Highschool Reunion

"Auch!" Melody was surprised when the cup of coffee that was still hot in her hand spilled a little on her hand, even a little the spilled coffee also hit her laptop.

Luckily, Melody always has a tissue beside her so she does not have to walk to the kitchen to look for a washcloth.

Why is it so hard to write a novel about you? Even though I have only made half of outline. Melody grumbled in her heart.

Creak!

The woman who had been sitting and busy with her laptop since a few hours ago was surprised when a man came out of the bedroom and approached her. Who else if not Bima – her husband?

"Why have not you slept, My Love? It is already early?" Bima asked to his wife.

Melody shook her head. "I am still busy working." Melody answered while she was smilling sweetly at her husband.

Bima really understands his wife's work. Even though Melody is just a novelist besides being a housewife, Bima is very proud and appreciates Melody's work. How come? Having a writer's wife certainly makes Bima always happy because his days are filled with loving sentences from his wife, not infrequently Melody also throws crazy and creative sentences the really entertain Bima and make the man happy.

A novelist – a job that is often underestimated by many people. However, even so, Melody's salary as a novelist is quite enough to buy her skincare or their little daughter's clothes.

Not because Bima can't afford to buy their beautiful daughter's clothes or skincare for his wife. Bima – who works as an orthopedic surgeon – of course has a lot of money that can buy not only a pair of clothes for his daughter, he can also buy skincare for his beloved wife with the best quality and at an expensive price. However, because of his wife's hobby, she has existed since she was a child it makes if not have the right to forbid it.

Bima is the type of husband who is very supportive of whatever his wife does, as long as what his wife does is a good thing.

"What genre are you writing this time, My Darling?" Bima asked while looking at Melody's laptop screen. However, Melody quickly closed her laptop.

"Warewolf." Melody lied. There is no way she could say that she has been writing about someone in her past, right?

"About warewolves, do you?" Bima asked curiously.

Melody nodded.

"Ah, I will not understand about warewolves, Darling." Bima said, he surrendered. He also had no interest in writing a fiction novel. Instead of writing fiction novels, Bima prefers to read books about the human ligaments, joints, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and spine – it is more right for his profession as an orthopedic surgeon. Bima prefers to spend hours operating on his patients rather than writing fiction novels which of course is not what he is capable of.

Melody is not only a novelist, she is also a nutritionist who has worked for several years in a hospital in New York before she and Bima got married.

Bima smiled while he was remembering how hard the woman's heart was when he started to approach her again.

No wonder Bima is very difficult to get Melody's heart back. That is because of one fatal mistake which will be described later in one section – about how great Bima (breaks Melody's heart).

Melody laughed at her husband's words.

"You are so beautiful tonight, My Beautiful Love. Makes me want to kiss you and-"

"Daddy!"

"Huh, I just wanted to tease her mother, but the child just woke up." Bima said, he annoyed.

Melody laughed.

"Daddy, come here!"

Bima looked at Melody sadly, hoping to enjoy the night with his wife – only.

"Anin has called you, Honey." Melody said, she laughing.

Desperately, Bima walked into their little daughter's bedroom.

Melody laughed. On the one hand, she feel sorry for her husband because their daughter is very close to her father. Even Anin – the four years old little girl was closer to Bima than Melody. Melody feels sorry for her husband who can not rest just to take care of their daughter. However, on the other hand, Melody is grateful that she is finally able to write again.

Melody took several deep breaths, then exhaled slowly.

Okay, Melody, it is time you write about him. Melody said in her heart.

Does not know whether her heart is strong or not to wrote a story about him – a man who is still very close to her heart and will never be replaced.

Because she still has not come up with ideas for writing, Melody tries to walk around her living room. Yes, who knows, the memories of that man will come back and make it easier for her to write about him.

Why is writing about you more difficult than creanting a diet menu for a patient with complications? Melody said in her heart.

Melody laughed as she took another sip of her coffee, which was getting cold. She did not care if her stomach would be bloated and worn all day just because she stayed up late and drank cold coffee at two in the morning. Crazy person does not seem to care what health is.

What? Crazy person?

Yes, it seems that Melody has become a crazy person, although only she can know that fact.

Can not you just let me just write about you without this crazy pounding heart? Can not you not brreak my heart when you become the main character in my story this time?

Creak!

Bima came out of the room, much to Melody's surprise.

"Why is your face like that?" Bima asked confused.

Melody shook her head. "What is wrong?"

"Your beautiful princess pee the bed." Bima replied.

Melody laughed.

Bima who is now according to Melody is quite good, even the man is very patient to take care of their daughter. Melody was confused as to why she suddenly wanted to write about that man – the man from her past.

Melody took a deep breath. All right, come on, di it now for real, Melody!

"What do you keep day dreaming, Sweetheart? Is there something bothering you in your heart and mind?" Miranti asked her only daughter.

The 17 years old girl shook her head gently. Her eyes returned to the streets of the capital city which were very foreign to her.

"You don't like living with Mommy?" Miranti's eyes glazed over.

"Uh, no, Mom, that is not true. What are you talking about? I really like living with you. It is just that ...." Melody did not continue her words.

"Just what, My Daughter?"

"It is just that I miss Daddy, Mom." She answered sadly.

Miranti hugged her daughter, stroking gently her daughter's flowing long hair.

It is not easy for her to live a life like this, especially her daughter is still very young to suppress the bitther pill. However, how else? In fact, now she and her husband are divorced. The man prefers a woman whose age is not too far from his daughter.

"Daddy is gone, Sweetheart. We have to accept that." She replied trying to calm her down. Even though she knew, her daughter would not be calm with her words.

"That means I am not Daddy's daughter anymore, Mom?" Tears started to fall from Melody's eyes.

Miranti gently wiped the tears that started to roll down Melody's cheeks. Again and again she hugged Melody in her arms.

"Dear My Lovely Daughter, you will forever be Daddy's daughter."

"But, why does not Daddy want to be with us, Mom?"

Miranti was silent. She did not even know why.

***

Ring ... ring ... ring ....

The house telephone in the room rang, breaking the concentration of the four boys in gray and white uniforms who were playing the play station.

"Answer the call, Joe!" Brian said commanding.

"You are interrupting the son of the biggest benefactor and chairman of the school's foundation?" Joshua asked in disbelief.

"Gosh! Don't overdo it, Joe! Queen Elisabeth would not be too proud to answer phone calls." Fredo said angrily.

Joshua looked at his best friends in annoyance. Just wait for my revenge on you all! Joshua said in a vengeful heart. Even so, the boy still obeyed – accepted the incoming call on the house phone.

"Hel-"

"Go home now or Daddy will confiscate your car and your ATM card?"

Joshua swallowed his saliva. He shouldn't have answered the call because it turned out to be Christian – his father.

"Yes, Dad, I am going home now." Joshua replied, he relented. He had no other choice but to do what his father said. He did not want the facilities provided by his father to be confiscated.

Christian decides the phone call unilaterally.

Limply, Joshua also took the car keys which he placed on the table near several jars of food.

"Where are you going?" Brian who eyes were still busy with his play station asked.

"Go home." Joshua answered shortly.

"Why come home early?" Alfan asked.

"Yes, why do you want come home early? You are like Cinderella who is afraid to come home late at night." Fredo – who was still focused on the game on the television screen asked.

"Are you sleepy?" Alfan asked, he surprised.

Unlike usual his best friend came home early.

"Joe, if you are sleepy, you can sleep in my bedroom." Brian said.

Joshua shook his head. "My Daddy told me to go home now." Joshua replied.

"Why did Uncle Chris suddenly tell you to come home early? What is wrong? Are you going to be secluded?" Fredo asked carelessly.

Joshua shrugged his shoulders. "He only threatened me – if I don't want to go home now, he will take all the facilities he gave me including my car and ATM card."

"I am sorry, Joe, when it comes to parents, I don't dare to keep you here." Alfan said, he surrendered.

"Yes, instead of going to school you have to walk because your car was confiscated by your daddy – it is really scary." Fredo said.

"There could be an uproar in one world later." Brian said.

"I will go to home now." Joshua said good bye, he walked languidly out of Brian's house.

"Take care, Joe!" Brian exclaimed which was only answered by a wave of hands by Joshua.

"I am worried about Joshua." Fredo said.

"Me too." Alfan replied.

"Never mind, let's just pray for the beast, hopefully his father does not make him have to walk to school." Brian said, to which Alfan and Fredo answered 'amen'.

***

Joshua honked his car horn, making a security guard who was on duty in front of his house surprised and immediately opened the fence for him.

"What is your function here just to sleep? Do you want to be paid or not?" Joshua protested in an annoyed tone.

The security just bowed, then apologized for his carelessness.

Alyana rushed out as soon as she saw her eldest son was already in front of the house.

"Joe, come on in!" She said in a whisper as she waved her hand towards Joshua.

Joshua entered the house following Alyana. He was a little surprised to find a lot of people already gathered in his living room, including Jayden. His twin – for some reason – refused when he was invited to playing play station with members of The Crush. The reason is he was boring to play an old game.

"Hi, Everyone, he is Joshua – our eldest son." Alyana said, inviting the attention of many people.

"Joe, say hi to them, please!" Alyana whispered right in his ear.

"Hi, All, I am Joshua." Joshua said.

"Wow, your children are very handsome, Alyana."

"Yes, very handsome."

"Equally handsome twins."

"Their faces are very similar to their mom."

"Eh, don't get wrong! Their good looks have decreased from me." Christian said, not wanting to lose.

Christian's answer immediately made everyone laugh. Especially when Christian deliberately pretends to be sulking so that everyone there admits that his two sons look like him.

"Joe, when do you want to visit our house?" A man of Christian's age who they used to call Uncle Dedi said.

"Yes, that's right, Joe rarely visits our house now. Angel always asks for you, Joe." Desi – Dedi's wife said.

"Hehe, next time I will visit your house, Aunty, Uncle." Joshua answered awkwardly.

"It is a must for you to visit us. Don't you miss Angel?"

Joshua just smiled awkwardly.

Missing Angel? Absolutely not!

Who is Angel in his heart? Nothing more than a sister to him.

All matchmaking is just a plan and a stup*d fantasy. Joshua does not love Angel at all, even though that woman has tried a million times to get his attention.

"All your sons are very handsome."

"Of course because their parents are also handsome and beautiful, they must be handsome too."

Joshua and Jayden looked at each other, they were tired of worse like that which they thought were very monotonous.

"Dad, Mom, and Everyone, I will go to my room now." Joshua said.

"Me too." Jayden replied and follow his twin.

Christian and Alyana looked at each other, as if throwing the blame by saying, 'look at your two sons!'

"I am sorry, Everyone. I am sorry, Angel, Jayden has to go to his campus tomorrow at six in the morning. Meanwhile, Joshua has daily exams at his school tomorrow, so they need to study in their room tonight." Alyana said, of course she lying.

"It is not a big problem, Sis. We can understand that. Angel is like that too, every day she has to go to campus in the morning, so she does not have time to hang out with her friends or just relax." Desi replied.

While in the room, both Jayden and Joshua, no one studied as Alyana said earlier. Jayden is busy with his painted, this man has had a hobby of painting since he was a child. Alyana even holds a painting exhibition every month in Jayden's small gallery. Many admire in work of the 19 years old boy. Different from his twin brother, in Joshua's room busy playing. Online games on his favorite computer. No wonder if Joshua is still in the second grade of high school, while Jayden is already in college.

Knock ... knock ... knock ....

Jayden stopped his painting activity, he turned to his twin who was still busy playing the online game. Joshua did not even take his eyes off the computer screen in the slightest.

It seems that if there is an earthquake or tsunami, Joshua still won't care. He'd rather be hit the ruins of a building than lose a second of his game time.

"Joe."

Jayden was still awake while looking at his twin who did not even care about someone calling his name.

"Joe." The girl outside the room was still calling out Joshua's name.

"Hey, don't you hear your girlfriend keep calling your name?" Jayden asked, trying to resuscitate Joshua.

"My girlfriend? Who?" Joshua asked. Finally, Jayden could distract him from the game.

"Angel." Jayden answered in a very low voice.

"Is not she your girlfriend?" Joshua annoyed.

"You are her fiancé." Jayden teased.

"If it was not for the st*pid matchmaking made by Daddy and Mommy, I would not be engaged to her." Joshua said.

"Never mind! There, meet your fiancé first." Jayden said, teasing his twin while pressing on the word 'your fiancé', making Joshua glared at him.

However, Joshua finally relented and opened the door for Angel who had been waiting for him.

"Why are you here?" Joshua said straight to the point. He was very lazy to just make small talk with the girl in front of him.

"Could you be a little gentle with your fiancé, Joe?" Jayden shouted from inside the room.

"Can you shut up? If not, I will ask the grim reaper to sew your mouth or take you to the afterlife." Joshua said, he annoyed.

Jayden was silent. He chose to continue painting instead of having to argue with endless Joshua. Jayden already knows very well how Joshua's character is. His twin was very good at arguing.

"Say what you want to say now!" Joshua snapped, making Angelica surprised.

"Ehm, I want to say that we are engaged and-"

"DON'T BEAT AROUND THE BUSH AND GET TO THE POINT, ANGELICA!" Joshua raised his voice even more.

"Sshh .... Joe, lower your voice! I don't want her parents to hear this." Jayden said quietly but still audibly.

"I want to take you to-"

BANG!

Angelica had not finished speaking, Joshua had slammed the door very hard, leaving the girl frozen in front of the closed door.

Joshua did not care even though the girl complained to her parents while crying. Who is Angelica in his life? Nothing but a daughter of his parents' business partners. Even that engagement – ah, Joshua really does not want to think that st*pid ceremony is an engagement.

Melody follows a biology teacher and her homeroom teacher in grade 2 Science 3, her name is Mrs. Naomi.

"If you have any difficulties or problems, you can tell me as your homeroom teacher, Melody." Mrs. Naomi said gently.

Melody nodded while smiling in response.

The class which was previously busy and noisy, has now become quiet when the teacher who is six months pregnant, walks in, followed by a tiny girl who is none other than Melody.

"You guys have a new friend in-"

"Wow!"

"Very beautiful!"

"Sit with me here, Sweetie."

"Don't want it, Dear! He is playboy."

Before Mrs. Naomi had finished speaking, the class was bustling again, teasing the new student beside her.

"SILENCE PLEASE, EVERYONE!" Mrs. Naomi cried, trying to calm the whole class. The woman rubbed her stomach and continued to say that the baby in her womb was not as stubborn as her students.

After the class calmed down again, Mrs. Naomi began to invite Melody to introduce herself.

"My name is Melody Diandra, you all can call me Melody." Melody said briefly, making anyone chuckle in annoyance, 'Is that all?'

"May I call you 'my love'?" A student sitting on the clear end bench teased. He was tall and big with a little long hair.

"Ganjar!" Mrs. Naomi said while glaring sharply, making the owner of the name just blush.

"Melody, you can sit near Bayu." Mrs. Naomi said while pointing to an empty seat next to a boy with glasses who was busy reading his comic.

Melody nodded obediently, she walked over to Bayu's bench, accompanied by disappointed chuckles from the male students.

"Bayu again, Bayu again. Why must this nerd?" That's about their grumble.

"Okay, All, you can get to know each other later. Let's continue our lesson first." Mrs. Naomi said to distract.

"Hi, Melody, nice to meet you. I am Raka."

"I am Arya."

Melody just bowed her head every time her new friends introduced themselves. Not because she does not want to know, it is just that Melody is someone who is she and does not get along easily with people she just met.

However, her attitude actually got grumbling from her friends, they thought that Melody was a very arrogant girl.

"Focus on the lesson first and don't make noise because it's very distracting!" Bayu quipped curtly.

"D*mn you, Nerd – mood wrecking!"

Melody turned her gaze back. Her eyes met with someone's beautiful blue eyes, before then that person lazily hid his face behind his arm again.

Melody's heart was beating fast, very strange. What is the matter with you, Melody? Melody asked in her heart in surprise.

***

The recess bell rang, causing all the students in the class to rush out. Some go to the canteen, go to the school yard to exercise, and some go to the library.

Melody chooses to hide herself in the very quiet library, busy with her favorite author's blue bound novel.

The spacious and quiet library room made Melody comfortable sitting for a long time with her novel, before her stomach viciously growled.

Melody immediately put the novel in its original place and walked away to the canteen.

The atmosphere in the canteen was getting quiet, only a few students seemed to be enjoying their food. Of course because surely the other students have their fill and returned to their classes.

Melody excitedly brought a tray containing a bowl of meatballs and a glass of ice tea which was very tantalizing to her stomach on this hot afternoon.

BUMP!

Melody's steps stopped when she accidentally bumped into someone. The meatball sauce spilled over the white uniform of the person in front of her and left a stain.

Melody adjusted her slanted glasses and looked up, her eyes meeting the owner of those blue eyes. The man's face was red, his fingers clenched until the folds of his finger turned white, holding back the mounting anger.

"YOU!" The baritone voice snapped at her.

"So-sorry. I did not mean to." Melody stammered.

"How dare you dirty my expensive uniform!"

Melody looked down, her legs felt very weak at once.

She had only been a new student at this school a day, but she was already in big trouble.

"Use your eyes well when walking! Don't you already have four eyes?"

Melody's hand trembled, but she cleverly covered it up immediately.

"Let me clean your uniform." Melody said as she grabbed the sleeve of the male's uniform. However, Melody's hand was immediately brushed aside.

"No need!"

Melody is confused, what should she does now?

"Melody Diandra." The male read her name tag. "I tagged you. From this moment on, I will make sure your life as a student here will not be calm."

The tall boy left after uttering his curse, accompanied by surprised and confused looks from the people who were there.

Melody sat down on a chair not far from her. Her legs were so weak when she heard the man's threat.

Yes, her life will definitely not be calm in the future. Especially since the boy was her classmate.

Melody massaged her temples in frustration, imagining what she would receive in the future.

***

"Joe, what happened to you?" Lea asked excitedly when she saw Joshua's dirty uniform.

Unlike usual the boy was wearing dirty clothes.

Lea approached and began to feel the stains on Joshua's white uniform. Lea's attitude suddenly invited other students to approach and surround him, asking the same thing.

Joshua did not say a word to answer. He chose to remain silent, but in fact still stared at Melody who was looking down at her seat.

The class was getting busier about Joshua's dirty expensive uniform. Where did that handsome guy come from to get his dirty uniform? They don't realize if they have not entered in has rung five minutes ago.

"Excuse me." A middle aged man in a civil servant uniform with neatly combed hair was knocking the door, as if he were a guest in a house. Who else if not Mr. Anton? The economics teacher managed to disperse the crowd of students who surrounded Joshua and made them sit back down on their seats.

"Sorry to interrupt your gossiping activities, Ladies. But, I think now is the time to study economics." Mr. Anton said with his trademark smile.

The dreamland clock seemed to be ringing when Mr. Anton explained how the state and regional budgets were prepared, the sources of regional budget funds, and much more that made all students yawn. Even some of the students in the back seat have gone to their respective dreamland.

***

The school bell rang, making all the students in the grade 2 science 3 – excitedly pack their things. Who used to be sleepy, some even salivated, now turned into a fit and fresh person.

Melody scurried about in class behavior, trying her best to avoid the blue eyes male who was none other than Joshua.

The girl now knows who she is dealing with after not eavesdropping got the conversations of the grade 3 social 4.

Turns out Joshua is the son of the head of this school's foundation. It is only fitting that he boldly threatens Melody.

Knowing that fact, made Melody even more afraid. It is inconceivable that if she gets into trouble with Joshua again, she will surely be kicked out of this school. If she was expelled, where else would she go to school? She and her mother don't have much money anymore.

Since her father left them, Melody and Miranti – her mother do not have enough money. They are forced to return to the capital city – the place of her mother's childhood.

With very little money, Miranti ventured into a simple rented contract, opening a sewing business that she had left for a dozen years. Then, if Melody was expelled from school, wouldn't that hurt Miranti's heart? Meanwhile, she can only go to school again thanks to the help of a kind angel who is none other than Melati – her mother's best friend.

Melody safely arrived at the school gate, did not see Joshua at all.

She immediately ran home. Luckily her house is not far from school.

CREESE!

"Are you home, My Daughter?" Miranti approached her only daughter who was already standing in the doorway.

Melody smiled, trying to restore her cheerfulness for Miranti's sake.

"Have you got your order, Mommy?" Melody who saw the pile of cloth on Miranti's sewing machine asked.

"Yes, thank goodness Aunty Melati brought her friend to sew clothes here."

"Thank you. I am very happy, Mom."

"Yes, please change your clothes first, Melody, then eat. In the serving hood, Mommy has made your favorite half cooked fried egg." Miranti said, making her daughter's face even more radiant.

Melody complied. She was already sitting on the floor eating her food after changing her clothes.

"Is it delicious?" Miranti asked.

"Since when did you cook bad food?" Melody replied.

Miranti smiled, her daughter really liked to praise her.

"How was it at school? Are you happy to make new friends?"

Melody is stunned. New friends? Instead she just got a new problem.

"Very nice, Mom. They are all good friends." Melody answered, lying.

"That's good. I hope you can graduate well, be successful, and can make you happy." Miranti said while she was stroking the top of Melody's head.

The girl just smiled.

I am sorry, Mommy. I am sorry because I lie to you. Melody said in her heart.