CHILDHOOD LOVE

"You're a girl and it's no good for yourself if you continue to be rude to your schoolmates, Gita. I'd like to see your softer demeanor. Be firm, but try not to use your hands to solve problems!"

"You are an outstanding student here, so don't make your achievements bad because you like to fight! Please tell your parents about our discussion this time, okay!" the teacher has finished advising Gita.

"Okay, Ma'am… I admit that I was too rash. I'll pass on your message to my parents! I'm sorry, good afternoon, Ma'am!" Gita replied after receiving the teacher's lecture for the umpteenth time.

While walking Gita grumbled,

"If I convey what my teacher said earlier, I will surely be scolded by mother again, but I'm not used to lying and covering up my mistakes. Then what should I do?" Gita muttered confused.

That's the Gita. This slightly rude girl was indeed more afraid of lying to anyone. Gita prefers to be honest and accept the consequences of her honesty rather than not being calm about keeping her mistakes a secret.

***

As usual, the class was always chaotic and noisy, especially when there was no homeroom teacher in it. Gita seemed used to it, even surprised when the class was quiet.

Gita re-opened her textbook and when Gita opened the last page she had read, there was a pink sheet of paper folded and tucked into Gita's reading book.

'I never knew what it was like to be in love. Does it feel like my chest hurts when I see you smiling but that smile isn't for me?'

'Does it really tickle when I want to talk to you up close and when it's close I can't say anything?'

'Gita, do you know why the sky looks cloudy today?'

'That's because the sun's rays have been blocked by your beautiful presence in my eyes…'

'I'm sorry, I can't say these lines directly. I'm really ashamed. But rest assured, this sentence that seems exaggerated is what I have written in my heart on this paper.'

'The other expressions and compliments for you that are in my heart refuse to just be written down on a piece of paper. They want to be spoken directly through my lips in front of you…'

'But all that will happen if you're willing to meet me at the back of the class,'

'I really hope, Gita… I'll be waiting for you at that place…'

Gita finished reading all the writings on the paper. Gita did not show any response after reading the writing which could be said as an expression of love.

Gita exhaled roughly after guessing exactly who the sender of the love letter was. Yes… Zaki was the one who sent the love letter.

"Why don't you get tired of sending me letters like this, Zaki? Why don't you give up after I didn't even respond to your previous twelve letters?" Gita muttered while looking lazily at the paper in her hand.

"From who else, huh?" A sudden question from Gita's male friend is heard when Adimas is suddenly beside Gita.

Gita didn't answer and kept the paper in her hand in a box that Gita took out from her desk drawer.

Gita combined the paper with many colorful sheets of paper which contained statements of love for Gita from many male friends at her school.

"Is that from Zaki again?" Adimas asked again.

"How do you know?" Gita asked again.

"Before we went to the cafeteria, I saw Zaki come to class. But I didn't know he gave the letter to you. When did Zaki give you the letter?" Adimas explained.

"We never met. Even though we met, we just passed each other. I have no business with him, why should I meet him? He also never said anything when we passed! But… this time Zaki asked me to meet. What do you think?"

Gita is still confused about how to respond to Zaki. As a man who is the same age as Zaki, Adimas definitely understands how to help Gita overcome her current confused thoughts.

"Just refuse him, what's so hard?" Adimas replied as if he didn't like it.

"What are you doing, huh? You're always like this when I receive a love letter from another man. Don't tell me you're jealous, Adimas! That's ridiculous!" Gita said while laughing.

"What if I'm really jealous? What if I also have a crush on you? Even you know that I've liked you for a long time!"

Adimas' answer made Gita silent. It's true that Gita knows how Adimas likes her, but that's impossible. They are a pair of friends since childhood.

Adimas is a handsome teenager with pure white skin with slanted eyes. Adimas is a good boy, smart, and really cares about Gita. Even though that care turns into love every day.

Adimas has been friends with Gita since they were in elementary school. And unexpectedly, Adimas and Gita met again in junior high school and in the same class.

Adimas already knows how attractive Gita is as a kind, intelligent, and special woman with her courage to challenge things that are not in line with Gita's thinking.

Whatever Gita experienced and did at Adimas school, he would know. Especially about letters expressing love from other men to Gita because Adimas and Gita are sitting next to each other.

"Should I explain to you again who you are to me?" Gita replied, "We have been friends and have known each other for seven years. You are a special person to me, Adimas. Why are you telling me about being jealous?"

"Do you want to ruin our friendship all this time just because of the childish feelings they told me, huh? It's just childhood love, Adimas. You don't have to be stupid and make our relationship uncomfortable by saying that you like me and want to be my lover!"

Gita advises Adimas with what he thinks. Having a relationship between lovers will not be beneficial for both of them. Apart from changing the friendship between them, there will definitely be a day when the selfishness of the two will destroy their togetherness.

"You know very well that I find it difficult to accept new people to be my friends. I've been comfortable being your friend for a long time, but why do you even want to turn this comfort into something complicated tomorrow for us, huh?" Cheery asked again.

This time it was Adimas who became silent. In his heart, he also felt that so far their relationship had been very good even though they were only friends.

Adimas also often feels proud when he hears complaints from boys at his school who want to be closer to Gita but Gita always refuses and doesn't care. As for Adimas, he is always comfortable with Gita without rejection.

"What you say is true, Gita. I'm too greedy to want this relationship to change. But I can't contain this love any longer. I really like you, Gita!" Adimas spoke the truth.

"Then if you become my lover you think we will be happy?" asked Gita and Adimas nodded.

"Have you never been happy during our friendship, huh?" Gita's answer made Adimas silent again.

"What you want is a temporary feeling. But I will not accept your feelings as a lover until our friendship is disturbed. I will accept your feelings of love and affection for me as my best friend. That is much more than destroying everything!" continued Gita said.

"You're right, Gita. Sorry for making you disappointed with my attitude..." Adimas said regretfully.

"Never mind... don't feel guilty like that. I don't want my handsome best friend to bend her forehead and it will reduce his good looks, hahaha!" Gita burst out laughing.

Finally, they shook hands again as a sign of agreement, there will only be a friendship relationship that they will build forever.

The bell rang again signaling the end of recess.

Gita sat back quietly. Gita turned back to the pile of papers in the box and put it back in her desk drawer because the Math teacher had arrived.

More than two hours had passed and the doorbell had rung.

Gita deliberately measures the time to go home so that the Zaki she avoids doesn't wait for Gita and goes home first.

Feeling that time has passed, Gita leaves the class. But her steps stopped in front of the school fence because she saw Zaki was waiting for Gita there.

"Gita, didn't you read my letter?" Zaki asked.

"Not yet... Ah, my brother has come to pick you up, bye!" replied Gita who immediately moved away from Zaki because Gita had seen Barra waiting on his motorbike.

"Gita, listen to me for a second! Just give me five minutes, please..." Zaki begged.

Gita did not answer but did not leave either. And Gita just nodded slightly silently.

"I have liked you since we were new to this school and this is the first time I dared to express my love for you."

"Please consider my feelings, Gita. Be my lover! Please..." Zaki's words made Gita silent.

The feeling after reading Zaki's love confession from a letter was not as chaotic as when she heard and saw it directly when Zaki expressed his love.

Continued…