15.1 A Shocking Truth
Cindy narrowed her eyes, scanning the faces of everyone in the room. Some were trying to hold back laughter, while others smiled knowingly—especially Nabila, who looked visibly uneasy.
"Oi, why do I see some of you laughing and some smirking?" Cindy asked in an investigative tone before locking her gaze onto Nabila. "Spill it already, don't keep me waiting!" she urged impatiently.
Rizky, who had been sitting quietly, finally let out a sigh. He knew there was no escaping now—especially with Cindy, who wouldn't stop until she got an answer. Resigning himself to the situation, he began explaining with slight hesitation.
"So, I went out to the pavilion. Zikri had borrowed my charger, and after he was done, I went back to my room. But when I got there, the door was locked."
Cindy raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Locked? Then what?"
Rizky continued, "I asked Rayan, but he said there wasn't a spare key. So, the only way back in was through Nabila's room. But since she was out with Kak Ros, Rayan told me, 'Just climb in through the window. There's no one inside.' So, I did."
He took a deep breath before continuing, while Rayan beside him was already lowering his head, struggling to contain his laughter.
"Just as I slid the window open, Nabila suddenly appeared! She started hitting me before I could even explain myself. And, well… I lost my balance and fell, spraining my ankle."
Rizky stole a glance at Nabila, who was now looking down, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Cindy covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter. "Why didn't you knock first? Or at least check if someone was inside?" she teased.
"I did call out a few times, but no one answered. And Rayan told me the room was empty, so I thought it was safe," Rizky defended himself.
Cindy turned her gaze toward Rayan, who was still grinning mischievously, his head lowered. Her expression clearly said, I know you had a hand in this.
Then, shifting her attention back to Nabila—who was growing redder by the second—Cindy suddenly leaned in and whispered teasingly,
"Oi, was this what you meant by 'the pervert'?"
Nabila immediately ducked her head further, letting out a nervous giggle, her face completely crimson.
However, before the mood could fully lighten, Cindy suddenly dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves through the entire room.
"Eh, Rayan, did you know that Rizky is actually your cousin?"
Silence fell instantly.
"Huh? Cousin?!" Rizky and Rayan exclaimed at the same time.
Their eyes widened in disbelief, completely caught off guard by the revelation.
Cindy nodded casually. "Yep, cousins! So, you better stop messing around with your own family."
Rizky and Rayan exchanged stunned looks, trying to process Cindy's words. How was that even possible? They had been friends for so long, yet they never knew they were related.
Still confused, Rayan turned to Cindy. "Wait… and what about you, Cindy?"
Cindy grinned. "I'm also related to Rizky. He's my cousin too. Just like you, but… a little different."
Rizky and Rayan fell silent again.
Cindy then explained further, "I'm a cousin from Rizky's mother's side. As for you, Rayan, our connection is a bit more distant. So, it's not exactly the same."
She chuckled as she casually broke down the family ties, as if it were nothing shocking.
Meanwhile, Rayan looked slightly annoyed. He couldn't help but feel like Rizky and Cindy's bond was closer than his own with Cindy. But he chose not to say anything about it.
On the other hand, Nabila, who had been quietly listening this whole time, suddenly felt her emotions become tangled.
The fact that Rizky and Cindy were cousins unsettled her in a way she couldn't quite explain.
She didn't understand why, but something about it made her uneasy.
As the lighthearted conversation continued, the atmosphere subtly shifted.
What was really going through Nabila's mind?
And how would this newly uncovered connection change everything between them?
A new chapter in their story had just begun.
Chapter 15.2: An Unexpected Journey
Cindy narrowed her eyes at Rizky, her tone dripping with curiosity.
"Then, why didn't makcik (auntie) tell me you were coming here?"
Rizky looked slightly nervous. He scratched the back of his neck before answering softly, "Oh… Mamak (my mother) doesn't know I'm here."
Cindy's eyes widened in surprise. "What? How come?"
"Well… I had a bit of a problem, so I left without telling her," Rizky admitted, avoiding Cindy's gaze.
Hearing that, Cindy immediately glanced at Nabila, then smirked mischievously. "Huh… you two are strangely alike. One leaves because of a problem, but their parents know—that's you, Nabila. And the other leaves because of a problem, but his mamak has no idea—that's Rizky."
She paused for a moment before suddenly adding in a teasing tone, "Could this be fate?"
Nabila's eyes widened in shock, while Rizky, without hesitation, simply smiled. "Is that so?" he replied casually, making Nabila even more flustered.
Rayan, who had been enjoying the whole exchange, burst into laughter. "Yeah, I think they're a perfect match! I mean, just look at how Nabila's been taking care of Rizky—applying ointment on his foot, feeding him… And Rizky was coughing so much from excitement when she fed him!"
Cindy chuckled and turned to Nabila. "Is that true, Nabila?" she asked playfully.
Nabila immediately lowered her head, her face growing redder by the second. "Ugh, enough already," she muttered softly, trying to escape their teasing eyes.
Seeing how embarrassed Nabila was, Cindy finally let her off the hook and decided to change the subject. "Eh, why haven't we opened these snacks yet?" she asked, reaching for one of the boxes she had brought.
But the moment she opened it, her face twisted in surprise. "Wait… why is this empty?" she asked, baffled.
A second later, Rayan and Zikri burst into laughter.
"Of course! These two already finished them off!" Kak Ros (older sister, a respectful title for an elder woman) said, pointing at Rayan and Zikri, who were still struggling to keep their laughter in check.
Cindy frowned. "When did that happen?"
Kak Ros smirked. "While you were busy interrogating Rizky. These two were busy eating."
Cindy couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous situation. "Fine, fine, whatever. There's still plenty left." She casually reached for another box and opened it.
The group finally settled down together, enjoying the snacks in a warm and lively atmosphere. Cindy, savoring a piece of cake, sighed happily. "It's nice eating together like this."
Rayan, always full of energy, suddenly chimed in. "If that's the case, let's plan another trip together!"
But Cindy shook her head slightly. "I'm a bit busy right now. But if I get some free time, why not?" she answered nonchalantly.
The conversation flowed easily until suddenly, Cindy's phone rang. She quickly grabbed it and answered the call.
"Hello? Oh, Mutia? Yeah, I can. When? Alright, okay, bye."
As soon as she hung up, she found everyone staring at her, their curiosity evident.
She raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Why are you all looking at me like that? I told you I was busy."
Nabila, now suspicious, asked, "Who was that?"
Cindy smiled faintly before answering, "It was Mutia. You remember her, right?"
Nabila paused for a moment, then nodded. "Of course! We performed together there," she replied, a nostalgic smile creeping onto her lips.
Cindy nodded. "Yeah, and now we're going back there."
The smile on Nabila's face slowly faded. She glanced at Rizky for a split second before lowering her gaze, her emotions suddenly conflicted.
On one hand, she was excited to go back with Cindy and Mutia—to relive those precious memories.
But on the other hand… a sadness she couldn't quite explain crept in.
As if something was still holding her back here.
And slowly, she began to realize what it was.
Nabila bit her lip softly, a question lingering in her heart.
"Is this… because I've fallen for him?"