Home For My Soul

13|Not a Thief

Notebooks, lecture books, small briefcases of stationery, and bottles of drink fell on the floor. He did not give up and opened all the zippers and buttons on my backpack. An object I don't know joins my belongings.

“This is it!” pekik Chika happy. He took it, then hugged it tightly as if it was his life. He brought the thing closer to Theo's face. “This is the proof, why this woman does not deserve your defense. A poor girl like her could one day also steal from you!”

My body trembled violently. I didn't steal that wallet from him. How did it get in my bag? I couldn't speak in self-defense because of the heightened emotions, but I had to hold back the anger with all my might.

“Basic thief! What are the poor people for studying here!? If you don't have money, go back to your parents' house! You will only tarnish the campus name!” amuk Chika's.

“Chika, quickly check. How much money did he steal?” rahma said shamelessly.

“Ah, yes. I took money from an ATM.” He immediately opened his expensive wallet and carefully checked each drawer.

“You heard that? He stole our senior wallet,” said one of the students who happened to pass by and witnessed the incident.

“We have to be careful. Take care of ours, lest he steal too,” another timpal.

“Come, we're in class. I don't want to get a seat nearby,” take the others while pulling a friend's hand by his side.

I chose to kneel down and tidied up my bag again. It's so embarrassing. They intentionally do this in front of a crowd. My hands shook, but I ignored them. I don't have any evidence to show I didn't do that. I should have been careful.

“Where is the five hundred thousand money in my wallet!?” peekik Chika panicked, but I knew she was just playing a show. “Quick, you guys check his wallet!”

Rahma and Nisa went back to rummaging through my bag and wallet, looking for things they wouldn't find. I don't carry too much cash, let alone an ATM card. The foraging done by that rancid thug gave me a valuable lesson.

All my money is stored in the bank, while the money for emergencies is hidden in my body. The precious card I left in my room, in a place no one would have expected. So, all I have in my wallet is an identity card and enough transportation money.

“Theft! Give me back my money! What are you wearing that money for! Quick, restore!” he accused her without shame while pushing my body until I sat on the floor.

“What is this?” ask a voice full of charisma.

“Sorry, Sir. This is the guy who stole my wallet, sir,” on Chika.

I finished tidying up all my things and closed my backpack back, then I stood up. “I didn't steal his wallet, Sir,” I said, defending myself. “If it is true that he lost five hundred thousand, I need proof that the money was there before his wallet was lost.”

“What did you say!? You have taken it, you also demand proof?” chika protest.

“From time you were shameless!” Rahma pushed my shoulder hard.

“She has a point. Do you have any evidence of that kind of money in your wallet? After all, why did you bring that kind of money to campus?” ask the teacher wisely.

“We want to buy a book assigned by a lecturer, sir. That's the money of the three of us, because friends leave their money to me,” said Chika smoothly in lying.

The man looked at the three of them, then looked at me. He looked back at Chika. “You get into class, meet me after the lecture is over,” the man said.

I didn't see Sonata or Theo standing near me. Just got a friend, I have to lose him. These three people have gone too far. I didn't take that wallet. I'd rather agree to Jericho's offer than steal. I also have my pride.

But I couldn't say anything while we were in the lecturer room. Three witnesses against one man, I was clearly outnumbered. They used the same way I did to other students at school. Put the wallet in his bag, then accuse him of stealing.

The lecturer decided that I should hand over the money I had stolen. I came home with a heavy heart to take the card. He even escorted us to the nearest ATM. I had to obey. They waited outside the room as I reluctantly pulled five hundred thousand from my account. The money I am putting in so much effort to go to college.

“Iya, Sir. His senior wallet alone dared him to steal, what else with the wallet of his classmate or Mr?” added Rahma, heat up.

“You've received your money back, that's enough. Everyone has made mistakes. Give him a chance to change,” the man said wisely.

I clenched my hand seeing that brash Chika was carrying my own sweat money. Good. He asked for all this. They are the ones who started the war, and I will accept it with pleasure. Why be a good friend if you don't know all their weaknesses?

If I am punished for making a mistake, I will accept it. But being blackmailed on false charges, I obviously won't stay silent. I have to take my money back from his hands.

Aunt Ruth welcomed me that afternoon kindly. I was shocked when Theo walked into that library room as well. She was just reading a book in the corner of the sofa, away from me, but I felt uncomfortable. Moreover, he often cleared his throat, disturbing the concentration of me and his sister.

Her mother came to hear her sister's protest screams. Theo also promised to be calm and not interfere with our learning. He complied so that Matt no longer complained with his dehem or dehem.

“Good morning, Sonata,” my bro that morning. I'm not surprised he turned his face away from me.

Friends filled the front seats, only the back seats were left empty. I assume they just don't want their eyes to be disturbed because of my big body. Only then, I could sit away from them and keep the concentration of the lecture.

“Be careful. Hold your wallet tightly. Don't let him steal,” said a girl as I entered my subscription restaurant.

“What's wrong?” ask his friend, not understanding.

“He stole his senior wallet at FEB. What if this campus has thieves in it?” the first whisper, but loud enough for me to hear.

After receiving my lunch ration from the stall owner, I left that place. I chose to be in the rental room until the next college hour. While waiting, I could study quietly without anyone near me.

After all, I should also avoid the noisy Chika, Rahma, and Nisa whom I should teach that lesson to. But I need to wait for the right time. I have to be careful or they'll know that I'm Katelia.

Theo was still acting the same way he was in the library room when Matt and I were together. The young man was upset with his brother, but could do nothing. His mother allowed his eldest son to be there with us.

“You don't seem to know me.” I didn't hold back from talking to him when Matt came out to use the toilet. “I didn't take Chika's wallet. You know for yourself it's their typical style of trapping friends in our school.”

He just kept quiet and focused on reading the book. His originally handsome face turned irritating. How could he possibly so easily believe in those three mischievous women who loved to bully those weak and helpless people?

Aunt Ruth tried to talk, but I've darted away again. He just laughed to see me run away so there was no need to be driven home. So far away from their home, I slowed down my pace. Very heavy carrying this fat body on the move.

I felt comfortable on the city bus. The room is cool because of AC, unlike the workspace in Theo's house. There was a coolant, but the room was hot because of its presence. Not to mention his eyes did not stop watching my movements. What can I steal from the library? Classic book? Expensive pen?

“What is this?” Chika received something from a child that I sent. “Hei!” The little boy obeyed my instructions by going straight away after giving me my leave to him.

“Wah, do-not from your secret admirer,” Goda Nisa, see the beautifully wrapped box. “Ayo, quickly open.”

“Iya, Chika. Quick, open!” rahma is impatient.

The poor girl smiled happily, thinking that what her friends thought might have a point. I wondered, was there a young man he was so excited about that he was? Whoa, interesting. She is not the kind of woman who falls in love easily.

“What is this!?” He threw the box as soon as he understood the contents. The two friends were curious and immediately approached the box. “Do not! Don't try to touch!” Chika immediately picked it up, then looked around with frightened eyes.