“Stop!”
Someone’s voice brought Arshaka to a halt.
Everyone there immediately turned toward the source of the voice.
The KKN leader, Rio Bimasakti, stood several yards away with a tense expression. His gaze shifted between Arshaka and Naira, who was now in the man’s arms.
“Put Naira down!”
Arshaka didn’t move.
The girl was still limp in his embrace. Her face was pale, while her body had felt hot ever since.
“She has a fever,” Arshaka said coldly. “I’m taking her to the hospital.”
“That’s not how you do this, Shaka.” Rio moved closer. “We can wait for another vehicle. I can come with you, too.”
“That’ll take too long.”
“You can’t just take Naira away by yourself.”
Arshaka’s jaw tightened.
“Why not?”
Rio hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “Because I don’t know what you’re going to do. The two of you leaving alone in a situation like this—”
“You’re afraid I’ll do something to Naira?”
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
Several students who had been watching began exchanging glances.
Arshaka’s gaze turned sharp.
“I just don’t want anything unwanted to happen,” Rio replied.
Arshaka let out a quiet chuckle, but there wasn’t the slightest hint of warmth in it.
Then he lowered his head and looked at Naira’s still-closed eyes.
When he raised his head again, the look in Arshaka’s eyes left Rio speechless.
“Listen to me carefully.”
Arshaka’s voice was low.
“I love her more than anything.”
Rio stared at him.
“And that’s exactly why I could never do anything that might hurt her.”
Arshaka looked at Naira again.
He tightened his hold, making sure she remained comfortable.
“She’s sick. That’s what matters right now.”
“Shaka—”
“If you want to be angry, do it later.”
Arshaka turned around.
“Right now, I need to take her to the hospital.”
Without waiting for anyone’s permission, Arshaka walked away from the yard where they had gathered.
“Arshaka!”
The call didn’t make him stop.
Instead, he quickened his pace.
Several students tried to chase after him, but Arshaka had already reached the car parked in front of a local resident’s house.
He opened the back door with one hand, then slowly lowered Naira into the car.
“Naira.”
Arshaka gently patted the girl’s cheek.
“Can you hear me?”
Naira let out a faint groan. Arshaka’s brows immediately drew together.
“Hang on a little longer.”
He took his jacket from the seat and draped it over Naira’s body.
“We’ll be there soon.”
Naira slowly opened her eyes.
Her gaze was unfocused.
“Shaka...?”
“Yeah. I’m here.”
“Don’t... leave me.”
The quiet words left Arshaka speechless.
For a moment.
Just a moment.
But it was enough to make something in his chest grow warm.
He clasped Naira’s hand.
“I won’t.”
Arshaka then closed the car door and quickly sat down beside Naira.
“Let’s go.”
The car engine started.
Without wasting any time, he immediately left Desa Wanasari, heading for a hospital in Jakarta.
His phone began vibrating again. Someone’s name appeared on the screen. Arshaka glanced at it briefly, then ignored the call.
Not long afterward, his phone rang again. This time, Arshaka’s expression grew even more tense.
But once again, he rejected the call.
“Not now,” he murmured.
That day, for the first time, Arshaka chose to ignore his own problems.
Because at that moment, there was only one thing more important than all the matters waiting for him.
Naira.
And he wouldn’t let anything happen to her.