We, From The First
#19. Happy Birthday, Nico!
september 22, 2012, today is Nico's 18th birthday. This day, Rakha, Rio, and Natta seemed busy preparing a party for Nico at Rio's B-Cafe —Coffee Shop which had become their official headquarters. In addition to the three of them, there are also Yumi, Bia, Sheryl, and Nana who were present at the party. Aira was also supposed to attend, but an hour before the event started, Aira suddenly felt unwell, and decided to just rest at home.
During the event, Nico was not at all calm. He continued to worry about Aira non-stop. Nico actually wanted to undo his intention to come. But Aira assures him that he is fine, and he only needs to take a short nap to recover his condition.
"Go, Nic! Kasian. They have been siepin this event for you from far away. I'm okay anyway. I'm doing fine. Besides, there is also Bu Ningsih with Mr. Salim, right? Don't you worry."
That's what Aira told Nico, to make Nico finally relented and left with a heavy heart. He even asked Bu Ningsih several times to contact him immediately if Aira's condition worsened.
"Nic, think of Aira, huh?"
Nana said softly to Nico who was standing alone at that time with a position far enough from his friends. That night, they celebrate Nico's birthday party at the rooftop. Nico who had been silent since last time daydreaming while watching the night view of the city of Harsa from a height immediately disperse his daydream and turned towards Nana who was already standing beside him.
"Eh, Na? You're here?"
Nana took out a small black gift box with a white ribbon decorated from inside her bag. He handed the gift to Nico.
"Happy birthday, huh? May you always be happy. Always healthy."
"Thank you, Na." Answer Nico while receiving a gift from Nana.
Nico smiles at the gift, but Nana knows that Nico's heart is not with her now. His smile and the look in his eyes had even seemed empty since just now.
Nana sighed, trying to get rid of all her negative thoughts about Nico. Nana then holds one of Nico's hands which makes Nico a little surprised. When Nico raised his face, he could see Nana's face approaching, about to land a kiss on her lips. But Nana had not been able to reach him, Nico hurriedly dodged. He turned his face away and said, "what time is it? I'm anter home, yuk. Your mom's gonna be worried about coming home."
Although there was a slight disappointment in Nana's heart over Nico's rejection, she still tried to look calm, and acted as if everything was fine. After all, this was not the first time Nico had rejected Nana like that. Lately, Nico has rejected him more often. Nico can always give you a reason to avoid.
As Nico stepped out from before her, Nana felt like she wanted to cry. But he tried to hold back as best he could. From the beginning, he had prepared himself for times like this, but for some reason, his heart still hurt over Nico's rejection.
And Rakha who accidentally captured all those moments, now becomes more and more convinced that the person Nico liked all along, not Nana, but, Aira. Everything seems clear. During her relationship with Nana, Nico never looked at her like she was in love. The look in her eyes as she looked at Nana, as if she had no life. It was very different when Nico looked at Aira. His eyes look alive.
And from that day on, Nana continued to feel the change in Nico's attitude began drastically. Nico started to rarely call her, or send her a chat. Nico did not even answer his phone a few times, and only replied to him via message a few moments later.
Nico's past with Aira is too tight and strong to be defeated by his arrogance.
Nana who never wanted to blame Nico, of course, thought this was not Nico's fault. Nico has done his best while with him. Only, Nico didn't make it.
...****...
Nico arrives home when the time shows ten o'clock at night. Before entering his room, he decided to see Aira's condition first in his room. Nico knocked on the door several times, but there was no answer from within.
Nico then opened Aira's room. Inside, he could see Aira sitting on a warm and comfortable fur carpet, with half of her body lying on the table. One of his hands he used to hold his face. And beside Aira who was sleeping fast, there was a novel given by Nana in an open state.
Nico approached Aira carefully. After he sat in front of Aira, Nico had time to look at his face that was not as pale as before. After that, Nico then lay his head on the table with the same position as Aira. Their faces faced each other, while Nico's fingers slowly moved until they touched Aira's warm fingers.
Nico looked at the girl in silence for quite a long time.
Ten minutes passed, Aira slowly opened her eyes. He could faintly see Nico staring at him at such a close distance. And that originally vague vision, is now becoming clearer. Nico did not change his position in the slightest, nor did he turn his gaze away from Aira's eyes even after Aira woke up from her sleep.
Aira who had been shocked for a moment saw Nico who knew there was already in front of him, now also did the same with Nico. Without saying anything, they stared at each other and traced every inch of beauty on each other's faces. And Nico's gaze that night on her, somehow able to make Aira feel very beautiful in the eyes of Nico. And that is exactly what Nico wants to convey through the look of his eyes.
Nico's fingers, which had only touched Aira's fingers, now slowly began to grasp Aira's hands completely. Aira flipped her hand and held Nico's hand back.
Nico just smiled a little.
"Happy birthday, Nico!" Said Aira slowly.
Nico did not answer. Only his eyes spoke, hinting that he was so grateful that the girl before him was coming back into his life.
For Nico, the arrival of Aira was the best gift he received this year.
^^^To be Continued...^^^