Chapter 77: The Answer I Have Been Waiting For

I lay on the bed, staring into the darkness behind my closed eyelids.

My body was still, but my mind refused to obey. It ran everywhere, crashing into memories and questions that had not gone away since morning.

I let out a breath, then opened my eyes. The alarm clock hand pointed exactly to nine at night.

“Great,” I murmured softly. “Still not sleepy.”

I turned to the right, then to the left, pulling the blanket up to my chest, hoping a new position might bring sleep. But it was still useless. I tried hard to close my eyes, yet for some reason, I still could not fall asleep. Something had been disturbing my thoughts since morning.

Kenn.

From yesterday until this morning, I had waited for his arrival at the hospital. Waiting for him to appear at the doorway, just to greet me, or even simply stand for a moment in front of the door. But he did not come. Not at all.

This morning, at around eight o’clock, I was finally allowed to go home. The ones who came to pick me up were only Kevan, Alvin, Ari, Dara, Tomi, as well as Grandpa and Grandma. There was no Kenn among them.

I had intended to ask Tomi directly. He was Kenn’s cousin, and I was sure he knew the reason Kenn did not come to visit me at the hospital. But I did not, because Tomi hurried home, as if there was something he was deliberately avoiding.

I stared at the ceiling of my room, letting my thoughts wander further. I tried to arrange arguments, search for possibilities, forcing my brain to accept one reasonable explanation. But it always failed. Every reason I found was easily broken by another thought within myself.

Why did he help me to this extent?

If Kenn said that he simply did not want any bullying at his school, I could still understand that. But threatening Farah by firing her father and bankrupting her mother’s cafe?

That was too far. Too excessive.

I exhaled softly. I really wanted to ask Kenn the truth and his reasons for everything he had done for me. Unfortunately, this time luck had not yet been on my side.

“Maybe tomorrow,” I whispered to myself. “At school.”

This morning I stepped through the school gate with mixed feelings. I deliberately arrived early. Too early, even. My hope was simple, that I could talk to Kenn when he arrived in class.

I sat alone at my desk, my hands resting on the tabletop. My gaze fell to the uniform now clinging to my body.

Unconsciously, I smiled to myself. Do not misunderstand. I am not crazy. I was just ... happy. Very happy to be able to wear this uniform again.

I liked its design and color. Everything felt fitting with the image of this school, luxurious, neat, and classy. Especially since this uniform was still new.

Yesterday, when Kevan picked me up from the hospital, he attentively brought me a spare set of uniform.

“For you, Frel,” he said briefly while smiling warmly.

And it was true, my old uniform was no longer fit to be worn. Those stains were far too difficult to remove.

Several tens of minutes passed. The students began to appear one by one, but the male student I was waiting for still had not shown himself.

Kenn had not arrived.

I bit my lower lip. “Should I just go to the parking area?”

The idea appeared just like that. If I waited for him there, I could stop him immediately and force him to talk to me face to face.

“Yes,” I murmured firmly. “That is the best idea.”

I walked quickly toward the parking area, but my steps suddenly stopped when my eyes caught sight of Mr. Ahmad, who had just gotten out of his car and was walking toward the teachers’ building.

If I wanted to know about my fate at this school, perhaps now was the time.

After taking a deep breath, I turned around and jogged lightly to catch up with him.

I knocked on the principal’s office door three times.

“Come in,” a voice was heard from inside.

I opened the door carefully and stepped inside. My feelings suddenly became awkward.

“Good morning, Sir,” I greeted while slightly bowing.

Mr. Ahmad looked surprised to see me, though only for a moment. After that, he smiled faintly and invited me to sit down.

“You are the student who does not want to be called by her full name, right?” he asked.

I nodded.

“In that case, should I also call you Frel?”

“Yes, Sir,” I replied firmly. “I hope you do not mind.”

Mr. Ahmad nodded slowly. “Alright. Is there anything I can help you with, Frel?”

I was confused. From his response and expression, it was as if nothing had ever happened.

“Regarding Farah—”

“By the way,” he cut in suddenly. “How are you feeling, Frel? If you have not fully recovered, I can give you permission for a few more days.”

I hurriedly waved my hands. “No, Sir. I am already better. You can see it for yourself.”

“Thank goodness,” he said in relief. “What were you going to say earlier?”

I began to feel restless in my seat. Why did simply speaking feel so difficult?

“First, I would like to apologize for the chaos I caused a few days ago, Sir,” I finally said. “I heard that Farah is no longer attending school here.”

Mr. Ahmad listened intently.

“I am also ready to accept any punishment,” I continued softly. “Even if I have to be expelled from this school.”

He fell silent for a moment, then said calmly, “At Kenn’s request, Mr. Tama withdrew his intention to expel you. Your scholarship is also still secure.”

I frowned. “Mr. Tama?”

“Kenn’s father,” he explained. “As well as the owner of Bakti Airlangga School.”

I froze.

“At first, he did intend to expel you,” Mr. Ahmad continued. “However, Kenn submitted video evidence of Farah bullying you. After that, the decision was canceled.”

My chest felt tight.

“Even though you are the victim,” he said again, “Mr. Tama does not trust easily. He hates disturbances at his school. Fortunately, Kenn arrived right on time.”

I wanted to ask many things, but my tongue felt numb. My eyes widened, caught between belief and disbelief.

“Well, Frel, the bell has rung,” Mr. Ahmad said. “Return to your class.”

“But, Sir, where did Kenn get that video evidence?” I asked haltingly.

He smiled faintly. “It would be better if you ask him directly.”

I nodded resignedly. “Thank you, Sir.”

With heavy steps, I left the room.

And one name kept spinning in my head.

Kenn.

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