Trisya's phone rang several times. She opened her eyes.
"Ugh… Who's calling this late at night?" she grumbled. "So annoying."
Trisya turned off her phone and put it back on the table.
"Just annoying!"
"See who's calling you," Ardi said.
Trisya turned her head. She realized she was sleeping on Ardi's lap on the couch.
"I'm sleepy, Bang…" Trisya hugged Ardi's waist. "I have to be at campus early tomorrow morning."
This time, Ardi's phone rang.
"Who's calling? It's already midnight," Trisya grumbled.
Ardi looked at the clock. It was already 2:00 AM.
He reached for his phone.
"Bapak?"
"Papa? Why are you calling this late?"
"There must be something important." Ardi immediately answered the call.
"Good evening, Sir."
"Maulana passed away."
"Trisya's biological father, Sir?"
"Yes. I tried calling Trisya but she didn't answer, so I tried calling you. Irfan called to say that a man over 50 years old was found dead in a hotel room. After an investigation, it turned out to be Maulana. Maybe his mind was filled with regret and guilt towards Trisya. It was clear from the letter he left behind. Please tell Trisya. Although I'm not sure she will care."
"Yes, Sir."
"Is she alright?"
"She's been asleep since I called you until now."
"Alright, leave her be. Let me know when you've told Trisya."
"Yes, Sir."
Ardi put down his phone and looked at Trisya.
"What did Papa say?"
"He said he called you but you didn't pick up."
"Why did he call me?"
"He wanted to tell you some bad news."
"Bad news?" Trisya sat up and looked at Ardi.
"Your biological father passed away."
"Oh…" Trisya rested her head on Ardi's shoulder. She closed her eyes.
"He seemed depressed. And he lost his mind, committed suicide."
"May God forgive him," Trisya hugged Ardi tighter.
"Don't say that. He's your biological father after all."
"God was kind to take him. He wouldn't have to suffer mentally any longer. Besides, I'm comfortable with Papa Richard. I don't want another father. Papa Richard understands me so well."
"Hey, at least show some sympathy."
"I want to sleep."
7 weeks passed…
"Good afternoon, Bu Trisya…" said a man who looked about 4 years older than Trisya.
Trisya turned and smiled.
"Pak Daffa…" Trisya greeted him, walking side by side with the man she called Daffa.
"I heard about your incident 3 days ago."
"Yes, I fell when my bag was snatched by a thief. But it's okay. I'm back to teaching now."
"Wow, Pak Daffa is getting bolder with Bu Trisya…" Rani teased.
"If you want to date Bu Trisya, you have to get permission from us, Sir…" Davina added.
"Why do I need permission from you?"
"We are Bu Trisya's class protectors," Rafi said.
"What?"
Trisya laughed.
"What kind of permission?" Daffa asked.
"Treat us to lunch at the canteen, Sir," Rani said.
"What?"
"We're waiting, Sir?"
"Alright, alright. Go on, all of you. You're being annoying."
Davina and her friends left.
"Any plans after teaching?" Daffa asked.
"No. Why?"
"Can I take you to the movies? No one will mind, right?"
Trisya shook her head.
"It's okay."
"Ok, I'll pick you up at home later."
Trisya waved before leaving Daffa.
"Mr. Daffa…" said Alena, one of the students at the campus.
"Alena?"
"Still trying to get close to Miss Trisya?"
"Why?"
"She's someone's mistress."
"Oh, come on."
"Remember that video that went viral? It was a while ago. Rumor has it she's the mistress of a powerful man."
"Don't gossip, you!"
"Alright, if you don't believe me. I'm just giving you advice. There are still many good women in the world, Sir. Logically, she has a house in an elite area. Hello… we know how much we get paid at this campus."
Daffa didn't answer. He left Alena.
"What's going on?" Aisyah asked.
"Ms. Aisyah. It's… Mr. Daffa. He doesn't believe that Ms. Trisya is someone's mistress. She just moved into a house in an elite complex two weeks ago. She also has a new car that's expensive."
"Don't just accuse her. Her house and car were bought by her father. Everyone knows who ms. Trisya's father is in this town."
"What about the viral video that was circulating?"
"It was already clarified. Ms.Trisya's mother couldn't control her emotions because Trisya was defying her ban on dating men of her choice. Don't spread rumors."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Aisyah walked away. She saw Trisya standing near the trash can. Aisyah walked towards Trisya.
"Trisya…" Aisyah called out.
Trisya turned around.
"What's wrong?" Aisyah asked.
"I don't know. I suddenly feel nauseous."
"Are you sick?"
"No. I just feel a little unwell."
"How are you going home?"
"I've called Dad's driver to pick me up here."
"How about I take you home?"
"It'll be a bother for you."
"It's okay. Just leave your car keys with security. Later, when your Dad's driver comes, he can get them from the security guard."
"Oh, ok."
"Let's go.."
Moments later, they were on their way. Trisya looked at a photo tucked behind the dashboard cover. She reached for it. It turned out to be a photo of Ardi. Trisya smiled.
"You're keeping Ardi's photo?" Trisya put the photo back in its original place.
"Oh.. that. Aunt Irma gave it to me a year ago. When she introduced Ardi to me."
"It's been a year?"
"Yes.. It feels like yesterday. It's no wonder my parents are starting to push for clarity in our relationship."
"You like Ardi?"
"Honestly.. Yes. He's nice. But he seems to see me as just a friend. Yesterday I met Aunt Irma. She felt awkward because Ardi didn't seem to want to move to the proposal stage."
"He didn't find out? Maybe Ardi already has a girlfriend? He just doesn't know how to reveal it without offending your family."
Aisyah smiled faintly.
"Do you want me to help you find out, Sis?"
"You've been seen together several times. Even in the middle of the night. Robby even told me he saw Ardi coming out of your house at 4 AM."
"Ah, Robby is just talking because he's heartbroken."
"He's your boyfriend?"
"It's over. I don't want to see him anymore."
"Why?"
"I don't love him."
"But you love Ardi?"
Trisya looked at Aisyah.
"No."
***
That night..
"Thank you for accompanying me to watch a movie," Lizzie said.
"It's just a coincidence," Robby replied.
"Look, that's Trisya," Lizzie pointed. "With another man?"
Robby turned.
He saw Trisya coming out of the cinema with Daffa.
"Who is that?"
"Trisya!" Lizzie called.
"Why are you calling her?"
"Just let it be."
Trisya turned.
"Them? This world is so small," Trisya said.
"Who?" Daffa asked.
"My ex-boyfriend.. And the gossip who seems to have successfully captured my ex-boyfriend's heart," Trisya replied.
"Oh.. Wait here, I'm going to the bathroom," Daffa immediately left.
"Yes."
Trisya waited for Daffa to leave, then walked towards Robby and Lizzie.
"What are you calling me for?" Trisya asked.
"He's curious who the man is with you."
"Me? I didn't say that, don't joke Liz."
"Your heart is curious, right, Bro? Admit it!" Lizzie teased.
Trisya smiled.
"What's wrong with you, Liz? What's the problem with me? Later, if I'm sick of you, you can be heartbroken! I can do whatever I want! But don't make you cry blood!"
"What do you mean?"
"I know you're the one who's been spreading the word that I'm a rich man's mistress! I let you do your thing. I thought you were doing it so Robby would stay away from me so you could get his love. But why are you pretending to try to unite a love bond that's already broken in front of him?"
"Stop it, don't fight," Robby reprimanded.
"Let's go..!" Trisya pulled Robby's hand.
"Where?"
"You said you're going to marry me? I rejected you once, this time I won't reject you anymore. How about we start dating again?"
"What?"
Trisya smiled, looking at Lizzie.
"Is it over now?" Trisya asked.
"You?"
"Don't challenge me, Liz.. I can do things crazier than you think."
Lizzie didn't answer, she immediately left the place.
"Lizzie!" Robby called.
"Don't be so arrogant to admit that you're in love! Pretending to challenge, when you're challenged you're heartbroken," Trisya said.
"Are you satisfied now?" Robby asked.
"No, because she left us too quickly."
"Trisya!"
"Sorry, waiting.." Daffa appeared.
"Let's go home!" Robby held Trisya's hand.
"Go home?"
"You said you wanted to be taken home?"
"I didn't say I wanted to be taken home?"
"You said you wanted me to meet your parents? So we can get their blessing to get married?"
"Don't be crazy, Rob! If Dad sees.."
"What if your Dad doesn't get mad if you go home with that guy?"
"He's my coworker!"
"Sorry, we'll talk later. Let's go!" Robby pulled Trisya to follow him.
"You're crazy?" Trisya asked.
"You started it."
Trisya released Robby's grip.
"You're mad because I made Lizzie leave? She's the one who started it? Her fault? Even though she's in love, she doesn't want to admit it!"
"I'm mad because you keep playing me! You come and go in my life as you please!"
"Then what are you going to do if you're mad?"
Robby looked at Trisya.
"I'm really going to kidnap you today!"
"What?"
"I'm not kidding, Trisya! It's time!"
"I don't want to!"
"You're making me angry, Trisya!"
Several people nearby turned to look.
"It's okay," Robby said to those who turned to look.
"I'm going home."
"Ok, I'll take you home!"
"No need. Dad is picking me up here. I told him earlier that I was invited by a coworker to watch a movie. He allowed it, but he's picking me up. He said I can't go home late if I'm not picked up by Ardi or Dad."
"That's your car, right?" Robby asked. "Mr. Richard uses the car he bought for you to pick you up. He's really smart. So no one knows he's picking you up."
"None of your business! Let go of my hand! He'll see!"
"It's time for you to get out of his grasp, Trisya!"
"I don't want to! I have everything in just one month. Moreover, I can divert his world from Mom!"
"Are you crazy? The person you consider an opponent is your own mother!"
"I like it! Why?"
"How long are you going to keep accumulating sins?"
"What's going on here?" Richard asked, approaching.
"I want to marry her, Sir!"
"I don't want to! Let go of my hand!" Trisya retorted.
"Rob, let go. Don't make a scene here," Richard said.
"Let me be the one to watch over her! What will she become if she keeps being around you, Bro!"
"I don't want to!!" Trisya said.
"You're being stupid!" Robby shouted.
"Don't yell at me! I hate you!!"
Robby released his grip on Trisya's hand.
"Ok, don't look for me again, no matter what happens!"
"You're the one who always looks for me!"
"What?"
"Who told you to be so stupid to believe me!" Trisya left the place, getting into the car.
"Did you guys promise to meet?" Richard asked.
"Why? Not allowed? Who are you to forbid us from meeting? Her husband? No, right? Her father? Why are you protecting her like a couple?"
"I never forbade you from meeting. I also never stopped her from going with you. But she doesn't want to be with you anymore."
"But earlier she pushed Lizzie aside and said she wanted to be my girlfriend again! Alright, this time I'll propose to her."