The days that followed seemed to pass more quickly for Raka. Every morning, he always found some small reason to look forward to coming to school. Sometimes it was simply seeing Sinta smile when she entered the classroom. Sometimes it was getting a text from her before class started.
But the closer they became, the more nervous Raka felt.
He was beginning to realize that what he felt for Sinta was no longer just the comfort of friendship.
That morning, Raka was sitting and reading a book when Sinta arrived carrying several sheets of paper.
"Rak, are you done with the math assignment?"
Raka closed his book.
"Not completely. Why?"
"I wanted to ask about a few problems I don't understand."
Raka slid his book over.
"Sure. Let me see."
Sinta sat beside him. They began going over the problems one by one.
A few minutes later, Dimas entered the classroom and stopped immediately when he saw them.
"Whoa."
Raka and Sinta turned toward him.
"What?" Raka asked.
Dimas grinned.
"Nothing. I'm just looking at two people who supposedly are only friends studying together first thing in the morning."
Sinta immediately laughed.
"Dimas, don't start."
"I'm just saying what I see."
Raka shook his head.
"You really love making things awkward."
"Because things are already awkward."
Dimas walked toward his seat, laughing.
Sinta was still smiling.
"Your friend really likes teasing people."
"He's used to it."
"But he cares."
Raka nodded.
"Yeah. Even if he can be annoying sometimes."
They laughed again.
During class, their homeroom teacher announced that there would be a group activity to make decorations for a school event.
All the students were asked to work with their assigned classmates.
Raka hoped he would be in the same group as Sinta.
But when the group list was posted, his name was with Ardi and several other students instead.
Sinta was in a different group.
"Why do you look so disappointed?" Dimas asked after looking at the group list.
"Who's disappointed?"
"You."
"I'm just thinking."
Dimas smiled.
"Thinking about why you're not in the same group as Sinta?"
Raka fell silent.
Dimas chuckled.
"You're getting easier to read."
"I don't know why you enjoy bothering me so much."
"Because your reactions are funny."
Even though they weren't in the same group, Raka still helped the other groups whenever necessary. He often saw Sinta busy organizing tasks with her friends too.
They didn't talk as much as usual that day.
Strangely, Raka felt a little lonely.
Not because they hadn't been together the whole time.
But because he was starting to get used to Sinta's presence.
That afternoon, after all the activities were over, Raka was packing up when he heard someone's voice.
"Rak."
He turned around.
Sinta was standing behind him.
"Yeah?"
"Are you heading home now?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I wanted to return the book I borrowed the other day."
Sinta handed Raka his math notebook.
"Thanks for letting me borrow it."
"You're welcome."
Sinta didn't leave right away.
She looked like she wanted to say something.
"What's up?" Raka asked.
Sinta took a small breath.
"I feel like you've been kind of different lately."
Raka was startled.
"Different how?"
"You've been quieter."
Raka tried to smile.
"Maybe I'm just tired."
Sinta looked at him.
"Are you sure?"
That simple question made it hard for Raka to answer.
He knew Sinta could sense even the smallest changes in him.
"I've just had a lot on my mind."
"Like what?"
Raka fell silent.
You.
The word almost left his mouth.
But he chose to keep it to himself.
"A lot of things."
Sinta nodded slowly.
"If something's wrong, you can talk to me."
Raka smiled.
"I know."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
They smiled at each other.
Before they parted, Sinta suddenly said,
"Rak."
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad I have a friend like you."
Her words reminded Raka of their conversation a few days earlier.
But this time, he wasn't confused.
Instead, he felt certain that their relationship really did mean something.
That night, Raka was working on an assignment when his phone chimed.
A message from Sinta came in.
"Are you still awake?"
Raka checked the time.
"Yeah. I'm still working on my assignment."
"Don't stay up too late."
"You shouldn't either."
"I'm already done."
Raka smiled.
"You do care."
"Of course."
"Of course?"
"Yeah. Aren't friends supposed to care about each other?"
Raka read the message several times.
He felt happy, but also curious.
Was Sinta saying that only because they were friends?
Or did she mean something else?
Not long afterward, Sinta sent another message.
"Rak."
"Yeah?"
"I want to tell you something."
Raka immediately focused on the screen.
"What?"
There was no reply for several seconds.
Raka began to wonder.
Then a message from Sinta came in.
"I feel comfortable telling you things."
Raka smiled faintly.
"I feel the same way."
"Thanks for always being there."
Raka stared at the message for a long time.
He wanted to reply with more.
He wanted to tell Sinta that she had also become someone important in his life.
But once again, he chose to wait.
"Good night, Sin."
"Good night, Rak."
After the conversation ended, Raka set his phone down.
He realized their journey was still a long one.
Maybe it wasn't time to say everything yet.
But now he wasn't afraid anymore.
Because he knew that before they became something more than friends, they already had something incredibly important.
Trust.
And for Raka, it was the best beginning he could have.