Sinta had always believed that everyone carried one story they would never forget. For some people, first love might be nothing more than a brief memory that simply faded away, but for Sinta, someone who came into her life while she was still learning to understand her feelings had left a mark that was difficult to erase.
Sinta was a simple girl who lived in a small town with her mother. Ever since her father passed away a few years earlier, Sinta had been used to living independently. After school, she helped her mother run the little shop in front of their house. Her life was far from luxurious, but Sinta always felt happy because she was surrounded by people who loved her.
One day, when Sinta was in eleventh grade, a new student arrived at her school. His name was Rian. The boy seemed quiet, but he had a smile that put many people at ease.
“Hey, Sin, do you know that new kid?” asked Sinta’s best friend, Mira, pointing toward Rian, who was reading a book beneath a tree.
Sinta slowly shook her head. “No. Why?”
“I heard he transferred from the city. A lot of people say he’s smart.”
Sinta only gave a small smile. To her, Rian was just an ordinary new student. She never imagined that he would eventually become someone incredibly important in her life.
A few days later, their teacher asked Sinta to sit with Rian because all the seats in the classroom were already taken.
“Rian, you can sit with Sinta,” said Mrs. Rina, their homeroom teacher.
Rian nodded. “Okay, ma’am.”
At first, things between them felt awkward. Sinta, who was usually talkative, suddenly became quieter, while Rian wasn’t exactly the type to start conversations easily.
But everything changed one afternoon when heavy rain began to pour. Sinta had forgotten to bring an umbrella and had no choice but to wait in front of the school gate.
“You haven’t gone home yet?” someone called from behind her.
Sinta turned and saw Rian holding an umbrella.
“Not yet. I’m waiting for the rain to stop,” Sinta replied.
Rian looked up at the still-dark sky. “If you wait for that, it could be nighttime. Which way is your house?”
“Down the main road, near the market.”
“I’ll walk you home.”
Sinta was startled. “You don’t have to. You’ll get soaked.”
Rian smiled. “The umbrella’s big enough for two.”
In the end, they walked together beneath the small umbrella. Along the way, they began talking about all kinds of things—their families, their dreams, their favorite foods, and even the little things they usually kept to themselves.
From that day on, Sinta and Rian grew closer. They often studied together, worked on group projects, and helped each other whenever they ran into trouble.
“You know something, Sin?” Rian said one day while they were sitting in the library.
“What?”
“At first, I was afraid to transfer schools.”
“Why?”
“Because I had to leave my friends behind. But now I feel like the decision wasn’t so bad after all.”
Sinta smiled. “Because you made a new friend?”
Rian looked at her for a moment. “Yeah. Because I met someone who made this school feel different.”
Sinta immediately lowered her head. Her face felt warm at his words.
The days passed quickly. Without realizing it, their relationship had become something more than friendship. Sinta began noticing that she was always looking for an excuse to talk to Rian. She felt happy whenever a message from him appeared on her phone.
But Sinta was afraid, too. She was afraid of hoping for too much. Afraid that her feelings might be one-sided.
One afternoon, after their school activities were over, Rian asked Sinta to sit with him in the garden behind the school.
“There’s something I want to tell you,” Rian said.
Sinta looked at him curiously. “What is it?”
Rian took a deep breath.
“Ever since I first came to this school, everything felt unfamiliar. But you were the first person who made me feel accepted.”
Sinta fell silent.
“I don’t know exactly when these feelings appeared, but I’m happy every time I’m with you. I like how you care about other people. I like how you always try to smile, even when you’re dealing with problems.”
Sinta gave a small smile.
“Rian…”
“I like you, Sin.”
Sinta’s heart pounded. She had always hoped to hear those words, but when they finally came, she still felt nervous.
“I like you too,” Sinta replied softly.
That day became one of the happiest days of Sinta’s life. At last, she understood the beauty of first love. It wasn’t about expensive gifts or extravagant promises, but about someone who could make an ordinary day feel special.
Still, they both knew that their school days wouldn’t last forever. Once they graduated, they might have to pursue their own dreams.
A few months before graduation, Rian told Sinta that he had been given the opportunity to continue his education in another city.
“I’m happy you got that opportunity,” Sinta said, trying to smile.
“But I’m afraid of losing you.”
Sinta shook her head. “If we truly value each other, distance won’t erase everything.”
Rian held Sinta’s hand. “I promise I’ll always remember you.”
Time kept moving forward. Graduation day finally arrived. All their friends were busy taking pictures and saying goodbye.
Beneath the tree where they used to talk, Rian gave Sinta a small book.
“What’s this?”
“Notes about all our memories.”
Sinta opened the first page. A simple sentence was written there:
“Thank you for being the most beautiful part of my youth.”
Tears fell from Sinta’s eyes before she even realized it.
“I’ll take care of this,” she said.
Rian smiled. “I’ll take care of all my memories of you, too.”
After that day, they went on with their separate lives. It wasn’t always easy, and things didn’t always go the way they had hoped. There were times when they rarely spoke because they were busy. There were times when they missed each other but could only keep those feelings to themselves.
Years later, Sinta returned to the small town where she had grown up. She walked past her old school and smiled at the many memories still preserved there.
Unexpectedly, someone called her name.
“Sinta?”
She stopped and turned around.
Rian stood not far away, wearing the same smile he had back then.
“Do you still like coming here?” Rian asked.
Sinta smiled. “Sometimes. This place reminds me of so many things.”