We, From The First
#21st. Closing Your Eyes When Sad

"Rakha, come with Papa!" Arkha said in a cold tone to Rakha who was still in the BK room with Aldo.

An hour ago, the school contacted Arkha. That they did, because Rakha kept silent and was reluctant to give a reason why he suddenly hit Aldo first. He apologizes to Aldo for being forced, but even so, he still does not give any reason to keep Natta's secret safe.

Arkha takes Rakha to the basement. And once there, Arkha just landed a pretty hard slap on Rakha's face.

"Your grades have dropped dramatically, and even during the midterms yesterday you didn't do well. Now what else are you doing? Hit the Headmaster's son? If you have the energy to hit the Headmaster's kid, just use it to study. Papa told you not to waste your energy on something unimportant!"

Rakha only fell silent while looking down.

"Why did you hit him? You still don't want to open your mouth? Huh uh?"

When once again Arkha was about to slap Rakha, Aira suddenly appeared and called out to Rakha with a loud enough voice.

"RACHA!"

Arkha immediately abandoned his intention to slap Rakha and tried to be reasonable, as if nothing had happened. They both looked towards Aira.

"You're called Mr. Anton. You're being asked to go back to the BK room now."

After which, Aira immediately turned around and stepped away. Once the distance was far enough from Rakha and her Papa, Aira immediately hid behind a pillar. He was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Yes, Aira did deliberately do that to save Rakha. Earlier, he secretly followed Rakha and her Papa because he already had an unpleasant feeling.

And for Aira, this was the first time she had seen the other side of Rakha. If all this time he knew Rakha as a cheerful figure, then today he found something very different in Rakha all this time.

Behind his always cheerful appearance, there was a fragility that he hid very neatly.

As Rakha passed by, Aira instantly blocked her wrist and made Rakha's steps stop instantly. Rakha turned to Aira, then looked at her coldly.

No more soft looks. There was no longer his smile that was always wide every time faced with Aira. There is no more witty and silly side to Rakha now. All of that suddenly disappeared, and it was as if it had no more traces on Rakha's face.

Rakha had just felt caught off guard by Aira. Really, it wasn't his plan to show this side in front of Aira. It's out of his control.

But deep down, Rakha was grateful that Aira had seen her darkest side. And this is the second time Aira has saved him from almost the same situation as it did 4 years ago.

Rakha pulled her hand from Aira's grasp. Just as he was about to continue his steps that had stopped, Aira again did the unexpected. Aira stood in front of Rakha, she raised her right hand, then closed both Rakha's eyes.

Moments later, Rakha's tears dripped softly on her face. Of course he believed what Aira said just now. He proved it 4 years ago. And seeing Aira do this again to him, with the same taste, Rakha felt quite although possible, it was impossible for Aira to remember it.

Rakha said nothing. As 10 seconds passed, Rakha lowered Aira's hand from both of her eyes. He looked at the girl in front of him with sadness. This time, he no longer wanted to hide behind his mask in front of Aira. Just let this girl know all her fragility. Rakha has allowed it.

...****...

Aira then took Rakha to the Health Room. After getting P3K equipment, Aira immediately approached Rakha who was sitting waiting for him at one of the Bed Hospitals. Aira sat down beside Rakha, then painstakingly cleaned the small wounds and bruises on Rakha's face.

After finishing treating Rakha's wounds, Aira immediately cleaned up the equipment she had just used. And as soon as Aira was about to return the equipment to its original place, Rakha suddenly held it back.

"Ra... Can I have my present now?" Lirih Rakha with a trembling voice.

Aira just nodded. But Rakha can catch the sincerity from her eyes.

"Hug me."

The answer that Rakha gave was so short, yet slashing. Aira had no idea what Rakha had been through, or how she had lived her life all this time. But looking at Rakha who was so injured right now, made her want to bandage the wound, and calm her down.

Without saying anything, Aira placed the P3K box on the nightstand next to the Hospital Bed that Rakha occupied. He again took a sitting position next to Rakha, then hugged Rakha's shoulder which he somehow felt very fragile. Aira gently patted the fragile shoulder several times to calm her down.

Not long after, Rakha returned Aira's embrace, and rested her head on the girl's shoulder. Slowly he felt comfortable and calm. Until finally Rakha was heard saying softly...

"Ra, please. I beg..."

There was no answer from Aira. But in his heart, he continued to chant apologies many times. Aira knew, that one empty place in her heart always belonged to someone, and it was not Rakha.

And at the same time, Nico who was about to enter the Health Room to see Rakha's condition, immediately stopped at the doorway when he saw Aira hugging Rakha. Nico froze for a while. After which, he slowly retreated, then closed the door slowly.

"Nic, why don't you come in?" Said Rio who had just arrived from behind Nico.

"In dalem empty. There's no one." Nico replied lying so Rio wouldn't go inside.

Nico immediately invited Rio to leave that place with a chaotic mood. What he had just seen inside there, completely ravaged his head.

^^^To be Continued...^^^