He stood at the end of the park's entrance path, his face flushed red, breathing hard like he had just finished a sprint. His eyes, usually full of jokes and playfulness, were now wide with rage and betrayal, sharply fixed on me, then on the close distance between me and Cantika. The ticking time bomb finally exploded.
"Mal! I… this…," I stood up immediately, my face turning pale.
"I knew you'd come here, Rand!" Akmal cut me off, his voice bitter. "Him," he pointed at me with a trembling finger, "my best friend, the one who said there were no other intentions, who said it was just a coincidence at the library, who said it was just discussing assignments over meatball soup… turns out you deliberately asked her to meet alone in a quiet place! BEHIND MY BACK!" His shouting echoed through the silent park, sending birds flying.
"Mal, listen first!" I tried to explain, forcing myself to stay calm, but my voice shook. "This really is for the assignment! Cantika has a good idea to get consultant data—"
"YOU LIAR!" Akmal refused to listen. He stepped closer, his body challenging. "I've been suspicious since yesterday, even before that! Sweet talks in the library, meeting up for meatballs, now arranging to be alone in the park? Assignment discussion? BULLSHIT!" He almost punched my face. "You think I'm stupid, Randi? You think I don't see the way you look at her? The way you smile all fake sweet at her?"
"Kak Mal, don't be like that! This really is just about the assignment!" Cantika tried to intervene, her voice trembling. "I was the one who offered the idea to Randi because my group also needs—"
"HIM, RANDI! NOT ME, AKMAL!" Akmal yelled at Cantika, making her step back in shock. "I was the one who liked you first! I was the one who paid attention to you! I was the one who offered to help find data using my uncle's connections! But you chose him?" He turned back to me, his eyes now glossy, mixed with anger and heartbreak. "And you… MY OWN BEST FRIEND? AND YOU KNEW FROM THE START THAT I LIKED CANTIKA!!!"
Guilt and irritation mixed together in my chest. "Akmal, you've gone too far!" I shouted back, my emotions overflowing. "Yes, I like Cantika! I can't lie anymore! But I never did anything! I just talked to her, helped her if she needed it, and she was kind to me too! Is that wrong? You think you own her just because you liked her first?"
"FUCK!" Akmal shoved me hard. I almost fell. "You're sneaky! You're a coward! You've always been like this! Acting nice, acting capable, but rotten inside! I know how you tried to steal Rani from my friend back in high school! Now you're doing it again to me? NO WONDER YOU'RE SINGLE! EVEN YOUR ONLY GIRLFRIEND BACK THEN CHEATED ON YOU WITH SOMEONE ELSE!"
The world stopped. That hit me hard. Those words hurt more than any shove. Cantika gasped, her eyes wide as she looked at me, full of shock and… maybe pity.
"AKMAL! ENOUGH!" Cantika shouted, her voice sharp and firm for the first time. She stood between the two of us, her face flushed. "You're way out of line! What does Randi's personal life have to do with this? This is about the three of us! And I'm not some object you can fight over!"
Akmal's breathing was ragged. He looked at Cantika, then looked at me with pure hatred. "The three of us? Ha! It's just you two! You two enjoying playing with fire behind my back!" He looked at me again. "We're done, Randi. I don't know you anymore. Best friends? YOU DON'T DESERVE THAT!" He spat on the ground near my feet. "And you, Tik," he turned to Cantika, his voice suddenly breaking, "I hope you don't regret choosing this loser."
He turned around, his steps heavy, and left the park without looking back. Taking with him whatever remained of a friendship that was already shattered.
The atmosphere turned eerily silent. I stood there stunned, my chest tight, Akmal's words about my love life still slicing through my ears. Cantika stood beside me, her breathing still uneven.
"Randi…" she broke the silence, her voice soft and full of concern. "I… I didn't know. He… his words were so cruel. A-are you okay?"
I took a deep breath, trying to gather what little dignity I had left. I couldn't cry in front of her. "I… I'm okay, Tik. Sorry," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "Sorry you had to see that. Sorry I dragged you into this."
"It's not your fault," she replied firmly. She slowly sat back down on the bench, a bit closer than before. "Akmal… his emotions burned out of control. But he was wrong to bring up something that personal." She paused. "And… about the data offer… I won't take it. Not after this."
I lifted my head, shocked. "But… your group needs—"
"My group can find another way. Like the idea we talked about earlier," she cut in, a small smile appearing again, even though the shadow of what just happened was still there. "I'd rather work with someone who is… sincere. And I truly don't have any feelings or relationship with Akmal. He's just a senior, nothing more." Her eyes looked into mine. Deeply. I could see honesty there, and maybe… a bit of acceptance.
My feelings were tangled. Pain from Akmal's words. Sadness over a friendship destroyed. But… there was a new warmth, gentle, coming from Cantika's gaze. That spark was still there. Even stronger.
"Thank you, Tik," I whispered sincerely. "For the idea. And… for now."
She nodded. "We're still meeting tomorrow, right? 4:15? The bus stop?" she asked, trying to return to the original plan.
"Yes. Definitely," I answered firmly. Akmal and all his drama could go to hell. This was my chance. Our chance.
The sound of the break bell ending rang faintly in the distance. "Oh no, we have to go back," Cantika said as she stood up.
I stood up as well. "I'll go first, Tik. So we don't get caught walking back together again."
She understood. "Okay. Be careful. And… don't take Akmal's words to heart, okay?" She gave me an encouraging smile before turning and quickly leaving the park through the other side.
I stood alone in the middle of the ruins of a friendship. But a new seed had begun to grow. A precious seed.
That night, I stood in front of the mirror in my boarding room. Trying to prepare myself for Dea's event. A blind date. Maya. A Psychology student. But only two images appeared in my mind. Akmal's hateful stare… and Cantika's gentle smile. Her words echoed. "I'd rather work with someone who is… sincere."
I grabbed my phone. Typed a message to Dea. "Dea, I'm really sorry. I can't come tonight. There's something… urgent. Very urgent. I'll treat you to double martabak next time. Sorry, okay. Please tell Maya I'm sorry."
I pressed send. I felt guilty toward Dea and Maya. But the sense of relief was far greater. I couldn't pretend. Not now. Not after what happened in the park. And especially not before meeting Cantika tomorrow.
I lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. My friendship with Akmal might truly be over. But a new journey, riskier, more frightening, yet also heart-pounding with hope, had just truly begun. And her name was… Cantika Putri Jelita.
Tomorrow at 4:15. I smiled to myself in the darkness of the room. The time bomb might have already exploded, but from the rubble, Cantika and I were going to try to build something. Hopefully it wouldn't explode too.