Episode 7

January 2023, following Julia's passing

Gloom descended once again upon Tunas Bangsa High School as news spread that Dina, who had been in a coma, had breathed her last.

Dina was taken home without delay and laid to rest at ten in the morning.

The death of Dina wounded her friends deeply, including her boyfriend Edo.

After school, Edo and the others planned to visit Dina's grave.

"Edo!" Erin called out.

Hearing his name, Edo stopped in his tracks and turned around.

"Yes, Rin, what's up?" Edo inquired.

"Are you coming to Dina's grave?" Erin asked.

"That's where I'm headed," Edo replied.

"Then let's wait for the rest together," Erin suggested, informing Edo.

"Let's meet in the school parking lot," Edo advised.

The two made their way to the school parking area.

There, Edo and Erin awaited the arrival of their friends.

Minutes passed, and they saw Via, Siska, Indra, Kevin, and Roy approaching from a distance.

Spotting them, Siska called out.

"Via, Siska, Roy, over here," Erin shouted, waving them over.

Acknowledging Erin and Edo, they approached.

"Have you been waiting long?" Indra inquired.

"Not really," Erin replied.

"Does anyone know where Dina is buried?" Roy wondered.

"At TPU Keramat, where Julia is also interred," Siska interjected.

"Then let's all head there to pay our respects to Dina and Julia," Roy suggested.

"Why drag Julia into this, honey! She's been gone a week, and we've already visited; why go again?" Via snapped, frustrated.

"Dina's buried there too; why not pay our respects to both as Julia was also our friend," Roy retorted.

"Do what you want!" Via exclaimed, storming off.

"Via! Wait up! I'm coming with you!" Erin shouted.

"Roy, you always talk about Julia. Look, Via's upset," Siska reminded him.

"You've all been nothing but trouble for Julia, alive or dead," Roy defended the late Julia.

"Fine, whatever. I'm going with Via," Siska decided and left.

"Love, wait up," Indra called after Siska.

"Are you two joining us or going separately?" Roy asked.

"I prefer to go alone, Roy. I'll take the bike," Edo answered.

"I'll come with you, Roy," Kevin offered.

Via, Siska, Erin, and Indra joined Via in her car, while Roy and Kevin took Roy's vehicle.

They departed the school parking lot, heading for Dina's grave.

During the ride, Roy struck up a conversation with Kevin.

"I feel bad for Julia; she was bullied constantly in life," Roy remarked, driving.

"Maybe it's because you're so protective of Julia; Via gets jealous and dislikes her," Kevin suggested.

"But I've always just considered Julia a friend, and Via and I have been going steady since middle school; she should trust me by now."

"Women can be jealous creatures," Kevin said.

"Speaking of death, do you think Dina's was caused by Julia's spirit?" Kevin asked, a hint of fear in his voice.

"Let's not jump to conclusions. Julia is at peace now," Roy dismissed the superstitious thought.

After thirty minutes, they reached Dina's grave.

"Dina, forgive me. Losing you so suddenly is unbearable," Edo lamented over the grave, caressing her headstone.

"Let her go, Edo. She deserves peace," Indar comforted, patting Edo's shoulder.

Overwhelmed with memories and unspoken guilt, Edo struggled to hold back tears.

"You can't imagine the pain of losing someone you love," Edo said quietly.

His friends empathized, offering him strength.

"Dina, please forgive us if we've wronged you," Via spoke for all.

"Yes, I apologize too," Siska added.

After lingering moments, they returned home, except for Roy. He made time for Julia's grave.

"Julia, I hope you're at peace. Forgive Via's harshness," Roy said softly, stroking Julia's marker.

Feeling uneasy, Kevin spotted a figure behind a tree.

Rubbing his eyes, he tried to ensure the figure he saw was real.

Julia's ghost, in her school uniform, stared intensely at Kevin with a pallid face.

"Roy, let's go," Kevin urged, tugging Roy's sleeve.

"What's wrong?" Roy asked.

"I saw Julia's ghost behind that tree, staring at me with such hate," Kevin stammered in fear.

Roy, uncomfortable with Kevin's fear, agreed to leave.

"Julia, I'll come again. Take care," Roy said, touching her stone one last time before hurrying to leave with Kevin.

Back in the car, Roy questioned Kevin's fear.

"You saw a ghost?" Roy teased.

"I told you. Julia's ghost was there, behind the big tree, staring at me," Kevin insisted.

"Too many horror movies. Ghosts in broad daylight? Not possible," Roy laughed off.

"I'm not lying. Julia looked at me with such loathing. I'm never coming back here," Kevin affirmed.

Soon, they arrived at Kevin's house.

"Thanks for the ride," Kevin said, disembarking.

"Sure thing," Roy replied, driving off.

As night fell, Edo, still grieving, sat in his room.

He stood at his desk, gazing at a photo of Dina and himself.

"Dina, I miss you. Why'd you leave so soon?" he mumbled, touching the photo.

His phone interrupted the moment.

"Hey, Bro, where are you?"

"At home. What's up, Eki?"

"There's a street race. Join us; the bet's good—5 million if we win."

"I'm not in the mood; I'm mourning Dina."

"Instead of moping, come race. I'll see you at 10, usual place. Be there," Eki said before hanging up.

"Eki, listen—," Edo sighed, resigned. "Fine, I'll come. Dina, I'll visit your grave later with flowers if I win," he promised, kissing her photo.

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