That afternoon, Nadeera's mom and dad finally headed back to Jakarta, escorted by Nadeera and everyone there—including Rangga's family—as far as the front of the house.
The sadness Nadeera felt at being left alone in Jogja had briefly made her want to return to Jakarta, especially because of Rangga's indifferent attitude toward her. But she abandoned the idea.
She had been the one who insisted on moving back to Jogja, so she couldn't be selfish and want to return to Jakarta just because Rangga was ignoring her.
She thought maybe it was because this was the first time they'd met after so long, and Rangga still felt awkward around her.
“Sweetie, take care of yourself here!” Nadeera's mom said as she hugged her beloved daughter.
“Make up with Rangga soon!” she whispered.
“Yeah, Mom,” Nadeera replied briefly.
“Your dad and I will be fine in Jakarta!” she added.
“Of course, sweetheart,” Nadeera's mom said.
“Listen, your mom has no right to interfere in things between you and Rangga, but you're going to be staying here for a long time, so talk to him soon!” Nadeera's mom whispered again, earning a small nod from Nadeera.
Nadeera hadn't told her mom about her problem with Rangga that afternoon because she was still confused about why he was acting that way toward her.
“Rangga, remember what I told you this afternoon. Don't try anything funny!” Nadeera's dad said to Rangga as they shook hands.
“Yes, sir. I remember!” Rangga replied briefly with a smile.
“Please look after Nadeera,” Nadeera's mom said to Eyang before shaking her hand and hugging her.
“Don't worry, dear,” Eyang replied, stroking her daughter's head.
After saying their goodbyes, Nadeera's parents left in their car that afternoon. One by one, everyone else there went home as well.
“Nadeera, if you need anything, tell Auntie, okay? And if you get lonely, you can come over and hang out with Rangga—and Rena too,” Auntie Intan said while holding both of Nadeera's hands.
“Okay, Auntie. Thank you,” Nadeera replied happily.
“All right, we'll head home now. You must be tired, so get some rest!” Auntie Intan told Nadeera.
“Okay, Auntie. I was just about to finish putting my things away first, hehe,” Nadeera said.
“Do it tomorrow so Rangga can help you. I'll send him over,” Auntie Intan said, shifting her gaze toward Rangga, who was playing with Rena.
“Really, Auntie? I don't want to bother Rangga.”
“Of course not, sweetheart. You won't be bothering him. Rangga doesn't have anything to do at home anyway,” Auntie Intan said reassuringly.
“Okay, Auntie. Thank you.” Nadeera then hugged Auntie Intan tightly.
“All right, all right. Auntie's going home now.”
“Peace be upon you.”
“And peace be upon you.”
That exhausting day finally came to an end, replaced by a new day the following morning. Nadeera woke up very early and soon joined Tuti in the kitchen, busying herself with the stove, frying pan, and hot oil as she helped prepare breakfast.
“So you've been living here this whole time for the past five years?” Nadeera asked Tuti, keeping her focus on the tempeh she was slicing in front of her.
“Yes,” Tuti replied with a small smile.
“Don't you ever go back to your hometown?” Nadeera asked again.
“If I go home, Eyang will be here all alone.”
“Oh, that's true. I feel bad for Eyang if she's alone, but I feel bad for you too since you can't go home.”
“I'm fine. Now that we have cell phones, I can still call my family.”
“But it's not the same as seeing them in person.”
“Yeah.”
“Now that I'm here, you can go home.”
“Really, Rara?”
“Really. Just make a schedule for when you want to go home.”
“Peace be upon you,” a voice called from the front of the house.
“Who is that?” Tuti asked.
“I'll go see,” Tuti said.
“No, I'll do it!” Nadeera told Tuti. She set down the knife in her hand and hurried to the front. She already knew who the voice belonged to.
“And peace be upon you,” Nadeera called from inside the house, her heart lifting with excitement.
“Oh, Rangga! Come on in!” Nadeera invited the owner of the voice.
“Yeah,” he replied curtly before walking inside without paying any attention to Nadeera.
“You're here early,” Nadeera said. She realized Rangga was ignoring her but tried to remain friendly anyway.
“Mom told me to come,” he replied indifferently.