Home For My Soul

51|One Terms

~Amarily~

One month after I managed to avoid Theo, I was forced to come to his house to teach his sister. Matt got to school faster than we were college students. Aunt Ruth was welcoming me as usual, while Matt was waiting in the study.

He had a long chat about his activities during the holidays, but I cut him off. We do not have time to drift, because the third grade of SMU means the National Examination is in sight. I'm glad to see she's getting nervous.

We used those two hours to repeat some core lessons during her first grade. Topics that the exam preparation books say will come out randomly later. I met Theo at dinner, but we behaved as usual.

Everything was going on normally, except for one thing. Aunt Ruth had booked an ojek online to take me home. He didn't ask his son or their driver to drive me, so I understood everything. He knows about our relationship.

Somehow we got caught, I can't guess. To be sure, Theo couldn't honestly tell our relationship to his mother. When we were together, he chose to keep his mouth shut, especially after we had no relationship.

“What's up?” I asked, seeing Matt watching me closely. We just finished studying that night.

“Is Brother any problem with Theo?” His forehead wrinkled. “Why did you come home with an ojek for a few days, not my sister?”

“We are fine.” I lifted both my shoulders.

Wrong question. She should have asked why her mom booked an ojek online and not told her brother to take me home. Because Aunt Ruth's attitude changed, not me or Theo. We still treat each other as we always do. But I chose not to discuss it with him. He better conclude it himself.

The first day of college is the most exciting time. I arrived a few minutes before the lecture started so as not to cross paths with Theo. Justright. I can walk leisurely from the gate to the room without a hitch.

Just met some nosy college students who couldn't get through the day without gossiping or staring cynically at me. The usual sight I received in return for my evil deeds in the past. I was like them when I looked at my victims.

“How are you, Amarylis!?” sonata immediately hugged my body. “Wow! You're weight down! We are one size shirt soon!”

“Cannot be. When my ideal weight is reached later, you must be two numbers bigger than me.” I know he's wearing an eight-size shirt, and I'm fourteen. Still far from my target weight in order to wear ten-sized clothes.

“Mending eight out of six. But you cannot be fourteen. That size shirt must have been loose for you.” He let go of his embrace and watched my body.

“Twelve sizes are still narrow,” akuku.

He nodded in understanding before sitting in his favorite chair. His eyes are sharp too. He could tell the difference of a fourteen-sized body with twelve. Maybe she's shopping for clothes like I used to. So, guessing the size of a person's shirt is a common thing for him.

“How was your holiday? Did you meet the family in Medan?” tanyanya enthusiastic.

“No. I worked to raise money to pay for college. Unlike you who are all financed by parents,” my candlestick.

“Ah, sorry. I forget. Then, I brought this to expel all your fatigue.” He gave me a big plastic bag. “By-by from Semarang!”

“Sonata, this is a lot,” I said not good.

“You are my only friend, so I just buy all our typical city food that tourists often choose as a hand. It's delicious, lo. You only need to fry it for a while, then you can eat while warm as a rice friend. Then this-”

He explained one by one the appetizing foods that were in the bag. I can't wait to enjoy it all. Of course little by little. I don't want my weight to go up so much.

The class went quickly because the topic was fresh. Theo was waiting by the door at lunchtime, so I couldn't escape anymore. Sonata nudged my arm before she walked out of the lecture hall. I was confused how to carry the bag.

“Gue transfer to lo room?” Theo took the big bag out of my hand. A good solution.

“Bby,” I replied reluctantly. He refused, but he would force it.

He took my hand, so I pulled it from him. He raised both of his eyebrows as he grabbed my hand and held me again. I sighed loudly, forced to obey him. Can't he see the look people are pointing at us?

She is engaged to Chika, but still holds hands with other women. He doesn't care what people think, so I care. I don't want to be involved in the slightest scandal, because it will affect my reputation at work later.

My opponent will have three sons of that obnoxious rich man. Not to mention there is a Mama who still holds a grudge against me. So, I need to guard myself so that there are no loopholes they can use to destroy me later.

But one plan is still going well. Chika may think she is winning because she managed to tie Theo in an engagement bond in front of everyone. But before they officially get married, then I still have a chance.

“Lo want to eat what?” ask her after I keep Sonata's handout pouch in the room.

“You only choose the menu,” answered me, do not want to bother.

He chose a restaurant close to campus. So, I was not surprised to see the gaze of the students in the stall to us. They were whispering to each other that I'm sure discussed Chika and her relationship with Theo. They now know, me and Theo are no ordinary friends.

“Lo don't believe me,” said Theo, look offended.

“Indeed the mouth of a man who already has a fiancee can be held?” reply, do not lose. “You gave me a ring without witnesses. You said you chose me to be your wife, too, without witnesses. Then you're asking me to just believe? Theo, I'm not stupid.”

“What should I do to make you believe?” tanyanya, ready to do whatever I say.

“You can think for yourself. Why are you asking me?” I grunt softly.

“What Matt enough as a witness?” tanyanya, giving a suggestion.

Just be right. He chose the safest person. Her sister often teases that she has a special feeling for me from the beginning that I became her private tutor. But he did not have any good friends, I don't know why.

“How about plus friends lo and Richo?” ask again, not giving up.

There's only one way I'll accept it as proof of its seriousness. Backstreet is not the answer. It's time I gave him a tough test. If I'm lucky, he'll stay away and I can focus on my studies. If he accepts it, then I must be ready to exert twice the time and energy than usual.

"Make our relationship known to your parents" I said, providing a solution.

He looked at me in disbelief. That opportunity I used to finish the food that the waiter delivered to our table. He ate slowly, seemingly preoccupied with his own thoughts. It turned out that he was so respectful to his parents that he did not want to argue with them.

“It was impossible,” he said moments later.

“Then we broke up until here.”

He didn't talk anymore so I could eat quietly. That delicious cuisine was instantly bland on my tongue. I feel guilty seeing him fretting on his own, but that's the only way. I don't want to go into a backstreet relationship with great risk. Enough people insulted me.

Matt is getting serious with his preparations for the national exam. It made it easier for me to teach him, because he was no longer a prankster. Even so, I did not lower my cautious attitude. He could have fucked me again.

Uncomfortable with Aunt Ruth's attitude, so I bought a bike that I had delayed for a long time. So, I can come with the means of transportation, not with the online ojek order. She smiled happily to see me coming for the first time by bike to their home.

Why isn't he honest with me? I never asked for a transfer after teaching from day one to be Matt's teacher. He forced his own son or told his driver to drive me home. If he speaks frankly, I don't mind going home alone.

“What's the problem with Mama?” ask Matt suspiciously.

“We have no problem,” I said while tidying up my bag.

“Then why did you buy a bicycle? Usually Brother does not mind ushering home Theo or our driver or by ojek online.”

“I already have enough money, so I bought a bike, Matt,” I replied, hoping it was enough to convince him not to keep asking. “I don't feel good about receiving your kindness constantly. So, I decided not to trouble Theo or your mama by buying a bike.”

He looked at my face while rubbing his chin. “Everyone is acting weird. Am I the only one who doesn't understand what's going on?”

Matt just asked that night and didn't talk about it again the following nights. We studied quietly and focused on repeating important material from first and second grade. He started to understand a lot of things so that made it easier for our question and answer session.

Lecturers began to give many tasks, both individual and group. Sonata and I met more and more outside of college hours for discussions. Sometimes, we join other groups if the lecturer asks for more members to do the task.

“Amarilis, can we talk to you for a minute?” aunt Ruth asked when I came in that afternoon.

“Iya, Auntie,” I politely replied.

He walked towards the living room, then I followed him. He doesn't usually just talk to me alone. If this has anything to do with Matt, we'll talk straight away. Is it possible that he would discuss my relationship with Theo?