Dollar Girl

Chapter 74 Status After Breakup

"We can't decide who we're going to meet and fall in love with, only that we can choose to keep going or stop. What is the point of forcing the heart on one person? even if that happens, there is only compromise. It is better that feeling is never forced, but also not good in the dam. But if the mental is not able to withstand the potential pain then just let it stay forever hidden, on condition never regret what has happened."

Excerpted from Ratna Mangalih's personal archive.

* * *

Mouthfuls occur between Jimy and Ratna for a few minutes, sometimes Ardi also helps Jimy but in the end lost the vote because Amus was more on Ratna's side as well as Jaya and Rere. Finally they stopped and apologized for the inconvenience they had made to Sonu and Adinda, after which they left with the promise of not interrupting their time doing schoolwork.

"Is Jimy always like that to you?" ask Rere who just saw the other side of Jimy's personality.

"You kidding? even we would kill each other just because of a small matter"

"Now that you know why I broke up with her, they are very strict with Ratna" Jaya said.

"When I have friends like that, I understand they are very worried about you. I really want to be treated as special as they did you" Adinda said with envy.

"Have not discussed them, we start doing our duty before the day gets late" Ratna said.

They also began to work, alternately they tried to embroider by making the shape of flowers. It is quite difficult indeed but they have to work hard to get good grades, in addition they also chat about the Ratna family which is rarely known.

Even Jaya had just found out that Ratna did not have a mother, now she understood that behind Ratna's selfish and realistic nature was to cover up her loneliness.

After dusk arrived Jimy came to pick up Rere, actually their task was not finished but because it was night then the job was delayed until tomorrow.

Rere said goodbye first because Jimy would take him home while Adinda and Sonu came home together because of their one-way house, there lived Jaya who was still standing on the side of the road with Ratna.

"When did your dad get home from work?" ask Jaya.

"Maybe tonight, he hasn't told me what time he's coming home"

"Then what about your dinner?"

"I can eat by myself, the side dish that was there this morning"

"You soto?" bargained for.

"You want to give me?" ratna asked back.

"I know a good place"

"All right, let's go!" ratna said with passion.

Jaya only smiles at Ratna's burning spirit due to food problems, but that's how she is. Jaya already understands more when talking about money and food then her life spirit will increase, she is more jolly and even tends to chatty.

Jaya takes her to her place of subscription, she orders two servings of chicken soto for them. As soon as the order came quickly Ratna ate it, Jaya strangely felt at that time Ratna was so cute.

Secretly noticed the way Ratna ate, quite neat but still too hasty as if someone would snatch her food.

"Do you always eat like this?" ask Jaya.

"Oh. I'm sorry, I'm too happy to be so excited"

"Ah...you are not like a girl" he said as he wiped the leftovers stuck to the corner of Ratna's lips.

But it made him focus on Ratna's seductive lips, suddenly his memory of the event where he forced his will on Ratna appeared. Quickly Jaya pulled her hand, she slightly lowered her head in embarrassment to herself.

"What's wrong?" ask Ratna.

"Ah ti-no, spend your food later to go cold" replied Jaya grogi.

"Oh well, by the way you're buying me a meal isn't your boyfriend angry?"

"No, we've broken up"

"really? why?" ratna asked in shock.

"He's too curtailed, I'm tired of dating him. Anyway now that we're third grade, I want to focus on my lessons"

Hahaha

Ratna's laughter confused her, as she felt that nothing was funny.

"Finally you feel karma too, that's how I feel when you manage how I live my life" he said.

"So you're happy with the suffering I've been through?"

"Of course"

"Well, pay for your own food!" jaya was upset.

"Eh not so, I mean, it's good that you've come to your senses. Such a girl is indeed not good for you, you should have broken up with her" Ratna said quickly.

Jaya softened again, she ate slowly while Ratna did not dare to speak again before Jaya who spoke first.

But after their food ran out still no one dared to talk, Jaya immediately paid and took Ratna home. Along the way they were still silent to each other which made Ratna awkward.

"Um.

"I'll take you home, a danger for a girl to walk alone" Jaya replied.

Ratna fell silent again, they continued their journey still mute each other. On a cold night where the wind was blowing hard enough Ratna felt Jaya was much cooler again, it made her rub both arms to make it warmer.

"What's wrong?" ratna asked as they stopped walking.

Suddenly Jaya opened her jacket and put it on to Ratna, suddenly it made Ratna shocked and confused.

"You should wear a jacket earlier, you can catch a cold if you let it" said Jaya.

"Jaya...why do I feel you're better for me after we broke up? when you used to be so annoying" replied Ratna.

"That's it, but people say after becoming an ex that love arises more strongly. Maybe because you feel lost"

"I don't feel like I'm losing you"

"What about your feelings? is... Do you still hold my heart?"

"If I could be honest, even when we were dating I just felt like you but never felt love. At that time I was mistaken to realize my feelings, but when you cheated on me and accused me of what was not - it was very painful. Until now even for me you're just an ordinary friend, I didn't think I'd fall in love with you so I'm sorry" replied Ratna.

Jaya could see that Ratna was telling the truth, but she was happy about the answer because she knew how Ratna felt about her. He also did not think to re-establish romance with Ratna, their nature is equally selfish because it is useless if forced even once.

"I... now understand why Amus and the others are so concerned about you" Jaya said.

"Hmm? what's?"

"My parents are always busy working, sometimes I feel so lonely that I act arrogant to get their attention. Therefore, I understand what it's like to live alone. I think you're strong because you can still be an exemplary student with that feeling of loneliness, maybe that's how you get attention"

"Although without a mother but I did not lack attention, I became an exemplary student because I wanted to get good grades on my rap. After graduating from school I want to work because of that I need those values"

"I see, then the fighting spirit!" said Jaya.

"Hehe thank you" replied Ratna.

They walk back.

"Rabine.. "

"Hm?"

"May I hold your hand? I'm getting cold"

Hahaha

He held Jaya's hand and brought her closer, it made Jaya a little surprised but then she smiled happily. Although he had fallen in love with Ratna even tempted by the beauty that Ratna has now he himself is quite surprised because he can be ashamed of his actions, maybe one day he can be tempted again but for now the feeling he has is just a friend.

"Where are you from?" tanya Amus looked at Ratna and Jaya who had just returned.

"What do... do you guys do?" tanya Ardi looked at their hands that were clasping each other and Ratna who was wearing Jaya's jacket.

"Oh, what are you doing here?" ratna asked without realizing that her hand was still holding Jaya's.

Neither Amus nor Ardi was still glued by staring at the two of them.

"You... Why look at us like that?" ask Jaya.

"You dare to ask." said Ardi.

"Ah, don't mind them, here's your jacket! you better get home before it gets late" Ratna said, returning her jacket.

"Oh, hmm okay. See you tomorrow!"

"Dah." said Ratna waving a hand that was immediately responded by Jaya.

After Jaya left without caring about Ardi and Amus who were still staring at her he immediately walked away to go home.

"Hey Amus, what do you think they're made of again?" ask Ardi slowly.

"I swear I don't know anything."

* * *

The next day Jaya and her friends came back to Ratna's house to complete their pending task, this time they managed to complete it and were satisfied with the performance they had done.

"How much do you think we'll score?" ask Sonu.

"Okay, but obviously we are the first group to successfully complete the task" Adinda replied.

"Whatever is important we will get grades, tomorrow I will take them to school and I give them to the teacher" Ratna replied.

They continued the leisure time they had by back chatting and joking, outside school hours it turned out that Ratna had just seen another trait of her pleasant friends. They also look different if they wear ordinary clothes in addition to school uniforms, even Rere and Adinda look beautiful with the makeup they use.

After nightfall they also say goodbye to go home, again now lives Jaya alone who still has not returned home.

"You want to take me to dinner again?" ask Ratna.

Haha

"It seems you're very hopeful"

"Ah...honestly now I'm not working anymore, therefore I have no income"

"Why did you stop?"

"The reason is the same as you, I need a lot of time to make myself happy"

"Ah... I understand, well what do you want to eat this time?"

"You want to buy me again?" tanya Ratna was happy.

"What to do, but on one condition"

"What's that?"

"Don't fall in love with me"

"Huh, what the fuck is that?" ask Ratna meredek.

"Normally women will easily fall in love if treated well, you need to know I'm doing this just because it's kasian to you"

"Hey.who fell in love first? you or me? you need to know I don't get carried away easily, if I were that kind of girl right now I would have fallen in love with Amus, Ardi and Jimy because they're so much better and more considerate of you"

"Ah right too, haven't you guys been friends since childhood?"

"Why indeed?"

"It's impossible for a woman and a man to be friends without love" Jaya said.

"The reality is we are not like that" Ratna replied despite in her mind how close she is to Amus and Ardi.

"That's it, but if they like you who would you choose?"

"Of course Amus"

"Why him?" jaya asked which made him confused because he gave an answer on the basis of his heart.

"That's because he's rich of course, he's an only child it's certain the inheritance will fall all on him" Ratna replied quickly.

"Aish. basic dollars! your mind is always about money"

"Here you go. Let's go! my stomach is hungry" Ratna asked while pushing Jaya's back to walk along.

Returning home from dinner, Ratna now walks alone because Jaya has business so she can not take him home, it was not a problem because he was ordinary himself.

With a full stomach he intends to go straight to sleep once he gets home, but Ardi and Amus wait for him in front of the house just to talk about Jaya.

"I've told you our status is only friends" said Ratna who was tired of the questions asked by Ardi.

He repeatedly said that he and Jaya were only friends after they broke up, no other status or other feelings even though they ate together.

"Then why are you two alone?" ask Ardi again.

"Can friends talk to each other? why are you so suspicious of us?"

"Of course because your closeness is suspicious"

"Nobody suspects except you! you're always exaggerating if I'm close to another man, I told you to stop meddling in my personal affairs!"

"I just don't want you to get hurt like that"

"I'm used to getting hurt! since childhood, since parting with my father, since my mother died, I have been used to it and will not just crumble" cried Ratna who began to run out of patience.

Amus, who understood the feeling, motioned to Ardi not to speak anymore, then gently stroked his head.

"Alright. we understand, we apologize for being too outrageous. We know Jaya very well and know her dating style, we are just afraid that you will fall asleep but now we are sure that you are okay" Amus said slowly.

"Ah... You guys are such a bitch!" ratna ketus.

"As an apology, how about you buy us some food?"

"No, I'm sleepy. But if you're really sorry I want you to drive me to school tomorrow, I don't have money for the fare"

"Well tomorrow morning I'll drive you"

"Yes, good night" Ratna said goodbye.

Amus smiled and continued to look at Ratna who entered the house without realizing Ardi was watching her, in front of his own eyes he saw how Amus was so understanding and could reduce Ratna's anger.

Once again he realized that Amus did love Ratna with his maturity, unlike his ego and suspicion.