🌸Caca, the Unfiltered Friend🌸
The traffic light turned green. Rian's car started moving slowly again, threading through the line of vehicles inching along the city's main road. Inside the cabin, the warm scent of jasmine tea from the car freshener mingled with the lingering quiet laughter sparked by Caca's antics.
"Rian, I swear, your little sister is even more protective than Babe!" Caca chimed in again from the back seat, breaking the brief silence. She leaned forward and rested her chin on the back of Zainab's seat. "How could you accuse me of wanting to eat Rian alive just because I wanted to sit in the front? I only wanted to... make a personal move."
Zainab immediately lightly smacked Caca's forehead with the rolled-up draft in her hand. "Caca Marica! Listen, my brother's already stressed enough thinking about his two younger brothers at home, on top of worrying about my thesis. Don't make his head feel like it's about to explode."
"Come on, Nab, who knows? Maybe being with me will actually keep Rian young. He'll have someone entertaining him every day," Caca replied without the slightest bit of guilt, flashing her neat row of teeth.
Rian just shook his head and chuckled softly, keeping his eyes focused on the road ahead. "All right, all right. You two have never known peace since high school, and putting you together hasn't changed that. Ca, should I drop you off right in front of your alley, or at the usual intersection?"
"Right in front of the alley, handsome and generous Rian. That way Babe Sueb Sofian—and remember, don't leave out the Sofian—can see his dream son-in-law safely escorting his daughter home," Caca replied confidently.
"Whatever, Ca. As long as you're happy," Zainab said with an amused smile.
Even though Caca hadn't stopped chattering since they left the campus cafeteria, Zainab was deeply grateful. Caca's energetic presence and unfiltered rambling always managed to distract her from the bitter memories of Farhan. Without Caca, Zainab might still be trapped in a whirlpool of guilt and unanswered questions about why.
A few minutes later, Rian's car stopped by the side of the road, right at the entrance to the alley leading to Caca's house.
"Thanks, handsome Rian! And thanks to my scary master's-degree teacher too!" Caca called out as she slung her backpack over one shoulder and hopped out of the car. Before closing the door, she stuck her head through Zainab's window. "Nab, remember! If that curly-haired, bespectacled teaching assistant shows up on campus again tomorrow, don't glare at him right away. Take a look first. Who knows, maybe he's the responsible type, not the kind of guy who walks around wearing a mask!"
"Caca!" Zainab snapped, her face flushing red.
Caca just laughed openly, waved, and jogged into her alley before Zainab could throw a bottle of mineral water at her.
The car door closed firmly again. The atmosphere inside suddenly grew much quieter. Rian shifted the gear and drove toward their home.
"Kiddo," Rian called softly, his voice now warm and mature, like the eldest brother he was.
"Yeah, Big Bro?" Zainab turned toward him.
"What Caca said earlier... I was serious. Are you really okay?" Rian glanced at his sister through the rearview mirror. "I know you just went through something difficult. If anything happens, or if that man named Farhan tries to contact you again, tell me right away. Ikhsan and I will handle it."
Zainab let out a soft sigh, feeling warmth spread through her chest. Gratitude filled her heart once again.
"I'm really okay, Big Bro. I already blocked his number and accounts across all my social media. I also realize now that Allah still loves me because He showed me what Farhan was really like before it was too late," Zainab said softly. "Besides, I want to focus on finishing my master's thesis and teaching the kids at the Integrated Islamic Elementary School. I don't want to think about guys for now."