Chapter 1 MISUNDERSTANDING

"What were you doing in the men's room?" The man with the jarred body, showing his stomach muscles, made Ayana suddenly silent without moving.

The girl gripped her skirt tightly, she couldn't even look into the eyes of the man in front of her. The gripping aura made it hard for Ayana to breathe.

"You're mute, huh? I'm asking," the man pressed closer to the distance.

Ayana's feet slowly backed away. she didn't feel like she could stand on her feet any longer. While the man in front of her still demanded an explanation from her.

"That... I didn't know this was the men's room. I wasn't paying enough attention. I'm sorry-"

"Are you blind? There's writing on the front," he interrupted sarcastically.

Ayana swallowed her saliva harshly. Her guts shrank instantly.

"Go out!" his command sounded piercing. "You're just wasting my time."

Ayana, who had intended to run away, quickly walked out of the toilet. When she arrived at the front, her face looked up slightly to see the symbol printed on the body of the door.

Ayana suddenly cursed her stupidity. How could she enter the wrong toilet, embarrassing!

***

"Ayana, please come with me," said Mrs. Mira five minutes ago before leading Ayana into the dean's office.

The girl stared in disbelief at the presence of her parents there. Her forehead creased even more when her eyes crossed with the man she met in the toilet this morning.

This time the man's face was twice as terrible as before.

"I think everything is complete. Then I will immediately explain why we have summoned you. Thank you also for taking the time." Mrs. Mira opened her voice after the two parties concerned were present.

"It doesn't matter really, Ma'am. For the sake of my child, I'm willing to spend my time," said Ghani, Ayana's mother.

"You're welcome. To save time, it would be better if we just get to the point, because we also have other business outside." The man in formal attire replied, he looked like the man's assistant.

Mrs. Mira reached for the laptop next to her. She then placed it right in the middle of the table. There was a clear picture of two students in the toilet looking at each other so close. What surprised me was the condition of the man who was not wearing any top.

Ayana's eyes widened at the portrait. One hand raised to cover her mouth because she didn't expect it. While the man in front of her tightened his jaw with a feeling of holding back anger.

"What is the meaning of this? Why are we being treated to such embarrassing photos?" Banu, Ayana's father who felt uncomfortable immediately asked in a sarcastic tone.

"Maybe we can just ask the person directly," said Mrs. Mira, trying to be as calm as possible. "Now can you explain why you did that?" She asked pointing to Ayana and Rayyan, sixth-semester students who will soon be graduating.

Mrs. Mira herself received the news from the students who were increasingly spreading in every corner of the campus. How could you not be excited if that causing trouble is the only child of the owner of a textile company, Rayyan Agam Laksmana. The man is a business major who is predicted to soon succeed in his father's company, Sagasco company.

"Sorry, ma'am. But it was just a photo and the two of us didn't do anything," Rayyan replied.

"Mr. Rayyan, can your answer be trusted? If Mr. Roy knew he could scold you." Reza, Rayyan's assistant, pointed at the picture on the laptop, wanting to make sure.

"I didn't do anything to her, ma'am. She entered the wrong toilet, and I just wanted to warn her. It also happened that I was in a situation when I wanted to change clothes after exercising," explained Rayyan seriously.

"How about it, Ayana? Is what Rayyan said true?" Mrs. Mira turned her gaze to Ayana who already received looks of disbelief from Ghani and Banu.

The girl nodded slowly, then answered, "Yes, ma'am. What he said was indeed the truth. It didn't happen as you imagined. This was purely my negligence because I entered the wrong toilet. And he... just reprimanded me," she explained.

"Then I will believe?" said Mrs. Mira.

"Again. It's just a misunderstanding. There's no way I would do that kind of thing over there." Rayyan replied again. He didn't want this problem to continue any longer.

Mrs. Mira glanced at the student briefly, then looked back at Ayana. "Are you sure about your answer? If one day something happens to you and the man in front of you refuses to take responsibility, what will you do? Beg me?"

"But there isn't anything wrong, Ma'am," whispered Ayana. Cold sweat had soaked the palms of her hands and feet.

She could hear heavy breathing from her side. She was always afraid to face her father, Banu.

"Unfortunately the news that has spread is bad, it's also impossible that they will believe what you say. So do I." Mrs. Mira's serious gaze made it even more difficult for Ayana to breathe.

"Then what, Ma'am? I don't want my child's good name to be bad," insisted Banu, who had tightened his jaw from holding back his anger.

He really couldn't believe he would hear such news. Reza nodded in agreement with Banu's question.

Mrs. Mira answered, "My best advice is that they should get married. But it's back to you. I just want to be on guard. Don't let one party feel disadvantaged because of this incident."

"I agree with Mrs. Mira. I will discuss this with Mr. Roy as soon as possible," said Reza.

"You..." Rayyan glared at him. Rayyan's anger was ignored by Reza. The decision of his father's envoy was unanimous.

"Perhaps that's all I need to say. Sorry if this has surprised you all, but we as their guardians here also feel disappointed because of this incident. Yes, hopefully, it can be a lesson in the future to be more careful in our actions."

Reza got up first, the man's sharp gaze signaled Rayyan to follow him immediately.

Meanwhile, the girl who was still looking down slowly started to raise her face, turning to look at Ghani's face with great disappointment.

"Mom, you believe in me, right? What I said earlier is true, I didn't do anything," said the girl, still insisting on convincing.

"I believe in you, Ayana, but the problem has spread widely. Your father also seems confused about how to react to this," Ghani replied, stroking Ayana's hair slowly.

Banu still ignores his daughter who walks with a limp. His mind was working hard to find a way to prove that she and Rayyan didn't do anything.

Right in front of her, Rayyan's figure instantly crossed Banu's and Ghani's bodies.

"I want to talk," Rayyan said, deftly leading Ayana's body to a corner of an uninhabited room.

Ayana groaned faintly as her back hit hard against the wall. This man is heartless. He looked like he didn't feel the least bit guilty after what he did to her.

"Are you satisfied now, huh? Tell me, you entered the wrong toilet on purpose, didn't you? You foully had an alibi, then secretly ordered someone else to take a picture of it." Ryan pointed at her. Ayana trembled with fear.

"I-I didn't do anything," Ayana squeaked barely audible.

"What did you say? Tch, did you think I would believe it? There are lots of models like you out there, cheap girls," Rayyan said sarcastically.

Rayyan's insults stab Ayana's pride. She who was bowed was trying to hold back the tears so as not to drip from the nest.

The man's hand began to grip Ayana's shoulder tightly. Ayana desperately held back her sobs that could no longer be contained.

"Bury your dream deep to be able to marry me. Don't expect it, even being with me you don't deserve it at all," Rayyan hissed, throwing Ayana's hand away. Without regret, he left.

The girl winced in pain as her wrists left a trail of redness. The clear liquid dripped down her smooth cheeks. In the silence, she moaned full of pain.

"He's a terrible man."

Continued...