“Have a seat! Let’s go over everything one by one.”
Alan began reading through the draft of Revina’s opening chapter, his expression impossible to read. Revina was growing increasingly anxious.
“Rev!” Alan’s baritone finally broke through Revina’s thoughts.
“Yes, Professor. How is it?”
“This needs to be redone from the beginning, Rev. From what I saw in your original concept, this doesn’t align with the problem you want to examine or with your research plan.”
“But, Professor, I think this is already—”
“If I say it isn’t, then it isn’t, Rev. You need to adjust it again. Who’s the thesis adviser here? If you don’t need my opinion, then what do you need a thesis adviser for?”
“I’m sorry, Professor. I... I’ll revise it again. Thank you for your guidance, Professor.”
“Revina, do you have class after this?”
“No, Professor.”
“Good. Then you can come with me. I want to show you something, and afterward we can continue your advising session.”
“Go with Professor Alan? Where are we going?”
“You’ll find out.”
Revina didn’t dare ask anything else. She chose to go along with Alan’s invitation. Revina just wanted to play it safe. She had no intention of being lectured by her ex-boyfriend again. After so long, they were now sitting in the same car.
“Rev, about what happened in the cafeteria—I mean, about that ridiculous post about us that was going around—I’m sorry.”
“Why does Professor Alan have to apologize?”
“Because I made people think badly of you. I might’ve also caused a fight between you and your new boyfriend because he misunderstood.”
“Irsyad... Luckily, he’s a good guy. He didn’t misunderstand me. In fact, he always supports me.”
Alan looked increasingly irritated as he listened to Revina praise Irsyad. He sped up the car.
“We’re stopping by the airport for a bit. I have to pick someone up.”
Not long after they arrived at the airport, a sweet-looking girl showed up and immediately threw her arms around Alan affectionately. Watching them, Revina briefly assumed the girl was Alan’s new girlfriend. But Revina’s guess was completely wrong.
“Hi, Kak. You must be Kak Revi, right? Kak Alan’s girlfriend? You really are pretty. No wonder Kak Alan gets so excited whenever he talks about you. Oh, right, let me introduce myself, Kak. I’m Prita, Kak Alan’s younger cousin.”
“Um, I’m Revina...”
“Come on, Ta. Let’s go home now! Kakak still has business with Kak Revina.”
“Sure, Kak. You just want to be alone with her, huh? You look like you can’t wait.”
They headed to Alan’s house. On the way, Alan briefly explained to Prita that his relationship with Revina had ended.
“What? Why, Kak? Why? If there’s a problem, you can talk it out properly. That’s such a shame, Kak Alan. I think you and Kak Revi were such a perfect match.”
“If you want to know why, maybe Revina can explain everything to you better, Ta.”
After that, silence fell. Not another word was spoken.
The three of them arrived at Alan’s house.
“Go on, your room is all ready upstairs. Go get some rest!”
“Geez, Kak Alan, you’re so bossy.”
“Rev, come with me.”
“Yes, Professor.”
Watching her cousin’s relationship with his girlfriend—his ex-girlfriend, that was—left Prita deep in thought. Why were the two of them so awkward now? They used to love each other. Love really was complicated.
Alan led Revina to his room.
“Come in!”
Revina felt uneasy. Why did Alan have to bring her to his room?
Alan closed the door firmly behind them.
Kak Alan’s room is still the same as it was back then, Revina thought.
“Rev, these are journals relevant to your topic. You can use them as references.”
“These are for me, Professor?”
“They’re mine. I’m only lending them to you. Take them with you for now, make copies, and return my journals to my office first thing tomorrow morning. One more thing—this USB drive contains the soft files from my old final project. As it happens, we’re working in the same field and on the same topic. Remember, they’re only for reference, not for you to copy. You know the consequences if you’re caught plagiarizing, right? And you need to return the USB drive and my journals to me tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, Professor, I understand. Thank you.” Revina hadn’t expected her thesis adviser to be so kind after everything that had happened.
“Revise your opening chapter right away! Let me know as soon as you make some progress.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“Professor, if we’re finished, then I’ll head home now. Excuse me!” Revina rose and started walking out of Alan’s room.
“Revina...” Alan’s voice stopped her. Before Revina could turn to face him, Alan made her freeze by wrapping his arms around her from behind.
Revina fell silent.
“Rev, don’t you miss the beautiful memories we shared? I don’t want to lose you again, baby. I’m not ready to be away from you.”
“What do you mean, Professor Alan? Please let me go!”
Instead, Alan tightened his embrace, savoring her warmth. “I’m still the same Alan you used to know, Rev! Kak Alan, who’s always loved you. I want our old love back, baby!” Alan occasionally kissed Revina’s shoulder and back.
“What’s wrong with you, Professor Alan?”
“I will always love you, my Revina! Come back to me, baby!”
“Rev! Revina! Hello... Revina, can you hear me?”
Revina jolted awake. She had just come out of the daydream she’d been lost in.
“Y-yes. I’m sorry, Professor.”
Revina was startled. The scene that had just played out had only been an illusion, nothing more than a figment of her imagination. But why had she imagined something like that? Did Revina hope that Alan still loved her? No... That was impossible. It shouldn’t happen either. Revina was now thinking about Irsyad’s feelings.
“What’s wrong, Rev?”
“Huh? Yes, what is it?”
“I’m asking what’s wrong with you.”
“Oh, I-I’m fine, Professor.”
“Are you thinking about something?”
“Ah, no, Professor. Um, in that case, I’ll head home now.”
“Hmm, have lunch here first. Then you can go home.”
“No need, Professor. I’ll just go straight home.”
“Rev, it’s only lunch. Besides, we’re not alone. Prita is here too.”
“Fine, whatever you say, Professor Alan.”
Alan, Revina, and Prita ate lunch together. The atmosphere was painfully awkward, with nothing but silence between the clinking of spoons and forks against their plates. Prita tried to break the tension.
“Ahem, why is everyone so quiet? This isn’t fun!”
“Prita. When you’re eating, focus on eating. Don’t talk at the same time!” Alan replied, his expression still cold.
“Ugh, Kak Alan is usually so talkative. Are you embarrassed because Kak Revi’s here?”
This girl really has no filter, Alan grumbled inwardly.
“Fine, I’ll just talk to Kak Revi. Um, Kak Revi... Can I come by your house sometime? Is that okay?”
“Oh, sure. That’s fine.”
“Yay! Thanks, Kak. Kak Alan has to take me to Kak Revi’s house.”
Alan said nothing, simply focusing on his meal.