Red Strings

Chapter Nine

"You think he'll remember?" Satang asked quietly, his voice tinged with both hope and doubt.

Marc grinned, giving his friend a reassuring pat on the back. "It's worth a shot, right? If it means anything, it could be the sign you're looking for."

Satang sat back, his mind swirling with the possibilities. For the first time in a while, he felt a flicker of hope. Maybe it wasn't just chance that had brought him and Winny together. 

***

The days leading up to the university's foundation week were a whirlwind of activity. The campus buzzed with anticipation as students prepared for the sports fest and the accompanying foundation day events. Each faculty was tasked with setting up a booth, and the pressure to impress was palpable. Satang, known for his sharp intellect and meticulous planning, was appointed as the officer in charge for his course. His role? To lead the engineering students in designing and building their booth, a task that demanded all of his time and focus.

Satang threw himself into the project, spending long hours brainstorming, delegating tasks, and troubleshooting problems with his team. Blueprints and sketches littered the desks, and the air was filled with the hum of collaboration. His determination to ensure everything was perfect left little room for anything else, including time with Winny. In the chaos of his responsibilities, Satang had even forgotten the thoughts and emotions that had weighed on him just days ago—the lingering questions about his connection to Winny.

Meanwhile, Winny was equally swamped. As a member of the cheering team, he was caught in the relentless cycle of rehearsals. Each day was grueling, filled with countless hours of perfecting routines, synchronizing movements, and ensuring that the team would shine during the sports fest. The physical exhaustion was one thing, but what drained Winny more was the longing to see Satang.

Despite his tired body, Winny's thoughts often wandered to Satang. He understood Satang's commitment to his role—foundation week was a massive undertaking—but it didn't make the absence any easier. Every night, as he trudged back to his dorm, he found himself hoping for a brief moment with Satang, a glimpse of his smile, or even just the sound of his voice. Yet, Satang's words echoed in his mind: "I'll be busy until the foundation week is over."

Even so, Winny found his own quiet way to support him. On some evenings, after cheer practice had ended, he would sneak away to the faculty building where Satang and his team were working. Standing behind the glass door, Winny would watch Satang from afar. He observed the way Satang's brows furrowed in concentration, the way his hands moved as he gestured to explain an idea, the slight curve of his lips when he smiled at something a teammate said.

Winny stayed hidden, not wanting to disturb him. For a few minutes, he'd just watch, letting the sight of Satang's focused expression refill his own depleted energy. In those moments, his fatigue seemed to fade, replaced by a quiet sense of pride and affection. To Winny, seeing Satang so dedicated and passionate about his work was enough to remind him why he admired him so deeply.

When he finally walked away each time, he carried with him a renewed strength, a sense of purpose. Even if they couldn't be together right now, he found solace in knowing that Satang was doing something important. And in his own way, by silently cheering for him from the shadows, Winny felt connected to him, even if Satang didn't know it.

Unbeknownst to Winny, Satang sometimes felt the faint presence of someone watching him during those late nights. It was fleeting, almost imperceptible, but enough to make him glance toward the door. Seeing nothing there, he would shake it off, attributing it to his tired mind playing tricks on him. Little did he know that the very person he longed to see was closer than he realized, silently rooting for him just a few feet away.

***

Foundation week had finally begun, and Satang's meticulous planning and perfectionism shone through in every aspect of the engineering faculty's booth. Its intricate design and functionality made it a highlight of the event, attracting students and professors from various faculties on the very first day. Satang, always attentive and proactive, was constantly on his feet—directing, assisting, and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

"Satang," a familiar voice called from behind, snapping him out of his focus. Turning around, he saw Film, one of his classmates and teammates, standing there with her arms crossed and a playful grin.

"Yes? Is there a problem?" Satang asked, his tone genuinely concerned as he hurriedly finished helping a customer.

Film let out a soft chuckle. "The only problem is you haven't eaten yet. Go grab something before you collapse here," she said, giving him a pointed look.

Satang hesitated, glancing back at the busy booth. "But what if something happens—"

"Earn and I are here. We've got it covered," Film interrupted, giving him a light push toward the exit. "Now go. You need to eat."

Reluctantly, Satang chuckled and gave in. "Fine, fine. But call me if you need me," he said, shaking his head as he walked off. Film just waved him off, smiling at his usual sense of responsibility.

As Satang made his way to the cafeteria, he passed by the university field. His steps slowed when he noticed a group of cheerleaders practicing under the midday sun. Among the energetic crowd, one figure caught his eye—Winny. Even from a distance, Satang could see the sheen of sweat on Winny's forehead and the slight frown on his face. It was clear he was tired, though he kept pushing himself to perfect the routine.

A pang of guilt hit Satang. He hadn't seen Winny in days, let alone checked on how he was doing. Determined to change that, Satang headed into the cafeteria, bought a sandwich and a bottle of cold water, and made his way to the field.

"Winny," Satang called out softly as he approached.

Winny, who had been looking elsewhere, turned at the sound of his name. His eyes lit up in surprise and joy when he saw Satang standing there. "Tang? What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone betraying how much he had missed him.

Without a word, Satang raised his hands, holding out the sandwich and water he'd brought. Then, he sat down beside Winny on the bleachers. Winny took the items, his smile widening as he glanced at Satang. He's finally here, Winny thought, feeling a warm flutter in his chest.

"You're so sweaty, Ai' Win," Satang said, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket. Before Winny could protest, Satang gently began wiping the sweat from his face, his touch tender and unhurried. He worked his way down to Winny's neck and arms, the gesture making Winny feel both embarrassed and deeply cared for.

Then, Satang's voice softened, his tone almost apologetic. "I'm sorry, Win..."

Winny frowned, confused. "For what?"

Satang's response made Winny laugh softly. "For not seeing you these past few days. I mean... I know I told you I'd be busy, but I still feel guilty. I should've made time for you."

Winny reached out and gently cupped Satang's cheeks with his hands, causing the latter to freeze in surprise. Leaning forward, Winny placed a soft kiss on Satang's forehead, making the other's ears turn red. "Don't think too much," Winny said reassuringly. "I understand you. I know how important your work is. So don't worry, okay?"

"But I want to make it up to you," Satang whispered, his voice barely audible but earnest enough for Winny to hear.

Winny's smile widened, his heart swelling at the sincerity in Satang's words. "Then..." he started, his eyes locking with Satang's. "Be my date at the socialization ball on the last evening of this week's event."

Satang's lips parted in surprise before a shy smile crept across his face. "Are you asking me out, Ai' Win?"

"Of course," Winny said, his tone teasing yet affectionate. "You owe me, remember?"

Satang chuckled and nodded, his eyes filled with warmth. "Alright, then. I'll be your date."

For a moment, the chaos of foundation week faded away. Under the glaring sun and amidst the distant chatter of students, the two of them shared a quiet, meaningful moment—one that seemed to make all the hard work and exhaustion worth it.

End of Chapter.