I'd always wondered what it felt like to live like a celebrity.
Turns out… it's way more exhausting than I ever imagined. The blinding flashes, the shouts of the crew—it all drained the oxygen straight out of my lungs.
And today, Saka got his very first taste of it. His expression said it all: startled, awkward, yet oddly fascinated. Like he was experiencing his "First Day" as a rising star.
Before the cameras rolled, the MUA fussed over his hair and makeup. The crew swarmed his house, ready to film his daily routine—waking up, eating, working, coming home, even lazing around. Every scene had been carefully prepared by me, the Brand Strategist behind this madness.
The shoot had to wrap today. The launch was just days away—no room for error.
Saka changed outfits several times under my direction, while Yudha and Tasha scrambled to assist.
But from the very beginning, his eyes kept finding only me. That teasing gaze, that faint smile, that deliberate softness in his voice. Suddenly, I wasn't the director anymore—I was the accidental lead actress who'd stumbled onto the wrong stage.
The climax hit during the face-washing scene.
Without warning, he pulled off his T-shirt.
The crew shrieked in delight.
I forgot how to breathe. My heart pounded like a concert drum, ribs rattling under the force. Oxygen vanished, leaving me on the verge of fainting.
That scene had not been on my storyboard. But Saka did it anyway, like it was intentional. We argued. Tasha cut in with that smug grin of hers, insisting the footage was gold—viewers would love a man with Saka's physique. I caved, though my pride felt wrung dry.
The shoot carried on with bursts of laughter. Sometimes Saka was stiff, other times he had everyone doubled over with his ridiculous expressions.
By late afternoon, the crew began packing up. Yudha, Tasha, and I prepared to leave. Tomorrow's location: Manterra HQ—for the grand documentary on Saka Ardhananta's empire.
But just as I turned to go, Saka's hand closed around my wrist.
Yudha and Tasha exchanged a look—then deliberately vanished, leaving us alone.
I swallowed hard, forcing professionalism.
"What is it, Mr. Saka? Why—"
My words cut off as he pulled me close. Inches apart. My heartbeat roared in the silence.
"I've been holding myself back all day," he murmured, voice husky against my ear.
I stiffened. "W-what do you mean?"
His gaze smoldered, playful yet dangerous. "I want to… but you already know."
My throat dried. "What do you want?"
He leaned closer, lips brushing the air by my ear.
"To kiss you."
Thud.
The world froze.
I shoved him back, weakly. "Y-you pervert!"
He chuckled low, clearly savoring my panic.
"Relax. When the time's right, I'll do it—for real."
Heat scorched my cheeks. I ducked, but his finger tipped my chin back up.
"Remember what I said yesterday? That I'd chase you?"
I shook my head, dazed. "I… don't understand what you mean."
His smile deepened, warm and resolute. "I want to date you. To prove I'm serious about you."
I panicked. "But… I haven't even showered yet! You're insane!"
He leaned in, mock-sniffing. "You still smell good. Always."
I crossed my arms, flustered. "And if I say no?"
Without warning, he swept me up—bridal style.
My heart shot straight out of my chest. "A-Arda! Put me down!"
Instead, he carried me with infuriating ease, locking the door one-handed like it was nothing. I hid my face in my hands, trapped against his chest.
But the moment we stepped outside, his footsteps halted.
I peeked—then froze solid.
Across the street, my parents stood.
Wide-eyed. Taking everything in.
Saka didn't flinch. Instead, he smiled and nodded, as if formally asking their blessing.
Me? My knees buckled. My face combusted. My soul begged for an eject button out of this world.
The only sound left was the thunder of my disgraceful heartbeat.
~~~
The car sliced through the city as dusk bled into night. Traffic snarled, horns blared, but inside—silence. Heavy, pressing, unbearable.
He should've explained where we were going. Instead, he sat there like a secret agent carrying classified intel.
"Where exactly are we going?" I finally snapped.
Saka glanced over, lips quirking. The smile was clearly fake—but maddeningly effective.
"Secret. You'll see."
I groaned. Typical. Asking him was pointless; the ending was always the same—my blood pressure skyrocketing.
Minutes later, the car turned into the lot of a luxury boutique. The glowing sign alone made my debit card tremble.
Oh no. One dress here could cost two years of motorcycle payments.
Saka killed the engine. I grabbed his hand in panic.
"Why are we here?"
"To buy clothes," he said, casual as ever.
He leaned closer, dropping his voice half an octave.
"Or did you think I came to… renovate the store?"
I glared. "What the hell!"
"We're going on a date. You can't show up in your office uniform." His tone was pure teacher scolding a student.
I glanced down at my blouse and pencil skirt. Okay, maybe he had a point. Still, did it have to be here?
"Why this place? It's ridiculously expensive! You could spend that money on literally anything more useful."
He chuckled, threading his fingers through mine.
"Ayu… as long as you're with me, you can pick anything you want. I'll take care of the rest."
Thud. His words landed too smooth, too sweet. I turned sharply to the window, hiding my flushed face.
"You're impossible."
"Who's impossible? If you won't get out…" His eyes glinted dangerously. "…I can always carry you. Again."
I yanked his arm. "Don't you dare! I'll walk myself."
Satisfied, he ruffled my hair like I was his pet cat. "I'll wait outside."
I took a few seconds to breathe before stepping out. But the moment I did, his hand found mine again—firm, warm, possessive. He led me inside like we were already a public couple.
The boutique staff descended with professional smiles. Within seconds, I was buried under an avalanche of clothes—elegant dresses, chic blouses, and—oh God—couple outfits.
"Ayu, try this."
"That one too."
"This black one is perfect for you."
I became a mannequin forced into endless wardrobe changes. After a dozen outfits, my lungs protested, my legs cursed, and my dignity waved the white flag.
Saka? Lounged on the sofa like a smug fashion judge. Sometimes serious, sometimes grinning faintly whenever I stepped out. That smile made me want to throw a hanger at his head—but also sent my heart reeling.
In the end, he bought me ten outfits. And five couple sets.
Five. Exactly.
My wallet cried even though it wasn't my money. The price tags alone matched my monthly salary, but Saka handed over his black card like he was paying for parking.
Social inequality had never slapped me harder.
We left with arms full of glossy paper bags. In the parking lot, Saka loaded them into the trunk.
"We're heading home now, right?" I asked hopefully.
He looked over, smiled—and shook his head. "Not yet. There's another place."
"Where?" I asked quickly.
Instead of answering, he rounded the car and opened the passenger door.
"Your carriage awaits, Princess. Your Prince will drive you."
I scoffed, but the corners of my lips betrayed me. He knew exactly how to melt me. With a sigh, I slid inside, letting him close the door gently.
The engine purred to life. For a moment, I studied his profile—the strong jawline, the determined eyes, the steady hands on the wheel. The way he treated me. The way he made me feel chosen.
Maybe people were right. Sometimes, you have to break first before you find the one willing to fight for you.
And that evening, I realized something.
That person was sitting right beside me.
And foolishly, recklessly, I knew…
I'd already fallen too deep.
~~~
The car rolled to a stop just as night had fully swallowed the sky. Darkness stretched endlessly, leaving only the dim glow of streetlights flickering against the silence.
We had stopped earlier at a public restroom—just enough time for me to touch up my smudged makeup and change into the dreaded couple outfit Saka had insisted on. At first, I flatly refused. But in the end… somehow, I caved.
Now here we were, standing before the iron gates of a familiar schoolyard. The moment I saw it, I knew exactly where we were.
I stepped out first, the cool air brushing my skin. Behind me, Saka closed the door with a soft click. For a second, I caught him slipping something into his pocket—but I didn't ask.
A security guard greeted us warmly. We exchanged a few words. Of course, he still remembered me—after all, Mami worked here. And he remembered Saka too. His father had once been a generous donor for the school.
After some pleasantries, Saka politely asked permission to enter. The guard obliged, opening the gates just enough for us to slip through. His car remained parked outside, while we continued in on foot.
Inside, the school was bathed in scattered pools of light. The halls hadn't changed much. A gentle breeze carried the scent of damp leaves, tugging me straight back into the past.
Without warning, Saka reached for my hand. "Come on," he said softly. "Let's walk around."
Our footsteps echoed in the quiet corridors, blending with the distant hum of crickets. His palm was warm against mine, grounding me as though the school itself was bearing witness to us.
We wandered through the places that had once defined our world—classrooms, the library, the back garden. Each corner seemed to whisper memories of who we used to be.
In the garden, Saka suddenly bolted ahead. "Hey!" I yelped, startled, then chased after him instinctively. My heart hammered, half from running, half from laughter.
We ended up at the wide, open field. Breathless, I collapsed onto the grass. "I'm dying," I muttered, clutching my knees.
Saka dropped down beside me, guilt flickering across his face. "Sorry. I pushed too much."
I straightened, forcing a grin. "Who said I'm tired? Totally fine."
His lips curved mischievously. "If you're not tired, then let's run some more. There's a place I want to show you." Without waiting, he sprinted off again.
"Wait—what?! Where are you going?!"
He only laughed, glancing back. "Secret! Just follow me!"
I groaned. Damn my pride. With no choice, I took off after him again—thank God I wasn't wearing heels tonight.
~~~
We left the school grounds, running down a street that grew darker with each step. Streetlights thinned out until the path dipped into near-shadow.
Then—crack! My foot slipped into a hole.
"Ah!" I cried out, falling to the ground. Pain shot up my ankle as I clutched it.
Saka doubled back instantly, dropping to a crouch before me. His expression was stricken. "What happened? Are you okay?" His hands were already massaging my ankle gently.
"I think… I twisted it," I winced.
"Should we go to a hospital?" His voice carried raw worry.
I shook my head quickly. "No. You said we were going somewhere, right? Where exactly?"
He exhaled, half-annoyed, half-amused. "Even now, you're still curious. Can you walk?"
"I'll try." With his help, I stood, limping a few steps. The sharp stab of pain returned instantly. I bit back a groan.
Saka stilled, then slowly turned his back toward me. "Get on."
"H-huh?"
He glanced over his shoulder, gaze steady, voice gentle. "I'll carry you. You don't have to endure this alone."
My chest tightened. But in the end, I gave in, climbing onto his back. His steps were firm, every stride steady as though he'd carried me a thousand times before.
"So…" I murmured near his ear, "where are we going?"
A chuckle rumbled through his chest. "You really haven't noticed? We're heading to our old favorite place."
I blinked, then realization hit. "The lake?"
"Exactly. Don't tell me you've forgotten."
"I didn't forget," I huffed. "I just… don't remember the way at night."
He laughed softly. "That's the same thing, Ayu."
"It's not."
"Then tell me the difference."
I scowled. "It just… is. By the way, I'm not heavy, am I?"
"You're unbelievably heavy. I can barely walk." He teased, smirking.
My jaw dropped. "What?! My weight is perfectly normal! Fine, put me down then!"
"Relax, I'm kidding." His voice softened. "Even if you gained ten times more, I'd still carry you."
I froze. Somehow, that one sentence was sweeter than all his playful banter combined.
We kept talking as he carried me, trading small jokes and silly arguments, the night air filling with the warmth of laughter.
At last, we reached the lake. He set me gently down on the old bench we used to claim as ours. The moonlight shimmered on the water's surface, scattering silver across the ripples.
"Does it still hurt?" he asked quietly.
I smiled faintly. "It's better now."
His shoulders eased with relief. "Good."
I tilted my head at him. "So… why bring me here?"
"Because back then, we never saw this place at night. I wanted to fix that." He hesitated, then added, "And… there's one more reason."
"What is it?"
"Do you think you ever left something with me?"
I frowned, searching my memory, then shook my head. "I don't think so."
His lips curved as he slipped a hand into his pocket. When he pulled it out, my breath hitched.
"This."
A handycam. A gift from Kak Raka, back when our bond was still warm and unbroken. The one I once entrusted to him, as if leaving a piece of my memories in his hands. And on its side, that nerdy sticker still clings—fragile yet faithful, like a trace of the past that never truly fades.
"You… you still kept it?" My voice cracked.
"Why would I throw it away? It holds so many of our memories."
I powered it on, scrolling through old videos, old photos, old laughter. Nostalgia flooded me, and for a moment, I forgot everything else. Until I realized Saka had been watching me the entire time.
"What?" I asked softly. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Instead of answering, he lifted his chin toward the sky. "Look."
I followed his gaze. Stars blanketed the night, countless and radiant.
"Ayu," his voice was barely above a whisper, "do you see them? So many are in pairs. Each with their own story. I want our love to be one of them. A story that shines for the world to see."
My chest constricted. How could someone love me this deeply, this fiercely?
"Arda…" My eyes stung with tears, but I smiled through them. "Then let's make our story shine—so bright the world can't look away."
He smiled back, soft yet unshakable. I leaned my head against his shoulder, and together we gazed at the endless stars.
And under that vast sky, I knew with reckless certainty—our story had already begun to glow.
As the stars shimmered above us, I tightened my hold on the handycam. My chest ached with a bittersweet longing—not just for the memories it carried, but for the bond I once shared with my brother.
"Kak Raka…" I whispered inside, though my lips didn't dare let the words slip.
Somewhere deep within me, a quiet hope sparked. That one day, when the wounds between us finally healed, we could sit side by side again. Maybe even laugh over these old recordings, the way we used to.
~~~
EPILOGUE ✨
The anger I had nurtured for years turned out to be nothing more than a misunderstanding. And now, all that remains is regret—because the person I blamed the most was the very one who had been protecting me all along.
This time, it's not about me and Saka, but about me and Kak Raka. About a secret I never knew, one that even my family might not have known.
After leaving the lake, Saka helped me walk to a supermarket on the main street. He went inside to buy water and band-aids, while I sat on a bench out front, massaging my aching ankle.
Moments later, a familiar voice called out.
"Hey… Caca, right?"
I turned. A man in his early thirties stood before me, holding a plastic shopping bag.
"Yes… Kak Doni?" I answered cautiously, afraid I might be mistaken.
He smiled and nodded. "That's right. How are you, Ca? It's been so long since I last saw you."
I smiled faintly. Kak Doni had been one of Kak Raka's closest friends since high school and all through college. They stayed close, even in different majors, because they were still in the same faculty.
"I'm doing well. How about you, Kak Doni? I don't see you with Kak Raka much these days."
"I'm good too. We're both busy now. I'm tied up with my workshop, and Raka's busy as an IT consultant at a company, right?"
I nodded slightly. My brother had graduated in Informatics Engineering, and now he worked as an IT consultant at a company I barely knew about. The truth is, I rarely talked to him after the accident—right when I was graduating from high school.
As far as I knew, Kak Doni had studied Mechanical Engineering, so it made sense that he now ran his own workshop.
"Wow, so you own your own workshop now? I didn't know that."
He looked at me in surprise. "You didn't know? Didn't your motorbike just get fixed the other day? Raka did it at my shop."
I froze. I had thought Papa was the one who repaired it—but it had been Kak Raka, quietly, without telling anyone.
"Caca… did Raka never tell you anything? Not even about the accident years ago?" Kak Doni asked carefully.
My heart skipped a beat.
What did he mean? All this time, I thought the accident had been simply because Kak Raka joined an illegal street race. Nothing more.
"What do you mean? Wasn't it just because of the street race?"
"That's true. But… did you ever wonder why he agreed to race in the first place?"
I fell silent. He was right. Every action has its reason.
"Wasn't it because he liked hanging out with that motorcycle gang? Didn't people say he often raced with them?"
Kak Doni shook his head. "Ca, yes, Raka was part of the group—but he never joined the races. That day, he only did it because he was forced to."
"Forced? What do you mean?"
"He did it for extra money… for your tuition."
My whole body went weak. His words hit me like a hammer. My tuition had always been expensive, since my major—Visual Communication Design—was only available at a private university.
Suddenly, guilt swallowed me whole. All this time, I had seen him as nothing but trouble. I even believed he ruined my dreams. But the truth was… he sacrificed himself for me.
"Unfortunately, that day he had the accident. Since then, Raka was never the same. He shut down, grew cold," Kak Doni continued.
I lowered my head, tears welling up. How cruel I had been, ignoring my own brother without knowing the truth he carried.
"Caca, try reaching out to Raka again. He always loved you. Even when he fixed your motorbike, he only wanted you to be safe and comfortable."
The tears I had been holding back finally burst. "Thank you, Kak Doni… thank you for telling me. I feel like the most horrible person in the world."
He smiled gently. "Don't say that. Well, I should get going. Do you need a ride?"
I shook my head. "No, thank you. I'm with a friend."
"Alright then. Take care, Ca."
After Kak Doni left, Saka came out of the store with a plastic bag in hand. He froze when he saw me crying. Without thinking, I hugged him tightly.
"Arda… Kak Raka…" I sobbed into his shoulder.
He stroked my back softly. "What's wrong, Ayu? Tell me slowly."
I looked at him with swollen eyes. "I was wrong. I thought Kak Raka was the reason my dreams collapsed, but all along… he was sacrificing for me."
Saka handed me a bottle of water and listened quietly until I finished pouring my heart out. Then he gently treated my wound and drove me home.
On the way to pick up Saka's car at school, he spoke in a low, thoughtful tone, "Ayu… I used to think that people who made mistakes were just bad. But sometimes, maybe they simply had no choice."
"Maybe Kak Raka only wanted to prove himself as a brother who wanted his sister to reach her dream. But fate had other plans. It wasn't his fault. It was fate."
I sat in silence. He was right. All this time, I had been too focused on my own wounds, never once considering my brother's.
When we arrived home, Saka helped me inside. On the porch, I saw Kak Raka sitting, his face full of worry—and hesitation. As if he feared I would turn him away.
I drew in a shaky breath and whispered, "Kak Raka…"
He stood. I limped forward and, without hesitation, hugged him tightly. "Kak… I'm sorry," I sobbed, clinging to his shirt as if letting go would mean losing my last chance.
His body stiffened at first, but then his hand gently stroked my hair.
"So… you know now?" he murmured.
"Yes. Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"It wasn't that I didn't want to. I was afraid… if you knew, you'd just blame yourself."
I looked up at him through blurred tears. "But I regret it more—that I spent all this time hating you."
That night, the frozen distance between us melted at last.
When we entered the living room, Mama, Papa, and Elan looked startled at the sight of us together. But Kak Raka and I only shared a quiet smile. It was a secret we chose to keep between us.
We opened the handycam I had received for my 17th birthday. Old recordings flickered on screen: Papa's laughter, Mama's warm smile, Elan's playful jokes, and Kak Raka—always there in silence, always watching over us.
That night, our living room filled with laughter again.
Maybe there's no such thing as a perfect family. But there are families who find their way back—despite the cracks, despite the wrong turns.
On the screen, our laughter remained eternal. Like tiny stars preserving light, even as nights come and go.
Perhaps this is what happiness truly means—remembering that we will always have each other.