The plates clinked softly against one another as Dina stacked them neatly after dinner.
The house felt cozy, warm, and comfortably familiar.
The old electric fan squeaked lazily overhead, Percy—her beloved cat—let out the occasional sleepy meow, and the distant hum of motorcycles drifted in from the street every now and then.
After washing the dishes, Dina settled into the living room, munching on a bag of potato chips—a habit her mother never failed to scold.
"You really are something," her mother said while folding laundry on the sofa. "You've just had dinner, and you're snacking already?"
"I'm still growing, Mom," Dina replied, hugging a throw pillow.
Before her mother could respond, the rarely used landline suddenly rang.
Riiing...
Dina quickly picked it up.
"Hello."
"Hello? Is this Dina?"
"Yes. Who's this?"
"Din, it's Aunt Tati. Is your mom there?"
"She is, Auntie. Hold on a second."
Dina handed the receiver to her mother.
"It's Aunt Tati, Mom."
Her mother accepted the phone with a quiet sigh.
"Hello, Sis..."
Dina kept her eyes on the television, but her ears remained tuned to her mother's conversation.
Even without hearing the other side, she could already guess where it was heading.
"Yes, Sis. We'll work something out."
Her mother's voice was noticeably softer than usual.
The moment she hung up, Dina sat upright.
"She's asking for money again, isn't she?"
Her mother was silent for a moment before answering quietly.
"Yes. Lina needs to pay her tuition. It's not much."
"'Not much,' every single time," Dina muttered, sinking back against the sofa. "They asked for money just last month too."
Asked.
Not borrowed, she complained inwardly.
Her mother simply continued folding clothes without saying anything.
"Why is it always us whenever they need something?" Dina continued, unable to hide the irritation in her voice. "Dad wasn't Uncle Agus's only sibling."
Her mother let out another sigh.
"But your father was the only one Uncle Agus supported from childhood all the way through university. You know the story."
"But that was his responsibility as the eldest brother," Dina cut in quickly. "When your parents pass away, isn't the oldest sibling supposed to step up? So why does it turn into a debt that gets passed down through generations?"
Her mother remained quiet. Neither agreeing. Nor disagreeing.
Dina lowered her voice, but somehow it became even sharper.
"I don't like how our family always has to be on standby every time they need something."
Her mother sighed.
"People see these things differently, Din. Some think it's only natural. Others see it as a lifelong favor. For Aunt Tati, her husband did your father an enormous kindness. And sometimes... people who believe they've done someone a great favor have trouble telling the difference between kindness... and entitlement."
Dina looked away and returned her attention to the television. She knew her mother wasn't defending her aunt. She was simply trying to keep peace within the family.
"Your father is the same way," her mother continued. "He softens the moment someone reminds him of the past."
"Even though Dad worked hard to become who he is today," Dina murmured. "He got through college on scholarships."
"But Uncle Agus paid for his books and living expenses," her mother replied. "That's enough complaining. Your father and I will handle it. You and your brother don't need to get involved. Just focus on school."
Dina didn't answer. Her face made it painfully obvious she disagreed. But she didn't want to argue with her mother anymore.
This wasn't the first time. And it certainly... wouldn't be the last.
Dina lay flat on her bed, her long hair spilling across the pillow.
The bedroom lights were dimmed, leaving only the warm glow of a crescent moon nightlight resting on her desk.
"I don't think this one's him either..." she murmured.
She stared at her phone screen.
The contact name simply read:
Alfa Mutual FB.
Just another friend of a friend from Facebook.
She rested the phone on her chest before looking up at the glow-in-the-dark stars scattered across her ceiling, many of which had long since stopped glowing.
The clock on the wall read 9:10 PM.
The hour when her thoughts usually wandered wherever they pleased.
Percy—her fluffy white cat—jumped onto the bed.
He was an enormous ball of fur with the most innocent face imaginable.
After licking one paw, he curled up beside Dina's stomach.
"Percy..."
She gently stroked his head.
"Don't you think I'm searching for someone who only exists in my imagination?"
Percy offered no response.
He merely blinked at her lazily.
Beep.
Her phone chimed.
One new text message.
Alfa:What time are you leaving for school tomorrow?
Dina read the message without expression.
She knew this boy was polite. Friendly. He even seemed interested in her. But that was exactly the problem. Nothing about him felt familiar.
There wasn't even the faintest spark. Not the slightest feeling like 'I've met you before'.
He was nothing like the boy she carried in her memories.
She sighed softly before rolling onto her side.
"This definitely isn't him," she whispered again.
Not the Alfa preserved within those hazy memories. Memories that grew blurrier with every passing year.
She suddenly felt embarrassed. Not because of anyone else. But because of herself.
How could I possibly expect to find someone with nothing but a name to go on?
Percy yawned widely.
It almost sounded like a comment.
Dina chuckled.
"Yeah, yeah. I know. It's pretty weird, isn't it?"
She rolled over again, hugging her body pillow.
Outside her window, she heard the sound of a motorcycle entering the front yard, followed by the gate closing.
That had to be Dino.
Her older brother had just gotten home from college.
She absentmindedly ran her fingers through Percy's thick, snowy-white fur.
It felt soft and comforting beneath her palm.
"I'm basically looking for a ghost, aren't I?" she murmured. "Just a name. No clear face."
But she had no intention of giving up. She would keep trying. Although this time she wouldn't go searching.
She would simply wait...
...and see what crossed her path.
Her eyelids slowly grew heavy.
Yet a faint smile still lingered on her lips.
A smile carrying equal parts disappointment and amusement at herself.
Somewhere in her past...
There had once been a little boy named Alfa who had saved her.
And someday...
No matter when that day came...
Dina still hoped she would meet him again.
The nightlight remained on. Her bedroom slowly melted into the warmth of the night...
...and little by little, sleep carried her away.
Toward dreams...
...of a little boy who shared that same name.