GIFT FROM GOD

COUNSELING

Leaving the canteen with a grudging heart, Malik wants to go to Isha's class to give him comfort. However, he was constrained because the bell had already rung, so Malik discouraged him from looking for Isha in her class. Malik is aware that the incident in the canteen was embarrassing for Isha, even though it was not intentional and not Malik's fault.

However, isn't Isha always unable to budge and forgive? Malik worried Isha would blame himself for pressing his lips against Isha's cheek. Malik unconsciously felt his lips twitch lightly.

For some reason, his smile appeared along with his heart fluttering when he remembered the incident earlier. Was he happy with the accident earlier?

"Why smile alone? Nice, huh, after kissing a girl in the canteen?" asked Andi, who asked in a low voice.

Malik turned his head, looked at Andi, and realized he was already in class. Crazy. How could he step in without realizing he was already in class?

"Eh? Smell what?" asked Malik frowning.

Andi quickly took his cell phone and showed him the news and viral pictures of the incident in the cafeteria earlier, which had spread in several group chats between students at this school.

Malik took Andi's cell phone and saw the news with a pounding heart. I also needed to find out who had taken the photos; some images indicated that he had kissed Isha.

"Who spread this, Ndi? This is not true!" said Malik.

Several of their classmates spontaneously looked at Malik and Andi, making Malik uncomfortable because their gazes seemed to judge and confirm that they had kissed. That's not how it happened, though.

"Uh, Mal? So it's true you've kissed your girlfriend, Mal?" one of Malik's friends in class was desperate to ask, while the others were curious too.

"Sorry, that's not how it happened. That… was just an accident, not intentional. And She's not my GIRLfriend. She's been my friend since childhood, so she's like a little sister." Malik tries to explain before the whole class curses him.

"Ooo ... I thought she was your girlfriend," said another friend.

Then, boisterous voices continued to be heard and only fell silent when Bayu, the student council president, appeared at the door of Malik's classroom. Spontaneously, the whole class focused on the beautiful girl with glasses.

"Good afternoon. Sorry to disturb all of you. I'm here to convey that Malik was asked to come to the counseling room." Bayu said politely.

Spontaneously, Malik exchanged glances with Andi. Malik's heart pounded.

"Now, Bay?" asked Malik, who already knew Bayu well because before Bayu became OSIS chairman, Malik had already held the previous position.

Bayu nodded while looking at Malik with eyes full of disappointment for some reason. But Malik doesn't seem to know about it. He just turned to look at Andi.

"Is it possible because of the photo earlier, Ndi?" asked Malik softly.

"It seems so. Don't be afraid if it's not intentional," Andi said, to which Malik nodded.

"Okay. I'll go to counseling first," said Malik, who stepped out following Bayu's steps.

"You know what problem made me go to the counseling room, Bay?" asked Malik when his steps aligned with Bayu's.

The beautiful girl adjusted her glasses before finally looking at Malik.

"Maybe because of the horrendous incident in the cafeteria earlier," Bayu replied coldly, without a smile.

"Were… you also sent to call Isha to have her come to the counseling room?" asked Malik, looking at Bayu, full of worry.

Malik didn't want Isha to fall mentally with this incident. He silently cursed at the coquettish girls running around, causing Isha to fall into his arms earlier.

"Yes," Bayu answered briefly.

Malik was silent, as if hit, and didn't know how to fix the accident. Various 'what if' questions flew through Malik's head.

"Wait, Mal," prevented Bayu when they arrived in front of the counseling room, and Malik was about to step inside.

Hearing Bayu prevent him, Malik stopped his steps and looked at Bayu.

"What's wrong, Bay?" asked Malik slowly.

Bayu was embarrassed with a blushing face. But she doesn't want to keep it all in. She had enough of hiding her feelings.

"Is it true that you are in a relationship with… with Isha?" asked Bayu slowly, then cast her eyes in another direction.

Hearing questions like this, which is not the first time Malik has heard suspicions that he and Isha have a relationship, Malik smiles again even though his heart is beating unusually fast.

"Why does everyone conclude like that?" Malik asked back as if to himself.

Hearing this, Bayu turned to Malik and looked at him.

"Is the reality not like that?" Bayu asked hopefully.

"I already think of her as my sister, Bay. Where can we date?" asked Malik in a strained voice.

Bayu smiled and nodded. For some reason, there was immense relief in her heart.

"I believe in you. Hopefully, this misunderstanding will be cleared up quickly. I'm waiting for your news, Mal," said Bayu with a sweet smile.

"Thanks, Bay," Malik said with an awkward smile.

Bayu nodded, then left Malik with light steps. At least Bayu has heard Malik's confession. Will Bayu see how Malik and Isha's relationship will be?

After Bayu disappeared around the corner from the school office, Malik stepped into the counseling room. He knocked on the door and saw Isha sitting with her head down while Mr. Bambang —their counseling teacher— sat in her chair.

"Excuse me, Sir," said Malik politely.

"Please come in, Mal." Mr Bambang invited Malik.

Malik then chose to sit on the chair beside Isha. At a glance, Malik saw Isha, who looked down in shame and gloom. She seemed sad, too; her face looked a little puffy as if she had been crying.

"Okay. Since you two are already here, let's start counseling now." Mr Bambang started the conversation.

Malik nodded, but not Isha. The girl was silent.

"Malik, Isha, a while ago, you received a photo of the incident in the cafeteria. And I think you understand what I mean by inviting you here," said Mr Bambang patiently.

Isha and Malik just listened.

"I know you are teenagers and are starting to grow up. But if dating, it should look at the situation. This is a school, not an intimate event to the extent that it spreads in the group chats of several students," continued Mr Bambang.

"In a relationship?" Malik and Isha turned and looked at each other. "We're not dating, Sir!" they said back together.

Mr Bambang smiled.

"You guys make a great couple, huh? The answer alone can be so compact, "said Mr Bambang with an amused smile.

"Sir, Isha is my childhood friend. We're neighbors, too. She's like a little sister to me, Sir. How can I date my sister?" Malik insisted on avoiding it.

"Who believes, Mal? Your intimate photos are already circulating on your friends' cell phones. Even the kiss has spread, "said Mr Bambang, turning severe.

"But, Sir. That… wasn't a kiss. It was an accident because they nudged me, making me fall," said Isha firmly and loudly because she felt innocent.

"Well, Isha is right, Sir. It was not intentional," said Malik, emphasizing Isha's defense.

"Intentionally or not, not many understand and want to understand. But I suggest that if you are in a relationship, don't show too much affection at school. This is an educational institution, not an arena for displaying intimacy," said Pak Bambang with a severe expression.

"But we are not boyfriend and girlfriend, Sir." Isha comes back insistent.

"That's enough. Here, I am lenient because I know you so well, Mal. This counseling is only to fulfill the procedure and close the case. It's just that I need to remind you that my authority here has limits. I can't help you anymore if the same thing happens in the future. Or I won't be able to prevent it if this problem reaches the head of the school," said Mr. Bambang, closing the counseling this afternoon.

Malik and Isha chose to remain silent because even insistent was useless. The two left the counseling room with Isha's gloomy face. The girl rushed ahead of Malik.

"Sha!" Malik calls when Isha ignores him.

Isha stopped and turned her body to face Malik.

"You don't have to pick me up from class after school. I don't want to go home with you," Isha said without a smile.

***