---

  The next day...

  The day when Vins and his two friends were supposed to visit their senior, Dani, at the hospital. Ironically for Vins, he was now the one in need of a visit...

  Tap! Clack! Tap! Clack! Tap! Clack!

  A man appeared, his face covered in healing wounds. He was struggling to walk down the hospital corridor, using a cane for support. He seemed to be heading toward one of the rooms.

  Click...

  The sound of the door opening made the person inside turn around.

  "Whoa, Bro Dani? How are you holding up, Bro? Are your wounds healing okay?" Doval asked his senior.

  "I'm safe, Bro! How's Vins?" Dani replied, immediately asking about the junior he had extorted just a few days ago.

  "The doctor said... Vins just needs rest, Bro! After the meds kicked in, he's been out cold..." Doval replied, explaining his friend's condition.

  "Sorry, Val! Because of me... Your friend ended up like this!" Dani bowed his head; his face filled with deep remorse.

  "Relax, Bro... Vins is just built like that! That's why I love hanging out with him... Hahaha... Besides, don't you know what happened yesterday, Bro?" Doval replied, trying to calm Dani down.

  "No one has told me anything yet, Val!" Dani answered.

  "Come on inside first, Bro! I'll fill you in..." Doval said, inviting his senior into the room where Vins was being treated.

  Doval recounted everything that happened to Vins yesterday. A story that pierced Doval's heart—about the incident involving Jafar and Vins. Dani became furious hearing the story.

  Not long after, he realized Doval's partner was missing.

  "Oh yeah... Where's that roasted pig of yours, Val?" Dani asked about Doval's travel companion.

  "Oh... Edrik, Bro? Edrik is waiting for Jafar in the ICU! Jafar hasn't woken up from his coma all day!" Doval replied, updating him on Edrik's whereabouts.

  Hearing Doval's explanation hardened Dani's resolve to avenge what Vins and Jafar had endured. He felt regret. His actions of blindly following Brando's orders had caused innocent people to get hurt.

  Amidst their conversation, the sound of a girl knocking on the door was heard, accompanied by a very polite and gentle voice.

  Knock! Knock! Knock!

  "Excuse me... I'm Vins's close friend... May I come in?" The girl said.

  Hearing that familiar voice, Doval instinctively raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the door.

  "Wait... I know that voice! Don't tell me..." Doval muttered to himself.

  "Yeah, come on in! It's fine..." Doval said, allowing the girl to enter.

  BAM!!!

  "VINSSS!!!" The girl screamed, roughly slamming the door open.

  "Sssshhh... Don't be so loud, Karin! Vins is resting, you moron!" Doval hissed, placing his index finger over his pouted lips.

  "Oops... Sorry... My bad..." Karina whispered, covering her mouth with both hands as she lowered her volume.

  Her name was Karina. A stunning Chindo (Chinese-Indonesian) girl with porcelain skin and sharp, captivating eyes. She had harbored feelings for Vins for ages, but Vins—being Vins—always ignored her.

  Vins was painfully aware of Karina's feelings. But he always pretended to be oblivious. However, because Karina's affection ran so deep, she became stubborn, constantly striving to get Vins's attention by any means necessary.

  Sometimes, she loved to tease Vins in front of their classmates. Pretending she wanted to kiss him, holding his hand, or even deliberately hugging his arm—pressing her chest against him.

  She did these bold things without a shred of shame, often turning Vins's face as red as a tomato. Vins, being a healthy teenage boy with raging hormones, always worried about the biological effects on his lower half.

  Like a female cat marking her territory, Karina did this to assure other girls that Vins was hers. Not immune to jealousy, Doval and Edrik often cast cynical glances at the special treatment Vins received.

  "Doval... How's my boyfriend doing? He's okay, right?" Karina asked, her voice dripping with excessive worry.

  "Ugh, you're being dramatic... Vins is strong, he's fine... He's just sleeping off the meds..." Doval explained.

  "Thank goodness... Hey! But if anything happens to my darling... I'll burn you alive!" Karina threatened Doval, glaring daggers at him.

  "Hehehe... Relax, Kar... Relaaaax... Like I said... Vins is strong... Super strong... Hehehe..." Doval replied, panicked by Karina's threat, raising both hands in surrender.

  Karina furrowed her brow, glancing sharply at Dani, who was watching them.

  "You're Dani from 8th grade, right?" Karina asked.

  "Yeah... I'm—"

  SLAP!!!

  A loud slap echoed through the room before Dani could finish introducing himself. His weak body, supported only by his cane, almost staggered and fell.

  But this time, he didn't hold his reddened cheek like he did when Ivana slapped him days ago. He understood why Karina did it. It was out of worry for Vins. The slap didn't even hurt, because he knew Vins and his friends had suffered far worse pain because of him.

  "YOU BASTARD!!! It's all because of you! Because of you, my boyfriend is in the hospital!" Karina shouted, pointing a trembling finger at Dani's face, her emotions overflowing.

  Doval's jaw dropped, shocked by Karina's ferocity. Dani simply bowed his head, his eyes showing only emptiness and overwhelming regret.

  "What the hell are you doing, Kar? You're causing a scene!" Doval snapped, annoyed.

  Karina ignored him. She continued hurling insults at Dani.

  "All of this started because of you, didn't it? If not for your behavior, snitching about Vins to your rotten Boss! WHAT DO YOU CALL IT??? This wouldn't have happened to my boyfriend and my friends! Do you realize that?!" Karina screamed, her eyes welling up with tears.

  Dani remained silent, speechless against the barrage of truth. The commotion affected Vins in his sleep; restlessness began to seep into his subconscious. They didn't notice Vins starting to sweat, a sign of the anxiety building in his heart.

  "I apologize to all of you... I-I promise! I won't ever drag you into my problems again..." Dani said. He clenched his fists, freezing in place with his head still bowed.

  Doval, seeing his senior looking like Roberto Baggio (the tragic hero who died standing on the field), could only stare in pity. He understood Dani's feelings. The recent events had turned Dani into a punching bag for everyone around Vins. Only he and Edrik truly understood the full picture.

  "Get out of here! You trash!" Karina barked firmly.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  "Hey! Karina! Watch your mouth!" Doval retorted.

  "Please give Vins my regards and apologies... Again... I'm truly sorry! I'll leave now! I'll make sure from today onwards, no one else will get dragged into my mess..." Following his words, Dani left the room.

  "Take care of yourself, Bro!" Doval shouted, offering a shred of support.

  Dani paused at the doorway, muttering to himself.

  "BRANDO, ELGOR, YOU BOTH MUST DIE!" Dani muttered internally, his eyes burning with vengeance and hatred toward the two Tripsix students.

  Tap! Clack! Tap! Clack... Tap... Clack...

  The sound of the cane and footsteps faded, indicating he had gone far from the room...

  ---

  Ding ding dung ding! Ding ding dung ding!

  Doval's Nokia phone rang, shattering the silence.

  "Hello? What's up, Drik? What's going on, buddy?" Doval asked, pressing the phone to his ear.

  "Hello, Val! Your turn to come here, damn it... Ugh... I'm starving! My stomach's growling... And I haven't showered... I smell like sulfur, man... You come keep Jafar company in the ICU! I wanna go back!" Edrik complained, whining about his hunger.

  "You go by yourself, ugh... Your brain is just filled with your stomach, you pig!" Doval retorted, teasing him.

  "Hey, you jerk! Are you sure you don't wanna come here? The nurse taking care of Jafar right now looks like Putri Titian! I swear! She's super pretty, Val!" Edrik said enthusiastically, dangling the bait.

  "HUH? SERIOUSLY, YOU PIG???" Doval exclaimed, disbelief in his voice.

  "I swear! You won't regret it! Also, Jafar's brother just stepped out to get medicine... It's a shame no one's keeping him company..." Edrik added, convincing his friend.

  "Okay, fine... I'm coming! Hehehe..." Doval replied, hanging up.

  "Hey Kar... I think I gotta lea—"

  "Shoo! Shoo! Shoo! Get out of here!" Karina cut him off, busy typing on her Blackberry.

  "Hey, you jerk! Don't you dare harass my friend, okay?!" Doval teased, stepping toward the door.

  "Ughhh... Do you think I'm some cheap girl? Hey Doval... Let me tell you something! I'M NOT AS BAD AS YOU, YOU G-O-L-D-F-I-S-H!!!" Karina retorted irritably.

  "Hahaha... Just you wait if my friend comes running to me later, saying 'Oh Val, Karina defiled me... Sniff... Sniff...'" Doval replied, mocking Vins as a victim of harassment.

  "SHUT UP!!! GET OUT OF HERE, YOU GOLDFISH!!!" Karina yelled, shoving Doval toward the door.

  "Bleehh..." Doval stuck his tongue out, teasing her one last time before closing the door.

  Silence...

  Karina moved the visitor's chair closer to Vins's bed. She started talking to him, as if he were awake.

  "Vins... Why are you never interested in me? Am I really that ugly in your eyes?" Karina whispered, holding Vins's sleeping cheek.

  "Am I just not your type? Do you know? I've always tried to look perfect just for you... I just hoped you would notice me..." She continued, her hand stroking the hair on his forehead.

  Karina gazed at Vins's handsome face, despite the bandages covering his left forehead and right cheek. Her finger traced his sharp nose, then moved to his lower lip. Vins's red lips made Karina's resolve waver.

  Without realizing it, her face drew closer to his. Her heart compelled her to kiss those tempting lips. But then, she remembered her place in Vins's eyes. She pulled back, shaking her head, forcing herself to wake up from the devil's temptation.

  "Oh my God... What am I doing..." She mumbled to herself, resting her cheek on Vins's hand.

  

  

  She gripped his hand tightly, tears falling onto the bedsheet.

  But soon, she felt something on her head. A warmth that almost lulled her to sleep. She shot up, realizing a palm was gently stroking her hair.

  "Eh, Vins???" She gasped, realizing her beloved was awake.

  "VIIINSSS!!!" She hugged him tightly. The worry that had shackled her was instantly released. Gratitude and happiness flooded her heart.

  "Huh... Huh... Kar..." Vins stammered, surprised and nervous by the sudden embrace.

  Suddenly, Karina realized what she was doing. She instinctively pulled away, leaving an awkward silence between them. Vins simply looked at her, offering a warm, sweet smile. His hand moved from her head to her shoulder.

  "I'm fine, Kar... Don't worry, okay?" Vins said, wiping the tears from her cheek.

  Karina's face turned bright red at his killer smile. Suddenly, she remembered the earlier incident.

  "Vins? Y-You... You didn't hear anything, did you?" Karina asked nervously, trying to confirm if her secret was safe.

  "Huh? Hear what, Kar?" Vins asked back, confused.

  "You really didn't hear anything, right?" She asked again, just to be sure.

  "I don't know, Kar! All I know is you were crying and holding my hand when I woke up! That's it..." Vins answered innocently.

  Karina stood up and let out a strange laugh.

  "HA HA HA HA... Thank goodness..."

  Vins looked puzzled, scratching his head. Still flustered, Karina grabbed a plastic bag from a famous bakery and a pack of tissues.

  "HE HE HE HE... Look, Vins! I brought you some delicious cake! I'll feed you..." Karina said with a weird laugh, holding up the bag.

  ---

  "Come on, handsome, open up! Aaaaaaa..."

  Vins opened his mouth and took the bite, his face turning red at Karina's sweet treatment.

  

  

  "Cough... Cough..." Vins choked, flustered.

  "Oh! Drink! Drink, drink... Swallow it slowly, honey..." Vins gulped down a bottle of water, Karina helping him hold it.

  "Here's the second bite, handsome! Aaaaaa..." Vins opened his mouth again. While chewing, he asked again what she had said earlier with a mouth full of cake.

  "WhAt dId yOu sAy eArLiEr wHiLe I wAs aSlEeP, kAr?" Vins asked, chewing obnoxiously.

  "THIS IS THE THIRD BITE!!!" Karina snapped, stuffing a massive chunk of cake into his mouth.

  Gulp...

  "SlOw dOwN, kAr... My mOuTh CaN't fIt ThIs..." Vins pleaded, his cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk.

  Vins's comical expression made Karina chuckle. Feelings of fondness and exasperation filled her heart.

  Gulp... Gulp... Gulp...

  "Aaaahhh... Thanks, Kar, for feeding me..." Vins said, smiling.

  Karina nodded, returning the smile. She realized how special that smile was. It brought a sense of calm to her soul, making her feelings grow even stronger.

  Unbeknownst to them, the door was slightly ajar. A cute-faced girl had been observing them the entire time. Witnessing the grand love drama unfolding inside.

  ---

  For some reason, the atmosphere felt like a home inhabited by newlyweds...

  "Kar..." Vins called out.

  "Yes, darling?" Karina replied.

  "Hehehe... I wanna say something but I'm embarrassed..." Vins answered.

  "Huh? What is it?" Karina, who was throwing the wrapper away, turned around. The word "Embarrassed" piqued her curiosity.

  "Kar... Come here... Hurry up!" Vins urged her closer.

  "Ughhh... Please! Don't tell me he's going to confess..." Karina mumbled to herself.

  Thinking Vins was about to confess his feelings, she rushed to his side.

  "What is it? Tell me fast..." She urged.

  "Come here, I'll whisper it..." Vins gestured for her to lower her head.

  Karina tucked her long black hair behind her ear.

  Thump! Thump! Thump!

  Her heart raced. She was about to hear it. Vins leaned in and whispered into her ear.

  "My stomach is killing me... I need to take a massive dump!"

  Karina froze. Annoyance surged through her veins. She smacked Vins's shoulder repeatedly.

  "Ughh... Vins! You're so annoying..." Karina pouted, disappointed that her fantasy was crushed.

  "Hahaha... Come on, come on! This time I'm serious! Give me your ear..." Vins insisted, trying to regain her trust.

  "Thanks, okay..."

  Karina's body shivered the moment she leaned in again. She felt his breath against her skin, making the hairs on her neck stand up.

  "Oh my God..." She thought.

  "Let's go out after this... I need fresh air! But first, I gotta poop... Hold your nose! It's gonna smell since I haven't gone all day!" Vins said, stepping toward the toilet.

  "You're so gross! Ewh...Yeah... Just go poop already!" Karina replied, showing a disgusted yet happy expression.

  Click...

  Vins locked the toilet door. He sat down, pulling down his pants.

  Soon, he fell into deep thought.

  The truth was...

  he had heard everything Karina said while he was asleep. He felt every touch.

  Vins felt overwhelmed.

  His feelings for the girls were battling fiercely within him...

  He still had unspoken feelings for Belina...

  On the other hand, he felt an extraordinary, real affection from Karina...

  And now...

  a new figure was trying to enter his heart. Ivana.

  In an uncertain silence...

  Drip! Drip! Drip!

  The sound of dripping water echoed...

  Making the hole of his dilemma deeper and endless...

  ---

  Meanwhile...

  The girl observing them began to shed tears.The gift bag slipped from her hand, dropping all its contents.

  

  

  She sat down, gazing at the romance unfolding in the room. Tears flooded her face, ruining her makeup. She bowed her head, recalling memories, regretting the feelings she had for Vins.

  Like a soldier returning alive from the battlefield...

  She felt humiliated by her defeat...

  From a distance, Edrik was walking toward the room. He was there to replace Doval.

  "Hello... Are you okay?" Edrik asked the girl.

  The girl stood up, wiping her tears with her tiny hands. Edrik recognized her cute face instantly.

  "Wait... aren't you that 8th grader? You're, uh..."

  ---

  - To be Continued