Part Two

That morning, the sun had just pierced through the cracks of his grandfather’s small house window. Arka yawned widely and got out of bed. A routine that once felt boring now felt… different. “You’re up too, son,” his grandfather’s voice came from the yard.

Arka nodded and picked up a broom to help sweep the yard, while his grandfather busied himself watering the plants. “Look at these leaves, Arka. If we clean up now, later in the afternoon we can just relax,” his grandfather advised with a faint smile.

Arka only nodded, but inside, he felt… comfortable. This simple routine brought a calm he had longed for. Not long after, Arka decided to walk to the market to buy some small necessities. And as if by fate, he ran into Aruna again, this time in a more relaxed mood.

“Hi, Arka!” Aruna greeted, carrying a small shopping bag. Her smile was wider than when they had met previously. “Hi, Aruna. Shopping too?” Arka replied with a light grin.

“Yes, my mom asked me to get some ingredients. And you?”

“Just buying vegetables for my grandfather. He likes it when I help a little.”

Aruna looked at him, paused for a moment, and then smiled. “You’re a good kid… diligent and thoughtful. Your grandfather is lucky to have a grandson like you.” Arka blushed. “Heh, not really… just helping a bit.”

They walked side by side, sometimes Aruna pointing at something in a store, sometimes Arka teasing lightly. No heavy words, just light jokes and laughter that began to feel familiar. “In that case, should I help you carry the vegetables?” Aruna offered half-jokingly.

Arka looked at her with bright eyes. “Sure… but be careful, there’s a lot of vegetables.”

Along the way home, they walked side by side, laughing as the vegetable bags nearly fell several times. Arka felt something warm begin to grow—an emotion that was not just attraction, but a comfort he thought had disappeared after heartbreak.

When they reached home, his grandfather watched them from the veranda, smiling faintly. “Looks like… you’re not alone today, huh?” Arka just smiled, glancing at Aruna briefly before going inside. For the first time, he felt that his life in Jogja could be more than just an escape—it could be a new beginning.

That afternoon, as Arka and Aruna sat on a bench by the river, the sound of flowing water and the sunset’s glow made Arka pause for a moment. “You know,” Aruna began softly, “I haven’t always lived in Jogja. I used to move around a lot because of my parents’ jobs.”

Arka looked at her, curious but calm. “Oh… so Jogja is like a new home for you?” Aruna nodded. “Yes. I moved here a few years ago. At first, it didn’t feel right, but over time I started to feel comfortable. People are friendly, the food is good… and the atmosphere is calm.”

Arka smiled faintly. “So you’ve felt… like you had nowhere to call home?” Aruna looked down briefly, then gave a small, bitter smile. “Sometimes, yes. But I learned that home isn’t just a physical place. Home is where your heart feels safe. And I… am just beginning to find it here.”

Arka nodded slowly. He could sense Aruna’s emotions—a hint of loneliness, but also a hidden strength. “I understand… It feels the same for me. I used to always run from problems, but now I’m learning to stand on my own.”

A flash of memory came uninvited. He remembered the chaotic days—lies from the one he loved, sharp words from his father, and nights spent alone in his room, staring at the ceiling, holding back tears. Back then, it felt like the world had collapsed around him, and he had nowhere to lean on.

Arka swallowed, staring at the cup of tea still in his hands. He realized that before, he always ran—even from himself. Aruna turned and looked at him attentively. “Arka… are you okay?”

Arka gave a faint smile, gently closing the memory. “Yeah… just remembered the past for a moment. But… I’m learning not to run anymore.” Aruna smiled softly. “I’m glad to hear that. Sometimes the past only comes to make us stronger.”

Arka looked at Aruna, warmth spreading in his chest. “Maybe… because I’m not alone this time.”

The flash had passed, leaving something important: the awareness that old wounds didn’t have to hold him back. With Aruna by his side and his grandfather’s patient guidance, Arka began to feel that his life in Jogja was not just an escape—it was a chance to heal.

Aruna looked at him, her brown eyes warm. “So… we’re both learning to find our own place, huh?” Arka smiled, slightly moved. “Yes. And… I’m glad I get to walk this path with you.”

Aruna smiled faintly, looking at Arka for a moment before turning away with a small laugh. “Be careful, don’t fall in love too quickly. I can make a mess of things.” Arka chuckled. “Then I’ll be careful… but I don’t think I mind too much.”

🚌

By the next morning, Arka had gotten used to his grandfather treating him like a helper at the house in Jakarta. That day, he was asked to buy some ingredients for breakfast. He carried bags full of vegetables and eggs when he ran into Aruna in a narrow alley.

“Careful, Arka!” Aruna called out, laughing as she watched his shopping nearly fall.

“Eh, it’s fine… I got this!” Arka tried to sound confident, but one of the bags tore slightly, and several eggs rolled onto the street. “Oh no! The eggs!” Aruna exclaimed, crouching to help. “You really can’t carry groceries alone, huh?”

Arka blushed, crouching to pick up the eggs. “I… I usually don’t carry this much at once. This is an experiment.” Aruna laughed loudly. “The experiment failed, Arka. If I didn’t help, all the eggs would’ve broken!”

They both crouched on the street, trying to save the eggs. When one almost fell again, Aruna instinctively tapped Arka’s shoulder. “Be careful! Don’t stress the eggs out!” Arka chuckled, looking at her. “Thanks, Professor Aruna. I’ve learned a lot today.”

They laughed together, and for the first time in a long while, Arka felt light—free from past pain, free from pressure. Only laughter flowed naturally. “If this keeps up, I’ll make you practice carrying groceries every day,” Aruna teased, lifting the remaining bag.

Arka looked at her with bright eyes. “I… may I? But don’t let me stress you out again.”

“If you stress me out, I’ll…” Aruna paused, smiling mischievously.

“I’ll just laugh again, like now.”

And in that narrow alley, with eggs nearly destroyed and laughter filling the air, their chemistry felt real—warm, funny, and intimate in a way words could hardly explain.

That afternoon, Arka and Aruna went to the traditional market together. Arka wanted to buy some ingredients for his grandfather, while Aruna focused on picking spices and vegetables for her mother.

As Arka reached for a rack, he accidentally grabbed the same vegetable Aruna was holding. “Hey, that… that’s my vegetable!” Aruna exclaimed, half-joking but sounding slightly annoyed.

Arka looked at her, slightly startled. “Yours? I didn’t know… I just took the same one.” Aruna leaned forward, raising an eyebrow. “You always take things without asking, huh? I need this to cook later!” Arka shrugged, trying to stay casual. “I didn’t mean to, Aruna. Besides, we can just buy two.”

“But it’s not the same! I only have this much money,” Aruna replied, showing her thin wallet. “You don’t think about others, huh?” Arka smiled awkwardly, but felt a little amused inside. “Wow, you’re serious, huh? I just wanted to help, not cause trouble.”

Aruna exhaled, but a small smile appeared at the corner of her lips. “Careful, Arka. I’ll get really mad if you keep taking things without asking.” Arka chuckled softly. “Okay, I promise I’ll ask first. But… your anger is kind of cute too.”

Aruna looked at him, slightly blushing. “Ah, don’t… don’t make me embarrassed in front of everyone!”

They finally laughed together, breaking the tension. The small conflict brought them closer, and although it initially caused a little awkwardness, Arka felt something warm growing every time they teased each other in a funny, personal way.

After the market and the little “fun conflict” over vegetables, Arka and Aruna sat on the veranda of his grandfather’s small house. The sun began to set, leaving a warm orange glow. Arka looked at Aruna, arranging the vegetables on the table, and something in his chest felt different.

Why do I… feel like this? Arka thought.

He realized that every time Aruna laughed, his heart warmed. Every time he saw the way she looked at him—warm but curious—he felt comfortable, more than he had with anyone since his heartbreak.

Arka took a slow breath. “So… what is this feeling?” he murmured to himself.

He remembered flashes of his past—the wounds that once made him afraid to love again. But now, with Aruna, the feeling wasn’t scary—it was… calming. A desire to be close, to protect, but also to learn more about each other.

Arka realized something: it wasn’t just Aruna’s kindness or smile that made his heart race. It was the feeling of wanting to always be there for her, even in small things—helping, joking, or just quietly watching her.

He turned to see Aruna gazing at the sunset. Unconsciously, Arka smiled faintly, feeling warmth in his chest.

“If this is… a feeling, maybe I’ve already fallen,” he thought quietly, not daring to say it out loud. But it was enough for him to realize one thing: for the first time in a long while, his heart wanted to open again.

That night, Arka slept with a different kind of peace—a peace he knew came from Aruna, and from the fact that his life in Jogja was starting to feel… alive again.

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