I drew a deep breath, trying to suppress the pain still throbbing throughout my body, then looked at the principal with the last of my resolve.
“I’m leaving the handling of these students entirely in your hands. Give them an appropriate punishment according to the applicable school regulations, so they and the other students understand that cruelty cannot simply be allowed.”
I didn’t mention Milana’s name even once. Although every inch of my skin screamed against her presence, something held my tongue back from touching that name for now. It was as if some danger signal would go off if I dared to make trouble with her.
“I’ll take my leave. I hope everything is settled fairly,” I said briefly, then turned and walked out of the room without looking back.
As soon as the door closed, the strength I had been concealing slowly ebbed away. My once-steady steps became unsteady, and I staggered down the deserted school hallway. My head spun, and the pain struck again, more violently than before. I bit my lip to keep a groan from escaping, clutching the corridor wall for a moment to keep myself from falling.
With what little strength I had left, I forced myself to keep moving. Toward the gate, toward my car—that was all I could think about. I had to leave this place immediately.
“Sis.”
The voice reached my ears faintly. I froze and slowly raised my head. At the end of the hallway, Dimas stood rooted to the spot, staring at me in disbelief. He immediately forgot where he had been headed and hurried toward me.
“Sis, what’s wrong? You look so pale... are you all right?” he asked anxiously. His eyes examined every inch of my sweat-dampened face, and he seemed to know at once that something was very wrong.
Before I could answer, my legs no longer seemed capable of supporting my weight. Dimas quickly caught me by the shoulders before I could fall, pulling me into his arms. His touch was warm and steady, instantly making me feel a little calmer amid the excruciating pain.
“Sis... I’d better take you to your car now,” he said softly but firmly, giving me no chance to refuse. Carefully, he put an arm around my shoulders and helped me walk slowly along the remaining stretch of hallway, which seemed impossibly long.
I couldn’t speak. I only gave a faint nod while trying to regulate my breathing. The pain still throbbed fiercely, yet the sincere concern of this unfamiliar man somehow eased the burden I felt.
When we reached my car, Dimas promptly opened the door and helped me sit in the passenger seat.
“Thank you...” My voice sounded hoarse, almost inaudible. “I... I can drive myself.”
Dimas looked at me uncertainly, then immediately sat in the driver’s seat and started the car.
“Where do you live, Sis?” Dimas asked.
My voice caught for a moment as I struggled to gather the awareness that was slowly fading. “Perumahan Permata Indah... Block C, number seven,” I answered softly, resting my limp head against the seatback. Cold sweat still dampened my forehead, and my hand trembled violently despite my attempt to clench it as tightly as I could.
Dimas nodded slowly without asking many questions. He drove with great care, moving smoothly without the slightest jolt. Along the way, he occasionally glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his eyes reflecting genuine concern. He turned on the air conditioning at a comfortable temperature—not too cold—as if he knew my body was shivering for no reason.
“Don’t worry, Sis. We’ll be there soon,” he said quietly, trying to soothe me without forcing me to speak.
All I could do was close my eyes and let the pain slowly subside, even as the image of Milana’s face refused to leave my memory. Who was that girl, really? Why did her presence cut through my heart and body as though they recognized her from a time I had never remembered? And Dimas... why did this man I had only just met feel so trustworthy?
It wasn’t long before the car stopped directly in front of my house’s gate. Dimas immediately got out and opened the door for me before I could move. Quick but gentle, he supported my body again as I stepped out.
“Let me walk you inside,” he said firmly, not allowing me to refuse again.
I nodded and let Dimas lead me into the house.