It's not what she expected 2!

After gathering, they set off no earlier than half past seven.Dewi was thrilled—utterly thrilled, despite her lingering irritation at their tardiness.

"Hey, what are we supposed to buy again? I forgot since it's been ages," Emeka asked Dewi.

She sighed, thoroughly exasperated by the pair. "We're getting the aloe vera skincare I use. Weren't you the one who wanted me to tag along because the product's good?" she explained pointedly. Emeka and Austina merely nodded.

After a five-minute bus ride, they arrived at the bustling market. But Emeka and Austina's excitement evaporated instantly upon seeing the muddy, grime-smeared path ahead.

"Is the path really like this? It's absolutely disgusting!" Austina blurted.

"This is just how traditional markets are, you two. What did you expect?" Dewi replied, her tone edged with exasperation.

They three stepped into the labyrinth of the traditional market. Since it was a decent trek, at least a ten-minute walk—they paused first to browse nearby stalls for other items.

"So, what else are you two planning to buy besides skincare?" Dewi asked, halting by a vegetable vendor's cart.

Emeka shrugged. "Dunno. Don't really need anything. Maybe traditional snacks? Do they even have those here?"

"Follow me," Dewi said, veering toward a cluster of food vendors. Rows of traditional treats greeted them: golden getuk, sticky lupis, sesame-coated onde-onde, jewel-toned klepon and cenil.

"What's this?" Emeka pointed at the green-hued klepon.

"That's klepon," Dewi said, plucking one from the pile. "Try it, it's legit addictive. The palm sugar inside bursts when you bite—"

Emeka and Austina each took a tentative bite—and froze.

"Ugh.... wait, " Emeka's disgust melted into wide-eyed awe. "Holy crap, this is… *boom*! How much, sir? I'm buying these!"

"Eight thousand rupiah for ten pieces," the vendor replied.

Emeka bought all sixty.

"You're insane," Dewi deadpanned as Emeka handed over cash.

"Roommates'll love it," she shrugged.

"What about you, Austina?" Dewi turned to her, who'd sampled everything but lingered by the kue lapis.

"I'll take the lapis. The colors are pretty—rainbow layers, like me," Austina said breezily.

"Does it even *taste* good?"

"Weirdly sweet, but good. I'm mostly buy it for the rainbow layers, though. Haha! I wanna show it to my friends in my country"

"haha, okay"

After buy the traditional foods, they then going to area where to buy Dewi's skincare.

They tree pressed onward through the market's winding arteries. The journey stretched ahead, but Dewi halted abruptly at a cluster of book stalls, her eyes scanning weathered spines.

"We're making a pit stop here. My book stash is running low," she declared.

Austina flopped onto a nearby bench. "Fine, we'll wait. Anyway Mek—" she nudged Emeka, who clutched his bulging snack bag, "—share some klepon now. You bought, like, sixty!"

Emeka groaned. "Later, in the room. With the series. You already ate three back there."

"Waaant it nooow," Austina drawled, elongating each syllable.

Dewi, flipping through a novel, chuckled under her breath.

After buy the book, they then continue to walk to Skincare area.

Twenty minutes later, they reached the aloe vera stalls, their sandals dust-coated and patience frayed. Emeka gaped at the rows of green gels and creams.

"So… which one do we even get? Look at this—there's, like, a zillion types!"

Austina shrugged. "Just copy Dewi's pick. We're here 'cause of her anyway."

"Fine, i guess you were right " Emeka muttered, surrendering to the logic.

They piled identical jars into their bags, tossed in a few impulse buys, and trudged out of the market. By sunset, their haul was complete—books, snacks, skincare, and the faint, sticky remnants of palm sugar on their fingers.