The Life of an Eagle Boy

Tahura (Forest Park)

The weekend passed quickly. Rayendra planned to spend the weekend alone in the outdoors. He felt it was the best form of self-healing for him. He had been doing this since ninth grade, based on Dr. Poppy’s advice, his psychiatrist. This time, he wanted to see the tall trees and some animals at the Forest Park.

“Where are you going?”

“To Tahura, just to get some fresh air.”

“It’s pretty crowded there on weekends, you sure you want to meet so many people?”

“I just need some fresh air. Want to join?”

Rayina shook her head.

“Okay, I’m off.”

“By what?”

“Camel.”

Rayendra took the motorbike he borrowed from Mang Asep, his aunt’s driver. Although he wasn’t given permission initially, fearing it would anger his aunt, he insisted on taking it.

“Alright, be careful, A. The registration papers are under the seat.”

“Thanks, Mang. I’ll be back this evening.”

The weather was sunny and cool. The wind blew strongly, drying the sweat on his body. Before starting his trek, Rayendra stopped by a Dutch-style entrepreneur café. The café was located at the beginning of the trail he was going to follow for the day.

Entering the forest, Rayendra’s eyes sparkled. As far as he could see, all he could see were tall green trees. Along with other people enjoying their weekend, talking and bonding with nature and their loved ones.

Rayendra’s attention shifted to a woman shouting. She was pulling at her bag, which had been snatched by a monkey. Instead of helping, bystanders laughed at her.

Ray squinted and tried to see who the girl was, someone who seemed oddly familiar.

“Zahra?”

Rayendra immediately ran over and reached out to grab the bag from the monkey. Finally, the monkey released the bag and scratched Rayendra’s forehead.

“Argh.”

“Hey, watch out, let us handle the naughty monkey!” A loud voice from the forest security guard could be heard from a distance.

Unfortunately, the monkey had already run away, leaving a scratch on Rayendra’s forehead, which had always been covered by his thick hair.

“Rayendra, what are you doing here?” Zahra asked spontaneously.

Before Ray could answer, Zahra’s attention shifted to the red stain that began to drip from Rayendra’s forehead. She grabbed his hand and rushed him to the nearest first aid station to find a first-aid kit.

“Cover it with this,” Zahra handed him a handkerchief from her pocket.

After walking for a few minutes, they arrived at the station.

“Sir, do you have a first-aid kit? I need it now.”

“Yes, for what?”

Hearing the nonchalant tone from the attendant made Zahra angry.

“Can’t you see? My friend’s forehead is bleeding from a monkey scratch!”

The attendant hurried to find the first aid kit, though he had no idea where it was. Rayendra, who had initially been calm, started wincing in pain while pressing on his wound. The scratch was deep, and no wonder blood was flowing from it.

“It’s deep, Ray. How about we just go to the hospital? I’ll take you.”

Zahra offered to take Ray, who had just helped her with the monkey attack earlier. However, Rayendra refused, deciding to continue his journey to the waterfall.

“Here, try this first aid kit, hope it’s complete.”

“It’s fine, thank you.”

Zahra repositioned herself to face Rayendra. She gently took the handkerchief Ray had been pressing against his forehead since earlier. Rayendra’s calm eyes were now clearer than before. His innocent gaze, full of mystery, made Zahra more curious about the quiet boy who had just moved to her school a month ago.

Rayendra met Zahra’s gaze. His face grimaced as the alcohol cleaned the wound on his forehead.

“Does it hurt?”

“Zahra, what are you doing alone in a place like this?” Rayendra’s thoughts could only form those words in his mind.

Rayendra had never felt this before—someone treating him so kindly, gently, and warmly. His heart had been trapped in a cold and damp cave for so long, he had forgotten that there was always warm light at the end of the cave he had been walking through.

Zahra’s treatment made him comfortable being next to her. This event changed Rayendra’s entire perspective. Before, he had thought Zahra was just a flirty girl who loved attention. But now, Ray could see that behind her behavior, there was sincerity that made people around her feel safe.

“I cleaned it up. The band-aid has a bear design, is that okay?”

Rayendra was startled, caught up in his thoughts about Zahra.

“It’s fine, just use whatever’s available.”

Zahra nodded, then quickly put the bear-designed band-aid on Rayendra’s forehead, which was now red. After applying the band-aid, Zahra fixed Ray’s hair to cover it up.

Rayendra’s heart raced at Zahra’s warm touch on his hair.

“Thanks, Ra. Sorry for bothering you.”

“No problem! I should be the one thanking you. Thanks for helping me with that worthless bag from that damn monkey!”

Zahra couldn’t stop cursing the monkey for suddenly grabbing her bag so violently. Her face pouted, making Ray think she was cute.

“I think from now on, I hate monkeys.”

Rayendra chuckled.

“Are you laughing at me?”

“No, I just find it funny that I suddenly got scratched by a monkey. My little sister will definitely laugh when she hears about this.”

Zahra turned to look at him with wide eyes. “You have a little sister?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, introduce her to me! She must be really pretty… like me. Haha.”

Rayendra smiled slightly.

“Next time, maybe.” Ray said.

Rayendra stood up from the wooden bench where they had been sitting. He was going to continue his journey toward the waterfall, which was still far above the forest.

“I’m heading off now, Ra.”

Seeing Rayendra hurry, Zahra was confused about where to go. She had been alone in this forest with the same purpose as Rayendra. Zahra stopped Ray, who had just taken one step.

“Ray… um…”

Rayendra turned. “What?”

“Can I come with you?”

“S-sure.”

Zahra’s expression brightened. The heavy cloud on her face was replaced with a colorful tulip garden. They walked along the path quietly, with Zahra, who had been talking a lot, suddenly conserving her energy as she complained about being tired.

They reached the waterfall just as the sun was directly above. The place Ray thought would be peaceful turned out to be nothing like he expected. The waterfall was crowded with people taking pictures. While surveying the scene, Zahra pinched Rayendra.

“What?”

“Do you want me to take a photo of you?”

“No. It’s too crowded. Let’s just find a shaded spot to rest.”

Without saying much, Zahra followed him to a bench that looked like the one at the first aid station.

“Ray, do you come here often?”

“Not really.”

“Why?” Zahra stared at Rayendra, who was still looking at the people taking selfies.

“I just found out about this place. Sometimes it’s quiet, sometimes it’s crowded.”

“It’s a forest park. People probably come here to refresh their minds. We, too, after spending a week with school tasks and the school environment, need fresh air. Especially this forest air, it’s so good for us, considering we often breathe in car pollution in the city.”

Zahra kept talking, and Rayendra stared at her, which made Zahra feel a bit awkward.

“Why? Am I talking too much?”

“I’m sorry, Ra. I’ve misjudged you.”

Zahra froze for a moment. “What do you mean?”

“All this time, I’ve misjudged you at school. At first, I thought you were just a flirty girl seeking attention. You were nice to everyone, even to those who used you for group assignments. After spending more time with you, interacting, I realize you’re a genuinely nice girl and deserve admiration from many people.”

Zahra listened carefully to Rayendra’s words, her eyes full of questions. Rayendra sighed deeply and continued.

“Since I moved to this school, I’ve never met a girl as kind as you. You don’t discriminate against friends, you care about them, and what really amazes me is that you never thought I was weird.”

Zahra interrupted. “I never thought you were weird, Ray. Actually, I was curious about who you really are.”

“The point is, I just want to say thank you and apologize for judging you from a different perspective.”

“Okay, I forgive you. But in return, you have to promise me that you’ll be more open. Don’t make assumptions about people because you limit yourself from getting to know them well.”

Zahra stood up and led Ray back down. “Let’s go back! I’m hungry.”