The days after that meeting felt increasingly difficult for Cinta and Raka. They tried to act as they always had, joking with each other and spending time together. Yet every time their eyes met, they found feelings they could no longer ignore.
Cinta began keeping her distance. She spent more time helping Grandma in the kitchen or reading in her room. It wasn't because she wanted to stay away from Raka, but because she was afraid her feelings would grow deeper.
Meanwhile, Raka could only watch from afar. He knew that what they felt would not be easy for anyone to accept.
One afternoon, they met at the rice-field edge, the place where they used to love playing as children.
"Do you regret that we met again?" Raka asked softly.
Cinta shook her head as she gazed at the evening sky.
"No. I only regret that my heart chose someone it shouldn't have."
Silence settled over them. The only sound was the wind blowing softly through the sprawling rice fields.
Unbeknownst to them, Grandma watched them together from a distance. Though she didn't yet know what either of them was feeling, her intuition told her that something had changed.
That night, Grandma spoke to Cinta.
"Cinta, you and Raka have been close since childhood. But remember, there are boundaries that must be respected."
Her words left Cinta speechless. Her chest felt tight. All she could do was nod, unable to explain anything.
In her room, Cinta cried silently. She realized that the feelings growing in her heart would not only hurt her, but could also destroy the harmony of their family.
Meanwhile, Raka gazed at the night sky from the veranda of his house. For the first time, he wished those feelings had never existed.
Yet the harder they tried to avoid each other, the more fate kept bringing them together at every turn.
And without realizing it, they had a much greater trial waiting for them ahead.