Bagas,

I guess I should have hated him of his very impolite behavior towards my best friend and me. He hit on my best friend in a very wrong way in front of my face. This happens a lot and I think I cannot help it but intervene. I cannot let it slide any other time. I am a way to dislike him at that moment.

I pushed him away from Meila and drag him away from the crowd; which happened to be a kind of at the center of the cafeteria. I tried to bring him down, punch him and strike him on his knee, but what really does happen is that I ended up in his arm. I look around; every single eye in this place is pointing at us.

"You're such a cutie behaving like this," he whispered behind my ear, I startled, either pissed or terrified and kinda feel a little bit molested!

I tried to let me off him. I'm pissed off of myself by letting this jerk lays his arm around me, hugging me like I'm the same as any other foolish (slut) girl. I step on his feet so damn hard that he finally take his arms off me. I ran away and pointed out my tongue and stick out my very lovely middle finger at him. I ran away with my friends. At the last moment, I can see he is very pissed off. I guess that is good, well done.

At the next day, I go to school, as usual, taking the school bus, because I get my Driving License yet. Do not actually know since when Meila has already been going out with a next-door-class boy named Weda.

Weda was the school president last year. He is very intelligent in both academic and non-academic, he mastered some sports, and he is tall, handsome and such a lovely man. He is quite a girls' crush. He is also good at piano and several instruments. Not to mention he came from Ksatrya's family; which in my religion is an honored legacy of royal family/ a brave warrior.

While Meila spends most of her time with her boyfriend at school, I have to stick here with the crowd of this only one cafeteria in our school to queue for holy-lunch. I hate jostling in the crowd, sometimes the boys just taking the chances to lay their hands towards the girl; we the girl could not judge anyone because we're in the crowds and everyone can be the suspect. In a split second, more and more students come over and the crowd is getting messier that I had to knock out behind the line. It's such a waste too long in the line if in the end the rice would sell out by the time I get there. Urgh! I'm so pissed off!

"Quit it, Ka. Just wait them leave," asked my friend Dayu, she doesn't like being in the crowd either

I turn around to look at her, then to my other friends who is already stand by on their seats. I felt bad for them. Meila, Dayu, Ridya and Jihan. As long as I am here in this school, they are the only people who befriend me. They help me mingle, escort me and give me anything that can help me to do things that I cannot do alone in this school. Well, girls always never like to jostle in the crowd of boys especially a good 'mannered' girl. Just imagining they being inside those crowds makes them shudders in horror. They will not expect being sexual harassed by the boys, it is disgusting yet displeasing and abhorrent.

Here, where I felt as their dominant; which is in courage, firmness mind and act, and no jokey strength has willing to help them. I fight for my gender. Therefore, I feel liability for providing their rights to shop at cafeteria FIRST than the boys!

"Dika, look at them! They're nothing but a hungry lion!" Dayu tried one again to persuade me

"Na-ah, I'm starving and so are you!"

I can tell Dayu cannot agree more, "We agreed on this. You guys sit pretty and I'll do the buying. You keep an eye on me, watching my back, point the guy who mean to harass me and I'll tear them to pieces, okay?"

Well, I was pretty a gangster back in Junior High. I like to beat people up, mostly students who mess up with me.

As I was standing here, I can feel someone approach me intentionally, I saw him from the edge of my eyes, and he smiles very wickedly at me. Geez, this guy is trying to fool on me. I tried to drown into the crowd to avoid this lunatic but no one willing to open a gap, damn it. I tried to swallow my resentment while my whole body starts goose bumming and uncomfortable in this crowd, fully aware of 'ghost; unwanted hand would lie on my skin.

SLAP!

I startled. I look over my side, I saw the man rushed away from me. What exactly happen? Well, I glad he finally took off.

"Aw!"

I caught by someone's elbow and pushed away back off the crowd. I feel myself stumble and about to fell but a hand grabs mine and pull me out.

"Hey, Tiny jostler"

This voice again. I rolled my eyes annoyed and swung his hand away off mine, I throw a very best of my glare at him but instead he's just laughing at me, at least his face shows that with that filthy slight smirk he put on. What the hell is wrong with this jackass?! Well, why do I care? He is no value for me though.

Instead of messing my mind by thinking about him and my anger to him, let's just looking for a nice gap to step back in.

"Yo, fleek!"

I feel my hand caught by a big hand of him again, SERIOUSLY THOUGH! WHAT IS HIS PROBLEM!

Instead, I shut my own mouth when I realize he's taking me to his 'squad' table. All of them stare at me in silence.

He let go of my hand and force me to sit beside him. Now I trapped between this jackass and his asses' friends.

A girl who is sitting in front of me smiles but I'm to blank out to respond, This guy dragged me here and happened to serve me a bowl of meatball. I guess that's originally was his, hell, no! Whatever he did to me, I swear I will not eat anything labeled of him—

"I touch it yet." he is back and his next to me

Shut up! Moreover, how you suppose to put that bowl in front of me—

"Geez, Bagas? She's the girl you have been talking about? You're, Tunangan?

*Tunangan means girlfriend in Bali language which lead to a girlfriend you would stay with until marriage simply it also means fiancée in Indonesian language

****. Off.

Bagas. This filthy-meatball guy's name is Bagas. I am starving! Instead of minding about their stupid nonsense, I'll just gonna go back to where I should have been. Bye, sucker!

"Hey hey! Where are you going?"

HE GRABS ME AGAIN! STOP IT!

"You said you were starving, feed yourself first"

I was speechless for a couple of secs. How did he know that I am starving!? Well, most people went here 'cause they are hungry but not everyone!

"I 'was'." I'm right, am I? Haha!

I tug my hand but he won't. let. me. go.

"Easy, Dika. Just sit down right here. I've treated your friends, don't worry. Besides, there's no place there for you to sit in. Better let it go and finish your meal before the bells ring"

Yeah, you know better. LETTING ME GO!

I look at my friends from afar, hopes what this guy said was a fraud so I could turn him down and leave like a legend. However, all I left to see is my friends smiling and thumbing up at me. Well, I am stuck so... I gotta be more patient.

I turned around and look at him again, he is ticking his watch; asserting himself once again. I couldn't help it. I sit down and stare at the bowl, repelling some mantras sincerely so I'll be safe from all fraud and wickedness of this one humankind then I eat my lunch peacefully; ignoring this Gosh-so-annoying creature whose props his cheek at me.

"Tunangan?" he mumbled, I just need to abandon it.

"She eats heartily; I guess that's a Yes"

I choke right away; my throat felt burning and hurt! Oh, I...! glared him right in the eye, but he doesn't even seem moved by it and just smiles at me innocently! Oh, I swear...! I crave for spilling this hot soup to his 'very delighted' face but in reality all I do was fake laughing and shadily rolled my eyes and facing away.

It's okay, Dika. This disturbing day soon gonna be end.

. . .

How heartless could she become?

Meila went home with Weda and I have to walk home alone. The thing is, I just remembered my dad still works outside the district so he cannot pick me up. This is all because I had to do my cleaning duty in the class, I had to come out late and the school bus left me. I guess I had to get used to all of this. Back in my hometown, the driving rule is not as strict as one in this particular school.

If I only had my driving license, it would be a lot easier...

. . .

NEXT DAY~

Sports schedule is my favorite because we're free to do any sport the school facilities provide us or just do nothing but chilling under the shade and watch the others playing. Well, at least we have to do the warming up together first and then we're completely free from participating. On the other hand, we still have to follow the rest of the rule, no lunch while class is ongoing and the material scheduled in our curriculum. Which is last week was Soccer and today's Basketball. I hope I get a peaceful day today. Hence, all of my expectation ruined as I felt a hard smash bounce my back.

Hell yeah! What a pain! But, it's more like, the pain when you just get slapped but on your back AND IT'S SPICY AS HELL. I can't even move my body for several seconds. No teachers were watching over us, so no one could help me from this shame except for my friends.

They ran over to approach me and all the fuss about asking if am I okay and stuff. Some are very kind to escort me to pull off the court. I am too embarrassed to look back at those guys. They did not even say sorry or stuff. What a jerk.

"You're alright, Ka? Do you want some ice?"

I just nodded. I haven't figure out how I supposed to react to this kind of drama.

Without Dika realize, Bagas were in the team, witnessing every single momentum of it.

"Hahahaha"

"Why the heck are you laughing now?!" Meila couldn't understand her chair mates more, she always that odd (in a positive way)

"Just ... Funny! I've never been like this! I always saw this on tv and I wonder what would it feel like? Like how bad the pain would be? Well here I am, hahaha"

BUGG!

Bagas throw the ball at the boy who's causing all of those dramatic scenes. The boy stares back at Bagas but he looked a bit startled when he knew who it was. Bagas stares at him in cold, angered glare, he looks ... beasty, terribly angry. Well, no wonder he was startled, Bagas is the tallest of all of them, around 182 cm, and he's not skinny, he's masculine; proportional, simply, pretty shaped. It is rare to find someone in this school dare enough to insult him to anger; challenge him. However, this man is too arrogant that he pretends to stand up against Bagas.

"What?! You have any problem with me?! What did I do, huh?!" the man yelled

No one dares to intervene, especially when seeing what Bagas now look like. When this state of emotion hits Bagas, their friends won't ever dare to do anything unless things going to turn bad. Yes, they observe first before taking any action. Because last time, anyone tries to stop Bagas before the fight even started, oh, you're not even wanna think about what happened to the person.

"Apologize," even his voice sound heavy and scary

"Did you— did you mad at me because I hurt Dika? Well, I do not get it! Are you even her boyfriend? It doesn't seem that way"

Bagas frowns in dislike. He was offended.

"Stop it! You'll piss him off more!" the other guy tries to intervene but not to Bagas, he kinda glances at Bagas

"Ahahahaawhawhhahaha! So funny! Dang!" Dika chuckled still until she can feel her eyes watery of too much 'laughing'

Bagas who truly cannot control his anger, step up his feet approaching the boy and ready to punch him if his other friends (with 's' okay, pay attention) did not respond quickly enough to hold him back.

"Mind your word if you don't want me to tore that mouth apart, Asshole!" he shouted and it echoes around, taking over the attention of the girls including Dika

"What happened to them?" Dika asked

"I got the ice. I'll do it for ya" said Jihan and sit next to her

Dika then turns around to look at the commotion again but she sees the troublemaker is nowhere around.

"Eh ... where did they—" she shut her mouth up as she saw Bagas is walking towards her, looking trying to calm himself down

"Jihan, give me the ice," he said

"Huh? What for?"

Bagas speak no more and just stare at Jihan. But Jihan stares at Dika for approval but the girl seems to stare at Bagas from bottom to top!

"Are you sure?" Jihan asked both of them

Finally, Jihan gave up on the ice.

Bagas sign Jihan to move aside for him to next to Dika.

"Wait, I had to cool my head first"

Dika just humming as a response and then turn around to stares at her other friends, looking for a clue of what is happening and what's she should do now. She was clueless about this such things.

Bagas put the ice on her back all of a sudden that makes Dika startled but was misunderstood by Bagas as pain.

"Does it hurt? Sorry"

Her friends' smiles in a shade that Dika stares at them in horror.

I guess this is the first time she heard those words from him. She then clears her throat before speaking, "No, I just startled by the cold"

He's here, why doesn't she just ask him?

"Gas, what happened back then? You guys sure look like about to pick up a fight"

"... Nothing, it's really nothing" he answered very lightly, "Why do you care?"

"I'm... just asking" well, she sure should have not asked in the first place.

. . .

Today after school, it is her turn to take the cleaning, again, so she had to come out later than the other did. Nevertheless, she can handle it, as always, she is the class president though. Sometimes she even managed to take out the trash alone, something that mostly the boys refused to do. Jerk. I know.

"Hey, Gas? You're hanging around again?"

"Are you waiting for someone?"

A bunch of his friends bumped to him at the parking lot and at least they had to do some chitchat as usual.

"Hahaha, Nah, I'm going home, just a few seconds."

"Alright, see ya tomorrow!"

"Ok, bro! Be wise! And speed up!"

"Hell yeahh~!"

After closing her class door, Dika walks through the corridor to the exit. Her surroundings are already quiet because most of them already went home or in the parking lot. She often gets out from the back gate, which leads to the parking lot because it is closer to her class.

Bagas was busy with his phone when he happens to see Dika passing by the gate.

"Dika!" he called her too loud for her to abandon

But in fact, she did, "What is he doing?!" she mumbled

He runs a bit towards her and pulls her backpack to make her face him, "Take the ride with me"

Dika frowns, "Hah? Why?"

"It's a yes or no question"

"I don't see Miss Firani around" she was punning. Miss Firani is their; her favorite English teacher.

Bagas just frown in confusion,

Dika look around her, "Nope. Thanks" she shook her head, "Bye~," she said and immediately turn around and walk away. Well, Bagas is stubborn, he doesn't do giving up easily, so he catches her up and grabs her hand.

When Dika turn around and look at him, he already put a very pitiful face that Dika couldn't help it but felt guilty.

"What is it? You feel shame of being with a guy like me?

Well it is not just you, it's any guy! innerDika

"No... it's not what you think it is."

"So, what is it that it is?'

Well, Dika is speechless that Bagas could not stand it and drag her with him.

"Come on"

Well, she has no choice.

"Helmet on," he said

"Thanks," she said

*gosh why this sounds funny XD, sorry*

Finally, she is on the bike, it is tricky because the bike is too big for her feet to reach.

"Hold on tight or I'll never take off"

"Did you think you're riding a plane?" she insults him but her hand still grabbing his clothes' side

"You're kidding me?" he curled

"What??!"

"You're not doing it right," he said and takes her hand around his waist

Well, Dika cannot say any single word anymore now. She is just lost.

"There you are. Now, get ready"

"Don't you dare speeding out the limit"

"Just don't fall, sweetie"

"Wait—What?! Bagas! Hey!"

They arrived right on time at Dika's house. The girl apparently lived in a civil servant's official residence.

When she got off the motorcycle, Dika still held onto Bagas because she was afraid of falling and Bagas chuckled when he realized it. As soon as both of her feet stepped on the ground properly, Dika returned the helmet to Bagas.

For some reason, when he handed over the helmets, their eyes met, Bagas looked at her with a mischievous smile leaves Dika stared at him clueless.

"So, you live here?"

Dika glanced around, realizing several people around them were watching them both.

"Yes." she answered unwillingly.

"What do your parents do that you got to live here?"

Bagas was quite surprised because of official residence houses along this road, how could Dika got enrolled to live right next to the jail; even still in the same parapet.

"My father is the warden"

"Wow, what a remarkable job he has"

"Well, hard work never betrays"

Bagas glanced at his surroundings, to the south of the house there was a small gallery hall filled with furniture. To the north there was a motorcycle wash too, surprisingly, both places were still in the front yard area of ​​Dika's house and there were some people hanging around in blue-polo-uniform labeled inmate and they had been keeping track of Bagas and Dika.

"Why are they outside?"

"That's normal"

"Why is that? I mean, they're a bad guy"

"It's complicated. I need to go, thanks for the ride. Bye" Dika turned around about to leave, but Bagas grabs her bag and pulls her back, "Hey, where are you going?"

Dika was bound to turn around, she stared at him annoyed, "What?"

"Is that all? Shouldn't you be asking me to come in?"

"No. I'm not hosting anyone"

Bagas chuckled, "Hmm, how bad. So, who do you live with?"

"Everyone" Dika swung her arms toward everyone in the front yard of her house

"Excluding your family?"

Dika rolled her eyes, too annoyed to heed on Bagas's intrusive question.

"Well, if they're all home already, let me know"

Dika frowned in a ruffle of Bagas's inevident remble, "What for?" she asks

"I'd like to come over you"

Dika had enough of hi teasing her for today, she slapped Bagas's upper arm without hesitantly, "Ouch, what a pat" teased the man

A pat? It supposed to be slap! What an insult!

Bagas's voice was loud enough that Dika felt ashamed of her surroundings.

"Stop teasing me and just begone already!

"Tease who?" he teased again, seeing Dika lift her hand ready to slap Bagas one more time he nimbly avoided it

"Alright, alright. " he giggles,

Bagas turn the engine on while staring at Dika with a flirty face and seducing smirk

"See you tomorrow, Dika"

He addresses a wink with a handsome smile before lowering his helmet glass down and drove his bike away.

Dika stays still. Still trying to digest the meaning of Bagas's smile and gaze which somehow seemed deadly; fascinating which she still desperately deny.

When the figure has no longer seen, Dika turns around and walked into the house. Who knows what crossed in Dika's mind, but, under the table a subtle smile was carved on her lips as the figure of Bagas again, come to her mind.

Bagas.

Dika stares down to her hand, a flash picture of when her hand wraps around Bagas's waist, drawn the curve on her lips even bigger.

Unwittingly, the guy has slowly intruding her mind.

~ ~ ~

"Wow, that was wearing"-Jihan

"Yeah! Especially when it was explained and resolved! Wo! What a headache"-Dayu

"Hey, what's wrong, Ka? Why don't you say anything?" -Meila

Dika gains her awareness as she hears her friend's calling, "It's the camping thing. I'm not sure my dad would allow me or not"

"Why shouldn't he?" asked Jihan

"I guess he just worries that no one would take care of me there"

"That's all? What about you? You really have the intention to go or not?" –Ridya

"I guess, yea. Anyway, to look at it again, there's no exact reason why I should come. I'm puzzled"

"So, you were saying you lack motivations, huh? Cause what? You're single as hell?" Dayu sneered teasily

"Ish, Dayu. I'm not single, I'm independent. It's different. You're self-mockery Dayu, hahaha " said Dika to Dayu, who teased her.

"You said you weren't allowed? What if we come along with you?" -Jihan

"There it is, that's why I'm not comfortable with you guys who are going to my house asking for my permission."

"What if your sister is coming too? Just tell the teacher if you have to be accompanied?" -Meila

"I'm not sure. If my sister is allowed to join the trip maybe I will get permission. But, she's in college. Besides, she is a girl too."

The girls just nodded in agreement, don't know what else to say.

"Wow!" Out of nowhere, Bagas came in and sat straight next to Dika

"Ish! You startled me, Gas!" Dayu exclaimed reflexively slapped the man's arm

"Hehehe, what are you talking about? Seriously?" Bagas asked as he rubbed his arm that felt stung

"That's it! There's Bagas by chance!" Jihan exclaimed in excitement

"Whoa, whoa, what are you guys have been talking about?" asked Bagas, slurping the coconut iced drink set served on the table

"It's Dika" Melia replied and Bagas glance at the one being mention in the issue.

"Her father didn't allow her to come to the camping trip" Meila continues.

"No, it wasn't her father. Dika doesn't have enough mood booster to go there" Dayu sneered and click her tongue towards Dika

"Dayuuu, shut up! It wasn't like that" Dika whined, glance shyly to Bagas

"Hahaha, what? Bagas deserves to know. You guys definitely have something going on. Maybe he wouldn't mind taking after you" Dayu chimed.

Dika glance at Bagas hesitantly, she saw Bagas nods in agreement then suddenly the guy turned his face to the side. As he realized the girl was already looking at him, Bagas curved his handsome smirk and wink his eyes at her. Dika gets clumsy and facing away.

"Anyways Bagas, you're a Brahmana's. Which parent doesn't want their daughter to date this fine Ida Bagus, huh? You might as well ask for their blessings!" Melia replied in exclaimed, making Dika's feeling even more complex, her cheeks have turned red!

On the other hand, a bright smile of pride has curved on Bagas's face.

"There's only one thing left. I don't come with the bus, I prefer to ride my own motorcycles. I have my license and permission so if she wouldn't mind?" Bagas glance at Dika as he was saying his last statement.

"Don't you know? Dika prefers 2 wheels than 4!" Dayu exclaimed, "Wow! This isn't just a coincidence! You guys meant for each other!" she continues to heat up the beat even more!

"Dayuuu, stopp!" Dika whiney cried.

"Besides, if you guys ride the motorcycle you can ..." Ridya hanging her words on purpose to tease the couple-wannabe

Bagas smirked at Dika who's no longer has the guts to lay her eyes on him.

"Yeah, I guess that has made us a complete match" Bagas took another sip of the drink as he flies a wink towards Dika

Dika sigh annoys, "That makes it twice" she was talking about 'her' coconut iced drink Bagas has drunk without her consent since the very beginning.

Bagas just laugh innocently, "Hey, I mean it. Do you mind to do the trip with me or not?"

"Aaaaa cieeeeeee" her friends exclaimed in excitement

Dika stuttered, she has no idea what to say. Something about Bagas bothering her. It was such an inferiority complex and she had never had this kind of thing happened to her. She was clueless!

Bagas has bottomed up the drink and so he asks, "So you like coconut iced, huh? Me too" Bagas smiles at her girl foolishly

"Hey, Gas! Quit flirting and get your *** up here!" a guy standing by the door exclaimed for Bagas to come with him, he has a drink on his hand

The girls laughing at him and Dika giggles it turned out makes Bagas a little bit embarrassed and so he grimaced in embarrassment before leaving the spot and approach his jackass friend.

Not even a minute later, Bagas return to Dika and place a glass of coconut iced drink. She follows his hands as Bagas places the glass in front of her then she stares at Bagas cluelessly.

"Here, I've restored your drink so you won't have any excuses to avoid me after school," Bagas said as he pinched Dika's cheek gently before strolling away again,

"Oh Geez, Dika! You guys have gone home together? Why didn't you say anything?!" Dayu exclaimed in surprise

But Dika can't even hear clearly what was Dayu and her friends are fussing about, she was too drown in her own mind of everything that has been going on with Bagas.

What is this feeling?

~ ~ ~

Dika has just finished feeding her dogs. It's such a peaceful morning. She's skipping school; it was the school anniversary week so they are busy preparing everything. With a clay mask dries on her face, a super heroes-theme short, random loose shirt she took from the laundry piles, yes, she is at peace today.

That's not for long as one of the inmates is calling her name saying someone is looking for her.

"Who is it?" Dika asked

"I don't know what his name is. He's just saying that he's your friend"

"He? Where is he now"

"I told him to wait in the living room"

"Oh gosh. Okay, thanks, uncle"

Dika closed escort her dogs into their cage and was about to go back inside.

"Oh! And, Tri" the man called again,

"Yup?"

"Frankly speak, maybe you should wash your face first."

"Oh! Ya! Thanks" she replied and walk inside.

Unfortunately, Dika wasn't aware of the fact that the bathroom door is right across the door to the living room. As she was about to enter the bathroom, she heard someone is chuckling. She then glanced at the source of the sound. She then realize that she was exposed, Bagas is sitting on the couch holding back his laughter as she saw Dika's face.

Dika was shoot in horror and walks straight inside the bathroom.

"Here, Gus, you may drink it"

"Thanks, uncle," Bagas thanked the inmate guy who served him a drink

Dika came out of her room with a fairly 'proper' appearance this time.

"What is it?" she asks bluntly, "Not enough teasing me last time?" arms crossed.

"Tch, don't be overconfident. I was here to wash my bike but they ask me in and even served me a drink. I don't have any choices"

'Yes, you have. You could have said NO!' innate Dika annoyed

"Liar. They said you were looking for me"

Bagas chuckled, "Haha, okay, okay fine, I admit it. But I might as well wash my bike in the meantime, right?"

"Cut it out and just get to the point, please?!"

"Come sit here. I wanna listen to what your dad's work"

"Oh, you haven't moved on yet?"

"I'm just curious of what my future father in law's profession is like."

"Cut it out!"

"Hahaha okay, okay, sorry. It was a joke. And might as well becoming true" Bagas was a bit whispering on his last statement but Dika can still hear it.

"K, Fine. Listen well 'cause I won't bother to repeat myself."

"Okay"

"So, as we first moved in, this place looks awfully settled. It was very arid and it really felt like an actual hell of a prison. There was a garden but there's no such greenery.

Bagas put his elbows on the head of the sofa and propped his head up.

"My dad's instructional program is cultivating inmates. Then finally I started to make amendments for the garden to make it greener. But for such a large yard, there must be many plants to take care of. Incidentally, there are some inmates who are allowed to leave the cell because of their well-being records for a certain period. Well, yes, I proposed to my father to let those inmates to be the gardener as well as to help them relieve their stress. It turns out, gardening is almost every single one of their hobby and it's running pretty well so far. "

"Then, what about the gallery and the motorcycle-wash?"

"And that one actually never existed before my father's reign. It was actually a whole lot of ugly front yard. There was one big old tree and stone tables surrounding it. 'Cause we wanted to make the most of this place, we decided to turn the empty useless yard into a motorcycle wash as a job for the inmates and the gallery to display the inmates' works. Few people realized the transformation 'cause they just walk pass bye without care about anything.

"That's cool! So, apparently you're house is a hectic every day, huh?"

"Yeah, pretty much like that"

"By the way, I haven't seen your mother or any of your siblings"

"That's because my mom and sister are lived across the island, so"

"So, you were saying you're here for your father?

"Mostly"

"Excuse me, Gek, Gus" a female inmate smiled at Bagas before she gave a meaningful smile to Dika, she places some snacks on the table. As Dika saw the look on the woman's face, she was shook. She grinned at her in horror. Especially when Bagas realized their interactions and glanced at them in turn.

"Here, I spare you some snacks"

"Wow! Thanks, aunty! Sorry for bothering you"

The woman smiled again at Bagas, leaving him clueless.

"Okay, I just gonna go back to watch the gallery, K?"

"Yes, aunty, this is very sweet of you. Thank you"

The woman smiled mischievously, "Don't mention it, darling"

After the woman left, Dika let Bagas eat the snacks and so do her.

"So, where's your father right now?"

"At work, why?"

"I just want to talk to him about the camping trip"

"NO YOU DID NOT!" she was shook!

Bagas giggles, "Yes I do!"

"Gus, your bike is ready," said the inmates reminding Bagas

Dika escorts Bagas to the terrace and she is fully aware that everyone is glancing at them.

"Right! Can I have the wifi password?"

"Nice, why don't you just ask when you're already home?"

Bagas just smiled while shrugging his shoulder. Finally, Dika typed him the password. It was the first time Dika touching Bagas's phone and he was thrilled.

"Here you are" she returned his phone, "Is it working?" she asked

"Yup! Thanks to you, beautiful"

"Oh, just begone already" she rembled and was about to go back inside when Bagas grabs her hand and signing Dika to check on her phone

Dika frowned, as she felt the vibrations by the notification on her phone.

A Direct Message.

"May I request a follow back, please, my dear?"

Dika tries to hold her smile back and click on the confirmation option also follows back Bagas's account.

She types by, "Done" and Bagas immediately like on her message and replies with a large heart emoji

The atmosphere has melted. Dika glance at Bagas and so do him, they both smiles in chuckle.

Bagas smiles as he saw the notification, "Okay, I'm done here, see you at school!"

~ ~ ~

Dika crashes her body to her bed and starts recalling unusual things that happened today. Especially with the involvement of Bagas.

"Evening, sir" Bagas took Mr. Agung's hands and shook his hands on his forehead

"Dad, let me introduce you to Bagas, he's my friend at school"

"Hello, sir. I'm honored to meet you. My name is Bagasankara. If you excuse me, I would like to discuss something with you. Can I have some of your time, please? I promise it is something crucial and it won't be long"

"Okay, no problem. What is it, son?"

"This is regarding our school annual camping trip. Since this includes an assignment activity there some bonus points if we join the trip. So, it is very major for Dika be part of this trip and apparently she is a new student, she has a lot to catch on"

"Is that so? I guess there will be other alternatives to make it up. I forbid my daughter from participating in this trip for a reason. A worried parent is natural. To take a look at the number of the teachers assigned for this trip isn't equal compared to the number of the students. They won't supervise every single students carefully enough. If anything happens outside the teachers' supervision who would be the one to be responsible for that? To make sure things get handled and will get back into normal as nothing happened. Look, son, I'm also a newcomer in this county. If something happens to my daughter or my son, I have no one to ask for help"

"Yes, sir. I understand you loud and clear. But, as you were saying a newcomer, this makes more sense for Dika to learn to adjust to her surroundings, to mingle by herself independently. Balinese friendship bonds really deep and last for long. So this trip is very crucial for Dika. Doesn't she come all the way here to look for experience? For any positive opportunity which later would affect her life and help her enhance herself?"

Dika smiles in a chuckle as she remembered every single word Bagas uttered to her father. This is the very first time she have a friend who has the guts to challenge his father to an argument. For so many years only her mother who could persuade him anything, but it seems not forever. In fact, sometimes Dika can be very stubborn more than her father that finally, the old man had to surrender to his daughter, but still, sometimes there was no such compelling reason for Dika to propose the disobedience act.

And for the very first time, she has the permission to spend time and having fun with her gang all by herself! She is very happy and excited in the same time. She should be thankful to Bagas for unlocking the door for her.

Oh no, him again? To think about it, how many peculiar things had happened to her since Bagas came riot in her life.

Is it only the door he was unlocked? or Dika's heart as well?