Chapter 20: The Savior

Now I am inside Dara’s bedroom. Right in front of me, Dara stands while lecturing me at great length about various attitudes that, according to her, are completely inappropriate for a best friend.

Dara is truly talkative. For almost an hour, I am forced to stand like a statue. My legs start to tingle. She paces back and forth in front of me nonstop, talking like an iron that is never turned off, explaining how important friendship is and how a best friend should never put another friend second.

After the break time ends, Dara suddenly gives me the silent treatment. Every time I try to start a conversation, she only turns away with an annoyed expression. Throughout the lessons, I am completely ignored.

When I ask Tomi for help, he casually says, “Just leave her alone. She’ll come around on her own.”

Tomi is really annoying. Instead of offering a solution, he only adds to my frustration.

In the end, I have no choice but to ride Dara’s pickup car home after school. And this is where I am now, facing the consequences.

“I know, Frel. Kevan is handsome, cool, even looks like Kenn, my favorite idol. But it shouldn’t be like this. Just for a guy, you could actually leave me, your own best friend.”

Huh. As if she had never left me for another guy. Back when she was with Doni, I was even used as a mosquito repellent.

“You also turned me into a display item when you went on dates with Doni, Ra,” I replied without thinking.

The moment the words left my mouth, I instantly regretted it. Disaster.

“What did you say?” Dara stepped closer and stared at me sharply. “It’s still different, Frel. Back then, I still gave you food and drinks. But today, you left me just like that without even looking back once.”

Yes, I was given food and drinks. But I was made to sit alone in a corner, holding back feelings like a useless object.

There is a saying that when two people are together, the third is the devil. In every one of Dara’s dates, I was that substitute role.

I was always used as a shield. The most reasonable excuse so Dara could escape a barrage of questions from her parents.

“I’ve told you many times, when I’m angry, don’t interrupt me. Did you forget, Frel?”

I winced, then quickly shook my head.

My head nodded automatically as she emphasized, “Remember that. Don’t forget it again.”

“You will never understand how I felt when you left me alone earlier. I was devastated, Frel. Completely devastated. You chose Kevan over me. How could you.”

She sobbed, dramatic as always. I rolled my eyes inwardly. There it was again, her over-the-top nature. Drama queen.

I stayed silent, waiting for the next lecture.

“I am Adara Salsabila,” she continued in a high tone. “The sweetest girl in the entire universe. How could I be left just like that?”

Miraculous.

Just moments ago she was crying her eyes out, and suddenly Dara enthusiastically proclaimed herself the sweetest girl alive.

Where did the tears go?

My best friend was truly something else.

Her acting deserved a thumbs-up. As for me, I had been nodding along to everything she said, like someone half-conscious.

I glanced at the clock hanging on her bedroom wall and let out a heavy sigh. Still two more hours before my savior arrived.

Once in a while I yawned, and it was immediately met with Dara’s sharp glare. But before she could continue her lecture, the bedroom door opened. A head peeked in from behind it.

That face smiled playfully at the sight of us.

“Anyone want egg martabak?” Rian asked.

I nearly cheered inside my head. Finally, my savior had arrived.

The moment she heard the words egg martabak, Dara’s face lit up instantly. She stood up and pulled my hand, dragging me out of the room.

“Come on, Frel.”

Without her knowing, I signaled Rian by forming a circle with my right thumb and index finger. Rian replied with a thumbs-up.

We headed to the living room. On the table sat a box of egg martabak. Dara’s eyes instantly sparkled. Without any small talk, she dug in enthusiastically, eating it all by herself until not a single piece was left.

“Ahem!” I cleared my throat while folding my arms across my chest.

Dara, still chewing her last bite, looked at me with an innocent face, completely without guilt.

“So, the martabak was good?” I asked. “So this is what friendship means. Just for egg martabak, someone can forget her own best friend.”

Dara’s expression changed instantly. She looked as if she had just realized something and even choked for a moment. I held back my laughter with all my strength.

“U-uh, I mean,” she stammered.

“What do you mean?” I shot back, now glaring at her.

“I mean, Frel,” she said nervously, then let out a small laugh. “Alright, I’m sorry. This time, it’s my fault.”

I smiled faintly. The score was even.

A mischievous idea crossed my mind.

“Forgive me, okay, Frel. Please,” she pleaded again, her tone pitiful.

“You think it’s that easy to apologize?” I said. “I’ve been apologizing since earlier too, but what was your response, Ra? You kept getting angry at me, didn’t you?” I stared at her sharply.

“B-but, Frel, I mean … ugh,” she muttered in confusion. “How did it get reversed like this?”

I looked at Dara with amusement. She seemed flustered, then ruffled her hair carelessly.

Got you, Dara.

I laughed softly to myself.

“Don’t be mad anymore, okay, Frel,” she said quickly. “How about this. Every time you’re with Kevan, you’re allowed to forget me. You’re also allowed to leave me like earlier. I won’t be angry anymore, really. Just don’t be mad again, okay. Forgive me. Please answer me, Frel.”

My laughter burst out uncontrollably. Dara frowned, clearly not understanding.

“Why are you laughing?” he asked in confusion.

I still couldn’t stop laughing. “Your expression earlier was really funny.”

“So you were messing with me?” Dara shouted, finally realizing it.

My laughter stopped instantly when I saw her face change. Her expression suddenly turned frightening.

I gave an awkward grin and slowly stepped back. When my third step hit the floor, I immediately turned around and ran away.

Dara grew even angrier and chased after me without hesitation. Until finally I collapsed in front of the television from exhaustion and received my punishment in the form of merciless tickling from her.

Not long after, the two of us lay on the floor, completely worn out. We went back to chatting, joking, and laughing together while watching television, as if nothing had happened before.

Luckily, on the way earlier, I had managed to send Rian a message asking him to buy egg martabak for Dara.

Rian was always my savior whenever Dara got angry.

Since childhood, Dara had loved that simple snack. Whenever her emotions reached their peak, egg martabak was the most effective remedy. Just like today, within minutes, her anger vanished without a trace.

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