The Times New Romance

Chapter 1: Anti Lecture

Chapter 1

Anti-college

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The girl was still wrapped in the blanket. His eyes had been open since five in the morning, but he was reluctant to get out of bed. His heart rippled uncomfortably and his body felt much heavier to lift than usual days. Knowing today the first day of orientation, the mood of the girl shattered instantly.

The knocking of the door was heard repeatedly followed by the name of Ayna. However, as if paying attention to the ears, the girl remained unmoved. He has decided to skip college instead of having to force himself to swallow knowledge that he does not like.

Since his return from a relative's house in Yogyakarta after graduating high school, nothing has gone right in his hometown of Bandung. His father who was transferred to Lembang, West Bandung district located in the mountains, making Ayna have to bathe every morning with warm water because of unfriendly temperatures. Not to mention, because of failing to enter the university through the route of reporting and online tests, Faza suddenly enrolled him to a university whose name is foreign to Ayna's ear, the Blue Campus with a major in Informatics Engineering. What major is that? Hearing the name of his major, only a black color appeared on Ayna's head.

The door was opened, the figure of a fat man with a thin mustache appeared after. The man's head reflexively shook his head seeing his daughter still wrapped in a blanket when Faza was ready for work. Faza approached the mattress, then patted the sleeping Ayna on the shoulder on his back. "Come, Ayna. I'll be late for work because of you. You don't want to go to college now?" ask Faza.

Ayna thaws up. He remembered what day it was so he insisted on not wanting to wake up. "Ayna doesn't want to go to college!" concluded.

Faza exhaled a long breath. "Try it, Na. I have not yet learned it."

"Ah, Dad. Anyway Ayna does not want to study in what majors is that? Ayna did not understand. Later Ayna became the most bloon child in the class," Ayna who was still curled up in the blanket.

"Everything learns from zero. Want you to graduate High School or SMK, all of them learn from the beginning in college, Na."

"Ayna's just going to college if she's moving out."

Faza thinned his lips. His eyes turned on the small frame that was displayed on the nightstand. Faza grabbed the frame then looked at him. The resounding smiles of the three people within the frame, slightly heartbreaking of Faza. You should be here, Ana, her inner self.

Faza also keeps the frame to its original place while turning the brain to find a way to persuade Ayna. Because not only Ayna will be late for college, but Faza will also be late for work. He looked at his daughter who was still covered and said, "Snap wake up or father does not give pocket money," threatened Faza then stood up. "Well, if you haven't been up in five minutes, I'll just stay and let you stay at home." Faza passed by and closed the door to his daughter's room. He hopes this threat will make Ayna's heart melt.

After believing she had been alone, Ayna immediately revealed the blanket with a slap. His face was tangled complete with hair expanding like a lion. He snorted, why should his father threaten at a time like this?

Ayna turned to the frame where one whole family took a picture in front of Borobudur Temple. He misses the person who is embracing him. If mom was still around, maybe Ayna could persuade him more easily than a stubborn dad. But the rice has become porridge. Ayna can't expect time to move backwards. The girl slowly got up from the bed. He rushed to shower. For the sake of her tummy that started to rumble, Ayna will come to the campus today.

***

The man's ears buzzed a little at the rant that kept sliding from the lips of his mother who was sitting in the passenger seat. The hand of the man who had not even turned eighteen years old also turned the wheel of the car carefully entered the Blue Campus area. His forehead frowned slightly, enduring the embarrassment, finding some students watching towards the car.

"Zayn, you're so sorry Mama. If you don't wake up late, you won't sit here. Mama's gonna have to go home by herself again." Zayn is just a mangosteen. The child is always wrong. This is his own mother's wish.

"Nih, open his mouth," said Soraya as she thrust a spoonful of rice and a chicken swirl close to Zayn's mouth. The guy tries to close his lips because many eyes see. But he could not bear to see the efforts of his mother who never gave up, Zayn's mouth was finally opened along with food that greeted his taste senses. The smile on Soraya's face saw her son according. "That's dong. You have to take care of your health, handsome mama. Never skip breakfast."

Zayn chewed in slow motion and then swallowed it as soon as Soraya thrust back the tablespoon. "Mama, this handsome mama can have her own breakfast, okay? So you don't have to bother like this," he said trying to hold back his emotions.

"A, gapapa. Mama is yelling at you."

Soraya also thawed and kept his son's provisions in the car dashboard. "Yaudah, you're blissful." Zayn breathed a sigh of relief. "But beware if breakfast is not consumed, mama will follow you to campus every day!" threaten Soraya's.

Zayn stopped the car in the parking lot. When the car engine was dead, Zayn immediately took Soraya's two hands and kissed her for a moment, making her mother's eyes blink incomprehension. "Mama Zayn I'm very happy. I'm already big. I can take care of myself. So don't worry about it." Zayn knew Soraya's actions were a form of affection for him, but it was time for Zayn to enjoy life like a child. Zayn just wants to be understood.

Soraya did not show any expression. Her mother's face remained flat as her gaze changed. "You're his only son, Zayn. You're a special gift to Mama and Papa. I'm not sure you're strong for college, Zayn. Let's go back to the hospital."

Hearing the word of the hospital, Zayn slowly let go of his mother's hand. While leaning back, he shook his head. Resisting firmly the wishes of his mother who is clearly not his desire. "Mama promised me college. I won't change my mind" he said flatly not wanting to hear a rebuttal.

Soraya sighed which felt tight. He didn't want anything bad to happen to his son. Zayn was born prematurely unlike any other child. Beyond Soraya's supervision, he doesn't know what will happen to Zayn. However, he understands Zayn's desire to live a normal life like any other child. Soraya could only support his son's decision.

Soraya took out a packet of medicine and a black digital watch from her bag which she now gave to Zayn. Zayn decided to put the medicine in a bag and wear a watch as a gift from his mother. "Thank you, Ma. Zayn dear mama."

Soraya snorted bitterly. His son is stubborn. He pulled Zayn's shoulder into his arms. Zayn chuckled small and returned his mother's embrace. "Mama loves you too."

****

Ayna got out of the car lazily. Ayna sighed repeatedly trying to accept the fact that she was enrolled into a freshman majoring in Informatics Engineering. Ayna does not stutter technology, but if you have to learn the ins and outs of technology until finally have to make an application? Ayna really wanted to raise the white flag.

Faza who came down also approached Ayna and offered a sum of money. "Nih, your pocket money. Dad's going home malem. So durable money," said Faza who was replied by muttering by Ayna. The girl also put her money in the pocket of a white shirt that she must wear as a new student uniform that will follow the orientation period activities.

Faza was about to circle around the car when his wrist was held back by Ayna. "Dad, I'm coming to my dad's office."

Faza brushed Ayna's hand and ruffled her waist. "What do you want to do there?"

"Well, Dad. Ayna can clean up."

Faza glaring. "Udah hunted in, Ayna. Because you're dad's been an hour late."

Ayna scowled, "Ah, Dad. Ayna doesn't want to go to college here. Anyway Ayna does not want to go to college," he said as he stood beside and puffed his cheeks. He hoped Dad would give up forcing him if he sulked.

Faza exhaled and then pinched the squash next to Ayna's cheek. The girl grimaced in pain and brushed off her father's hand. "You're so good don't be like a little kid. So Ayna's a grown up. Shame on mom who's watching you."

"Mother is not there" retorted Ayna.

Faza exhaled a long breath. He breezed away no matter Ayna who whined again to get back in the car. Ayna looks at the departure of her father's car. "I'll study management, not informatics" he said as he kicked the pebbles at his feet.

Ayna stepped up to Gontai. Just in the third step, Ayna immediately stopped and turned to her right side. Not far from where he stood, he found a man in a white shirt who smirked as if Ayna was a strange creature. However, Ayna did not have time to pay attention to her face because the man had already joined a group of new students. Ayna walked back. He tried to ignore what he saw. Because there's something more important than finding out who that guy is, which is how to persuade you to let Ayna get off this campus.

****