1 16. Library Time

"Oops, sorry...."

Arka looked up to return the pen that had fallen on top of his book, but him movement was stopped when her eyes met the eyes of the girl who had met him yesterday.

"Dara...."

"Oh, Arka?"

Seeing Arka who was silent, Dara spontaneously grabbed the pen from Arka's hand while waving her hand in front of Arka's face and made Arka gasp.

"Long time no see, Arka," Dara murmured smiling as she pulled the chair in front of Arka to sit.

"Dar-"

"You've changed a lot, Ar."

"Hn."

"You don't miss me?"

"Hn."

Dara snorted. "Geez, you're so cold."

"Why are you here?" Ark was indifferent.

"Arka! Your tone is scary, even though I've tamed it."

"I'm an animal you can tame?"

"Ar-"

"I asked, why are you here?"

"Because I want to live."

Arka laughed sarcastically. "That's not an obvious reason, Ra."

"This is where I was born, so it's clear why I want to live," said Dara.

"Hn."

"Are you mad at me?" Dara asked to be sure.

"Hn."

"Arka! It's not good to hold grudges in your heart."

"Hn."

"Arka!"

"Dara, do you know how I feel after not seeing you for a long time, suddenly disappearing?"

Dara was silent, remembering what she had done to Arka. Her biggest mistake was because she just disappeared from Arka's presence because of a problem, Dara remembers the incident, the incident where she went and met Calvin for the first time.

"Sorry..." Dara mumbled softly.

"I've forgotten everything too."

"Arka."

"Hn?"

"You've forgotten me, haven't you?"

"Yes," lied.

"That's good. Actually I left because of family problems at that time, do you remember when Andra almost died?"

"That's where you disappeared."

Dara nodded. "I who let loose almost killed him."

"What?" asked Arka in disbelief.

"We know each other's family problems, I think you realize why I just left," Dara murmured with tears in her eyes.

"You... you should have said."

"I lost control, I can't stand the sight of them."

"Don't cry, you strong girl."

Arka said while wiping Dara's tears that started to drip, while Dara tried to hold back her tears. Dara was confused, this was the first time she could cry since the attempted murder she had committed.

Meeting Arka, makes her emotions return to how they used to be when Dara was still close to Arka. Even though Dara had thought that if she was going to meet Arka, Dara would not look weak and become better than her previous self.

"Now I understand," Arka whispered.

"Hm?"

"I forgive you, even with your brief explanation I can immediately understand. I am indeed disappointed with your actions, but what you have experienced I understand much more if it is difficult for you."

"It turns out I was wrong."

"About what?" asked Arka confused.

"You haven't changed at all, you're too sensitive. If I had told you from the start, maybe you wouldn't be so disappointed in me."

"Ra, I can't really be angry with you. All this time I was too disappointed and it was difficult for me to forget you, but that feeling overcame my disappointment. And now I'm relieved, after talking to you."

"About the taste huh...."

"I-"

"Yes I know."

After saying that, Dara's stomach suddenly made a sound that made Arka chuckle softly and gently ruffle Dara's hair with excitement. While Dara glared disapprovingly and clutched his chest.

"Wait here, I'm looking for food outside first."

"Eh?"

"Wait a moment."

Arka stood up and immediately went out of the library, leaving Dara gawking in her place. But a few moments after Arka left, Dara saw Arka's cellphone screen because it rang indicating an incoming call.

"Aunt Karina? Just pick it up."

Bip

"Hello, auntie."

'Who is this?' asked the person on the other end of the phone call.

"I'm Dara, aunty, Arka is out looking for food."

'Dara? Oh my gosh, I've never seen you because I'm too busy. how are you? Where are you again with Arka?'

"That... auntie? I just met Arka at the downtown library."

"Just met? Oh, that's okay. Auntie is busy, Dara, Can you tell Arka when I'm out of the country. You're in a hurry, we'll see you later, honey."

"Yes, Auntie. I'll tell Arka later, be careful, Auntie."

Bip

Dara puts Arka's cellphone on the table and stares at the corridor leading out of the library, her hunger suddenly disappears when she hears the words of Karina, Arka's mother.

Nothing has changed since she disappeared from Arka's presence, Arka's family relationship is still the same and even worse than before.

"Ra," Arka called.

"Ar...."

"Why? Eat first, Ra."

Dara unwrapped the food that Arka had brought for her, the food almost spilled out because Dara made the wrong thing and luckily Arka quickly caught it.

"Are you really hungry? Want me to bribe you?"

"Want to!" Dara exclaimed excitedly.

Arka was a little surprised because Dara immediately agreed to his offer, even though Arka was only joking, even though in fact the way Arka spoke didn't look the slightest bit joking.

Slowly Arka began to feed Dara, and Dara enthusiastically accepted it with a smile. To be honest, Dara misses the time when Arka used to feed her every meal, especially in the library like this.

Dara remembers how the two of them always went to the library together and ate at the library. In fact, they are always reprimanded for eating in the library with each other, making many people around them jealous.

"Remember when we ate and shouted at the library?"

Arka nodded. "There we were immediately banned from entering the library again because of you."

"Then we will study on the roof starting that day hehe...."

"Now it's my turn to bribe you," said Dara, taking the spoon from Arka's grip.

Reluctantly, Arka opened his mouth to accept a bribe from Dara, while Dara slowly fed Arka. However, Dara's spoon moved to the side of Arka's face, causing Arka to snort at the sight of Dara playing around.

"Wrong way hehe..."

"Seriously, Ra."

Dara nodded and was about to feed Arka, but the spoon went up to Arka's lips and then with a little pressure, Dara lowered the spoon under Arka's lips. Then he deliberately took the spoon slowly and made a mess around Arka's lips.

"Ha ha ha...."

"Oh my, Ra...." Arka complained.

"So funny haha...."

"Funny?"

"Yeah, hehe .. sorry," Dara chuckled as she raised her two fingers to form a peace sign.

Arka snorted seeing how happy Dara was playing pranks on him, Arka also cleaned around his lips and Dara helped Arka clean around the man's lips which were smudged by it.

Feeling Dara's finger on his lips, made Arka stiffen and stop the movement of her finger because he was surprised by Dara's current actions. Meanwhile, Dara, who didn't notice Arka's changes, continued to smile as if nothing had happened.