The Times New Romance

Chapter 25: Farewell

Chapter 25

Farewell

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Time moves faster. Everyone goes back to their routines. Since the cash was returned, Ayna's friends began to forget about the incident and Ayna's accusations as a thief began to disappear.

Pras again annoys Mira as usual. The girl was crying because she was afraid that a ghost was following her. Mira is superstitious. Pras who had looked ignorant turned to worry and patted the shoulder of Mira who was crying while apologizing. Pras did not know the concern he showed was able to foster feelings for a woman. Pras only needs time, so that the hard stone in front of him really melted for him.

Ranya and Via, who are fond of insinuating and inciting other female friends to harass Ayna, are calmer than usual. Not much discussion took place in class. The sheer number of tasks and exam preparation occupied them. Gio returns as usual and even returns to fight Ayna. Either take her notebook out of the blue or tie Ayna's shoelaces silently into one so that Ayna almost falls down while walking. Gio was happy to find Ayna's reaction was only glaring and not much nagging when colonized, but Gio always apologized afterwards.

But apparently, time does not really run for an Ayna Nabila. In the midst of the chaos of the class who was busy working on the task because the lecturer was not present, Ayna squeezed a white paper given by Zayn who did not want Ayna to read. The girl felt, if Ayna opened it Ayna really must be ready Zayn has disappeared from his life. He was afraid that something bad might happen to Zayn. He doesn't want to know anything about Zayn. Believing Zayn is fine, able to give strength to Ayna.

Mira pats Ayna on the shoulder making the girl gasp and immediately hides the paper behind her grasp. He turned to Mira with two eyebrows adrift. "Why, Mir?"

Mira gulps. His eyes were wet because it was colonized by Pras, but the highlight was as if he was pleading with Ayna. Mira seemed to tighten her grip on her jeans as her gaze turned to the floor. "Someone wants me to talk to you, Ayna."

Mira takes Ayna to the bathroom. "You want to discuss what sam-" Not even the sentence Ayna, Mira immediately hugged him tightly. Very closely as if convincing Ayna of what she will say afterwards is really sincere from the bottom of the heart.

"Mira?"

Mira started crying. "Sorry." Ayna. Apologies are not the opening that everyone wants. After the apology was said, Ayna understood there was regret Mira expressed. However, whatever it was, Ayna had prepared herself to hear everything.

There was a long pause before Mira was able to speak in the middle of her sobbing breath. "Sorry, Ayna. I took the wallet."

Ayna's hand that had been lifted was about to return Mira's embrace, the girl dropped back. He had guessed before, so Ayna was not too surprised even though she still could not believe what she had just heard.

"Zayn accidentally raped me in the hospital to pay for my father's treatment and he died in exchange for the money."

His throat was choked, Ayna again felt tight. Zayn, keep his word. He taps his hand on Mira's back, stroking her gently trying to say that Ayna is fine now. It's totally fine.

"At first, I intended to borrow the cash to pay for treatment because I had made a loan to the loan sharks, but all was chaotic because the loan sharks even delayed the disbursement of the money not even liquid until now, Ayna. And you're the one who's got to get hit."

"Father, Mir. I'm really a gapapa."

"Zayn has forbidden me from telling stories. She doesn't want my relationship to be broken, but I feel guilty and can't sleep every day, Ayna. You were bullied because of me and I want to be your shield when the blasphemy of the class that should be addressed to me, but instead leads to you, Ayna. I'm sorry."

Ayna smiled and replied to Mira's response was no less tight. His mind sobbed considering it was Zayn who had cleared up this misunderstanding. The guy who always wanted Ayna to stay away, just kept his promise. The guy who is always ignored by Ayna, actually protects Ayna even though her heart has been hurt.

"Sorry, Ayna." Mira was crying.

Honesty is always painful. Many people who avoid honesty for fear of those they care about, value, and defend, will flee and withdraw all trust in it. But Ayna also understood, that honesty is not always a bitter thing. Mira's honesty is initially painful, it is surprising but relieves Ayna's heart simultaneously. At least Ayna understood, honesty was indeed a priceless treasure.

"Thank you for being honest, Mir." Mira loosened her embrace and rubbed her tears rough. He looked at Ayna who was smiling sincerely. "I know it's hard for you, but you managed to beat yourself up to be honest. I'm sorry you."

Mira then returned to Ayna. "Thank you, Ayna. Thanks though. Sorry, I acted like a coward. Now I can sleep peacefully again. Sorry, Ayna and thanks. You are my best friend." Ayna smiled and returned Mira's embrace.

***

Located at the top of the bogor, the white-dominated Villa Ranya is a comfortable place for a vacation. The wind calms the mind of anyone who breathes it. Green scenery that spoils the eyes, able to drive tired all day looking at the computer screen.

"AHH!"

Mira screamed loudly as she ran around as Hari chased after her with a frog in hand. Mira who was already crying was hiding on the back of Pras who was busy grilling meat. Pras immediately scolded Hari who retorted the closeness of Pras and Mira. Both are also shocked. Without Hari noticing, Pras and Mira gave the same smile.

Beside him, Gio who was no less busy grilling meat was just a head bobble. His view turned to a group of IT children gathered in the backyard of the Villa. "Woy, for those who feel like guys help me out!" Kenan and Nino who feel insinuated also join Gio.

"Ayna, look here dong!"

Ayna turned her head and smiled as soon as Ranya photographed her with a digital camera. "Ah, very rigid lo style." Ranya immediately took Ayna and pointed the camera lens towards them. "This-this follows me." Ayna chuckled amusedly seeing Ranya swing her lips while lifting two fingers close to her eyes. Ayna also followed Ranya's style making the girl scream in excitement.

"Come to the middle room! Let's eat first!" pekik Kenan as class president. The IT child, who now numbered 24 people, also ate together.

Afterwards, they sat back and forth around the campfire accompanied by a guitar played by Gio. They all sang and requested the songs one by one. Even Gio started doing stand up comedy to melt the atmosphere. Jokes and laughter also melted into one that spread a warm feeling in their chest.

"Where is Zayn?"

Ayna, who was drinking her warm tea, almost choked. Her throat was choked right after Mira asked. Ayna lowered the glass and held it with two hands. He was trying to find warmth or perhaps strength to hold his heart back from faltering.

Ayna successfully completed her studies in Informatics Engineering. He has passed the trial with a fairly satisfactory result although the final value he can still lose to Ranya and Kenan, but being able to finish it to the end is a priceless pride. Tired, tired, everything paid off already with the value that Ayna got.

This is the fourth time his classmates held a holiday event at Villa Ranya which became an annual routine event, or now the so-called farewell event before their graduation tomorrow. All students are able to complete their studies well, even Mira who is eleven twelve with Ayna who sometimes do not understand what they are learning, able to carry out the trial well.

Ayna nodded in agreement. A faint smile flashed on his lips. "I miss him too" she replied, making Mira smile meaningfully. "I went to the toilet first Mir."

Ayna entered the villa, but did not walk to the bathroom. He went up to the second floor. Heading to his room which is now deserted because the residents are gathering in the backyard of the Villa. Ayna opened the window and looked at the beautiful full moon. "We're still looking at the same sky, aren't we, Zayn? I miss you. I tried to forget you but for free, you managed to leave a trail there. Traces that I could never erase, but it wasn't because I couldn't remove them but I was reluctant to remove them."

Ayna can't forget Zayn. He misses but there is never an end. He has no other information than Zayn being treated abroad. Ayna thought, silencing this feeling will make it disappear without a trace but the opposite is true. The feeling is even more deeply rooted and difficult to release.

Is that how love enters every heart? Even Ayna doesn't realize when she fell in love with Zayn. Was it since the guy hugged her and said he would protect her or when Zayn gave her a big doll, or when Zayn would often change her or when her eyes met at the first meeting? Ayna is not sure when love will end in her heart.

The science that Zayn teaches is more detailed than when the lecturer explains because the guy will repeat the same thing constantly until Ayna understands, in contrast to the lecturer who only explained once and demanded students to be able to understand immediately. Ayna helped a lot thanks to Zayn. Without the foundation of the program that Zayn taught, maybe Ayna would never be able to pass the trial and make an application.

Ayna plays her phone to see whatsapp chat room with the guy. Ayna rolled out her message that may reach hundreds since Zayn can no longer be contacted. Messages that never reply are never even sent to Zayn because only one check. Zayn disappeared without removing the slightest trace. His cell phone number could not even be reached directly.

*Zayn, I'm sorry I didn't believe you. You're right, I'm wrong. I should have trusted you more than Nata.

So, can you come back here?

I have the same feeling as you. But I realized it too late. Excuse me.

Until the end you always love me. In fact, you did teach Nata first. That guy deserves to be beaten. He took all the girls down to get to Mira! I should have believed in you. Sorry*.

The series of messages that Ayna sent out increasingly hoarded tears on Ayna's eyelids. However, Ayna kept smiling as if Zayn was really in front of her eyes.

*I managed to design the C language program first from Ranya. I'm great, right?

I always want your words, that before learning something we must understand what the concept is like. I missed the trouble, but I finally managed to understand*.

Ayna smiled as the clear liquid simply decayed onto her cheek. There were not many memories he remembered other than fighting and challenging each other. If only Ayna knew the meaning behind the silent highlight that Zayn often appears when waiting for him outside the building, Zayn's blank view when he was alone, Zayn said, and his smile that sometimes does not match his empty eyes is the way Zayn tells him that he is in a condition that is not okay, Ayna will be more appreciative of Zayn's existence.

*You know, there's something I'd really like to learn if you're back. I really want to understand something and only you can teach me that.

You know what that is? Yes, study you*.

Ayna wiped away her tears. His heart felt smashed. He started typing a new message into Zayn. Ayna always believed, Zayn would read it one day.

Zayn, when did you get back here? I miss you. You do not want to see your students get a GPA of 3.5?

Without Ayna knowing, there was a foot that was stepping up the steps towards the second floor.

That's a big value, right? Well even though I'm sure, without hard work you can definitely get a perfect GPA.

The man walked in the hallway looking around trying to find someone he could not find on the ground floor.

I love you, but until this moment I still dare not open a letter from you. My belief that you are still breathing and waiting together like I am waiting for you, makes me strong cramming college that sometimes makes me tired and almost makes me red in the middle of the road.

The man was silent in the open doorway. He peeked at a girl who was his reason for surviving. The girl he had been waiting for all this time. A smile appeared on her pink lips.

So, spit back here. We read the letter together, Zayn. I miss you and I never knew it could be this painful.

Ayna lowered her phone while sighing in relief. He always felt relieved when he had poured all his heart into the form of writing that he sent to Zayn. Despite only ticking one, Ayna believes this number is still active. He wasn't sure if it was a really active number or just an excuse to make him endure the stifling longing?

He took out a scuffed letter from his sweater that was already in the shape of a ball, but because it was slippery, the letter slid off from his hand to the floor.

Ayna exhaled as she stepped up and reached out to pick up the rolled-up paper. However, suddenly there was another hand grabbing the paper first along with the message that appeared on his phone. Ayna, who gasps, drops her phone which is still in her chat room with Zayn. He was flabbergasted when the message he sent to Zayn turned blue and a new message appeared under Ayna's last message.

Zayn: I'm looping you forever, Ayna.

Ayna gulps. Only Zayn will turn the word love into a loop that means it repeats. He slowly moved his eyeballs from the ground up to the person standing before him as his heart beat uncontrollably. He doesn't want his hopes destroyed, just once please, don't destroy his hopes.

"Zayn?" he asked a well-built man with pale skin and a wide smile. His eyes were so bright and alive. Denim jacket and white jeans attached to his body, do not forget the black skull that gushes some of his front hair.

"Hi, Antivirus."

Ayna developed a smile with tears dripping out. He immediately hugged Zayn tightly, making the man flabbergasted and then laughed as his eyes dyed.

Zayn returned Ayna's embrace was no less tight. Both of them vent the sense of longing that torments each other's mind. Ayna couldn't hold back her crying. He started crying as much as he could. Haru and happy feeling to see Zayn able to stand firmly in front of him can not be defined with words. He's happy.

"I love you, Ayna Nabila. Keep repeating, nonstop."

"I am too."

*** SOLVE ***