Chapter 14: New Look II
She remembered Thomas, ah even Thomas was afraid to meet her father. If he wants to go to Mai's house, he always asks if her father is at home or not. When her father was at home, they usually made an appointment to meet outside. If only her father could soften a bit.
"But don't be mean either, dad. My friends will be scared when they meet you." Said Mai. The meaning of friends here is male friends.
"I don't think it's fierce, they're just cowards. I don't like cowardly men," said her father easily.
Mai pouted too. Maybe not a coward but feel free. After nothing, he was being stared at with a cold and deep voice, her father asked all kinds of questions like being interrogated after committing a crime. Who is not limp with such treatment.
"I pray that Mai meets a brave man who can silence your father without a word." Said her mother who was taking fried rice on her husband's plate who suddenly joined in the conversation. Harry also glared, while Mai giggled in amusement.
"Amen," said Mai by agreeing to her mother's prayer. A mother's prayer is effective.
"What the hell... What a weird prayer," said Harry.
"I don't want my only daughter to be a spinster," Rose said with reason.
"Mai is still underage," said Harry.
"Mai is a college student, how long do you want to be so overprotective. You don't feel sorry for Mai," said Rose.
Her parents even answered incoherently, discussing the man who would become Mai's boyfriend or maybe her life partner. Gosh... It's just a change of appearance. What's the story of Mai has a boyfriend, then wants to get married. It's complicated... It's complicated.
"Just watch out if there is a guy who dares mess with my favorite girl, I will fight him," said Harry.
The dispute between her father and mother continues.
"Gosh, don't do anything embarrassing.. you're old, and you still like fighting?" said Rose.
"Didn't you see my trophies in the room?" Harry said he was boasting that as a young man he had been a martial arts athlete.
"Yes, I know... I know..." Rose said, she started to be lazy to serve her husband.
"Mai, find a boyfriend who can defend himself too so you won't lose if your father wants to spar with your boyfriend," said Rose.
"Hah...??" Said Mai, her eyes rounded. She scratched the back of his neck in confusion. Why is it getting weird like this?
"Good. If he can beat me, I'll let him date you," said Harry, he still didn't want to lose.
Mai sighed and immediately got up.
"I just want to go to campus," said Mai. It's better to leave immediately than to get caught up in this strange chatter.
In her heart, she cursed, if this is the way she is increasingly convinced that she will be single for life. Find where to try a man who is brave and good at self-defense. Eh, being brave here means having the courage to face her father, right? Even the security guard in front of the compound was afraid of her father. Oh my God, Mai grimaced.
-----
The excitement continued. As soon as Mai set foot on campus, everyone noticed it or maybe it was just Mai's feeling. Mai is a shy person and she doesn't like being the center of attention. Instead of feeling beautiful as her mother and Ivani said, she suspected that her makeup might look strange.
"There's nothing wrong with your makeup, Mai. You're beautiful. Right, Thom?" said Ivani, she convinced Mai for the umpteenth time.
"Yes you are beautiful, I was amazed. I thought you were a new kid," said Thomas, he praised sincerely, making Mai's cheeks blush.
Thomas's praise for saying she was beautiful, made Mai feel herself soaring to the seventh heaven.
"They see you because they don't recognize you, Mai. It's okay... Just ignore it," said Ivani again while waving her hand.
"Mmm yeah, they don't recognize me. I didn't attend the Ospek, yesterday. I'm still confused about this." Mai said confused. That's the importance of the orientation period. The Pancasila University campus is very wide, Mai might stray.
"Don't worry, I'll be your tour guide later, how about that?" Thomas said by raising an eyebrow and he looked attractive in Mai's eyes.
Mai immediately nodded in agreement, feeling very happy that Thomas would do that for her.
"Oh my gosh, it's you, Mai..." Said Eddo and Nica who had just joined them.
"Yup, it's me!" said Mai, amused. Slowly she felt happy too and enjoyed her new appearance.
Mai is a person who likes comfort and doesn't really like change. She was always nervous about everything new but it didn't seem so bad.
"Sweet," said Eddo while holding up his two thumbs.
"Sugar is sweet," said Nica with a sneer.
"Be careful, Mai. Sugar is always surrounded by ants. Be careful with annoying ants. Just tell me straight away, I'll fix it right away." Said Nica.
Mai was astonished. Ant? Oh, I mean the man. Nica is no different from her father. Having parents and friends like this... Fixed... Mai will still be single.
"If the ants are like me, don't chase them away, Mai," Thomas said teasingly.
Mai was shocked and became speechless. The heart in her chest was already jumping for joy.
"No need to be kicked out, just trampled to death." Said Nica who answered while demonstrating it with her feet.
"That's hard, Ca," Thomas said, he pretended to frown and was greeted by laughter from his friends.
"By the way, how is your father's reaction?" Ivani asked while rolling her eyes.
Mai immediately looked lethargic.
"I was lectured by my father." Said Mai.
Ivani laughed out loud followed by the rest of her friends when Mai told the details of her father's reaction. Irritating.
"But my mother likes it," said Mai again.
"But it looks like I'm going to be more and more isolated from my father." Said Mai, she pouted again.
Ivani patted her on the shoulder.
"Hope you meet a man who can conquer your father," Ivani said looking sincere.
Mai nodded in agreement, glanced briefly at Thomas, hoping that Thomas would be the man then she remembered that her father wanted to invite her boyfriend to a duel. Thomas could be battered later. Mai grimaced again.
-----
Thomas kept his promise to be a tour guide. He showed Mai the library, administration, college student affairs, prayer room, canteen, and even directions to other faculties. Mai found it helpful and she was happy to spend the afternoon with Thomas.
"How about going to the cafeteria, I'm hungry," said Thomas.
"Okay, I'm hungry too." Said Mai.
Suddenly someone spoke behind them, as soon as they turned around, Riven was standing there with a mischievous smile.
"You're great too, just entering college, you've been with a beautiful woman," Riven said sarcastically to Thomas.
Mai's cheeks blushed again, another person who said she was beautiful. She had never been called beautiful before except by her friends and family. Thomas put his arm around Mai's shoulder, making Mai feel like she was electrocuted, her heart was pounding hard.
"Of course, yes..." Thomas said proudly.
"Please introduce me to," Riven said by looking at Mai and Mai reflexively lowered her face, a bit uncomfortable being watched like that. Thomas also laughed loudly and Mai just chuckled, making Riven confused.
"Why are you even laughing? Is there anything funny?" Said Riven feeling annoyed.
"It's me... Mai." Said Mai by greeting Riven while holding back laughter. Riven stared. His face looked confused at first, then he started to understand.
"Huh?... Wow... You just... You look different," he stammered. He didn't seem to believe it.
"Different?" Thomas said by repeating Riven's words.
"I mean... you're cute... Pretty," Riven said, still staring at Mai in disbelief.
Mai just smiled. She felt both happy and embarrassed.
"You see, Mai. You make Riven speechless. He's not usually like this," said Thomas.
Riven looked at Mai from head to toe making Mai feel uncomfortable again. This was the first time a man had paid attention to it in such detail as if he was just researching it. Mai got goosebumps.
"Oh yes, Mai, you didn't attend the Ospek, yesterday, you must be confused right. I can help you." Riven said by offering himself.
"You don't have to. I've already taken her around. There's no need to your way." Thomas said he answered it.
"Thank you," Mai says thank you.
"Oh, that's fine. Don't hesitate to call me. Just Riven. The orientation period is over," he said with a wink. Thomas also stepped on Riven's feet until Riven screamed.
"Ouch, what the hell Thom?" he said.
"Is it okay? Riv..." Mai said, she was confused and worried at the same time. Riven shook his head.
"It's okay," said Riven, grinning and then glaring at Thomas. Thomas pretended not to see.
While Mai smiled to herself. How come Thomas's reaction to Riven is like that, is Thomas jealous? Very sweet. Mai has never seen Thomas like this, yes that's because all the time the only men around Mai were Thomas and Eddo. This was the first time there was another man besides her two best friends, a glimmer of hope appeared in Mai's heart.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
awisantoni
awisantoni Managed to get another one done. Hope you guys enjoy. Let me know what you guys think. I really appreciate the comments pointing out spelling & grammar mistakes. I try to fix them as soon as i can. Thanks for reading guys. Have a wonderful day :)
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone