With a calm but anticipatory motion, Kaivan opened the book. Its aged pages were neatly folded, and the strange writings etched within seemed alive, shimmering faintly beneath the lamp's glow. He traced each line carefully, until his gaze stopped at a passage that felt as though it had just appeared.
After last night's incident, you will meet Felicia again on Saturday evening. There, you must help her.
Kaivan read the sentence several times, making sure he had not misunderstood its meaning. A faint smile curved on his lips, not born of happiness, but of quiet relief, knowing that the path he had chosen was working.
"Felicia, huh?" he murmured, eyes drifting toward the window. In his mind, he tried to recall the expression on her face. "What are you really thinking?" he whispered, though he knew the question would never find an answer.
In the hush of dawn, while the sun was still hidden behind the horizon, Kaivan prepared to set out with Radit and Frans. They stepped into Frans's car, their ride for the journey to see Thivi.
Inside, the car brimmed with a quiet, excited energy. The calm morning served as the perfect backdrop for their conversation. Breaking the almost magical silence, Frans, sitting at the wheel, spoke first. "Kaivan, I've been curious about that book you always carry," he said, his eyes bright with anticipation.
Kaivan answered with a faint, mysterious smile. "Oh, this book? Maybe I'll tell you about it later, once everyone's gathered. That'll make it more fun." His words stirred a hidden eagerness in Radit and Frans, their curiosity about the Tome Omnicent burning a little brighter.
When they finally reached their destination, they stepped out and breathed in the crisp morning air. Standing by the doorway, Thivi was already waiting, her smile catching the light. Dressed in a graceful long dress, she looked like the very embodiment of the clear morning, warming the air around her.
Bathed in soft sunlight, Thivi called out Kaivan's name with bright enthusiasm, her quick steps stirring a gentle ripple of joy. "Kaivan!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with cheer. She welcomed him with a warm embrace, filling the moment with an easy happiness.
Kaivan, a wide smile on his face, returned her greeting warmly. "You're all dressed up so early. That's not like you, last time I came here, you were still snuggled under your blanket," he teased lightly, the playful tone adding to their closeness.
"Of course! I'm also going to my father's place, and I get to be your tour guide," Thivi replied, laughter bubbling through her words, her joy shining with every syllable.
Wrapped in the morning's warmth, Radit, who had been listening, couldn't resist adding a touch of humor. "Not bad, man, he actually got himself a girl that good," he quipped, sparking a round of laughter.
Later, as they settled into the cool comfort of the car, Thivi guided Frans toward their next stop with cheerful ease. Their chatter and laughter flowed naturally, weaving an invisible thread of closeness among them.
From the front seat, Radit leaned back casually before breaking the quiet with a playful question for Thivi. Wearing his usual soft smile, he asked, "So, Thivi, how did you end up meeting Kaivan?" His voice was light but full of curiosity.
The question, though simple, felt like a stone tossed into still water. Thivi, sitting behind Radit, laughed softly, covering her face with her hands. "Ah, I'm embarrassed to tell it," she murmured, shy but teasing.
Frans, eyes still on the road yet clearly listening, chuckled and chimed in. "Come on, Thivi, just tell us. We all want to hear." His playful insistence drew them closer, filling the car with shared anticipation.
From the back seat, Kaivan, who had been quietly watching, joined in with a gentle, amused tone. "Go on, tell them. Don't keep them guessing."
Finally, with eyes that shimmered between bashfulness and delight, Thivi began. "So, it was a Saturday afternoon. I was riding my motorbike…" Her story unfolded, each detail like a breadcrumb leading to something bigger. "And then suddenly, Kaivan jumped and pulled me into the bushes."
Radit, never one to miss a chance for a joke, burst out laughing. "Wait, wait, why did you jump and drag her into the bushes, Kaivan? Were you losing it from being single too long?" His teasing echoed through the car, drawing laughter from everyone inside.
Kaivan, clearly feeling trapped in the humorous situation, could only smile and shake his head. "Hey, it wasn't like that! Thivi almost fell off her bike, so I pulled her back so she wouldn't get hurt," he explained, his tone defensive but still calm.
Thivi, who had been hiding her face in embarrassment, finally relaxed and joined in their laughter. "Yeah, yeah, he saved me that day. Then, since it was already getting dark, Kaivan ended up staying at my house. We spent the evening talking," she added, her voice playful yet gentle.
Frans, still focused on the road but unwilling to miss the story, glanced over with a grin full of curiosity. "Wait, Kaivan, you'd just met her, right? What did you do at Thivi's house?" he asked, trying to uncover whatever secret might lie behind their tale.
With a quiet, teasing laugh, Thivi answered briefly, "Let's just say it was Kaivan's first time, and I had to help him hold it steady," she said, her tone layered with mystery, as though hinting there was more than just a simple evening. Everyone's eyes turned toward Kaivan, eager to know what really happened.
Radit, who had been thinking hard, finally voiced a shocking guess. "Wait, Kaivan, did you… you know, sleep with Thivi the first night you met, when you stayed over?" His tone was half joking, half serious, brimming with curiosity.
Kaivan looked stunned at the suggestion, quickly waving it off. "Hah? No way! We just talked on the porch all night. That 'first experience' was… well, it was just my first time smoking, and Thivi helped me light the cigarette. That's it, nothing else!" he said, trying to sweep away the wild assumptions forming in his friends' minds.
But the laughter in the car only grew louder, and Thivi could do nothing but smile shyly, enjoying their reactions. "Hahaha, I love watching your faces," she said, lowering her head, though her eyes sparkled with happiness.
At the end of their journey, they arrived at the courtyard of a modest building, its walls painted a warm orange. From behind the door, a middle-aged man appeared, his smile warm and welcoming. His hair, streaked with gray, framed a face lined with kindness, and his sturdy frame spoke of years of steady work.
Kaivan stepped calmly out of the car. His jacket was simple, but his posture radiated respect. Tucked inside his jacket was a thick envelope. Each step was measured as he approached the man, bowing slightly before offering the envelope with both hands.
"Sir, here's the payment, just as we agreed. One sack of broken phones, ten million rupiah. I'm sorry I could only pick up one sack today," Kaivan said quietly, his voice steady and respectful. His gaze met the man's with sincerity.
The man, none other than Thivi's father, smiled broadly. He accepted the envelope with a small nod, then said in a warm tone, "All right, but just take two sacks. You can pay the rest when you come back for another batch." He patted Kaivan's shoulder lightly, a gesture full of trust.
Before their conversation could go further, Thivi's cheerful voice suddenly broke the calm. Her eyes were bright. "Dad, can I go to Bandung with Kaivan? I'll come home on Sunday; he'll bring me back," she said innocently, her tone filled with excitement.
Her father turned, momentarily surprised, but a soft smile soon returned to his face. He nodded slowly, looking at his daughter before shifting his gaze to Kaivan. His expression was serious, yet there was warmth behind it.
"Oh, I see. Well, since I know Kaivan's a good person, that's fine. Kaivan, please look after Thivi, okay? And let's make it eight million instead, the remaining two million is for Thivi's allowance," he said sincerely, his smile full of trust.
Kaivan paused, eyes widening slightly in surprise, but he quickly bowed in gratitude. "Ah, yes, sir. Thank you so much," he replied with genuine appreciation, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Behind them, Frans watched with quiet admiration. Leaning casually against the car, hands in his jacket pockets, he finally spoke, his tone tinged with playful envy. "Wow, Kaivan, that's impressive. You've earned Thivi's father's trust already. I wish I had that kind of relationship with my girlfriend's dad."
Radit, standing nearby with his arms crossed, just gave a small snort. "Pfft, I don't care. Besides, I don't even have a girlfriend," he said lightly, though a spark in his eyes betrayed his amusement at the warm scene unfolding before them.
Hearing their banter, Kaivan could only sigh softly, a small smile curving his lips. "Thivi isn't my girlfriend, you know. Don't get the wrong idea," he said seriously, glancing briefly at Thivi, who now stood with a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She simply smiled, neither denying nor confirming his words.