Scene 12

Cheryl asked to come to Rose's house. She wants to play with Jasmine or see Jared—Rose's Brother. But, Cheryl's goal is to meet Jevi. That noisy girl wants to feel the warmth of a father.

Cheryl is so excited, and she will feel what home is when she is at her best friend's house. And Rose's house, lots of food, so Cheryl is free to eat.

"Last night, Mother and Jasmine made ice cream." Cheryl eys suddenly lit up. Truly the heaven of the truth.

"Make a lot. I want to eat a box myself." shrieked Cheryl cheerfully. At Rose's house she will feel like a queen, see her own home, warmth, and abundant food.

"Just make two."

"Well ..." Cheryl let out a disappointed sigh.

"Share it with Jasmine. She made it, and she could be excited at home if she couldn't." Cheryl smiled briefly at Rose. She imagined how excited Rose's house was because of Jasmine's behaviour. Suppose she had a whole family if she had a younger sister, what a wonderful life. Again Cheryl compared her life to others. When will she be happy? Until when?

"I want to eat corn on the cob."

"Just sleep"

"Nope." Cheryl replied languidly. The girl looked straight ahead. It is still 12:37 p.m. It's time for lunch, and her stomach is already dancing for food. This morning, Rose had brought two chicken porridge, but Rose and Cheryl would not be complete before eating rice. Cheryl is infected with Rose greedy to eat.

"I'm starving." Cheryl moaned.

"Be patient."

The two of them arrived at Rose's house, and Cheryl went straight to Rose's kitchen. Rose's kitchen had an entrance beside the main door. Cheryl want to meet Rose's mother.

"Hi Mom ... Cheryl hungry. I am the one who wants to eat everything." Shamelessly, Cheryl greeted Rose's mother, who was making pudding in the kitchen.

"Wow, it's been a long time since you played here. Okay, let's eat right away. You just cooked sauteed kale and fried fish." Mixed saliva dripping. For a person who is starving, of course, this sounds attractive.

"Rose said, Mother made ice cream." Daisy looked at Cheryl for a moment and smiled.

"Yes. You want some?" Cheryl nodded, like a five-year-old child who managed to get a favourite toy.

"Yes, Mom." Cheryl sat at the small table in the kitchen. And saw Daisy arranging a small place to put the pudding in its place.

"This is strawberry flavoured ice cream." Cheryl's eyes grew wide when she saw a large box of ice cream that almost reached the bucket. She was sure one bucket would not run out on its own, but we'll see.

"Okay, I eat."

"Just eat." Cheryl started to eat the ice cream while asking questions and commenting on the taste of ice cream, whether it's not sweet, it tastes different, all she commented on.

"Dad, out of town again, huh?"

"Yes. It's been a week." Cheryl finally stirred the ice cream.

Cheryl was barely half feeling sick. "Oh, yeah. Where's Jasmine?"

"She just got home from school. I think she's studying."

"Cheryl wants to play with Jasmine." Cheryl moved from the kitchen table and into the living room which felt spacious, luxurious and comfortable. Cheryl sees Jasmine doing homework. Rose's family are all intelligent, and discipline makes their children bright.

"Aladin, for homework, huh?" Jasmine looked up.

"Since when did Jasmine's name change gender?" sulking Jasmine. Cheryl laughed. Don't call Cheryl. If no everyone's names, she punches their name.

"Ahahaha. Princess Jasmine is her partner with Aladin. So, just call her husband's name." Jasmine pouted. The girl didn't like it, and people slipped her beautiful name.

"Oh yeah, I was eating Aladin's ice cream earlier. It is okay?" Jasmine looked at Cheryl. Jasmine likes playing with Cheryl because she feels connected. In contrast to her sister Floren, who was very sensible to carry it.

"Oh, Jasmine eats too. Jasmine made last night, isn't that great?" Jasmine boasted.

"Cool. You can be a chef."

"Sure. Come here." Jasmine called Cheryl quietly while looking around whether there were people around or not.

"What?" Cheryl whispered, approaching Jasmine.

"Jasmine got this letter. He asked for a cellphone number, but Jasmine doesn't have one yet but doesn't tell Floren." Cheryl took the piece of paper and read it.

Jasmine, why don't you talk to me?

Don't play with Dennis, and I don't like it. Dennis badboy has many girlfriends.

Do not be angry.

From: Alex.

Cheryl laughs out loud, never expecting elementary school children to know this. Back in elementary school, Cheryl just wanted to study and get good grades so that her mom can be proud and see, but that method didn't work.

"This is not made to ask for a cellphone number."

"Jasmine immediately dumped it in the school trash, afraid Mother would know. This one is I just met you in the bag." Cheryl nodded in understanding. Jasmine's thoughts were immature. However, Mawar always considered her sister to be spoiled.

"Then who is Dennis?"

"Dennis is Jasmine's friend. Dennis is smart, good at drawing, good at swimming. Dennis has lots of fish. Here, Dennis made Jasmine a picture of Frozen." Jasmine took a picture of Elsa in the background of the Arandele kingdom. It looks like being printed from a computer.

"Woah, Aladin's friend is smart. He is talented." Jasmine nodded in agreement.

"Yes, sis, but Dennis is quiet, sis. He's smart. Dennis also has a younger sister named Nana. Nana at first class. His mother often picks him up, and they have twins siblings." Cheryl smiled. Imagine how happy the Dennis family was. If she had twins or had a younger sister like Jasmine, Cheryl would be satisfied. If her mother were like other mothers, maybe Cheryl wouldn't have complained about her life.

"Well, just study hard. Make friends with them. I didn't say anything."

"Okay, sist."

"I want to get sleep, Rose huh." Cheryl headed for her best friend's room. Rose's room is located on the left of the living room.

Cheryl opened the door and found Rose dancing, holding her comb like she was having a concert. Rose also wore a sheet mask. Already like a mummy.

But she wears short skirts, and I wear T-shirts

She's cheer captain, and I'm on the bleachers

Dreamin 'bout the day when you wake up and find

That what you're looking for has been here the whole time.

Rose sang with smudged lyrics and mak an insecure ear.

Can't you see that I'm the one who understands you?

Been here all along, so why can't you see

You belong with me

Standing 'by and waitin' at your back door

All this time, how could you not know, baby

You belong with me

Have you ever thought just maybe

You belong with me

You belong to me.

Cheryl approached Rose and removed the red headphones from Rose's head.

"What the heck!? Always being annoying." Rose hit Cheryl with the comb she was holding. Cheryl climbed onto Rose's spacious bed, which had a deep red rose pattern on it. So comfortable. Cheryl hugged the pillow and yawned.

"I want to sleep."

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If happiness could be bought, Cheryl would do anything to be happy, like now, to be precise.

Cheryl smiled as she hugged Juna from behind. Both are on motorbikes. Cheryl leaned her head behind the boy, inhaling the scent of Juna's perfume and inhaling the smell of seawater. They were on a straight road that felt lonely.

There are many towering heads of trees lined up neatly on the left side, accompanied by many shrubs that have dried their leaves because of the summer. Up there, there is a high hill with a dense forest. On the right side lies a vast ocean with blue seawater. The waves are shouting, calling anyone to swim there.

Cheryl still closed her eyes, letting Juna lead her where.

Cheryl opened her eyes when Juna stopped. The boy parked his motorbike on a hill right by the roadside. Cheryl came down and still standing, looking at Juna. Juna entered the bush. He was standing right next to a giant rock and sharp.

"Here." Juna stretched out his hand. Cheryl approached the idol and held the needle. Comfortable. It was the first time Cheryl felt. Slowly, Cheryl made it through the sharp rocks. Cheryl is still holding Juna's hand, and she won't let go of this hand. Juna is hers. Juna, the prince of pony riding, Juna the future, Juna, the father of her children.

Juna smiled warmly at Cheryl. The noisy girl held her breath. For what reason, Juna smiled warmly at her. Juna took a lock of Cheryl's hair and slung it back. Cheryl closed her eyes. Cheryl could feel Juna's warm hand was already stroking her cheek. Cheryl opened her eyes. Right where Juna's eyes fixed, Cheryl melted. Her legs couldn't stand up now. Cheryl wanted to turn into a candle now. "You are beautiful." Praise Juna. Cheryl wants to melt now, my God ... Cheryl's not strong.

Cheryl held Juna's hand still on her cheek. Juna smiled again at Cheryl.

"Look down." Show Juna.

"Woah, breathtaking." Down there, right down there. The vast expanse of ocean, blue as far as the eye can see, even the outside seems to be green. The wind and the waves writhing, plus the white sand that Cheryl believes is very smooth, plus someone she loves with her. All fit perfectly.

"Can we go downstairs?" Cheryl asked.

"Later." Cheryl wants to dive right now. She wants to dance to Zumba with the dolphins in there because of her success in bringing Juna here, a coincidence that only happens once a year or even once in a lifetime.

Cheryl had imagined that she and Juna were chasing on the beach, throwing sand at each other, even burying in the sand. Very perfect.

"Do not ever leave me." Cheryl turned around and begged to Juna. She was afraid Juna would turn ignorant of her. It was painful. It's enough for her mother to be cold, Juna doesn't, Cheryl can't afford to be rejected every time.

"No, I'm promise," Juna said convincingly.

"Thank you." Cheryl's words sounded so sincere. Like a child who managed to get a favourite toy.

"I want to go down there, want to play water." Cheryl was still curious and pointed out towards the sea.

"We'll come here again."

"Promise?" Cheryl gave her pinky finger, hoping that Juna would bring out her pinky finger and they could make a pinky promise. However, Juna just nodded.

"But I'm going downstairs now."

"Are you going downstairs?" Juna asked. Cheryl vigorously nodded. Without realizing it, Cheryl was already free, falling.

"Ah ...." Cheryl shouted out loud. She tried to reach for whatever she could hold, but now she had no grip. Juna pushed her, really pushed her.

"Ah ... please ..." Cheryl shouted even louder. The view is beautiful, with the vast ocean not there. Below, there are only sharp rocks, and the atmosphere is stuffy, damp and dark. There are many snakes.

"Ah ... please ... mum ..."

"Mummy, please ... please ..." Cheryl suddenly felt her cheeks hot and sore.

"Cheryl ... wake up, Cheryl." Rose shook her best friend. The girl was restless. Sweat soaked her body, even though the air conditioner had been running continuously. Cheryl shuffled nervously as she deliriously said help.

"Cher realized. Cheryl woke up." Rose shook Cheryl's body more muscular and slapped her best friend. Cheryl opened her eyes.

"What dream is it?" Cheryl sat up, trying to collect her life. Her head felt dizzy—what a strange nightmare. In fact, in a dream alone, Juna was cruel to him.

Without realizing it, a tear escapes. "I'll take some drinking water." Rose come out. Cheryl hugged herself, thinking about the dream earlier; what was that sign? What does that mean? Juna also thought of herself? Or vice versa? Cheryl tried to get rid of all evil thoughts, but it didn't work. She still felt fear like the dream earlier. Juna is evil, Juna is cruel.

Cheryl closed her eyes. What a strange dream. Cheryl shook her head, brushed aside whatever thought was creeping in.

"Here, I brought a drink." Rose came back inside with water and orange juice in a tray bag. Rose put on the nightstand and went out of the room.

Cheryl got out of bed and drank some water. As the orange juice passed through her throat, the girl's mind was refreshed. Cheryl finally breathed a sigh of relief while finishing the orange juice. Cheryl pays attention to her best friend room, a spacious room with such a neat arrangement. She transforms Rose's space into an aesthetic room so that anyone will feel comfortable when they are inside. The opposite of her. Diligent Rose, brilliant Rose, creative Rose. Sometimes Cheryl envies Rose's life. She wants to be like Rose who gets perfection, especially Rose's heart, to be extraordinarily broad.

Cheryl's cat eyes roamed around Rose's room. Her eyes stopped at Rose's bookshelf. Rose has an extensive collection of books, from books of knowledge, philosophy, novels, to comics. Cheryl approached the bookshelf and looked at the novel shelf. One book with a pink cover caught her attention, Cheryl turned to the first page, but she stopped. Cheryl's mind was out of focus. Finally, Cheryl closed the novel and put it into place. Unintentionally, Cheryl's beads caught a fairly thick notebook. Cheryl pulled the book, and it was Rose's diary. The diary is so aesthetic because Rose has decorated it so beautifully. Cheryl looked at the secure door.

With curiosity and fear, Cheryl opened the diary. Rose is creative, with lots of calligraphy writing inside and doodle art to pack it all. Cheryl opened the diary randomly.

Cheryl held her breath as she read the passage.

I saw that you were perfect and that I loved you.

I saw that you were not perfect and that I loved you.

Every love story is beautiful, but ours is my favourite.

Your name was imprinted in my soul, long before we met, even there any alphabet.

-Akankshs Gulia-

I smile like an idiot when I'm thinking about you.

(Arjuna Raftali)

Cheryl's head felt like it was about to break. What does this mean? Arjuna? Juna? Prince on horseback? A thousand nails hit Cheryl's heart.

Cheryl couldn't bear to read the painful thing. Say she's presumptuous, but ... why? Why is the world so cruel to her? Why did Rose have to pretend?

God ... Cheryl just wanted to die!

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