Fly 8

Today Kevlar took Tessa out to eat after school. Throughout the trip, Tessa kept talking about many things, including her friends.

"So you guys have been friends since first grade?" Kevlar asked as he drove.

"Yeah, at first we knew because of one extracurricular. It's only now in the third grade that we are in the same class."

"Quitta? Or who does this mean?" Kevlar asked curiously.

Since then he was more interested in that one name. After all, he invited Tessa to eat not without purpose, he had a mission to carry out. Mission to find information about Quitta.

"Yes, she is! Another one's name is Farah, the one you saw at the clinic yesterday.

The three of us are already close, really BFF." Tessa said while gesturing with both hands.

"Uh ... How is the person?

"Who?"

"Quitta."

Tessa looked at Kevlar suspiciously, her feelings telling that there was something strange with Kevlar.

"I wonder why you keep asking questions about Quitta?" said Tessa, voicing her suspicions.

"So what?" Kevlar asked innocently, his eyes not moving from the road avoiding Tessa's gaze.

"That's weird ... "

"Why is it weird? It's natural because the friend of yours that I bumped into was not someone else." Kevlar's excuse.

"Um, ya!" Tessa agreed though a part of her heart was still unsure.

"So what is she like? And does she have a boyfriend or not?"

"Why are you asking about her boyfriend?"

"Ya I'm just asking, does she have a boyfriend or not?"

"Yeah, what's wrong with her boyfriend? You're weird, you don't usually ask a lot of questions."

"Tsk, just say yes or no!" annoyed Kevlar.

Emotions with Tessa's convoluted answers Kevlar almost hit a pedestrian crossing in front of his car.

"Hey, be careful!"

"Ah, shit! Where was it?"

"Uh .... you asked about Quitta's boyfriend earlier."

"So does she have a boyfriend?" repeat Kevlar.

"She doesn't have a boyfriend."

Kevlar smiled, his face brightening again hearing Tessa's words.

"But after graduating from school she will marry soon."

"What?"

Tessa's words again surprised Kevlar and suddenly hit the brakes, making Tessa's face stumble on the cellphone she was holding.

"Oh .... what the hell? My forehead hurts, uhh..."

"Sorry, but I think your forehead looks fine! What did you say earlier?"

"What? It hurts you know! It's going to be bruised ... "

"After you arrived home just give it the ice on it. Tess?"

"What?" Tessa answered Kevlar reluctantly.

But Kevlar didn't seem to care and kept asking her.

"Who was going to get married?"

"Quitta!"

"What do you mean later? Yes, of course, if you have met your soul mate, you, your uncle, and I will also get married!" replied Kevlar with a laugh.

"That's for sure, but we don't know who will marry us, and then when. If she is, it's clear because she was arranged for."

"What? Why an arranged marriage?" Kevlar was surprised again, but this time he can control the steering wheel well.

"Who is it?" Kevlar added before Tessa answered her question.

"Why do you want to know?" Tessa asked.

"Tess!"

"Ew, what the heck?"

"Just answer my question!"

Tessa ignored Kevlar's words. She was disappointed that Kevlar did not empathize with the pain she was feeling.

***

"Tessa and I are going home right away." Tell Farah, after they all get home from taking Quitta to the doctor's check-up.

"Okay. Thank you so much Far, Tess!" Quitta said.

"One more?" Tessa said gesturing at Kevlar.

"Ah, yes. Thank you too, for being willing to take us." Tessa said to Kevlar.

"Don't be reluctant, if there's anything you want to do just say it."

"Sure!" Tessa exclaimed happily.

Quitta and Farah smiled at Tessa's attitude.

"Want to go to your room now?" Tessa asked.

Quitta still has to use a wheelchair until his hands are strong to use crutches.

"No thanks, I'm going to the garden first."

While his legs hurt, Quitta took refuge in an empty room downstairs. Because it was difficult for her to go up and down the stairs with his current condition.

"Okay then, tomorrow after school I'm here again." Say, Farah.

"Me too!" Tessa exclaimed.

While Kevlar clumsily followed the two, even if he could choose, he would still like to be there.

"Besides, it's not night yet, why would these kids prefer to go instead of accompanying their sick friend," Kevlar thought to himself.

Quitta nodded, waving his hand until the three of them disappeared behind the door.

Until late at night, Quitta was still in the garden next to her house filled with pots of various ornamental plants. A small pond filled with koi fish complements the natural feel of the mint green house.

The household assistant, who only worked until the afternoon, had left home an hour ago. Now she was alone in the house, the two-story house her mother had bought since her divorce from Quitta's father.

The sound of footsteps on the wooden floor of her house snapped Quitta out of her thoughts. Not just one, but two different footsteps made Quitta turn around to see who else had come except her mother.

A familiar figure was seen grinning behind her mother's back.

"You? What are you doing here?"

"Quitta!" Anastasia glared, gesturing for Quitta to speak more politely.

"This afternoon Ghaza accompanied his mother to the boutique. Since he was curious about your condition, I could just invite him here." Anastasia, allows Ghaza to come closer to Quitta.

"As you can see, I'm alive and fine!" Quitta snapped after Anastasia's figure disappeared from her sight.

Ghaza paid no heed to Quitta's words. Instead, he crouched down and looked at the cast-covered leg in front of him.

"Yes, it's not too bad. But at least you can walk normally again, in about a month maybe. That's if you take good care of your feet.

"Huh? Don't act as you know." Quitta looked away as Ghaza looked at her.

"If you don't believe me, you'll see," Ghaza said, ready to grab Quitta's swollen leg.

"Do not touch!" Quitta shouted.

Ghaza froze, her hand in Quitta's. And when they both realized this, they immediately took their hands away from each other.

"Um, you want something? Let me get it." Ghaza asked awkwardly.

"Don't worry, I can take it myself!" Quitta replied.

"Oh okay, then ... it's getting late, you should rest. I have to go home too!" Break up Ghaza while getting up.

Quitta nodded her head.

"Want me to walk you to your room, ah, I mean inside?"

Quitta lifted her head, and for a moment their eyes met.

"No need, just go home!"

"Oh... okay then, I'm going home now."

Quitta again nodded her head.

"Thanks for coming here," Quitta said quietly, but it sounded clear enough for Ghaza's ears. Made Ghaza smile, and stepped lightly.

Five minutes later Anastasia approached Quitta in surprise. The figure she was looking for did not exist even though she had searched until she left the house.

"Where is Ghaza?" she asked Quitta.

"Go home," Quitta replied curtly.

"You kicked him out?" Anastasia asked again, ready to spit out her irritation at Quitta.

"No, I didn't."

"No way..." Anastasia was about to scold Quitta because she was sure that Ghaza had come home because of her daughter's will, but the ringing of the cell phone that was still in her bag was heard calling.

Ghaza's name was plastered on the phone screen.

"Hello, I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye to you earlier. I forgot I still have a business." Ghaza said on the other side of the phone.

"Oh, I see. I wonder why you went straight home. Well, just come here next time if you're not busy."

"Yes, maybe tomorrow I will go there again with my Mom."

"What? Don't worry Za, your Mom might be busy. I know your Mama has a lot of business, so don't force her to come."

"It's okay, Mom must be glad if I invite her. After all, tomorrow is the weekend."

"Okay, I'm very happy if your Mom wants to come here, thank you Za."

"You're welcome, I'll close first, this is on the way."

"Ya, be careful Za!"

After ending the call, Anastasia calls Quitta to inform her that tomorrow Ghaza will come with his mother. But Anastasia didn't notice that Quitta had gone to her room a few minutes ago.