Chapter 28: Go on Date

The quiet period of the exam has begun. The Final Semester Examination will be held in a few days. Everyone was busy preparing for the exam, except for the final year students who had to do their thesis. Everyone is so diligent in studying in the quiet period of exams like this, except for Taera. Today she doesn't want to study anymore. She wanted to meet Ardilo before the exam started.

After that incident, Taera did keep a distance from Ardilo. She wondered whether, by dating Ardilo, Taera had distanced Ardilo from her friends. But, Ardilo already explained it. Taera is not like that. And Ardilo also feels fine. She did have time to think whether Yola was deliberately approaching Ardilo at that time, but she threw that thought away after Ardilo explained everything. Ardilo and Yola were just friends, that's all, and never more. Taera was relieved.

Taera has taken a shower and put on body lotion that makes her body smell good. She chose a slightly feminine outfit. She combed her hair neatly and put on her round glasses. She looked beautiful and perfect for a date in this quiet time of exams. Taera hopes that her performance today can make Ardilo more enthusiastic about facing the exam.

Taera deliberately did not eat breakfast. She wanted to eat with Ardilo and spend the day with him. Although she doesn't know until what time the date will end today. She wanted to have a good time. It had been a long time since they had spent much time together considering Taera and Ardilo's busy schedule.

Taera opened the door to her room, and the smell of her body lotion and perfume wafted into the noses of Sella, Hyona, and Sonia, who were sitting in the living room. The three of them were facing their respective laptops. Sella was reading the exam material slides, while Hyona and Sonia were working on their thesis.

"Wow... where are you going?" asked Hyona.

Taera is just a whimper.

"Would you like to go on a date? It's fun. When will I have a boyfriend?" Sonia grumbled.

They laugh.

"The thesis finished first, sis. Just thinking about dating," said Sella.

"Come on, do you want to get some food?" Taera asked.

They nodded simultaneously. Taera smiled. She was happy with her boarding friends. They always put Taera in a good mood.

"Yes, let's chat later. What do you want to get? Afraid of forgetting," said Taera.

"Believe me, whoever wants to go on a date, the world feels like the two of them," said Sonia.

Taera smiled, "What are you doing, sis? Come on, go ahead. You've been waiting for this."

"Okay, be careful, Tae," said Sella.

Taera immediately went down to the first floor. This time she was special wearing flat shoes that she just bought. And today she didn't bring her car. Ardilo picked her up. Once ready, Taera came out of the boarding gate. It turned out that Ardilo's car had just arrived. Taera smiled welcoming Ardilo. Taera immediately got into the car so they could leave immediately.

"Have you been waiting long?" asked Ardilo.

"No, I just came out of the gate," Taera replied, then smiled.

Ardilo noticed Taera's appearance. Ardilo knew Taera had purposely dressed up for him. Taera is not a feminine girl. But a little tomboyish and indifferent to her appearance. Her efforts today made Ardilo touched. Ardilo's one handheld the steering wheel and the other, then grabbed Taera's hand and tightly gripped Taera's hand. Taera was successfully made awkward by Ardilo. Her face was flushed red. They rarely hold each other's hands. But this moment always makes Taera nervous.

"Ready to go?" asked Ardilo with his stunningly handsome face.

Taera was stunned for a moment. In her heart, she couldn't believe she could have a boyfriend as handsome as Ardilo. Finally, she smiled and nodded.

***

Their car was already driving far down the city streets. Along the way, they chatted with each other even though it was a little awkward. She won't know why they were both nervous. It isn't the first time they've been out together. But somehow today feels different.

They then stopped at a park in the city center. After parking the car, Ardilo invites Taera to breakfast. They eat uduk rice which is sold near the park. One thing that Ardilo likes about Taera, she is an honest and simple girl. She is not adventurous and can follow Ardilo's lifestyle.

After breakfast, they then took a walk in the park. Ardilo held Taera's hand the whole way. They enjoy the beauty of the garden and the cool air in the garden.

"Tae, once again, I'm sorry about Yola," said Ardilo, opening the conversation.

"It's okay. Yola isn't wrong. Maybe Yola is still used to being close to you all this time. She may sometimes forget that you already have me. Yes, that's natural. I understand," said Taera, trying to explain to Ardilo.

"I'm grateful to have a boyfriend like you. You're a good person. I don't know what I did so I could meet people as good as you," said Ardilo sincerely.

"You are also a good person. I'm sure the one who goodwill meets good people too," said Taera.

"Yeah, you're right. Eh, there's ice cream. Do you want to buy it?" asked Ardilo when he saw people selling ice cream near the park benches.

"Yes," said Taera happily.

***

After they bought ice cream. They eat it while sitting on a park bench. They were silent for each other and dissolved in the sweet cold of their ice cream. At that time, Ardilo then remembered that he wanted to tell Taera when he started falling in love with her.

"I first met you in the library..." said Ardilo suddenly. He remembers that moment.

Taera turned to look at Ardilo and listened carefully.

"At that time, you were still a freshman. You guarded your friend's bag until you were hungry and your stomach hurt. I could see that you were a trustworthy person. Since then, I wished, I could see you again. You don't know me, you don't realize when you meet me. But, I can see all your kindness listening to people who don't like our relationship. Because no matter what people's reactions are, I still love you with all my heart," said Ardilo, then looked at Taera closely.

Taera was touched to hear all this. It turned out that Ardilo loved her. She was a bit concerned about people who underestimated her, but Ardilo always convinced Taera not to doubt Ardilo's feelings for her.

Taera then took Ardilo's hand, "Thank you. I'm so happy to meet someone like you."

Ardilo, who was still looking at Taera's eyes intently, could now feel a deep love from Taera. He brought his head closer to Taera. Taera was suddenly nervous. She doesn't know what Ardilo will do. Will he kiss Taera? Taera was so nervous. When their heads were close, Taera's phone vibrated. Taera immediately walked away, and Ardilo became embarrassed.

"Sorry, just a moment," said Taera. She immediately opened her bag to take out her handphone.

Turns out there was a miss call from Sella. A new chat from Sella came in containing food items from Sella, Hyona, and Sonia. They then kept quiet and finished their ice cream. Both are equally excited.

"When we finish the ice cream, let's continue walking," said Ardilo, breaking the silence.

"Y-yes," Taera said nervously.

***

Hendo was very surprised by the words his girlfriend had just said. "Try again!"

"I want to break up. Anyway, I want to break up," said Yola.