Chapter 4 Part 4_ I Want You

"What do you see in Alfred?" Ainsley mumbled, not intending to answer Amyne's question.

"Handsome? Smart? Tall? Fragrant? Cool?" Amyne said it very dramatically. "Come on, Ainsley! Galih is much more perfect than Alfred. Basketball captain, overall champion, good public speaking, consistently bringing the school's good name in competitions. Why should Alfred try?"

Ainsley took a deep breath. The fried rice in front of her became bland because of Amyne's chatter.

"If you like Alfred just because Alfred is handsome, then you have a reason not to like Alfred because Alfred is arrogant, cold, and heartless." Amyne snapped without hesitation. Luckily, Alfred disappeared-who knows where-otherwise, it was certain that Alfred would hate Ainsley even more.

Just like before, Ainsley remained speechless. Leaving Amyne with her spicy chatter every day, yes, every day. Even though it was clear that it was useless for the heart of Ainsley, who loved Alfred so much,.

The class was occupied by several students, the others had already left since the bell rang. Maybe they were hungry because the teacher who was teaching earlier kept getting angry at them for no reason.

"Farhan is also not far behind," said Amyne again. "If Farhan liked me, I would have chased him a long time ago. Handsome, friendly, sincere-ah!! He's the ideal guy." Amyne imagined.

Taking a sip of water, then suddenly squinting her eyes. "Could it be that Alfred has put a spell on you?"

Ainsley's hand suddenly flew in the air, just to slap Amyne's head. "Just talk carelessly," said Ainsley, annoyed.

Amyne ripped her lip. "Maybe, right? How can you be this in love with someone who has openly stated his hate for you? You should realize yourself, Ainsley; Alfred is nothing compared to Galih and Farhan."

Again and again, Farhan and Galih were in Ainsley and Amyne's heated conversation. "Ainsley likes Alfred not because he's handsome but because she just likes him, Ainsley doesn't know why," Ainsley said honestly. You don't need a reason to love Alfred, it just happens.

"Ainsley, you don't."

"Amyne! If Ainsley could choose, she wouldn't want to be like this all the time. The more Ainsley tries, the more Ainsley falls. Ainsley feels like there's a magnet pulling Ainsley to stay. Not to be perfect, but for Ainsley's love for Alfred."

Hearing Ainsley's story, Amyne suddenly had a cough and a runny nose and fell down. How strong is the first love spell?

"But Alfred has been mean to you," Amyne whispered. Ainsley is too innocent, Ainsley is too naive for a closed Alfred.

"She never realized, she doesn't like you either. There's Galih and Farhan, they're more sincere. Why should you stay with someone who clearly doesn't like you?

"Sometimes it's like that, someone with different feelings is much more interesting," said Ainsley pretending to be strong

"Alfred is weird! Alfred is----

"Alfred isn't weird!! If Alfred is weird, what would Ainsley be? Ainsley doesn't like Amyne badmouthing the guy Ainsley likes!! That's rude!

Amyne let out a long sigh. Today, Amyne failed again. Day by day, Ainsley's infatuation is getting more rampant

"If Amyne likes Farhan, Ainsley can help later. Both of them are attractive but in terms of competence, Alfred is much more attractive.

"YET YOUR HEART IS WHATEVER YOU WANT!! I'm tired, I'm tired!!"

***

"Actually, Mommy didn't give permission, luckily, Daddy came home last night so Ainsley could come along," Ainsley explained.

Beside the girl was Galih, who nodded in understanding, Coming home from school like this was a deliberate move to pick up Ainsley from her class.

Even though his love was not reciprocated,

"Tomorrow I will be your tutor, Madam Kinan asked me for help," Galih said softly.

"Oh, really?" Even though it wasn't fun, Ainsley continued to pretend. Sometimes there was a feeling of guilt, seeing how much Galih loved her and how Ainsley couldn't reciprocate it.

Often rejected instead of moving away, he became even stickier. Ainsley had no reason to tell Galih to give up because everyone has the right to love.

Just like Ainsley, I also couldn't stop. Stopping loving Alferd was an inability for Ainsley, but for now. Who knows tomorrow, right?

"I'll take you home, okay?"

"No need, the driver picked Ainsley up." Ainsley refused quickly. The parking lot was not too empty, as proven by the field that was still occupied by many students.

"Why do you keep refusing?" Galih asked. Ainsley lowered her head uncomfortably, even though she had never accepted Galih's offer. Suddenly, a deep voice from behind them was heard, Fael with an Adidas hat grinned while occasionally stealing glances at Galih.

"Ainsley, come back with me," he said. Only then could Ainsley smile in her heart.

Her beloved brother really understood Ainsley the most. Fael was the son of Aunty Clayrin and Uncle Irvan, one year older than Ainsley, in the same year as Galih.

The white-skinned man, who was dominantly similar to his father, had a twin named Faul. If Fael was boyfriend material, then Faul was boyfriend material, said Ainsley. Because Faul was indifferent, not confident, a bookworm, and didn't even have a girlfriend until now.

In contrast to Fael, whose exes were everywhere, Faul clearly did not go to school here but to the high school where Mommy Cleyrin and Aunty Clayrin used to go. He said he didn't want to meet Fael all the time, just wanted to stay at home.

The twins liked to fight every day, and Aunty Clayrin was so dizzy.

"Then I'll go first, bro!" Galih patted Fael's shoulder before leaving in front of the two. After it was safe enough, Ainsley and Fael both blinked one eye. "That kid never gets tired of chasing you, if he says anything to you," said Fael arrogantly.

"Galih is nice, but that's how it is, Ainsley just doesn't like it," said Ainsley. "Let's go home, bro, Mr. Lukman can't pick Ainsley up. Daddy has a sudden meeting, as usual. Daddy's promises can't be kept tightly because the result is heartache."

Fael chuckled, putting on Ainsley's helmet. He deliberately brought two helmets every day because Ainsley liked to hitchhike with him.

"It's okay to complain, as long as you're alive." Fael revved his motorbike, and as usual, the two of them enjoyed the beauty of the congested highway.

***

"Auris never met Ainsley at school? Talk to her, Ainsley. Auntie's daughter doesn't have many friends at school." Cleyrin took out her wallet and handed Auris several hundred rupiah bills.

Karyne laughed at this. "Don't make a habit of giving Auris money, it'll become a habit," Karyne reminded her.

"Mom is so jealous." Auris complained and happily accepted the money Cleyrin gave her. "Thank you, Aunty," she said happily.

The girl's school uniform was still on her body, but she joined in chatting with the two mothers, which was a pleasure in itself.

"Auris is a social studies student, Aunty, so she's reluctant to go to the science building. Science students are really arrogant. But Auris has met Ainsley in the library once," Auris explained honestly.

Cleyrin smiled warmly upon hearing this. "Aunty is happy if Auris wants to be friends with Ainsley, so that her friend isn't just Amyne! Aunty is bored seeing her," said Cleyrin, shaking her head.

"Amyne is the daughter of the CEO of that famous PT Boneka, huh?" Karyne asked, feeling familiar with the name Amyne.

Sipping the hot coffee in front of her, Cleyrin nodded. "How do you know?" asked Cleyrin curiously.

"Her father is my ex, of course I know!" answered Karyne without hesitation, and then Karyne remembered Auris beside her.

"Mom is so bad!! Auris will tell Dad!!" threatened Auris, annoyed.

"He's Auris' ex, honey. Don't overdo it," said Karyne suddenly softly.

"But why does it have to be Amyne's father? Does Mom know that Amyne has stolen Auris' boyfriend?" Auris was fiery.

On the other hand, Cleyrin watched the mother and daughter's argument with great reluctance. The world seemed really small.

"That means Auris isn't hot enough, copy Ainsley. Ainsley just keeps quiet and becomes the dream of men, while Auris, who has branded powder, is cheating on her!!" Karyne said it without hesitation.

"Ah, mother is annoying!!" Finally, Auris sulked as usual.

Karyne didn't care about Auris, who was furious, the girl put her head on the table.

"I still didn't think your child could be born that innocent, even though you and Carel are both tough types of people," said Karyne, changing the topic.

"I'm also confused, even though I was nine months pregnant." Cleyrin didn't understand either. "Isn't it possible that it's not my child?"Cleyrin asked.

"That's impossible! Ainsley really looks like Carel, or maybe Ainsley is Carel's daughter and a woman." "Just random!! I'd bet my life on giving birth to Ainsley, who will look like her father."

With that, Karyne burst out laughing, not caring about the other cafe residents. "But seriously, Cley, Ainsley is really beautiful. As a woman, I'm also insecure about your daughter. Ainsley doesn't seem real, her beauty is like an angel. I swear!"

"Of course. It's inherited from her mommy," Cleyrin said arrogantly.

Karyne stuffed Cleyrin's mouth with a piece of meat. "You're far behind," she said.

"It doesn't matter, as long as my heritage is diamonds." Instead of being insulted, Cleyrin became even more confident.

"Auris, I heard that tomorrow the students of Science 1 are going on a research trip." Auris suddenly spoke, joining in again. Cleyrin turned to Auris, who was previously sulking but was now enjoying the food with gusto.

"Yes, but Auntie doesn't allow Ainsley to come," Cleyrin said, remembering the conversation last night.

"Why?" Karyne asked, feeling strange. "It's only right for science students to do research, experiments, and so on."

"You don't know, Mom? Last year, there was a student who went missing, and until now, she hasn't been found because of that research. There's even a rumor that this year's research will be in that place too," Auris explained.

"Luckily, Auris is a social science student, Auris doesn't like research that takes lives." Auris shuddered in horror.

"That's why Auntie doesn't want Ainsley to come along, Auntie has also been there, and the place is indeed a bit haunted," Cleyrin said.

Karyne took a deep breath, "You guys are just crazy. Do people believe in stuff like that these days? Come on, when will your child be able to advance if she's always restrained by Cleyrin?"

"Not restrained by Karyne, but for safety. You know what my child is like, right? Ainsley is my only child, I don't want anything to happen to her just because of that strange research."

"That's right, Auntie!! Every year they make sacrifices, Auntie has to be more careful." Auris joined in. Karyne just gave up, these two people looked very old.

***

"OMG! Who's this? Aunty's princess..." When the sound of the gate opened, Clayrin could already guess who was coming. It couldn't be her husband because work was his top priority, it couldn't be Faul because the child was taking extra lessons; and it couldn't be Fael because the child's hobby was wandering around unless Ainsley came with him.

Remember, EXCEPT.

Fael couldn't possibly repent this quickly. Ainsley shook Aunty Clayrin's hand. The aroma of cooking disturbed the peace of Ainsley's stomach, which was starting to get hungry.

"Ainsley is hungry; she wants to eat," she said sweetly. Fael and Clayrin, who heard it, chuckled. This girl held the highest throne in their family's history.

Everyone loved her because Ainsley was the only daughter in their family. While preparing food for Fael and Ainsley, Clayrin asked many questions.

For her, meeting Ainsley was the most beautiful gift. If only one of her twin sons was a girl, how happy would Clayrin be? Unfortunately, Clayrin has two handsome sons who can't be dressed up nicely.

"Lately, Ainsley rarely comes home, Aunty Clayrin really misses me."

"Aunty has a lot of homework, especially tomorrow, when Ainsley is going to do research, so there's a lot to prepare. By the way, Bang Fael bought Ainsley this jacket, it's pretty, isn't it?"

While chewing her food, Ainsley pointed to the tote bag containing the gray jacket given by Fael. Before going home, Fael took Ainsley shopping, not once or twice, Fael really likes to buy Ainsley whatever the girl asks for.

"Why gray? Doesn't Ainsley like white or pink?" asked Clayrin confusedly while feeding the two big babies on her left and right.

Ainsley seemed to think for a moment before answering, "Bang Fael said the place is slippery, Ainsley might fall. If Ainsley falls, at least Ainsley's jacket won't look too dirty. Earlier, Bang Fael chose black, but Ainsley didn't like it, so this one is fine."

Clayrin shook his head. Could this be Carel and Cleyrin's child? How could she be this innocent?

"Then Ainsley has to be careful not to fall," Clayrin said softly, and the girl nodded again for free.

***

"It's not that I don't want to, but you know my husband's character. Carel can't be away from his child; just so you know, Ainsley isn't allowed to date Carel, even though he used to have exes everywhere."

"Are you serious? Daddy's possessive."

"Yes, indeed, lately Carel has also come home. Even though it used to be once a week, even worse, he used to come home once a month, but now? Every day! It's really strange, right? I think maybe Carel is starting to get worried about Ainsley."

The cell phone call that had been going on for the past 30 minutes was still ongoing. The career woman with the laptop that was always faithfully in front of her began to lie down in the family room.

Snacks and strawberry milk were still the best choices so far. Clayrin was so engrossed that she didn't realize that her daughter had been sulking since earlier because she had ignored her.

Someone on the other end of the phone was now a silent witness to Ainsley's annoyance at her mommy.

"Personally, I don't think it's a problem to go to school anywhere. Ainsley goes to Grypendati Bangsa High School because it's close to home, why go all the way if someone is close by?"

"Our old school is still good, right?"

"Yes, that's good, you're fine. It's better to take care of all the documents; then you'll go back to Indonesia; when you go to school, it'll be easy."

"Okay, next month our family will return to Indonesia. BTW, Belle wants to go to the same school as Ainsley, she said."There was a small chuckle on the other side.

"Ainsley also can't wait to meet Belle, then we can play together."

"In high school, we were too far from home, it would have been a different story if Ainsley wanted to live with her grandmother. Actually, Ainsley wanted to, but her father didn't want to."

"Yeah, Ainsley is sulking; we'll talk again tomorrow, okay." See you, Shery, see you, Belle. Aunty, turn it off, okay."

"Okay, okay. Bye."

After the phone call was turned off, Cleyrin put her phone on the table. She put her hands on her hips and looked at Ainsley, who was rolling on the floor, her eyes already swollen from crying too long.

"Why, honey? Mommy is on the phone and can't calm down when she sees you! What do you want, hm? Can't you wait until Mommy is finished talking?"

Ainsley sat cross-legged, wiping her tears in annoyance. "Mommy took so long to call," Ainsley grumbled, still crying.

"Mommy is surprised by you. Mommy was never this spoiled before." Cleyrin took a deep breath, exhaled, and gently pulled Ainsley's wrist to sit beside her.

Cleyrin patiently cleaned Ainsley's face, which was covered in tears, sweat, and messy hair. "Ainsley dreamed that there was an evil demon pulling Ainsley's leg," Ainsley said, and suddenly the girl cried again, remembering her nightmare earlier.

"Mommy told Ainsley not to sleep at Maghrib." Cleyrin started to tie Ainsley's long hair. "Especially Ainsley's ghost friends, right?"

"MOMMY!!! Ainsley is not friends with evil ghosts!! In Ainsley's dream, the ghost wanted to kill Alfred, so Ainsley tried to save Alfred, but instead of being saved, Ainsley was pulled out, and then Ainsley's leg was cut off. Luckily, it didn't happen," she said, telling the chronology of her dream.

"It's just a dream, Ainsley, dear; it won't come true.Ainsley, don't be afraid," Cleyrin said soothingly.

"Didn't it all start with a dream, Mom?"

It's up to Ainsley. Cleyrin was tired of

***

22:30

The girl in the white pajamas with black stripes had finished her skincare ritual. She was getting ready to sleep, but Caldwell's movements made her unable to close her eyes.

The handsome ghost she named Caldwell was hanging from the ceiling of the room, of course, Ainsley was excited to see him.

He was cold as snow and very handsome in a ghostly way, if only he were alive. Suddenly, Cleyrin thought like that.

"El, you still don't remember why you died?" Ainsley asked who knows how many times.

Caldwell shook his head, indicating that he didn't remember.

"Do you remember your family?"

Caldwell kept shaking his head.

"So you're going to keep using the name I made for you?"

Caldwell nodded in agreement.

With nothing more to ask, Ainsley muttered to herself. She is struggling with her own thoughts. "If I could read your mind, I would definitely help you live an eternal life, not like this. Unfortunately, I can only read human minds, not ghosts like you."Ainsley felt bad.

"Why do you have to be a ghost? You're handsome, you're funny, and you're kind. I want to meet you, but in human form, not as a ghost."

"I really want to touch your face, lean on your shoulder, hit your head if you're naughty, and what I want the most is to hug you." Ainsley was getting more dramatic.

"Even though you're not my ideal type, you must be another girl's ideal type. Sorry, El. Alfred is already the first. You came late. Coming as a ghost again! It's not fun."

Caldwell's laughter was heard faintly, not as scary as in Indonesian horror films. The creature came down from the hanging session, crawled up onto the bed, and quickly his handsome face was displayed in front of Ainsley.

Ainsley was a little surprised, then moved away, Caldwell instead moved his face closer. "I like the name you made for me," he said.

The girl was touched to hear Caldwell's voice."You can be my family, you can be my friend, you can live here, you can sleep in my room, but you can't like me."

Caldwell nodded innocently, lowered his head weakly, and asked, "Why can't I like you?"

"Because we are in different universes. You and I are far apart, as far as heaven and earth, but we can complement each other but not be together," Ainsley said without the slightest hesitation, without Ainsley realizing she had hurt the handsome creature's heart.

Ghosts also have feelings, as does Caldwell. He can't choose who he gives his heart to.

Caldwell smiled thinly, positioning his hand on Ainsley's cheek even though it didn't mean anything. "If I were human, I could like you, right?"

Almost choking on his own saliva, Ainsley laughed out loud. "There's no way you can be human; you're dead, Caldwell," Ainsley said, chuckling. "You still have a task; after that, you have to return to where you were created."

Caldwell was even sadder. What's wrong with saying "yes" to make Caldwell happy?

Caldwell's sad expression made Ainsley sad too. "I know you want to be human, but that's impossible, El. Everyone will die in time. Don't be sad, okay?"

"I don't want to be human, I just want to be able to love you like a human."

It took a long time for Ainsley to understand the meaning of Caldwell's words. Ainsley immediately covered her mouth when she realized. "Do you like me?" Ainsley asked, then Caldwell nodded.

"Do you love me that much?"

Caldwell continued to nod.

Ainsley was even more shocked, for the first time, Ainsley faced a ghost who was in love with her. Ainsley had never once thought that ghosts had feelings of love other than fear. Even though Ainsley's warning to Caldwell was just a joke, why did Caldwell really like her?

"El, love is natural, but it is not natural if the love is with someone from a different world. Besides being from a different world, we also have different feelings; maybe we have different religions. It's better to love a creature like you, not me.

"But I want you."

You seemed friendly with the ghost in my class earlier, you should just approach her. Even though my ideal type is a handsome guy and you are handsome, it doesn't mean I like you."

"All because of Alfred?" Caldwell asked.

Ainsley shook her head. "Not because of Alfred; you saw Galih earlier, right? He likes me, and I didn't stop him."

"So because we're in different worlds?"

"That's right," Ainsley replied. "Anyone can like me, but they should realize that I like Alfred. The heartache is on their own." Ainsley looked proud of her words. Actually, she never realized her words, Ainsley was too innocent to hurt people.

"Anyone like you? Then let me like you." El said she still couldn't accept being forbidden to love. First love.

"Except you."

"Why?"

"YOU'RE A GHOST AND I'M HUMAN." Ainsley shouted a little.

"Then wait for me to become human." El didn't want to lose.

"You can't possibly be human, El." Ainsley tried to be patient.

"Just say yes."

Today, Ainsley admitted defeat to a ghost. "Okay, it's up to you. You have the right to love, even though we're different. I just want to tell you, that Alfred is the one I love, not anyone else, including you. El."