ALDERANDA

Falling in Love?

Dera Ananda Putri, a sweet girl from a simple family who is often called by her first name, is preparing to move into a new environment. Satya Pelita High School, the new school she will attend from now on. Dera had forgotten her old school memories, SMK Jaya Pemuda.
The first day of MOS at Satya Pelita High School has arrived. In her heart, Dera always prays that her days at her new school will go well, certainly better than before.
And it seems that Dera's prayer is slowly being answered. Only the first day she had made friends. A male student invites Dera to meet him.
"Hi, may I meet you? I'm Dika Mahendra. Just call me Dika. What's your name?" Dika shook Dera's hand.
"Oh, I'm Dera Ananda Putri. Just call me Dera."
Their introduction brought Dera and Dika to become friends. Dika becomes Dera's only friend. Dika became a good friend to Dera even though Dika knew that Dera was two years older than him. Even the same age as Dika's older brother named Dimas Mahendra. Indeed, Dera should have reached the twelfth grade, but because she was a transfer student from a different type of school, she had to repeat from the beginning of the tenth grade according to the school's regulations.
"Dera, I'll go home together later. I've decided not to take a motorbike or car just yet. It's better to just take an angkot. So I can be with you. After all, you always refuse every time I want to take you home." said Dika.
"Dika, I just don't want to bother you. Again I also used to take the bus. Are you sure you really want to go home by bus?"
"Why not?"
"It's really stuffy in the bus, Dika. It must be hot too. You're not normal."
"Then from now on I will get used to it. My friends can do it, why can't I? Again anyway so there are also benefits for me, Ra."
"Profit?"
"Yes. Besides being able to be with you, I will also save on gas costs. Right?"
"Gosh, Dika. You just exist!"
They laughed together.
Dika and Dera now always go home together. Dika also always pays attention to Dera. Dera always tells her complaints to Dika. Dika is used to being Dera's outpouring. When Dera faced serious problems at home, Dika comforted Dera as usual.

---

This afternoon in the school hall there is a socialization event. All students from grade ten to grade twelve gathered in the hall.
"Dik, look at this guy. That guy is really cool, isn't he?" Dera shouted at Dika.
"Which one?" asked Dika while looking around looking for the person Dera meant.
"That's the one in the second row from the front, who is chatting with his friend who wears glasses. That's it, Dik." said Dera, pointing at someone in the middle of the crowd.
"Oh that one. I think I know him, if I'm not mistaken, a grade twelve A student, his name is David. He's a good friend of my brother, even though they're in different classes. Well that means he's also the same age as you. Why? Do you like him?"
"Ehh, I think so. Hehe. I really want to meet him." replied Dera shyly.
Some time passed. Dera increasingly admired David's figure. Dimas, who is Dika's older brother and David's best friend, also tries to help Dera get closer to David because Dika asked him to.
Unexpectedly, Dera and David were united in an inter-school math Olympiad. David represented the twelfth grade and Dera represented the tenth grade. While the class eleven representative is a girl named Yoshita. However, there was an incident that really broke Dera's heart. Dera saw with her own eyes David declared his love for Yoshita and the two of them were officially dating.
In the situation that Dera is currently experiencing, of course Dika is the first to try to comfort Dera.
"Dera, don't be sad anymore. Maybe David isn't the best for you. You can definitely get a guy who is better than him. You are beautiful, smart. Boys in this world are not only him, Ra." Dika tries to console Dera.
"Dika, but I really like David. Does falling in love have to be this painful?" Dera said while sobbing.
"Okay, if you keep chuckling like that, I promise I'll help you find David. I'll try asking for help from Dimas again."
Dika still helps Dera to get David even though the possibility is very small because David already has a girlfriend. Dimas also helps. However, as time passed, the closeness between Dera, Dika and Dimas actually made Dika and Dimas interested in Dera.
When Dera visited Dika's house, the tension started. When the two of them were talking in Dika's room, a confession came out of Dika's mouth.
"Dera... You still want to try to get him?"
"I don't know, Dik. Is it possible that there will be a miracle that can turn things around and finally David likes me too?"
"You should be able to get a guy who really loves you."
Dika suddenly hugged Dera tightly.
"Dika--"
"Dera... I know this might be a bit strange for you, but I love you. More than friends. We... Can we turn this friendship into another relationship? Sorry, Ra. I've fallen in love with you ."
Dera was so surprised, she let go of Dika's embrace.
"Dika? What do you mean? You are my best friend."
"I don't know either, Ra. Why do I suddenly have this feeling. But Dera, there's nothing wrong if we try, right? You're my girlfriend, you can forget about it, David." beg Dika to Dera.
"I can't Dika. Sorry, but I don't love you. I don't have those feelings for you. I prefer being friends with you because you are really a good friend, Dik."
The relationship between Dika and Dera has become increasingly distant since Dika declared his love for Dera. They became awkward and their current friendship status is unclear.

•••

One day Dimas had the opportunity to take Dera home.
"Kak Dimas, thank you for everything."
"Dera, don't be shy about me. Oh yeah, you don't have to call me 'Kak' outside of school! We're the same age."
"Yeah... Eee... Dimas."
"Dera, lately David and Yoshita's relationship hasn't gone well. Maybe you have a chance. But if David doesn't want to be with you, I will."
"It means?"
"Yeah... I'm serious Dera. I like you."
Dara was silent.
"Why? Better you with me that's clear than with David. Right?"
"Sorry Dimas. But I can't."