It had been more than a week since the incident in the auditorium.
The school looked normal again — but for Ratna, something inside her hadn't healed.
The kids were joking around, the teachers were busy at the front of the class, and the sound of the bell echoed the same as before. But every time she walked down the hallway, Ratna still felt a pair of eyes following her, even if it wasn't always real.
No one dared bully her openly anymore.
Whether because the teachers became more alert, or because they were simply bored of it. But the fear stayed. Sometimes, when the classroom suddenly fell silent, Ratna could almost hear the echo of the laughter that had once been aimed at her.
She tried calming herself by writing in her notebook, pretending to be busy.
Whenever she saw Harold, her chest tightened. He always acted like nothing happened, like he had never messed up her life.
Meanwhile Rey… Rey remained the same: quiet, flat, but his gaze always deep.
They rarely spoke.
Sometimes, when they passed each other in the hallway, Rey only gave her a small nod. Ratna replied with a nervous smile, then quickly looked down. But from that tiny gesture alone, Ratna knew — Rey wasn't truly distancing himself.
And secretly, that was enough to make her day feel a little lighter.
That afternoon, rain suddenly poured down.
The sky darkened, followed by a small roar of thunder. Most students rushed toward the gate to wait for their rides, while Ratna stood at the corridor, staring at the soaked school yard.
Normally she went home with her older sister, but this time her sister had left earlier because of a campus activity. So Ratna had to take public transport on her own.
Water began dripping from the leaky roof. Ratna's bag was already damp. She stared at the road outside the school, hoping a minibus would pass by. But every vehicle looked full.
The cold air made her hands tremble. She pulled her jacket zipper up to her neck.
Footsteps echoed behind her.
Ratna turned — Rey was walking briskly toward her, carrying a helmet and a gray folding umbrella. His uniform was wet at the shoulders, and droplets rolled down his hair.
"You're not going home yet?"
Rey's voice sounded normal, but there was a trace of worry at the end.
Ratna shook her head.
"Waiting for a minibus… none have passed."
Rey looked at the road beyond the gate, then twirled the umbrella in his hand.
"I'm heading this way, but you'll get soaked. Here, take my umbrella."
Ratna quickly shook her head.
"No, it's okay. You're on a motorbike, right? You'll get wet."
Rey gave a small smile.
"I have a raincoat on my bike. Seriously, just use it."
Ratna stared at the umbrella he offered — plain gray, slightly dented at the tip.
There was a quiet pause between them, only the sound of rain hitting the roof filling the silence.
Finally, Ratna accepted the umbrella slowly.
"Thank you, Rey."
Rey nodded.
"Be careful on the way home. Don't go alone if it's late."
Ratna wanted to respond, but no words came out.
She only watched Rey's back as he walked toward the motorcycle parking area. His steps were calm, unhurried. But Ratna knew — Rey wouldn't look back, because if he did, he would probably stop for too long.
Ratna opened the umbrella. The moist air brushed her face. She walked toward the gate, the gray umbrella shielding her from the rain that had begun to lighten.
---
A few meters ahead, a black car stopped. Harold stepped out of the back seat with a large black umbrella. His gaze briefly met Ratna's.
Ratna quickly turned her face away and lowered her eyes. She didn't want any conversation.
Harold smiled faintly, but said nothing. He got into the car and left.
Ratna continued her steps toward the roadside. A blue minibus stopped, and she climbed in immediately. Inside, the damp air mixed with the smell of raincoats and gasoline. She sat in the corner, hugging her bag, staring out the window.
Rain still dripped down the glass, but Ratna's heart felt a little warm.
Rey's gray umbrella lay across her lap.
Maybe, she thought, there are small things that can mend a heart, even without words.
As the minibus turned toward the main road, Ratna caught a glimpse of her school fading in the distance. In her mind echoed something the teacher announced earlier that afternoon:
"Next week we're having a school trip out of town, don't forget to register and get your parents' permission."
Ratna smiled faintly.
She didn't know why, but she was suddenly looking forward to that day.
Not because of the destination, but because of someone who lent her an umbrella on a rainy afternoon.