“11 || One Step Closer ||
In the ssroom after the lesson, rabs her hair, tying it into a ponytail. She applies lip balm to her thin lips, a practice she never does unless she’s going to meet Uncle Joe.
Nadia sits, always supporting her friend. She knows ra is eagerly waiting for thest bell.
Mario, who always observes ra, nces at her, curious. It’s unusual for ra to dress up after school. Even in the mornings when the girls in ss are busy with makeup, she prefers reading novels.
Is there something special today?
“Where are you going?” Mario asks, sitting in the chair in front of ra’s desk, making them face each other. Mario can now see ra up close.
“Just curious! I can go wherever I want!” ra replies indifferently, still staring at her reflection in the mirror.
“Just as a friend, I just want to know,” Mario answers, bing more fascinated with his ssmate.
“I want to meet Uncle Joe,” ra replies, matching Mario’s gaze. She can feel a different vibe from him.
Mario quickly averts his gaze, unable to return ra’s stare.
“Why?” Mario still looks down, curiosity making him keep talking.
“To talk about many things.” ra answers, awkward with Mario’s continuous interrogation.
“Many things? What’s that?” Mario presses.
“It’s none of your business, and it has nothing to do with you!” ra retorts, frowning at her ssmate.
“Why do you want to know?” ra protests, starting to get annoyed.
“Okay, I don’t want to know, but let me at least escort you to Uncle Joe’s house. I just don’t want you to take public transportation, that’s all!” Mario says tly.
ra looks at Nadia, seeking approval from her friend.
Nadia winks, signaling her approval for ra to ept Mario’s offer.
“Alright, apany me to Uncle Joe’s house,” ra says, throwing a slight smile at Mario.
Nadia heads back to the dorm, not far from school. Meanwhile, ra is escorted by Mario to Uncle Joe’s house. She rides pillion on Mario’s motorcycle, maintaining a distance to avoid leaning too much on Mario’s back.
Mario’s two-wheeler starts moving ording to ra’s directions.
“ra,”
“ra,”
“ra Rusadi!”
“Yes,” ra answers.
“Can I offer you something?” Mario asks hopefully.
“What are you selling?” ra counters.
“Starting today, I’m willing to be your driver, taking you wherever you want. What do you say?” Mario offers, still focused on riding his motorcycle.
“I’ll think about it!” ra shouts so Mario can hear her.
“Alright then,” disappointed Mario replies.
Mario continues driving at a moderate speed. He intentionally slows down to spend more time with ra. He can’t bear the thought of ra liking Uncle Joe.
In Mario’s opinion, Joe is not suitable for ra, who is still young. Joe is too old, that’s how Mario sees the age gap between Joe and ra.
They arrive at the gate of Joe Sebastian’s house. ra gets off the motorcycle, removes her helmet, and hands it back to Mario.
“I’ll go in now, thank you. You can go home now!” ra instructs.
“No, let me wait here. I’ll take you back to the dormter; I just don’t want you to take public transport, that’s all!” Mario says tly.
“No need, it might take a while!” ra refuses.
“I’ll still wait for you,” Mario insists.
“Just go home; Uncle Joe will take me back to the dormter,” ra exins.
“No, I’ll wait for you!” Mario says, with no intention of changing his mind.
ra remains silent, staring at Mario carefully.
“Fine, I’m going home now,” disappointed Mario says. He starts to get frustrated and then starts his motorcycle. He turns it around and walks away from Joe’s residence.
====???====
The gate opens. ra steps slowly into Joe Sebastian’s luxurious yard.”
“Very spacious, with a garden, a pond filled with ornamental fish, and beautiful fountains. Next to the house, there’s a sizable rose garden with various colors. ra continues walking forward, standing at the front door greeted by two tall white pirs. The walls are as white as a pce.
A female servant opens the door for her.
ra steps inside.
“Good afternoon,” ra greets Mrs. Linn and Mr. Bond. The two of them are rxing in the living room.
“Good afternoon, ra. How are you?” asks the charismatic middle-aged woman.
“I’m fine. How about Mrs. Linn and Mr. Bond?” ra asks back.
“We’re doing well.” Mrs. Linn answers, observing the girl. She appears more mature since theyst met three months ago. “It’s been a long time since you visited; make sure toe more often!” Mrs. Linn always treats ra kindly.
“Alright, Mrs. Linn,” ra replies. In the past, ra lived in this house. However, when Joe decided to get married, ra dared to try living independently, choosing a school with dormitory facilities. Since then, her rtionship with Joe’s extended family has be strained.
“Do you want to see Joe?” Mrs. Linn asks. Joe is the only one close to her. Ten years ago, when ra was only 7 years old, a car ident imed the lives of her parents. Joe was the only one who could make her talk and help her get back to a normal life.
“Yes, Mrs. Linn,” ra answers.
“Go up to the second floor; he’s ying with Kimmy,” she replies with a smile.
“Alright, thank you,”
ra begins to climb the stairs, step by step, reaching the second floor. At the top, she stands, observing a father and daughter. Something is missing!
“Come here!” Joe instructs, sitting with Kimmy. The little girl seems engrossed in ying with her favorite doll.
ra takes off her shoes and then sits on the soft carpet next to Joe and Kimmy.
“What do you want to say, ra? I know you’re a smart girl; you can’t possibly struggle with homework or have difficulty understanding the material!” Joe protests. “This is the first time you’ve had a problem like this, so tell me what you need!” Joe insists. Despite his cold and indifferent demeanor, Joe understands the girl in front of him like no one else.
ra startles; her small lie is immediately exposed by Joe.
“No, Uncle, there’s nothing,” ra denies, unable to admit her feelings. She is also self-aware, not yet ready to express her feelings of love.
“Is your allowance not enough, or do you want to buy clothes again, or is there a problem at your school with your friends?” Joe guesses.
ra remains silent.
“Tell me honestly what you need; your attitude has been strangetely, ra!” Joe demands, staring sharply into ra’s eyes. He doesn’t like her odd and seemingly contrived behavior.
“Don’t just stay silent; tell me what’s bothering you, ra!” Joe loses patience seeing ra remain silent.
ra looks down, her lips trembling. “I like…”
“Do you like your friend from earlier, the one who brought you here? I saw him from the balcony! If you like him, I won’t allow it! Don’t date before you graduate from high school!” Joe asserts with a slightly stern tone.
The girl bes even more silent, biting her lower lip to hold back tears. Lately, Joe seems to be more daring in scolding and getting angry with her.
“Why does Uncle Joe scold me?” ra protests softly. Tears start to well up in her eyes.
“I don’t like Mario!” ra says with a louder voice than before.
Seeing ra crying, Joe feels guilty. He stays silent and tries to lead ra away from Kimmy and her caregiver.
“I’ve liked you for a long time, Uncle,” those words slip out of ra’s lips just like that.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.
To be Continued.