Part Five

That evening, Arka and Aruna sat on his grandfather’s rooftop, looking out over Jogja. The city appeared calm, streetlights flickering on, and the evening breeze cooled their faces. The air carried the scent of rain that had just passed—warm and fresh.

Arka took a deep breath, watching Aruna smile up at the sky. “Nuna… I want to have a serious talk with you.” Aruna turned, slightly surprised but smiling softly. “Serious? About what?”

Arka lowered his head briefly, calming his racing heart. “About our future. I… I don’t want us just wandering through life and seeing where it goes. I want… us to have a clear direction.” Aruna looked at him with curiosity. “You mean…?”

Arka took her hand, gentle but firm. “I want us to stay together. I want us to build a life together—home, family, dreams we can achieve together. I… I’m ready to commit, Aruna. Will you take this journey with me?”

Aruna was silent for a moment, her eyes glistening, but her smile grew warmer. “Arka… I… I want that too. I want us to plan our life together, not just go with the flow. I’m ready, with you.”

Arka breathed a sigh of relief, pulling her into his embrace. “You have no idea… how relieved and happy I am to hear that. I promise I’ll try to be a partner you can rely on, someone who’s always there for you.”

Aruna rested her head on his shoulder. “I trust you, Arka. I know it won’t always be easy, but I believe we can face everything together.” They sat quietly for a while, simply feeling the warmth of their embrace and the beat of each other’s hearts. Jogja below them seemed at peace, as if blessing their big decision.

For the first time, Arka felt certain—not because of promises or empty words, but because their years together had built a strong foundation. With Aruna by his side, the future felt real, warm, and full of hope.

🚌

Jogja was hot and busy. Aruna had to stay late at the office because of a sudden project. Arka waited at the bus stop, anxious. When Aruna finally appeared from the corridor of her building, Arka immediately stood up, calling her.

“Aruna! I’m taking you home. Don’t walk alone on this hot night,” he said, his voice firm but warm. Aruna smiled, exhausted. “Ah… Arka, it’s fine. I’ll be home soon.”

“Please don’t say that,” Arka said seriously. “I’m not comfortable if you walk home alone. I won’t just stand by.” Aruna smiled faintly at him. “You’re always protective, huh…”

“But it’s because I care about you,” Arka replied, gently holding her hand. “I don’t want you to be tired or feel unsafe.”

On the way home, Arka made sure Aruna was comfortable—offering her a jacket as the night wind grew chilly, opening car doors, even checking her food and drinks before they sat down at home. “Arka… you’re too attentive,” Aruna said, smiling at him.

“Too attentive? That just means I care, Nuna,” Arka said, gazing meaningfully at her. “I don’t just care about this moment… I care about you, always.” That night, after making sure Aruna was comfortable in the living room, Arka sat beside her, gently patting her shoulder. “I won’t let anything bad happen to you. You’re not alone anymore.”

Aruna lowered her gaze briefly, eyes glistening slightly, then smiled. “I know… I feel safe when you’re here, Arka.” Arka smiled faintly, holding her hand. “I’ll keep being like this… for you. Always.”

🚌

A few weeks after meeting Sahrul, Arka and Aruna enjoyed their warm, everyday life. But that calm was disrupted when Aruna received news from her office: the company she worked for was undergoing major restructuring, and her position was at risk.

“Arka… I don’t know what to do,” Aruna said, sitting on the porch of Arka’s grandfather’s house, worry etched on her face. “If I get fired… I’m afraid everything will fall apart.” Arka looked at her seriously, his heart aching at her fear. “Nuna… I don’t care what happens. You’re not alone. We’ll face this together.”

Soon after, family conflicts emerged. Aruna’s father came to Jogja, insisting she return to Jakarta immediately and focus on a career they considered safer and more prestigious.

“Aruna… this is your decision, not anyone else’s,” Arka said firmly as they walked through a small park to clear their minds. “If you want to stay in Jogja, I’ll support you. But if you want to go… I won’t stop you.”

Aruna lowered her head, her breath catching, tears threatening to fall. “I… I’m scared of losing you if I have to choose a job in Jakarta, but I don’t want to disappoint my parents either.” Arka held her hand tightly. “Listen, Nuna. I don’t care what anyone else says. I only care about you, about what we’re building together. We can figure this out. I’ll help you, no matter what.”

In the days that followed, they faced pressure from two sides—career and family. Arka accompanied Aruna to office meetings, helped her talk to her parents, and was always there as her listener and emotional protector.

Those moments tested their patience, trust, and closeness. But amid this greater external conflict, Arka and Aruna realized one thing: love isn’t just about laughter and hugs—it’s about supporting each other when the world feels heavy.

And in the midst of that storm, their intertwined hands became a promise—no matter what comes, they would face it together.

That afternoon, Arka’s grandfather’s house was calm. Arka and Aruna sat on the porch, enjoying warm tea and light banter. Suddenly, the sound of an old car approached the driveway.

Arka turned, his heart pounding. From afar, he saw his father stepping out of the car, followed by Mama Sienna with a serious expression. “Arka… we need to talk,” his father’s voice rang, firm and almost demanding.

Arka stood, hesitant. “Father… Mama Sienna… what are you doing here?” Mama Sienna stepped closer, her eyes sharp but filled with concern. “You can’t keep running, Arka. Enough of your escape in Jogja. It’s time to face your life and responsibilities, and stop avoiding them.”

Arka swallowed, his chest heavy. He glanced at Aruna sitting beside him, her face calm but worried. “Arka…” Aruna held his hand, gently but meaningfully. “I know this is hard. But you have to choose… between them or us.”

Arka closed his eyes briefly, flashes of his past appearing: arguments with his father, guilt, disappointment, and the pain of past decisions. On the other hand, he looked at Aruna—warm, supportive, and full of love that had helped him heal.

“I… I’m torn,” Arka’s voice nearly trembled. “I want to face my father… but I also don’t want to leave you, Aruna.” His father stepped closer, patting Arka’s shoulder. “Arka… I’m not asking you to forget everything. I just want you to face your life bravely. Don’t run forever.”

Mama Sienna added, “We only want you to find your path, Arka. But don’t neglect your family. Don’t regret it later.” Arka looked at Aruna again, then back at his father and Mama Sienna. His heart was torn between family duty and love and commitment to Aruna.

Aruna held his hand tighter. “Arka… I trust you. The choice is hard… but I believe whatever you decide, we can face it together.” Arka took a deep breath, meeting both their gazes with determination. “I… need a moment. I don’t want to make a rash decision. But one thing is certain… I won’t lose Aruna.”

His father and Mama Sienna exchanged glances, exhaled lightly, then nodded. “Alright, Arka… we’ll wait for your decision.” Arka turned to Aruna, heart racing but resolute. “I’ll find the best path… but for now, I want to be here, with you.”

That night, the rain began to fall gently, as if mirroring Arka’s inner struggle—between past, responsibility, and love that had now become his life’s choice.

Later that night, Arka invited his father to the backyard terrace, away from Aruna and Mama Sienna, so they could talk privately. The dim lights and cool air made the atmosphere heavy but calm.

“Father… I want to talk,” Arka began, voice firm but slightly trembling. His father watched him with unreadable eyes, waiting. “Alright, Arka. Say what you need to say.”

Arka took a deep breath, glancing briefly at the night sky before meeting his father’s gaze again. “I know I’ve often run away, avoiding responsibilities and your expectations. I regret it… but I can’t keep living, hiding my feelings or letting others dictate my life.”

His father straightened, restraining his anger but remaining stern. “So… you mean you’ll stay in Jogja?” Arka nodded. “Yes, Father. I want to stay here, with Aruna. I want to build my own life, make my own choices, but still be a son you can be proud of. I want to prove I can be responsible… in my own way.”

His father was silent for a moment, staring at Arka, then exhaled deeply. “I… hope you’re really ready for the consequences. Don’t regret this decision.” Arka met his father’s eyes, serious but steadfast. “I’m ready, Father. I know this isn’t an easy choice… but this is my life, and I’m choosing it consciously. I want you to know… I won’t forget my family, but I also won’t lose Aruna, the person who has made me better.”

His father lowered his head briefly, then patted Arka’s shoulder gently. “If that’s your decision… I can only pray for the best. I hope you’re strong enough to face all of it.” Arka smiled faintly, a sense of relief and peace filling his chest. “Thank you, Father. I’ll prove I can be mature and responsible, and… I won’t disappoint you or Aruna.”

They sat in silence for a moment, only the sounds of night in Jogja around them. Arka knew this wasn’t the end of the struggle—many challenges still lay ahead—but that night, he felt lighter. He had made his choice, and his heart was firm: he would live with Aruna, building the future they chose together, while still honoring his family.

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