"She's a widow."

The words that always trail the profile about her. It tickles to hear. As if that’s indeed a title that must be continuously mentioned in her every existence. Surprisingly, everyone didn't find the oddity of it. Only one person feels awkward because the title 'widow' is assigned as something that is mandatory.

"So?" Redi asked with a sour face. A refusal looks very clear.

He then narrowed his eyes at Dion who was sitting right next to him, in the chair waiting for their lecturer.

“Tch. Yes, she is a widow, Re. Everyone talks about it that way. She's the center of attention in our department." Dion apparently did not want to be outdone by the rejection that Redi showed. “Ah, I forgot. You haven't attend to college for a month because of the tournament. Sorry, I forgot it. Long story short, she is Mr. Young's assistant. She is just started a few weeks ago. I hear she's an alumnus of our department. But the generation is far above us. Bet we don’t know her.”

"I see that. But, why do you have to call her a 'widow'," Redi replied, still annoyed.

“Because everyone in the departement said that. That's a fact, Re. Ah, never mind, anyway you already know that she's our assistant professor. So, all of Mr. Young's course assignments will be collected by her, sometimes she teaches us too."

Both fell silent. Dion who finished with his explanation chose to avoid conflict with Redi. Even Redi, he was reluctant to respond to Dion's explanation. He chose to suppress his annoyance.

"What was her name again?" Redi asked, breaking the silence.

“Gya. Mrs. Gya."

Then the figure they were talking about again passed in front of them. Redi could not help but land his eyes on Gya. An analysis process runs in Redi's head. He watched her up and down. Gya looks like a woman in general, very normal in Redi's eyes.

There is nothing special about the style of dress or make-up. Her long, curly hair is also normal, not dyed like other female majors or young lecturers nowadays. Nothing unusual. Then why are people busy talking about it. Was it just because she was a widow? Ever been married? So why? Redi's mind was busy with various questions that were difficult for his mind to accept.

Usually, Redi never bothered with various gossip around departements. For him, college life is not that interesting. Apart from that, Redi is also too busy with the e-sport tournaments he has participated in since middle school. But this time, Redi is really uncomfortable with gossip about Gya. He doesn’t know why either.

"Afternoon, Mrs. Gya," said Dion, with a flirtatious tone tucked into it. "Alone? Want me to accompany you?”

Redi then elbowed Dion's arm hard. Redi glared at Dion with a threatening look that he would crush Dion if he continued his joke. Dion became clumsy and smiled shyly.

Meanwhile, Gya didn't seem offended at all by Dion's nosy flirty calls. She just smiled and bowed slightly politely, then continued walking into the lecturer's room. Seeing Gya's response, Redi couldn't believe it. To him Dion's jokes weren't funny at all. Even Redi himself was irritated. But Gya seemed helpless, taking a joke that honestly didn’t sound like a joke. Redi is getting angrier, both at Dion and Gya.

"Are you crazy, Dion?" Redi spat.

"What?"

"You said she was our assistant professor."

"Yes, then? I'm just kidding, Re. Just kidding."

"Ah never mind! Next you must be polite to her. Do you think she can accept your naughty behavior? Tsk."

Redi was furious and immediately got up from the chair and left Dion who had not had time to reply to Redi's sentences.

"Re, did you know that there is a new assistant professor?" asked Hanung, Redi's best friend.

"I did," Redi answered briefly and sounded curt.

Hanung, who was sensitive, was then surprised to hear Redi's cold answer. He raised his eyebrows and glanced sharply at Redi. He seemed unable to believe what he had just heard. Naturally, this morning Redi looked cheerful when Hanung picked him up at his apartement. Redi didn't show any anger at all.

"What's wrong, Re? Why do you respond like that?"

Red was silent. His hand that was originally painstakingly writing notes then stopped. Redi took a deep breath.

"You want to say that she is a widow?" accused Redi still curtly.

"What?!"

Hang was surprised. His whole body turned towards Redi. It was clear that Hanung did not accept the accusations that had suddenly been pinned on him. But, Redi was ready to face Hanung's reply. He also put his body towards Hanung.

Lala, who was sitting between Redi and Hanung, finally had to give up her time to mediate the fight that almost happened. Lala clapped her pen hard on the notebook. Redi and Hanung cowered.

"What are you doing?!" Lala snapped. The whole class, although not full, was surprised to hear Lala's scream. However, everyone was silent, including Redi and Hanung, no one dared to answer Lala.

"You started it, Re. What's wrong? Hanung's just asking about Mrs. Gya. Why are you so cold?" asked Lala to defend Hanung, her boyfriend.

But it's true, Redi's face looks different since he cameback from the lecturer room. Actually, Lala realized that, but was reluctant to ask Redi about the reason. Lala was too busy with notes to write.

"I am annoyed. Everyone who asks me about her, they will definitely discuss about the widow status. I don't like it,” Redi replied, his hands clenched on the table.

The sight confused both Lala and Hanung. They have been friends not only for a year or two, but for 6 years since middle school. Ever since Redi transferred schools, they naturally blended in and became close friends. Uniquely, all three of them took the same major in college. In short, they know each other well.

"Sorry, I got carried away by emotions," Redi said, realizing his mistake. “I suddenly remembered the people who used to insult his family. You guys remember? Many people insult my mother and sister just because they are widows.”

Upon this recognition, Lala and Hanung became awkward. For them, Redi is someone who rarely expresses how he feels. Whether he's upset, sad or happy, if Redi doesn't tell him through his own mouth, Lala and Hanung won't be able to understand what Redi is feeling. And his confession was truly unexpected.

Indeed, in the past, there was a condition where Redi hated the term 'widow'. It's all about her mother and sister, who are being bullied just because of their 'widow' status. There have always been bad thoughts for them. Not to mention the naughty temptations from many men. This made Redi so sensitive to the nickname 'widow' to this day.

“Re, I really don't have any intention to say anything bad about Mrs. Gya's status. I'm just worried that you don't know who Mrs. Gya is and that later you will have troubles with Mr. Young's course work. And also Mr. Young is your mentor, "explained Hanung. "You know that he is a disciplined and rigid person."

The three of them were still silent. Lala snorted indignantly as she shook her head nonstop. Then he let Hanung explain to Redi. Lala resumed her writing activities.

“Besides, I'm honestly afraid that you suddenly get carried away with the other kids. You know how their jokes, right? Especially to Mrs. Gya. But, after seeing your response earlier, I'm sure you've seen it for yourself," Hanung continued.

"Yes, I have. I've seen everything before. I apologize. I know I overdid it."

Lala and Hanung were surprised again. The two looked at each other. Their worries had been realized sooner than they had expected. Redi is very sensitive about issues like this.

"But, you're okay, aren’t you?" asked Lala who stopped her activities again.

The question was only answered with a nod of the head by Redi. Hanung and Lala knew that this was not a good sign. They were sure that Redi was trying to quell his anger.

Lara bit her lip. Actually, there is something Lala wants to say to Redi but she is still weighing her decision. Lala convinced herself, once again, to tell a story about Gya. But soon, she finally decided it.

"Mrs. Gya. I know him Re," Lala said slowly. Redi then turned to Lala, as well as Hanung. Both looked at Lala in surprise.

"What do you mean?" asked Redi who was really curious.

Lala took a deep breath.

"She was suffering. No, she is still suffering."

"Han, I can go home by myself. You have to take Lala home. I’m alright."

"You sure? You really can go home alone?" Hanung asked in disbelief. He was afraid that his best friend might get lost because he was rarely on campus. Redi's life that Hanung knows only revolves around his house, training facility and departement building. He was sure Redi had never toured the campus overall.

"I can order a taxibike," said Redi.

"Right!" Hanung snapped his fingers.

"Did you think I'm going home on foot?" Redi guessed followed by a chuckle.

“Ha ha. Who knows? Sorry I can't take you home. I'll go first," Hanung said while waving his hand once at Redi. “Be careful.”

"Relax, Han. Be careful on the way, okay?" Redi replied, grabbing a backpack from the chair. His hands were then busy with his smartphone and ordering an online taxibike.

After making sure of the order, Redi rushed out of the building. Right when passing through the parking lot, Redi ran into Gya who was getting ready to go home too. But Redi didn't intend to greet Gya. Every time he meets Gya, he feels uncomfortable. Then he chose to lower his head to avoid meeting Gya's eyes. He quickened his pace, passing past Gya.

Not long after, Gya left the department with her motorbike. Redi was sure that Gya had greeted Redi with a nod of her head. He could see it out of the corner of his eye. But Redi still avoids her. He just let her greeting go without replying.

Redi took a deep breath. He admits what he did just now was childish.

What the hell am I thinking? Redi thought annoyed with his own behavior. As a result, he tousled his hair until it was a mess.

After Lala told something about Gya, then Gya was in Redi’s mind. Redi himself did not understand. Is it because of his guilt or just empathy. Previously, he had bad assumptions about her. He accused her in his heart of being a helpless woman who could only accept other people's talk. According to him, Gya could have fought back when other people talked about or joked about her widow status. But she just kept quiet and accepted everything. Redi can't get into Gya's mind. What she did was exactly the same as her mother and sister used to do.

However, after Lala told him about Gya's life, Redi really felt guilty. Even though it was just a bad assumption that had appeared in his mind, Redi had no face to meet Gya. He really regretted the accusations about Gya in his head.

“Ah, I messed up,” Redi muttered.

Redi's gaze shifted to the sky decorated with twilight. Rarely did Redi get to enjoy an afternoon like this. The days are too monotonous. Really bland. While other students can gather with the campus community, Redi gives up his time at the e-sport training center or prefers to rest at his apartement. His body is too tired with the same routine every day. What's more, if it is the tournament season, he will be busier until he has to sacrifice his personal interests. But today he felt something was different, not because of the sunset he was enjoying, but because of Gya. An unexpected new human resides in Redi's head.

But today, Redi realized one thing, destiny can happen unexpectedly without warning.

"I'll take you home later," Gya offered.