Various questions danced in Viona's mind since receiving the news of Dewa's birthday invitation. Why did it have to be her? Why didn't Dewa himself deliver the invitation? Why did she have to be in this story again? A number of "whys" spun around like a broken record in her mind, never finding a definite answer.
Viona took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. She tried to calm herself down, weighing up the decision that she still couldn't decide. Should she come or not? As the night crept deeper, the doubt still nestled tightly in her heart. But for now, 60 percent of her had decided to refuse. She didn't want to be dragged back into the circle that had hurt her.
The next day, the sound of fast footsteps was heard from the direction of the classroom door. Mia came again. However, Riska and several other close friends were standing not far from their position. They arrived even earlier than before. Their goal was still the same: to make sure Viona would attend Dewa's birthday party.
"You're coming, right, Vi? Dewa asked again earlier. He really wants you to be at his birthday party," Mia said in a slightly hurried tone, as if time was chasing her.
Viona stared at Mia blankly. She was tired of all this. "Why me? And why didn't Dewa himself talk to me directly? Who else was invited? Besides the kids in your class?"
Mia shrugged. "I don't know for sure. But I think it was only the kids from 2.F. But Dewa said, I have to make sure you can come. He said... he won't come if you're not there."
Viona's eyebrows immediately knitted together, her forehead furrowed deeply. What was going on? Why did it seem like she was the key to Dewa's presence, even though the event was prepared by Riska—Dewa's lover herself? Her heart was getting more and more restless, a mixture of surprise, suspicion, and anxiety.
"Come, Vi. Riska has prepared everything for a long time. It would be a shame if Dewa didn't want to come because you didn't come," Mia said again, this time in a half-pleading tone before finally saying goodbye and returning to her friends.
Viona was still rooted to the spot. Mia's last words echoed in her mind, making her heart even more miserable. What was really happening? What was Dewa planning? And the most confusing thing was, why was Riska silent when Dewa asked to invite Viona? 
Not long after, Lina came over. She immediately knew that something was bothering her best friend. "What was Mia doing again? Still about Dewa's birthday?"
Viona nodded slowly, then told everything that had just happened. Lina's eyes widened, not believing what she had heard.
"Then, you'll come?"
Viona took a deep breath. "I don't know. I'm confused too, Lin. Why was I made a condition for Dewa to come to an event that Riska even prepared. I also wonder, why should I feel guilty if I don't come? As if everything depends on me."
Lina looked at her best friend deeply. "Love yourself, Vi. We shouldn't be suspicious, but it's not wrong to think of the worst possibility, right? You're the only person who isn't part of them. Don't forget... there's a past story between you and Dewa. Are you sure Riska and her gang will accept you well later? What if it turns out all of this is just a trap? Or just to make you uncomfortable?"
Lina's words were like a slap that woke Viona's logic. Yes, there was nothing wrong with what Lina said. The possibility did exist.
After a moment of silence, Viona finally asked in a soft, almost inaudible voice. "If... if I decide to go, will you accompany me?"
"Huh?" Lina looked up, shocked beyond belief. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously, then she stared sharply at Viona. "I want to know first. What's the reason you want to come? It can't be because you feel sorry for Riska, right?"
Viona just lowered her head, not answering.
Lina continued, this time in a more serious tone. "Are you still curious about their relationship? Or... do you still hope there's a gap between you and Dewa? Maybe you yourself haven't finished with your past?"
The question made Viona's heart sink. She knew Lina wasn't accusing her. Lina just wanted her to be honest with herself. But to answer it, Viona couldn't. Because she didn't know for sure what she was really hoping for.
Lina stood up. Her face had turned cold. "If you want to come, just come alone. I won't accompany you. I don't know them, and I have no business there. Sorry, Vi, but I can't support your decision if it will hurt you."
Without waiting for Viona's reaction, Lina walked away, leaving her friend who was still frozen in silence. The hot weather brought an empty feeling that hung in Viona's heart. She knew that no one could answer all her questions now—except herself.
Viona was still standing in the same place, staring blankly at the door Lina had just passed through. Her best friend's words still echoed clearly in her head, like an echo that never stopped. "If you want to come, just come yourself..." The sentence felt like a blunt knife that sliced ​​slowly—bloodless, but painful. 
The afternoon wind slipped in through the partially open classroom window. The heat of the sun that had been burning slowly began to subside, replaced by gusts that brought dust and noisy sounds from the field. But the calm was unable to touch Viona's heart. She was still enveloped by feelings of confusion, anxiety, and... who knows what else. 
She walked towards her seat, sitting down slowly as if afraid to make a sound. Her hand reached for the drinking bottle that had not been touched until now. The water tasted bland on her tongue, unable to quench the thirst caused by the chaos of her own thoughts. 
"What do I really expect from all this?" 
The question reappeared, this time louder, more jarring. Was it true that she still had hope in Dewa? Or was it just an old wound that had not yet fully healed, which was now forced open again? Or… could it all be about bruised self-esteem—about feeling like a requirement, a tool, in someone else’s relationship?
Viona closed her eyes. In the darkness she created herself, she tried to rearrange the pieces of memories. God. The past. An unclear separation. A wound she never really understood the source of. And now, Riska, Mia, and their gang seemed to come bringing a new chapter that she didn't know whether to read or reject outright.
*****
Will Viona come to attend Dewa's birthday? 
Wait for the continuation in season 3
Happy Reading All 😘😘😘😘