ALPENIA (The Cruel Small Town)

Liver Problems

Intan enters his twin brother's room with a tray of food that he snatches from one of the servants when he wants to knock on the door of Ikbal's room.

"Hi sis" said Gentle Diamond. Ikbal replied with a bland smile.

"Eat, yes!" Intan put the tray on the nightstand.

"So I heard you get angry, you okay?" tanya Intan hesitated, because Ikbal often rose blood when talking about the father.

Ikbal shook his head, casually saying, "luckily the one that was thrown at my head was just a wooden statue, if the stone statue might be my amnesia now."

"Huh?" pekik Intan was surprised and worried. "Why is papa always kayaking that? I asked him to be nice to you!"

"Udahlah, Tan. I also know your attitude is the same you still do not change after I ask him to love you more. From this we learn, our parents can not lower their ego. The city has to be better than them. And the most important thing is that we love each other," Ikbal said, making Intan's heart warm.

Intan and Ikbal are inseparable whole entities. Although sometimes they do not get along and disagree, but they will be fine in the end.

***

At the cafeteria table, Salman dropped the books he had deliberately brought from home to give to Iswanti.

There was a smile on the lips of the glasses girl. The books are food and nutritional intake for some time to come.

"Lo likes to read books? That's a lot of loh!" iswanti asked a little stunned. In fact, all this time he knew Salman as a lazy student, who likes to cheat during exams.

"Yes. I like it, especially the fantasy, horror, or mystery genres" Salman replied in slight hesitation.

"Cocky groggy?"

"No. I still feel the same. Yesterday I cheated, I kept trying to make a conversation with you, you were even indifferent," explained Salman.

The girl nodded. His brain wondered if he was talking to a different person? Salman who he knew was very excited and never even behaved awkwardly in the slightest. But, nevermind. Seeing the behavior of that young man who had gotten better, was enough for him.

"Cieee. Dating huh? Beware Salman, it'll be strange!" One of the students casually mocked Iswanti.

"Lo's sure you can get him when he's possessed?" continue the other students with the naughtiness.

Iswanti looked embarrassed. He thought that changing Salman, Faisal, Ikbal, and Intan for the better would make his life a little quiet. But he forgot, if the problem never stops in living life.

Quickly, Salman tried to arouse confidence in the girl's heart, and tried to comfort her, "lo know, those who talk like that remind me, of my old self. It's bummer, huh?" she said while smiling bitterly.

"That kayak wants me to hit. But, I have not dared to hit them, because I have also not been beaten the same people I have hurt," continued Salman.

"So, now I want to give myself the same lo, who knows is willing to be the first person to repay your pain the same I used to be? So that, when someone bothers you again, I can freely teach them!" cetus Salman gritted his jaw.

The girl looked up, "gue no need to hit you. I also don't want to beat anyone else for me. Because I believe violence will not solve the problem. Besides, I'm used to dealing with situations like that just now. And you see, have I cried all this time?"

"But I want to protect you!"

Iswanti began to be astonished by the direction of this conversation later. During this time, Salman tried to harm and bring him down. But with the change in attitude of the man that has only happened for a few days, it is a little impossible if Salman immediately wants to compete like a hero who always protects the king's daughter.

Finally, Iswanti found out where the chat was taken. There, again. "Good Salman. I think you've changed. But, your words just made me realize, no human being changes as fast as lightning. You're quite playing with me. The same thought I'm getting tired of!"

Without a second thought, Iswanti left behind a stack of books that had been given to her. He himself felt strange, because his feelings now felt confused. He felt played again.

Salman fell silent with a shocking reaction from Iswanti. He did not expect to say the thing that was said just now. The thing he had felt since last week when he stared at the girl in the library with a cold face. This is due to the treatment of the girl when she was made aware and wanted to change from her bad attitude.

***

The second day exam is over. With a rash step, Naya passed through the gate trying to avoid Annisa and Ulfa who were walking right in front of her. He was still angry, but did not want to make things worse.

"Nadiah. Really rushed!" Ulfa noticed the movement of her friend, and immediately reprimanded him subtly.

"Oh hi," Naya replied while smiling at the two. He pretended as if everything was fine, and decided to align his body by standing beside Ulfa.

"Hi girls!" The newly joined Renaldi, instantly ambushed Naya's shoulder, making the girl shudder in surprise.

"Hi Rey's. Just hit us now. Busy of Intan's godain anyway from earlier," joked Ulfa was given a smile by Annisa, in contrast to Naya who gave a soft punch in the young man's stomach due to annoyance.

Renaldi chuckled, "there's my angel in front. Want me another samperin," he said, pointing at a girl who was not far away from him. His eyes were slim shifted every time he looked at Intan who always looked perfect.

Naya stared at the footsteps of Renaldi who excitedly ran towards his rival. The more the leg brushed the distance between the two human beings, the closer his heart was to the abyss of pain that would make him fall deeper and deeper.

"Day!" ulfa's quiet voice resuscitated the dreamy Naya while looking at Renaldi.

"When do you want to soak up the taste?"

The question surprised Naya. He never divulged his secret to anyone. "You mean?" He pretended not to understand.

"Udahlah, Nay. I know you like Rey. Annisa too, and maybe everyone knows."

Naya let out a long sigh, "if everyone knows, then why isn't she?" His eyes were still fixed on the young man who was busy talking to Intan.

"Gue's wrong again." Ulfa biting tongue. "I mean, maybe Rey doesn't know yet, if you don't tell me first."

The girl with the hair of a boat came back.

"Lo wants to continue to hurt, when you see a guy who you like to be more considerate of others?" ulfa.

"You mean, should I tell you the truth about him?"

"Annissan. Try to explain it to him. I'm afraid of wrong talking. I've never dated, so I don't know much about romance" Ulfa told Annisa to take over.

Annisa stunned. Ulfa does not know that her and Naya's relationship is not okay. But as a good friend, Annisa will give you advice that can help. At least, try not to aggravate the situation. Although, he felt pessimistic, Naya would listen to his words.

"Yes. When your feelings have been evaporated, you will not feel burdened again. The problem is he has the same taste or not, it's a risk to take. Thank goodness if he accepts you, even if you do not, you will realize that your heart is not destined for him. Despite the pain, you will heal over time, and can continue life without burden. Until finally, you find someone else who is right for your heart" explained Annisa with her doubts.

Despite the annoyance that still shackled her heart, Naya felt that Annisa's words were very true. And he decided to try.