You have certainly often read or heard about mystical things in Indonesia, and it's not uncommon to find novels or films with horror themes. This time, you will be taken to explore mystical matters through the parietal eye (third eye) of a beautiful girl named Gabriela.
In this internet era, it seems that many people no longer believe in mystical things, because day by day there are more and more scams or public deceptions regarding these mystical matters.
However, we cannot deny that the supernatural realm and its contents do exist and are real. You might not believe in it, you might deny it, but... try asking your inner self... is it true that you have never experienced anything strange in your life? have your hair never stood on end throughout your life? Have you never felt goosebumps when walking alone or living alone?
The answer is known only to you, now let's delve into Gabriela's story...
Beginning...
The sky in Surabaya that morning was bright with white clouds lazily drifting in the blue sky. Gabriela stood still in front of the large gate inscribed with "Sekolah Internasional Surabaya SIS." The gate loomed high, made of black iron with intricate carvings along its arch, very different from the gate of the public school where she had studied before.
Behind the gate, a vast expanse of green lawn stretched out. Well-dressed children with seemingly expensive school logos run under the shady trees, while their laughter mingles with the sound of a piano from the music hall, whose doors are wide open. Gabriela felt small amidst this grandeur.
He adjusted the frayed straps of the old backpack on his shoulder, the only thing that made him feel like himself. The bag had been with him since middle school, filled with small scribbles and stains that couldn't be removed. However, in this place, the bag looked conspicuous as if it didn't belong here.
"Child, this is your first day." "Everything will be fine," her grandmother's voice broke her reverie. The old woman stood beside Gabriela, holding a simple handbag. Her face was adorned with a gentle yet hopeful smile.
Gabriela looked at her grandmother, trying to smile despite her heart racing. "Yes, Grandma. I will be fine," she replied.
"You have to believe in yourself, Gabriela. You can face anything," her grandmother said again. Her wrinkled eyes shone with pride.
Gabriela nodded slowly, then turned her gaze back to the large gate in front of her. This school was not her choice; it had been her grandmother's dream for a long time. For her, SIS was the door to a better future, something Gabriela's parents could never provide.
She took a deep breath, then stepped inside.
As soon as she passed through the gate, Gabriela immediately felt like she was in another world. The path leading to the main building is lined with perfectly arranged ornamental plants. On the right side, a soccer field with fresh green grass looks like it has just been trimmed. On the left side, a fountain stands majestically with a statue shaped like an open book in the middle.
Gabriela's steps paused momentarily as she saw her reflection in the large glass surrounding the main hall. The blue and white SIS uniform she was wearing looked strange on her body. Too new. Too foreign. He adjusted the small tie around his neck, trying to feel more comfortable.
"Gabi! Wait!"
The voice came from behind. Gabriela turned and saw a girl with long hair and thick glasses waving her hand while running towards her. That was Lisa, the only other student she knew from the public school who was also accepted into SIS on a scholarship.
"Why you not wait for me..?" Lisa panted as she finally arrived next to Gabriela.
Gabriela smiled slightly. "Sorry, I thought you had already gone in."
Lisa looked around in awe, like a child who had just entered a playground for the first time. "This place is crazy, right?" Look at that fountain! The water is so clear, it looks unreal."
Gabriela just nodded without a word. Her eyes swept around again, trying to remember every detail. Every corner of this school felt like a world far removed from his life. A world that demands her to become someone more than she is now.
When the bell rang, Lisa grabbed Gabriela's hand. "Come on, we can't be late on the first day."
Gabriela followed Lisa into the spacious main hall. The floor is made of gleaming white marble, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. A large stage is at the end of the hall, where a well-dressed man is already standing with a microphone.
He realized that his first step in this place was not just the beginning of a new school year. It was the start of a journey that would change his life.
When the break bell rang, Gabriela felt relieved. She followed Lisa to the cafeteria, which resembled a luxurious café with polished wooden tables and warm lighting. A selection of food was laid out like in a five-star hotel, complete with small boards displaying the names of the dishes in English and French.
Lisa was busy choosing food, while Gabriela took a small roll and a glass of tea. She is not used to luxuries like this. After paying, she looked for an empty table in the quiet corner of the room.
Just as she sat down, a girl with long, jet-black hair pulled out the chair next to her and sat down without saying a word. Her appearance immediately caught Gabriela's attention - pale skin, sharp eyes, and thin lips that barely moved. The girl stared ahead, showing no expression, as if she were thinking of something far away.
Gabriela felt that something was off. Not the girl's attitude, but her aura. Dark, like a heavy shadow hanging around her. Gabriela tried not to think too much about it and started eating her bread.
A few minutes later, Lisa came in with a tray full of food. She looked cheerful, bringing two portions of food that were quite lavish for a lunch. "Hey, Gabi! Sorry for taking so long, I couldn't decide what to choose," she said while sitting across from Gabriela.
Lisa noticed the girl next to Gabriela and smiled warmly. "Oh, hi! I'm Lisa. You're also in 10th grade here, right?""
The girl slowly turned towards Lisa. For a moment, the atmosphere felt silent. But then, she answered in a flat voice, "Yes. I'm Arina."
"I'm Gabriela," Gabriela finally introduced herself, although her voice sounded soft.
Arina nodded slightly, but did not show any further interest in talking. She just returned to looking at her food - a plate of salad with toast - without saying much.
Lisa, who seemed too cheerful to be bothered by the awkward atmosphere, kept talking. "You know what? Gabi and I got accepted here because of scholarships, how about you, Arina?"I got accepted here on a scholarship, how about you, Arina?" Gabi raised an eyebrow, as if the question surprised her a little. "I don't have a scholarship," she said briefly, then fell silent again.
Arina raised an eyebrow, as if the question surprised her a little. "I don't have a scholarship," she said briefly, then fell silent again.
Gabriela stole another glance at Arina, trying to understand the girl. There was something that felt different, but Gabriela couldn't explain what it was. While Lisa kept chattering about how luxurious this cafeteria was, Gabriela focused solely on the strange feeling that was beginning to creep into her mind.
When the break was almost over, Arina stood up without saying a word. She took her tray and left, leaving Gabriela and Lisa at the table.
"She's really cold, isn't she?" commented Lisa while eating the last piece of her roasted chicken.
Gabriela nodded slowly. But in her heart, she knew there was more than just "coldness" in Arina.