Chapter5.1 The Villa
"Ah, I didn't expect to be given new clothes! Thank you so much, Rizky. You really didn't have to go through all this trouble," said Rayan, beaming with joy. Zikri nodded in agreement.
Rizky chuckled. "It's no big deal. You guys have helped me a lot, too. Consider this my way of saying thank you."
Their conversation was loud enough to be heard by Kak Ros, who quickly approached with a curious expression.
"Eh, Rayan, what kind of trouble did you get yourself into this time? Did you sweet-talk Rizky into buying you stuff?" she teased, her voice playful.
"Hey, it's not like that, Kak Ros! I had no idea about this. Even on the way here, Rizky didn't mention anything. He only told us after we arrived," Rayan defended himself, glancing at Zikri for support.
Zikri nodded, backing up Rayan's statement. Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, the commotion roused Nabila from her sleep. Curious, she walked toward the window and peeked through the curtain to see what was happening.
"Surprise!" Rizky suddenly handed a shopping bag to Kak Ros.
"Eh? What's this?" Kak Ros looked puzzled, almost in disbelief.
"I got you some clothes, Kak Ros," Rizky said casually.
"Eh, why would you buy something for me? No need, really. I don't want to trouble you," Kak Ros replied, her voice slightly sharp, though her cheeks had turned a faint shade of red.
"Ih, Kak Ros, seriously? You got free clothes and you're still complaining?" Rayan teased, laughing.
"I'm not complaining! I just don't like troubling others. Don't you get it?" Kak Ros shot back.
"Well, same with us, Kak Ros. But what can we do? It's already bought," Rayan added with a smirk.
Rizky chuckled, trying to ease the tension. "Come on, Kak Ros. How could you reject a gift from me?"
Kak Ros let out a deep sigh, finally softening her stance. "Fine, I guess I can't refuse a gift from you, Rizky."
Hearing that, Rayan mumbled under his breath while nudging Zikri, "Huh, acting all reluctant at first."
"I feel bad now, Rizky," Kak Ros said hesitantly.
"Actually, I'd be really happy if you accepted it," Rizky answered sincerely. But then, his gaze shifted toward the window of the adjacent room. "Eh? Who's that at the window?" he asked, pointing.
Nabila, who had been watching from behind the curtain, quickly turned away in a panic, realizing she had been caught.
"Which window?" Kak Ros asked, now curious as well.
"That one, Kak. The room next door," Rizky said, pointing.
"Oh, that's Nabila, Cindy's friend. She just arrived," Kak Ros explained nonchalantly.
"Ohhh, Cindy's friend," Rizky nodded slowly.
Kak Ros, always eager to tease, suddenly called out toward Nabila's room. "Hey, Nabila! Aren't you coming out? If you stay inside too long, you'll start laying eggs, you know?" she joked cheerfully, making everyone burst into laughter.
Nabila, hearing the playful remark, became even more embarrassed, yet her curiosity still made her sneak glances through the curtain.
"Alright, then. Thanks a lot, Rizky. I really appreciate this, but don't do this again, okay? It makes me feel uneasy," Kak Ros finally accepted the gift.
"Sure, Kak. But I don't get to be here all the time, right? So what's wrong with an occasional treat?" Rayan quipped with a mischievous grin.
"Alright, you guys should head in now. I need to get back to tidying up," said Kak Ros as she walked away.
Rizky slowly made his way to his room, occasionally glancing toward Nabila's window.
Meanwhile, Nabila remained behind her curtain, watching Rizky through a small gap. "Hmm, he seems like a nice guy," she murmured to herself, unaware that Rizky was also looking her way.
Just as their eyes were about to meet, Nabila quickly shut the curtain. Rizky smiled to himself before finally stepping into his room.
Chapter5.2: ThePark
InsidetheVilla
The clock showed five in the afternoon. Feeling bored from staying in the villa all day, Rizky decided to get some fresh air. He walked downstairs to Rayan's room, knocked on the door, and called out,
"Hey, Rayan! Let's go out for a walk. I haven't been to that park yet. I'm curious about it."
Rayan, who was busy scrolling through his phone, turned to him and replied, "Oh, you want to go to the park? Alright, let's go then."
They stepped out of the villa and began strolling towards the park. On the way, Rayan tried calling Ahmad and Qadir to join them, but there was no answer.
Meanwhile, InsidetheVilla
Kak Ros was making her usual rounds, checking the rooms to make sure everything was in order. When she reached Nabila's door, she noticed an unusual silence.
She knocked lightly. "Tok tok, Nabila? It's Kak Ros."
A voice came from inside. "Yes? Who is it?"
"It's me, Kak Ros! Open the door lah," she said cheerfully.
Nabila opened the door, her hijab slightly messy from lying down. "What's up, Kak?" she asked with a small smile.
"Hey, I want to take you to the park. Don't you get bored staying inside all the time? Fresh air is good for you!" Kak Ros spoke enthusiastically, giving no chance for Nabila to refuse.
Nabila let out a soft sigh and smiled again. "Ah, it's okay, Kak. I—"
"Eh, I don't need your smile! Go get ready now. We're leaving," Kak Ros interrupted, playfully tugging Nabila's arm.
Feeling bad about rejecting her, Nabila finally agreed.
AtthePark
The park was lively with people enjoying the cool evening breeze, the air carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Rizky looked around, admiring the vibrant atmosphere.
"Wow, this place is more crowded than I expected. The vibe is nice," he commented to Rayan.
"I usually come here on Sundays. I didn't think it would be this packed on a weekday too," Rayan replied, scanning the area.
A few minutes later, Ahmad and Qadir arrived, carrying a mat for them to sit on. Once it was spread out, they all sat together and unpacked some snacks they had brought along.
Their conversation soon shifted to the recent wedding fiasco, reminiscing about the ridiculous events. Ahmad, ever the curious one, started,
"So, what exactly happened that day? I never got the full story."
Rayan chuckled. "What do you mean?"
"I heard you guys went to the wrong wedding venue. Is that true?" Ahmad asked, raising an eyebrow.
Everyone suddenly fell silent, recalling the chaotic moment. Rizky scratched his head awkwardly.
"Yeah… maybe we did go to the wrong place."
Ahmad nodded. "Could be," he said before Zikri interjected.
"Especially since Rizky's face turned pale that day. Remember, Rayan?"
"Oh yeah, I remember!" Rayan laughed.
Qadir, the wisest among them, added, "But that was all part of God's plan."
Ahmad, still unsatisfied with the explanation, pressed further. "I understand that, but isn't it okay to at least find out the truth?"
Rayan, known for his humor, grinned mischievously.
"If we really went to the wrong place… that means that Mak Lampir was real, right?"
Everyone burst into laughter, their voices drawing attention from people around the park.
OntheOtherSideof the Park
Meanwhile, Kak Ros and Nabila were enjoying some street food they had just bought. Kak Ros looked relaxed, savoring the atmosphere, while Nabila occasionally glanced around, feeling slightly uncomfortable in the crowded space.
From a distance, Rizky's gaze settled on Nabila.
In his mind, he mused, Wow, she's actually really pretty.
Nabila, who was casually munching on her snack, felt uneasy. She could sense someone staring at her. When she turned to look, she caught Rizky watching her.
Annoyed, she shot him a glare. What's with this guy? Why is he staring at me like that? She thought, her expression turning cold.
Meanwhile, Rayan and the others started to notice something. Rizky was clearly distracted, barely engaging in their conversation. He kept looking towards Nabila's direction.
Zikri, the playful one, began to whistle teasingly.
"Ooooh, looks like someone's in love!" he said, laughing.
The others immediately joined in.
"Ye, ye! Rizky's in love!" they chanted.
Rayan, always quick with his jokes, added, "Well, if it's her, I'd definitely fall for her too. Unlike what happened last time."
Their laughter grew even louder, making Rizky rub the back of his head in embarrassment, his face turning red.
From afar, Kak Ros and Nabila took notice.
"What's going on over there?" Kak Ros wondered aloud, watching the group.
But Nabila, not wanting to seem interested, quickly looked away.
However, deep inside, a small irritation began to build.
What are they laughing about? She wondered.
Could it be… about me?
Ugh, how annoying!
She frowned slightly, resuming her snack, pretending not to care.
This chapter concludes with a moment that marks the early interactions between Rizky and Nabila.
The lively and cheerful atmosphere of the park serves as the backdrop for their first indirect exchanges. However, beneath the laughter and playful teasing, a subtle tension begins to emerge—one that hints at an unfolding dynamic between them.
This leaves a lingering question:
❓ Will this unexpected connection bring them closer?
❓ Or will the misunderstandings and past events create even more distance between them?
With the seeds of curiosity now planted, only time will reveal how their relationship will evolve.