That morning, Wendi opened his eyes feeling a little strange. The alarm on his phone had been ringing for several minutes, but his hand was still too lazy to move and turn it off.
Usually, Wendi would get up right away and grumble because he was afraid of being late for school. But this morning was different.
He stayed still on the bed.
It wasn't because he was sleepy.
There was an uncomfortable feeling making him reluctant to move.
Wendi took a breath and tried to sit up. He had barely lifted halfway when he stopped.
His knee was aching again.
This time, it was more noticeable than yesterday.
“Seriously?” he muttered, looking at his knee.
He moved his leg slowly.
He still could.
Wendi got off the bed and stood up. The first few seconds felt difficult, but after walking a few steps, the feeling began to fade.
He thought the same thing as yesterday.
“Probably just not warmed up yet.”
Wendi went into the bathroom and got ready for school.
Mom was already waiting at the dining table.
“Why do you look so wiped out?”
“I just haven't had breakfast.”
“No. Your face looks like you didn't get enough sleep.”
Wendi picked up a plate.
“I slept.”
“What time last night?”
“Eleven.”
His mom immediately looked at him.
“Be honest.”
Wendi chuckled.
“Okay, eleven thirty.”
“See?”
“It's only a thirty-minute difference.”
“You think thirty minutes is nothing?”
Wendi smiled.
“Mom, you can really go on when you lecture me.”
“Because my son is so hardheaded.”
Wendi started eating.
A little while later, he stood up to get a drink. Once again, his steps slowed.
This time, Mom noticed immediately.
“Wendi.”
“Yeah?”
“Does your leg still hurt?”
Wendi was silent for a moment.
“A little.”
“If it's only a little, why have you been like that this whole time?”
“It isn't that bad.”
Mom set down her spoon.
“Don't take it lightly.”
“Yeah, Mom.”
“If it still hurts when you get home from school, we'll get it checked out.”
Wendi wanted to refuse, but seeing his mother's serious expression made him change his mind.
“Okay.”
After saying goodbye, Wendi left for school.
On the way, he felt a little distracted. Usually, he liked to speed up a little when the roads were empty. But that day, he went more slowly.
It wasn't because he was afraid.
He just felt like his body wasn't acting normally.
When he got to school, Dimas was already waiting in the parking lot.
“Why are you walking like you just finished exercising?”
Wendi took off his helmet.
“What are you talking about?”
“Seriously. You were acting weird yesterday too.”
“I'm normal.”
Dimas looked down.
“Does your leg still hurt?”
Wendi sighed.
“A little.”
“See? That means it hurts.”
“Dimas, it's only pain if you can't walk.”
“Who says?”
“I do.”
Dimas shook his head.
“You're so stubborn.”
“Thanks.”
“That wasn't a compliment.”
They went into the classroom, chuckling.
But throughout the first class, Wendi started feeling bothered.
When the teacher asked all the students to stand and get a book from the cabinet at the back of the classroom, Wendi took longer than usual.
Fajar noticed and immediately asked,
“What happened to your leg?”
“Nothing's wrong.”
“Why is everyone asking me that?”
“Because you really do look different.”
Wendi picked up the book.
“It just hurts a little.”
Fajar raised an eyebrow.
“There, you finally admitted it.”
“Don't start acting like Dimas.”
“Dimas knows too?”
“Yeah.”
“So I'm not the only one who noticed.”
Wendi sat back down.
He was starting to feel uncomfortable.
Not just because of the pain.
But because everyone was starting to pay attention.
During lunch break, Wendi sat in the classroom with Naya.
Unlike yesterday, Naya didn't ask him anything right away.
She just opened her lunch.
“Want some?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I'm not hungry.”
Naya stopped eating.
“Your eyes look different when you lie.”
Wendi laughed.
“You too?”
“Because you're easy to read.”
“Am I that obvious?”
“Yeah.”
Wendi shook his head.
Naya smiled faintly.
“Don't be embarrassed when you're not okay.”
The words left Wendi silent.
“I just don't want to be a burden.”
Naya looked at him.
“Being sick doesn't make you a burden.”
Wendi fiddled with the cap of his water bottle.
“I'm just afraid people will start treating me differently.”
“Different how?”
“They'll pay too much attention. They'll think I can't do anything.”
Naya nodded slowly.
“But if you keep pretending to be strong, people won't know when to help you either.”
Wendi didn't answer.
He knew she had a point.
But accepting help turned out not to be as easy as talking about it.
After school, Wendi didn't go straight home. He sat in front of the classroom for a while, waiting for the pain to ease a little.
Dimas came over carrying his bag.
“You haven't gone home yet?”
“I'm waiting a minute.”
“Why?”
“I'm tired.”
Dimas sat beside him.
“Yesterday you said you could handle it yourself.”
“I still can.”
“But?”
Wendi was silent.
Dimas smiled faintly.
“Sometimes saying you need help doesn't mean you've lost.”
Wendi looked at him.
“What's with you today? You're being so wise.”
“Because I'm smart.”
“Gross.”
They laughed.
A few minutes later, Wendi stood up.
This time, he walked more slowly.
Dimas stood up too.
“I'll walk you to the parking lot.”
“It's not necessary.”
“I wasn't asking.”
Wendi chuckled.
“Okay, boss.”
In the parking lot, Wendi put on his helmet.
Before he left, Dimas said,
“Don't forget to let me know.”
“Yeah.”
“I mean it.”
“Yeah, Dimas.”
“Don't just read my message.”
“Yeah!”
Dimas finally stepped back.
The trip home felt longer. Wendi wasn't thinking about speed; he was only focused on keeping his body comfortable.
When he arrived home, Mom came straight outside.
“How is it?”
Wendi took off his shoes.
“It still hurts.”
Mom immediately picked up his bag.
“Come on.”
“Where?”
“To get it checked.”
Wendi fell silent.
“Right now?”
“Yes, right now.”
“But, Mom…”
“No buts.”
Wendi looked at his mother.
He knew he couldn't avoid it this time.
A few minutes later, they left the house.
On the way, Wendi sat in silence.
For the first time, he began to feel afraid.
Not because of the pain.
But because he was starting to realize that his body might actually be sending him a warning.
And this time, he couldn't keep pretending that everything was fine.