Love In The Midst of Hostility
Chapter 24 - The Stare of the Eagle Zafran

...༻⊚༺...

Events to celebrate the success of the family business Laksana organized. One by one the guests arrived. Including important guests such as Afrijal and Tania. Both of them were none other than his grandfather and grandmother Zafran.

"She's so proud of you, Mal. Our business can slowly expand abroad. That's the family's best achievement in years." Afrijal gave a compliment while hugging Gamal. "And what makes me most proud, you can educate Zafran and Revita well," he added, patting his shoulders gently.

"Everything would not have happened without the support of Papah and Mamah" Gamal responded as he developed a smile. He immediately turned to look towards Zafran. His eldest son was seen still chatting with some friends his age.

"Zafran!" call Gamal.

Zafran rushed over. He smiled knotingly and immediately hugged Afrijal tightly.

"How's school?" ask Afrijal. He and Zafran took off hugs.

"That's it, Cake. Some are fun and some are not" replied Zafran.

"Remember! Don't-"

"Like my father! I can guess what Grandpa said. If you meet, it will remind you to continue," cut Zafran who can suspect the continuation sentence of the grandfather.

Afrijal laughed. He brought Zafran into the embrace. Afrijal was very proud of his grandson. Zafran behaved better than Gamal did at school. Especially with the achievements of Zafran.

"Your feet are fully recovered? Did you really fall by yourself? It wasn't the son of the Baskara family that hurt you?" Afrijal observes the state of Zafran's feet. He remembered that the grandson had an accident and could not take part in a karate match. Until now, Afrijal has always been wary of the Baskara family. Even to a teenager like Lika. Maybe that's what the Wise family hates about the Baskara family.

"It fell on its own, Cake!" sahut Zafran's. Afrijal then nodded in understanding.

Satisfied to talk to each other, Zafran re-joined with his friends. There's Tomy-Tirta's son. Alan's son Danu, as well as two others who were the sons of Gamal's business friends.

"Gue saw you play basketball last week. Your technique is really cool, Zaf!" praise Tomy.

"Thank you. I am so." Zafran waved his hand in front of the face. He was proud of the talent he had.

"Elah.. even hump lo ya." Tomy clapped the back of Zafran's head. The two and the others chuckled for a moment.

"Eh, by the way Ramanda why from just sitting alone? He's usually the most excited than we are" said Alan, who had just looked at Ramanda.

"You guys wait here. I'll invite him to join." Zafran said after sipping a glass of mocktail. Then it raced closer to Ramanda.

Zafran pulled a chair. He sat down right in front of Ramanda. Makes the girl frown.

"Lo why?" ramanda hatch.

"Lo still thinks of Rian?" Zafran turned around to ask.

"Little bit. I didn't think he could. All guys are the same," Ramanda said with a face bowed lethargic.

"But I'm not." Zafran held Ramanda's chin. Forcing the girl to look straight at him.

Ramanda's tongue clucked. He certainly thought Zafran was just joking. "Don't do a lot of bacots. I never had a date!" the cynic who is now chuckling.

"Gue seriously, Ra." Zafran put on a reassuring expression. A sharp gaze radiated through the eyes of his eagle.

Ramanda gasps. Zafran's gaze made him speechless. Naturally, Ramanda's heart skipped a beat. He had never seen Zafran so seriously.

"E-elo, what are you trying to say?" Ramanda's a bit stammered.

"How do you respond, if I like the same lo.." said Zafran slowly.

"Huh?" Ramanda. He never thought Zafran would say that. Ramanda was confused what to say. Moreover, Zafran did not decide his views from him.

Unlike Ramanda, Zafran did not feel any vibration at all. He felt very different than usual. From there Zafran can conclude, if his feelings for Ramanda are ordinary. As a result, he had no choice but to withdraw his words earlier.

Slowly Zafran chuckled. Over time his laughter fell.

"Hahaha. sorry, Ra. Joking.." said Zafran on the sidelines of his laughter.

Ramanda pouted instantly. He gave Zafran a punch.

"Not funny to know! The vow! Very nice bum!" furious Ramanda. He kept beating Zafran's body. The guy could only laugh while enduring the pain.

"Zafran! Ramandah! Let's eat!" peekkik Zara from a distance. Zafran and Ramanda hurriedly moved. They continued their activities by eating together.

After the event was over, Zafran returned to the room. He fell into bed. Thinking hard about her feelings for Lika.

The dream that had experienced Zafran this afternoon, so imagined again. Despite just remembering, Zafran's heart raced faster. Requires one hand to hold the heart. It's right on the left chest.

...***...

Lika is in the cinema with Ari. To be honest, he worked hard to really like the guy. Lika even let Ari kiss her cheek.

Although Ari gave a touch that intimate, Lika's heart tends to be normal. Her relationship with Ari feels like a friend.

Lika could only carve a wry smile. He could not argue that the rapid beating of his heart only occurred when he was close to Zafran.

Coming home from a boring dating activity, Lika threw herself into bed. His particular feelings towards Zafran rethought. Lika was suddenly curious about the guy's activities. So he finally recklessly checked Zafran's social media accounts.

Lika found Zafran's latest photo upload. The guy looks well dressed with his friends. Zafran shared about three photos.

The first two photos, Zafran, show his closeness with his boyfriends. It was the last photo that immediately made Lika feel confused. Because Zafran seemed to embrace the friendly Ramanda. Both of them look happy with a loose smile that shows teeth.

"Always that girl. It's obvious that Zafran likes him" commented Lika. He slammed the phone into the bed. Then cover her face with both hands.

Lika broke the cry. He did not know why his heart was so tight. Everything he did with Ari was in vain. His little heart only wanted Zafran. Lika can't lie to herself.

"Gue is crazy.." said Lika. "Why should he.." continued again.

That night Lika could barely sleep. He slept late at night. For the first time, Lika ignored the sound of the alarm in the morning.

"They! You're not awake yet? It's really noon. Tumben you slept bad?" Selia called from outside the room.

Lika who heard, slowly regained her senses. He blinked his eyes and checked the clock.

"Geez!" Lika was shocked when she saw the time already showed at 07:20. A sign that ten more minutes bell sign in.

Lika left in a hurry. He even told his driver to do a speeding action.

Arriving at the school, the gate was closed. Lika didn't get a chance to enter.

"Sir Rudi, please! Let me in!" please Lika to the guard guard.

"Can't! Do you know for yourself that anyone who is late, is not allowed to enter!" firmly Mr. Rudi.

"There was a late one as well," chirped the sudden voice of a man from behind.

Lika turned her head. His pupils dilated when he saw who the man was.