Chapter 3 [ 3 ]

Part 3

After returning from Uncle Joe's apartment, Clara ordered an online motorcycle taxi to take her to the dormitory. Throughout the ride, she couldn't muster any enthusiasm. She was torn between feeling sad and happy about what had befallen Uncle Joe.

On one hand, she was happy, but on the other, Clara couldn't help but cry for Uncle Joe's sadness.

Once she got off the motorcycle taxi, Clara paid the fare and made her way slowly to her dorm room on the third floor.

The time on the clock showed it was 4:00 PM. All the school activities had ended, and the resident students were in their rooms, preparing for dinner and evening study.

Clara climbed the stairs, one step at a time, reaching the end where her room was. The door was open, revealing a room with six beds. There were both upper and lower bunks, making it a total of 12 girls sharing the room.

Clara was closest to Nadia. Nadia slept in the upper bunk while Clara was in the lower one.

Both of them were intelligent students, but Nadia was luckier because she had both of her parents, whereas Clara was alone, except for Uncle Joe.

"What happened? Did you not meet Uncle Joe? Or did he reject your love?" Nadia asked. Clara's expression was different than usual. She used to be cheerful and enthusiastic when talking about Uncle Joe. Her eyes would light up as she recounted how handsome he was and what they had talked about. But now, Clara looked unusually downcast.

Could it be that she didn't meet Uncle Joe, or did he get angry with her?

Nadia could only guess and waited for Clara's response. However, Clara didn't answer. She swiftly grabbed a towel and headed for the bathroom located on the ground floor. Living in the dormitory was exhausting, as all activities like meals and showers were located on the ground floor while their rooms were on the third floor, making Clara have to go up and down more than five times a day.

Arriving at the bathroom, Clara began to undress, one piece at a time. She started to wet her body with cold water, closing her eyes and feeling the sensation of every water molecule passing through her pores. The refreshing cold water didn't manage to reinvigorate her this time.

Clara felt the need to do something to help Uncle Joe, to bring happiness back into his life and put a smile on his handsome face.

An idea crossed Clara's mind. Tomorrow, she wanted to find and meet Vivian to talk to her, to do something to help Uncle Joe.

After some time, Clara started to lather soap on her body, cleaning off germs and sweat. The fragrant aroma of the jasmine soap couldn't lift her mood, which had already turned sour.

If you were to ask how Joe influenced Clara's life and mood, the answer was that he had a significant impact. When Joe was sad, Clara would cry with him. But when Joe was happy, Clara would be in sync with his happiness. She'd smile when he did, even though Joe's smiles weren't meant for her.

Clara turned on the showerhead, letting the soapy foam wash over her body. Even though she managed to regain a little bit of energy and enthusiasm, she was sure that she would go looking for Vivian the next day and do something to help Joe.

The next morning, along with the other students, Clara and Nadia walked down the hallway towards their classroom. Their steps were in sync, supporting each other.

"I'm going to ask for permission this afternoon. I can't attend the last class because I have something to do," Clara said. It was rare for her to ask for permission to skip any class, no matter the subject, or even when she was sick. She didn't have any family members pushing her to attend.

"Where are you going?" Nadia asked. The last class was the Indonesian language, which was Clara's favorite.

"I'm going to look for Aunt Vivian. There's something I want to discuss," Clara said confidently. A smile formed on her lips as she felt that her idea was a good one.

"Clara, please understand. Don't get too involved in Uncle Joe's life; he has his privacy, and you shouldn't interfere. You're overstepping boundaries by getting involved," Nadia disagreed.

"Quiet! I can find Vivian on my own, with or without your help," Clara asserted. She then quickened her pace, not wanting to debate with Nadia any longer.

Throughout the morning, from the first class to the fifth, Clara and Nadia remained silent, and neither gave in to apologize first.

When it was time for the last class to change, Clara was packing her writing materials, and getting ready to stand up. She had her bag slung over her left arm.

Nadia, without warning, was already walking alongside her. "I'll treat you to lobster bakso. Let's ask for permission together," she said, not wanting Clara to go alone.

Clara smiled; Nadia was always so kind. Finally, the two of them asked for permission and ordered an online motorcycle taxi to an outdoor photoshoot location.

Clara had done her homework. She knew Vivian's work schedule for today, and it happened to be close to their school.

Upon getting out of the motorcycle taxi, Nadia followed Clara. They sneaked into a hotel building, where Clara had gathered information about Vivian's manager, and agency, and even located the makeup room for today's event.

"Wait here; I'll go inside alone," Clara told Nadia. She didn't want Nadia to witness her daring move.

"Okay," Nadia replied, following Clara's lead and waiting patiently.

Identifying herself as Vivian's niece, Clara was granted access to the makeup room of the renowned model. There, she met Vivian, a stunning, elegant, and flawless woman like no other. For a moment, Clara's aura dimmed as she trembled. She forgot her purpose and why she had come to see Vivian.

"Excuse me," Clara said, and Vivian turned around, looking at Clara with curiosity.

Their eyes locked for a moment.

"Hello, Aunt Vivian, let me introduce myself. My name is Clara. The reason I came here is that I disagree with you filing for divorce from your husband," Clara said, her voice trembling and her breath unsteady.

Vivian looked puzzled and asked, "Why? What is your reason for not wanting me to get a divorce?"

Clara faltered, her lips quivering. The strong presence of the woman before her shook her confidence, making her second-guess her purpose.

"Speak! Why do you oppose my divorce?" Vivian insisted, fixing her gaze sharply on Clara.

"I...I don't want to see Uncle Joe sad," Clara finally managed to say, stammering out the real reason due to her fear.

"Come, sit here, and don't leave until I allow you to," Vivian ordered.

She immediately picked up her phone and dialed Joe's number, which she had stored in her phone.

"You coward! You sent a little rat to beg for my love! Come here, or I won't let her out in one piece!" Vivian yelled on the other side of the phone, her voice stern.

Clara stood still, her trembling lips quivering. The powerful presence of the woman in front of her made her shrink, taking away all her determination and self-confidence.

"Speak! What is your reason for opposing my divorce?" Vivian demanded, intensifying her gaze.

"Um... um...," that was all that came out of Clara's lips.

"Speak!" Vivian insisted forcefully.

"I... I don't want to see Uncle Joe sad," Clara stammered, finally uttering the real reason, albeit with hesitation due to her fear.

"Come, sit here, and don't leave until I allow you to," Vivian commanded.

She promptly reached for her phone, dialing Joe's number still stored in her phone.

"You coward! Sending a little mouse to beg for my love! Come here, or I won't let her leave in one piece!" Vivian berated over the phone.

Clara winced; she was sure the person on the other end of the call was Joe.

To be Continued.