Home For My Soul

109|New Campus

The weird guy took me on a bike for a long time before coming back and turning into the apartment. I just kept quiet and was taken upstairs. We didn't stop by anywhere, nor was there anything he saw, hence the reason for his attitude was only one.

“Your affair came again, yes?” That was the first sentence I said as soon as he closed the door to our apartment.

“Gue dear lo, Kat.” He kissed my cheek. “If you need internet, the name and network code are on the refrigerator door. See you at dinner.” He avoided my question. Try if I am that, how would he let me go until I confess.

In the evening, I took out the clothes I was going to wear to campus. I also filled the bag with the things I needed and kept the other stuff in the drawer of the study desk. I'm excited to see the campus where I'm going to study for the next two years.

The morning atmosphere was very pleasant as we cycled towards the campus. I see a lot of people doing the same. He pointed at the university library and the dining hall I could visit. Turns out the place to eat is divided a lot, I got dizzy.

Arriving at the destination, Theo parked his bike and I imitated the way he locked the tire in the iron. I was just a little while away, but I kept my bike locked up to be safe.

“No one will steal, but this is just in case,” he said. I nodded in understanding. “Ayo.” He extended his hand to me.

“Again, Theo!” Suddenly someone hugged her, keeping me away from my boyfriend. What the fuck? Who is this yellow haired bule?

“I've said many times, don't do this.” Theo said in English, pushing the flirtatious woman away from him. He took my hand and held it.

The bule's eyes followed Theo's hand movements. “Who is he?” asked the woman with a dislike face, not at all intending to pretend not to be jealous.

Instead of answering, Theo just invited me to enter the building. I glanced at the woman who was sneering. A man approached her, and they chatted. Going all the way to America, it seems like there are also tough rivals I have to face.

“Not to worry. Only he's so aggressive here. I'm not at all interested,” Theo said, explaining. “This is my lecture room.” We stopped in front of a door.

The room was huge with the back getting higher and higher from the front row. On the front there is a large white board that I believe serves to display the presentation of the lecturer as well as a podium.

“Lo am I staying alone?” tanyakanya.

“He is?” I don't wait anymore to ask him what he avoided yesterday.

“Who is he?” He again avoided my eyes. This guy can't lie.

“People who come to the apartment and who you avoid when we get home from lunch,” I said, following the direction of the conversation.

He sighed softly. “Gue not cheating, babe.”

“That's not the answer to my question.”

“Can we talk about this later? I really have to go to the lecture room now.” He glanced at his watch fretfully.

“Please promise we'll discuss this later.”

“Good, I promise.”

He kissed my forehead, then entered his lecture hall. I stared at his back until he sat in the front row seat. The young woman was not seen among the other students who entered with Theo. I wouldn't be angry if he was honest. Why should everything be secret?

The first place I went was the library. The building is huge and magnificent. I was allowed to enter using a visitor's card. This place I will visit often. The library not only serves printed books, but they have a lot of journals or electronic books that can be accessed using the account and code of the clerk.

Although it is still morning, there are already some people who concentrate in front of a computer screen. I can't wait to get busy with my academic work. Satisfied going around, I went out and returned the card I borrowed.

Theo's been waiting outside on his bike and me. Ah, I don't remember the time! “I'm sorry.”

“Good if you know you are wrong,” he said, annoying. “Come, I'm hungry.”

“This campus is fun.” I put the tray with my food on the table, then sat down.

“Wait until your lecture starts later,” godanya.

“Oke, it's time to answer my question.” I reminded him of his promise.

“Gue don't want to discuss this because you must be angry.” She's pouting. “The woman liked me. He invited me to stay a few times to save money, but I refused. Even though I studied here, my culture remains Indonesia.”

“So, if he finds out I'm staying with you, he's going to have a problem with it,” I said, got it. He's nodding. “When do you want to hide this? Sooner or later, he'll find out too.”

“He's our senior. Next month he's going to graduation, so I'm safe.” He looked at me carefully. “Lo not angry?”

I sighed softly. “You how else. It's a risk of having a handsome, smart, and rich girlfriend.”

“So, you're not jealous?” ask again.

“Of course I'm jealous. I was angry to see him hug you as he pleased. Do I have to tell you to understand?” my nag.

“Lo can't read minds, I can't, too, Kat. If you don't tell me, I won't know.”

We always seem to have a problem with communication. Maybe because we are both selfish just want to be heard and not want to hear. I was angry when he forbade me to be close to men without knowing the meaning is without the presence of a girlfriend.

I don't want to be honest with my feelings every time he makes a mistake. Though Theo always honestly said what was in his head even though it was not pleasant to hear. I'm glad we're talking about this now. So our relationship could be even better.

“Usaha he can too. He greets you with Indonesian,” godaku, melting the atmosphere.

“Don't start, Kat,” he said in a serious tone.

The next day, I refused to go with him to college. I started to learn what I would get from the lecturer. Theo gave every lecture book and note to me to read myself. According to him, learning first will help understand the explanation of the lecturer later.

Moreover, the language used is a foreign language. It will take me twice as much effort to understand the lecture this time. He's correct. With the same effort, I wasn't necessarily able to get the same results as a college degree.

“For lo.” Theo gave me a box labeled a cell phone.

“Oh, baby. Thank you,” I was moved.

“Mobile in this country is different from our country. Each phone has its own SIM number. Cannot be removed install. I've entered my number. Do not let the wrong data when meeting the campus. Understand?” He rubbed my hair. I'm nodding.

Theo escorted me to the administration room and met the person in charge. He left me to take the exam at his college. After receiving several explanations with a re-notification of the scholarship requirements, I received a file from them.

“Sorry, may I know, who has helped my academic and living expenses during my studies here?” aska I want to know.

“Please sorry. As we emailed, the donor asked for this to be kept secret. If the time comes, it could be his own person who will come to you,” he replied, in a diplomatic style.

I do not feel indebted to Kak Nolan who has helped the cost of SMU Amarylis, or the scholarship I won from a famous company in Indonesia during my undergraduate studies. But I feel bad there are people who do not know me give very big money for my study fee.

A company or organization will not hide their identity. I will instead be made their ambassador or role model for other women who want to study higher. So this donor is a person who has nothing to do with these two things.

Whoishe? Papa and Mama don't speak English, nor do they have this much money. Dad and Mommy only found out who I was one month before my departure here. Both of my sisters did make money, but they wouldn't use it to pay me for college abroad. Theo was still dependent on his parents, there was no way he would have more money.

If it wasn't them, then who would have hidden himself from me? When is there a rich guy who secretly likes me to fund my further studies?