That afternoon, Anggara decided to make his way to the home of his two best friends. Unlike most people, who chose motorized transportation, Anggara felt more comfortable riding his beloved upright bicycle or folding bike.
In the still-pristine, close-knit neighborhood around the boarding houses in Yogyakarta, cycling had a charm all its own. The gently sloping roads, pleasantly cool air, and short distances between places made the activity especially enjoyable. Besides letting him take in the scenery and interact directly with the city’s atmosphere, cycling was also his way of unwinding after spending all day wracking his brain on campus.
It didn’t take long for him to reach the gate of Arsenio and Iting’s boarding house. He neatly parked his bike in the designated area out front, then walked across the yard toward his friends’ room.
Anggara approached one of the doors, which stood wide open. From inside came bright laughter and a lively atmosphere. Arsenio and Iting were clearly enjoying a relaxed conversation, making the most of this peaceful afternoon.
“Excuse me...” he said softly, stopping in the doorway.
At the sound of his voice, both friends turned toward him at once. Arsenio immediately gestured for him to come in. “Come on in, Ngga. Make yourself at home.”
Anggara stepped inside and sat cross-legged on the carpet with them. Spread out before them were all kinds of light snacks popular among boarding-house residents, accompanying their seemingly endless conversation.
“Here, I brought you guys a little something. Healthy snacks for our chat,” Anggara said, offering them a plastic bag filled with treats.
Iting’s hand shot out immediately, without needing to be told twice. His face lit up with gratitude. “Wow, thanks so much, bro! You really understand our situation. This is perfect—we could definitely use some extra fuel right now,” he exclaimed enthusiastically.
Anggara only chuckled at his friend’s behavior. He knew all too well how Iting could never stay away from food, as evidenced by his slightly stocky build and gradually rounding belly—the classic look of a boarding-house resident who loved to snack.
Meanwhile, Arsenio looked at Anggara with deep gratitude. “You really didn’t have to go to the trouble of bringing anything, Angga. Just having you here has already made things so much more enjoyable. But thank you very much,” he said sincerely.
“You’re welcome. Just think of it as a small gesture of affection for a friend,” Anggara replied casually, making the little room feel even warmer and more homey.
“What are you two talking about? It looks like you’re having a great time. I could hear you laughing all the way outside,” Anggara asked curiously, his eyes moving between his two friends.
Arsenio gave a knowing smile, then gestured toward Iting with his chin. “The usual... Iting here is busy planning out his future, imagining a life with someone who knows where.”
“Wow, now that’s an interesting topic,” Anggara said eagerly, then turned meaningfully toward the curly-haired young man. “Don’t tell me you’re already itching to get married, Ting?”
Iting let out a long sigh and stared at the ceiling as though gazing into the distant future. “Honestly? Yes. I really want to follow in my parents’ footsteps. They got married young and have clearly been happy ever since. But... the big question is, what woman would be willing to accept me just as I am?”
“Wow, now you’re asking us?” Anggara replied with a laugh. “That’s your job—to make a move and find her yourself.”
“Where am I supposed to look?” Iting shot back, his voice sounding slightly desperate but still amusing. “You know what things are like around here. Looking for a partner here feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. Especially a future wife who fits my criteria. Most of the students at our university are Muslim, so there are automatically boundaries we have to respect. It’s hard. Really hard!”
“Then look outside the campus community. Expand your circle of friends. Who knows? Maybe your soulmate is somewhere else,” Anggara advised wisely.
The conversation about finding a partner and differences in background continued. But without either of his friends realizing it, Iting’s words seemed to pluck a delicate string in Arsenio’s heart.
His thoughts slowly drifted away from their conversation. A serene face, a sweet smile, and a pair of distinctive dimples suddenly appeared before his eyes.
Adiba.
That name and that figure had begun appearing more and more often, filling the space in his mind and leaving the young man briefly lost in his own thoughts.
Noticing that Arsenio had been sitting there silently, staring blankly and no longer participating in the conversation, Iting and Anggara exchanged glances. They nudged the young man’s shoulders at the same time.
Smack! Smack!
“Hey, Nio!” Iting called, gently shaking Arsenio’s arm.
Startled out of his reverie, Arsenio turned toward them with lightning speed. Without realizing it, the name slipped from his lips.
“Yes... Adiba!”
The room fell silent for a moment before both his friends burst into unrestrained laughter. Iting even slapped his thighs, doubled over with amusement, while Anggara laughed and shook his head.
“Wow, that’s bad!” Iting exclaimed between laughs. “You called both of us Adiba? Take a good look—the only people standing in front of you are Iting and Anggara. So why did a girl’s name come out of your mouth?”
Arsenio only then realized his blunder. His usually calm face had turned slightly red, and he quickly waved his hands, trying to smooth things over.
“Uh, sorry... I’m really sorry. I just wasn’t focused,” he said, trying to redirect their attention, his voice slightly faltering.
“Not focused, or were your thoughts just wandering far away because you were thinking about the person you mentioned?” Anggara teased, narrowing his eyes knowingly. “When someone zones out that badly, there’s usually someone special on their mind, Nio.”
“That’s not it...” Arsenio tried to deny it quickly, though he slightly avoided their gaze. “I just suddenly remembered her, that’s all. It doesn’t mean she’s someone special or anything.”
Though his mouth said that, the faint tremor in his heart said otherwise. And his two friends became even more convinced that something was beginning to take shape between them.
“Don’t even try to hide what’s really going on in your heart, Nio!” Iting declared confidently, his sharp gaze filled with playful mischief. “We’ve known you for a long time. Not once has a woman’s name ever slipped from your lips, let alone made you drift off like that. So this girl definitely has a special place in your heart... right?”
Seeing the way his two friends looked at him as though they could read his thoughts, Arsenio finally gave in. He let out a small laugh—a silent admission.
“All right, all right... You two really can read me so easily,” he said with a resigned smile. “But honestly, can someone like me have feelings for a Muslim woman?”
The question came from a place of sincerity, as though he were seeking certainty and understanding from those closest to him.
Anggara, who had been listening quietly, now nodded slowly before responding.
“There isn’t a single rule or prohibition that forbids the heart from feeling drawn to someone, Nio. Feelings come from God; we can’t force them or stop them. Besides, it’s only a crush and admiration, right? I’ve been in that position myself, admiring someone from a different background. Let’s just see it as part of life’s journey and enjoy the process without putting unnecessary pressure on ourselves.”
Hearing his friend’s wise answer, the weight in Arsenio’s heart felt a little lighter.
“All right, then. Maybe you’re right. I like her because there’s something unique about her. There’s a different kind of calm and grace in her that draws me in. Besides... everyone has the same right to like someone, don’t they?” Arsenio replied, his face calmer and more confident this time.
Seeing that their friend had begun to open up, Iting and Anggara smiled broadly and answered together, full of support.
“Yes... Of course you do!”