Chapter 21: A Disrupted Movement
21.1 Ranup Lampuan Dance Practice
Palace Hallway
➤ "This is your room. Inside, there are several chambers," Mutia said, pointing to a large door adorned with royal ornaments.
➤ "Alright then, I'll leave you all to settle in," she added.
"Thank you, Mutia," they responded in unison.
➤ "You're welcome," Mutia replied before walking away with Cindy.
After a few steps, Cindy turned to Mutia.
"Kak, I'll leave you here, okay? I need to take Nabila to practice."
➤ "Oh, that's fine, Cin. I'll go on my own," Mutia replied, waving with a smile.
Nabila's Palace Room
Cindy pushed the door open without knocking. Inside, Nabila was already waiting.
➤ "Eh, Cindy! You just barge in like that? At least knock first!" Nabila scolded, feigning annoyance.
"Eh? How is this my fault? When I knocked, you weren't here. Now that I didn't, you're suddenly here," Cindy replied, shaking her head with a small laugh.
➤ "Aren't you supposed to be at practice? Everyone's already waiting for you," Cindy added.
➤ "Eh? Can't you see? I've been waiting for you," Nabila shot back.
Cindy chuckled. "Alright, alright, let's go," she said, grabbing Nabila's hand.
Palace Hallway
On their way to the training room, Nabila looked around.
"This place still looks so good, even though I haven't been here in ages."
➤ "Eh, what are you saying?" Cindy replied. "This is a palace, of course, it's well taken care of!"
Nabila giggled, then teased Cindy, "Instead of talking about the palace, why don't we talk about Rizky instead?"
➤ "Ah, Cindy! Here you go again!" Nabila protested, blushing slightly.
Before long, they reached the training room.
Palace Training Room
As Cindy opened the door, the sound of Ranup Lampuan music filled the air. Inside, the other dancers greeted Nabila warmly.
She exchanged handshakes and hugs with them, reliving old memories. Meanwhile, Cindy quietly shut the door to keep the music from escaping.
After the greetings, Nabila stepped forward with enthusiasm.
➤ "Alright, everyone, ready?" she called out.
The Ranup Lampuan music began, and Nabila led the dance with graceful improvisation. Everything seemed smooth at first—until she unknowingly started to misstep.
The other dancers exchanged glances, noticing the mistake, but none dared to speak up.
It wasn't until Nabila herself realized it that she stopped mid-movement, standing still. Cindy, watching from the side, quickly signaled for the music to stop.
➤ "Eh, what's wrong with you, Nabila? You thinking about Rizky, huh?" Cindy teased with a mischievous grin.
➤ "Ugh! Why would I be thinking about that pervert?!" Nabila snapped, though a faint blush betrayed her.
Cindy burst into laughter. "Yeah, yeah. Come on, let's do it again. Focus, focus!" she said, giving Nabila a light pat on the shoulder.
➤ "Alright, three… two… one," Cindy counted down as the music played again.
The practice resumed smoothly, but once again, Nabila repeated the wrong move. This time, she looked distant, lost in thought. Cindy shook her head.
➤ "This is bad if she keeps this up," Cindy murmured.
Not wanting to disrupt the session any further, she excused herself.
"I'll go grab some food and drinks," she said before stepping out.
Inside, Nabila tried to regain her focus as the dancers followed her lead with enthusiasm. Yet, in their hearts, some of them couldn't help but wonder—What's going on with Nabila today?
21.2 Rayan's Curiosity
Rizky's Palace Room
They were all mesmerized by the grandeur of the palace. The majestic architecture and intricate ornaments added to the awe-inspiring atmosphere. As they stepped inside, a chaotic scene unfolded—everyone scrambling to claim the best room.
➤ "Eh, what are we even doing? Fighting over rooms when our names are already assigned to each one!" Ahmad laughed, prompting his friends to join in.
Among them, Rayan was the most eager, rushing ahead to check his own room.
Once everyone ensured their luggage was placed correctly, they gathered in the central lounge. Rayan, who had been holding back his curiosity since arriving, finally spoke up to Rizky.
➤ "Eh, Rizky, how did you even get to know a Bruneian princess?" he asked, his voice brimming with curiosity.
Rizky smirked casually. "Oh, she was my childhood friend."
➤ "Wait, what? How? Where did you live back then, Rizky?" Rayan pressed further.
➤ "I used to live here when I was a kid," Rizky replied while setting down his suitcase.
Before Rayan could satisfy his curiosity, a knock echoed through the room.
Tuk tuk tuk.
➤ "Assalamu'alaikum!" Cindy's voice called from outside.
➤ "Wa'alaikumsalam, come in!" they responded in unison.
Cindy pushed the door open with a wide grin. "So, how's it going? Having fun?" she asked.
➤ "Fun? This place is amazing, Cindy!" Rayan exclaimed, his eyes sparkling.
But his curiosity hadn't waned. "Eh, Cindy, is it true that Rizky used to live here?" he asked again.
➤ "Of course," Cindy replied nonchalantly. "He used to live here too."
Rayan's brows furrowed. "But how?"
➤ "Simple," Cindy continued. "Rizky's mom is part of the royal family here. That's why I told you, we're cousins."
Rayan finally nodded, somewhat satisfied with the answer.
Cindy then changed the subject. "Anyway, let's go!"
➤ "To Nabila, right?" Zikri guessed with a smirk.
Cindy chuckled. "You got me. Nabila was messing up her dance earlier because she couldn't focus. Who knows, maybe with you around, she'll do better, Rizky," she teased, shooting him a knowing glance.
➤ "Ah, Cindy, stop it," Rizky muttered, slightly embarrassed as the others exchanged amused glances.
➤ "I'm serious. Let's go to the training hall," Cindy urged, stepping out.
Everyone followed her, leaving Rizky's palace room behind. As Qadir reached to lock the door, Cindy noticed and raised an eyebrow.
➤ "Eh, no need to lock it. There's no thief here," she quipped casually.
Laughter erupted among the group.
➤ "Qadir, you sneaky guy, locking it behind our backs," Cindy teased.
"Ah, sorry, Cindy. It's just a habit," Qadir said, scratching his head sheepishly.
➤ "It's fine. Actually, it's a good habit," Cindy said with a smile. "Alright, let's go to the training hall!"
As they walked, Rayan sidled up to Rizky.
➤ "But seriously, are you close to Mutia?" he whispered, ensuring no one else could hear.
Rizky glanced at Cindy, who was busy joking with Zikri and Ahmad, then turned back to Rayan. "Not in the way you're thinking. We used to play together as kids, but after I moved to Indonesia, we barely saw each other."
➤ "Oh… but why do I feel like there's something more?" Rayan pressed, eyes narrowing suspiciously.
Rizky chuckled and shook his head. "Maybe because you watch too many dramas."
Rayan clicked his tongue in frustration, convinced Rizky was hiding something. But before he could ask again, Cindy suddenly stopped and turned around.
➤ "Eh, you guys are too slow! Hurry up, or we'll be late!" she called out.
Rayan and Rizky quickened their pace, rejoining the group.
As they continued toward the training hall, Rayan's mind buzzed with thoughts—not just about Mutia, but about how Nabila would react when she saw Rizky.
Meanwhile, Rizky simply smiled to himself, unaware that the upcoming reunion would be far more interesting than he expected.