4.1 Wounds Reopened
Without much thought, Nabila tried to carry on as usual. A day after her wedding was called off, she decided to attend university as if nothing had happened. In her mind, no one on campus would know about it. After all, the ceremony had only been attended by her close family.
However, as soon as she arrived, something felt off. Groups of students were gathered, whispering to each other while occasionally glancing in her direction. Though unease crept in, she forced herself to think positively. Maybe it's just a coincidence. They're probably just looking because I just arrived, she assured herself.
As she walked toward her classroom, her steps faltered on the campus staircase when she overheard a conversation.
"Did you hear? Apparently, a bride was abandoned by her groom!"
"Oh yeah? When did that happen?"
"Just yesterday. Rumor has it, the groom ran away because the bride was ugly and old! Hahaha!"
"No wonder he ran!"
"So, where did he go?"
"They say he flew to Jakarta. Heri saw him at the airport yesterday."
"Seriously? Oh wow, that's so sad… but kind of funny too!"
They laughed, oblivious to the fact that Nabila had heard every word.
Her feet felt rooted to the ground. She could no longer bring herself to walk into class. Instead, she turned swiftly, avoiding the crowd.
"Excuse me," she muttered softly, head lowered.
"Oh, go ahead," one of them replied, while the others exchanged glances.
"Why did she leave so suddenly?" someone whispered.
"I don't know. Weird, right?" another responded.
Nabila hurried out of campus, keeping her head down so no one would see her face. Her breathing was heavy, her chest tight, but she kept moving. She blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill.
On the bus ride home, she sat by the window, staring blankly outside. Her hands clenched tightly around her skirt, her jaw tensed. Her vision blurred with unshed tears, but she forced herself to stay composed, taking deep breaths to keep her sobs from escaping in public.
As soon as she reached home, she went straight to her room and shut the door tightly. Then, everything broke. She collapsed onto the bed, letting her tears flow freely.
Hearing her daughter's muffled cries, Ibu Nuraini hurried over and knocked gently. "Nabila, what's wrong, Nak?"
"Mak… I thought everything would be okay," Nabila choked between sobs. "But now I've become the talk of the entire campus. I don't want to go back there, Mak. I'm too ashamed…"
Her mother wrapped her in a tight embrace, trying to soothe her. "It's okay, Nak. Don't think too much about it. You'll get through this."
After a while, Nabila's sobs began to subside. Then, Ibu Nuraini spoke gently. "Why don't you take a break? Maybe go out of town for a while? You could go to Jakarta. We have family there."
At those words, Nabila froze. Then, she burst into tears again.
"I don't want to go to Jakarta, Mak! I don't!"
Her mind instantly replayed the cruel whispers she had heard earlier—about the runaway groom who had fled to Jakarta. So, what, I have to chase after him? Ew, no way! Gross!
Seeing her distress, Ibu Nuraini tried to offer another option. "Alright, if you don't want to go to Jakarta, there are other places. Batam, Lombok, Bali… or even Kuala Lumpur. Just choose wherever you'd like."
Nabila wiped her tears, and suddenly, a name popped into her mind—Cindy, her old friend who lived in Kuala Lumpur. A faint light returned to her eyes.
"Oh right… Cindy," she murmured, reaching for her phone.
Still sniffling, she made the call.
"Cin…"
"Hello, Nabila! Long time no call. What's up? Your voice sounds different. Are you okay?" Cindy immediately picked up on her distress.
"Yeah, Cin. I… I want to go there. Can I stay at your place for a while?"
"Oh, no problem at all! Just send me your flight details, and I'll pick you up, okay?" Cindy responded warmly.
"Thank you, Cin."
"No worries. Just take it easy, okay?"
After ending the call, Nabila looked at her mother and gave her a small nod.
"I'll go stay with Cindy, Mak."
"Alright then, start packing. I'll help you get everything ready," Ibu Nuraini said, relieved to see a hint of life returning to her daughter's eyes.
Nabila managed a small smile. "Thank you, Mak. I'll start packing now."
With that, she began gathering her belongings, preparing herself for a new chapter in a place far away from her campus and the bitter memories she wanted to leave behind.
4.2 A NewBreeze, ADifferentSky
Kuala Lumpur
"Where did you sleep last night, Rizky?" asked Kak Rosalia—or simply Kak Ros—while glancing at Rizky, who was lounging comfortably at the pavilion.
"Rizky stayed at my place, Kak Ros," Rayan answered swiftly, even before Rizky could open his mouth.
"Eh, why didn't you just sleep at the villa? Would've been nicer, more comfortable," Kak Ros said in her soft yet curious Malaysian accent.
"How was I supposed to sleep there, Kak Ros? You had the keys," Rayan defended himself.
"That's exactly why you're an idiot! Why didn't you say something? Do you not have a mouth to speak?" Kak Ros scolded, giving him a sharp look.
"It's not like that, Kak Ros," Rayan quickly responded. "I saw you sleeping soundly, and I didn't have the heart to wake you up."
"Ah, so many excuses from you!" Kak Ros sighed, though a small smile appeared on her lips. "Alright then, go get Rizky's stuff. We're moving to the villa now."
When they arrived at the villa, Kak Ros explained, "There are two empty rooms upstairs. You can take room number two, so the others stay downstairs."
However, when she noticed Rizky only carrying a small bag, she frowned. "Eh, where's the rest of your stuff? Didn't bring any clothes?" she asked in surprise.
"No, Kak. We'll just buy some here later," Rizky replied casually.
Kak Ros chuckled at his response.
"Wow, that's next-level shopping! Arrive with nothing, go home with a suitcase full!" she teased, laughing softly.
"Kak Ros, come on," Rizky smiled, a little embarrassed.
"Well, am I wrong?" Kak Ros grinned as she opened the door to the villa room. "Everything here is still in great condition. I just replaced it yesterday, so you can use whatever you need."
Rizky stepped into the neatly prepared room.
"Hmm, this is nice, Kak Ros," he remarked while scanning the clean and cozy space.
"Exactly! That's why I was mad at Rayan earlier," Kak Ros shot a glance at Rayan, who could only offer a sheepish grin. "This place is comfortable, no one to disturb you."
"Alright then, I'll leave you two to settle in," Kak Ros said as she stepped out.
"Okay, Kak. Thank you so much," Rizky replied with a grateful smile.
Kak Ros waved before closing the door, leaving Rizky and Rayan to unpack in the peaceful villa.
SelangorAirport
As soon as she stepped out of the arrival hall, Nabila took a deep breath. The air in Kuala Lumpur was noticeably warmer than in her hometown. The bustling airport, with its overhead announcements and hurried footsteps, reminded her that she was truly beginning something new here.
Pulling her suitcase behind her, she scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar figure—a woman with thick glasses she had known for years. From a distance, Cindy was also scanning the crowd, looking for Nabila in her signature green hijab—her best friend's favorite color.
The moment they spotted each other, Nabila smiled warmly and waved.
"Cindy!" she called, quickly making her way over.
Cindy responded with a tight hug. Two old friends, finally reunited after years apart.
"You've gotten even prettier, Nabila," Cindy praised, her Malaysian accent adding a charming touch to her words.
"Ah, you too," Nabila replied with a smile.
"Eh, don't flatter me! I know I'm not as pretty as you," Cindy teased, laughing.
"Oh, Cindy, don't say that! Now I feel bad," Nabila protested, blushing.
"Enough about that! Let's go," Cindy said excitedly.
IntheCar, OntheWaytotheVilla
As she drove, Cindy glanced at Nabila curiously. "Eh, so what brings you here, Nab?"
Nabila began to recount everything that had happened. Cindy listened intently, then chuckled.
"Alamak, you always have the most dramatic stories," Cindy said, shaking her head.
Nabila offered a small, weary smile. Some parts of her story still felt heavy.
"Eh, don't overthink it. Every event has its silver lining, trust me," Cindy reassured her confidently.
Her words brought a bit of comfort, making Nabila believe—if only slightly—that everything happening was part of a greater plan.
ArrivingattheVilla
"We're almost there," Cindy said, turning into the villa's parking lot.
"Oh, by the way, Nab, just so you know—after I drop you off at your room, I won't be able to stay long. I have something to take care of outside," Cindy mentioned suddenly.
"Huh? You're leaving me alone, Cin?" Nabila asked, her voice tinged with unease.
"Eh, don't be such a baby. I'm not abandoning you in the middle of a forest. It's a busy area! I'll be back once I'm done," Cindy assured her.
Nabila fell silent, processing Cindy's words.
Finally, the car rolled to a stop in front of the villa.
"We're here! Let's get out," Cindy said while pulling out her phone.
Tuut… tuut…
"Hello, Kak Ros? I'm outside. Come out quickly."
Shortly after, a woman appeared from the main entrance.
"Oh, we have a guest?" Kak Ros greeted warmly, extending her hand to Nabila.
"This is Kak Ros, she manages the villa. If you need anything, just ask her," Cindy introduced.
The three of them walked toward the room that had been prepared. Cindy opened the door and motioned for Nabila to step inside.
"This is your room," she said with a smile.
Nabila let out a sigh of relief, taking in the cozy atmosphere.
"Thank you, Cin. This room is beautiful," she said sincerely.
Still standing by the door, Kak Ros added, "The room next to yours belongs to Rizky."
Cindy's eyes widened in surprise.
"Eh, Rizky? Since when is he here, Kak?"
"He just arrived this morning. But right now, he's out shopping with his friends," Kak Ros explained.
Cindy shot Nabila a teasing look.
"Wah, sounds like fate to me!" she said playfully.
"Cindy, stop it!" Nabila protested, her face turning red.
ATemporaryGoodbye
"Okay, Nab, I really have to go now. But first, give me a hug!" Cindy said, opening her arms wide.
Nabila hugged her best friend tightly.
"Take care, Cin. And thank you so much."
"Oh, stop thanking me already!" Cindy laughed, before finally stepping away, leaving Nabila smiling softly in the comfort of her new room.