams, you know that?” I exclaimed annoyed.A low chuckle could be heard from the other side.“My voice is quite melodious, right? By the way, why didn't you go to class today?"Wait! What did she just say? Didn't go to class? I turned to the side, staring blankly at the digital clock lying on my table.Damn it, the clock shows that I woke up not in the morning but during the day."And