Silent Together
Kemang Raya Cafeteria.
After lunch, Burhan invited Nagini to head home and rest.
Burhan: "Nagini, how was your meal? Do you want more?"
Nagini only smiled, not answering. She played with the ends of her hair.
Burhan: "Alright then, let me take you to your apartment."
Nagini nodded again.
She spoke very little. In truth, her heart was also nervous. A subtle tremor stirred in her chest. She felt awkward as well.
They stood up and walked out of the café toward Burhan's car parked outside.
Burhan glanced at his watch. It was already 4:00 p.m.
Burhan opened the car door.
Burhan: "Please, Nagini..."
Nagini got in, followed by Burhan.
He sat behind the wheel and started the engine. Nagini gave him a quick side glance, then looked straight ahead.
Her hands continued playing with the ends of her hair. Her eyes stared straight through the car window. Occasionally, she stole a glance at Burhan.
Stolen story; please report.
The car slowly rolled onto the main road.
In the front seat, both remained silent. Equally nervous, equally trembling.
Not a single word passed between them. Only nervousness, fear of saying the wrong thing, and mutual awkwardness filled the space.
After passing through the busy, congested road, Burhan's car finally stopped in front of Pondok Gede Indah Apartments.
Nagini: "I'll get out here, Burhan."
Burhan stopped and watched as Nagini opened the door, stepped out, and closed it behind her.
Burhan: "Do you want me to walk you up, Nagini?"
Nagini: "No need, Burhan. My apartment is right here."
Burhan just nodded, pressing the gas pedal lightly.
Burhan: "Alright then, Nagini. I'll head home. See you later..."
Nagini nodded silently.
Burhan's car slowly drove away. From the rearview mirror, he saw Nagini still watching him before finally turning and walking toward her building.
Burhan's heart grew restless. He felt uneasy, eager to get home and lie down on his bed.
***
Nagini's Inner Battle
Upon reaching Pondok Gede Indah, Nagini immediately collapsed onto her bed.
Her eyes stared at the ceiling. Her breathing was uneven. Her heart was nervous and uneasy.
Nagini: "Why do I like Burhan?"
Burhan's image still played vividly in her mind.
Nagini: "My purpose in coming to this era was to find Suro Gebleg..."
She whispered inwardly.
Nagini: "But so far, I haven't found you, Suro."
Her heart became restless, frustrated, and confused. She closed her eyes. But Burhan's face appeared instead.
Nagini: "Burhan..."
She turned toward the wall, biting her lip.
Nagini stared blankly at the ceiling. Her mind went back to her master's words about the Time-Shattering Stone.
Nagini: "Master said, if I take a wrong step... I could damage history itself."
Nagini: "I came from 500 years ago. Anything could happen. Anything is possible."
She looked at the ceiling again. Burhan's face appeared vividly in her thoughts.
Nagini got up and sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the Time-Shattering Stone in her pocket.
The stone vibrated faintly.
Nagini: "Burhan, this is wrong!"
Her heart protested.
Nagini: "I didn't come here to fall for someone."
She lay back down.
Nagini: "But the truth is... I have feelings for you, Burhan."
She thought inwardly.
Nagini stared at the ceiling. Her eyes wandered.
Nagini: "This can't happen, Burhan!"
She tried to think logically.
Nagini: "If I'm from 500 years ago..."
A bitter smile crossed her face.
Nagini: "Could it be... you might actually be one of my descendants, Burhan..."
Her emotions clashed violently inside.
She released the Time-Shattering Stone from her grip. Its vibration faded.
Nagini exhaled deeply. Her heart remained unsettled.
Nagini: "Fool! This is no time to fall in love!"
She closed her eyes. Slowly, Burhan's face changed...
Into another figure—
A young man with wavy, shoulder-length hair, dressed all in black, with a single-bladed axe at his right hip.
A warrior from the 16th century.
Nagini: "Suro Gebleg..."
Her heart spoke.
To be continued
