Ryan trudged wearily out of the narrow alleyways in search of the main road. He felt lost, unfamiliar with his surroundings, his sole strategy for orientation being to reach the larger streets.
He persisted, his feet moving almost automatically. Occasionally veering right and at times veering left, Ryan also looked for someone—anyone—to ask for directions, only to face the stark reality once more. Not a soul was in sight. The alleys echoed with emptiness, his the only presence there.
"Damn it!" he muttered under his breath, fingers running through his hair in frustration.
As the day approached evening, Ryan finally stumbled upon the main road after about half an hour of aimless wandering, allowing him to sigh in relief.
"Finally..." he thought to himself.
With the path now clear in his mind, he walked with a relaxed pace, unpressed by time or obligation.
Ryan occasionally paused to sit on benches designed for those awaiting buses or taxis, taking moments of rest. Refreshed, he would continue on his way home.
Fifteen minutes later, passing a rather upscale boutique, Ryan's gaze caught sight of a familiar figure, causing his heart a slight tremor.
Indeed, it was Novie! Full name Novie Sanjaya Ningrum—walking arm in arm with a man Ryan also recognized, a fellow university student named Dimas Kurniawan.
Novie, once Ryan's girlfriend, had turned away from him six months prior after learning of his impoverished background. She chose Dimas instead—who, despite being a bit dorky, was her new partner. Ryan's existence seemed tragic, marred by poverty and continual bitter experiences.
Ryan continued to watch the pair from a distance in silence. Though it pained him to accept the reality, he was aware, and even slightly grateful, that Novie was materialistic and not good for him.
Novie, catching a glimpse of Ryan, her ex, adopted a sudden display of affection, wrapping her arms around Dimas unexpectedly.
"Eh? What's up?" Dimas inquired, startled by her abrupt behavior.
"Sweetie... thank you for all the shopping today! All these EXPENSIVE clothes! You really are the best, babe!" Novie exclaimed louder than necessary, emphasizing "expensive" with the purpose of making sure Ryan overheard them while proudly flaunting her newly-bought treasures from Dimas.
Oblivious to Ryan's presence, Dimas innocently responded to his girlfriend's dramatic outburst, particularly fond of the soft pressure on his arm. His heart raced with naivety and joy.
"Don't worry! For my girl, I'd give anything!" declared Dimas with an easy smile.
"Oh, my love, you are incomparable! XOXO, darling!" Novie cooed, hugging Dimas's arm tighter.
Dimas was overjoyed by the affection, charmed by the unique and endearing term "babe" Novie used just for him, his heart blooming like a flower—at least to Novie. To Ryan, perhaps more akin to a carrion flower.
Sickened by Novie's display, Ryan steeled himself and approached the blissful couple.
"Hey, Ryan! How's it going, bud? What happened to your face?" the naive Dimas questioned.
"Um, not too great, man! You can see for yourself! Oh, and just so you know, don't get too excited about being called 'babe'! It has two meanings: 'darling' or 'demon'!" Ryan replied casually, patting Dimas on the shoulder before walking away.
Novie's cheeks flared with anger, while Dimas, the clueless and dorky guy, gave Novie a piercing look.
"Sweetheart! Which extension of 'babe' are you calling me? Darling or demon?" Dimas inquired with a serious look.
Novie internally screamed at her boyfriend's naivety.
"Of course, it's 'darling', my love! Why on earth would I call you a demon? That's impossible, babe!" Novie asserted, forcing her smile.
Deep down, Novie harbored resentment towards Ryan for the embarrassment and vowed to never forget this day, plotting her retribution against the impoverished Ryan in the future. Indeed, a woman's grudge is not easily forgotten nor forgiven.
.
.
Ryan arrived home right as the sun fully set.
"Mom! I'm back!" he announced, entering through the unlocked door.
"You're home, son! Cough! Cough!" a raspy voice came in reply, coughing from within a room.
Emerging from the bedroom, the woman he respected more than anything in this world was his mother.
Her name was Lastri Darmawanti. She had been battling a fever and throat infection for several days, consistently wracked by coughing.
Having already purchased medicine from his Sunday earnings at a motorcycle repair shop, Ryan was dismayed her condition hadn't improved. Despite his efforts, her illness lingered.
Greeting her son with a smile, joy momentarily left her face as she noticed the bruises and injuries.
"Son! What happened to your face?" she inquired worriedly, quickly inspecting Ryan's wounds.
"Ow! Mom... It's nothing, really. I just slipped and fell in a hurry to get home because it was getting late! And my foot got a bit sprained too! But it's better now!" Ryan lied.
Ryan felt compelled to reassure her, unaware that a mother's intuition always knows her child's lies better than anyone. Hence, regardless of his deception, Lastri was not fooled.
She shook her head at his antics.
"By the way, mom, have the meds I got you helped at all? Are you feeling any better?" Ryan asked.
"Not yet, son! Cough! This cough is persistent! Cough! But don't worry... I'll be fine sooner or later!" Lastri replied softly.
"Okay, mom! But tomorrow, I get paid from the shop. I'll buy you some better-quality medicine!" Ryan promised with a smile.
Touched by her son's concern, Lastri nodded in gratitude, silently thanking God for the blessing that was Ryan.
"Okay, dear! Now go take a shower and change your clothes," she said.
"Sure, mom!" Ryan replied.
Entering his room, Ryan placed his bag down and prepared to clean up. But deep inside, he vowed to himself—if fate granted him strength or power, he'd ensure his mother's happiness until his dying day.
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