Lara's Admirers

Episode 27's

I was pretty sleepy, so I asked Arka to turn off our video call. Enjoying a box of maratabak eggs that are still hot, plus a glass of warm tea is really a worldly pleasure that I can not deny. I'm preparing some stuff for me to bring tomorrow. I have no textbooks at all for tomorrow, just some English reading books, power Bank and some Snacks and most importantly stationery. We leave at half-time tomorrow morning. That means we leave thirty minutes early before lesson time.

Its Olympic venue is still located within the city, held at one of Jakarta's top universities. Yep! We will all compete at the University of Indonesia or what you usually call UI. I can't wait for tomorrow to come. After I finished preparing all the equipment, I set the alarm at four in the morning, an hour earlier than usual. Because tomorrow I have to leave early.

Now it's time to go to bed, take off all my fatigue today. I fell asleep immediately after I laid my body on this soft mattress. Today was really exhausting.

***

"Say you want to ask, right?"

"Yes, it's good for us to share with each other."

"Udah don't have to bacot much. Nih."

"Eating doesn't drink it."

Again the voice just popped into my head. It was like a movie playing back in my memory. But strangely until now I could not figure out who that man was. I want to see his face. That face had long since disappeared from my memory, but not with all the sounds of that voice, that tragic incident.... Everything was still stuck in my head except for the figure of the man. He is a mysterious person who is always present in my memories. He didn't even want to tell me who he really was.

I woke up from the flowers of my sleep. I didn't know if it was a dream or just a picture of an event that repeated itself in my memory for the umpteenth time.

My still sleepy eyes glanced for a moment at the clock.

"First at one." My muttering.

I went back to sleep, remembering that tomorrow was a very important day for me.

***

"Yinhhhhhh!!!"

With eyes still reluctant to open, I felt the table next to me trying to find the alarm clock that had rang from earlier. With great difficulty I resisted my drowsiness to wake up.

"Four hours past ten." I said while looking at the clock with eyes that I could not open completely.

I should have gotten up ten minutes ago. I don't know how many times I've delayed this alarm, which must have been a lot. I rushed to the bathroom to get ready then put on my full uniform today.

"Drr"

My phone shook slowly, I deliberately made my phone in silent mode so that I would not be disturbed while sleeping. Another message from Arka.

"Let me pick you up again." It was in the WhatsApp message.

I'd better be with Arka, waiting for the bus will be too long. I could have been late because I had to wait for the bus at the stop. It takes too much time.

"Can." Short reply.

I was getting ready, then took my bag and my black hoodie hanging in the closet. I don't usually wear a hoodie when I go to school. This time I feel like wearing it. After all, since I was in Jakarta, this hoodie became very rarely used, even I barely touched at all. The last time I wore it was in that small town. While Zahra was staying at my house, we went to one of the restaurants to find dinner. Suddenly I miss the girl, as well as my other two best friends.

The clock shows at five in the morning. I'll be downstairs for breakfast. Auntie still cooks breakfast for us. I sat on the dining table chair while making jam-filled bread.

"Loh mbak, how quickly to wake up. Tumben's not what he used to be." Said aunt while still stirring the fried rice in the frying pan.

"Yes bi, today Eresha there is an Olympics in UI so we all go from school at half-seven." I clearly.

I then approached the refrigerator, looking for a box of milk that should not have run out.

"Well, that's great. What olympics?"

"The English Olympics bi." Reply me while pouring the milk box into a glass measuring 256ml.

"The spirit is mbak."

"Thank you so much bi. Oh yeah bi, by the way grandma's not up yet?" My toot.

Grandma and aunt always cook breakfast together in the kitchen.

"Not yet, it seems like grandma is tired because yesterday's order was quite a lot."

"Yes too." My mind is in my heart.

Grandma shouldn't have to do all this. He's lived well for so long. After all, without running a catering business, Grandma can still connect her life. I honestly feel sorry for seeing Grandma. At a young age, he had to work on his own accord.

"Yaudah, I went to Grandma's room first ya bi."

I went back upstairs to see Grandma.

***

Still this early, Arka had arrived in front of Eresha's house. Several times he tried to call Eresha, but the results were nil. How not, Eresha left her phone to recharge in her room. The girl is now in the other room of the house.

"Where is Eresha. I didn't get a phone call up." He said while turning off his phone.

Arka then got off her motorcycle.

"Excuse me!" He shouted from outside the gate.

Aunt who was in the kitchen at the time immediately ran out to check who had visited so early.

"Sorry who's looking for you?" Ask aunt.

"His esha's at home?"

"Oh, ma'am Eresha. What's up, the theme, huh? Come in please."

Aunty leads Arka to come with her to the kitchen, knowing she must be done meeting her grandmother Eresha will return to the dining table.

"Please sit here first. Eresha's coming down in a minute." Said the aunt then continued her work which was delayed because she had to open the door for this man earlier.

"Well, this is Eresha's bag. Where exactly is it not?" Inner Ark in the heart as soon as seeing the girl's bag is just located on the table without the owner.

"Maybe get ready again. A girl with long dance." Mumbled.

Eresha came down shortly after meeting her grandmother above earlier. He made sure his grandmother was okay.

***

"Well Arka?" I was surprised not to play.

While the person I was referring to was just looking at me with a smile.

"Well?" My interrogations.

"Well, I've been clear in the chat."

"Yes yes I know. But it's really fast."

"Faster is better."

"Shit up."

"Why are you different today, badmood again?"

"Not ordinary times. How is it different?" I asked while eating the jam sandwich I made earlier.

"It's so cold by the way."

"Yes, it's angetin." Ketus.

"Jude here." He said while stretching out his hands.

"Ngapain anyway?" I was confused for that guy.

Not only this time did he confuse her like a fool.

"You're in the hug, right?"

"What the hell?" I was surprised not to play to hear the answer just now.

How could he say such a thing here. Didn't he see if aunt was in this room too?

"And you asked angetin. If you hug it's warm."

"Yes, that's not the time either. There is aunty tuh, if he was horrified by your talk just now he kept reporting to grandma was out of anger and grandma will not give permission for you to play here again how?" Obviously I was making sure that aunt didn't hear our conversation just now.

"Have breakfast?" My toot.

"Yet, hehe..." Answer while grinning wide.

"Cock haven't eaten yet? We want the olympics. The brain must also get food intake before thinking hard. Then you will surely drain your brain to make calculations."

"Well, how about breakfast, I was in a hurry here."

"Who told you this early to come here? It is your own fault. Have breakfast with bread."

I got out of my seat to get a glass of milk for Arka.

"Aren't you making the bread?"

"Don't spoil!" I answered with a cynical look.

"Tu girl again why the hell, again PMS yes time." His grunts while applying jam on bread.

"Drink it." I said, holding a glass of milk in front of him.

"Where else are you going?" Ask Arka.

"You eat cereal." Reply relax.

After finishing making a bowl of cereal, I sat down again near Arka to eat it together.

"Aren't you eating?" Ask Arka.

"Well, why would I eat if I didn't eat anymore?"

"Yes, don't overdo it, sha, no good."

"Excess from where? If in itung-itung nih yes, I was eating only one bread and continue to drink a glass of milk. That's less in my opinion."

"Basin a thick stomach."

"What did we say?"

"Bentong stomach."

"Basic of not being self-conscious." Ledekku while ruffling the top of Arka's head.

I laughed when I saw the man laughing. It's like a happy virus to everyone around you.

"That laughs again. Well ditu dong time early in the morning his face is already tangled."

"Udah diem." I shut Arka's mouth with my index finger.

Arka's body immediately pecked in place.

"Abisin's breakfast is a quarry." My orders.

The person I was referring to was just a small nod.

***

"Bi, I'm leaving first. If grandma wakes up later, say that I went to school."

"Aman. The spirit of the Olympics."

"It must be bi. Thank you, yeah."

I put on a hoodie that I accidentally put on the dining table and then carried my bag and rushed out to wear shoes.

"I used to drive a motorcycle." Arka.

I nodded at his words. While Arka was turning on her motorcycle, I put my shoes on the porch of the house.

After finishing and making sure everything was ready, after being completely sure there was not a single little thing I forgot, I rushed over to Arka who was waiting for me.

As usual Arka thrust her helmet at me. I put on the helmet and climbed on the Arka motorcycle. This motorcycle drove off the residential complex.

I have to admit that this guy looks more handsome on this motorcycle. Suddenly for the umpteenth time, the mysterious man was again present in my memory.

That afternoon as the sun slowly moved down, the color of the sky began to inflate. When the marching band rehearsal had just finished, the melody was saying goodbye to all of us. The mysterious man asked me to come with him on his motorcycle. He took me somewhere. Not a special place maybe, far from the word beautiful. Just in front of the minimarket on the suburban street, enjoying a packet of bread while looking at the streets full of vehicles that pass by. But I loved that moment, I never went out of my memory. But why should that man's face go from there.

***

We've arrived at school. I got off the motorcycle. Meanwhile, Arka parked his vehicle in a row near the gate to be easily removed when returning to school later.

"Yuk." Take it after you finish parking your motorcycle.

I nodded back. We walked towards the crowd of people inside. Some students gathered there. I looked at the clock in my hand.

"Ten minutes to go." My muttering.

Honestly, I'm a little nervous. This was my first time attending the Olympics. Free students are busy with their books. Some try to memorize outside the head. I'm not sure if I can get the name of this school.

I tried my hardest so that all the vocabulary I had memorized desperately last night did not just go from my memory.

The atmosphere became boisterous and crowded because some of them memorized in a loud voice. Honestly, it disturbed my concentration. I try to stay focused while closing my eyes.

While I was trying to focus, there was a hand that closed my ears all of a sudden. I opened my eyes to find out who it was. It turned out to be the man who had been standing in front of me.

"Let's not be noisy." Her speech.

How could this man suddenly behave so sweetly like this. I just smiled at him as a sign of gratitude for his kindness.

Her warm hands that covered my ears made me feel warmer than before. The air this morning was colder than usual. I'm not in vain to wear a hoodie this time.

"Kids' attention." Bu Tar came breaking the mood.

I immediately removed Arka's hand from my head.

"Now everything is lined up neatly in front of the bus door. Entry one by one. Don't struggle, don't push. Understood?" Obviously Mrs Tar.

"See Ma!" Answer us simultaneously.

We immediately walked to the bus. There was only one line in front of the bus door, so our line looked like a long queue. The Olympic participants totaled twenty people.

Arka led me into the bus. He held my hand tightly. We chose a chair in the middle. Arka went in first, he chose to sit by the window. Just as I was about to sit next to him, all of a sudden....

"Hi." A girl who did not know manners just grabbed my seat.

Arka and I were spontaneously surprised instead of playing.

"Eh, what the hell." My protest won't take.

"Hi Arka, I can sit here right?"

He tried to open a conversation with Arka. But at that time Arka also put on a cold look and did not mengubris the words of the girl.

The looking arc began to get fed up with the girl's behavior immediately stood up and moved from there. He pulled my hand to go find an empty seat.

"Where are you going? How to go anyway." That girl's heart.

But still Arka did not pay attention to it in the least.

"In front of me." Said Arka while pointing at one of the seats in front there.

I nodded, just following Arka.

When we were just about to walk to the bench that was meant by Arka earlier, suddenly this bus had planted the gas without prior notice. It makes me lose my balance. But Arka swiftly caught my almost-falling body. The bus was hysterically screaming at us.

Not wanting to be the center of attention, I immediately got up and removed Arka's arm from my body.

"Slow down ya." Whisper in my ear.

He warned me to walk carefully, because the bus was speeding at this time.

I nodded back to say his words. I walked down the bus aisle holding on to the passenger bench. Meanwhile, Arka followed behind me.

Shortly after I sat down, Arka came and immediately took the spot right next to me.

"Who was that girl?" Askaqua.

"Oh, that was Clara. The next grade." Reveal it to me.

"So you know him."

Arka nodded.

"Keep he can be here? Olympic kids too?"

"Yes, chemical olympic boy."

"He was the same as you were?"

Arka glanced at me for a moment with a gaze that I could not understand what it meant.

"Udah is not to be discussed. I'm sorry to talk about him."

"Answer!" Force me.

I can clearly see the great doubt from the look on his face. She clucked when she found out she had to answer my question. He doesn't seem to like it when I talk about Clara.

"He's my ex." Answer with a face down.

"former? Slum."

It's only fitting that if Clara was acting pretty familiar with Arka, it turns out they were never close.

"Why impression?" Ask Arka who started to panic.

"Imessage that she's pretty close to you." Tighten me while turning my face away from him.

"Yes in a hurry?" Goda.

I still speak a thousand languages. I threw my eyes at the street we were walking on. Although my head was a little dizzy from having to look at the passing vehicle, but it was better than looking at this man's face.

I don't like it when he gets close to that girl again. Especially the status of Arka who is still my boyfriend. I'm sure Clara is trying to get close to Arka again. His behavior just now was really cheap. I'm sick of seeing his face even though we just met.

Suddenly Arka turned away my busy face staring through the glass with both hands. This time he made me have to look him in the face. He cupped his hands on both of my cheeks.

Anxiety still controlled all my feelings until it was difficult for me to melt with her sweet attitude towards me this time.

"Sha, beat me up. He's just my past buried deep inside. And I'm trying not to dig that up again." Evidently.

I took both of his hands off my cheeks.

"Wait a minute, people say you've never dated before."

I started to remember one thing. Many people say that Arka has never dated before.

"Not many knew anything about our relationship."

"Why did you kill him?" My toot.

"He has betrayed me. When she was dating me, she was dating our OSIS Chairman Roni. He took advantage of the situation, where at that time no one knew he was dating me."

Then, what if one day my memory of the mysterious man returns. The man I used to love, even now. It's just I don't know who he is. He disappeared when Arka came to fill my heart. What if one day I met the man and went back into his arms, Arka would hate me as much as she hates Clara today.

"How is he related to Roni?" Ask again.

"Kandas, it's all just going on for a little while. Not for a month.".

"Why is he still chasing you?"

Arka shrugged both of her shoulders stating that she did not know anything about it.

"But I won't fall into the same hole. I'll never be subdued by Clara. It'll be too hard for him to conquer me again like I used to." Connect her.

"Why is that?"

I'm sure this guy's trying to fight.

"Because in my heart there is...." He deliberately hung his sentence.

"What's wrong?"

"There is a queen who has conquered my heart. And I can't escape anything else turning away from that person. That guy seemed to have magic that made me unable to wince. Every time he spoke, all of his words were like magic spells he was chanting."

"Magic grandmother dong, haha..."

"Yes, it's not the time of the witch. That person is you." He said in a serious tone.

"Me?"

Arka nodded back.

"If so now I'll magic you. I'll put you to sleep."

"Then will you be aware of receiving a kiss from your true love?" Ask Arka while smiling mischievously.

"One... Two... Three... Fall asleep..." My words then closed Arka's eyes like magicians hypnotizing their partners.

The man pretended to be asleep on my shoulder.

"Well, from now on you must recite all my words." My speech.

"What do you think about that girl named Eresha Caitlyn Ananda?"

"Eresha is beautiful like a fairy who descends from heaven. His heart is kind, gentle, helpful. He is also smart, he is not stingy to share his beautiful smile. He is the most perfect creation of God. No, not the most perfect either. Nothing is perfect in this world. Hmmmm.... He was almost perfect."

I laughed at the man's confession just now.

"Kok laugh?" Tanya Arka then woke up.

"Kok up? I haven't told you to get up yet." I still can't help but laugh because of this guy.

***

We have arrived at the campus, a place that will soon be a witness to our struggle.

Arka and I got off the bus, now the atmosphere became more serious and even very serious. I saw many other classes that had just gotten off their bus. I'm getting nervous. Not so far away, in there is an organ that is no longer irregular tempo. My heart rate is getting worse. With great difficulty I swallowed my own saliva. My hands are sweating cold.

We were asked to march neatly. Because Bu Tar will hand out identification cards.

"Thank you, Mom." I said when Ms. Tar gave me the card.

I still can't believe that I'm an Olympian and will be competing with a lot of other students.

We directed Bu Tar to enter the hall where the race was held. Arriving inside, we were invited to sit on the bench. We will sit here until our turn comes. I sat next to Arka. But one thing that irritated me was why the girl had to sit next to me, who else if not Clara. There are still plenty of empty seats. Why did he choose to sit here. So more or less my position is now between the two of them, Arka and Clara.

The room is almost full. I can't control myself right now. I'm too nervous. Arka who seemed to realize that then glanced at me, although I ignored him because I was too busy over myself at that time.

"Quiet, you can. What if we make a challenge." His whisper was soft in my ear.

"What challenge?"

"Who can get the highest score among us, will be the winner. And whoever loses must deal with who wins. How's it?

"okay."

I accepted the challenge of Arka without a second thought.

"Okay, we'll see."

***

The room is now completely full. All participants have entered with their respective guidance teachers. I tried to calm myself. While Clara looks ordinary, like there is no burden at all. He looked so relaxed as if he was used to dealing with this kind of situation.

The host is seen entering this room with the other judges. He instructed that all participants prepare themselves because the event will begin immediately. Then he read out the order of the subjects to be contested. Damnit damnit! How can I be second.

Clara went down first to the side of the stage, as Chemistry got its first turn. He seemed confident when he went on stage.

Time goes on, about for the sake of what the jury reads is almost done. The girl easily counted the reactions. It was as if it was all happening in his head. His hand swiftly pressed the button first, making the other participants look overwhelmed to face this child. I have to admit his ability in this field is amazing. It is not wrong if Bu Tar chose it for the branch of chemistry. His thinking speed is indeed worthy of a thumbs up.

I was asked by Bu Tar to go to the side of the stage in the middle of the event with other English Olympians to prepare. I stood up nervously, but this time I was able to fight my fear.

"Spirit!" Said Arka slowly.

I nodded weakly.

I was with four other people standing next to the stage waiting for their turn. I re-assured myself if I could conquer it.

Before long the chemistry sessions had ended and Clara was leading the grades for now. It is certain that he will bring home the medal.

Clara came off the stage with a satisfied face.

"Eh, someone wants to fight. The spirit." He said with a dislike look.

"All right now let's welcome the Olympic participants to English subjects!" Called the host.

The five of us went up on stage then saluted the audience. My eyes fell on Clara who filled my seat beside the empty Ark. I'm trying not to be lured in by Clara's foul wits. He deliberately wanted to make me emotional and then lost concentration and lost. But I'm not that easy to drop.

I try to refocus without paying any heed to them. My thoughts right now are entirely with this Olympics. I will gobble up all that stuff alone and be reluctant to share it with other participants, just like Clara did earlier. Even I would do that better than him.

"If you want to win, be selfish." My mind is in my heart.

The law of the jungle applies here. Who is stronger, he wins.

The sound of applause from the audience was heard from all directions. We are allowed to sit in the place that has been prepared. My eyes looked straight ahead, I was completely oblivious to my surroundings.

The host opened the first question sheet. I poked my ears wide, making sure nothing was wrong. One small mistake can ruin everything I've trained for so long.

"All right, first question."

"What is the third verb form of the word ride?"

My hand spontaneously pressed the bell. I was lucky to be the first to suppress it.

"Please answer."

"Riden." Answer me with certainty.

"Yes! Right!" Say one of the judges over there.

This is a good start for me. I've collected points on the first question. I hope the results are as I expected.

The second question until the next I managed to tripe it out. I can hardly believe what I just did. This has far exceeded my expectations all along. I didn't even give my opponent the slightest chance to answer.

Until it's time for the final question, the ultimate question. If I can answer this question, then it means I will get the perfect score.

"Theses, arguments and reiteration is a generic structure part of?"

I tried to translate it quickly in my brain then without wasting any time I immediately pressed the bell.

"Text espot!" Answer me loudly.

"Perfect!" Called the host.

I'm still not sure what I just did until now. I smiled satisfied with my score. Anyone please tell me this isn't a dream. I've proved to the world that I'm much better than Clara.

I ran towards our seats with a feeling of pride. They gave me applause. Ms. Tar seemed to be smiling proudly while giving her thumbs up to me. I immediately approached Arka with a feeling I could not describe.

I hugged Arka so happily, so happily. The arka looks the same.

"Congratulations! I told you that you can. You're great." The whisper of Arka was slow in my ear.