Sunset

GOODBYE

“Huh… Finally, it’s over,” I think as I walk out of the main entrance after giving my last exam of 10th grade.

The weather is so nice today. Leaves are falling everywhere, and a slow breeze brushes against my skirt.

I look back one last time at that one face I couldn’t stop looking at for the last two years.

My vision is blurry, however, making him look even more beautiful today.

I snapped out of my fantasy.

“Misa, look forward or you’ll fall over your face.”

“Oh, Nia.”

“What are you looking at, by the way?”

“Taking a glimpse. You know I’m transferring for the next grade,” I say with a cheerful smile.

Come to think of it, I have been smiling more these days.

Is it because of him?

Maybe… or maybe not.

Will I be able to get over him when I transfer to another school, another city?

Although our love story wasn’t straight out of some romance novel, it was real.

My feelings for him… my care for him… it was all real.

I hope things work out for him too.

As for me, I’ll be focusing more on myself.

Farewell ~ My First Love.

“So, are we having a farewell party for Misa?” Eli asks.

“Go without me. I have to be home early today,” Leo says.

“Come on, Leo. Many of our friends will be returning to the hostel. We can’t afford to lose any more,” Niko says, smacking Leo on the back.

Leo has always been a top student, with the calmest personality.

Ah, I forgot to mention—I was in boarding school for two years.

Our school is on the outskirts of the city, so there aren’t many cafés or malls around. A few of us have already submitted our no-dues forms, so we don’t need to return to the hostel.

“Guys, it’s fine. You can go back if you already have arrangements,” I say hesitantly, thinking I might disturb their plans.

“Ehh, now don’t be a mood spoiler too. Who knows when we’ll all meet again after you move to another city?” Niko says.

Niko is the most energetic boy in our group. Wherever he goes, somehow trouble follows him. He is always the mood lifter—or should I say, it’s simply hard to ignore his energy.

Two years ago, I couldn’t have imagined that this loud, troublesome boy would become one of the people I’d miss the most.

“Don’t worry, guys. Today’s tab is on me. I can’t let the honor of paying for Misa’s farewell pass to anyone else. And you too, Leo—you’re coming. Let’s see our dear friend off for a better future.”

With one hand covering her eye and the other hand dramatically swinging in the air, her back straightened and her voice deepened, Nia said it in the most dramatic way possible.

Nia is my best friend.

I still remember the day I first met her.

I was sitting on my bed after my parents had dropped me off. Her bed was right ahead of mine, sharing the same table. We soon started sharing so many memories together.

She approached me first.

She had already been in the boarding school for five years by then. She was so beautiful that, somehow, I forgot I was feeling down the moment I saw her.

Just thinking that such a pretty and charismatic girl would be my friend and blockmate made me feel less lonely.

“Alright, don’t be a crybaby, but make it quick. I’ll still have to return home before sunset,” Leo says.

“That’s the spirit, Leo. Now, off to our farewell party!” Niko says, laughing.

“Misa, are you okay… about Kian?” Eli asks very softly, as if she’s afraid she might hurt me.

Eli is the most outspoken and sweet person I have ever met.

She is like spring to me.

Her words, her face, her care… they always brought me peace.

Just thinking about leaving them behind was already making me emotional. And now, seeing them trying so hard to make me happy, I can’t stop my tears anymore.

“Thank you… thank you for always taking care of me, for making me feel special, for making me feel complete. I’ll always miss you guys,” I say, my voice cracking.

“Don’t you be a crybaby too. Leave all the bad memories behind and start anew,” Leo says gently, patting my head.

Before I can say anything, Nia hugs me from behind.

“Be happy in your new school, but don’t forget us,” our melodramatic queen says, tears welling up in her eyes.

Everyone starts laughing.

Niko has already made the reservation.

We eat, laugh, and enjoy ourselves without knowing when we’ll meet again.

Even if it was only for two years, I made a small family here.

Going back home was a very heavy decision. Mama wasn’t happy about it.

I did everything to get into this boarding school just to get away from home, and now I am returning back there again.

Of course she has to be angry about it.

A lot is going through my mind—my family, Kian—and I keep wondering where things started to go off track.

Today, I find myself thinking a lot more about our first interaction.

It was my first day of school. The whole class was in chaos, and I had a headache.

I stood up and shouted,

“Who is the monitor of this class?”

A sudden silence fell over the room.

Everyone thought a teacher had entered.

But it was just me.

He adjusted his tie, thinking the same thing.

When he saw me, he got flustered.

Everyone started laughing.

Out of embarrassment, he gave up his monitorship, and I was appointed as the next monitor.

I wonder why I keep rethinking that stupid moment.

“Misa, do you want me to drop you off?”

Before I realized it, the party was over.

“Thank you for asking, Eli, but my aunt’s house is nearby. I can just take a stroll there.”

“Alright, then. Till the next time we meet.”

She hugs me.

“Take care, everyone. Wishing you luck for your next term,” I say with a warm smile on my face.

They smile back, and we part ways.

I have a train back to my hometown early tomorrow morning.

I’ve already finished packing, so I don’t need to worry about that.

I’m going back home.

I should feel happy about it.

But why do I feel sad, as if I’m going back rather than moving forward?

I miss Mama, my sisters, and my younger brother.

And maybe… I’m not yet ready to admit it completely, but I somehow crave Papa’s love too.

DOOR OPENING

“Oh, you’re back?”

“Yes. I’ll be going straight to sleep, Aunt. If you need any help, let me know. I’ll do it before going to bed.”

“Don’t worry. Just sleep tight. Tomorrow is going to be a very long day for you.”

I set four alarms, each fifteen minutes apart, because I have to wake up at exactly 5 a.m.

I can’t wait to see my siblings.

And yet, I have no idea what will unfold tomorrow.

Alarm ringing…

“Oh shit, it’s 5:10 now.”

~to be continued