I started my motorcycle and rode toward Nayla's house.
The morning air was pleasantly cool. The streets weren't too busy yet. But my mind was filled with questions.
What was really going on?
If she just wanted to talk, why did she have to ask me to come before work?
If it was something important, why not tell me over text?
Nayla, honestly.
She always knew how to keep me curious.
When I arrived at her house, I knocked on the door.
"Nay! Nay! Hurry up and come out. I have to get to work. I'm going to be late."
I heard footsteps inside the house.
She sounded like she was running.
A moment later, the doorknob turned.
The door opened.
I was immediately shocked.
"Oh my God, Nay. You haven't showered yet, have you? You look like a total mess."
She only stared at me with a blank expression.
"And what was it you wanted to give me? Why not just send it in a chat? Or a voice message or something. You could've. Just say you missed me."
"Ugh, what are you talking about?"
She put on an annoyed expression.
"I don't know you, okay? And you're calling me 'Nay' over and over. I'm Nayla, not Nay."
I laughed.
"Besides, who are you? Acting like you know me so well. What a try-hard. Acting like we're close when we're not."
She pointed toward the street.
"If you don't have anything else to say, you can leave."
I fell silent for a few seconds.
Then I nodded.
"Okay. Just forget about me and us. Don't regret it later."
I turned around and started walking away.
What was that response supposed to mean? She was so weird.
She was probably just messing with me again.
Nayla was always like that.
Fine. I'd just walk away from this house. She'd regret it in a minute.
I'll get you back for this, Nay. Just wait and see.
I had only taken a few steps when my hand was suddenly pulled from behind.
I stopped.
Nayla was standing behind me.
Then, without saying a word, she hugged me.
I was startled.
I almost pushed her away.
In the three years we'd been friends, ever since high school, she'd never hugged me like that.
"Don't go."
Her voice sounded softer.
"I was just kidding, Rai."
I said nothing.
"You're Raihan Dzakwan, my best friend. And I'm your only best friend."
She smiled again.
"Because you can't stand being away from me, you only want one best friend. Me. Right?"
I sighed.
"You really are weird."
She laughed.
"You're Mama Diana's favorite child. You were born on May thirtieth. Your favorite food is fried rice, especially when Mama Diana makes it. Whenever she cooks fried rice for you, you eat at least two servings."
I shook my head.
"Whenever you have trouble sleeping, you always video-call me. You say looking at me makes you sleepy faster. That's just an excuse, though. Just say you miss me."
"Nay."
"Yeah?"
"Stop."
She laughed.
"Fine. So what was it you wanted to give me?"
Her expression grew more serious.
"I got a job, Rai."
I smiled too.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. I wasn't even sure I'd get accepted by that company. It's a big company. I only graduated from high school, and I didn't go to college."
She took a sheet of paper from her hand.
"The job is pretty decent. Don't ask me to treat you with my first paycheck."
I laughed.
"I only want to give you this paper. Read it."
I took it from her.
I slowly unfolded it.
My eyes scanned the large words written on it.
LET'S MAKE A CHALLENGE.
I CHALLENGE YOU: WHOEVER GETS A PARTNER FIRST WILL WIN.
THE LOSER HAS TO TREAT THE WINNER TO A MEAL AT A NICE RESTAURANT.
WE BOTH HAVE TO BRING OUR PARTNERS.
I stared at her in disbelief.
"What is this supposed to be, Nay?"
"Fun, right?"
"No."
I handed the paper back to her.
"I've never dated anyone, and I don't want to date."
"Why not?"
"I don't believe in dating like that."
Nayla folded her arms.
"And?"
"I also don't really like getting close to or trusting women."
She raised an eyebrow.
"I'm only comfortable with you because we used to enter competitions together all the time in high school. That's why I could get close to you."
Nayla smiled.
"It's just to give you more motivation to work and go to college, Rai."
She looked at me.
"You're always busy juggling your time. Once you start working, I'll be busy too. I'm afraid I won't have any time for my best friend here."
I chuckled.
"If you're busy, I'll just bother you."
"Don't."
"Why not?"
"Because you definitely will."
We laughed.
But behind that laughter was something I didn't tell her.
I was actually afraid of losing her.
Very afraid.