The journey from the Kebun Kopi area along the extreme Trans Sulawesi route connecting Palu City and Parigi Moutong Regency to the nearest airport, Mutiara Sis Al-Jufri Airport in Palu, took around one and a half to two and a half hours by car, covering roughly forty to sixty kilometers.
The road was full of sharp curves, steep uphill and downhill stretches, and the risk of fog or landslides.
Mayang rested her head against the car door, her face looking gloomy.
After arriving at the airport, they went straight inside. Not long afterward, they checked in and boarded the plane that would take them to Juanda Airport in Surabaya.
During the flight, Mayang leaned her head against the seat and began to close her eyes.
“Aren’t you ever coming back here?”
Mayang instantly opened her eyes when she heard the very familiar voice in her ear.
“What’s wrong, May?” Joenathan asked.
“Did you hear something?”
“I didn’t hear anything.”
“A man’s voice talking.”
“No one’s been talking this whole time.”
Mayang leaned back against her seat again.
“Am I starting to hallucinate?” she wondered.
Not long afterward, the plane carrying them landed at Juanda Airport in Surabaya.
Mayang’s parents were already waiting for them in the terminal’s waiting area.
“How was your vacation? Was it fun?” Pak Roji asked.
Mayang and Joenathan exchanged glances. Mayang signaled for Joenathan to answer.
“Why are you two so quiet? Joe, May?”
The moment her name was called, Mayang pretended to be asleep. She quickly rested her head back and closed her eyes.
Joenathan turned toward Mayang and grumbled, “Ah, crap. I’m the one who gets stuck with this again.”
“It was fun, Pak Dhe. I was just a little busy, so Mayang couldn’t fully enjoy her vacation.”
“Well, you can take another vacation next time.”
As soon as they got home, Mayang went straight to her room and began brooding again until late at night.
In her sleep, she returned to the place where she had first met the figure who was a prince from the supernatural realm.
“Huh? I’m back here again?” she murmured softly.
But this time, it wasn’t the prince’s invitation that brought her into the supernatural realm. It was her own dream.
Mayang wandered through the magnificent city. There, she felt as if she were in her own hometown. Even though she didn’t know anyone there, she didn’t feel worried. The city seemed incredibly safe.
When her feet grew tired, Mayang sat down on a wooden bench in a beautiful park. The flowers there were breathtaking. Thin, delicate wisps of smoke even drifted from their petals, filling the air with a wonderful fragrance.
In the distance, Mayang saw a male figure with his robe billowing as he ran swiftly toward her.
Mayang narrowed her eyes to sharpen her vision. She recognized that physique, but she refused to believe it.
“There’s no way he’s the prince, right?” she thought.
Then he stopped right in front of Mayang, standing between her and the midday sunlight shining onto her face.
His face was incredibly handsome, his eyes clear and bright, and his smile dazzling.
“Y-you?”
Mayang spoke softly, hiding the awe in her heart.
“You’re back?” the prince said, smiling so hard his eyes narrowed.
He immediately wrapped his arms around Mayang’s petite body, which reached only to the bottom of his broad chest.
His scent made Mayang feel calm in his embrace. But then she remembered that she couldn’t let herself get carried away.
Mayang pushed the prince away until he released her.
“We’re nothing to each other, so don’t just hug me,” Mayang said, crossing both arms in front of her body.