We, From The First
#06. Set Speed

Rakha was doing her job that night when suddenly the shadow of Aira appeared in her mind and made her focus mess up. Rakha did not understand, why the figure of Aira could be so attractive. Aira counted only three days to be his classmate, and for three days even then, their interaction was minimal, but every movement of Aira seemed to be able to disrupt his world. Everything about Aira during these three days, was recorded clearly in his mind. And with his disrespect, his brain automatically plays every recording, always making him smile in itself.

"Hay, know me Rakha."

That was the first sentence Rakha said three days ago. Aira who felt that she had heard Rakha's name from Nico, smiled a little awkwardly, then returned Rakha's hand, "Aira," Aira gave a little pause after answering. He then released a helping hand that managed to cause a little disappointment in the mind of Rakha, "his friend Nico?," continued Aira later.

"Yes." answered Rakha briefly with feelings she was unable to explain. One short question that Aira asked, somehow made Rakha feel so happy.

The voice of this girl, she really liked the voice of this girl in front of her.

And for the days that followed, there was nothing so special about any interaction between Aira and Rakha. Aira's attitude is not too talkative, making Rakha confused how to start his approach. Even though Rakha tried to get close to him, and behaved the same way he did to others, he could feel the rejection from Aira. Though if not with Aira, Rakha is so easy to adjust to anyone.

Rakha always convinced herself, not to rush too much to get close to the girl. He had to adjust his speed properly, in order to later make Aira feel comfortable with him. Step by step, Rakha wanted to do it slowly.

...****...

Unlike Rakha, Aira's relationship with Nico is getting closer and closer. They are no longer awkward together. And without them knowing it, they begin to feel comfortable with each other. Nico's sincere and caring attitude, touched Aira's heart, and could no longer continue to stretch between them. So Aira slowly began to remove the bulkhead, and was open to all Nico's attention.

And this morning, just as Aira was about to exercise the morning before leaving for school, she and Nico simultaneously walked out of their respective rooms wearing sports clothes. They looked at each other for a while, before Nico finally waved his hand, "want to exercise too?"

Aira nodded. Unexpectedly, Nico approached him and stood behind Aira who was only as tall as his chin. He pushed softly on both of Aira's shoulders as he said, "together, yuk!"

Aira inevitably ended up following Nico with resignation.

They were playing sports that morning. Aira was on her bike, and Nico was running slowly beside her. Occasionally Nico is seen pranking Aira by deliberately trying her cheeks, or occasionally pretending to accidentally bump her shoulders with Aira's shoulders. No longer wanting to be the object of Nico's ignorance, Aira sped up the speed of her bike. Nico who did not want to lose, chased after Aira. Nico was even heard shouting, asking Aira to wait for him. But Aira did not care, she smiled in satisfaction as she continued to accelerate the pace of her bike. As Nico got closer to her, Aira's laughter suddenly broke.

On returning home, no matter what negotiations took place between them on the way home, which is clear now, Nico was riding Aira's bike, while Aira was sitting behind him holding on to Nico's jacket. Aira grasped the left and right sides of Nico's jacket firmly, to keep herself from falling over.

And for the next morning, they continue to do morning exercise activities together whenever the opportunity arises.

...*****...

Banu Island, 2006

Aira wept bitterly in her room knowing that Nico and her family were about to move to Harsa City. The distance between Harsa City and Banu Island is actually not so far away. Can be reached in just 1 hour 10 minutes by plane. But Aira, who never wanted to be far from Nico, made the distance so far in her own mind.

At that time, they had just climbed to 6th grade when the Nico family decided to move because of the work of Nico's parents who began to center in the city of Harsa. And Aira who had not been told from far away the previous day, made her vent all her disappointment in tears.

"Na, don't cry anymore, huh? Later on during the holidays I can play here, that's also with you. Aye, right?"

"Nico wicked! Why didn't I know Nana from before?" aira answered from under the blanket. His voice sounded hoarse, and occasionally sobbed.

"Because Nico knows that Nana's going to be like this."

Aira's crying got stronger. While Nico is getting lost. It seems he said wrong.

"Sorry Nico, yes. Nico is wrong." I'm Nico trying to open the blanket that covers Aira's body.

But there was no answer from Aira, other than a cry.

"Nana. Nana can be angry, can hit Nico, but don't cry."

"If Nico knew Nana was going to cry, then why the hell is this lacquer?"

"Yes, Nico was wrong. Nico's really sorry."

Not long after, Aira's cries began to subside. But that did not immediately make Nico relieved.

"Now go down the blanket, huh? Nico wants to see Nana's face. Hm?" Pinta Nico pleaded.

This time Aira was devastated. He opened the blanket that had covered him since, then changed his position. He sat opposite Nico. And Nico just smiled when he could see Nana's face again.

"Sorry Nico, huh?" Said Nico for the umpteenth time. He also gently rubbed the remaining Aira tears using his folded fingers.

Nico and Aira both smiled before Nico rubbed the top of Aira's head affectionately, as before.

"Don't lupain Nana, huh?"

"Yes, sure."

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