NOTE 5

She could see the building from afar.

It looked like in her vision, with four smaller towers surrounding the larger one. Each floor has a roof that sticks out. The closer she got, the more she felt that the building was much bigger than she realised. When they cross the school gates, Alanka realizes something is missing.

“We’re here,” said Thia. As she parked the car, she saw Alanka keep staring at the school gate. “Hm? Is there something wrong?”

“I didn’t see anyone.”

“Ah, they’re probably in the assembly hall. Welcome ceremony and all.”

“Shouldn’t I go too?”

“Not really. Besides, Ms. Lika told me to take you directly to the headmaster’s office.” Thia stepped out of the car and opened the door for her. “Please follow me.”

However, she could not move. Her feet were cold, much colder than the floor when she first woke up. Her palms were slowly drenched in sweat. She tried took a deep breath several times, slow and steady but no matter how much she tried and air she took in, it was never enough. Her gaze rushed to Thia who was still waiting outside.

“Is there something wrong?”

“Just… a moment.”

Alanka tried to read her facial expression, but failed. The young girl who sweating and look nervous before suddenly took hundred eighty and now she looks proper. Maybe it’s the other way, maybe she can’t read her expressions. Not knowing what to do, Thia suddenly extended her hand.

She cast her gaze back and forth between the hand and Thia’s face. She took the hand without saying a word.

“Thank you.”

“If you prefer, I can do it anytime.”

“Just when I get out of the car.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” said Thia as she bowed her head. “Now, please follow me. And if you need anything else, do ask.”

The two of them quickly left the school car park and headed to the main building. They did not enter through main door, but the back door instead.

Strange. That’s how Alanka felt when she entered the main building. Although the building looked not much different from the outside, the inside was decorated in a twelfth century gothic style. With all those pointed arches and ribbed vaults, it felt more like she was in a monastery than a school. But not all are designed to look old.

From bulletins to broadcast, everything was already in holographic, filling the walls of the hallway. And to reach their destination, they took the lift to the twenty-fourth floor. Once they arrived, they were immediately greeted by a woman in a white shirt and red vest.

“Welcome. I’ve been notified of your arrival and asked to welcome you,” said the woman. Following the gesture of her right hand, a welcoming gesture, the door behind her opened wide.

The room was just bigger than her room in the hospital. It had three rooms divided by an arched pillars that made it a doorway without door. The living room was decorated with a short table and two long sofas sitting next to it. Not that far from it, a large carved table took centre stage for anyone who stepped into the room. With sunlight pouring in from the three arched windows, it adds more sense of grandeur to whoever sits behind it. The other two rooms are much simpler. The left room from the entrance is full of old-yellowed books and the right look more like a private kitchen, complete with an oven and a manual coffee grinder.

It decorated the same as the hallway, with all that arches and vaults, only that the room has far less technology that screams future. It’s as if the room has never been touched by the changes of the times.

They waited for about fifteen minutes before a man walked in.

“Sorry for my late!” he said with a huge smile. His outfit matches the whole room style and his attention was quickly on her. “Oh, Alanka! It’s been… what? Six months? Yes, it’s been six months since I see you anywhere!” He sat down on the sofa opposite them. “How do you feel?”

“I’m fine thanks to Doctor Lika treatment,” said Alanka.

“Doctor Lika! Right, right… Isn’t she amazing!?” He took out a pocket watch out of his vest. “Oh! My mistake! And thank you for bringing Doctor Lika. I heard you can’t remember anything. That seems to be true, I presume?”

Alanka nodded clumsily.

“Ah, what a shame! But don’t get me wrong, although I like your previous cheery and smiley nature… I didn’t dislike the more mature look you have right now.”

“I just can’t express many expressions at the moment.”

“Really? That’s interesting,” He rubbed his chin before noticing Alanka’s expression and laughing. “Where is my manner! Shaqe! Go call me stupid!”

“You really are a fool, sir.”

“Th-That hurts.”

“As your request.”

He laughed resignedly before looking back at Alanka. “Iskandar Angkadiredja. The head of Bhumi Pura academy. Feel free to call me Dirja, that’s what the students and staff of academy call me. Well, most of them.”

“What did the past me call you?”

“Just headmaster. Sometime with my name too, but rarely.”

For a moment she pondered.

“You can call me whatever you want. It just… I hoped there’s some respect in it.”

Alanka turned to Thia who suddenly cleared her throat.

“Anyway! I believe you are here in order to bring back your lost memories. Is there any particular reason?”

“I had a vision.”

“Could you elaborate?”

Alanka closed her eyes. “I saw it. A girl with red hair like fire and the academy where is she waiting.”

“What makes you think the academy is Bhumi Pura?”

“The emblem.”

“Ah, that makes sense.” Dirja’s brow furrowed. “I don’t remember any red-haired young girl here. Is there anything else you can tell me about her?”

Alanka shook her head.

“That’s unfortunate,” said Dirja.

As soon as he finished his sentence, the door to the room burst open. A woman in a brown uniform and high boots barged in. “What did you call me for, you sleazy headmaster!? You realised that you’ve just committed a great injustice!?”

“Wa-Watch your language, Miss Asih! There’s a student here!” cried Dirja out of fear.

“There are no students here except you and your fu—” her jaw dropped off once she realised they were there. She quickly straightened her clothes and changed her demeanour. “Long time no see you, Maidengard. It looks like you’re dressed pretty well after months of being missing.”

Alanka glanced back and forth between Thia and Dirja.

“Don’t you have to anything to say? And why don’t you in the hall with others?”

Dirja sighed. “Asih… Alanka has lost her memory when they found her. And from what I had been told, she didn’t even remember her own name.”

“A-Ah, sorry!” said Asih looking uneasy.

“Well, we can discuss it at greater length another time. But for now, I would like to inform you that she will be attending your class.”

“Oh?” Asih’s face brightened up once again. “Well, if you say so.”

“No objection?”

“More like I have question. Why my class? Why didn’t she go back to her own class? I believe it’s more appropriate and fastest way to restore her memory.”

“As expected from Asih. That’s not bad idea, really.”

“Then why not just do it?”

“Simply because it’s not for the best.”

Asih flicked her tongue, looking disappointed.

“Besides, it was also a request from Doctor Lika. Although I don’t know her reason but I’m quite agree with her so I accepted,” said Dirja seemingly enjoying himself. “Any other question?”

“And what about her personal servant?” Asih’s attention turned to Thia who had been listening while enjoying a cup of coffee from Shaqe.

“Ah! Thia will stay in the staff dormitory as long as she needed.”

“Is she really needed?”

“Rest assured,” said Thia without a glance. “I’m necessary to be with Alanka. More than I would like to admit.”

“Is that so…”

“A-Anyway! Alanka will be in your class from today!” exclaimed Dirja. “And Shaqe, could you show Thia Alanka’s room and her own room?”

Shaqe bowed solemnly. “If I may, Miss Thia.”

After being given a nod, Thia stood up and followed Shaqe, leaving Alanka alone with Dirja and Asih.

“Then I will show her to the class,” said Asih.

“Thank you,” said Dirja.

As Alanka stood up, she continued. “Asih Dharmawangsa. I will be your homeroom teacher for the next year.”

“Alanka Jangkarbumi. I’ll be in your care.”

She grinned. “Just leave it to me. I’ll be sure to bring you back to your former self, Maidengard.”