Chapter 73: Not Who You Think

This was my second day confined to the hospital. When my consciousness gradually returned yesterday, I found myself lying in a room dominated by white. Not long after, the doctor asked me to undergo a series of medical examinations, including an anti-tetanus serum injection.

"Hold on for a moment, this might sting a little," the doctor said calmly as he injected the fluid into my arm.

I still remembered it clearly. The wound on the palm of my hand turned out to be deep enough to require surgical treatment to clean out the remaining dirt inside it.

"This wound must be completely clean so that no serious infection occurs," murmured the nurse who helped me at that time.

The doctor who treated me explained that yesterday my friends had not been allowed to visit. Hospital procedures required me to undergo complete rest after the surgery without any disturbances.

"The patient needs maximum calm after last night's minor operation," the doctor firmly told the nurse in front of my room.

Only on the second day were they allowed to come and visit.

Thinking back to my act of retaliation against Farah, I had to start preparing myself in case my scholarship was revoked at any time. Of course, no school would be willing to keep a student who was considered a troublemaker like me. In fact, it was possible that after this I would be expelled from SMA Bakti Airlangga.

I fully realized that in this dispute, I would most likely be the one who would be pushed aside, not Farah, who came from a respected and wealthy family. I had to truly be ready and sincerely accept everything if that really happened.

"Justice rarely sides with people like us, Frel," I thought bitterly.

Yet, for some reason, there was a part of me that seemed unwilling to leave that school.

No, no. I had to be strong. Before all this happened, I had already decided to accept all the consequences. No matter how heavy the punishment was, even if it was the worst possible. I had to be able to handle it. I had to.

"Don't be weak, Frel. You chose this path," I encouraged myself in a hoarse voice.

Suddenly, my thoughts shifted to Grandpa and Grandma. How were they? Had Tomi and Dara told them about my condition? Hopefully not. I didn't want them to worry about me.

Just as I was thinking about them, the door to my room suddenly opened. Dara, Tomi, Grandpa, and Grandma walked toward me.

"Hi, you're awake, Frel?" Dara asked excitedly. "Let me see. Right cheek, left cheek, chin, head, hand—"

"Ouch! That hurts, Dara!" I shouted spontaneously.

Crazy. She had just arrived, and her hands were already touching my cheeks, chin, head, and even my hand that was still wrapped in bandages.

"Be gentle, Dara! She’s a patient, not a test subject!" Tomi scolded as he brushed Dara’s hand away.

"Sorry, Frel," Dara said with a grin. "I was just too panicked and also happy to see that you’re awake."

She shifted to the side, making room for Grandpa and Grandma to step closer to my bed.

"How are you feeling, Dear? Which part hurts?" Grandpa asked with a worried expression. "Tell Grandpa if anything feels uncomfortable."

"Don’t worry too much, my husband. Our Frel is strong. There’s no way she could be defeated by someone as bad as Farah," Grandma said, trying to calm Grandpa down.

Farah? How did Grandma know that name?

I flinched as I realized something. I narrowed my eyes at Dara and Tomi. Dara immediately gave an awkward smile, while Tomi, who was standing beside her, reflexively scratched the back of his neck and whistled, trying to divert his gaze to another corner.

"Oh no, I think I forgot to turn off the stove at home," Tomi muttered randomly, trying to avoid my deadly stare.

They really were friends who couldn’t keep a secret.

I looked back at Grandpa gently. "Grandpa, what Grandma said is true. No one can defeat me easily, especially someone like Farah. Didn’t you once tell me that I don’t need to feel inferior or afraid just because we’re different?"

I carved a sincere smile for them. "As long as Grandpa and Grandma are always by my side, Frel will always be fine. I promise."

At once, Grandma’s eyes grew misty. "My grandchild is truly amazing. You always manage to make us proud even in a situation like this," Grandma whispered softly.

It was true. I could be this strong and cheerful because of Grandma and Grandpa. They were always there for me, both in happy and sad times. I was grateful to have them in my life. For me, I could bear losing anything in this world, but I would never be able to bear losing the two of them.

"Yes, Grandpa believes you," Grandpa said as he gently stroked my hair with affection. "Grandma and I will go to the doctor’s room for a moment. Grandpa wants to make sure when you’re allowed to go home."

I smiled and nodded slowly. "Yes, Grandpa. Frel will wait here."

"Wait, Frel. I’m going out for a moment too," Tomi added, then left without waiting for my answer.

Now, only Dara and I were left. A few minutes later, Dara once again made the atmosphere lively with her dramatic, telenovela-like storytelling style.

"You know, Frel."

"No."

"I haven’t even started the story yet," Dara protested irritably. "You just cut me off."

I giggled at her expression. "All right, go on. I’m listening."

"You know, when you fainted, who caught you? Try to guess."

"Kevan?"

Before I completely lost consciousness, I felt like I heard his voice calling my name.

Dara shook her head. "Not him."

"Then it must be Tomi."

Dara shook her head again. "Tomi is indeed the one closest to you, but he didn’t even realize you were about to faint."

I frowned in confusion. If it wasn’t Kevan or Tomi, then who was it?

"I give up. Just tell me who it was," I asked, my curiosity reaching its peak.

​

..............................