The Times New Romance

Chapter 20: The Terrifying Awkward

Chapter 20

The Cute Awkward

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Second semester IT class children are so eager to save in Siti. They knew that college students would have a hard time paying large sums at once, so the cost-installation system greatly alleviated the burden, including Ayna and Mira. UAS is still about two months away, but the class is busy preparing what events will be done during the holidays.

After setting aside the pocket money he deposited on Siti, Ayna and Mira left the classroom. "Tomorrow you're training, right, Mir?" ayna asked with a headband.

"Sorry, Ayna. Papa I'm having a relapse of high blood so I have to go to the hospital to take care of tomorrow."

Ayna nodded in understanding. He and Mira still regularly follow basketball practice every Saturday. It seems, Ayna will be lonely tomorrow not accompanied by Mira. They walked together to the bus stop in front of the campus.

"Oh yeah, Zayn didn't want you to come home?" tanya Mira suddenly made Ayna flabbergasted. Right, where is that guy? Usually Zayn does come out first from class, but will wait for Ayna outside the building and intercept him to drive Ayna home.

"I don't know where she is either, Mir."

Ayna turned to her left side and was surprised at Zayn who suddenly sat at the end of the stop. Though Ayna was sure there was no occupant there. Zayn let go of the black skull hanging from his head. "Why? Kangen huh?" Ayna swore no favor.

"Lho, Zayn? Since when are you there?" ask Mira.

Zayn smiled. "Must." Zayn stood up and offered Ayna and Mira a cold drink. "So I was thirsty, so stop by the minimarket first. It turns out that my Antivirus is already here," he said while winking one eye at Ayna who immediately shuddered in disgust. Zayn's disease that likes to spread charms does not heal as well. "Mira, I'll take Ayna for a second, won't I?"

Mira nodded enthusiastically. "Take it far away, Zayn. Ayna also wanted you just now." Mira grimaced as soon as Ayna pinched her arm.

"Don't turn the facts around, Mir. You were the one who came to me!" ayna doesn't want to be cornered.

Mira laughed and then picked up the isotonic drink that Zayn gave her. "Thank you for the drink, Zayn. My bus is already nyampe." Mira stood up and said goodbye to the two. "Well, don't forget the treat if it turns out!"

Ayna gaped in disbelief. Ayna almost threw the shoes at Mira who was annoying in this situation, but was stuck in her intention because Mira was already in a hurry to get into the bus. Mira appears to be sticking her tongue out behind the glass of the bus.

"Did, Mira! What a bummer!" sulk Ayna stood up.

"Udah, Ayna. You're so angry like that." Ayna glared at Zayn. "But as bad as you are, I like you."

Ayna. His throat was also blocked. "What do you mean?"

Zayn let out a heavy sigh. "Why did you get away with SD if that sentence didn't understand?" crack it while shaking the head. Ayna. So wide Zayn so worried that the eyeball will be out of place. "Eh, don't be mad dong."

Without permission, Zayn grabbed Ayna's hand and filled the empty space with his fingers. Ayna was stunned, she did not understand what the situation was. "Detach, Zayn. What if people think I'm your girlfriend?" There was a sense of unease tucked between his sentences.

Zayn did not answer and immediately took Ayna to follow the footsteps of the man. They walked through the main gate making all pairs of eyes so focused on the two of them. This is the first time Zayn has held Ayna's hand in public. Ayna tried to release her hand which was even gripped tighter. "That's what I want" Zayn replied flatly.

Ayna refused to answer. He was too busy covering his face with his palm to keep spreading rumors that he and Zayn were dating. He does not want to get into new problems because Zayn is the new prima donna guy at Blue Campus.

***

Without saying much, Ayna followed Zayn who took her to the library. Zayn doesn't want to study far because he doesn't want to bring Ayna home late. Hiding the fact that he is not in a fit state to move. After fainting that day, Zayn grew tired more easily.

"So, actually the computer can only process data in the form of zeros and ones or binary numbers. So all the data we input into the computer can be images, videos, text, sound, everything will be converted into binary numbers. You know what, Ayna?" zayn asked Ayna who was sitting next to him. The girl sat down while looking at the paper that Zayn had scrawled as a medium of learning. Ayna silenced the question for quite a while with a frown before she shook her head. His face scowled funny between embarrassment does not quickly understand and fear Zayn will be upset with him.

Zayn chuckled back then started picking up new papers and went back to explaining. "So gini, Ayna. In short, if we press one key on the keyboard such as the capital letter A, then what is read by the computer system is not the letter A. Computers do not understand because what they process is data that has been converted into binary numbers that have been agreed and always used by any computer."

Zayn also wrote the binary number '01000001' on paper making Ayna frown. His head started to sting. Like crammed with food that is difficult to swallow, Ayna is not too able to imagine what Zayn means.

"Well, this binary number I wrote is a language that computers understand to represent the letter A, Ayna. So what the computer processes is this binary number that we often call a byte consisting of 8 bits of numbers. All characters have their own binary numbers. You know now, right?"

Ayna rounded her mouth. "Oh, so it is."

Zayn squinted his eyes. He wasn't sure Ayna really understood. "What?"

Ayna looked up at Zayn's gaze and then cleared her throat and threw her face on the paper. "Yes, you explained that the computer can only read zero and one and each character on the computer has its own binary number."

Zayn nodded. "Yes, computers can only read two numbers, like you." Ayna. Slowly, he returned his face to look at Zayn who was now looking down.

"Worthy me? Why?"

Zayn smiled. However, not as sweet as usual the smile that is now present looks more wry. "I think you only have two answers to my feelings. Yes or no."

Ayna. His chest rumbled over an uncertain feeling. Without saying a word, Ayna stood up. "Come on, Zayn we're home. I'll be hirin'nya dad." Ayna went outside the library, ignoring Zayn, who opened his mouth to interrupt her.

Zayn took a long breath. Staring at the back of the girl who looked outside the glass door of the library. Is it that hard to get love from someone? inner grimacing.

***

In his private room, Zayn sat leaning against the bed. He typed something on the laptop he was holding. While surfing the internet looking for material, Zayn takes paper assignments seriously. Twenty minutes staring at the laptop screen, his gaze suddenly began to blur. His head was hit by a hard object and then pulsed later. Zayn immediately closed his laptop and kept it on his side. "What kind of programmer can't stay in front of a computer for long?" his sigh before choking and coughing.

"Zay!" screeched Sister Jihan who had just entered Zayn's room ward to check the man's routine.

Zayn coughed and seemed to have trouble breathing before his body fell off the bed. Sister Jihan immediately gave first aid to the now unconscious Zayn.

***

Two hours later, Zayn woke up. His mouth and nose were covered with breathing apparatus. As he sharpened his eyesight, Zayn frowned in wonder. This ceiling, this blue wall, the sound of this machine, not his room. He blinked his eyes and found Sister Jihan, dressed in sterile clothing, covered from hair to toe, wiping her blood-stained hands from her own cough. Seeing Jihan's clothes, Zayn realizes that he is in the ICU room. Zayn moves his hand hinting at Jihan to stop or just tell her that Zayn is conscious. Jihan looked over and sighed furiously.

"I'm okay, brother. I will clean it myself" said Zayn weakly.

Jihan clucked, "What's up, Zayn? Coughing up your blood symptoms of swelling of the lungs due to a heart disorder. I forbid you to leave the hospital. This is a warning from the doctor."

Zayn let out a breath that felt heavy. He looked at the ceiling of his room with a blank look. That loud voice. The warning. Zayn was quite bored hearing that. "Tomorrow there's a schedule. I have to go to college."

"Don't be stubborn! You make your parents worry. You want to harm yourself?" Jihan already thinks of Zayn like her sister. He could not help but yell at this unruly VIP class patient.

Zayn smiled. He closed his eyes, gently driving Jihan away. He won't heed Sister Jihan's request. It's been this far. Zayn wants to graduate college with his classmates. He won't let this disease stop him.

****

Zayn often escapes from the hospital by removing an intravenous needle and even pretends to sleep after taking the medicine and leaves when no one is keeping up. He always felt healthy, but everyone treated him like a sick person.

Zayn thought his escape to meet Ayna was able to calm his troubled heart. However, the days after her declaration of love to Ayna, the girl so always reasoned to leave Zayn. Unlike Ayna usually, the girl seems to have deliberately installed a fortress for Zayn. In fact, Ayna always tried to avoid Zayn so as not to be driven home by him. Unbelievable awkwardness was created between them.

Today Zayn noticed Ayna rushing out of class. Zayn followed the girl who walked down the stairs. With Zayn's long legs, the boy was able to block Ayna between the steps. "Why are you avoiding?" zayn asked impatiently. Clearly a jaded look was drawn in her eyes, but Ayna was too busy thinking about herself.

Ayna threw away her gaze and walked to the right side which was directly blocked by Zayn as well as when Ayna stepped to the left. Ayna gave a rough sigh. "Well, you're doing my way?"

Zayn plays his shirt collar and grabs Ayna's hand. "I'll take you home." Ayna was dragged in Zayn's footsteps.

Down the campus road, Zayn walks next to Ayna who reluctantly looks at him. The girl continued to look the other way even when Zayn asked her to speak. Usually, Ayna is not this cold. Although the girl was a bitch but she always said Zayn, but this time Ayna really built a sturdy fortress between herself and Zayn.

Zayn was really uncomfortable walking with Ayna like this. Zayn stopped stepping and turned to the stubborn girl unwilling to look at him.

"Why are you, Ayna? What did I say at the time to you?" ask Zayn carefully. He didn't want Ayna to stay away from him. Ayna has been one of the reasons why Zayn insists on challenging himself to college like a normal child.

Ayna was silent for a few seconds then laughed loudly making Zayn frown in wonder. "Satan-je? You're just kidding me, yeah, the next time I get into the heart."

Zayn held Ayna's arm that was already running making the girl stop stepping. Ayna looked at Zayn. The guy took a long breath. "I'm not kidding, Ayna." Zayn stood facing Ayna holding the girl's two arms. Locking movement.

"Why?" ask Ayna. "Why can you say that? Isn't it from the beginning that you're flirting with me just let me be interested in you?"

"It was the beginning that I didn't know when it was over and so it was a new start without pretense, Ayna. I'm telling you right now, I seriously like you."

Ayna snorted amusedly. "I assume I've never heard anything from you, Zayn. Enough of my tutor."

"Why?" Zayn hardened his jaw. "Don't you have the same feeling as me?"

Ayna. He tried to hold the clear circles that immediately filled his eyelids. He is not sure what he feels, but what Ayna knows with Zayn is not a good thing.

"I don't like it when you cross the line." Ayna's gaze turned on the students who were beginning to notice them. Uncomfortable ambushing Ayna. He wants to get out of here. Ayna doesn't want to prolong the problem. He hates being in the public spotlight. And being on Zayn's side, just pulling all the attention towards him.

Zayn realizes that Ayna's eyeballs no longer point at him but toward those around them. "Is it because of them?" the canal. "Don't you like their curious gaze?"

Ayna. However, his lips were tightened. Gelagat Ayna as her eyeballs run in all directions answered Zayn's curiosity.

"You don't have to think about them, Ayna. They were just curious for a moment. They will not find trouble with you. You just need to focus on the person in front of you, not the other person."

Right after Zayn said that, Zayn wrapped one of his hands around Ayna's shoulder pulling the girl into her arms as the other hand patted the top of Ayna's head. Ayna's eyes widened as her lips trembled holding the struggling liquid in her eyes. An upset that soared and haru mixed into one. Zayn did not understand how scared Ayna was of trouble. His life in the classroom is quite strange because Ayna has difficulty understanding the material, he does not want to get enemies in his own class especially that person is Ranya. A pinch of guilt on the girl was resting on her chest. Ayna does not want Ranya to get hurt because the person she likes, instead likes Ayna.

"I will stand upright if you are fragile and need a grip. As long as I'm around, I'll guarantee you all right, Ayna. Don't avoid me anymore."

Ayna. All the words of denial that he was about to say felt evaporated out of nowhere leaving a warm and comfortable feeling that spread in his heart. He felt guilty, but the choice of his heart remained out of his control. Is it time to trust Zayn?

***

**Where?

For some people, Ayna may be the type of coward who always wants to run away from problems.

But believe me, people like this are always around us. Not because they were unable to solve the problem, but because of his worry-free character so he preferred to dodge rather than get into big trouble.

Maybe, you don't like the character of Ayna, but with her attitude that is felt. Instead he put forward the feelings of others rather than himself. And he is still a great person even in a different perspective**.