Crossing the Darkness Towards Happiness

CHAPTER 13

Kavelo looks at Jake's gaze which leads towards Rayno and feels uncomfortable.

He decides to block Jake's gaze with his body covering Rayno, then Kavelo turns his attention with another topic to Rayno.

"Hey, Rayno, what are you planning to do after school? Is there a special event you want to do?" Ask Kavelo enthusiastically.

Rayno thought for a moment, then smiled. "Hmm, maybe after school, I'll spend a little time in the library while waiting to pick up my dad."

Their other classmates joined the conversation, giving advice on an interesting book to read. 

Rayno felt happy to see her friends so enthusiastically share their interests and activities.

As they continue the conversation, Rayno accidentally meets Jake's gaze, which keeps watching him. 

Jake looks angry and is not happy to see Rayno hanging out with her friends.

Rayno decides to ignore Jake's gaze and focus on his interactions with his friends. 

After a pleasant conversation, the bell rang indicating the time to start the class. Rayno and her friends parted ways and sat on their respective benches. 

As the break bell rings, Rayno prepares to go to the cafeteria with her friends. However, before he can leave, Jake approaches him. 

"Rayno, can we talk to you for a second? I have something I want to talk to you about."

Jake said in a calm voice, although his gaze was still filled with tension.

Rayno looked at Jake carefully, realizing that this conversation could be important.

He nodded in agreement, showing his readiness to listen to what Jake wanted to say.

Jake takes Rayno to a quieter corner of the school corridor, away from the hustle of students passing by.

A moment when the two of them were silent, no one started to talk first. After a while Jake sighed to calm himself down, then Jake looked at Rayno seriously. 

"Rayno, I'm sorry for my attitude yesterday, I realize that my hatred is the result of jealousy and dissatisfaction in my own life, I just want to be happy like everyone else and I envy how perfect your life is." 

Jake revealed honestly, his gaze starting to get a little soft.

Rayno smiled bitterly as she listened to Jake's words. In fact, for Rayno, her life is not that perfect.

Indeed she has a family that continues to support her but Rayno still cannot forgive herself for past events. 

Guilt always haunts Rayno in her. Although Rayno slowly healed because of the presence of people who always support her, in fact to heal her mental is not that easy. 

Rayno was silent for a moment and smiled slightly at Jake. Rayno looked into Jake's eyes filled with anxiety and suffering.

Despite the hatred Jake once showed, Rayno could also feel the sadness buried behind that attitude.

"Listen, Jake, I know our lives are different and sometimes we may feel jealous of others. But we all have our own burdens and problems and that's why we have to support each other, I hope you understand my words."

Jake nods in understanding, and the hatred in his eyes begins to fade as Rayno's words begin to open Jake's closed heart. 

"I knew I had to learn to respect others. But sometimes the hardest thing is to face our own problems and try to fix them, so I always look for problems because I want to get rid of these very painful feelings, Ray."

Jake's head bowed to look at the floor, Jake's voice trembling slightly from the sadness that was piling up in his heart. 

"I get it, you must've been trying so hard on Jake"

Rayno could only tell Jake that, she could feel her shoulders getting wet from Jake's tears.

Rayno gently stroked Jake's hair while whispering a sedative word. 

"I.. I'm tired and want to end all this but I also don't want to give up so easily, Ray! Why are my mom and dad so busy with their business? They always don't care about their son who has been lonely since childhood, I'm their son but I'm like a stranger in the eyes of my parents"

Jake uttered angrily taking out all of his long-buried heart.

It was all piled up in Jake's heart until now Jake pulled it all out while his tears kept flowing down Rayno's shoulders. 

"I've never glimpsed them Ray...Am I not important to them?"

Jake said softly, his eyes growing more and more tears. Jake hugged Rayno tightly as he continued to cry to relieve the pain in his heart. 

Rayno quietly let Jake cry with satisfaction, Rayno understood that Jake had been holding this all so Rayno stroked Jake's back while listening to all of Jake's complaints. 

After a while Jake finally calms down, his eyes still glazed over but Jake tries to calm himself down again to keep from crying back. 

Rayno chuckles at Jake now, gently rubbing Jake's tears and then Rayno rubbing Jake's hair. 

"It's quiet? Want to rinse your face first or we go to the cafeteria directly?"

Rayno asked with a smile, then looked at Jake waiting for his answer. 

Jake was embarrassed to cry in front of Rayno, but Jake just wanted to apologize but ended up like this. Jake slowly pulls Rayno's hand and takes her to the school toilet. 

"I wash my face, wait here and don't go anywhere, okay?"

Jake spoke seriously and washed his face immediately. While Rayno laughed at Jake's words that did not want to be left behind. 

Rayno nodded and leaned against the wall outside the restroom, patiently waiting for Jake to return.

He observed the students passing by, their laughter and chatter filled the air. 

As Rayno was pondering over something, Jake emerged from the restroom with a fresh look on his face. His eyes were still a bit red, but there was a new emotion in his expression.

"Feel better now?" Rayno asked, offering a reassuring smile.

Jake nodded, with gratitude in his eyes. "Yes, thank you for waiting for Rayno. I really appreciate it and thank you for listening to my story"

"It doesn't matter at all, Jake. From now on I'll be with you, remember?" Rayno replied, her voice full of sincerity.

Jake's lips curled up into a small smile. Jake pulls Rayno's hand and walks to the crowded school cafeteria. 

As they walked towards the cafeteria, their steps aligned, Rayno inevitably felt hope developing within her. 

Perhaps the wounds of the past are still in her, but with each step forward, Rayno realizes that healing is possible.

And that one day he will be able to forgive himself for his past mistakes.