Chapter 8.1 The Traditional Massage Healer
Villa Courtyard
"Eh, why are you still lying there, Rizky? Are you planning to sleep on the grass?" Kak Ros asked in a firm voice as she approached Rizky, who was still sprawled on the lawn.
Rizky tried to get up, but a painful groan escaped his lips. "Ouch… Kak, my leg hurts so much… I can't stand up," he complained, clutching his injured ankle.
Kak Ros let out a long sigh before turning her gaze toward the upper floor.
"Nabila! Aren't you coming down? You're the one who started this mess!" she called out, clearly irritated.
Hearing her name, Nabila hesitated for a moment before slowly making her way downstairs. Even though she seemed reluctant, she eventually stood before Kak Ros and Rizky. Her eyes landed on Rizky, who was still grimacing in pain. A flicker of guilt crossed her face, but she quickly turned away, pretending not to care.
"Rayan, Zikri, help Rizky to his room! Nabila, unlock his door from the inside—who knows where the key has gone!" Kak Ros ordered in a sharp tone. "I'll go call Wak Saleh. Hurry up!"
InRizky'sRoom
A short while later, Kak Ros returned with an elderly man named Wak Saleh, a respected traditional massage healer who had been helping people in the village for years.
(Note: In Malay culture, "Wak" is an honorific term used to address an elder, similar to "Uncle" in English.)
"Where does it hurt?" Wak Saleh asked, stepping closer to Rizky with an experienced gaze.
"It's my ankle, Wak," Rizky replied, pointing to his now swollen foot.
Wak Saleh nodded, then carefully examined Rizky's ankle. "Hold still," he said briefly before—
KRRAK!
The sound of bones shifting back into place echoed in the room. Rizky immediately groaned in pain, his body tensing for a moment before going limp. Wak Saleh repeated the process several times, each adjustment making Rizky wince and grit his teeth.
Watching from the side, Nabila could no longer hide her emotions. Tears welled up in her eyes before she even realized it, guilt weighing down on her heart. A small sob escaped her lips.
The room fell Into silence. Everyone's attention turned to Nabila, who was visibly struggling to hold back her emotions.
Wak Saleh, having finished his work, turned to her with a small smile.
"It's alright, dear. Your husband is fine now," he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Nabila's eyes widened in shock. Her face flushed red instantly, and she quickly wiped her tears away.
"Oh, no, Wak! He's not my anything!" she retorted quickly, her voice sharp, trying to mask her embarrassment.
Kak Ros chuckled before shaking her head.
"Aduhai, this girl… always so defensive," she teased, making Rayan and Zikri burst into laughter near the doorway.
(Note: "Aduhai" is a Malay expression often used to convey a mix of amusement, surprise, and mild exasperation. It's similar to saying "Oh dear" or "Oh my" in English but with a slightly teasing tone.)
But their laughter was short-lived. The moment Rayan lifted his head, he locked eyes with Kak Ros's sharp gaze, piercing right through his soul. In an instant, their grins disappeared, replaced by uneasy expressions.
"Out. Now!" Kak Ros commanded, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
The two boys scrambled out of the room, nearly bumping into each other at the door.
AftertheCalm
After making sure everything was under control, Kak Ros leaned in and whispered to Nabila.
"Are you planning to sleep here?" she asked, raising an eyebrow with a teasing tone.
"Eh… no, Kak!" Nabila quickly replied, shaking her head rapidly, her face still flushed.
"Who knows? Maybe you want to stay the night… ah, just hurry up and get married already. Oh, and don't forget if Rayan ever asks for your help, alright? Now, off to your room."
Nabila only nodded lightly before rushing out and shutting Rizky's door behind her without saying another word.
Kak Ros also stepped out of the room, escorting Wak Saleh back home, leaving Rizky, who felt slightly better physically, though his heart was still in turmoil thinking about Nabila.
Nabila'sRoom
Nabila slowly closed the connecting door, but she didn't move away just yet. Her ears caught faint traces of Kak Ros and Wak Saleh's conversation from the next room.
"That girl… she's stubborn, but she has a soft heart too, huh?" Wak Saleh said lightly.
"Hah! Stubborn is an understatement, Wak. But earlier, she cried, right?" Kak Ros's voice sounded amused.
Wak Saleh chuckled. "If that's the case, it's not hatred, but…"
Their voices faded into the distance as Kak Ros walked Wak Saleh outside.
Nabila remained frozen in place, staring blankly at the floor. Why had she been so curious? Why had she even eavesdropped?
A strange feeling stirred within her. She hadn't realized when she started caring about Rizky more than she should.
With slow steps, she walked toward the window and pulled back the soft brown curtains. A cool early morning breeze drifted in, tickling her skin.
She hugged herself, trying to suppress a small smile that had unknowingly formed on her lips.
"Why couldn't I stop myself from wanting to know?" she thought, feeling amused at her own behavior.
She closed her eyes for a moment, but her thoughts kept spiraling.
Was this just a fleeting emotion? Or was it something more?
Chapter8.2Breakfast
Kitchen
That morning, Kak Ros called out to Nabila, who was busy in the kitchen.
"Nabila, this is Rizky's breakfast. Take it to him. But don't go alone—bring Rayan and Zikri with you. It's not proper for a man and a woman to be alone together!" she said, shooting her a sharp look.
Nabila nodded reluctantly, then walked toward the pavilion where Rayan and Zikri were still lazing around.
"Hey, you two! Kak Ros told you to come with me to Rizky's room," she said firmly.
Rayan made a face. "Ugh, I was just about to lie down and relax!"
"But you know better than to refuse Kak Ros's orders," Nabila shot back quickly.
Rayan let out a long sigh before finally giving in. "Fine, fine… Zikri, come along!"
InRizky'sRoom
The three of them entered, carrying a tray of food. Rizky, who was leaning against the bed, looked up and smiled as they walked in.
"Wow, so many people! Are you here to bring me breakfast or hold a family meeting?" he joked.
Nabila set the tray on the small table beside his bed.
"Just eat, and stop talking so much!" she snapped, still annoyed about what had happened yesterday.
Rizky tried to sit up, but immediately winced in pain.
"Ouch, my leg still hurts. How am I supposed to eat by myself?" he said, casting a playful glance at Nabila.
"Eat by yourself! Don't be spoiled," she huffed, crossing her arms.
But before Nabila could argue further, Rayan nudged Zikri and whispered.
"Eh, look at this. Let's make her feed him—this'll be fun!"
Zikri, barely holding in his laughter, immediately spoke up.
"Nabila, Kak Ros told you to take care of him. You can't just let him struggle. You have to help him eat!"
Nabila's eyes widened. "You're joking, right?"
Rayan added in a serious tone, "We're just following Kak Ros's orders. If you don't do it, we'll have to tell her!"
With no other choice, Nabila reluctantly picked up the spoon, her expression dark with irritation.
"Fine. Open your mouth," she ordered, shoving the spoon toward Rizky with little patience.
Rizky obeyed, but immediately choked when Nabila pushed the spoon in too far.
"Ugh! Cough, cough! Are you trying to kill me?" he gasped, pounding his chest as he coughed violently.
From the corner of the room, Rayan and Zikri burst into laughter, nearly rolling on the floor in amusement.
"You were way too enthusiastic, Nabila!" Zikri wheezed, clutching his stomach from laughing too hard.
Nabila huffed, her face turning red—whether from anger or embarrassment, she wasn't sure. But beneath her flustered expression, a tiny hint of guilt flickered in her eyes as she saw Rizky still struggling to catch his breath.
"That's it, I'm not feeding you anymore!" she snapped, slamming the spoon into Rizky's hand.
Rizky looked up at her with a small grin, still slightly coughing.
"No problem. At least you made this breakfast unforgettable."
In the corner, Rayan and Zikri were still giggling, while Nabila stormed out of the room, her face twisted in irritation… but her cheeks were faintly flushed.