Red Threads

Flag of War

"Any love is the same. Lo can what if someday he turns to me?” –Kai.

♥

The thumping sound from the door that was slammed violently made Mika squeak. He immediately got out of the study chair, and ran out of the room. His gaze fell on his mother who was sitting leaning on the sofa, with her head drooping backwards.

He walked down the stairs. The smell of alcohol stings his sense of smell as he gets closer to his mother. For the umpteenth time, he saw his mother coming home drunk.

Mika approached her mother. For a few seconds, he just stood next to the woman. Observing every curve of his mother's tired face. The scratches on his mother's face were clearer than they were a few months ago. A thick black pouch hung under his mother's eyes. Mika smiled miris. Since Nagra's departure, her mother has turned into someone she doesn't know.

Mika crouched down to tidy up the papers scattered on the floor and on the table. She was sure her mother would have thrown the papers away, before landing herself on the couch.

At first, nothing strange. The papers contained only reports and proposals. But after he tidied up half of it, his hand touched a brown envelope. There's the name of an orphanage in that envelope. From the address listed, the orphanage was located quite far from where he lived.

Is the company where her mother works working in cooperation with an orphanage? Mika was about to open the envelope, when her mother muttered something.

Mika was shocked, when her mother blocked her wrist. The eyes of the woman looked at him sharply. A few seconds later, the woman laughed.

“Ngapain you are here, mama's favorite child?” yulia. His voice sounded like a delirious person.

“Eh, I—” Mika brainwashing. Looking for the right reason.

“Ah, mom forgot!” Yulia shouted out loud. “You are not my mother's favorite child. You who made Nagra died.”

Mika looked at her mother. He tried to release Yulia's hand grip on her wrist. However, the grip was getting stronger.

Mika's entire body stiffened, as she saw Yulia standing up. Without letting go of her hand, Yulia approached him. The woman pulled her arm roughly. Then, push his body to hit the wall. Mika grimaced, but Yulia laughed instead.

“Sick?” ask Yulia rhetorically. His fingers then moved rubbing Mika's cheeks. The rubbing is gentle, but painful.

“The pain is not comparable to the pain I experienced because of you!” Mika closed her eyes hearing the cry of her mother. “Should have been, that day it wasn't Nagra who left. But, you. You're just a useless kid who made my life fall apart!”

Yulia laughed again. Mika almost cried. Suddenly, Yulia pulled her hand and pushed her shoulder hard. Mika sighed, as her body fell on the floor. “Basic killer! The child does not know himself! It just makes it hard!”

Fumes filled Mika's lungs. Those words seemed to drag him into a terrifying black valley. Let him get stuck in there, to a cold death.

Mika wants to argue. He wants to avoid all these accusations. However, he cannot. His heart was in denial, but his mouth was silent.

He did not know what happened after the scream. Suddenly, he saw Yulia walking towards him from a table on the other side of the room. There was a knife in the woman's hand.

Mika squealing. Body shaking. His brain and joints, as if conspiring not to leave that place.

What will her mother do? Did his mother want to kill him?

Mika scared. His lips were trembling with a paled face. His mother got closer and pointed the knife at him.

No. gabe. If only he had to die, not now. There's still something he needs to finish, about Nagra. Exactly two steps before Yulia arrived at her place, Mika forced herself to get up. With a dragged step and a body of pain, he ran towards the room. Closing the door and locking it.

Mika's heart was beating irregularly. Joints weaken. The sound of screaming and pounding the door of his room, making his body increasingly decay. Mika cried without a sound. How long will he have to live in this fear? Her mother is not dangerous. But the woman can do things out of her mind every time she gets drunk. Could be—one day his mom pushed him off the balcony. Let him die, before he could say that he was not Nagra's killer. Or rather, it wasn't he who caused Nagra's suicide.

Mika walks towards the study table, after making sure that her mother is no longer in front of her room. He's still scared. His hands still shook violently as he pointed at the row of dates on the calendar. The 23rd. Exactly six months of Nagra's death. Sadly, her mother came home drunk. Other than the 12th, the 23rd is something Mika always tries to avoid. Mamamya would behave strangely on those two dates. But if Mika knows the reason behind the 23rd, then the reason behind the 12th is still a mystery to her. No, it's not Nagra's birthday.

His eyes shifted from the number 23 to the number 31 in the bottom row. Mika tries to get rid of today's events and makes a focus on one thing, her mother's birthday.

♥

Not Kai his name, if it doesn't attract the attention of many people. This morning alone, without any rain or wind, the boy was already standing in front of Mika class with a white Lily flower. It is not the expensive flowers that are the center of attention, but him.

The presence of Kai—still with a Sonic— picture bag in front of Mika class makes many pairs of eyes on her. Not a few who threw a look of wonder, considering that he had only been in that school for two days. But, already have a heart patch. Her hair, which was slightly shaggy, had been cut shorter. Although still left untidy.

Kai flashed a wide smile at the few students who were looking at him. Her smile grew wider, when she saw Mika walking towards the classroom with Raga. He waved his hand very excitedly, as soon as Mika dropped her gaze.

“Kak Kai, why is it here?” mika asked, just as she arrived in front of the classroom door. Her gaze fell on the Lily flower in Kai's hand, which made her forehead wrinkle faintly.

"Gue would like to give this to lo.” Kai handed the flower in his hand to Mika. But after a few seconds passed, Mika did not also welcome the flower. Kai is forced to pull Mika's hand, and place the flower in the girl's palm.

“No need!” gertak Raga's. His hand gripped Kai's wrist. His sharp gaze only responded to Kai with a relaxed smile.

“There is something wrong if I give flowers to him?” ask Kai, without guilt. He raised one eyebrow, making Raga even more furious.

Raga was about to take one step forward, but Mika immediately blocked her wrist. The girl nodded slowly. Gesturing for Raga to do nothing.

“Then I go back, yes. Happy learning, Mika,” said Kai. He passed from his place, after rewarding Raga with an annoying look. Just two steps he left the place, his movements instantly stopped. He turned his body to face Mika and Raga once again. “Do not want to be arranged with your guy. You have the right to be friends with anyone, including me. And, be careful with Raga.”

Raga growling. If it wasn't for Mika's check on her hand, she would have taught Kai a lesson. He could only look at Kai's back that was getting further away with an angry look, and both hands clenched tightly. Breath hunting. His shoulders went up and down quickly. Every breath of his, as if showing his emotions had already arrived on the surface.

“Don't be horrified! I can throw this flower if you want,” said Mika. He behaved indifferently to Kai's words, even though his head kept turning the words a few times.

What does it mean to be careful?

“Not necessary!” toilet Raga. He left without looking at Mika. Without waiting for the answer from the girl. Kai's presence at this school, really made him very upset. From the first day he set foot in school, Kai seemed to have flown a war flag to him. The guy tests his emotions by deliberately approaching Mika. And today, that guy told Mika to be careful of him.

God fucking. This time, he still let go of the guy. But not if it repeats itself. He won't let Kai go. Even if, no.

♥

“Since when did Mika date Raga?” ask Kai.

Samuel thought, rubbing his chin. “If not wrong, two weeks after Raga moved to this school.”

One of Kai's eyebrows shot up. “When did he transfer to this school?”

Satya squinted her eyes. Looking suspiciously at Kai. “Why are you wondering about them? Want to nikung Raga?”

Kai chuckled. Not a bad guess. He met Satya and Samuel for two days. However, the two classmates were already able to guess his goal. “Smart also lo.”

Samuel shook his head, after knowing Kai's purpose. “Raga just moved here mid-semester yesterday. I was also surprised, why he could easily go to this school in the middle of the semester,” he replied. Samuel leaned his body towards Kai slightly. His eyes glanced left and right, making sure that no one heard them. “But if you want to call Mika from Raga, you must be ready to lose.”

No response from Kai. His face remained flat as usual. His eyes were empty, as if he were thinking. Three seconds later, he was back in sound. “What's so great about Raga?”

“He's the captain of the school futsal team. He won first place last semester. Three months of school here. The defending champion. And, he said he was cool. Although actually, I'm cooler,” Satya tries to explain.

“Gue is cooler than him. I can also play futsal.” Kai felt unacceptable, hearing Satya's explanation. For him, the game could be better than Raga. He could be smarter than that guy. If only because of that Mika likes Raga, then she sure can get rid of Raga.

“There is one more thing that Raga has, and you don't have.” Samuel whispered again. This time, he smiled broadly. The smile that Raga thought looked like ridicule. “He's got Mika. Girl who loves him.”

“Damn it!” aspir Kai. Satya and Samuel laughed.

They're correct. Kai might be able to defeat Raga in terms of playing futsal and intelligence. However, he could not confirm if Mika would turn to him and leave Raga. There is no guarantee. In fact, if he's better than that guy.

Kai did not feel inferior at all, after knowing the reality that might happen. He just felt, if he could definitely get Mika.

♥

Kai deliberately waits for Raga to come out of the classroom, when the final lesson is over. The guy plays his fingers on the wall to block the way of the ranks of ants, while occasionally throwing a glance at Raga who is still tidying up the book.

He smiled slightly, as he watched the man step off the bench. With a very relaxed attitude, Kai stood at the door. Deliberately blocking the path of Raga.

“Soaring!” Raga pushed Kai's body away. However, the guy still remained unmoved at the door.

Kai smiled broadly. He raised his hand in front of his face. Make a camera mock with his thumb and index finger, to form a quadrilaterals. Then, look at Raga's face with one eye through the square.

“Gue was curious, how great can you make Mika fall in love?” ask Kai.

Raga was upset. “Soaring. I don't have time to pay!”

Kai returned to seeing Raga normally. “Gue won't go as far as Mika.”

Raga was really furious at Kai's words. The guy did not feel at all guilty about his intentions. It seemed, Kai was indeed trying to raise a war flag on him.

Raga. Trying to ignore Kai's words, even though he wants to hit the guy in his heart. He decided to leave Kai who had positioned himself against the wall.

♥

“You've read this?” Mika handed a brochure to Raga.

The brochure containing the class meeting announcement made Raga's forehead wrinkled. There are several races held to enliven the event, one of which is futsal competition. There's nothing wrong. Only, he futsal matches were only held for two teams, namely the school futsal team and the 12th class IPA 3 futsal team. And as the team captain, he did not feel he got an invitation directly from the OSIS.

“Why is playing futsal only two teams?” ask Raga.

Mika raised her shoulders. “That's what I want to ask you. I thought you knew. Kan, you are the captain of the school futsal team.”

“I don't know about this,” said Raga. Then, he moved from his sitting position. “I want to go to the OSIS room first, ask about this.”

“Then I go to class. Soon in.” Mika's words were responded with a slow nod by Raga.

Unlike usual, this time Mika's class looks very rowdy. The sound of screaming, the irregular music from the table being hit by hand, and the screams were heard quite disturbing. Mika could not hide her astonishment. He stepped even faster when he saw Anggita and Raya coming out of the classroom with an annoyed look.

“Again what?” ask Mika.

“There is a crazy guy who makes the class so noisy,” Anggita replied. His face looks very upset.

“See, tuh!” A person who is standing in front of the class. “Says he wants to love lo.”

Mika squinted her eyes. Focusing on a guy standing in front of the class with a broom that is likened to a guitar.

The commotion grew even more intense as he walked into the classroom, and approached the guy. Mika can hear the voice of Kai singing songs from one of the Indonesian bands, with a style like a reliable vocalist. Kai was completely unaware of the presence, even when he was already standing right next to the guy.

Mika who had not let go of the man's gaze since then, gasped when the man finally returned his gaze. Kai was no less surprised. He stopped his activities immediately, when he realized Mika was beside him.

Their eyes met for a moment. Mika did not understand, why her heart was beating so fast when their eyes clashed. Kai just stared at her flat, but there was a great spike in the chest that made Mika have trouble breathing.

“Kak Kai, why is it here?” Mika kept her tone to sound ordinary. Although inwardly, he was already nervous to death. Unlike Raga's gaze which was drowning and slightly intimidating. Kai's eyes were much warmer and more pleasant. This caused Mika to lose control of herself for a while.

Kai smiled a little. “Today I didn't see you in the cafeteria. I'm kangen. So, I samperin to class lo.”

Mika raised one eyebrow. The kangen? Is Kai delirious? “Keep, why bring a broom while singing in front of the class?”

Kai laughed awkwardly. His hand scratched the nape that was not itchy. He was busy looking for excuses. However, one of Mika's friends first replied from behind. “Say, he's training to shoot you with that song."

Goddamnit! Pekik Kai in heart. It seemed, she had to thank one of Mika's friends who had helped her bluntly, without asking her permission first. He held his expression to keep it flat, and tried not to look nervous. He did not understand, why is it easier to say it to everyone than to the person concerned?

“Kak Kai, again ngigau yes?” Mika's question successfully made Kai blush. Laughter was heard from all the class. It felt like Kai wanted to disappear right then and there. However, it wasn't Kai if he didn't immediately master the situation. Without waiting for the class to calm down, he sang two verses to Mika.

♫ *I love you, more than you know

Even though you'll never know♫* 

Mika wished that she could laugh after hearing that again. But, all he could do was stare at Kai in a daze and nervously half to death. He held back so that his expression did not change. However, he failed. He could feel his face heating up, just after Kai finished the two lines.

Why am I being like this? Remember Raga, Ka. Remember Raga!

Seeing Mika who did not respond, Kai smiled wryly. He took a few steps back to lean the broom he had been holding in the corner of the room. Her eyes were not one bit apart from Mika.

In just a few seconds, Kai was back in front of Mika. He deliberately created a shorter distance than before. From that distance, he could inhale the strawberry scent that was emanating from Mika's hair.

Kai landed his palm on the top of Mika's head. The look in his eyes locked onto the brown iris that was looking at him with that shocked look. He deliberately stayed in that position for a while. Kai wanted to look into Mika's eyes. He was looking for something he had long wanted to find behind the brown iris. A few seconds later, he broke eye contact. Kai smiled thinly. Then, gently rub the top of Mika's head.

“Four more days, you should see me playing futsal.” That was all Kai said, before leaving Mika who was still sculpting.

Mika does not understand her own feelings. He had no idea why his heart was beating so fast when he was that close to Kai. He already has Raga, as a place where his feelings are anchored. But when he was with Kai, he seemed to forget the way home. The man's warm gaze made him unable to think clearly. Apparently, Kai's gaze was far more dangerous than Raga's.

“Crazy! I feel like watching a Korean drama version of local wisdom!” Leni's shout from the very back bench brought back Mika's consciousness.

Still with a heartbeat that was not completely normal, Mika walked towards her stool. He could see Anggita and Raya sitting on his stool. They looked at him, as if demanding an explanation for the incident just a moment ago.

“That's not what you think.” Mika massages her temples. Kai really made her dizzy today.

“Indeed, you know what we think?” ask Anggita. Then, Mika responded with a ring.

Raya laughs little. “We just thought, lo actually more suitable with Kai than the same Raga.”

Mika raised one eyebrow. How could two of his friends think that way?

“You two are suitable. That smile, look at you together,” chirped Anggita. Then, he laughed.

Mika was silent for a while. Not responding to Anggita's remarks. There was one thing he was thinking about, right now. Not about Kai's attitude just a moment ago, but about the guy's words.

So, the futsal match was Kai's plan? But, for what?

♥

Raga couldn't cover up her anger when she heard Abi's story about what happened in Mika's class two hours ago. Both of his palms were clenched. Refrain from taking anger for granted.

This time, Kai had crossed the line. That guy has broken boundaries that should not have been crossed. And this time, he won't let the guy take someone he's trying to keep.

Raga moved from her place. He ignored Abi who asked about his purpose. With wide steps, he walked towards the canteen.

The condition of the crowded canteen at rest hours, it is not ignored. Raga turned the crowd over to buy a bun and chocolate milk. After successfully obtaining the two items, he walked towards Mika's class. Fortunately, since morning he had not seen Mika go to the cafeteria. So, he can try to be nice and try to make the girl forget Kai by giving the two things.

Since dating Mika, this was the third time she approached the girl in class during break time. All this time, only Mika came to him in class. Or, they'll meet at the school park.

Raga's presence in Mika's class, made the chatter of the students who were still in the room stop. They cast a wondering look at Raga. Some of the students also seemed nervous to see Raga enter the room. Although they knew, Raga did not come to see them. Mika, Anggita, and Raya also stopped their conversation. Their gazes were only fixed on Raga walking towards their bench with a flat face.

“Tumben to here, Ga?” mika asked with a frown, as Raga was already standing beside her stool.

Raga did not say a word. He simply handed Mika a plastic bag of bread and chocolate milk.

If the presence of Kai is able to make the classroom atmosphere become rowdy, then the presence of Raga is the opposite. No hoots, let alone a teasing scream. All eyes were on the man in silence. They waited, what would happen after that. Raga seemed to be able to make anyone around him stiff and cold.

Mika looks at the plastic bag that Raga gave with a confused look. “This is for me?”

“Iya. I know, you haven't eaten this morning. So, I brought this.” If Raga had not said that in a cold tone, surely the students in the class would have melted and blushed. Unfortunately, Raga's voice was indeed really stiff. So, they just fell silent. Perhaps while thinking, where is the romantic side of Raga?

Fortunately, Mika was not one of the schoolgirls who stared at Raga with that puzzled look. He knows Raga. And, that is the romantic side of Raga. Mika took the plastic bag from Raga's hand, smiling widely.

“Good. So—” has not had time for Mika to finish her sentence, someone suddenly just snatched a plastic bag from her hand.

Kai stood beside Raga. His eyes were fixed on the contents of the plastic bag, as if he was researching whether there were harmful materials in the object? A few seconds later, he placed the plastic bag on the table, but not with chocolate milk. Kai held the chocolate milk in his hand.

Kai's gaze fell on Raga. Then, he threw a shitty smile. “Fearful girlfriend You got hungry. Until willing to bring gini food from the canteen.”

“You lo what?” ask Raga. Look at his sharp eyes. His tone was heavy and cold.

“Nevent sih.” Without guilt, Kai stuck a straw on the end of the milk package. Then, drink it. “Quiet. I just want mastiin if this milk is safe. Who knows, all of a sudden you are giving poison in it, right?”

Raga growling. She had already clenched her palms, but Mika first blocked her wrists.

“Gue was actually nyari lo. Because you enter this class, yes I follow.” Kai said to Raga.

“What business do you same me?” Raga held her voice, until it sounded like a hiss.

“Lo no need to protest to OSIS members. I told them to make the futsal match,” replied Kai casually.

“Why just two teams?” This time, Mika spoke up. Since this morning, he had been curious about Kai's purpose.

“Because if I win, I want to make this lo guy realize that there are some things that can not be solved with anger and resentment.” Unfortunately, that sentence only Kai could say inwardly.

His sharp gaze that was originally fixed on Raga, turned to Mika. Just when his gaze fell on the girl, the look in his eyes changed drastically. Kai threw a pleasant look, like a few hours ago. Then, he said confidently, “Because if I win, I want to shoot you in front of friends.”

Kai said that, as if Raga had never been there. And, it was as if the relationship between Mika and Raga was just nonsense.