Times have changed. The internet has become the fastest bridge for everything—news, gossip, even promotional videos. One click, and the whole world is watching.
That's exactly what happened with Manterra.
Saka's very first promotional video—a simple glimpse into his daily life—blew up overnight. Hundreds of thousands of views, thousands of comments, most of them from women. They fell for the cold smile, the sharp gaze, the charisma no one could look away from.
The effect was undeniable. Manterra's newest product was instantly flooded with pre-orders, even before its official release. Strangely, the majority of buyers were women. Some claimed they wanted to gift it to their partners or brothers… while others admitted they just wanted to own something connected to Saka Ardhananta.
Two days later, the second documentary dropped.
But this time, Saka wasn't only selling his face and charisma—he opened his heart. He confessed that there was someone he wished would always stay in his life.
Half the viewers were heartbroken. The other half called him the ultimate green flag. And, of course, the internet burned with curiosity: Who is she?
Despite rumors of delays due to the Ardhananta family scandal, the overwhelming public enthusiasm pushed Manterra to move forward. The launch would happen as scheduled.
The venue stood magnificent. The product was displayed in elegance, spotlights casting an aura of exclusivity. Media buzzed with anticipation, employees prepared the livestream. After the grand reveal, the doors would open to the public, complete with massive discounts.
Cayra arrived with Tasha and Yudha. Mbak Rania sat in the front row, an exclusive guest—personally invited by Saka.
At first, everything felt normal. Background music. Chatter. The MC's polished voice.
Until the atmosphere shifted.
Whispers spread like wildfire. Chairs creaked, heads turned. The spotlight shifted to the main aisle, and each echoing footstep carried weight, authority, power.
Cayra, still glued to her phone, looked up when Tasha suddenly pulled on her sleeve and slipped a mask over her face.
"What's going on? Why the mask?" Cayra whispered, panic edging her voice.
"Don't ask. Just stand," Tasha hissed.
Cayra obeyed, her chest pounding. Then she heard it—the steady, heavy footsteps. Her pulse froze.
The Ardhananta family.
They moved with graceful command, every gesture radiating class. And from the front of the procession, a pair of razor-sharp eyes locked directly on her.
Saka's father.
His gaze cut like a blade, as if weighing her worth in a single glance. Cayra's fingers clenched her clutch, her knees trembling, her throat bone-dry.
When they finally passed and sat in the front row, the whispers died down. Everything returned to normal.
Everything… except Cayra.
From the back, she felt like a shadow.
While in the front, under the spotlight, the Ardhanantas sat like royalty.
Her chest tightened. Worlds apart.
Then her eyes found him.
Saka, at the podium. Calm. Confident. His faint smile owned the entire room.
Her teeth dug into her lip as her heart whispered bitterly:
Am I even meant for him? Or have I only ever been an audience—never part of his world?
~~~
The launch unfolded in grandeur. Applause thundered as the product was revealed. Guests swarmed forward—including the elegant woman Cayra had seen with Saka earlier, the one even the Ardhanantas greeted warmly.
Her chest twisted. She lowered her gaze. "I need to leave," she muttered to Tasha.
But before she could take a step—
The lights flickered.
Then went out.
A hush swept the room. A faint ripple of panic followed.
One spotlight snapped on.
Straight onto Cayra.
Her breath caught.
Another light revealed Saka, descending from the podium with a microphone in hand. His voice, low yet steady, filled the silence.
"She doesn't even know I'm about to do this. Her name… is Cayra Ayudhia Astagina."
Gasps erupted.
"She's the one I spoke of in the documentary. The girl who has been my one and only… since high school."
He stopped in front of her, gripping her hand tightly.
"Ayu, there may be women more beautiful, more perfect. But to me… no one is more precious than you."
Then, he knelt. A ring glimmered in his hand.
"Will you marry me?"
The hall exploded. Say yes! Say yes!
Tears blurred Cayra's vision. Her fingers trembled. I was the one who left him. The one who once belittled him. Do I even deserve this love?
But when her gaze met Saka's—once cold, now burning with certainty—she knew there was only one answer.
"Yes," she whispered.
The crowd erupted in cheers. Saka slipped the ring onto her finger. The giant screen lit up—showing photos and videos from their high school days.
Her sobs broke. He had kept everything.
Saka pulled her into his arms. "You've always been there. And from today on… you'll always be by my side."
The Ardhanantas rose, one by one. His mother embraced her warmly, his siblings smiled, even his father finally lowered his head.
"If my son chooses you, then so do I."
Tears streamed freely down her face as she tightened her grip on Saka's hand.
He leaned close, his whisper brushing her ear.
"See, Ayu… our love won over everything."
And under the dazzling lights, the deafening cheers, the countless cameras broadcasting this moment to the world—Cayra knew.
The love she once thought impossible… was real, right beside her.
~~~
Cayra never imagined she would be welcomed so warmly by Saka's family. For weeks, her mind had been haunted by fear—of being shunned, compared, maybe even humiliated. But reality turned out to be the complete opposite.
Now, here she was, sitting at a long dining table covered in lavish dishes, surrounded by the Ardhanantas' friendly smiles.
Even more shocking, Tasha was here. And the secret she had just discovered almost made Cayra choke on her food: Tasha was Saka's cousin. His mother was the younger sister of Tasha's father. The world suddenly felt ridiculously small, and Cayra could only stare at Tasha with a seriously?! expression while her best friend grinned innocently.
But that wasn't the peak of surprises.
Out of nowhere, Cayra's own family appeared at the Ardhananta residence, stepping right into the dining room—she had no idea who had invited them. Yet Saka's mother immediately greeted them with delight, introducing them as "our new family."
Cayra nearly fainted. She braced herself for cold rejection, but instead, the Ardhanantas burst into applause—as if welcoming royalty.
The meal began. Conversations flowed easily, laughter echoed. Saka watched it all with quiet relief. His dream had been simple: to see both families sitting at the same table. And now, that dream had come true.
Cayra stayed quiet. Everything felt too perfect, too surreal. Like a parallel world had suddenly opened up just for her.
Then came the sound of slow footsteps. Someone had just entered the dining room.
The laughter faded into silence. Every head turned.
Cayra froze.
That woman… it couldn't be.
A petite figure, slightly hunched, wearing the same eye mask Cayra had seen once at the foot of Mount Tungguljati. Her steps were calm, radiating an inexplicable authority.
Mbah Sarmini.
Cayra rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Impossible. The mysterious fortune teller who once spoke of karma, first love, and fate… was now standing in the Ardhanantas' dining room?
Applause erupted once again. The Ardhanantas welcomed her with respect.
Cayra's jaw dropped. What on earth is going on?!
The woman stopped at the end of the table. Slowly, she removed her wide hat and the mask covering her eyes.
And then, she smiled.
A smile Cayra knew all too well.
"Good evening, everyone," her voice was soft, yet commanding. "Before anything else, allow me to greet our new family. And especially… Cayra."
Thud.
Cayra almost dropped her spoon. Her chest pounded, her body stiffened. It was the same voice—the same whisper that once spoke of karma and first love.
The woman glanced briefly at Saka before her gaze returned to Cayra, her smile carrying a meaning too deep to name.
"Karma never misses its mark. The first love you once abandoned… now stands before you again. That is your destiny, Cayra Ayudhia Astagina."
Cayra's breath caught. Her body went rigid. Her eyes instinctively sought Saka.
And when their gazes met, she almost couldn't breathe. Those eyes—once so cold—now glowed warm and certain, silently saying: Ayu, this time, I will never let you go.
Her throat tightened. Deep down, she knew. Mbah Sarmini's words had never been empty fortune-telling.
This was karma. But maybe—for the first time ever—karma was on her side.
~~~
After the feast, the Ardhananta courtyard was alive with laughter. Families mingled, conversations buzzing.
Cayra stood with Tasha, still processing everything.
"Why didn't you ever tell me you're related to Saka?!" she hissed, trying to keep her voice low.
"Sorry," Tasha shrugged, sheepish. "I didn't think it mattered. And I didn't want you to think I was bragging."
Cayra glared. "Are there any other secrets you're hiding? If I find out you lied again, we're done."
"Hey, don't be like that. I swear, no more secrets! Well… okay, maybe one. I once lied about Saka being our client. It was just a trick to get you to attend that meeting. I was afraid if you didn't come, he'd tell the whole family I worked at Nebula."
"And what would've been so bad about that?"
"Nothing, really. Just… complicated at the time."
Cayra sighed. Typical Tasha.
"Forgive me? I promise, never again."
"…Fine. But seriously, one more lie and we're over."
Tasha grinned, then escaped with an excuse about the restroom.
That's when Mbah Sarmini approached. Her steps calm, her gaze serene.
"I know you're confused, child. Ask me anything you wish."
Cayra hesitated, then whispered, "Mbah… you knew all along about me and Saka in high school, didn't you?"
Her smile deepened. "Yes. Because Saka's father once showed me your photo and told me everything. He believed… perhaps Saka still loved that girl."
Cayra's eyes widened.
"And then, Saka himself confessed. We were only puzzled as to why, nearing thirty, he still hadn't married."
The old woman took Cayra's hand, warm and firm.
"Child, don't ever think karma always comes as punishment. Sometimes, karma is just a small path… leading you to your destiny."
Tears stung Cayra's eyes. Warmth spread through her chest.
At that moment, Saka appeared, standing a few steps away. His face was calm, his gaze unwavering—filled with love.
"This boy has always known he'd meet you again," Mbah Sarmini continued. "Even the house he moved into—it was my suggestion. Fate always finds its way."
Cayra looked at him. The pieces of her puzzle finally fell into place.
"If this is karma… then I accept it. Because in the end, our love won."
~~~
Hand in hand, Saka led her across the garden, bathed in soft night light.
"Ayu," he murmured.
She turned to him, her lips curving faintly. "What is it, Arda?"
"Have you… accepted me completely?"
Her smile wavered, bittersweet. "I always have. Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"
"Of course. I've always accepted you. Every part of you."
A small laugh escaped her. "Smooth talker. But seriously, why didn't you tell me Mbah Sarmini was your grandmother?"
He smirked. "Where's the fun in that?"
She laughed, shaking her head. "No wonder her house was so grand. And she always claimed she didn't take money for fortune-telling."
"She's no professional fortune teller," Saka chuckled. "Just… someone whose instincts are always right."
Cayra smiled softly. "Strange, isn't it? Our love needed a fortune teller to bring us back together."
"Because I never dared approach you before. Maybe that's why she said karma was waiting—because only when I was ready could I finally reach you."
Her eyes welled up. She hugged him tightly. "You waited for me, even when I was with someone else?"
"Yes. I tried to let you go. But whenever I saw you hurt, I couldn't stay silent. And finally, my grandmother told me… maybe you really were my destiny."
They pulled apart, foreheads resting against each other.
"Thank you for opening your heart again, despite being hurt before," Saka whispered.
"And thank you… for waiting for me, even when I didn't realize it," Cayra replied.
Their breaths mingled. The breeze carried their warmth. Their lips were about to meet—
When the roar of family laughter broke the moment.
Cayra flushed scarlet, pulling back quickly.
But deep inside, she was smiling.
Because at last, she knew the answer to her own question: Dear Karma, I Deserve This?
Yes. She did.
Because in the end, she had found the love she had been waiting for all along.
THE END
~~~
EPILOGUE ✨
Not being married at almost thirty had become every parent's greatest fear. To them, it was something pitiful, even worse than not having money.
But the truth was—marriage was never that simple. Mental readiness, financial stability, compatibility… everything had to be considered.
Saka knew this pressure all too well. A prestigious title and wealth didn't shield him from meddling parents. If anything, it made them more eager to arrange blind dates for him, shoving women into his life without his consent.
His father, especially, never stopped. From the day Saka returned from abroad until now, when he was nearing thirty, blind dates had become routine.
At first, Saka complied, out of respect. But the discomfort grew until he finally gathered the courage to say no. To his surprise, his parents stopped pushing. No threats, no ultimatums.
Later, he learned why.
It was because of his grandmother—Mbah Sarmini.
She lived alone on the slopes of Mount Tungguljati after her husband's passing, choosing solitude and leaving the family empire in her son's hands. Saka's father ruled the company, while his aunt—Tasha's mother—took no part.
Saka rarely visited her. Not because he disliked her, but because she was known for something uncanny: the ability to "see" into people's lives. And Saka had no patience for mystical talk.
This time, though, it was different. His father said she was unwell and wished to see him. Reluctantly, he went.
But instead of finding a frail old woman, Saka saw her sitting upright, reading calmly, eyes sharper than ever.
She invited him to sit. After a few pleasantries, her voice cut straight to the matter.
"Saka, why haven't you found someone to marry?"
He sighed heavily. "I will, Grandma. When I find the right one."
Her eyes narrowed knowingly. "Haven't you already? You simply don't have the courage to face her."
His lips parted in shock. "What do you mean?"
"Don't think I don't know the reason. You've never dated, never let another woman near… because your heart is still stuck on your high school love."
Saka's jaw clenched. His chest ached at the memory. "That's not true."
"Are you sure?" Her tone was sharp, yet gentle. "Your father told me everything. She was the reason you refused to study abroad."
He lowered his gaze, lips curling bitterly. For a long moment, silence stretched between them. Finally, he admitted, voice low and rough:
"Yes. I couldn't forget her. She was… my first love. The kind you never really let go of."
Her expression softened, but her words were firm.
"Then chase her, Saka. Because she is your destiny."
He looked up, stunned. "My destiny?"
"This time, you must believe me. That girl is the one. The one fate has written for you."
Her words struck him harder than any lecture his parents ever gave. Deep down, he knew she was right.
"Trust me, Saka. Move houses. Follow your brother's advice to collaborate with his friend's company for Manterra. Do these two things—and the path to her will open."
Saka didn't answer. He only nodded faintly, wondering if it would hurt to try.
Days later, everything began to align. He moved houses, sought business help… and fate did the rest. He met Cayra again.
And tonight, after the chaos of the launch, Saka took her hand and led her to the lakeside.
The moonlight spilled across the rippling surface, turning the water into silver glass. The breeze carried the scent of wet leaves, and the world seemed to pause for them alone.
From his pocket, Saka pulled out a small velvet box.
"I've wanted to give you this for a long time," he said quietly. "But the right time never came."
Her breath caught. She had seen that box before.
When he opened it, a silver bracelet gleamed under the night sky. A tiny engraving shimmered on the metal: Ayu.
Her hands trembled. Memories crashed back—her broken promise, the day she told him to wait and never showed up. She hadn't known that while he stood there with hope in his eyes, she walked away.
Now the same bracelet resurfaced, like fate itself refusing to let their story end unfinished.
"Why… why did you keep it?" she whispered, her voice shaking.
"Because I believed fate would bring us back together."
Her tears fell, but so did her smile. She extended her wrist, letting him clasp the bracelet around her.
Above them, the stars scattered like witnesses.
"If this is karma," Cayra whispered, tears streaking down her cheeks, "then I don't mind. Because maybe karma… is just destiny in disguise."
Saka pulled her close, holding her as if he would never let go.
"Not just karma, Ayu. It's fate. You are my fate, and I am yours."
Under the star-sprinkled sky, their first love—once lost—finally found its way home.
And beneath the same sky, Cayra's question found its answer at last:
Dear Karma, I Deserve This.