GIFT FROM GOD

THE SECOND CLASH

Since coming to the cafeteria during this break, Isha and Risna have eaten lunch together. But whenever they talked, Isha noticed that Risna did not respond quickly. The girl before her seemed dreamy and had a lot on her mind. Several times, Isha caught Risna staring at the back of their seats with a hurt look.

“Ris? I think you’ve been worried all day?” Isha asked.

Risna, surprised because she did not expect to be watched so intensely by Isha, shook her head with a slightly nervous smile.

“Nothing.” Risna lied.

Then Isha looked back in the direction Risna had been staring at many times before. And somehow, Isha’s heart rippled a little when she saw Malik and Bayu eating together. Isha also saw them chatting intimately, even though they were laughing cheerfully. Looks very close.

Instantly, Isha turned her gaze back with an unpleasant look. Her heart was beating suddenly, and even her face turned red.

‘What a perverted man!’ Isha grumbled to herself.

“So, since I’ve been talking to you but not connecting, is it just because you saw him alone with Bayu?” Isha asked in a restrained but furious voice.

Risna smiled wryly.

“I just imagined that if I were as beautiful and smart as Bayu, maybe I would have the same opportunity to sit alone with Malik,” Risna replied casually.

“What’s so great about him besides being a p*****t, Ris? How much do you have a crush on him?” asked Isha with an annoyed look because there were still girls in this school who were so crazy about Malik.

“Your hatred has closed your heart to recognize Malik’s strengths. And your mindset is certainly not the same as that of the girls in this school. They see Malik as worthy of being an idol. Because these girls even made a group chat of fans of Malik,” Risna said what was on her mind.

“Are you in that group?” Isha asked.

Risna laughed and nodded, making Isha sneer in annoyance.

“Of course, I’m in the group. After all, there’s also Malik, right? When else would I be in the same frame group with a famous guy? He’s also leaving our school soon because he’s graduating. I don’t know when this school will have students like him with many advantages,” Risna said.

The light in her eyes clearly showed unconcealed admiration, so obvious was it.

“Advantages? Am I the only one in this school who doesn’t see any merits other than him being good at taking advantage of circumstances and profiting from the supposedly unintentional accident?” grumbled Isha.

“You seem to be the only one at odds with the girls’ mindset in this school,” Risna replied casually.

Isha chuckled in annoyance.

“Do you know what Malik’s reaction was when the group members asked about your case?” asked Risna.

Isha looked at Risna.

“So you also brought the matter to the group discussion?” asked Isha, annoyed with wide eyes in shock.

“They were curious about what happened, Sha. One of them even asked for the CCTV footage in the cafeteria at that time,” said Risna, even more surprised.

“Then what did your idol confirm?” Isha asked, a little curious.

“Uh, don’t you care anymore? Why ask?” asked Risna.

Isha chuckled.

“I just want to know how far he’s gone to justify his behavior,” Isha said curtly.

Risna then took her cell phone and opened a group chat with Malik’s fans. She deliberately looked for the video where Malik confirmed because some of the girls were curious about what happened. After finding the video, Risha gave her cell phone to Isha so that the girl could see it.

The first thing Isha saw was Malik, who she thought was pretentious by confirming that the incident in the canteen was just an accident.

“Thank you for your sympathy. So here I will explain, as in the CCTV footage, that it was not intentional. I have also apologized to the person concerned, Isha. So she has been my friend since childhood; there is no relationship other than friends and relatives. I apologize if I have made a little commotion. Thank you.”

That was the only confirmation Isha saw. She immediately returned the phone to Risna, frowning.

‘He said there was no relationship? Why did he say he liked her yesterday? Who would want to date him?” Isha grumbled to herself.

“Just that confirmation has made you guys lovey-dovey? Tell me, what makes you crazy about Malik? Does love too blind you guys, or am I blind because I don’t see it?” asked Isha, getting annoyed.

“I shouldn’t mention Malik’s strengths because you know him better than us, right? Who doesn’t know how good Malik is? Who doesn’t see that Malik is handsome?” asked Risna when mentioning Malik’s strengths.

Isha sneered.

“You guys are too blinded by love,” Isha taunted.

Risna smiled.

“And you’re blinded by unreasonable hatred,” Risna retorted with a smile, making Isha glare even more annoyed that everyone seemed to be fawning over Malik.

“Hey, cutie... can I sit here and have lunch with you guys?” asked someone suddenly standing near them.

Isha and Risna looked up at the person, who smiled kindly at them. They are Rendra and his two friends, who usually accompany him. Isha then smiled awkwardly and looked back at Risna.

“Sorry, we’ve finished eating. If you want to sit here, Risna and I are going back to class,” said Isha, then stood up and invited Risna to leave the cafeteria because they had finished a while ago.

But before Isha could leave, Rendra’s hand grabbed Isha’s arm and held her back from going.

“Eh, how can you just leave? I deliberately chose this bench because here is a beautiful girl who has captured my heart,” Rendra seduced with a silly smile.

Isha tried to release Rendra’s hand, which felt so strong. Some of the cafeteria visitors began to notice them, making Isha uncomfortable. She looked at Risna several times for help.

“Sorry, Friend. We have a test today. So we must return to class,” Risna persuaded Rendra to release her grip.

“A test? Your grades will still be high even without the exam if you’ll accompany me to lunch this time,” Rendra said, starting with his arrogant attitude.

Meanwhile, Malik, who saw the small commotion, stood in his seat. There was a sense of dislike when Rendra did something disturbing in this cafeteria, especially with Isha.

“Mal, why do you have to interfere? Dealing with Rendra will only add to the problem,” prevented Bayu while holding Malik’s hand, which was clenched tightly.

“I wouldn’t care if it was another girl, Bay. But it’s Isha who’s being bullied. And I won’t stay silent,” Malik said desperately.

“Mal? Why lower your self-esteem if Isha doesn’t want to befriend you?” asked Bayu firmly.

“My pride is not more important than Isha’s safety, Bay.” Malik then let go of Bayu’s hand. Bayu couldn’t help but stand up and follow Malik, who was desperately approaching Rendra.

Malik rushed to Rendra, who was still holding Isha’s arm firmly, then broke Rendra’s hand grip until it was released. Isha winced as she felt her hand burning and aching.

“You should let go and let her return to her class,” Malik said flatly but firmly. Malik then looked at Isha and said flatly, “Go back to your class immediately.”

Seeing this, Rendra was furious. Without another thought, he slammed into Malik with his fist as hard as he could, knocking Malik down with his nose streaming with fresh blood.

The cafeteria visitors screamed. Isha wanted to go back, but Risna dragged her steps to leave the cafeteria immediately.

“But, Ris? What about them?” Isha refused.

“Don't add more trouble, Sha. Let’s go back to class,” Risna continued to drag Isha away from the cafeteria.

***