That morning, the sun had just appeared on the eastern horizon. Its warm light began to shine over the schoolyard, which was filled with students. Some arrived joking around, some were busy looking for the names of their new classes, and others were still sleepy because the long vacation had just ended.
Amid the crowd, a boy named Roihan strolled toward his classroom. He wore a uniform that still looked neat. A simple black bag hung from his shoulder. Though he came from a family living on a tight budget, Roihan always tried to look clean and presentable.
Roihan was known as a cheerful kid. Almost every day, he could make his friends laugh with his goofy antics. But behind his smile, he often thought about his family's situation. Fortunately, he never let those problems bring him down.
When he saw the class list, Roihan's face immediately lit up.
Roihan: "Alhamdulillah... I'm in the same class as Pendi again."
A moment later, someone patted him on the shoulder from behind.
Pendi: "HEY! What are you spacing out for?"
Roihan immediately turned around and laughed.
Roihan: "Damn, you scared me. You really love showing up out of nowhere."
Pendi: "Hahaha. So? Still want to sit at headquarters?"
Roihan: "What kind of question is that? Obviously, the back corner."
The two of them immediately went into the classroom. It was still fairly quiet since not all the students had arrived. They looked around at the empty desks.
Without a second thought, they headed for the backmost corner desk near the window.
Pendi: "Now this is what I call a favorite spot."
Roihan: "Strategic."
Pendi: "What's so strategic about it?"
Roihan: "When the teacher explains something, we can just pretend to take notes."
Pendi: "And if we get sleepy, we're safe."
They both burst out laughing.
A few minutes later, the other students began arriving. The room, which had been quiet, grew lively. Some introduced themselves to one another, some were busy looking for old friends, and others were busy choosing seats.
Roihan and Pendi were engrossed in talking about their vacations.
Pendi: "What did you do during vacation?"
Roihan: "Played soccer and helped Mom."
Pendi: "I thought you went on a trip."
Roihan: "I took a trip to the kitchen."
Pendi: "HAHAHA."
Their conversation continued until Pendi finally stood up.
Pendi: "Han, I'm going to the bathroom."
Roihan: "All right."
Pendi: "Come with me."
Roihan: "Nah, I'm too lazy. You go. Otherwise, people will think we're gay."
Pendi: "Seriously?"
Roihan: "You go."
Pendi: "Fine. Don't run off."
Roihan: "Run off? Get that out of your head."
Pendi then left the classroom.
Now Roihan sat alone.
He observed his surroundings. Almost everyone was busy talking with their deskmates. The sound of laughter came from every corner of the classroom.
Meanwhile, he simply sat there in silence, looking out the window.
The morning breeze blew gently, carrying pleasantly cool air.
Roihan let out a small sigh.
Roihan (to himself): "It sure is quiet when Pendi isn't around."
Just then, he heard footsteps approaching. A female student stood right beside his desk. Her long hair was black, her complexion was clear, and she wore a friendly smile.
Roihan was a little confused.
The girl started the conversation.
???: "Hey... we're in the same class, right?"
Roihan nodded slowly.
Roihan: "I think so."
Salma smiled.
???: "You know me, don't you?"
Roihan immediately racked his brain.
The girl's face did seem a little familiar.
But the harder he thought, the less he could remember.
Several seconds passed.
Roihan: "Hmm... sorry. Who are you?"
The girl simply let out a small laugh.
???: "Hahaha... I knew you'd be confused."
Roihan: "Yeah... I'm really sorry."
Salma: "Let me introduce myself. My name is Salma."
Roihan immediately smiled.
Roihan: "Oh... my name is Roihan."
Salma: "I know."
Roihan was confused again.
Roihan: "Huh?"
Salma: "How could you not know me? I used to visit your class all the time."
Roihan tried to remember again.
But he still came up with nothing.
Salma: "You used to be in class 8-G, right?"
Roihan: "Yeah."
Salma: "Well... I used to visit that class all the time to look for my friend."
Roihan: "Who?"
Salma: "Jihan."
The name sounded fairly familiar.
But Roihan still couldn't remember Salma's face.
Feeling awkward, he finally just nodded.
Roihan: "Ohhh... that explains it."
But inside...
Roihan (to himself): "Explains what? I don't even remember her."
Salma laughed when she saw Roihan's confused expression.
Salma: "You really are forgetful, huh?"
Roihan: "Hehe... maybe."
Their conversation began to flow easily. They asked each other about their old classes, favorite teachers, and the subjects they disliked the most.
For some reason, Roihan felt comfortable talking with Salma, even though they had only just started getting to know each other. Before they knew it, the bell rang.
Ding... Ding... Ding...
All the students immediately returned to their seats.
Before leaving, Salma smiled.
Salma: "Bye... we'll continue our conversation later, okay?"
Roihan: "Okay."
A few seconds later, Pendi came in at a light jog.
Pendi: "Hey... sorry I took a little while."
Roihan: "Your grandma took a little while."
Pendi: "I had to pee."
Roihan: "What took you so long?"
Pendi: "I stopped by the cafeteria to buy a drink, too."
Roihan: "You idiot."
Pendi sat down while watching Salma return to her desk.
He immediately nudged Roihan's arm.
Pendi: "Hey..."
Roihan: "What?"
Pendi: "Who's that?"
Roihan: "Her name's Salma."
Pendi: "Whoa... you just got to school and you've already met a girl."
Roihan: "I wasn't the one who went over to her."
Pendi: "Yeah... yeah... I believe you."
Before Roihan could explain, the homeroom teacher entered the room.
All the students immediately stood up.
All the students: "Good morning, Ma'am!"
The teacher smiled as she placed her books on the desk.
And so, the first day of their new class officially began...