The Life of an Eagle Boy

Bad Decision

That day, the school atmosphere felt very different. The gymnasium was filled with excitement, with various extracurricular booths lined up, each decorated with their own unique attributes. Zahra was busy at the Cooking Club booth, Eriko was with her musical instruments, and Nasrul was at the Basketball Club booth. However, Rayendra was completely uninterested. He just went to the canteen, stuffed his ears with earphones, hoping to get through the day without any interruptions.

Ironically, the canteen was also crowded with other students who were too lazy to participate in the extracurricular demonstrations. Like Rayendra, they felt the school was forcing students to join additional activities. This school was one of the top schools in Bandung, so it wasn’t surprising that they expected students to excel both academically and non-academically.

“Come on, join our club! We go on trips outside the city all the time!” said a member of the Nature Lovers Club to the students in the canteen.

Rayendra felt lucky that no one approached him. He chose to sit in the corner of the room, but that luck didn’t last long.

“Hey, Rayendra!”

Nasrul appeared, wearing a basketball team shirt with a big smile. His biceps were shining under the light, and his broad chest and tall physique stood out.

“Please, help me. It’s urgent!” Nasrul said, pulling Rayendra’s hand without waiting for an answer.

“What now, Rul?” Rayendra asked, half-annoyed.

Nasrul dragged him to the basketball team’s locker room. Rayendra, lost in the music in his head, could only surrender as his friend pulled him along. The students who had been avoiding the extracurricular activities earlier now watched them until Nasrul and Ray’s backs disappeared from view.

In the hallway, Nasrul leaned closer to Rayendra, pleading with him to help promote the basketball club. Nasrul looked visibly confused and anxious, as his responsibility as the club president was to recruit new members, just like the seniors did every year. Rayendra, confused, pulled himself away from Nasrul, who was starting to annoy him.

“Come on, Ray! I’m not asking you to join practice. Just be the ‘bait.’ You know what I mean by ‘bait,’ right?” Nasrul pleaded.

Rayendra sighed. He paused the music playing in his ears and stared blankly down the hallway. His mind was torn between helping his friend or continuing to refuse. He was afraid of crossing the boundaries he had set for himself. Nasrul continued to stare at him. When Rayendra finally met his gaze, he frowned even more.

“Should I just do it?”

Feeling sorry for Nasrul, Ray finally nodded, albeit with doubt. “Seriously? Thanks a lot, bro! Here, wear my team shirt. Hurry up and change. Let’s go to the booth!” Nasrul cheered, full of excitement.

Rayendra didn’t even notice that Nasrul was holding another shirt in his hand. He only focused on Nasrul’s lips and eyes, which had managed to convince him.

“I think this is my worst decision.”

When they came out of the locker room, everyone’s attention immediately turned to Rayendra. His handsome face, usually hidden, was now clearly visible. His upright posture amazed everyone. Nasrul’s plan was working perfectly. Many students, both boys and girls, signed up just because they saw Rayendra. Even though Rayendra didn’t say a word, his presence alone attracted attention. Rayendra could only sigh, letting Andrean enjoy all the attention.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” he thought.

BOOM!!

A loud explosion came from the back of the school building. The fire alarm went off, followed by emergency sprinklers soaking all the classrooms and the field.

Rayendra’s vision blurred, and his head felt heavy. He lost his balance. The students screamed and rushed outside to the schoolyard.

“Rayendra? Are you okay? Let’s hurry to the school field! The basement’s on fire!” Zahra ran toward Rayendra to help him out. Instead of running, he crouched down, covering his ears with both arms. “Help me, Ra.”

Zahra quickly grabbed Rayendra’s hand and helped him move, without asking anything because her priority was to make sure no one was left inside the gymnasium building. Once they reached the school field, Nasrul approached them.

“Rayendra, sorry, I panicked and ran ahead. I thought you had already gotten out.”

Rayendra didn’t respond to Nasrul’s words. He slumped onto Zahra’s shoulder, which had been supporting him from falling. His eyes held back tears that could fall at any moment.

“Ray, are you okay?” Zahra asked.

Rayendra slowly shook his head. He tried to sit up, but his body still felt weak. His consciousness was still hazy, and he didn’t even realize how close he was to the girl who had always acknowledged his presence at school.

“Hey! Wake up! Rayendra Febian Wardiana!”

A loud voice from a guy jolted his head. Rayendra quickly opened his eyes, which had almost completely closed. He looked around carefully. Rayendra was startled when he realized he had been resting his head on the girl’s shoulder.

Rayendra panicked. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to lean on—”

“It’s okay, Ray. I was worried seeing your pale face on the field. Are you really okay?” Zahra noticed Rayendra’s strange behavior since inside the gym.

Rayendra still tried to make sense of what had happened in the gym that suddenly made him end up on Zahra’s shoulder. He looked around at the students, who were still frightened.

“Do you want me to take you to the school clinic?” Zahra asked.

“No need, thanks. I’m fine.”

Zahra was worried. She could tell that Ray was hiding something, as it was obvious from his pale face.

“Okay, but if anything happens, don’t hesitate to tell me, alright? I’m going to meet my mom now. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Due to the fire incident, the school was dismissed. The students’ frantic screams turned into relief, especially for those who had been avoiding extracurricular activities.

On the way home, Rayendra once again met Zahra in the same angkot. His troubled mind suddenly raced with the presence of the girl who had helped him today. The distance between them was quite far, as not many passengers had gotten on. However, a group of children from the Qur’an study class suddenly filled the angkot, leaving no room at all. This forced Rayendra and Zahra to sit next to each other at the back of the angkot.

Rayendra could feel Zahra’s shallow breaths, as though something was making her anxious. He wanted to start a conversation but was too absorbed in his music.

“Zahra? Where do you get off?” Rayendra’s curiosity got the better of him.

He often found himself sharing a ride with her without knowing where she lived. It bothered him that he had never known her address, and he couldn’t let the curiosity haunt him.

Zahra didn’t respond. Her gaze was focused on the road ahead. It was clear she was listening to music at full volume.

Seeing this, one of the kids in front of them nudged Zahra, who seemed to be lost in her thoughts.

“Hey, is that your boyfriend?” the child teased.

Zahra turned to the child and signaled for him to listen closely. “He’s not my boyfriend, but I hope he will be.”

“Oooh, a relationship with no status.”

Zahra immediately shut the child up with a blush on her face. Kids were always so honest and transparent with their words. Seeing this, Ray turned his face away instead of feeling embarrassed.

“Sorry, Ray. This little one is really cheeky.”

“S-Sorry, it’s fine, Ra.”