Thivi looked at his back, curiosity softening her expression. "But isn't life in the city more comfortable? Everything you need is there," she said, her tone gentle but brimming with honest questions.
Kaivan nodded faintly, though she couldn't see it. His eyes wandered briefly to the starlit sky. "Maybe," he murmured. "But here, the air feels different, cleaner, freer."
Thivi stayed silent, letting his words settle. Something in Kaivan's voice told her that, for now, this was all he was willing to share.
Their journey ended at Thivi's home, a modest house bathed in the warm glow spilling from its windows. Beneath the star-filled sky, a new bond had begun to form between them, a fragile thread woven from curiosity, trust, and fleeting moments destined to linger in memory.
But the quiet didn't last. As the door swung open, a man stepped into view, older than Thivi, his face etched with worry and restrained anger. Her older brother stood at the threshold, eyes sharp with concern and barely-contained frustration. His posture was tense, as if bracing for something unpredictable.
"I told you not to ride alone! You should've waited for me to pick you up!" he scolded, his voice slicing through the evening calm. The cool air turned heavy with the weight of his words, his sharp gaze fixed firmly on Thivi.
She lowered her head, guilt written plainly across her features. Her fingers tightened around the hem of her shirt, searching for comfort in the midst of her unease. Before she could speak, Kaivan stepped forward, calm and steady.
"Perhaps this was my fault," he said, voice low but unwavering. "I should have stopped her sooner, I saw her from a distance." His eyes met Thivi's brother's directly, quiet strength behind his gaze.
Thivi's brother regarded Kaivan for a moment, torn between irritation and confusion. "What matters is that she's safe," he muttered at last, though a hint of displeasure still clung to his words. Crossing his arms, he seemed to wrestle with emotions too tangled to name.
A faint smile touched Kaivan's lips. He knew this night was more than a mere chance encounter between him and Thivi, there was something hidden beneath the stillness. His glance flicked briefly toward her, finding her eyes full of relief and lingering guilt, an unspoken conversation passing silently between them.
The tension broke when another figure appeared: Thivi's father, an older man with silver beginning to thread through his hair, his face lined with the wisdom of years. His keen gaze settled on Kaivan, watchful and appraising.
"So, what exactly are you doing in this village?" His voice was low and deep, carrying an authority that could not be ignored. He sat with his back straight, radiating quiet confidence. The question felt like a challenge, piercing through the protective layers Kaivan had built around himself.
Carefully, Kaivan chose to reveal part of the truth. "I came to this village for a school project. We're researching electronic waste and looking for broken phones," he said, his voice calm and deliberate, trying to appear relaxed.
Thivi's father, with years of experience working with electronic waste, instantly recognized the ethical pitfalls hidden behind Kaivan's words. "Giving e-waste to civilians is illegal," he warned, his tone firm.
Not wanting to complicate the situation, Kaivan replied cautiously, "We're not asking for donations, sir. We'd like to buy them legally , just old phones, nothing more." He tried to bridge the gap between his curiosity and the legal boundaries he might be crossing. Deep down, Kaivan knew there was still a truth he hadn't shared , his plan to extract gold from the broken components.
The quiet moral debate hidden in their exchange grew more tangible as evening settled. The tension slowly softened, and after some discussion, Thivi's father finally agreed to let Kaivan purchase the discarded phones, on the condition that Kaivan would pick them up himself.
As thanks for helping Thivi earlier, Kaivan was invited to stay the night at their home. That night, under a sky thick with stars, Kaivan reflected on everything that had happened. Something had shifted , in himself, and in the fragile bond forming with Thivi's family.
Late that evening in the tranquil Kalapa Village, beneath a sky strewn with stars, Kaivan sat alone on Thivi's porch. The stillness wrapped around him, yet his thoughts churned like restless tides. The starlight above seemed to hold the answers he sought.
Soft footsteps approached from behind, unhurried and light. Kaivan knew who it was before the figure emerged from the shadows. Thivi stepped into the moonlight, her figure bathed in its gentle glow. She moved with calm assurance, as if the night belonged to her. "Why are you still out here? It's late," she asked softly, almost whispering, careful not to disturb the quiet.
Kaivan didn't answer right away, his eyes still on the sky. "I'm not sleepy yet," he murmured. "The night here is too beautiful to waste. What about you? Why are you still awake?"
Thivi sat beside him, silent for a moment before letting out a long breath. "Actually…" she began, her voice tinged with hesitation. "I smoke." She pulled a pack of cigarettes from her jacket pocket. "I don't want my family to know, so I usually sneak out at night to smoke where they won't see."
Kaivan regarded her quietly, no trace of shock or judgment on his face. He simply listened, respecting her honesty. "I don't smoke," he said lightly, without reproach. Instead, there was understanding in his tone.
Thivi gave a small, relieved smile. She offered him a cigarette. "Try one. Just this once, it's okay. Keep me company tonight," she said, her words casual, yet carrying warmth.
Kaivan accepted without hesitation. For him, it wasn't about smoking, but about sharing the moment. Thivi struck a match, lighting the cigarette between Kaivan's fingers. The first curl of smoke drifted lazily into the night, tracing abstract patterns in the air between them.
"Night feels different out here, doesn't it?" Thivi finally spoke, her voice as gentle as the evening breeze. She exhaled slowly, watching the smoke dissolve into the dark. Her tone was steady but soft, as though her words carried deeper meaning.
They sank back into silence, accompanied only by the wind and the faint hiss of burning tobacco. Kaivan studied the cigarette in his hand for a moment, then decided to break the quiet once more. "By the way, Thivi… can I have your phone number?" he asked calmly.
Thivi offered a small smile, her gaze resting on Kaivan. "Sure," she replied softly. She recited her phone number, and Kaivan quickly noted it down. A gentle smile lingered between them, making the quiet night feel even warmer.
"Next time, take me to Bandung," Thivi said suddenly. "I've always wondered what the city is like."
Kaivan returned her smile, the corners of his lips lifting with calm assurance. "Of course," he answered simply, yet there was a quiet certainty in his voice.
That night ended with a quiet warmth lingering in the air. When dawn began to break, Kaivan bid farewell to Thivi's family.
"Thank you so much for your hospitality. I really appreciate this opportunity. Please send my regards to Thivi, she's still asleep," he said with a gentle smile.
"Of course. Take care on your way home, and let us know if you're coming back," Thivi's father replied, his voice sincere. The words floated in the cool morning air, a parting filled with kindness.
Kaivan smiled, gratitude shining in his eyes though unspoken on his lips. He stepped away from the house with a light heart, though a trace of reluctance lingered, he was leaving behind a place that felt unusually warm and welcoming. Mounting his motorcycle, he rode back toward reality, toward a world so different from the comfort of Thivi's home.
On that bright morning, sunlight streamed softly through gaps in the foliage, casting a gentle glow on the village road still damp with dew. The cheerful songs of birds provided a natural backdrop, completing the serenity of the new day.
School Canteen Scene
When Kaivan arrived at school, the cafeteria buzzed with the lively hum of students. The aroma of food mingled with laughter and cheerful chatter, weaving an atmosphere full of life. He sat at a corner table with Radit, who seemed brimming with excitement over a new story.
Radit gestured animatedly, as if trying to paint his tale in the air. "Kaivan!" he called, his voice bright with enthusiasm. "Yesterday I dismantled a few old phones, and the results were amazing! I managed to take them apart and found components we can melt down later!" His eyes sparkled with pride.