In the morning, as usual, fifteen minutes before the entrance bell rang, Nadia and Sinta were already seated in the classroom, chatting casually while waiting for class to begin. The room was still quiet, with only their soft voices filling the air as they exchanged stories about the previous day.
Meanwhile, outside the classroom, students were just starting to arrive some walking briskly, others even rushing. Near the school gate, Ridho and Arya walked side by side toward the entrance. Their steps were light, but not as relaxed as usual.
Arya seemed distant today. His mind was elsewhere, weighed down by something that made it hard for him to focus. He moved without purpose, merely keeping pace with Ridho, who was walking slightly ahead.
The morning sun shone brightly, its light filtering through the large trees outside the school. But to Arya, the world felt hazy, as if he was looking through a fog.
Yesterday's events kept replaying in his mind the alley he had seen, the memory of him and little Nadia, the necklace that seemed to hold a deeper meaning, and the mysterious man who had appeared out of nowhere. The questions gnawed at him like persistent shadows he couldn't shake.
Ridho, walking beside him, noticed the change. Arya was unusually quiet. Normally, they would joke around or chat on the way to class, but today, Arya seemed lost in his own head.
"What's up, bro? Something on your mind?" Ridho asked, his voice laced with concern.
Arya snapped out of his thoughts at the question. He glanced at Ridho briefly before shaking his head, trying to brush it off.
"Nah, it's nothing," he said, though his voice lacked conviction.
Ridho wasn't buying it. He had known Arya for a long time his friend rarely kept things to himself. If something was bothering him, he'd usually talk about it. But today, Arya looked like he was wrestling with thoughts he wasn't ready to share.
They walked in silence for a few more steps until they finally reached the classroom door.
Inside, as expected, Nadia and Sinta were waiting. Seeing them arrive, Nadia greeted them with a warm smile, while Sinta, as usual, threw in a playful remark.
"Arya, Ridho, you're running a little late today," Nadia teased, her voice light.
"Ah, maybe they overslept, Nad," Sinta added with a chuckle, effortlessly lifting the mood.
However, Arya just stayed silent and stared at Nadia, his gaze lingering on her face for a long time. There were questions swirling in his mind, but he didn't know how to put them into words.
Nadia seemed fine, as if nothing had changed. But something about her unsettled him. Something that made him wonder,
Did Nadia really know about the necklace? About the alley? Or about the mysterious man who kept appearing in his thoughts?
Arya once again fell into deep contemplation.
"Does Nadia know something I don't? Or maybe... she doesn't remember anything either?" he wondered, the unanswered questions looping endlessly in his mind.
Noticing Arya's prolonged stare, Nadia furrowed her brows, confused by his expression.
"What's wrong, Arya? Is there something you want to ask me?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of concern.
Arya hesitated for a moment, trapped in his own thoughts. Then he shook his head, suppressing the emotions that were beginning to weigh on him.
"It's nothing, Nad," he replied quickly, though it wasn't entirely the truth.
"I just wanted to make sure you're okay. Yesterday, you looked tired and were coughing a lot," Arya added, forcing a small smile.
Nadia smiled too, as if trying to ease the worry on Arya's face.
"I'm fine, Arya. Just a bit exhausted and a slight cough because of the weather," she reassured him, though Arya still felt something was off.
"See? I'm totally fine now," Nadia added with a brighter smile, as if trying to convince him.
But despite her words, Arya's heart remained uneasy. There was something unspoken, something hidden behind that smile. He tried to shake off the feeling, but it refused to fade.
Ridho and Sinta, who had been quietly listening, exchanged glances. They didn't fully grasp what was going on between Arya and Nadia, but they could sense the shift in atmosphere.
Not long after, the school bell rang, signaling the start of the first lesson. The students returned to their seats. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Andini, their biology teacher, entered with a warm smile, bringing a fresh energy to the morning.
"Good morning, children!" Mrs. Andini greeted cheerfully, welcoming the students as they returned to their seats.
"Good morning, Ma'am!" the students replied in unison.
"Alright, are you all ready for today's lesson?" she asked enthusiastically, encouraging the class to focus.
"Ready, Ma'am!" they responded with the same energy.
After checking attendance, the first lesson biology began.
But at his seat, Arya struggled to concentrate. His thoughts kept drifting back to the mysterious man, the alley, the enigmatic necklace, and, most of all, Nadia who he felt was still hiding something. These unanswered questions kept pulling at his mind, disrupting his focus.
***
During break time, the school cafeteria buzzed with lively chatter and laughter. Students filled the tables, eating lunch while others stood in long lines in front of the canteen counter.
Some wandered around looking for seats, while others were glued to their phones. At one of the tables, Arya, Nadia, Sinta, and Ridho sat together, enjoying their meals as usual. Jokes and laughter flowed between them, creating a familiar and comfortable atmosphere.
Arya, who had been lost in his thoughts all morning, was finally starting to feel like himself again. At least for now, he could relax a little and let go of the things that had been weighing on him.
But just as they were caught up in their conversation, someone suddenly approached their table.
"Sorry to interrupt," said Dika, a student from 10th grade D and a member of the school's futsal team.
The four of them turned to him. Ridho was the first to respond with a casual smile.
"It's no problem, bro. We were just chatting," Ridho said with a grin. "I take it this is something important?"
Dika chuckled before answering. "Yeah, just wanted to confirm you and Arya are in for the futsal match this Friday against the school next door, right?"
"Of course, bro!" Ridho responded enthusiastically, giving Arya a pat on the shoulder.
Arya nodded casually. "Yeah, I'm in."
Dika smiled in satisfaction. "Good. Tomorrow after school, practice at three on the futsal court out front. Don't ditch!"
"Got it, bro!" Arya and Ridho replied in unison.
Dika nodded, gave a quick wave, and walked away. But before their conversation returned to normal, Nadia suddenly turned to Arya with an excited look.
"Arya, I want to watch you practice tomorrow. Can I?" she asked innocently.
Arya blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Of course! I'd be even more pumped if you came to watch."
Nadia's face instantly turned red. Sinta, who caught on, grinned mischievously.
"Ooooh... Arya's finally got the guts to flirt with Nadia, huh?" she teased with a chuckle.
Arya scratched the back of his head, his face heating up. "Come on, don't start," he muttered in half-protest.
Sinta giggled. "It's fine, Arya. If you like her, just say it. No need to be shy."
"What the hell, Sin..." Arya turned his gaze away, but the slight blush on his face betrayed him.
Ridho suddenly cut in. "I'm practicing too. Wanna watch me, Sin?" he asked hopefully.
"Nope." Sinta immediately stuck out her tongue at him.
"Ah, come on, Sin..." Ridho groaned, putting on an exaggeratedly heartbroken expression.
The group burst into laughter. Arya glanced at Nadia, who was still smiling softly, while Sinta kept teasing Ridho. The atmosphere at their table felt light, as if all the worries that had been weighing on Arya earlier had momentarily disappeared.
They went back to enjoying their food, chatting idly, until the bell rang, signaling the end of recess.
***
The next day, as soon as the dismissal bell rang, Arya, Ridho, Nadia, and Sinta left the classroom together. The school hallways were already crowded with students heading home, some lingering by the classroom doors, chatting, while others busied themselves with their own plans.
"Bro, don't forget our futsal practice at three!" Ridho said, tapping Arya on the shoulder.
"Yeah, I remember," Arya replied casually.
He glanced at Nadia, who was walking beside him, then asked, "Are you coming to watch me practice later, Nad?"
Nadia gave a small nod and smiled. "Yes, I will," she replied.
Arya grinned, clearly pleased. "If that's the case, I'll pick you up at your house."
Meanwhile, Ridho turned to Sinta, who was walking slightly behind them. "Are you coming to watch too, Sin?" he asked hopefully.
Sinta pretended to think for a moment, then shrugged. "We'll see," she replied with a teasing smile.
Ridho immediately stepped closer, trying to persuade her. "If you come, I'll pick you up and buy you your favorite ice cream too."
Sinta narrowed her eyes at him. "Seriously?"
Ridho nodded quickly. "Seriously! I'll get you your favorite chocolate ice cream, promise!"
Sinta finally gave in with a nod. "Alright, I'm in. But if you're lying, you're dead meat!" she warned playfully.
Ridho laughed triumphantly. "Relax, I won't lie."
The four of them continued walking home, chatting and joking along the way until they finally parted ways.
***
At 2:30 p.m., Arya arrived in front of Nadia's house on his motorcycle. He parked by the fence and rang the doorbell. A moment later, the door opened, revealing Nadia's mom.
"Oh, Arya," she greeted kindly. "You're here to pick up Nadia?"
"Good afternoon, Aunty," Arya responded politely. "Yes, I came to pick her up."
"Come in for a bit. Nadia's still getting ready," she said, stepping aside to let him in.
Arya nodded and took a seat on the neatly arranged living room sofa. The house always had a warm and cozy feel, with the faint aroma of jasmine tea drifting from the kitchen.
Not long after, Nadia appeared at the top of the stairs. She wore long pants, a white T-shirt layered with a thin jacket, and a small bag slung over her shoulder. Her hair was half-tied, giving her a graceful yet effortless look.
Arya found himself momentarily stunned. She always looked beautiful, but today, there was something about her that felt even more captivating. Or maybe, he was just noticing it now.
"Sorry for the wait, Arya. I was still tidying up my room," Nadia said with a smile.
Arya snapped out of his thoughts and quickly shook his head. "It's fine, Nad."
"Shall we go?" Nadia asked.
Arya stood up immediately and turned to her mom. "I'll make sure Nadia gets home safely after practice, Tante."
Her mom smiled warmly. "Alright, be careful on the road. Don't come home too late, Nad."
"Got it, Ma," Nadia replied.
After saying their goodbyes, Arya handed Nadia a spare helmet and helped her put it on. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Arya felt his face heat up. He quickly adjusted the helmet to cover his nervousness.
"You've got a strong grip, Nad," Arya muttered.
Nadia simply smiled softly.
As she settled onto the bike, she hesitated for a second before lightly placing her hands on Arya's waist. The touch was faint, but it sent a small jolt through him. His heart pounded slightly as he tried to focus on the road. Every now and then, he glanced at the rearview mirror, catching glimpses of Nadia's calm expression as she enjoyed the ride.
With the wind gently blowing past them, they headed toward the futsal court in front of the school.
***
A short while later, Arya and Nadia arrived at the futsal court's parking lot. Arya carefully parked his motorcycle, while Nadia gracefully stepped off, removed her helmet, and ran her fingers through her hair.
Shortly after, Ridho and Sinta also arrived. Ridho casually parked the motorcycle, then smiled broadly at them. The four of them walked to the futsal court. In the distance, Dika was already standing with several other friends who had arrived earlier. As soon as he saw Arya and Ridho, Dika immediately waved.
"Bro, come here!" he called out.
Arya and Ridho immediately approached Dika, who was preparing on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Sinta and Nadia walked towards the bleachers on the side of the pitch, looking for a comfortable seat.
"So this is it," Dika said, patting the futsal ball in his hand.
"I'll divide everyone into two teams."
He pointed one by one.
"Arya, Ridho, me, Toni, Reza, and Bowo will be on the same team."
All the players nodded in agreement, no one objected.
"Alright, now we warm up first," Dika continued.
Without wasting time, they immediately warmed up, stretching, a little jogging on the spot, and a short passing exercise. Once the body started to feel warm, the official training began.
Arya played the role of pivot, the spearhead of the team's attack. Dika and Bowo were on the flanks or wingers, while Toni and Reza were the anchors in charge of guarding the defense. Ridho, as usual, stood under the bar as the mainstay goalkeeper.
As soon as the whistle blew to signal the start of the exercise, the game immediately became intense. Arya's team seemed to dominate, with a combination of fast passing and a neat attack strategy. Several times Arya and Dika managed to break through the opponent's defense, creating dangerous opportunities.
Ridho, on the other hand, looked solid under the bar, making some brilliant saves that forced Sinta to recognize his ability. From the bleachers, Nadia and Sinta gave constant support.
"Do, watch out if you concede!" exclaimed Sinta, pretending to be threatening while enjoying her ice cream.
Ridho glanced at her and gave a confident thumbs-up.
"Take it easy, I'm a world-class keeper!" he said a little smugly.
Nadia also occasionally cheered encouragement.
"Come on, Arya! You can score goals!"
Hearing Nadia's support, Arya was even more excited. His eyes lit up as he broke through the opponent's defense. With quick movements, he outwitted the defenders before firing a powerful shot into the corner of the net.
The ball flew in and...
GOOOL!
Cheers erupted from the stands. Nadia and Sinta shouted with joy, clapping their hands with excitement. Arya smiled proudly as he glanced at Nadia, who looked so happy.
The first half ended with Arya's team leading 3-2. Arya contributed two goals, while Dika scored one.
During the break, Arya and Ridho walked to the sidelines, sitting near Nadia and Sinta. They were still breathing heavily, sweat pouring down their faces, but satisfied smiles were etched on their faces. Nadia opened her small bag and took out a bottle of water and a small towel.
"Arya, drink first," she said gently as she handed the bottle over.
Arya smiled and took it.
"Thanks, Nad."
He quickly gulped down the water with satisfaction and then wiped his sweat with a small towel from Nadia. Meanwhile, Sinta also handed a bottle of water to Ridho, albeit with a feigned expression of indifference.
"Here, drink," she said flatly
Ridho accepted it with a touched expression, then said in a dramatic tone,
"Sinta, it turns out you care about me too."
Sinta snorted and glared slightly.
"I don't care, I just don't want you to faint on the field. Then I can't go home," she said spoiled.
Arya and Nadia laughed at their interaction. Ridho, although pretending to be annoyed, couldn't hide his big smile.
After a few minutes of rest, the whistle blew to signal the start of the second half. The players returned to the field, ready to continue the match.
***
After the practice match ended with Arya's team winning 5-3, they all gathered on the sidelines for a moment before going home. They were still out of breath, but smiles of satisfaction could be seen on their faces.
"Hopefully, we can beat the school next door on Friday," Dika said, giving Arya and Ridho an enthusiastic pat on the shoulders.
"Amen, bro. What matters is that we keep practicing so we can be more solid as a team," Arya replied with a nod.
After chatting for a while, Dika and a few other players said their goodbyes. Meanwhile, Arya, Ridho, Nadia, and Sinta walked together toward the motorcycle parking lot. Ridho smirked as he teased Sinta, who was still busy enjoying her ice cream.
"Aren't you worried you'll get a stomachache after eating ice cream and screaming your lungs out to cheer for me?" he chuckled.
Sinta shot him a sarcastic glance and stuck out her tongue.
"Whatever. What matters is that your team didn't lose."
Arya and Nadia just smiled at their usual banter. Once they reached the parking lot, they went their separate ways. Arya got ready to take Nadia home, while Ridho took Sinta.
The ride home was peaceful, the cool afternoon breeze brushing against their faces. Nadia remained quiet behind Arya, but a warm feeling stirred in her chest. Every now and then, Arya glanced at the rearview mirror, making sure she was okay.
When they arrived in front of Nadia's house, Arya kicked down the bike stand and turned to her as she got off.
"Thanks, Nad, for coming with me today," he said with a sincere smile.
"Yeah, Arya. I was happy to be there," she replied, a little shy.
For a moment, they just looked at each other, before Arya finally said,
"Well, I should get going."
Nadia nodded slowly.
"Be careful on the way home, Arya," she said softly.
Arya smiled, pulled his helmet on, and slowly rode off. Nadia stood at her doorstep, watching as he disappeared down the street. A faint smile lingered on her lips, a warmth she couldn't quite put into words.
She sighed softly, biting her lip as she replayed the moment Arya had gently put the helmet on her before they left for the futsal court. Just thinking about it made her heart race.
However, as she turned to step inside, her vision suddenly blurred. A sharp pain throbbed in her head, and her body felt unexpectedly weak. She nearly collapsed but managed to steady herself by gripping the doorframe. Her breathing grew uneven. She shook her head, trying to push away the sudden dizziness.
"Ma, I'm home," Nadia murmured weakly as she stepped inside, forcing herself to act normal so her parents wouldn't notice.
Once in her room, she lay down on her bed. Her vision remained hazy, her head pounded, and her body felt even heavier.
She stared blankly at the ceiling, a tightness settling in her chest as her mind spiraled into thoughts she couldn't quite grasp. Fear flickered in her eyes. Then, slowly, she closed them.
No one knew what was going through Nadia's mind at that moment.
Only she did...
***
The next morning, as the school bell rang loudly, the classroom was mostly quiet. But Sinta sat at her desk, gripping her phone tightly to her ear, her expression clouded with worry.
On the other side of the room, Arya sat in silence, his face clouded with worry. His eyes kept darting toward the classroom door, hoping to see Nadia walk in. But as the bell rang, there was still no sign of her.
"Where is Nadia? Is she okay?" he wondered anxiously.
Ridho, noticing something was off, walked over to Sinta, who was still on the phone.
"Sin, where's Nadia? It's not like her to be this late," he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Sinta lowered her phone, her expression growing more troubled.
"I don't know, Do. I've been calling her, but her phone's off," she said, her voice slightly trembling.
"Where are you, Nad..." she muttered under her breath, trying again.
Hearing that, Arya's unease deepened. A sinking feeling gnawed at his chest as his mind raced with worst-case scenarios. His leg bounced restlessly. Just then, heavy footsteps echoed through the hallway.
Mr. Surya entered the classroom, his usual stoic expression in place.
"Good morning, class," he greeted firmly.
"Good morning, Sir," the students responded in unison.
"Alright, before we begin today's lesson, let me take attendance," he continued, flipping open the roster.
One by one, names were called. Everything went as usual until,
"Nadia Putri," Mr. Surya called.
Silence. No response. Then, as if just remembering, he nodded to himself.
"Oh, right. My apologies, I forgot to mention, Nadia won't be in today. She's sick," he stated casually.
Arya, Ridho, and Sinta froze.
"Nadia's sick? What happened to her?" Arya's panic surged.
Sinta, unable to contain her worry, immediately raised her hand.
"Sir, what kind of sickness?" she asked quickly.
Mr. Surya glanced at her before replying,
"Her father called me this morning. Apparently, she suddenly fainted. Probably just exhaustion."
"She's resting at home now," he added.
Arya's chest tightened.
For a brief moment, memories of yesterday afternoon flashed before him,Nadia, sitting in the stands, cheering him on, clapping when he scored a goal…
"Is this because she got too tired watching me practice?"
Guilt hit him like a punch to the gut.
"This is my fault… If she hadn't come with me, she wouldn't have gotten sick."
Meanwhile, Ridho glanced at Arya, noticing how stiff he had gone. He leaned in and whispered,
"Bro, let's go visit Nadia after school, yeah?"
Arya didn't respond. His gaze was empty, lost in his spiraling thoughts. Ridho turned to Sinta and whispered the same. She nodded without hesitation.
"Alright, let's start today's lesson," Mr. Surya announced, shifting the class's focus.
But Arya couldn't concentrate. The words in his textbook blurred together, his mind fixated on only one thing,Nadia.
Finally, the dismissal bell rang. Students began packing up their things, but Arya remained seated, unmoving. Ridho lightly tapped his shoulder, snapping him out of his daze.
"Come on, bro. Let's go change first, then head to Nadia's place," he said.
Arya nodded weakly, still distant.
After stopping home to change, the three of them met up at the town park before heading straight to Nadia's house.
Standing at her doorstep, Arya hesitated before pressing the doorbell. Guilt still weighed heavy on his mind. A few moments later, the door swung open, revealing Nadia's mother. Though she smiled, there was exhaustion in her eyes.
"Oh, it's you kids. Come in," she said warmly.
"How's Nadia, Auntie?" Sinta asked, her voice thick with concern.
"She's still a little weak, but doing much better. She's been asking for you all day," her mother replied, glancing briefly at Arya.
Arya stiffened slightly at that.
They followed her inside, heading straight to Nadia's room. When the door opened, they found her lying in bed, wrapped in a blanket. She looked pale, but her smile was still there when she saw them.
"You guys came…" she murmured weakly.
"Of course. Like hell we'd leave you alone when you're sick," Ridho said in his usual blunt way.
Sinta sat beside her, gently taking her hand.
"You're okay, right, Nad?"
Nadia gave a faint smile.
"I'm fine… just a little worn out."
Arya stood a few steps away, unsure if he should move closer.
"I'm sorry, Nad… I think this is my fault. You came with me to practice, and now you're sick…"
Nadia shook her head softly.
"It's not your fault, Arya… Actually, I was really happy to watch you practice yesterday."
Arya fell silent. Their eyes met, and in that gaze, something unspoken lingered something she wanted to say but held back.
Sinta remained by Nadia's side, gripping her hand with quiet worry.
Ridho, hands shoved into his pockets, finally broke the tension with a teasing grin.
"You better get well soon, Nad. If not, Arya's gonna keep spacing out in class,he already got called out by Mr. Surya earlier."
Arya snapped out of his thoughts.
"What the hell, bro…" he muttered, his face tinged with a slight blush.
Nadia let out a soft chuckle.
"I'll be okay. I just need some rest."
Just then, the door to Nadia's room opened softly. Her father stepped in, a cup of tea in hand.
"Nadia, if you're not feeling well, don't talk too much," he said gently.
Nadia gave a small nod, while Sinta and Ridho murmured their thanks for being allowed to visit. But then, without saying much, her father's gaze shifted to Arya. His eyes were sharp, as if he had something to say.
Arya felt a strange tension in the air. As Nadia's father walked past him, he leaned in just enough for only Arya to hear.
"Arya, can you step outside with me for a moment? There's something we need to talk about."
Arya stiffened slightly but quickly masked his expression.
Sinta, still seated at the edge of the bed, looked at him with curiosity. "What's wrong, Arya?"
Thinking fast, Arya forced a casual tone. He didn't want Sinta, Ridho, or especially Nadia to get suspicious.
"Just need to use the bathroom real quick," he said smoothly.
Sinta nodded, not thinking much of it. Ridho seemed indifferent as well, but Nadia... she was watching him with a look of quiet doubt.
Without hesitation, Arya slipped out of the room, following Nadia's father. Once they reached the quiet of the living room, the older man stopped and turned to him, his expression unreadable.
"There's something I need to talk to you about," he said, his voice firm.
Arya swallowed, his heartbeat quickening.
"What does he want to talk to me about?"