Chapter 20 - Pages of Truth
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The final bell rang, sharp and bright, cutting through the corridor like a sudden release of months of tension. Save stepped out into the courtyard, sunlight bathing the school grounds in a golden hue. The exams were over. Graduation was near. Everyone else seemed to carry the freedom in their steps, the ease of someone finally unburdened.
Save, however, felt different. A quiet, stubborn weight lingered in his chest—a mix of guilt, lingering awkwardness, and uncertainty. He had changed, had grown closer to Aaua, had dared to love, and yet, with Por and Patji, he felt out of place.
And then he saw them.
Por and Patji were coming down the courtyard, laughing and jostling each other casually. Save's heart tightened instantly. It wasn't just a casual meeting; they were friends he had only known for a month or two, friends with whom he hadn't yet built the easy rapport that Aaua had given him. And now, seeing them together, carefree and unguarded, Save felt the familiar urge to avoid confrontation—to slip away, take another path, vanish into the sea of students leaving the campus.
But just as he turned, fate—or perhaps coincidence—had other plans.
"Save!"
The call wasn't loud, but it carried the softness of familiarity and warmth. Aaua. His voice threaded into Save's heart, pulling him back into the moment. Save froze, caught between relief and panic. Aaua's presence was grounding, comforting—but at the same time, it reminded him of the distance he still felt with Por and Patji.
He sighed. There was no escaping now. The three boys were close enough that avoiding eye contact entirely was impossible. He squared his shoulders and approached, careful to keep his steps measured, his smile polite but tentative.
Por noticed first, his sharp eyes catching the hesitation in Save's gait. "Well, well," he said, tone half teasing, half curious. "Look who finally decided to show up. Running from the world, or just from us?"
Save offered a weak, nervous smile. "I… I wasn't running," he said, though his voice betrayed the tiniest tremor. "Just… heading somewhere."
Patji raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Heading somewhere… or trying to hide from your friends?"
Save flushed. The truth would have been harder to admit: he felt guilty, awkward, like an interloper in a friendship he hadn't fully earned. "I—uh… maybe a little," he muttered, forcing a chuckle.
Por's smirk widened. "A little, huh? Sounds like someone's conscience is doing overtime."
Patji leaned closer, grinning conspiratorially. "Don't worry, Save. We only tease people we like."
Save's cheeks warmed. He wanted to say more, to explain himself, but the words got tangled in his throat. Instead, he simply nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"And how's life treating our favorite couple?" Por added suddenly, eyes glinting mischievously.
Save froze for half a second before Aaua stepped up beside him, arm brushing against his. "Excuse me?" A soft smile played on Aaua's lips, amused yet patient, as though he understood Save's discomfort without needing explanation.
Por chuckled. "Oh, come on. Don't be shy. I mean, you two—" He gestured vaguely between Save and Aaua. "We all see it. The glances, the little smiles. Don't act like we're blind."
Save's heart raced, cheeks flaming. "I… we… it's not…" he stammered, but Aaua squeezed his hand gently, grounding him.
Patji laughed, tossing a playful look at him. "Relax, man. We're not here to make it weird. Just… enjoy the day. Exams are over, graduation's near, and apparently, love is in the air."
Save finally let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. The teasing warmth, the gentle humor, and Aaua's calming presence made the courtyard feel less like a stage for judgment and more like a space where he could belong—even if awkwardly.
Por elbowed Patji lightly. "See? I told you. He's human. And funny enough, he's got himself a perfect little chaos partner."
Patji chuckled. "Perfectly chaotic, indeed."
Save shook his head, trying to laugh but feeling the tightness in his chest linger. Humor was a small bridge over the guilt he still carried—the guilt of mistakes, misunderstandings, and moments when he had felt like an outsider. Yet, standing there, even for a brief, fleeting moment, he realized that connections, no matter how new or fragile, could be enough to steady him.
And then, Aaua's voice reached him again, soft but teasing, threading directly into his heart. "Save… are you going to walk with us, or are you plotting another escape?"
Save met Aaua's gaze, a small, shy smile escaping him. "I… I'm walking with friends," he admitted, though the warmth in Aaua's eyes made him want to add, with you.
---
The soft light of the late afternoon filtered through the half-open curtains, casting a warm glow over Save's room. The space was quiet, except for the gentle hum of a tune slipping from his lips—soft, sweet, almost like a lullaby. His fingers moved carefully over his textbooks, arranging notes and organizing papers with meticulous care. Everything had to be neat, everything in its place. Yet, the neatness of his surroundings could not quite still the restless rhythm of his thoughts.
As he adjusted a stack of books, something caught his eye. There, tucked slightly beneath his notebooks, was the magic book he had discovered in the library not long ago. Its cover was ordinary yet strangely familiar, as if it carried a secret smile just for him. Save picked it up gently, cradling it in his hands as if it were something delicate—a treasure that could shatter if mishandled.
He didn't open it. He didn't need to. For a moment, he simply held it, letting a small, fond smile tug at his lips. He thought of the library, the quiet alcove where he had found it, the way the light had fallen across its pages as if urging him to notice it. His plan formed instantly: he would put it back, return it to its resting place, and let the book remain a quiet, mysterious companion to whoever stumbled upon it next.
Just as he began to rise, his phone buzzed on the bed beside him. Save picked it up, eyes scanning the notification. A message from the group chat flashed on the screen:
Por: "Exams are finally over! So… where should we go for our first post-exam hangout?"
Save stared at it, feeling a flutter of nerves. He wasn't sure what to say—how could he suggest a place without revealing too much of his awkwardness, without seeming too eager or too reserved?
Before he could even think further, another buzz arrived—this time from Patji. Save opened it, reading the message slowly, feeling the familiar warmth of camaraderie mixed with mild pressure. After a moment's thought, he typed a simple reply:
Save: "OK."
He set the phone on the bed beside him, leaning back against the pillow. His gaze fell again on the magic book. Holding it in his hands, he felt a pang of unease. He hadn't even apologized to Por yet—not for everything that had happened, not for the misunderstandings he still carried in his chest. Maybe he should, he thought, confess properly, make things right.
But then another thought struck him, sharp and unwelcome. What will they think of me? They must think I'm selfish…
The guilt pressed in like a weight, but before he could spiral further, his phone buzzed again. This time, the notification was not from the group chat, but from Aaua.
Aaua: "Where would you like to go tomorrow?"
Save's chest tightened, and a small, teasing smile curved his lips. His fingers hovered over the keyboard for a heartbeat before he replied, words typing themselves in a playful, daring manner:
Save: "Are you asking… for a date?"
The screen lit up a few moments later with Aaua's reply.
Aaua: "Exactly that."
Save froze, a small laugh escaping him before he could stop it. The straightforwardness of Aaua's answer caught him off guard, warm and slightly thrilling all at once. His heart felt light, almost buoyant, as if it could float right off the bed.
He blinked, a soft chuckle escaping him, and then a new message arrived almost immediately:
Aaua: "So… where should we go?"
Save set the magic book carefully on the desk, brushing the corner of it with his fingers. He leaned back against the pillow again, tapping his chin thoughtfully as he typed.
Save: "Hmm… somewhere quiet. Somewhere we can… talk. Maybe laugh a little without worrying about the world."
Aaua: "Perfect. I was hoping for just that. You lead, I'll follow."
Save's cheeks warmed, and he glanced down at the book again. It was strange how things had changed—just a few months ago, he had always felt like an observer, a side character in the lives of Aaua and Por. He had watched from the shadows, cataloging their smiles, their victories, their little moments, always convinced that the story was theirs and not his.
Now, everything felt different. He wasn't just a watcher anymore. He was part of it, part of the story that mattered. The magic book, the one that had always seemed to watch him back, now felt like a silent witness to his own awakening.
He smiled softly, picking up his phone again to type one last message to Aaua:
Save: "See you tomorrow, then. Can't wait."
As he set the phone down, he traced his fingers lightly over the cover of the magic book. For the first time, the book didn't feel like a mystery he couldn't understand. Instead, it felt like a mirror—reflecting the story that had finally begun to belong to him.
A gentle hum escaped his lips again, soft and sweet, as he leaned back, closing his eyes and letting the quiet warmth of anticipation fill the room.
---
The library was quiet, the kind of silence that wrapped around a person like a soft blanket. Save walked carefully between the rows of shelves, the weight of the magic book in his hands both comforting and strange. Sunlight filtered in through the tall windows, casting long, golden rectangles on the polished floor, and dust motes danced lazily in the light. Every sound—the faint shuffle of a page, the distant footsteps of a librarian, the whisper of wind against the glass—felt amplified in the hushed room.
Save's eyes scanned the shelves as he searched for the exact spot where he had first found the book. It took time, circling through the aisles, his footsteps quiet, careful. Finally, near the back corner, tucked away between a row of old encyclopedias and forgotten novels, he spotted it: the small, unassuming nook where the book had lain, waiting.
He balanced on his tiptoes, holding the book carefully against his chest as he tried to slide it back into its place. For a moment, the book seemed to resist, as if it had a will of its own. His fingers trembled slightly, and before he could adjust, the book slipped from his grip, landing with a soft thud on the floor.
"Ugh…" Save muttered under his breath, bending down to pick it up. He exhaled slowly, trying to steady himself, and opened it gently. But what he saw made him freeze.
The pages were completely blank. Every single page he flipped—front to back, back to front—was empty. His brow furrowed.
Then, as he reached the last page, a single line appeared at the very top:
"In the end, I was the one I imagined."
Save blinked, confused. He frowned, leaning closer to read it again, hoping his eyes had played a trick. But as he stared, the line vanished, leaving the page utterly blank once more. He flipped through the book again, impatiently, but there was nothing—no words, no symbols, nothing at all.
He felt a flicker of frustration mixed with curiosity. "What… what is this?" he murmured. He closed the book slowly, pressing the cover to his chest. But even as he did, he sensed something subtle, almost imperceptible—a message, perhaps, hidden in plain sight.
He glanced down, noticing tiny words at the bottom corner of the last page. They were minuscule, almost invisible, requiring careful attention to notice—but in his hurried confusion, Save hadn't seen them.
When he closed the book fully, he noticed something new. Written on the cover, bold and clear, was a title he had never noticed before:
"The Novel That Knew My Heart."
Save's eyes widened. He lifted the book, turning it in his hands as though the cover itself might offer answers. A strange warmth bloomed in his chest. He opened the book again, flipping through the pages carefully, wanting to confirm what he was seeing. Nothing. Every page remained empty.
Yet, when he reached the end, there it was again—a tiny, almost imperceptible line at the very bottom of the last page:
Save.
His own name.
A slow chuckle escaped him, soft and incredulous. Something clicked in his mind, a sudden, brilliant understanding. The book had always been watching him, waiting for him to notice, waiting for him to realize that he wasn't merely an observer in this story. He was part of it. He had always been part of it.
Save leaned back against the shelf, eyes sparkling with amusement and a quiet thrill of wonder. At that moment, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, smiling when he saw the message:
Aaua: "Where are you?"
Save's fingers hovered over the keyboard before he replied with a grin:
Save: "In the library."
He closed the book carefully, placing it back in the nook where it belonged. It felt lighter somehow, as if its secret had been acknowledged and no longer needed to burden him. A sense of quiet satisfaction settled over him.
For the first time, Save truly understood: the story had always been his as much as anyone else's, and he was no longer just the watcher of lives that weren't his.
---
Save walked briskly down the school corridor, a small, nervous smile tugging at his lips. His steps were almost hurried, but not in a rush to reach anywhere specific—more like he was searching, scanning, anticipating. His heart fluttered in a way that made him feel light, almost weightless. The last exam was finally over, and for the first time in weeks, he felt like he could breathe freely.
As he turned a corner, calling out in his mind, Where are you, Por? a familiar voice cut through the quiet corridor.
"Save!"
Save spun around instinctively, and there he saw him—Por. Relief and joy flooded Save's chest, and without thinking, he rushed forward, arms opening instinctively.
"Por!" Save called again, louder this time, before he hugged him tightly.
Por stiffened for a brief second, clearly surprised by the sudden embrace, but then slowly, almost cautiously, wrapped his arms around Save. There was a softness in the way he returned the hug, an unspoken warmth that settled Save's nerves.
"I'm sorry, Por," Save whispered, his voice muffled against Por's shoulder. "I'm such a bad friend."
Por's arms loosened slightly, and he stepped back just enough to look Save directly in the eyes, brows furrowed in confusion.
"What? Why would you say that?" Por asked, worry creeping into his tone.
Save swallowed hard, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve. "I… I'm such a selfish person."
"No, you're not," Por interrupted firmly, his voice steady.
"I'm… I am evil," Save said quickly, almost desperately, his eyes dropping to the floor. "I'm an evil person."
Por's hands found Save's shoulders this time, gently holding him in place. "Stop. Stop saying these things. And what makes you think that?"
Save's cheeks heated as he avoided Por's gaze, ashamed. "I… I've done bad things with you, and that… that makes me evil."
Por's eyes softened, and he cupped Save's face, lifting his chin gently so he could meet his gaze. He noticed the single tear glistening at the corner of Save's eye and brushed it away with his thumb. "What… what bad thing are you talking about?" he asked, concern threading through his voice.
Save took a deep breath and reached for Por's hands. "If I tell you… you have to promise… you won't hate me."
Por smiled faintly, a reassuring warmth in his expression. "Why would I ever hate you?"
"You… you will," Save murmured, still looking down. "I think… if anyone else had done what I did… they'd hate me. So… promise me first. Promise me you'll never hate me."
Por's smile widened slightly, though his eyes remained calm. "Okay," he said softly. "I promise."
Save let out a small breath, his chest relaxing just a little. "Do you… remember when you hurt your leg?"
Por nodded slowly.
"That… that was because of me," Save admitted, lowering his eyes, bracing for anger or disappointment.
Por's lips curved into a faint smile, calm and serene. Save blinked in confusion. "Why are you smiling?"
"I know," Por said simply, almost like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"What… what do you mean?" Save asked, bewildered.
Por chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I mean… you must have done it for Auau, right?"
Save froze, his mind spinning with shock. Por stepped closer, wrapping him in another, tighter hug. "And remember this," Por murmured into his ear, "I can never hate you."
Save's heart swelled, and a smile broke across his face. I… I think I'm the luckiest person in the world, he thought, feeling a warmth that reached all the way to his chest.
The sound of approaching footsteps and a familiar, teasing voice broke through the moment.
"What are you two doing without me?" Patji's grin was unmistakable, and both Save and Por pulled away, laughing nervously.
Por chuckled softly, gesturing for Patji to come closer. "Come on, don't leave him out."
Patji practically threw himself into the hug, and Save smiled warmly as he joined them, the three of them locked together in a moment of pure, unguarded friendship.
Their laughter was interrupted by another familiar voice. "Save! I was looking for—"
Save turned to see Auau calling his name sweetly. He froze, feeling his face heat up as Por leaned slightly closer, a teasing glint in his eyes.
"Go with him," Por said softly, almost playfully, his voice carrying just the right note of mischief.
Save blinked, stunned. "Really?"
Por nodded, smiling. "Really."
Save looked at Auau, heart pounding, and finally, slowly, walked toward him. Por and Patji watched him go, sharing a quiet, knowing look.
Por's mind drifted briefly to the past, a small, amused smile tugging at his lips. He remembered the day clearly—the oil on the floor, the careful planning, and how he had deliberately fallen, fully aware of Save's intentions. He shook his head softly and muttered to himself, almost under his breath, "I literally thought they would never confess to each other."
Patji, noticing Por's small smile, chuckled and leaned back slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. "And who was the one who made me sick… without actually being sick… so Save could perform with Auau?" His tone was teasing, but there was an unmistakable warmth in it, a quiet admiration for Save's efforts.
Por rolled his eyes, though the corners of his mouth betrayed him with another soft smile. "They really were slow," he admitted, shaking his head with mock exasperation. His voice carried a mixture of amusement and fondness, as if recalling a secret victory only the two shared.
Patji's laughter bubbled up softly. "True… but you have to admit, the dedication was impressive. I mean… really."
Por's eyes softened as he looked at Patji, and then ahead toward where Save had gone with Auau. "Yeah," he murmured, more to himself than to Patji, "I guess some things are just worth the wait."
The two of them shared a quiet, comfortable moment, watching their friends disappear into the crowd, their smiles lingering, knowing that, finally, everything had fallen into place the way it was supposed to.
And in the distance, Save and Auau's voices joined together, soft and teasing, as a new chapter in their lives quietly began.
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— End of Chapter 20 —