SWEET COVENANTS

The Sweet Covenant - 27. Heartache

"Kriiiiiiii....."

The bell of the school sign rang loudly to echo throughout the school area. All the tenth and eleventh graders who stayed in the classroom each jolted with joy like Kindergarten school children who were so happy because they were engrossed in playing.

In fact, they were all late-level teenagers clad in white-gray uniforms.

"Tante, can I take you home?" haggling Rian while grimacing towards Irina who was packing all her books into her school bag.

Irina paused for a moment from her busy schedule when she heard Rian's offer. His face turned towards Rian who was still looking at him with a whimper.

Rian realized that from today until the next two weeks there was no Adrian in school, which is why Rian felt very confident offering a ride to Irina. Rian also intends to offer to pick Irina up in the future.

Isn't this a good time to always be with a lover from starting the day by going to school to returning home?

Irina looked at Rian's face fixedly. His forehead frowned slightly as he was thinking. Almost Irina expressed agreement with Rian's offer if only he did not immediately remember Adrian's words this morning before leaving school.

"*I'll drive you" joked Adrian while still enjoying his breakfast.

"Also will pick you up after school." he continued*.

Irina sighed before finally declaring a heavy rejection of Rian's offer. Really if not for the commitment with Adrian, now Irina will be very excited and willingly even gladly accept the offer of Rian, her lover.

"Sorry, um.. I was picked up by Adrian's sister" said Irina Lirih.

"Huh? Your brother can't just set you free for a day?" ledek Rian while patting his forehead slowly and remained grim to hide his disappointment.

Irina did not reply to Rian's teasing, she chose to smile thinly and wear her backpack. The class teacher had already left the room, as well as the other children in Irina's class. Only a handful remained in the class including Irina and Rian.

"Hey, when do you guys want to be here? We're cleaning up the class!" chirp Veronica to Irina and Rian who still look comfortable alone on their bench.

Veronica looked really upset. He was not upset because he saw Irina and Rian who were busy together on their bench. Actually, it doesn't bother him at all.

Veronica was upset because of her current obligation, the class picket duty.

Class picket duty is the job he dislikes the most. Although some of the children who served with him often relieve Veronica who always looked like a princess who had to be privileged by providing light work such as tidying up the teacher's tablecloth or just removing the blackboard, still Veronica felt annoyed every time she had to do it. Veronica was indeed spoiled and a little lazy, just a little.

Luckily Veronica is a kind and friendly female student to anyone, supported by her very charming appearance to be a candidate for one of the idols in school, that's why none of her friends would mind treating her with special.

"Dating's out there!" her chirps again vented her frustration at Irina and Rian.

"Veroooo!" rutuk Irina in her heart. Irina's face looked so flushed from Veronica's words that it pierced her ears and heart. At this moment it feels like Irina can't see Rian's face.

"The hunt!" chirp Veronica again a little giggling realize her best friend began to be shy and misbehaved.

"Yes," Irina said quickly and showed an annoyed look to Veronica and immediately left the class along with Rian who immediately followed her.

***

"Am I going to pick you up tomorrow, leave together?" rian asked after successfully aligning his steps and walking side by side with Irina.

"Emm, it doesn't seem like it can" said Irina Lirih.

"Why is that? Why can't it?" cercah Rian as a sign he forced his offer.

"Om, you know I always go and go home from school with Adrian" Irina said as she walked down the school corridor.

"Yes, but Brother Adrian will still take me and pick me up" said Irina again.

"Huh...?! Your brother why the hell? Are you a child who should always be under his supervision? Although I admit he was a special senior in school but as a big brother he was very strange. How many times has he intervened, interrupted, interred every time we were together?! He's possessive! And you should be okay don't depend on him, you're an adult!" chirping Rian was a little upset but still expressed his annoyance in a nonchalant and relaxed tone while putting both of his palms behind his head.

Irina flinched and immediately stopped her footsteps. Rian who realized Irina was sculpting immediately stopped. Feeling suddenly uncomfortable, Rian felt wrong.

"Why do you talk like that?" irina said coldly with her head lowered, throwing her gaze at the floor where she stood.

Irina was suddenly hurt by Rian's words. Either because Irina catches and draws the conclusion of Rian's rant that seems to mean himself as a child who does not have freedom or because Rian feels to have insulted Adrian or maybe because of both, or because of both, what is clear is that Irina currently does not like the words thrown by Rian.

Yeah, you might get upset with your brother, right?

You may be able to complain about your brother's flaws and weaknesses but you won't like it when others are expressing your brother's ugliness or flaws. That is the unique bond of a fraternal relationship.

Didn't we?

Rian fell silent, not a word to answer Irina's question. Rian realized that he was mispronouncing and thought that speaking in self-defense was too risky. It would be a fortune if Rian could say words that made things better, but what if it just made things worse?

No, Rian didn't want to take any chances.

"I'm going to go home and go to school with Brother Adrian" said Irina briefly and left Rian who was still not flinching at all.

"Damn!" rutuk Rian was upset with himself.

Rian admitted that his words were a form of selfishness that managed to appear and incarnate in his speech without thinking. As an only child with parents who are even the owner of the school foundation where he has education today, of course Rian does not understand the bonds of brotherhood. Rian also did not really understand the rules that must be upheld or obeyed. Rian lived freely without restraint, even supervision did not apply to him.

Rian was really sorry for making Irina hurt her feelings.

***

"Sister..."

Irina greeted Adrian who had been waiting for her in the school parking lot which Adrian then replied with a smile that still felt stiff.

Before finally Irina sat on Adrian's bike, Irina took her time to look behind her, trying to find a figure Rian who might be trying to catch up with her. But, Irina did not find the figure she was looking for.

There was a sense of disappointment knowing Rian did not catch up with him, but Irina also felt grateful. If there must be drama between them when in front of Adrian, Irina does not know what to do. Irina has understood enough that Adrian does not like the existence of Rian in his life.

"Sorry Rian," said Irina.

"I'd better calm myself down first, it was so unpleasant, my heart hurts."

***

Adrian was driving on the highway to get to the destination he wanted. The wind that blew through Irina's body as if trying to slowly remove the discomfort that Irina felt before.

Although there was no talk done by Irina and Adrian throughout the trip, Irina this time did not feel so awkward. This time Irina prefers to be prejudiced that their current silence is because the situation is not conducive to casual conversation.

"Lho's? This isn't the way home?" irina jolt inwardly, realizing that Adrian chose a different path from the one they used to follow to return home.

***

CONNECT~