ALDERANDA

Dera Meet Al Again

Since then, the relationship between Dika and Dimas as little and older brothers has not gone well. Dera decided to stay away from the two of them so as not to make matters worse. Somehow the fate of Dera and Dika's friendship and Dera's love for David.
Several months have passed, Yoshita and David actually broke up. That means there might be a chance for Dera to win David's heart.
At the math olympiad practice on the umpteenth day, Dera finally had the chance to talk to David.
"Hi Dera. How are you?"
"Fine, Kak. And you?"
"I'm fine too. Oh yes, I just found out from Mrs. Sesil, our supervisor, that you are the same age as me."
"Oh, yes, Kak David."
" By the way , if I may ask, what happened at your old school? Why did you decide to move here? What's more, you have to repeat it from tenth grade."
"Eee. Sorry Kak, I can't tell much to you. But the point is I deliberately moved here in the hope that my future will be better and everything will go better. That's it Kak."
"Oh, um... I'm sorry if I even--"
"It's okay Kak!"
Both are now silent. I don't know what got into Dera's mind that made her dare to express her feelings to David.
"Kak David, sorry if I'm being presumptuous. But... I like you, I'm in love with Kak David."
David looked up for a moment. He was really surprised by what he heard from Dera just now. This was the first time a girl dared to express her feelings for him first.
"Ra, are you serious? Did I hear wrong?" asked David still in disbelief.
"I'm serious Kak. I'm sorry if that seems a bit like that. But I really like you even from the first time I saw you in the hall. Because I know that Kak David has broken up with your girlfriend, I think it's okay if I try to say this to you."
"So, um, this means you want us to--go out?"
"Ehh, yes Kak. That is if Kak David doesn't mind."
After a moment of silence, David gave his answer.
"Um, Dera. Like this. Sorry Dera, I didn't mean to hurt you. But I can't right now. Sorry Dera!"
Dera's courage to express love first ended in rejection.
Heart broken. However, now she can no longer confide in anyone, including Dika. Dika is now getting away from Dera. Dera must try to move on from David herself.

---

After school, Dera is still practicing for the Mathematics Olympiad. When she met David, Dera felt even more uncomfortable. However, Dera still trying to stay calm.
Coming home from Olympic practice, Dera took the bus alone.
On the bus, she unexpectedly meets someone she knows.
"Erm, you are Dera right?"
"Mr. Al?? Yes, I didn't expect to see you here."
"Yeah, we haven't seen each other in a long time. How are you?"
"Okay, Sir. How are you, Mr. Al?"
"I'm fine. You just got home from school?"
"Yes Sir."
"Dera, do you want to talk to me for a moment?"
They decided to talk alone in the park near Dera's house.
"Ra, where do you go to school now?"
"At Satya Pelita High School, Sir."
"Oh, I know the place. Hm, don't you miss your friends at your old school?"
"Eh... I don't know Sir. Confused..."
"I think they've changed a lot. They must miss you."
Dera was silent.
"Dera, don't you miss me too?"
"Mr Al..."
"You left suddenly. You didn't even say goodbye to me."
"Sorry Mr. Al. I just said goodbye to a few teachers. After all, it was Friday, Mr. Al wasn't there. Erm, Sir, I'll go home first okay."
"Yeah, I'll take you to your house, okay? But on foot too. Hehe... I mean I'll accompany you to your house."
"No need, Sir. I'll just go home alone. It's already close from here."
"Well then you be careful okay!"

•••

Dera thought again about Al. Al was a literature teacher at Dera's old school. A handsome man with a relatively young age, 26 years old.
charismatic character and friendly demeanor have made him an idol for female students, including Dera too. Dera used to be attracted to her former literature teacher.
Whether what Dera felt was serious or just plain admiration, Dera only felt that Al's figure was able to brighten her day, raise her spirits even on the worst day, and Al's little attention made her comfortable. Maybe that could be interpreted as 'falling in love'.
However, her love was one-sided because Al already had a girlfriend. Recently, Dera even forgot all about her former teacher.
When the D-day of the math olympiad arrived, it turned out that the venue for the event was Dera's old school. There Dera meets Al again. Al and Dera talked a lot. Dera even told Al about David. Al looked annoyed to hear Dera's story about the man she liked. There was a strange feeling that churned in Al's heart. Their chat ended because Dera had to leave the place.

---

Al realizes that the turmoil he has been experiencing all this time is actually a deep affection for Dera, so he is not willing if Dera likes another man.
Al is determined to confess his feelings for Dera when they are reunited.

•••

Destiny also spoke. Dera had to return to her old school to finish the Olympic round and she won the first place award.
At that time, David congratulated Dera.
"Dera, good luck."
"Thank you Kak David."
"Ehm Dera, about your offer at that time--me, maybe now I can accept your request."
Dara was surprised.
"Uh, Kak David. Sorry, but I can't. I've moved on from you."
"But Dera, I... Dera wait!!"
Dera rejected David outright. She has no interest in pursuing her love anymore since David rejected her at the time.
Still in the same place. Al meets again with Dera.
"Mr. Al, we meet again."
"Yes Dera. Oh yes, congratulations on your victory earlier."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Ehm Dera, you come with me for a moment okay!"
Al took Dera to the side of the department building, where Al first met Dera.
"Mr. Al, what are we doing here?"
Al held Dera's hand.
"Dera, I want this place to be a witness for both of us. Dera, I want the two of us to be in a serious relationship. I just realized that I'm in love with you. Do you want to be my girlfriend?"