Is Ihstan Alone?

XII

CHAPTER 12

Our Foundation Day began on Tuesday. I didn't bring any of my school materials, except for a ballpen. In case of an emergency, I always have a ballpen. I'll die if I forget to bring one.

I invited Kaldhi to join me for breakfast in my house. Mom made us bacon and eggs, as well as fried rice with veggies. Kaldhi enjoyed it a lot.

"Say 'hi' to your Dad for me Kaldhi." Said Dad, from the door, when Kaldhi and I left the house after a small talk with my parents.

When Kaldhi was driving, he was silently singing a song. A sad song, the fvck! I did not mind his business. It's just that I was concerned about the weather.

Moving fast, Kaldhi and his colleagues were busy initiating the activities again. Today was the third day of our Foundation. I can tell that I was enjoying it very much?

"Where's Kaldhi?" Ritzieh asked after giving me an exciting jump. "Gosh! I miss him so much."

"Don't you see him? There." I pointed Kaldhi who was busy writing anonymous messages on the stage. "He's tied up."

Ritzieh's connection to Kaldhi became smoother and stronger in the past days. I think her path to healing will be a success because Kaldhi was taking good care of her.

After a few hours, our class volunteered to play one of the Supreme Student Government - SHS Council games. The first game we played was Catch the Tail of the Dragon. We had no idea we were competing in other sections for a cash prize. Jeff was the head, and I was the tail.

"Ihstan, be careful." Gañiella shouted while laughing.

Ritzieh, on the other hand, did not participate. She photographed us while laughing also. The game continued and students were screaming because they were enjoying watching us.

However, in the middle of our game, we were disqualified because Jeff was out of balance resulting for us to fell and separated.

"You okay?" I looked at Kaldhi who handed me a bottle of water. "You look like a shit."

I raised my eyebrows at him. He was insulting me again. Did he watch our game earlier? The bastard grabbed the water that he handed me and drank it. He was getting on my nerves.

"Don't you have a tasks now, bastard?" I asked.

"I have." He simply answered.

"Tsk." I shook my head. "You smell sour." I pissed him off.

"W-What?" He was shocked in what I said, then smelled himself. "I smell nice." He argued.

"You smell like a tamarind." I laughed at him.

"Suit yourself." Then, he left annoyed.

Mom and dad picked me up from school after a long day of school because we were going to a restaurant for dinner. Fortunately, I had a shower in the changing room earlier, so I was comfortable in myself.

Kaldhi, on the other hand, informed me that he just had enough money to treat Ritzieh to a street food near the school. He did not yet get his weekly allowance from his parents. I felt awful for not lending him some money. However, I knew Ritzieh. She was a grateful person.

"How's your foundation day, Ihstan?" Dad asked me. "I heard that you have a lot of activities."

I chewed my food first and answered Dad. "Next day is our last day, Dad. Yeah, we do have a lot of activities and I was enjoying it." Perhaps I lied because I was meeting the library when I am bored to participate in other activities.

That's right. That is why the only activity that I have joined was the Catch the Tail of Dragon. And of course I had explored the different booths. Our campus has a lot of visitors from other schools but it seems that my own atmosphere was not suitable to their environment so I don't have time to socialize or interact.

Yesterday, Ritzieh and I argued because she said I was a kill joy. If my intention was to meet the library then why I only brought my ballpen, not my entire school materials.

"Good to hear that." Dad commented to me.

"How's your relationship with Kaldhi, Ihstan?" Mom asked, on the other hand. "And Ritzieh."

"They always make me happy, Mom. My connection to them became deeper and deeper. I am always loving them. They are my source of strength aside you and dad. I am now healing."

Dad and Mom looked at each other. However, I just smiled.

"Try to make more friends, Ihstan. Not all the time, they were with you." Mom said and I was confused in her words. "Don't focus to your academics too much either. That's bad for your health. You should know how to mingle to others." Mom words made me confused again.

"What do you mean, Mom?" I curiously asked.

"I mean. Yes, small circles can be great but you should expose yourself to others in order for you to explore. And just keep them as your original friends. I hope you understand my point, Ihstan. It's hard for me to explain." Mom held my hand and smiled. "Don't be confused."

That night, I called Ritzieh when I climbed to my bed. She just said that my parents had a point. I ended the call with confusion. Kaldhi and Ritzieh were the only friends that I want in my life. No more. No less.

But believe me or not, if I am going to allow others to enter in my life just to became my friend then maybe I do not have time for myself. What if they have a lot of burdens to carry and they will run to me? What advice will I give to them? I was responsible for that in Pete's sake.

"Fvck! I can't. I am already contended with that bastard and bitch." I told to myself and sighed.

That is why, I won't listen to my mom because I think having a small circle of friends will make me understand that Kaldhi and Ritzieh are the only friends that I have.

If I am going to make friends, then maybe I will not find a real love because I have some high standards in choosing the persons that I want in my life.