In the evening, Alex headed to the old library faster than usual. He seemed in a hurry and went straight to Dyah."Where's my and Claire's dinner?" he asked quickly.Dyah pointed to two lunch boxes on the table, and Alex immediately took both of them to put in his bag. In return, he placed a large package containing six plastic boxes inside."Let's make this our dinner.""What about the lunch I made with effort?" Dyah protested with a disappointed look."I'll finish it myself," Alex replied quickly and went to his table.Somewhat annoyed, Dyah took a plastic box containing food. She opened it and tried a bite. Just one bite, and she immediately looked at Alex. She understood why Alex wanted Claire to try it.Right at that moment, Claire entered, and Dyah called her. She gave Claire four plastic boxes of food and said, "My friend who's in love gave me this food. Since there's too much, you have to help me finish it. Take two boxes and give two boxes to that quiet lecturer.""Thank you,
Alex glanced at each student in his classroom for the umpteenth time. With a heavy heart, he had to admit Claire was not among them. Alex resumed his explanation about chemistry to the students in front of him, no longer with the same enthusiasm.He couldn't understand why his feelings were so easily swayed. Hadn't he met Claire almost every day in the library? Why did the days when Claire attended his class once a week always hold a special meaning for him?That evening, Alex entered the library and didn't find Claire. He looked at Dyah, who nodded and gestured towards a corner between the bookshelves. A little confused, Alex wheeled his chair as quietly as possible past row after row of books. In a narrow corner between the bookshelves, he heard stifled sobs.Alex's heart pounded hard, and as his wheelchair arrived in front of the aisle, he saw Claire sitting on the floor, leaning against the bookshelf. She covered her face with both hands, crying quietly.Among her fingers and the
If he returned home that quickly, Lucas would take advantage of the opportunity to try to defile her.When night fell and it was time for the library to close, he walked home and found his mother asleep in front of the television.He hated his mother.The next morning, Claire cried in her room. She was filled with doubt and fear. She couldn't decide whether to continue on to her job or not.She needed the job and she needed the money. The salary from that place was crucial for providing food at home. She had no other choice but to go back to work.Claire stood up and began changing clothes. She cursed herself for being foolish enough to return to that cursed place. But what could she do?She thickly applied powder to the bluish parts of her face and couldn't hide her blackened, slightly swollen eye bags.From the mirror's reflection, she stared at her face for a long time. A drop of tear suddenly fell down her cheek, ruining her powdered makeup.The storm will surely pass... a strong
Keaton, a skinny man with round glasses who looked like a bookworm, was seen sitting in Alex's office explaining what happened to Claire with a serious expression.That night when Alex called him, Keaton immediately came to the university, and Alex provided him with information notes about Claire, complete with her home address taken from the university files."I want to know what happened to this girl and why she has a blue bruise on her face."Keaton just nodded, without asking much, the man quickly disappeared from Alex's sight to start his work. The next morning, he was already on Alex's front porch."The girl's mother sold her to Markus, the owner of Mark's Burger where she works," reported Keaton, then continued with Markus's actions towards Claire.Keaton was a former police officer who now worked as a private detective and had worked for Alex several times before.The man had been asked by Alex to investigate people in his company who planned to steal their chemical product fo
Three days later, Alex visited Markus again.Alex didn't say anything. He just handed over the documents containing the agreement to buy Mark's Burger restaurant.Markus looked at Alex with anger, "I know it was you."Alex looked at Markus's face, which appeared ten years older than it did three days ago. However, there were no bruises or signs of being hit on his face. "Do what? You look fine.""You bastard!" Markus said, trying to stand up to hit Alex, who was immediately restrained by a guard who had been observing Markus. "You told them to beat me, squeeze my fingers, urinate on me, force me to swallow their urine, sodomize me, and do all that. Bastard!""I didn't know about that," Alex replied, pushing the sales agreement documents in front of Mark, "Sign this and you'll be free.""You even sent me straight to jail without a trial," Markus retorted, his eyes wet and his body trembling with fear. The fierceness in him had vanished. Markus then picked up the paper in front of him,
If anything could surprise Claire, it was when she saw Alex in front of the entrance to Mark’s Burger. The professor looked around hesitantly, then pushed his wheelchair inside, heading towards an empty table.Claire could sense Alex's awkwardness and felt compelled to help. After all, she was an employee at Mark’s Burger."Mr. Alex," Claire replied cheerfully, addressing her professor as she walked towards the table and pulled out a few chairs to make room for Alex's wheelchair. Lately, she had been cheerful, as many of her life's problems were being resolved at once.Her meals were regular, her salary was decent enough to pay off old debts without incurring new ones, and she even had a bit of extra money that made her very happy. Life was starting to look beautiful.Alex appeared surprised, then gazed at her deeply, remaining silent for a while as if trying to remember something."I'm Claire, one of the nursing students," Claire answered, trying to help, perhaps Alex didn't recogniz
Alex smiled happily, enjoying their conversation, of which he himself had forgotten what they were actually talking about. Perhaps it was about the chemistry in making soda or Claire's ability to eat that big burger.Alex didn't expect Claire to be such a pleasant and talkative person, unlike himself who often appeared quiet at university.In the end, Claire offered to push Alex's wheelchair to the university. Alex looked at Claire's soft pink lips that seemed so gentle. "I don't want to trouble you," Alex whispered shyly even though every cell in his body was screaming for it."Don't worry, we're heading to the same place. And I can return the favor for lunch earlier," Claire's eyes shone as she looked at him. She didn't want to part with the lecturer who turned out to be warm and pleasant, completely different from a cold-blooded lecturer.Throughout the journey, Claire kept talking about chemistry lessons and other things. Alex chuckled. He felt Claire was speaking at a high speed
"No." Claire stared out through the glass window of the restaurant, looking at her university and the students coming and going. Her eyes hinted at sadness. Unbeknownst to her, one semester was about to come to an end. All her happiness would soon come to an end, and she would soon leave the university. A smile appeared on her lips. At least I've been a student before."Isn't there something you want to share with a friend?" Claire was surprised to hear it and looked into Alex's eyes, which were looking at her very gently."Thank you," Claire whispered softly. Unconsciously, her eyes became moist; her heart truly felt pain at the thought of leaving everything behind. She had just begun to feel like she was truly starting something for herself. However, she realized she couldn't be too greedy. She had received a scholarship for one semester that she should be grateful for. Soon, she would leave everything behind and start working, for her stepmother and stepfather. Entering a more bori
That morning I received a phone call. The loud ringtone voice woke me up."Hello?" I answered, picking up my cellphone."It's Claire," came the voice on the other end of the phone. "I've read the book you left behind.""Really?" I asked as I sat up in bed. "Did you like it?""I'm afraid you forgot to include something," Claire said with a slightly choked voice, sounding like she was holding back tears. "Would you come to my place to finalize it?"I glanced at the clock, still showing eight in the morning."Okay," I replied. "I can catch the 11 o'clock flight.""I'll be waiting for you here." Claire hung up the phone.Around three in the afternoon, I arrived at Claire's clinic with Chrisna in a rental car. The nurses who knew me let us find Claire's office on our own. I let Chrisna explore the beautiful garden at the clinic as Claire seemed to want to talk privately."Are you looking for me?" I asked as I saw Claire. I could see her eyes were swollen, and she seemed to be carrying a he
In the final meeting with Claire, I asked her, "Is there any meaning behind Alex taking off the engagement ring?" Claire shook her head and looked sad. I wasn't sure if Claire didn't want to answer or didn't want to think about it. But finally, she whispered softly with wet eyes and trembling lips, "Maybe he hates me," Claire replied softly. "Because I didn't come back to him immediately. I was the one who left him alone and let him die. If I had married him, he wouldn't have died."Claire's tears flowed more heavily, "I've helped so many people, why can't I help the one who helped me so much. The most precious person to me." Claire's sadness was evident in her tone.I could only stay silent and sigh. Perhaps only Alex knows why he took off the ring.Could Alex be angry and hate her in his final moments?"Weren't you married after that?"Claire tried to stop her tears and forced a gentle smile on me, "From the start, love was never in my favor. Besides, I'm too busy with all this and
In the fourth year of Claire's departure, Alex's life felt increasingly burdensome and torturous. His weight had significantly decreased compared to four years ago. He smiled less often and was more engrossed in all his work. Some people said Alex had become more easily angered, and even Jackson and Michael couldn't persuade him to come out of his hiding place. In his spare time, Alex continuously reread Claire's letters multiple times. He always tried to convince himself that after Claire had satisfied her wanderlust, they would soon live together and have many children. Children who would run in their house's yard...Tears streamed down Alex's face. He truly wanted to see Claire return as soon as possible and be with her. Only one year remained from their agreement. After that, Claire would never leave him again. Alex often wanted to write a letter asking Claire to return immediately. However, he quickly abandoned the idea.That morning, two soldiers knocked on Alex's door in unifor
Jean looked confused."Claire is currently sure about marrying me. But sometimes I see her sitting with eyes staring into the distance. As if she wants to spread her wings and fly high, trying to reach something greater than her current life," Alex added. "I know her, and I know she has a dream inside her that she's reluctant to share with me and everyone else.""A dream?"Alex sighed. "I'm not so sure, maybe her desire to see the wider world and seek meaning in her own life. I want the Doctor's help.""What's that?" Jean asked, guessing if Alex would ask her to advise Claire."I want the Doctor to invite her as a volunteer nurse to see the world. In return, I'll make an annual donation to the Doctor."Jean became more confused, "Don't you want to marry her?""Indeed, my desire to marry her is very strong. But my biggest wish has always been for her to be happy. I want to fulfill her dreams." Alex's eyes looked moist. "She is everything to me.""I'm not sure about that," Jean replied,
Alex closed his eyes and sighed, "Go to France." The words that came out of his mouth ultimately pierced his own heart, causing immense pain.Claire looked at Alex with a hurt feeling, "But what about us? What about our marriage? What about my feelings?""You don't love me. You're just too afraid of losing a place to return to. Besides, going to France and working won't take this place away from you," Alex said. "Claire... This is your home and will always be your place to return. Nothing will change."Claire wiped her tears, "What about our wedding invitations that have been sent out?""I'll take care of it." Alex's hand took the wedding documents and crumpled them into a ball of paper before throwing them into the trash, "From the beginning, all of this was too fast and rushed. You haven't even seen the world when I forced you to marry me. I asked you to marry me because I was too afraid of losing you. I knew someday you would soon leave this place, especially after you graduate and
Alex has been sitting in his office since early morning. It's rare for him to get lost in deep and prolonged thoughts that end up with a resolution that's entirely disadvantageous. Usually, no matter how bad the situation he faces, he should still get something beneficial, even if it's just a little.Even in the worst investments, he would at least try to exit with half of the invested capital. He wouldn't be so reckless as to come out empty-handed and suffer huge losses. Alex finally let out a long sigh.There's always a first time for everything.Claire knocked on his open door, "Alex, do you have a moment? There's something I want to discuss."Alex silently stared at Claire for a long time, before finally saying, "Sit down, I've been waiting for you since earlier.""Really?" Claire entered and sat on a chair in front of Alex's desk.Alex sighed again and interlocked his fingers on the table, leaning back on the chair, "Claire, sometimes it feels scary when I can understand you as i
About twenty-four years ago, Jean had just become a volunteer doctor in that town. One night, she was suddenly awakened by a nurse to go immediately to a red-light district. The area looked rundown with houses built of wood, tripleks, cardboard, and old corrugated iron scattered without order. Jean thought she would treat someone injured, sick, or anything until she saw a pregnant woman about to give birth. She was truly surprised because until that moment, she had never assisted in childbirth."I can't..."The nurse, named Margie, looked at the doctor with a slightly patronizing look and said, "Doctor, there's always a first time for everything."Jean reluctantly suppressed her reluctance and proceeded with the delivery process. She was completely at a loss when the pregnant woman started screaming hysterically and the baby's head was about to appear.Nevertheless, Margie continued to provide support in limited Indonesian, using only a few words. "Push, push, push..."Jean tried to h
After that day, Alex and Claire were hardly ever apart. It was easy for anyone to see that they had a special relationship. Alex and Claire didn't hide their relationship. A few weeks later, Alex experienced many new things.For the first time in his life, Alex could sleep leaning on a woman's thigh. And for the first time as well, Alex let someone touch his small feet.For Claire, the happiness felt so sweet and enjoyable. For the first time in her life, she was sure there was someone who truly loved her and made her feel meaningful. For the first time as well, she truly felt at peace with her life.On top of a hill, a pair of human beings could be seen sleeping in the afternoon on a mat facing the sky. Their hands were clasped, and their faces looked peaceful and happy. A disabled man and a young girl."Will you marry me?" Alex asked Claire one day while she was in the kitchen."Clangg...!" The empty pan in Claire's hand fell and made a loud noise."Sorry," Claire quickly said, bend
"Who is it for?" Keaton asked."I'm planning to move. Please help me find a place.""Alright, I'll provide the information as soon as possible."Alex hung up the phone and sank into his thoughts. He wouldn't be able to give Claire complete freedom if he wasn't far from her. It would be better if he found a new place and let Claire stay here. Maybe over time, he could forget about Claire and accept if she's with someone else.For now, I still love her too much.That night, Claire went to a party, leaving Alex in his office. Alex secretly watched Claire leave through the window. Feeling helpless and resigned. He was the one who started this, distancing himself from Claire, and he had to accept the consequences.Several hours later as the night grew late, the sound of a car stopping in front of the house could be heard, followed shortly by the sound of the front door being slammed very loudly. The sound startled Alex, who had been staring at his work papers. The same papers that had been