Some days had passed, but they still hadn't done anything. The confusion and pressure were real, but he didn't want to give up yet. And tomorrow was the day.
Three of them were sitting in the classroom during break.
"So, what's next?" Noor asked.
"Aughh, I don't know what to do. My head's messed up just thinking about it," Suvro said, scratching his head.
"But you boldly said we'd take control of the festival and make it great," Ashraf teased.
"We can't give up yet. Jamil already announced it to everybody, and it's no ordinary sports festival—most of the school's best athletes are going to participate. Imagine the number of people in the audience," Noor said, tense.
"Hmm, today we have to start after class," Suvro said.
"Guys, I think I have an idea!" Suvro suddenly jumped up.
"What?" Noor asked.
"How about we make it like on TV? Three types of races: running, cycling, and swimming."
"Hmm, not bad," Noor said.
"But we have to make this a little more interesting," Suvro added.
"How about we make the running race 500 meters, but cover the track in banana peels so contestants have to avoid slipping? I saw this in a cartoon," Noor said boldly.
"Woah!"
"Hmm, that sounds hilarious, but it could make the race exciting," Suvro praised. "Write that down."
Scratch, scratch.
Ashraf started writing.
"What about the cycling race?" Noor asked curiously.
"I've seen a lot of off-road races. How about we make it the same—cycling on a muddy track?" Ashraf suggested excitedly.
"That's good too," Noor praised.
"And for the swimming?" Suvro asked.
"Just keep it simple," Noor replied.
"Okay, let's get to work later."
After class...
"Hey guys, was I late?" Jamil came running.
"Not much. Let me get to the point—Jamil, you'll be in charge of decoration. I know you have ties with the art club, so gather students from there," Noor said boldly.
"Woah, you sound like a leader," Suvro and Ashraf said, surprised.
"Guys, don't exaggerate that much. I'm only doing this because I had no choice," Noor said, embarrassed.
"So, ahem… Ashraf, you'll gather the information from students who are going to participate."
"That's a lot of paperwork, but I'll get it done, boss," Ashraf replied, adjusting his glasses.
"And Suvro—"
Snore.
"Suvro, get up! We have a lot of work to do," Noor said, shaking him.
Yawn. "Was I sleeping?"
"Yes, you were," Noor said, shaking his head.
"Where was I? Oh right—Suvro and I are going to talk to the school management about our plan, but we'll keep it a secret from the rest of the school," Noor explained.
"Oh, Noor, you're so mature now. I think you're ready for marriage," Suvro teased.
"Stop it, bro! I'm not like that," Noor said, embarrassed.
"Alright, let's go to work."
"Let's go!"
Suvro and Noor walking across the school
"The school management head appreciated our plan. It's a relief," Noor said.
"Hmm, but what about the student council? They're not going to just sit back, right?" Ashraf asked.
"Only if they find out about our plan. It's really simple, but somehow I feel nervous," Noor admitted.
Ria was standing in the hallway. Suvro called out, "Hey, Ria!"
But Ria looked at Noor angrily and walked away.
Sigh. "What's her problem?" Suvro asked, confused.
"It's because the students chose me. She might not be aware of their plan to humiliate us," Noor said.
"Hmm, that makes sense. Woah, what's that?" Suvro pointed.
The school was already decorated—in just three hours.
"Noor, Suvro! I was looking for you everywhere!" Jamil came running, out of breath.
"Bro, what happened?" Noor asked.
"Somebody interested in the tournament donated a lot of money. I heard he also hired professionals to decorate the whole school—more than 150 people worked together. You really missed the scene."
"Hmm, I wonder who that was?" Suvro said.
"His name is Kevin Leonheart," Ashraf said.
"Woah, seriously? Jenne's father?" Jamil asked, surprised.
"Yeah, I heard it when I was in the teachers' room giving the student participation list," Ashraf explained.
(So that was Mr. Kevin… I wonder why he's interested in this tournament. Oh wait, they say Miss Jenne is the best student in our school—maybe she's going to participate.) Noor thought.
"Hey, Noor."
"Hmm? What, Ashraf?"
"The decoration and information stuff is already taken care of, so we don't have to worry about that," he said.
"But how are we going to prepare the tracks? The school will be full of students. I heard they're staying till 8 p.m.," Suvro said.
"Shit, I forgot about that… but I have to go soon. Rahim won't listen—it's his job to take me home after school," Noor said anxiously.
"Don't worry, you can go," Suvro said.
"But guys—"
"We don't need you now. You've already done your best. Cheer up," Ashraf said, patting Noor on the back.
"Hmm…" Noor looked out the window.
Mr. Rahim was standing beside the car.
"Looks like I have to go. Bye, guys—see you later," Noor said, leaving the classroom.
In the car
(If I could be more useful… I feel pathetic. I wish I could help them more.)
His eyes became watery.
"Is something wrong, sir?" Mr. Rahim asked.
"No… something just fell in my eye," Noor said, wiping away the tears.
Later that night
It was already past midnight, but he couldn't sleep. The burden on his chest felt heavy.
Sigh. "Whatever," he muttered, trying to sleep.
Suddenly, something came through the window with a noise.
"What's that?"
It was a small stone with paper wrapped around it.
He unwrapped it.
Look out from the window, it said.
Noor looked outside. Ashraf and Suvro were standing far away from the mansion's boundary.
Suvro motioned for him to move.
Another stone flew into his room—this time from Ashraf's slingshot.
Let's go, we have work to do, the note read.
"Oh no… this late? But what should I do? No—I'm not going to sit back. I have to go," Noor decided.
He quietly left his room, shut the door without making a noise, and crept downstairs.
"Hmm, I'm lucky the mansion's main door is unlocked… but how am I going to get past the guards and security?" he thought.
"Mr. Noor, you're so careless," a voice came from behind.
"Wahhh!" Noor jumped—Jenne was standing there.
"Don't yell—you'll wake everybody," she whispered.
"M-M-Miss Jenne, what are you doing here?" Noor stammered.
"I should ask you the same. Where are you going?" she asked seriously.
"As you can see, my friends are waiting outside… and I have to go because we need to work for the festival, of course," Noor stuttered.
"Hmm, I heard they chose you as the leader of the management team. So… I can't let you go unless—" Jenne smirked.
"Unless…?" Noor asked, confused.
"Unless you tell me what kind of race you're having tomorrow, in detail."
"I can't do that—that's a secret," Noor said, looking down.
"Then… you can't go."
"Oh…" Noor lowered his head sadly.
"Just kidding. Take this keycard—there's a small gate at the far corner of our backyard. Use this card to unlock it."
"Huh?" Noor blinked.
"Just take it," Jenne said.
Noor carefully grabbed the end of the card so he wouldn't touch her hand, then looked at it.
"You should go now," she said.
"Oh!" Noor ran off.
"Oh, I forgot—" Noor turned back while running and shouted, "Thank you, miss!"
Jenne stood there silently.