Back in Bandung
An hour later, the bullet train arrived. The two got off at the station. Elsa looked around.
"Can't believe I'm back here again, but at least this time I'm with Adrian," Elsa thought to herself.
"Come on, let's head out first, right?" Adrian suggested.
"Yeah, we'll go out, then grab public transportation," Elsa replied.
"Alright, I've never ridden public transportation before, haha," Adrian chuckled.
"Hehe, first experience with me!" Elsa said, linking her arm with Adrian's.
They walked out and hopped into an angkot waiting at the station. Adrian looked back, seeing the city of Bandung, which seemed similar yet different from Jakarta. After navigating through traffic, they arrived at a crossroad. Elsa motioned for Adrian to get off, then they walked along the road to the right until the very end. Once they reached the end, Elsa stopped and turned left.
"This is my house," Elsa said, pointing to an old colonial-era house in front of them.
"Hmm, this is it, huh? It's nice, vintage," Adrian said, looking at the house.
"You're not teasing, are you?" Elsa asked.
"No, genuinely," Adrian replied.
"Hehe, good," Elsa said, pulling a key from her bag and walking towards the gate.
Elsa unlocked the padlock and opened the gate, then they walked inside. Elsa opened the main door and entered with Adrian.
"I'm home, grandpa, grandma," Elsa murmured.
Of course, no one answered. All the furniture inside was covered in plastic, and the dust was thick, as no one had been there for over a year. Adrian walked in, looking at the dusty photos displayed on the walls and shelves. He picked up a picture: a young Elsa being lifted by her arms by a middle-aged man wearing glasses. Elsa's face looked incredibly cheerful.
"How old were you when you started living here?" Adrian asked.
"Hmm, how old... around 6, I think? I forgot," Elsa replied.
"Oh, so you've been with your grandparents all this time?" Adrian asked.
"Yeah, my mom and dad divorced, and then I was left here. They divorced because they fought over my bro—"
"Okay, you've already told me. No need to go over it again, right?" Adrian interrupted Elsa.
"Hehe, thanks," Elsa replied.
Elsa started cleaning her house, and Adrian helped her. Suddenly, "Knock... knock... knock!" Both turned to the door. They saw a chubby middle-aged man standing in the open doorway. Elsa, recognizing the man, walked over to him, accompanied by Adrian.
"Oh, Mr. Neighborhood Association ?" Elsa asked, referring to the neighborhood head.
"You're home, Elsa... oh, you... you have legs now?" Mr. Neighborhood Association asked.
"Yes, Uncle, I just had surgery," Elsa lied.
"Oh, thank goodness! Your grandparents would be so happy to see you recovered. And who is this?" Mr. Neighborhood Association asked, pointing at Adrian.
"My name is Adrian," Adrian said, extending his hand.
"He's my fiancée," Elsa added.
"Oh, really? Wow, that's great, Elsa! You've grown so much now, haha," Mr. Neighborhood Association said happily, shaking Adrian's hand.
"What's up, Uncle? How did you know I was here?" Elsa asked.
"You just passed by my house earlier, but I didn't greet you right away because I was afraid I was mistaken. Since you're here, there's something I want to talk to you about. Come over to my house, okay?" Mr. Neighborhood Association invited.
"What do you want to talk about, Uncle?" Elsa asked.
"It's pretty important, actually. Just come to my house, okay? Come on," Mr. Neighborhood Association said, turning around.
Finally, they left the house, closed the door, and followed Mr. RT to his house. After sitting in the living room and being offered drinks,
"So, here's the thing, Elsa. The local government wants to redevelop this road. All the houses here are going to be demolished and turned into a housing complex. Now, your house is at the very end and visible from two directions. Besides, your house is truly old-fashioned; it would be a shame to destroy it. So, I suggested to the local government if your house could be made a cultural heritage site. They agreed, but I had to talk to you because you have all the deeds," Mr. Neighborhood Association explained.
"What's the reason they want to redevelop this road, Uncle? The houses on this street still seem perfectly fine," Adrian asked.
"Well, you know how it is. They're looking for projects. At first, many residents refused, but they kept coaxing them. Many even said the property taxes here were intentionally raised to make people move," Mr. Neighborhood Association replied.
"Hmm, I see. What happens if it becomes a cultural heritage site, Uncle?" Adrian asked.
"Well, the local government buys it, usually at the standard property value. Then the local government renovates it. That's usually how it works, but I'm not sure about this time," Mr. Neighborhood Association answered.
Adrian looked at a small box above Mr. RT's head. He read Mr. Neighborhood Association's thoughts, who was sitting in front of him:
[Sorry, Elsa, I tried to save your house because I knew your grandparents well, but there's no other way. My position is difficult, and I can't refuse.]
Adrian turned to look at Elsa, who was stunned and silent. He held Elsa's hand, and Elsa turned to look at him.
"Well, what else can I do? I agree, Uncle. The important thing is it won't be destroyed, right?" Elsa asked.
"No, but it will most likely be renovated," Mr. Neighborhood Association replied.
"Alright then, so what all do you need, Uncle?" Elsa asked.
Mr. Neighborhood Association opened his smartphone and showed Elsa a message from the local government office detailing what was needed. If Elsa didn't understand anything, she asked Mr. Neighborhood Association. After that,
"Okay then," Elsa said.
"Alright, so when can you come here again to take care of it directly?" Mr. Neighborhood Association asked.
"Can I discuss it with him first?" Elsa asked, pointing to Adrian next to her.
"Oh, please do. If you need anything later, just come back here, okay?" Mr. Neighborhood Association replied.
"Alright then, we'll get going, Uncle," Elsa said, standing up.
"Hey, have a drink first," Mr. Neighborhood Association countered.
Both immediately drank, then said goodbye again and left Mr. Neighborhood Association's house. All the way from Mr. Neighborhood Association's house back to hers, Elsa was silent, holding Adrian's hand, who was also silent. After entering the house, Elsa walked into the living room, then went to the back. She opened the kitchen door at the back, looked at the backyard, and touched a broken swing, accompanied by Adrian.
After that, she went upstairs, which was a storage area, then she came back down and started entering room after room. She went into her own room, which was still full of her belongings from when she was little. Despite the dust, Elsa touched the table, chair, closet, and sat on the edge of her bed. Elsa looked around, smiling.
Then she entered the next room, her grandparents' room from when they were alive. She just peeked in and closed the door again. Then she stood in front of Adrian and smiled.
"Alright, let's find a hotel to stay in," Elsa said, smiling.
Adrian immediately embraced Elsa, burying her head in his chest. Then Elsa's hands rose and hugged Adrian.
"Let it all out first," Adrian said.
"Waaaaaaaaaaah!" Elsa sobbed uncontrollably in Adrian's embrace.
"You're strong, Elsa. Let it all out, don't hold back," Adrian said, stroking Elsa's head.
"This is my home, my grandparents' home, all my memories are here. I don't want to give it up, but what else can I do? I don't want this house to be taken, I don't want it," Elsa cried.
"I know, I know. How about we just sleep in your room tonight? No need to look for a hotel," Adrian suggested.
"But it's small, and there's only one bed," Elsa replied.
"It'll fit, don't worry. Let's clean it first," Adrian said.
"Y-yeah, let's," Elsa replied.
Adrian took Elsa's hand and led her back into her room. Then they cleaned the room of dust and dirt so they could use it for the night. Elsa turned to look at Adrian, who took off his shirt, rolled up his pants, then put on a bandana and mask while sweeping the floor.
"Thank you, honey. Thank you for reminding me. No matter how many memories are in it, a house is just a house, just an object. My real home is you, honey. You're where I come home to," Elsa said, smiling.