Crossing the Darkness Towards Happiness

CHAPTER 9

The moment Rayno entered the toilet, she could not shake the feeling that someone was following her. He glanced back, his eyes met the gaze of a student in his class, whose name was Jake. The intensity of Jake's gaze confused Rayno.

Rayno hesitated for a moment, her instincts warning her that something was not right. However, he chose to ignore his worries, believing that he was just thinking too much.

Rayno then goes into one of the cubicles in the toilet and urinates quickly and immediately wants to rejoin her friends.

A few minutes after Rayno came out and saw that Jake was still in the toilet leaning against the wall, Rayno tried to ignore Jake's gaze and walked to the sink.

As Rayno washes her hands in the sink, Jake approaches her, her face wrinkled in annoyance as she looks at Rayno who ignores her. Rayno could feel the negative energy radiating from Jake and his alertness increased.

"So, Rayno," Jake sneered as he leaned against the wall near the sink

"You think you're very special, don't you? Always surrounded by your perfect family, your perfect life. All right, let me tell you something. I'm sick and tired of watching you show off your happiness in front of everyone."

Rayno's face wrinkled confused with Jake who is concerned about his family life, Rayno then keep silent listening to Jake's words.

Jake's face grew angrier as Rayno was still silent and did not answer him, with Jake's harsh tone continuing to speak

"Oh, you definitely don't understand, do you? You have it all, loving parents, a happy family and can do things freely. You spoiled child" Jake said mockingly, glaring at Rayno hatefully

Rayno is speechless as she realizes the source of Jake's hostility. It was not a personal matter, it was rooted in jealousy and envy. Rayno took a deep breath, trying to stay calm and composed, then Rayno looked at Jake.

"I'm sorry if my family's happiness bothers you" Rayno replied, her voice full of calmness.

"But I didn't do anything to hurt or show off anything on purpose. We all have our own problems, Jake. I'm just trying to find my way, like everybody else."

Jake snorted in annoyance his tone grew increasingly hateful but his eyes were filled with bitterness.

"Oh please you spoiled child must not know what it's like to come from a broken family, not have a loving family like yours. You live it easy, and I can't bear to see your happiness make me sick."

Jake then approached Rayno and looked at her with hostility

"Why should you be happy? Why isn't your life like mine, you'd better feel the way I feel" Jake leaned over, whispering in Rayno's ear.

Rayno is silent but her thoughts are on Jake, Rayno understands that Jake's anger comes from his own pain.

Rayno realizes that this problem is not just about him, it is about the deep-rooted wounds Jake carries from within himself.

Rayno then moves away slightly from Jake creating some distance between himself and Jake.

"I'm sorry that my happiness pisses you off, but this is my life and you don't deserve to make my life happy or not"

After saying that Rayno turned away quietly out of the toilet towards the cafeteria. Leaving Jake alone in the toilet.

Jake looked at Rayno's back away with mixed feelings. His anger was still burning within him, but there was also confusion and a hint of regret.

He knew that Rayno had shown him kindness and happiness that he himself had never felt and that made him envious of how unfair a destiny was.

In the silence of the quiet toilet, Jake pondered about the words Rayno had just spoken.

Why can't her life be like Rayno's? Why can't he feel happiness like everyone else? His desire to feel the peace and happiness that Rayno has is getting stronger.

Negative thoughts begin to take hold of Jake. He felt it was unfair that Rayno had such a happy life.

While he himself was trapped in the inevitable darkness. Envy and disappointment filled his heart, stirring up deep anger.

"It's very unfair.. Why is he so happy? While I'm not"

Jake muttered low, his face looking more and more full of anger and envy in the heart, his hands clenched tightly.

Frustrated, Jake hits the toilet wall hard, trying to release his anger and envy. He wanted to vent all the negative feelings that had been haunting him all this time.

"Rayno! " chanted Alex in the crowd and waved his hand along with the others.

Rayno turned towards the voice that called out to her and saw her friends waving towards her from the table in the corner of the canteen. A sense of relief swept over her, knowing that she had finally found her friend's friend.

He quickly walks over to join them, Rayno hears the chatter and laughter of his friends providing an entertaining backdrop for him. Then they greeted him with a smile and shifted to make room for him on the bench.

"Why so long? We thought you went to class first" Lino said worriedly and checked Rayno's situation.

The other friend's friend also looked at Rayno worriedly, it made Rayno laugh a little at those who cared so much about her.

"There's just a little bit of trouble, no need to worry"

Rayno smiled calmly trying to convince her friend not to worry about her.

Those who heard that nodded their heads understood, they wanted to ask what the matter was but it seemed like Rayno did not want to talk about it so they continued talking about something else.

After Rayno engages in a light conversation with her friends, her memory of her previous encounter with Jake slowly disappears in her mind.

The positive energy of a sincere friendship among her friends helped her regain a sense of belonging and reassured her that she was not alone.

The rest of the school day passed relatively smoothly, with Rayno attending classes, participating in discussions, and Rayno sharing stories and jokes with her friends.

Rayno who felt a sense of acceptance among her friends slowly the negativity from before seemed to fade away as she focused on the positive energy surrounding her.

Although the incident with Jake still lingers in Rayno's mind, she chooses to focus on the positive energy that surrounds her.

Finally, the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.

Rayno gathered her belongings and walked to the school gate. As she stepped onto the crowded street, she saw Lea was already waiting for her outside the school gate, leaning on the car, Lea smiled on her face as she saw Rayno exiting the gate.

"Hey, little brother! Howwasyourday?" lea asked, her voice filled with genuine interest.

"That's great" Rayno replied, the weight of her meeting with Jake previously still lingering in her voice. "I'm having fun with my friends"

Rayno smiled and shared some interesting things from her day with her sister as they both entered the car.

Rayno chooses not to mention her meeting with Jake, so Lea doesn't worry unnecessarily.

As they drive, Rayno inevitably contemplates the incident with Jake.

Despite the conflicts and challenges that Rayno faces, she realizes that her strength comes not only from her beloved family but also from the relationships she has with friends who accept her for who she is.

The encounter with Jake becomes Rayno's reminder that not everyone has the same happiness and circumstances, but Rayno understands that she cannot let the hatred of others destroy her own happiness.

Arriving at the Mahavir family mansion, Rayno stepped out of the car, feeling a sense of relief and warmth. The comfort of a familiar home surrounds her, and she knows that she has a support system that will always be there for her.

Rayno entered the mansion, immediately greeted with greetings and warmth of his family.

The smell of food smelled in the air, Rayno then slowly headed to the kitchen and saw Naira who was preparing dinner.

Naira who heard footsteps then looked back for a while and refocused on making food.

"Oh Mother's child has come, take a bath first yes, after that come down to dinner Ray" Naira said softly, while continuing to cook food.

The other family was relaxing in the living room while Lea came to help her Mother cook.

Rayno obeyed what her Mother said, then Rayno walked away to her room and entered. Soon Rayno immediately took a shower and got dressed.