GIFT FROM GOD

EQUALLY SURPRISED

"Suspended, Ris?" asked Isha in a whisper.

Risna nodded, making Isha even more nervous.

"How is this, Ris? I... I feel bad for Malik," Isha said frantically.

Risna smiled.

"You calm down first. After class, we'll think about how to proceed," Risna said bitterly. There was a bit of pain when she saw what Isha was feeling. Because it meant she had less and less chance to get a little closer to Malik, even though she knew that she never had a chance to get close to him in the first place.

Isha nodded in agreement.

The minutes that passed felt like an eternity, so slow to Isha. When the bell rang, Isha packed up quickly. She then dragged Risna's steps to rush to the parking area, even though they had not yet deliberated on what steps Isha should take in this matter. Although hurried, Trisna did not hesitate to follow Isha's steps.

"What do we do?" asked Risna between their hurried steps.

"We have to meet Malik. I have to apologize and set the record straight," Isha said frantically.

"Why should you apologize when you're not involved in this? You don't have to come to the counselling room, which means you're safe, right?" asked Risna, still with vast strides following Isha.

"They fought over me, right?" asked Isha.

"Yes, I know. But are you sure they fought because of you?" asked Risna when they almost reached the parking lot.

Isha spontaneously turned to look at Risna.

"What do you mean, Ris?" asked Isha, frowning.

Risna caught her breath as she followed Isha's half-running pace.

"According to some stories, they had a problem because of Rasti," replied Risna as soon as she could calm herself.

"Rasti?" Isha asked Risna.

Risna nodded. "Yes. Rendra snatched the girl who used to be close to Malik. Exactly how, I don't know. Whether it was Rasti who was snatched by Rendra, or Rasti, who left Malik to be with Rendra, it is certain that since then, Rendra and Malik have been feuding." Risna gave a brief review.

Isha was silent.

'Why didn't brother Malik ever say anything about Rasti?' Isha thought.

"Sha?" Risna called after seeing Isha daydreaming.

"Yes?" Isha stammered.

"So why are we here? Do you still want to meet Malik to apologize?" asked Risna.

Isha was silent. "Do you think I should?" Isha asked then.

"If you feel guilty about this, apologizing is also good." Risna finally came up with a solution.

Isha nodded in agreement.

"But it looks like he's gone. The motorcycle that was usually parked in the usual spot is gone," Risna said after observing that the usual spot where Malik parked his motorcycle was now empty.

"Is it possible that he went home earlier?" asked Isha.

"Maybe," Risna replied uncertainly.

"Never mind. Maybe I'll meet him at home," said Isha quietly.

"Are you sure you will?" asked Risna, amazed at Isha's decision.

"Is it wrong?" asked Isha looking at Risna.

Risna smiled and shook her head.

"Your decision is right. Maybe this will clear up the misunderstanding between you and him," said Risna, supporting her.

Isha nodded and hurried home as the school was getting quiet.

***

After arriving home, Isha immediately put down her bag and said goodbye to her mother to go to Malik's house.

"Mom, Isha is going to Malik's house for a while," Isha said casually.

Of course, Rosminah was surprised, so she chased Isha to the terrace.

"Where are you going, Sha?" asked Rosminah as if she hadn't heard Isha's previous sentence.

"To Malik's house," Isha replied as she sat on her bike, ready to leave.

"Wait a minute! What are you doing? Have you gotten better?" asked Rosminah.

"Nope. I have a few things to do," Isha replied.

"Be careful, Sha," said Rosminah.

Isha nodded before driving her motorcycle to Malik's house, which was only about a kilometre away. During the journey, Isha's heart beat faster. Various conjectures popped into her head, such as how to start later. But Isha was determined to meet Malik, whatever it took.

And here Isha was now, on the terrace of Malik's house, which felt a little unfamiliar after a few months of not going to this house due to their misunderstanding.

"Assalamu alaikum, Aunty," Isha greeted awkwardly. Although before the dispute between her and Malik happened in the past, she was so familiar with this house, not being here for several months made her feel awkward.

"Waalaikum salam. Why, Isha? Come in," Aminah greeted her in a friendly manner.

"Is Malik here, Aunty?" asked Isha as she stepped inside, surveying the room, which still felt awkward although nothing had changed.

"Malik? He's not home yet. He often comes home in the afternoon these days. He said he had extra lessons." Rosminah answered honestly.

"Oh, I see, huh?" Isha nodded slowly.

"Yes, Malik said so. His father often comes home in the afternoon because he has lessons too. Where have you been these past few months, Sha? Haven't been here in a while, you know, Sha?" Aminah asked, welcoming Isha with a bright smile.

"I have a lot of assignments and extra activities, Aunty," Isha replied, lying.

"Oh, yes. You forgot that first graders have a lot of extra activities. Malik has also told me that he can't be with you anymore because he has a lot of extra lessons, and you are also busy with extracurricular activities." Aminah said what Malik had said.

'Can't be together because there are so many activities? That means he didn't tell his mother they were disagreeing?" Isha thought to herself.

"Yes, Aunty," Isha replied with an awkward smile.

"Even so, I still thank you for bringing lunch for Malik. When he got home, he never ate lunch again and said he was full after eating at school with his lunch. Don't forget to say thank you to your mom, okay? It's been a hassle with lunch for Malik," Aminah said further.

Isha was even more surprised by this.

'Meaning all this time he said I was still bringing him lunch?' Isha thought again.

"Have you eaten, Sha? Let's have lunch with me. You can accompany me to lunch. I often eat alone," Aminah said as she approached Isha, who was sitting, and invited her to eat in the back dining room.

"Yes, Aunty. Thank you. But I've already eaten," Isha gently refused.

"Uh, how can you do that? Refuse the fortune. Come on, Sha," Aminah forced while pulling Isha's hand to go to the back room.

Isha had no more reason to refuse, so she finally followed Aminah into the dining room. Not much had changed in this house. Everything was almost the same. Aminah was still as friendly as ever. This time even serving her rice, still thinking of her as her child, just as before, as if there was no dispute between them. It's just that maybe their friendship has changed.

When she remembered that, Isha's heart instantly felt pain. Little did she realize it was her fault for not wanting to understand and being too selfish. Aminah continued asking Isha questions, which the girl answered awkwardly.

Until the sound of a motorcycle stopping in front of this house, Isha gasped, her heart beating softly. Then, it became even more awkward because she knew whose motorcycle it was.

Then, time seemed to slow down. The slow beat of Malik's footsteps sounded like a time machine ready to throw him into the next awkward moment. Then what Isha had feared arrived.

"Assalamu alaikum, Ma'am," Malik greeted in a strange voice.

Isha turned her head, looking at Malik. At the same time, he also looked at her with the same surprise.

***