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"Hwaaaaaa...! We finally made it, Reyyy!" Fara screamed in pure delight, throwing her arms around Rey from the side. She clung to his left arm, leaning her weight against him with a carefree abandon, as if balance was the last thing on her mind.
The school grounds had instantly transformed into a sea of euphoria the moment the senior class results were announced. Laughter echoed between the rhythmic hiss of spray cans, painting vibrant streaks across the uniforms of these wide-eyed teenagers. They cheered as if dozens of sharp nails had been pulled from their skulls—finally free from the suffocating, exhausting walls of high school.
Fara and Rey were no exception. Having been together since their sophomore year, they had long anticipated this moment, dreaming of heading off to university together.
"Hey! Get a room, you two! We're still on school grounds, guys!" Sena teased, darting away from Doni, who was poised to spray paint her uniform. The petite, short-haired girl was out of breath, but her laughter was bright and infectious.
"Ugh, stop being such a hater!" Fara shot back, sticking her tongue out at the girl who had been her best friend since middle school.
"Reyyy, after this, let's grab lunch at our usual spot, okay?" Fara pleaded, hugging him like a pampered kitten begging its master for treats.
"Uh... okay, okay. But... hey, stop the hugging for a second. I'm embarrassed here." Rey fumbled, his face flushing. He scanned the area, making sure no teachers were nearby. Once he felt safe, he finally returned her hug warmly. After all, she was the person he loved most in the world.
Beaming, Fara took Rey's hand. They walked side by side toward the parking lot. Amidst the deafening roar of celebration, the faint sound of sobbing lingered in the air—those who were already mourning the goodbye to their school friends. Partings, after all, are never easy for anyone.
***
Rey and Fara rode his motorcycle to their favorite haunt—a cozy cafe famous for its ice cream and light snacks. Pinky Rabbit Ice Cream & Dessert. With its white-and-pink decor and rabbit-themed ornaments, the place was undeniably "Instagrammable," a magnet for young couples and students looking to hang out.
"Phew... finally~" Fara exhaled, pulling off her helmet. "It's so hot, and I'm parched. Hurry up, Rey!"
Fara's fair skin was flushed from the sun. Sweat beads glistened on her neck, peeking through the stray strands of her ponytail.
"Coming, Ra. I'm starving too."
They stepped inside. As usual, Rey went to find a table while Fara headed to the counter to order.
"Welcome to Pinky Rabbit! Ice cream on a sunny day keeps the blues away! What can I get for you today~?"
The waitress behind the register greeted her with a cheerful smile, her hands forming a heart shape in front of her chest. She served with a warmth so genuine it made her repetitive ritual seem like the highlight of her day.
"Hi, Miss! The usual, please!" Fara replied, recognized instantly.
"Got it! One Orange-Vanilla Ice Cream with chocolate sprinkles, one Choco-Strawberry Ice Cream, and an order of Plain Bread Toast, right? Anything else?" the waitress asked, adjusting her rabbit-ear headband.
"Hmm, one lemon tea, please," Fara added.
"Perfect! Please take a seat, and we'll bring it right over. Thank you!"
"Aren't you tired? Even though all we did today was ruin our clothes with paint," Fara started the conversation as she pulled out a chair.
"Well, you were the one running around like crazy with the girls, Ra. You've been dying to get out of that place, haven't you?" Rey rested his cheek on the back of his hand, looking drained.
"Of course! I'm so excited for college. You know my dream is to be a painter." Fara pulled a tissue from her pocket and gently wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"I want to paint the world. I don't care about being famous; I just want to pour my imagination onto a canvas, completely free!" Fara reached out and squeezed Rey's hand. Her eyes sparkled as she looked toward the ceiling, as if visualizing the future she was about to paint.
"I've decided!" She gasped, her eyes locking onto Rey's. "I want to paint the sky."
"The sky? Why the sky?" Rey asked.
Fara pressed a finger to her lips thoughtfully. "The sky represents freedom. It's so vast, so limitless. Like our lives. The universe itself is a sign that we can be anything we want. Plus, the details—the colors, the clouds, the stars, the birds... it's so beautiful to capture."
"Excuse me, here is your order! One Orange-Vanilla, one Choco-Strawberry, and the Plain Bread Toast." The waitress interrupted, placing the treats on the table. "And your lemon tea. Enjoy~!"
"Thank you," Rey replied with a smile.
"Wah, so refreshing~! This place really has the best ice cream. Especially with the toast. The perfect combination," Fara chirped, digging into her favorite orange-vanilla scoop.
"But Ra, have you decided where you're going? There aren't many fine arts faculties around." Rey tore off a piece of toast, smeared it with ice cream, and popped the warm bread into his mouth.
"Hmm... not yet. The nearest Art Institute is about two hours away, and the other one is eight hours. I haven't decided if I'll commute or find a place to stay." Fara took a sip of her lemon tea. "Want some, Rey?" She nudged the straw toward him, and he took a sip.
"My advice? Stick to the one closer to town. It's easier," Rey said. "I'm not sure where I'm going yet either, but... let's not pick places that are too far apart, okay?" He reached out with his thumb to wipe a smudge of ice cream from the corner of her lip.
Before she could reply, Fara's phone rang. She answered it quickly. "Hello, Mom? Yeah, I'm out with Rey. Yes, I'll be there in a bit. Okay, Mom. Bye, mwah!"
She tucked the phone back into her uniform pocket. "What were you saying, Rey? Sorry, Mom called and I lost my train of thought." She blinked, giving him a sheepish smile.
Before Rey could answer, a WhatsApp notification chimed. It was Sena.Â
Sena: Raa, where are you?? Still with Rey? Doni ditched me to hang out with his boys. Let's go out! T-T
"Oh, Sena... honestly," Fara laughed softly as she typed back. Her teeth were white and perfect. "Anyway, I promised to help Mom after this."
"So, should I drop you off at your mom's, or what?"
"Just take me home. I need to change first, then I'll take my bike to meet her."
***
At 3:00 PM, Rey pulled up at Fara's house. The minimalist yellow house looked peaceful in the afternoon heat. The garage door was half-open, revealing the woodworking tools Fara's father often used in his spare time.
"And... we're here," Rey said, unbuckling his helmet.
"Thanks, Rey. I better head in, I don't want to keep Mom waiting." Fara took off her helmet, glanced at her watch, and then looked back at him. "Come here, huggie first."
She pulled him into a warm embrace, her small frame leaning into his. Rey closed his eyes, lingering for a moment as he buried his face in the crook of her neck. He took a slow, deep breath, letting her familiar, citrusy sweetness fill his senses—a scent that had practically become his oxygen over the last few years.
"Okay, Ra. Don't forget to keep in touch, alright?" Rey restarted his engine and put his helmet back on.
As he began to pull away, he heard Fara's voice trailing behind him.
"I love youuu~!"
Rey caught her in his side mirror, offering his warmest smile in return.
He stopped at a four-way intersection. The air was thick with the roar of engines and the impatient blaring of horns. A graduation convoy was taking up most of the road, uniforms covered in spray-painted scribbles, the students laughing and ignoring traffic rules.
HOOOOONNNKKKK...!!
A long, thunderous blast from a heavy truck echoed like a bolt of lightning under the scorching sun.
The driver looked frantic, struggling to maintain control. The light was green for his lane, but the students' convoy had recklessly swerved into his path. The screech of brakes was ear-piercing.
White smoke billowed as hot rubber met the burning asphalt, fighting desperately against momentum.
Panic exploded. Rey's eyes widened.
Paralyzed, he could only watch as the massive truck swerved uncontrollably toward him—crashing into him and everyone in its path.
CRASH!