CHAPTER 2
August 2015
It all began that year.
In August...
filled with sunlight and hesitant steps.
Not in a dramatic way.
Just an ordinary moment that would later become the beginning of everything.
That morning, the campus courtyard was crowded with unfamiliar faces, each wearing oversized name tags hanging from their necks. The committee shouted instructions back and forth, while the awkward footsteps of freshmen blended with forced laughter.
"Isn't this too big?" I asked Linda, adjusting the cardboard name tag I had made the night before. My name was written in bold black marker, far too noticeable, in my opinion.
Linda glanced at it and chuckled.
"It has to be big, Ra. Makes it easier for seniors to spot you," she teased, clearly trying to scare me.
I swallowed. "Don't joke like that, Lin."
Without realizing it, I adjusted the string around my neck again. The first day as a college student was supposed to feel exciting.
But somehow, there was a strange feeling standing beside me that morning,
as if something was lurking among the lines.
And sure enough..
A shadow suddenly blocked the sunlight in front of me. I instinctively lowered my gaze, and all I saw were two pairs of shoes standing way too close.
Linda beside me went silent.
Too silent.
I took a slow breath, biting my lip, unsure whether to look up.
"I've been watching… someone in this line has been talking nonstop, huh?"
His voice was calm.
And somehow, that made it more intimidating.
"So… sorry" I murmured, trying to sound convincing even though my voice was barely audible.
My fingers tightened around the edge of my name tag, as if it could protect me. I still didn't dare to lift my head.
"What's your name?" he asked again.
Thump.
It was such a simple question.
Yet it felt like an interrogation.
"Keira" I answered softly, already bracing myself for whatever punishment might come next.
"Hm."
He paused for a moment, then adjusted my name tag so it sat straighter.
"Try not to be noisy next time, Keira."
His words were light..
too light for the tension that had just filled my chest.
Then slowly, those two pairs of slightly worn navy blue Converse shoes turned away and disappeared.
Only after their shadows were gone did I finally dare to look up.
Linda immediately nudged my arm, barely containing her excitement.
"OMG, that senior is so handsome, Ra!"
I quickly lifted my head, trying to get a better look but all I saw was his back fading into the crowd. I didn't even catch his face.
"Lin! Be quiet, we'll get scolded again!" I whispered in panic.
But for some reason, my heart was still beating faster than it should.
****
The orientation week full of exhaustion, tension, and laughter and finally came to an end.
And today, the first official day of classes had begun.
The faculty buildings felt different now... without the strange attributes and seniors yelling orders. No more push-up punishments or sudden chants. Everything felt calmer. More… grown-up.
It had been a week since I last saw that senior. Even during orientation, we never crossed paths again. It was as if he had disappeared—swallowed by the earth.
And yet, for some reason, my eyes often searched for him in the crowd.
Those navy blue Converse shoes never appeared again.
"I wonder if Tara's okay over there," Linda suddenly said, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I blinked, returning to reality.
"She's definitely fine. You know Tara," I replied lightly. "It's only her first day and she probably already has a hundred friends."
Linda laughed, her worry slowly fading.
Not long after, our Introduction to Management lecturer entered the room. The atmosphere immediately turned more formal. Linda and I quickly prepared our notebooks, writing down the course agreements before the lesson began.
In the middle of it, my gaze drifted outside the classroom. A group of male students walked past the corridor, their laughter faintly echoing.
And among them... one of them turned to look at me.
Just for a split second.
The glance was brief. Almost meaningless.
Then he turned back to his friends, joking around as if nothing had happened.
I blinked, brushing it off.
Maybe it was just my imagination.
I forced myself to focus on the whiteboard again.
At exactly 10:30, our second class ended. I noticed Linda hurriedly packing her things before waving excitedly toward the window. Outside, Rendi her new boyfriend from orientation was already waiting.
"Wow, someone's really happy after making things official last night," I teased with a smirk.
"Of course! This is one way to make college life worth remembering, Ra," she replied shamelessly.
I just nodded. There was no point arguing I'd lose anyway.
"Do you want to come with us?" she offered.
I immediately shook my head.
"No way. I refuse to be a third wheel."
Linda laughed, hugged me tightly, then ran out of the classroom to meet Rendi.
The room suddenly felt quieter.
I glanced at my watch. One more hour before the next class. Instead of wandering around aimlessly, I decided to go to the cafeteria. I hadn't eaten since morning anyway.
I walked along the now-busy campus corridor. Laughter, hurried footsteps, and the smell of fried snacks from the cafeteria blended into one.
And then—it all happened so fast.
As I turned a corner, I bumped into something
or rather, someone.
Thud.
The books in my hands fell to the floor.
"Oh! Sorry!" I said reflexively, immediately bending down to pick them up.
But before I could grab them all, another hand reached one first.
Long fingers. Tall frame.
And beneath that..
Thump.
A pair of slightly worn navy blue Converse shoes stood right in front of me again.
I slowly looked up.
This time... for the first time...his face was right there in front of me.
He was the same guy I had seen passing by my classroom earlier.
And apparently… he was taller than I had imagined.
"Meeting again," he said casually, as if this encounter had been expected all along.
I froze for a split second before replying, "Sorry, Kak…"
He let out a small laugh and handed me my book.
"Next time, watch where you're going… uh…" He squinted slightly, pretending to think. "What was your name again? I forgot."
I swallowed.
"Keira, Kak."
"Ah, right. Keira." He nodded slowly, as if confirming something. "The one who wouldn't stop talking in line, right?"
My face instantly turned red. I could only nod slightly, too embarrassed to defend myself.
Quickly, I stood up and fixed my hair even though it wasn't messy.
"Excuse me, Kak," I said, almost like I was running away.
I walked off before my courage completely disappeared.
But somehow, I could still feel his gaze following me for a few steps ahead.
And that alone made my heart lose control all over again.