Stella ll
“Therefore, National Examination in all level from Elementary School to High School, will be removed as a requirement for respective students to graduate.”
That's the last line I delivered for today’s debate as the second speaker from the Closing Government position. Everything went smoothly, and we both did great. Abdul absolutely smashed it today. He didn’t bring his iconic cajeput oil which is known to inflict fear to his opponent. Off course that’s not true. This guy, despite of his terrifyingly charismatic and blunt style of debating, was always nervous whenever delivering his argument. The oil helped to calm him.
“You don’t look too well. What happened, Dul?"
“I… don’t know, and I’m not sure.”
“You are kidding me, your opening today was brilliant, and you extend the Opening Government’s point more than we discussed beforehand. You even surprised me!.”
He stares on the ground, then moves his head and locks his eyes on mine. “Stella, this will be our last debate, and next month will be the last month for our high school life to end".”
“Yes! It was a lot of fun and I’ll miss you a lot for sure!”
“Since this could be our last meeting too, I have something to say to you.”
Ah. I knew this day would come. I understand immediately that he’s going to make a confession. I let a big, long sigh from my mouth followed by a question. “What is it? What is this something that can make Abdul The Great fall into a lot of cold sweats.”
“It’s been 2 years since we team up for this debate team, and it’s impossible for me to not feel something more than a debate partner to you.”
He pauses for a bit, then look into my eyes again. I don’t let a single word come out of my mouth just yet.
“I’m sure you get it, right? I’m falling in love with you since out Manado debate, but didn’t want to ruin our team dynamic and chemistry, so I keep it to myself.”
I’m still quiet, but my mind is in pure chaos. I don’t see him as a love interest at all. He is a great man, and an even greater debater. But that’s pretty much it, to me.
“Abdul, I….”
The rain is pouring down all of sudden. What in the perfect timing is this? I wonder. Abdul looks up to the sky, and then at me again. “Perfect timing! Rain is your favorite right? Oh, I have to go now. I don’t know if I’m going to go back here or not but I’ll send you a message if I don’t.”
I never understood the pain of unrequited love. But as I watch him disappear into the sea of strangers, I did feel something.