That afternoon, Ratna walked toward the restroom.
Harapan Muda School felt deserted as classes were still in session.
The midday air was chilly in the long corridor.
Before Ratna entered the restroom, Helen looked back from the end of the hall.
"Hurry up, Na. Ms. Rika will be back soon," she said with a small smile.
Ratna nodded. "I know, I'll follow right after."
After Helen left, Ratna washed her hands at the sink, staring at her face in the mirror.
Lately, she often felt like the subject of gossip.
About Rey, about Harold, about things she had never even imagined.
She took a deep breath. Why could the world of high school be so cruel?
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from behind the door.
Several girls' voices slowly entered, resonating chillingly.
"It's insane, Ratna. A girl like her, how can she get the attention of the two coolest guys in this school?" Rani's voice sneered.
Vera chuckled lightly. "Harold must be embarrassed that our gang is associated with her."
"That's why. Let's make her realize where she stands. We'll teach her a lesson."
Ratna held her breath. Her voice was caught in her throat.
She retreated slowly into a stall, but the restroom door was violently shoved open.
"Oh, so you're here," Rani smiled coldly. "Ready to be cleaned up, 'Princess Rey'?"
Several girls laughed.
Before Ratna could answer, someone grabbed her hair.
Ratna screamed, struggling to break free. "Let go! Help!"
"Splash her!" one of the girls shouted.
Water in the dipper was raised. Ratna panicked, kicked the stall door, and ran out with all her might.
The long corridor felt like it was spinning.
Her tears burst between frantic steps.
"Ratna!"
The voice came from the end of the hall.
Rey was running, his face anxious.
Just as Ratna almost fell, Rey's arms caught her body — pulling her into a strong, warm embrace.
Ratna sobbed fiercely into Rey's chest.
The scent of soap enveloped her senses.
"Ratna, you're safe," Rey whispered softly, stroking her hair.
A crowd of students began to form.
Rani and her gang stood at the end of the hall, frozen. Someone was still holding mop. Their faces pale.
Rapid footsteps sounded.
"Ratna!!"
Ratmi and Romi cut through the crowd.
Romi immediately rushed to his little sister. "Na, are you hurt? Who hurt you?"
Ratna just cried, shaking her head.
"They… they wanted to pour water on me, Kak."
Romi stared toward the bullies, his face tight.
Ratmi stepped forward, her voice sharp.
"Do you even realize who you're messing with?"
Everyone was silent.
"Harold's gang, right? So cool. But if this is how you do it, that's not courage — it's cowardice."
The supervising teacher arrived to calm the situation, but Ratmi was still glaring.
"If the school can't protect my sister, we'll protect her ourselves."
Ratna gently pulled her brother's hand. "Stop it, Kak. It's okay…"
Ratmi looked down, then squatted to hug Ratna tightly.
"I'm sorry, Na. I came too late."
Helen appeared in the middle of the crowd, her face panicked.
"Ratna!" She ran, hugging Ratna from the other side. "Are you okay? I heard the screaming—"
Ratna cried softly into her shoulder. "I was scared, Hel…"
"It's alright, you're safe now," Helen whispered.
Rey stood behind them, silent, looking at Ratna with an expression that was hard to decipher — a mixture of relief and fear of loss.
___
That afternoon, in the Counseling Room, Rani and her gang sat with their heads bowed.
They knew this time no excuse could justify their actions.
Outside the room, Harold stood frozen.
Andre approached. "Bro, everyone's been called in. The principal is seriously mad."
Harold didn't turn his head. "They touched Ratna?"
Andre hesitated. "Yeah. But… they said it was to protect the gang's name."
Harold clenched his fist.
"Starting today, no one touches her again."
Andre looked confused. "Seriously? Rani will surely—"
"If they touch Ratna again, they're out of the gang."
His tone was cold, but there was something in his eyes — genuine regret.
___
That night, at home, the atmosphere was quiet.
Mr. Rikita sat in the living room, his face firm.
Mrs. Sari was beside him, looking at Ratna, who was looking down on the sofa.
Ratmi and Romi sat across from them, still silent.
"Explain from the beginning," Mr. Rikita's voice was soft but steady.
Ratmi recounted everything — the restroom, the threats, the screaming, until Rey came to help.
Mrs. Sari covered her mouth, her eyes welling up.
"Oh God… if it had been a little later…"
Mr. Rikita stared deeply at Ratna.
"Are you alright, dear?"
Ratna shook her head softly. "I was scared, Pa… but I'm okay now."
Mr. Rikita sighed deeply.
"I will go to the school tomorrow. The school needs to know, this is not just a children's issue. This is about safety. Children must feel safe learning there."
Mrs. Sari held Ratna's shoulder gently. "You were brave enough, dear. Now it's Papa's and Mama's turn to protect you."
Romi looked down, his voice low. "Pa… Rey helped Ratna. If it wasn't for him…"
Mr. Rikita gave a small nod. "I will remember that. That boy is kind."
Ratmi took a deep breath. "I was angry, Pa… but when I saw Ratna crying, I realized that revenge wasn't the point. The point is, no one should go through this again."
Mr. Rikita looked at them one by one.
"I'm proud of you. You know how to be angry, but you still side with what's right. That's what Papa has taught you since the beginning."
Mrs. Sari smiled faintly. "Sometimes the world isn't gentle with good people. But precisely because of that, good people shouldn't stop being good."
Ratna's tears slowly fell. She hugged her mother.
"Ma, Pa… Ratna promises not to be scared anymore."
____
The next day, Mr. Rikita and Mrs. Sari came to school to meet the principal.
Calmly but firmly, Mr. Rikita said,
"We don't want to embarrass anyone, but we request a guarantee — no child should become a victim in this school again."
The principal nodded. "We will take responsibility. Thank you for speaking calmly, sir."
___
Outside that room, Ratna walked down the corridor with Helen.
The morning sunlight fell softly onto the tiled floor.
From afar, Rey stood at the gate, smiling faintly.
And across the field, Harold watched silently — his eyes sharp, but not angry. More like someone making amends for something that couldn't be undone.
Ratna looked ahead and took a deep breath.
For the first time in a long time, school felt a little warmer.
She was not alone anymore