On the Way to Puncak
As they were on their way to Puncak, Adrian looked a bit excited, turning to gaze out the window at scenery he'd never seen before. Elsa, sitting next to him in the middle, smiled watching him. Suddenly, someone poked Elsa's shoulder. Elsa turned.
"What's up, Dan?" Elsa asked Danu, who was sitting next to her.
"Nothing, your boyfriend just looks really happy," Danu replied.
"Hehe, that's just how he is," Elsa said.
"I need his advice later. I'm curious how he managed to get you. You used to be really hard to approach," Danu remarked.
"Hmm, well, I don't think he can help you with that, hehe," Elsa chuckled.
"Oh, why not?" Danu asked.
"It's like I never told you, Dan. You heard about their drama in front of the class, didn't you?" Erik said from the front.
"Oh, that? Was it for real?" Danu asked.
"Yeah, here's the eyewitness!" Erik said, turning Yuni's head beside him.
"What are you doing?" Yuni retorted, swatting Erik's hand away.
"Hehe, she's an important eyewitness," Monic added.
"She was literally sitting right behind both of them. Right, Yun?" Sinta chimed in.
"Yep, I had VIP seats, an exclusive front-row view. Too bad I didn't record it. It would've gone viral, hehe," Yuni replied.
"I'll hit you, Yun, I swear!" Elsa threatened.
"You wouldn't have had time anyway. Who wouldn't be stunned watching a K-drama unfold in front of the class like that? Nobody even thought to grab their smartphone and record, hehe," Yuni teased.
"Alright, shut up, don't talk about it anymore! It's embarrassing!" Elsa whined.
"But it worked out, right? You didn't get 'divorced' again, hehe," Yuni retorted.
"Ugh, you're such a pain!" Elsa said, trying to reach Yuni in front of her.
"Hey, let's stop at the rest stop, okay? Gotta check the tires," Toni said from the passenger seat.
"Okay, cool," Erik replied.
"Perfect! I need to use the restroom too," Monic said.
"Me too, been holding it in for a while," Sinta added.
"Want company?" Danu asked.
"Don't you dare show up in the women's restroom!" Sinta snapped.
"Geez, why are you so harsh on me, Sin?" Danu replied.
"Whatever, just shut up, shorty!" Sinta retorted.
Danu immediately leaned back and went silent, looking out the window. Monic, who turned back, immediately pinched Sinta's cheek.
"You really are so grumpy!" Monic said.
"Stop nagging! It hurts!" Sinta replied, rubbing her cheek.
Adrian, seeing Danu lost in thought looking out the window, leaned in and whispered to Elsa.
"He's kinda pitiful, isn't he?" Adrian whispered.
"Yeah, well. Do you need to pee?" Elsa whispered back.
"Not really, you?" Adrian asked.
"I'll just go with them later," Elsa replied.
"Alright, want me to go with you?" Adrian asked.
"No need," Elsa answered.
"Okay, I'll wait in the car. I kinda want to walk around though, I've never been in a rest stop like this," Adrian said.
"Don't! You'll get lost, and it'll be a hassle," Elsa warned.
"What, am I a kid or something?" Adrian asked.
"Right now, yes, and I'm your mom, hehe," Elsa joked.
"You're impossible," Adrian said, putting an arm around Elsa.
"Ahem!" Erik, Yuni, Monic, and Sinta, who had turned back with smiles, pretended to cough. Danu was also looking at them, smiling.
"Hey, I told you, the world doesn't belong to just you two!" Erik exclaimed.
"Shut up!" Elsa shot back.
"Hehe, it's true, when they get all lovey-dovey again, they forget everyone else. But back then, she was screaming and crying, 'I don't want a divorce,' hehe," Yuni teased.
"You watch it, Yun! Come here!" Elsa said, leaning forward, trying to reach Yuni, who ran to the front, sticking out her tongue.
"Hahaha, that's messed up," Toni said from the front.
"That's good, though! I wish I could be like that too," Danu said.
Sinta immediately turned to face forward again. Monic, sitting next to her, immediately shook her head, looking at Sinta. Their car finally parked. Monic, Sinta, and Yuni helped Elsa get out and took Elsa with them to the restroom. Meanwhile, Adrian, Danu, and Erik got out, stretching their bodies.
"The air feels nice," Adrian remarked.
"Yeah, the pollution here isn't as bad as Jakarta," Erik replied.
"Sorry, guys, the driver wants to check the tires first, just to be safe," Toni said, having just gotten out.
"Why are you so quiet, Dan?" Erik asked.
"I guess Sinta isn't happy I'm here," Danu said.
"Ah, that's just you, man. No way. Don't worry about it," Toni replied.
"I just feel bad," Danu said.
"Come on, man, that's why you should just be quiet for a bit. Don't look so desperate either. She'll come around eventually," Erik advised.
"Does Sinta not know Danu's coming?" Adrian asked.
"No, we just said there was one more person joining," Toni replied.
"Oh, Monic said the same thing to me and Elsa yesterday," Adrian said.
"Sorry, everyone, if I'm making the atmosphere awkward," Danu said.
"I don't mind at all," Adrian said.
"Same here, I don't sweat that kind of stuff," Erik replied.
"Come on, man, let's just have fun while we're on vacation, right? Why stress about weird stuff?" Toni said, patting Danu's shoulder.
"Yeah, thanks, guys," Danu replied.
"Yawn! I'm sleepy. Let's get some coffee inside," Erik suggested.
"Okay, let's go. And grab some snacks for the car too," Adrian asked Toni.
"I'm not going. I'm staying with my driver," Toni replied.
"Dan, come on, what are you spacing out for?" Erik said, pulling Danu's arm.
"Yeah, I'm coming," Danu replied.
Adrian, Erik, and Danu walked towards the mini-mart inside. Once they arrived and entered, they immediately bought several cans of coffee and a few bags of snacks. After taking everything to the cashier and paying, they came out carrying their shopping bags.
"Let me go!" a girl screamed.
The three turned. They saw Sinta's hand being pulled by a guy who looked like a college student, along with some of his friends. Without thinking twice, Danu immediately handed his bags to Adrian and ran, charging at the guy.
"Go after him, Adri!" Erik urged.
"Yeah!" Adrian replied.
The two ran to catch up to Danu, who was being beaten by the college students. Adrian stepped forward, and "Wham!" a guy was sent flying. Danu looked at Adrian, then he immediately got up and went to the terrified Sinta.
"Hey, who are you?" a student asked.
"I'm asking nicely here, what were you doing grabbing my friend and hitting my guy?" Adrian asked.
"You a**hole!"
A student ran to punch Adrian's face. "Tap!" Adrian caught his fist, and "Wham!" Adrian's leg kicked straight into his stomach, making the college student fall face down, unmoving.
"Damn it, let's go, let's go!" another student yelled, carrying his unresponsive friend.
Adrian looked at Elsa, who was pushing her wheelchair. Monic and Yuni ran towards Sinta.
"Are you okay, Dan?" Adrian asked, offering his hand to Danu, who was sitting on the ground.
Danu took Adrian's hand and stood up, pulled by Adrian. Then he brushed off his clothes and looked at Adrian.
"Thanks, Adri, you're amazing," Danu said.
"You're more amazing. You immediately charged at them for Sinta," Adrian said with a smile and a thumbs-up.
Danu's face immediately flushed. He glanced at Sinta, whose face was still scared but was looking at him. Danu immediately walked away, heading back to the car.
"Hey, Dan, where are you going?" Erik yelled, catching up to Danu.
"Huh, did I say something wrong?" Adrian asked, scratching his head where it didn't itch with his finger.