The Scars

Mr. Wijaya just passed me by without even giving a glimpse at me who was just staring at the floor. He pretended not to notice me. Kevin’s mother and Angeline were following after him.    

    

“Ilana....” Reno was coming out of the room next to me.    

    

“I need to go to the toilet. Where is it?” I impatiently strafed him with a question.    

    

“Just walk down this corridor, take the right turn. You will see a toilet in the corner.”    

    

“Thank you.” I was hurriedly running to the place he explained without even waiting for him to end his sentence.    

    

I got out of the rest room and found nobody in the corridor which looked like a tunnel. Even though it wasn’t dark, but the corridor was too long to get through. I didn’t even have any idea where it would lead to.    

    

I kept walking and exploring the corridor which connected to another corridor or rooms. It had taken ten minutes, I couldn’t find the exit. In despair, I finally heard someone’s voice behind me.    

    

“Thanks,” I turned my head to someone that I guessed talking to me. A boy in gray suit welcomed me with mocking grin on his face. He framed me with his towering body.    

    

“What for? I did nothing for you.” I realized that I only created mess during the party.    

    

“Thanks for coming. You had successfully changed the atmosphere of party.” He lowered his head and softened his voice while whispering those words to me. I flinched backwards. I tried to fathom what he meant.    

    

“You used me to bring Reno down, to humiliate him. Now I know why you were adamant to invite me to your birthday party. That’s a perfect plan.”    

    

“Of course,” he reassured. Sneer didn’t fade away from his face. The pride and self-confidence were vividly painted there as well. “He deserves it. And you made my plan succeed. I should have congratulated you earlier.” He thought that having a friend from lower social status would detrude Reno’s dignity in front of the high social class guests. That was I assumed from the incident at the party. Why was he so vicious toward his brother? They had the same father although Reno was his stepbrother, indeed.    

    

“However, you had failed perfectly too.” He looked surprised. He might not think that I would say such thing. “He made not only the MC amazed, but also the guests’ attention attached to him. At least, they notice Mr. Wijaya’s other smart son after the party. Isn’t that what you want?” I provoked him. I did it. His face turned as red as apples.    

    

“You’re braver than I thought,” he responded. I knew that it was not a compliment. He might be thinking another strategy to debate on what I said. “I shouldn’t have underestimated you.” He didn’t seem interested in confronting me. “Let’s see who would stand till the end, it’s you or me.” I was shocked. He just announced war not only with Reno but also with me. It wasn’t the battle I could win. I was fully aware of that. “The exit is on the right.” He shouted and disappeared in the corridor.    

    

Mrs. Ali’s employees felt relieved when I met them at the front gate. They had been waiting for me for almost a half hour. Feeling guilty, I asked their apology many times.    

    

‘Are you ok?” asked one of them, a girl in red-dyed hair. She ran toward me as soon as I was with them.    

    

“Yes. I’m fine.” I smiled at her to soothe her.    

    

“Thanks God. We are really worried about you,” another girl added. That consoled me after the tragedy I faced tonight.    

    

“Ilana.... what happened actually? I mean how do you know Mr. Wijaya’s sons? How can you be close to them?” the driver abruptly inquired. I was aghast.    

    

“We are just school mate yet not that close.”    

    

“It seemed you and one of Mr. Wijaya’s sons had known each other deeply. Do you have a special relationship?”    

    

“No,” I responded right away. “It has been late at night. Let’s go home.” We swiftly got on the car and it took us home right away.    

    

I chose to close my eyes, trying to sleep. However, Kevin’s voice still haunted me. What was his other plan? How bad was it this time? The car swept over the road under the bright light shining the darkness of the night. The tiresome seized me.    

    

I woke up the following morning. I forgot what happened last night because I was too tired and sleepy. My mother yelled at me so that I had to cover my ears. My eyes dazzled from the sunshine that penetrated through the ventilations. It obviously showed that I was too late to go to school.    

    

I was in a hurry running out of my house with my bag slung on my shoulder. My shoes were dangling in my hand. The school gate was closed. It forced me to find a way to get inside. The security guards finally allowed me to get in after I beg sincerely.    

    

The class had started for ten minutes. I worriedly walked straight to my classroom. I would accept all the consequences of being late this time. If only I didn’t need money for my house rent, I wouldn’t have come to Kevin’s birthday party. I wouldn’t have overslept.    

    

The classroom was in the second floor. The lift didn’t work. I read a notice at the door. With all my recharged energy, I ran upstairs. Once a while, I was gasping for breath.    

    

Bruggghhh.....    

    

“Ouch ....” Someone slid his foot into mine. I fell forward. I managed to stand up and slowly I did it. Kevin was standing right in front of my eyes with his sharp gaze. Subsequently, he grabbed my hand and dragged me downstairs. He smothered my mouth when I was about to scream for help. My weak body was easily conquered.    

    

He brought me to the storeroom which was located at the back of building and pushed me into it. This place was desolated. The room was too sultry. The darkness blinded my eyes. Half sobbing, I yelled at him, begging his mercy to unlock the locked door. Yet, only solitude answered my screaming.    

    

“Anybody out here please helps me out. I am trapped in here. Could anybody open the door?” I coarsely begged from inside the storeroom while knocking at the door. All was in vain. Nobody cared about me. What if no one found me here?