Flashback.
Diandra was at the supermarket near her house. It was about 150 meters away on foot. She was pushing a cart that was already half-filled with kitchen supplies.
After getting everything she needed, Diandra hurried to the checkout counter. Two people were waiting in line there.
She looked around while waiting for her turn to pay.
Diandra clicked her tongue in annoyance as she looked down at the floor. “Again?”
She bent down to tie the shoelace that was always coming undone. “I already tied it tight, but it still keeps coming loose!” she grumbled.
“It’s all because of that little brat Dodi. I had no choice but to wear my only pair of shoes,” she complained.
Dodi, her mischievous neighbor, had taken the sandals Diandra had just bought. Before going to the supermarket, Diandra had stopped by his house because her mother had asked her to return the grass shears she’d borrowed from his mother.
But as soon as Diandra left, one of her sandals was already missing. Dodi had thrown it onto the roof of his house. Diandra was seriously annoyed that she couldn’t get it back because she was afraid the roof would be slippery.
“Don’t come undone again!” Diandra said, staring at her shoe. It looked pitiful.
“How much?” a guy asked as he cut straight to the front of the line.
“Hey, you!” Diandra shouted, tapping the guy’s shoulder in annoyance.
He turned around with an innocent look.
“Can’t you see I was waiting first? Don’t just cut in line like that!” Diandra snapped.
“I’m in a hurry, and I’m only buying one thing, unlike you.” He glanced at her cart.
“Oh, please! It doesn’t matter if you’re buying one thing, ten things, or a whole lot—you still have to wait in line!” Diandra’s voice rose.
“Cu-lture means WAITING IN LINE!” she added, emphasizing every word.
The guy fell silent, staring intently at Diandra. His face was covered by a mask, revealing only his caramel-colored irises as they gazed at her.
“What are you staring at me like that for?” Diandra asked, raising one eyebrow.
Pretty, he thought.
A faint smile appeared on his lips beneath his mask. Then he moved to the back of the line without saying a word.
Diandra merely gave him a scornful look before turning away.
“Dian, right?” greeted a woman who had just come in. Her name was Mrs. Narti, a neighbor from Diandra’s housing complex.
“Yes, ma’am!” Diandra replied with a smile.
“Dian, which high school did you enroll in?” she asked.
“Mediterania High School, ma’am.”
“Wow, that’s great. That’s one of the top high schools, isn’t it? You’re smart, Dian, so it’s a perfect fit for you!” Mrs. Narti said.
Diandra scratched the back of her ear. “Not really, ma’am.”
“You’re just being modest. I’m going inside now. Say hello to your mother for me,” she said, gently patting Diandra’s shoulder before leaving.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll tell her.”
The guy who had been standing behind Diandra had been watching her and listening to their conversation the entire time—even after Diandra left, he kept looking at her until her back disappeared behind the door.
“Dian. That’s her name. We’ll meet again,” he murmured.
The young man hurried outside after paying for his drink. He looked around but couldn’t find what he was looking for.
Four meters away, the person waiting for him looked annoyed.
The young man was Rafa, and the person waiting for him was obviously his friend, Radit.
“A little longer and I would’ve been standing here for an hour. I’d be covered in moss!” Radit complained irritably.
“Sorry, Dit. I had to wait in line.”
“Oh, come on. You usually pay without waiting in line, so how does buying one soft drink take half an hour? You’re so full of it!” he whined.
“I’ll make it up to you by treating you at school. Now come with me!”
“Where are we going?”
“A shoe store!”
“You’re buying me a new pair of shoes, right?! You’re the best, Rafa. Let’s go!” Radit cheered, putting on his full-face helmet and starting his scooter.
“Not for you!” Rafa immediately sped off first.
“Damn it! He left me behind,” Radit muttered.