Several years after their school days had passed, Sinta's life began to change. She was no longer the girl who always panicked whenever she ran out of phone credit or had to ask someone else for help. Now she had a steady job at a small company and was beginning to learn how to manage her own finances.
Even as their schedules grew busier, Sinta and Raka's relationship continued. They didn't see each other every day like they used to, but they always made time to catch up with each other.
One night, Sinta sat in her room looking at old photos on her phone. There was a picture of her and Raka wearing their school uniforms. They both looked innocent, with simple smiles on their faces.
"It's kind of funny. Back then, our biggest problems were just school assignments and running out of phone credit," Sinta murmured with a smile.
Not long afterward, her phone chimed. It was a message from Raka.
"Do you still remember the phone credit installments?"
Sinta immediately let out a small laugh.
"You're still not tired of talking about that?"
"How could I forget? That was where our story began."
Sinta replied with a laughing emoji.
"When you think about it, running out of phone credit is what made me talk to you so often."
Raka replied.
"Then running out of phone credit brought us good luck."
Sinta smiled as she read the message. To her, little things like that were impossible to forget.
However, adult life began bringing new challenges. Their busy work schedules often led to disagreements. As Sinta started pursuing her career, she sometimes felt like she didn't have enough time to see Raka.
One afternoon, they met at a coffee shop they used to visit often.
"You've been really busy lately," Raka said as he stirred his drink.
Sinta looked at him. "I know. I'm sorry I hardly have any time."
"I'm not mad, Sin. I'm just afraid we'll drift farther and farther apart."
Sinta fell silent for a few moments.
"I'm afraid too, Ka. But I'm trying to build my future."
Raka nodded slowly.
"I understand. I just want to remain part of your journey."
His words made Sinta smile. She realized that Raka didn't want to stand in the way of her dreams. He only wanted to walk alongside her.
"I'm sorry if I've been so busy that I forgot to pay attention to you."
Raka smiled.
"The important thing is that you still remember me."
"How could I forget? You're the guy who used to chase me every day about my phone credit installments."
They both laughed.
The days that followed were better. Sinta and Raka began learning how to divide their time. They no longer forced themselves to always be together, but they supported each other every step of the way.
One day, Sinta got the opportunity to attend job training out of town for several months. The news made her happy and worried at the same time.
"I'm afraid everything will change if I leave," Sinta told Raka.
Raka looked at her calmly.
"If our relationship is only strong when we're close, then we don't really trust each other yet. Go. Chase your opportunity."
"But what if you feel like I've forgotten you?"
Raka smiled.
"I once waited months for you to pay your phone credit installments. You think I can't wait a few months for you to come home?"
Sinta laughed and shook her head.
"You always know how to make me laugh."
Before she left, Raka gave Sinta a small gift. It wasn't expensive, just a tiny phone-shaped keychain.
"What's this?" Sinta asked.
"A reminder."
"A reminder of what?"
"Back then, our relationship began with a little phone credit. Now don't forget to always keep the lines of communication open."
Sinta clasped the gift in her hand with a happy smile.
"I promise."
The day of her departure arrived. Sinta left carrying many new hopes with her. Even though distance separated them, their relationship only grew stronger. They often traded stories, shared their new experiences, and encouraged each other.
One night, while Sinta was video calling Raka, she saw him smiling as he held something up.
"What's that?" Sinta asked.
Raka showed her an old note.
"I found this in my schoolbook."
Sinta focused on the screen.
Written there was a little note Raka had made long ago.
"Sinta's phone credit debt: must be repaid with a smile."
Sinta immediately burst out laughing.
"You kept that?"
"Yeah. Because it's one of the simplest memories that makes me happy."
Sinta smiled. She was only just realizing that love didn't always grow from grand gestures. Sometimes, affection emerged from small acts of sincere thoughtfulness.
Years ago, she had been just a girl embarrassed because she ran out of phone credit. Now she was someone chasing her dreams alongside the person who had always supported her.
And even though their story had changed, one thing remained the same.
Raka still loved joking about the phone credit installments, and Sinta still smiled every time she heard him mention them.