The toilet cleaning job lasted for three days. For Dava and her friends, it was a tiring and humiliating three days. Every day after the bell rang, they had to exchange their uniforms for worn-out sports shirts and spend almost two hours scrubbing, mopping, and cleaning.
On the fourth day, as they gathered in the cafeteria before class started, Reyhan complained.
"I can still smell the cleaner in my nose. This is torture."
"Relax, tomorrow is Friday. Then we have two days off," Fahri said, trying to cheer them up.
"What's the holiday for? Dad's furious because my math test score dropped by twenty percent. I'm locked up at home," Daren complained.
Alex sipped his juice.
"The important thing is that we can still go to school. But, Dav, about our investigation? Has there been any progress?"
Dava, who was staring at her small laptop, nodded slowly.
"A little. I've tried remote access to the school server from home."
"Seriously? But it's already secured?" asked Fahri.
"No system is completely secure," Dava replied without looking up from the screen. "I managed to get into the activity log that day."
"And?" Reyhan pressed, curious.
"And confirm, there was indeed access from our computer to Bella's computer. But it was only for a moment, like what we did. There was no command to damage the server from our computer."
"So? That proves our innocence!" Daren exclaimed.
"Not enough," Dava interrupted. "Because exactly ten seconds after we exited Bella's system, there was another access from an unknown device. That device flooded the server with commands until it was overloaded."
"Unknown device? What do you mean?" asked Alex.
"The IP address was well hidden. But it definitely wasn't from any lab computer. Someone did this from outside the lab, probably using their own laptop or phone, and exploited the loophole we opened."
"So there really is someone else!" Reyhan growled. "But who? And for what?"
"That's what we have to find out," Dava said, closing his laptop. "That person must have a motive. Either hates us, or hates the school, or wants to bring us down specifically."
"A lot of people hate us, Dav. It's hard to find them," Daren complained.
"Let's narrow it down. Who has that level of IT skills? There aren't many in this school."
They were silent for a moment, thinking.
"Mr. Raditya?" Fahri suggested.
"For what? She's a teacher," Alex replied.
"Or maybe... Bella herself?" Reyhan tried. "He's also good at computers. He won the coding competition last year."
Dava frowned.
"Bella? Why would he destroy his own school's server? His assignment was also lost."
"To seek sympathy? Or to ensure we get punished?" Reyhan guessed.
"No," Dava denied. "Bella may be annoying, but she's not the type to destroy school facilities to bring someone else down. She's too 'good' for that."
"Are you defending her?" Alex smirked.
"No. Just stating the facts," Dava replied coldly. "We need more evidence. I'll try to track that mysterious IP address. It'll take time."
On the other hand, Bella wasn't staying silent either. She was still angry and felt that Dava's punishment wasn't enough. In the library, she, Anindi, and Zara were planning something.
"I have an idea," Bella said, her eyes sparkling. "I'll suggest to the student council to hold a charity event. But, for the field work part, we'll make sure that Dava and his gang get the hardest assignments."
"A charity event? But they're being punished, they definitely can't participate in activities," said Anindi.
"That's exactly it. I'll talk to the student council advisor, Mrs. Siska. Tell her that this charity event can be part of their rehabilitation. It'll teach them to be good people."
Zara laughed.
"Amazing, Bell! So they'll be tortured legally."
"Exactly. I'll make sure they get the assignment of moving heavy objects or cleaning the gutters at the orphanage. Let's see how they like it."
The three of them laughed awkwardly.
It was gym class. Today, grade 12 Science 1 and Social Studies 1 were combined for a volleyball game. Dava and her gang, who were usually enthusiastic about sports, had to sit on the bench today because they were banned from participating in extracurricular activities.
They watched from the sidelines. Bella, who was a key player for the Social Studies team, looked agile and beautiful in her sports uniform.
"Look at that. Bella is at her best," Reyhan grumbled.
"Just shut up and watch," Dava said briefly.
The game was intense. When the score was almost tied, the ball was thrown high towards Bella. Bella prepared herself to do a smash. But suddenly, someone from the opposing team, a guy from Science, ran too fast and accidentally hit Bella from the side.
Bella fell hard with a scream of pain, holding her sprained ankle.
The referee immediately stopped the game. Anindi and Zara rushed over.
"Bell! Are you okay?" asked Anindi worriedly.
"Ah... it hurts! My leg!" Bella groaned in pain.
The gym teacher, Mr. Roni, came to check.
"It looks like a sprain. You need to take her to the health center."
Dava, who was watching from afar, unconsciously got up from his seat. Something inside him reflexively wanted to help, but he stopped himself.
Alex noticed.
"What's wrong, Dav? Do you want to be a hero?"
"No," Dava answered shortly, then sat back down.
But Bella, who was in pain, saw Dava stand up and then sit down again. She misunderstood.
"You're heartless! You don't even want to help when you see someone injured!" he scolded Dava from across the field, his voice clearly audible to everyone.
Dava just glared, not replying. He felt no need to explain.
Bella was finally carried by several OSIS officials and taken to the health center. The volleyball game continued without her.
After school, when Dava and her friends were again serving their punishment of cleaning the second floor toilet, Bella, who was still limping, passed by accompanied by Zara. She deliberately passed through that hallway.
"Still loyal to her duties, huh?" Bella quipped.
Dava, who was mopping the floor, ignored her.
"Earlier on the field, you couldn't even show the slightest sympathy, Dava. You're really made of ice," Bella continued.
Dava stopped mopping and looked straight at Bella.
"What do you want from me, Bella? I already told you, the server is none of my business. If you don't believe me, that's your problem. Now, don't stop me from carrying out this punishment."
"I want you to admit your mistakes! Admit that you were the one who deleted my bag and damaged the server!"
"I won't admit to something I didn't do," Dava replied firmly.
"You're a liar!"
"And you're stubborn!"
The two of them were locked in a staring contest, tension in the air.
Zara tugged at Bella's arm.
"Enough, Bell. He won't admit it. Let's go to the health center, he'll compress your leg again."
Bella finally looked away and limped away, but before turning, she threw out one last sentence.
"Get ready, Dava. I'll make sure life at this school becomes hell for you and your friends!"
After Bella left, Reyhan exclaimed.
"He's really stubborn, isn't he? He hates her that much."
"We have to quickly prove his innocence," Fahri said. "Before he completely destroys us."
Dava idled slowly, then returned to mopping with greater energy. Her anger and determination were burning. The war between her and Bella had entered a new phase, and now she not only had to prove herself to the school, but also to Bella Putri Himawan who wouldn't stop until she was destroyed.
The mystery of the server destroyer becomes even more pressing. Someone out there is laughing, watching them destroy each other, and Dava is determined to find that person.
Digital Footprints and Forced Invitations.
The toilet cleaning punishment finally entered its second week. Dava and her friends were getting used to the disgusting routine, although Reyhan still complained every day.
"If there was a heaven for hands skilled at scrubbing toilets, ours would have been the best place," she complained one afternoon as she took off her smelly rubber gloves.
"Can you just be quiet for five minutes?" Alex grumbled, washing his sweaty face in the sink.
Dava didn't say much. Her mind was on her investigation. She had spent most of the weekend in her room, trying to track the server destroyer's digital footprint.
As they walked toward the school gate, Dava suddenly stopped.
"I found something," she said, making the others stop.
"What?" asked Fahri curiously.
"The IP address I banned. It's not from inside the school. But, there's something strange."
"Don't waste time, Dav. Tell me," Daren urged.
"The IP came from a luxury housing complex in the south of the city. Specifically, from a special internet provider that only serves a handful of complexes."
"So? That doesn't narrow it down much. Half our school lives in the south of the city," Alex said.
"Wait," Dava interrupted. "I cross-checked with the student attendance data from that day. And there's one interesting name: Kevin Sutanto. He wasn't at school the day of the computer lab incident."
"Kevin? That nerdy, quiet science 2 kid?" Reyhan asked. "What's so special about him?"
"His house. His parents just moved to Villa Bukit Permai. The same complex as the source of the IP address."
Everyone was silent for a moment.
"So you think Kevin damaged the server?" Fahri asked incredulously. "He's gutless, Dav. He doesn't even dare to speak out loud."
"It's extraordinary, often hiding behind a quiet face," Dava replied. "We have to keep an eye on him."
"Okay. Tomorrow we'll find out about this Kevin," Alex agreed.
The next day, their plan to keep an eye on Kevin had to be postponed. During the flag ceremony, the Student Council Advisor, Mrs. Siska, announced a new activity.
"Our school will be holding a 'Caring for Others' social service activity at the Kasih Bunda Orphanage next week. All students are required to participate. Especially," she looked sharply at Dava and her friends, "for students who are serving time, this is part of the rehabilitation program. You will be given special assignments."
Bella, who was standing not far from them, smiled slightly. The plan was going smoothly.
After the ceremony, the Student Council President, Rendra, approached Dava and friends.
"Heard the announcement earlier? You five are in the logistics team. Your job is to move all the donations from the truck into the orphanage. That includes sacks of rice, oil, and other heavy items."
Reyhan glared.
"Seriously? That's coolie work!"
"Yes, indeed. That's your consequence," Rendra replied coldly. "Or do you want me to report you for being uncooperative to the principal?"
Dava raised his hand to prevent Reyhan from replying.
"Okay. We'll do it."
Rendra left with a satisfied face.
"Dav, we can't do that! It would be embarrassing!" Daren protested.
"We have no choice," Dava replied curtly. "Just do it. But remember, there must be someone behind this."
Dava's eyes stared at Bella who was talking to Rendra. They both looked close.
At noon, in the cafeteria, Dava finally found a chance to keep an eye on Kevin. The boy was sitting alone in the corner, eating quietly.
Dava approached Kevin's table and sat down in front of him without asking. Kevin was startled, almost dropping his spoon.
"D-Dava? What's wrong?" he asked nervously.
"I heard you didn't come to school the day the computer lab broke down. Why?" Dava asked, getting straight to the point.
Kevin looked even more nervous.
"I-I'm sick. I have a headache. So my parents let me stay home."
"Sick? Or is there something else?" Dava pressed, staring at him sharply.
"W-What do you mean? Yes, I'm sick," Kevin replied, his eyes avoiding Dava's gaze.
"You live at Villa Bukit Permai, right? It's a nice place. The internet must be fast."
Kevin looked confused.
"Yeah. But why?"
"Nothing. Get well soon," Dava said suddenly, then stood up and left, leaving Kevin confused and still scared.
Dava returned to her friends' table.
"How?" asked Alex.
"He's lying," Dava replied. "But I'm not sure he's involved yet. We need more information."
Meanwhile, Bella was satisfied to see her community service plan working. In the school garden, she sat with Anindi and Zara.
"Finally, they'll feel what real hard work is like. Moving sacks of rice isn't easy," Bella said with a satisfied smile.
"Are you sure this isn't too much, Bell?" asked Anindi with a little hesitation. "They're annoying, but... making them coolies?"
"They deserve it, Ndi," Zara interrupted. "Remember your missing assignment? And the broken server? This is still too easy."
"Zara's right," Bella supported her. "This is to teach them a lesson. And maybe, with hard work, they'll change a little."
But deep down, Bella knew this was more about revenge than teaching a lesson.
The day of community service arrived. A large truck parked in the orphanage yard. Sacks of rice, boxed cooking oil, and other donated goods were piled inside.
Dava and her friends, in the student council t-shirts they had been given, were ready, sweat pouring down their foreheads from the scorching heat.
"Look at this. Twenty kilogram sacks of rice! How many are there? Ten?" Reyhan complained.
"Fifteen," Fahri corrected in a desperate tone.
Bella, Anindi, and Zara stood to the side, watching with folded arms.
"Good work, kids," Bella quipped. "Hard work brings goodness."
Dava gave her a cold look, then took the first sack with her hand. He lifted her easily onto his shoulders and walked towards the orphanage's warehouse. His martial arts prowess proved useful.
Alex, Fahri, Daren, and Reyhan followed with difficulty. They weren't as strong as Dava.
After an hour, they were all exhausted. Sweat soaked their clothes. Bella was still watching, but her expression changed slightly. She saw how hard they were working, especially Dava who didn't complain at all.
As Dava lifted the tenth sack, a small child from the orphanage approached her.
"You're so strong," the small child said in admiration.
Dava, who was usually cool, suddenly stopped. She looked at the small child, and for a split second, her face softened.
"Thank you. Can you help me bring drinks to my other friends?"
The small child nodded enthusiastically and ran off.
Bella watched the brief interaction. She was surprised to see a different side of Dava. It was the first time she had seen Dava interact with someone so gently.
During break, Dava sat on the stairs, drinking water. Bella approached her, still with a sour face but her tone slightly less angry.
"You're... pretty strong," Bella said, trying to start a conversation.
Dava looked at her.
"Self-defense helped me."
"Why didn't you complain? Or bribe someone to do this for you? You're rich."
"Because I did make a mistake. I deleted your assignment. That was wrong. The punishment for that is cleaning the toilets and this. But as for the server," Dava looked at her, "I didn't do it. So I'm living with an open heart for the mistake I did make."
Bella fell silent. It was the first time Dava had admitted her mistake, while still standing by her defense.
"I... still don't believe the server thing," Bella said finally, and left.
But a small doubt began to grow in her mind. Maybe, just maybe, Dava was telling the truth.
Meanwhile, from behind a second-floor window of the orphanage, someone snapped a photo of Dava and Bella talking. A faint smile spread across their face.