Love is Not Finished

CHAPTER 145: The Waiting

It was Richard.

I was about to walk away from him. But it turns out Ricard walked with me from the side.

"Hey, are you angry with me? Or someone scolded you if I interfered?" ask Ricard.

"Sorry, don't bother me this time. I'm trying to be on my own" I feel like my mind is still tired. Tired of thinking about Bram who had left.

"Oh.., okay, okay. Sorry if I bother you. Next time we talk, bye!" Ricard smiled and left. He didn't feel hurt when I refused to talk to him.

Why would Ricard want to come near me? Even if he knows, Bram is my girlfriend? Is it true that Bram said yesterday, if there is a certain intention from Ricard to him?

I went to the college room where I studied. My fellow majors already occupy their respective seats. I took an empty seat in the back. We are all still waiting for the arrival of the teacher.

Not long after, the female lecturer came inside. Behind the lecturer looks Ricard coming in. He was looking for an empty chair, which happened to be the rest of one, right near me. Inevitably, Ricard and I sat close together.

Ricard just smiled at me, he didn't say a word. I also kept quiet and focused on one of the homicide research that the lecturer described in front.

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Two hours passed, today's lecture was over. In two hours there is a criminology course that I must follow because I was absent several times while accompanying Bram first.

Me and my friends broke up and went out to their respective destinations. I went to the cafeteria to order food. Arriving at the cafeteria, I sat in my usual place while still with Bram.

"Hi Zanu's. Has Bram left for America?" ask someone.

I turned my head and it turned out to be Bram's friend, Ibas.

"Oh yes, brother, already. Last night Brother Bram left" I replied a little nervously.

"Oh, does he have a story about when to come back here?" ask again.

The deg! Well, what kind of question is this? What should I answer? If I answer no, it's the same as telling others, if I've ended aka singles. But if I say yes, Bram is never here again. Dizziness!

"Don't know, Brother Bram didn't say anything" I was forced to lie for my position on this campus. How shameful I would be if anyone knew Bram would marry Prita. And there must be many who laugh at me, hoping for something uncertain.

"OKAY. Maybe he'll call you later and tell you when he can come here, right?"

"Eh, yes, brother," I doubt that.

"Sorry, are you alone? Where are your friends?" ask again.

"Yes, brother" I answered briefly. I began to feel uncomfortable with the presence of this Ibas.

My order has arrived. Without delaying any more, I ate it right away. It felt like my stomach was hungry, my breakfast was only a little into the stomach.

*******

After I finished eating and paid the cashier, I got out of the cafeteria and headed to the library. There I intend to borrow books related to the course. Including articles that have been solved cases, in a simple way or even a difficult way.

I took the time to read a book at a glance, then went straight to the library manager while carrying the reading books I had chosen and checked one by one. I borrowed three books and they were old books. It takes caution to read it, because if it is torn or damaged it must be replaced. However, the book's historical value cannot be exchanged for money.

I got out of the library, went to my lecture hall again. The time for criminology courses began, the lecturer this time was a father who was in his fifties. The name of the lecturer is Mr. Mujiko.

Mr. Mujiko gave a note while discussing the cases he had handled. According to his confession, for decades he never failed in handling small or large cases. Because he consistently handles cases and interacts directly with the closest person to the suspect and a witness.

I listened carefully to the explanation from Mr. Mujiko. I don't know why I feel the turmoil of my curiosity about the finished case. There was all sorts of speculation there, making me feel challenged.

"Well, that was the explanation today. If anyone does not understand can ask me directly, both on campus and anywhere, except holidays," said Mr. Mujiko.

"Okay sir" answered me and my friends.

I noticed that Ricard was still in his place. I didn't want to get dizzy, I went out of class to the campus stop.

While on campus today, no one wants to come near or greet me. If there's a Bram near me, I'm telling him because they're all scared of Bram. Now Bram is no more, but why is everything including my friends no one wants to come closer?

I walked alone through the street beside the Rectorate building. Still vividly remembered, when I was still ospek, Bram called me. At that time I was very jealous to see Bram talking to Sari.

Uh! How silly I was then and I don't know why I shed tears from remembering those memories again. Bram was still calling my name at the time.

Arriving at the stop, I stood among the many people who were also waiting for the campus bus. This afternoon the weather was very hot, many of the students went to look for trees. They gathered while sitting under a shady tree. They don't seem to care anymore that the bus is coming.

Suddenly a new car stopped right in front of me. I didn't notice it, because I thought the person in the car was waiting for a friend who was both at a stop with me.

"Hei Zanu's! Yup with me," he shouted from the inside, it turned out to be Ricard.

All eyes are looking at me. They were kind of wondering what I'd do with Ricard's offer.

"Sorry, I'm waiting for the bus. My place is near. Thank you Ricard," I rejected it in a subtle way.

"Well, okay then. Maybe next time you want to. Bye Zanu," Ricard drove his car and away from the stop. He did not seem to feel disappointed, angry or grumbling. Ricard even smiled at my refusal.

I refocused on waiting for the bus. The campus bus did not pass in front of the bus stop. I started to get nervous and think about the phone that was in the boarding house. I wish Bram would call me when he lands in America.

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