They walked toward the car. Before getting in, Raka opened the door for the woman who had just become his girlfriend.
Alya smiled. “Thanks, babe,” she said.
Raka’s ears turned red. He fidgeted awkwardly.
“You’re welcome, babe,” he replied, calling Alya by that endearment right in front of him.
Raka then got into the driver’s side. The car began moving away from Alya’s house. Along the way, they talked about simple things.
Alya laughed every now and then because Raka kept teasing her. Nothing special happened. But to Alya, that morning felt wonderful. She was happy to have someone waiting for her. Someone who came to pick her up without being asked. Someone who made the trip to campus feel shorter.
Meanwhile, several kilometers from Alya’s house, Arka was walking toward the campus gate.
He had arrived earlier than usual. When he reached the campus courtyard, he saw Raka parking the car.
Arka raised a hand. “Rak!” he called to his best friend.
Raka turned around.
“Look who finally decided to show up,” Arka said. He walked over to his best friend’s car.
But before he could say much more, the passenger door opened. Alya stepped out.
Arka fell silent.
“Huh, you? You two came together?” the young man asked.
Alya smiled and nodded, answering his question.
“Morning, Arka,” Alya greeted him with a bright smile.
“Morning, Al,” Arka replied.
Raka took Alya’s bag from the back seat.
“I’m the one who picked Alya up,” Raka cut in, explaining to his best friend.
Arka nodded.
“Oh,” he replied, stretching out the word. That was all that came out of his mouth.
Alya stood beside Raka. Without realizing it, she straightened Raka’s slightly rumpled shirt collar.
Raka looked at his collar. “What’s wrong?” he asked his girlfriend.
“It was a mess. I just noticed your collar was all crooked,” Alya replied.
“Ohhhh. Thanks, babe,” Raka replied, affectionately ruffling his girlfriend’s hair.
Arka watched the small gesture. Alya then walked with Raka toward her classroom. Yes, Raka escorted his girlfriend right to the front of her classroom.
Arka followed a few steps behind them. He didn’t say anything. But his eyes stayed fixed on the two of them.
The way Raka carried Alya’s bag. The way Alya walked beside Raka. The way they occasionally talked and laughed together. Everything looked so natural.
Arka drew a slow breath. They really were a couple. They looked like a perfect match, too.
And he should have been used to seeing scenes like that.
Yet for some reason, that morning felt a little different.
“What’s wrong with me?” he muttered, touching his chest, which felt slightly tight.
Arka lowered his head. He knew the answer. But he wasn’t ready to admit it.
Because for now, Arka chose to believe that his discomfort was only because he wasn’t used to seeing his best friend have a girlfriend.
When in fact, deep inside him, something had begun to grow. Something that didn’t have a name yet. And with each passing day, it was becoming harder to ignore.
Alya glanced behind her. The young woman jolted and released Raka’s hand before quickly walking over to Arka.
“Arka, I’m sorry,” she said, taking her best friend’s hand.
Raka furrowed his brow. But then he realized it too: he and Alya had forgotten all about Arka, who had been with them the whole time.
“Sorry, bro. I didn’t mean to ignore you,” Raka said, scratching his not-itchy head.
“I get it. Come on, don’t be so dramatic. I know you two just started dating. So just enjoy it,” Arka explained. He couldn’t possibly ruin his friend’s mood.
“That’s why Arka should get a girlfriend too. Then we could all hang out together. Me and Raka, and you with your girlfriend.”