33: C33 Chapter 33

C33 Chapter 33

We ran under the half-moon with its dim light. We did not even cease although the cold weather bit our skin viciously. Our destination was Mrs. Ali’s house. We did not have money to take a public transportation. Reno used his money to pay for the taxi to get to my house. The only ten thousand rupiahs I owned had been run out. Hiring Mrs. Ali’s motorcycle was the only choice to save Vera. We could think of the rent charge later. Vera was our number one priority.

I played back the memory when Reno got a phone call from Vera. Questions came up. Why did Vera say about her aunt and that man? How did Reno know about them? Had Vera told him about her issue? If so, it meant that there might be a secret between Vera and Reno. Were they that close? As far as I knew, they never spent time together at school. I did not realize that my steps halted.

“Ilana...is it her house?” Reno’s voice brought me back to reality.

“No..., the house is still fifty meters ahead.”

“Why do you stop here, then?”

“I need to take a breath.”

We continued our journey, passing house after house. Turning at the T-junction, we saw a big house five meters before our eyes. Mrs. Ali’s residence was quite deserted. Its white wall turned golden in the yellowish light of the lantern. A fat middle-aged woman hurried across the dim courtyard toward us after I called Mrs. Ali’s name. She welcomed us warmly. Mrs. Ali was not at home. But, that kind woman allowed us to use the motorcycle after her assistant contacted her.

Reno ignited the key and started the motorcycle when I had been ready at the back with a helmet on my head. The motorcycle swept the street. Its machine roared among other vehicles. Reno increased its speed. It was really cold so that I wrapped my hands around my body. I was not wearing a jacket or sweater that could warm my body. Suddenly, the motorcycle stopped. It made me wonder why. Reno took something out of his backpack.

“Use this.” It was the jacket I just returned him. Coyly, I put the jacket on. We resumed our journey to the cafeteria near the school where Vera was at the moment.

I prayed that Vera was safe and well. The silence immersed us. At this time, I did not want to say anything. Only Vera’s safety was on my mind. I hope her aunt and that bastard did not find her. I felt grateful that we arrived in front of the cafeteria on time. We rushed into the cafeteria.

The cafeteria was big enough. The crowded filled each corner of the room. We had been looking for Vera for almost ten minutes. That girl was not spotted everywhere. We decided to get out. She might be waiting for us outside. I moved to the left of the building while Reno went to the right side.

It had been fifteen minutes since I got to this place. Yet, I did not see the one who looked like Vera. Where was she? Was she alright? I stepped to another direction. I was too thrilled to spot Vera in the parking lot. Worry, panic, and confusion were clearly imprinted on her face. I almost ran toward her when she ran toward other way. She called Reno happily and hugged him tightly. She embraced Reno for a while. Reno did not refuse her hug. And I still froze at my place even after Reno let her go of his arm.

The way Reno treated Vera ignited something inside me. It was not jealousy, is it? They were friends. We were friends. In my life, it was the first time, I had this kind of feeling, the feeling I could not fathom what it was. I did not believe that it was love. That was what my mouth conveyed. Yet, my heartbeat confirmed the opposite.

“Ilana...” I smiled at Vera who pulled me into her arm. “Thank you for coming,” she said.

“Don’t say thank you. Isn’t that the rule?” I reminded her.

“The rule applies to you, not to me,” she asserted.

“That’s not fair.” I was just kidding when saying that. “You are okay. They didn’t hurt you, did they?”

“No.” She turned to Reno. “Can you accompany me to go to the police station to report my case?” Reno nodded. “Would you join us?”

“Of course!” I confirmed. “Wait! How does Reno know...?”

“I told him everything.”

“Let’s go before they can find us here.” Reno was about to spun around.

“But, Vera and I can take a taxi.”

“Sure,” Vera agreed.

We walked quickly to the taxi, hiding from Vera’s aunt. That woman might be still spying somewhere around this place. I felt like the taxi went so slowly like a snail. We fell silent even after twenty minutes had passed. I could not read what’s on Vera’s mind. Her problem might make her not comfortable enough to open her mouth.

I did not intend to talk to her. It was hard to explain why I felt heartbroken to see their close relationship not just as friends. I got rid that thought of my mind. If I were Reno, I would do the same thing. Vera was my friend. Let alone, she had complicated problem. It was not the time to be jealous with them. Reno had done what he should do as a friend.

“Ilana...”

“Yes.” She held my hand.

“Reno told me that you were so worried about me after the incident that night. Thank you for always being there for me and most importantly, accepting me as your friend.”

“How long have you known each other?” Instead of commenting on what she said, I asked that ridiculous question. Vera’s eyebrows furrowed. She did not expect my query. “I mean it seems you have known each other for so long.”

“You mean Reno? Reno was a good boy.” She did not answer my question.”

“He is.”2

“We’ve been friend since the first year of junior high school when we went camping together,” she revealed.

“You don’t talk each other at school.”

“We are busy. Don’t be jealous. He is just a friend to me.” I was pretty sure that my face blushed.

“Of course not,” I denied and looked out through the window. It was so absurd that I had acted so childishly. It was not so me. I hid my shy face

“Stop here!” Vera instructed the driver.

The police station stood in front of us. There were some people walked in and out of the office. Reno just arrived. He parked the motorcycle. Then in a minute, he headed toward us. After Vera soothed herself, we decided to get in. There were only few people inside the room including one woman and one man who were sitting across from the police officer. Vera’s hand clung on mine.

“Vera....” That man who was reporting to the police office was that bastard. And the woman next to him was Vera’s aunt.

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