A few days passed.
Naira saw Shaka staying up late several times, staring at his laptop.
Like tonight, Naira tried to approach Shaka, who was glaring irritably at his laptop.
“Signaaal... Come on.” He rambled.
“Why the hell did you have to give me work at a time like this? Arrgh.” Shaka continued.
Shaka didn’t even notice Naira’s presence.
“Shaka,” she called softly. But Shaka continued grumbling.
“Shaka.” This time, Naira’s voice was louder. Shaka still didn’t hear her.
On the third try, Naira raised her voice even more. “Shaka!”
“What the hell are you yelling for? I’ve got a headache. Can’t you just stop bothering me...?”
Shaka blurted it out without thinking. He was shocked when he saw that the person yelling at him was Naira.
“Uh... sorry, sorry, Nai. I didn’t know it was you. What’s wrong, babe?” Shaka’s voice softened.
Smack.
Naira smacked Shaka on the head.
“Ow, Nai,” Shaka complained, rubbing his head.
“Besides, you called me ‘babe.’”
Shaka only smiled without answering.
“What happened? You’ve been so busy since yesterday,” Naira asked.
“Why are you still awake at this hour?”
“Just answer me—why are you asking me a question back?”
“You’ll find out soon enough,” Shaka said briefly. His eyes returned to the laptop.
Naira was still standing in front of Shaka, intending to see what was on the laptop screen. But Arshaka quickly shut the laptop.
“Trying to snoop?”
Naira only grinned.
“That’s enough. Come on, let’s go to sleep,” Arshaka urged.
The moment Shaka stood up, his phone began to ring. The screen displayed the name “Asisten Stress.”
Naira saw Arshaka’s expression immediately turn irritated.
“You’re not answering?” Naira asked.
“Can’t be bothered. It’s late, too.” Arshaka immediately pushed Naira along. “Come on, let’s go back to sleep. Tomorrow morning, we have to take the kids planting.”
Arshaka, Naira, and Niken took the children to the villagers’ gardens. They taught the kids how to plant and care for crops, as well as how to sort the good harvest from the bad.
The villagers were happy and felt helped by the presence of the KKN students. Since their village was so remote, getting to the city was extremely difficult. The villagers were used to relying on the produce from their gardens.
“Nai, if you’re tired, go ahead and take a break,” Arshaka urged.
Naira smiled. “I’m fine.”
By accident, Niken bumped into Naira, causing her to fall.
“Ahh...” Naira groaned.
“Uh... Sorry, Naira. I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s okay, Nik. I didn’t—”
Naira’s words were cut off as she lost consciousness. She collapsed onto the ground again.
“Nairaaa!” Arshaka shouted.
“Naaii...”
“Kak Naira, Kak Naira.”
Without wasting any time, Arshaka picked Naira up and carried her to the house where she was staying during KKN.
Arshaka placed a hand on Naira’s forehead. “She has a fever,” he murmured.
He patted Naira’s cheeks. “Wake up, Nai. What’s wrong with you, suddenly passing out like this? You’re such a stubborn girl,” Arshaka grumbled.
In a panic, Arshaka tried calling a hospital, intending to have an ambulance sent over.
“Sha-ka.”
The weak voice reached him. Arshaka immediately set down his still-lit phone.
“You’re awake?”
Naira only nodded. Arshaka immediately gave her something to drink.
“You haven’t eaten?”
“I have. I ate some bread from Arin earlier,” she replied softly.
“Ah... You knew you’d be out in the heat, and all you ate was bread. You’re Indonesian, for crying out loud.”
“You sure are naggy,” Naira said with a weak smile.
“I’m going to find us some food. Stay here!”
Arshaka left. He paid no attention to Naira’s protests. All he cared about was Naira’s health.
On the way back to the house where they were staying, Arshaka’s phone rang. It was the name Arshaka hated: Asisten Stress.
“I’ll do it after I get back from KKN. One week from now. Tell your boss to be patient!” Shaka snapped.
“Sorry, Boss Shaka, but your father was admitted to the hospital.”