The Monster In Me

Vigilant

“True. I saw it clearly, because I was wondering why Evan and Karsa suddenly wanted to talk to each other.” Abian spoke enthusiastically. “It seems they made up. Because when Karsa said he was thirsty, Evan gave one of his bottles free to drink.”

Trisha seemed to think for a few seconds before looking at Evan suspiciously. “Is that true, Van? You guys make up?”

“Do I have to answer? We are not hostile for decades,” replied Evan ketus. “Already! Why are you talking about it like it's a big deal? Come on, go back to what you talked about! Aboutwhat? Oh, about dumping Karsa to a place far away from here!”

Trisha rubbed her face in frustration. He limply leaned his body onto Danita's shoulder. “I've guessed. Where is it possible Evan was being nice.”

Danita observed the exchange of words that took place among her students. Deep down he blames himself for Trisha's unfamiliarity with Evan, as well as for the young man's closed-mindedness. Somehow he felt all of that was due to his mistake of not paying attention to the students well. Although he is not Trisha and Evan's homeroom teacher himself, he often interacts with both of them while teaching. He should be able to give some advice about friendship so that this kind of debate will never happen.

Gunawan who had been silent before finally cleared his throat before speaking. “Kids, maybe you will say this is not the best advice, but I think you need to say this,” he said with a gloomy face. “At the moment, we don't have enough energy to debate things that we can still talk about later. Instead, just focus on what we have to do at this time. We'll finish everything one by one. Starting from ensuring the health of yourself and others.”

“Pak Gunawan is right. There is no point in talking about past mistakes. Now, we have to ensure safety and comfort together. If anyone feels unwell, tell Mom or Mr. Gunawan, yes. For a while, we will rest in this place.” Danita added with a new spirit. Gunawan's presence really strengthens him who no longer feels he has to fight alone. “Well, now .. Can I have one of your drinking water, Evan? To Trisha, pity her.”

“For me too! I beg you,” pinta Abian while sticking both palms in front of his face. His body slightly bowed to Evan. “It feels like my throat has turned into dry paper. Please do! Give me a few sips.”

Evan seemed to frown, and several times heaved a heavy sigh. It seemed, it was very difficult for him to share this time. Not one bit he felt sorry to see Abian and Danita pleading with him. He kept acting like the usual Evan, who was staring at anyone with a flat gaze.

But this time it was different. Evan harbored another reason that made him unable to distribute his drinking water just like that.

“We have to save money,” he said while unzipping his bag slowly. Deliberately linger to buy time. Danita and Abian hope to change their minds, but that's impossible. “Do not think I'm selfish. Well, even though I would never care about your views on me. But I'm serious! We don't know until when we'll be stuck in this place. So, don't be wasteful!”

There are about 5 bottles of mineral water in Evan's bag. The distinctive emblem of the Cakrabuana Playground appears to decorate four of them. Trisha admitted, he had wanted to take all of it from Evan, just like Abian was trying to do at this time. However, the girl did not do it because she really could not anymore if until having to listen to Evan's nagging again.

In addition, there was something strange that was now stirring his mind. Evan took pains to take the bottle that was at the very bottom of his bag, and missed the other bottles. He handed over the black bottle that Trisha thought was a private bottle belonging to the young man.

“It. There are more than half the bottles. Don't spend,” Evan's message to Trisha.

Abian frowned looking at that. Doesn't Evan like Trisha? Apparently the experience between life and death makes a person can be stingy even to his own girl.

Trisha anxiously looked at the water in the bottle. Its dark color makes it unable to see the bottom. Had Evan put something there, Trisha would never have known it.

‘Ah, stupid time! Die from poison or die from dehydration! Anyway, I'm going to die!’ thought the girl before she finally gulped down the drinking water greedily.

“That's enough! My turn!” Not Evan, but Abian who snatched the black bottle from Trisha's grasp.

Trisha clicked her tongue in annoyance, but she herself felt grateful. Because if Abian hadn't snatched the bottle, maybe Trisha would've consumed all of it by now.

“Wah! It feels like my life is growing by half!” abian exclaimed after he drank with satisfaction. Leave a small amount of water in the bottle. “Bu Danita, same Mr Gunawan also want to drink?” bargained for. It was as if he was offering his own drinking bottle instead of mastering Evan's drinking water.

“No, Mother does not need.”

“Bapak also does not need.”

Hearing that, Evan quickly retrieves his drinking bottle again from Abian. A little annoyed when he found that the contents reduced a lot. However, he did not say anything and simply put the bottle back in his bag. After that, he placed the bag on his back, making sure that no one else could open it but him.

All his behavior certainly did not escape the observation of Trisha. Especially after the concentration of the girl returned to full function after she met the fluid needs of her body. In silence Trisha recalled Evan's attitude which he knew today. Especially about how the character of the young man during their studies in the same classroom at school.

Evan is known as a smart young man in every way, but stingy enough to share even the smallest things. Trisha even witnessed how Evan refused to lend stationery to his classmates. The young man had quite a number of pencils and pens in his pencil case. Almost everyone hated him for it, but Evan never cared about it.

‘Perhaps because of his bad nature as well, Evan and Karsa are hostile to date,’ thought Trisha. ‘I can't stand it if I have to continue to be near a sickening young man like him.’

All those things are what now makes Trisha more wary of Evan. ‘How can a famous young man never lend his goods, suddenly want to share his drinking water? Alright. Maybe Evan was kind to Trisha and Abian for being forced, but what about Karsa? Abian clearly said that Evan gave Karsa a free drink.’

***