Long Time No See

Actually, Citra wanted to go home quickly. Her intention to visit Vincent's house was only to borrow money. She really needed it. So, when Vincent handed her a million rupiahs, she immediately said goodbye.

But how could she have known that Damar’s car would pull up into the yard of her former house?

The guy quickly got out of the car and ran to Vincent's house. Damar's gaze was still the same as before. His eyes shone brightly as he looked at Citra's face. She was his first love back in junior high. Their broken relationship had shaken him for years. Especially since there was never an apology from her.

To this day, Damar still doesn’t know what he did wrong. He thought they just had a small argument about their different dance tastes. Then Citra left and went home without him, later ending the relationship after accusing him of inappropriate behavior in front of his high school female fans. Damar always wanted a chance to explain everything about that incident, someday, if he ever had the chance.

Damar adored Citra. He found it hard to forget her. He even bought her old house so he could hold onto memories of her.

"Hi, Citra!" greeted Damar.

Citra didn’t respond; she just stayed silent. But Damar wasn’t discouraged, "I bought your house. Do you want to see the house from your childhood?"

This time, Citra didn’t remain silent because Vincent immediately grabbed her hand. "Come on, Damar. Show us Citra's house that you renovated on the inside!"

"Vincent!" Citra glared at him.

Damar smiled, "Come on. Actually, nothing has changed. Just made it prettier!"

She had no other choice. Besides, Citra really missed going inside the house. And how surprised she was when she realized that all the furniture from before was still there. Even her bedroom was still complete with all the Hello Kitty decorations.

"I didn’t want to change your room. But I often visit it because I miss you," Damar said, making Vincent scratch his head and slip away, heading to the kitchen to chat with Damar’s maid, Bik Som.

After Vincent left, Citra sat down on her old bed, then looked at Damar with sadness, "What about my parents' room?"

"That's my room now," Damar replied, sitting down next to her. "I changed the interior to suit the tastes of an eleventh-grader. Yes, I live here now since my dad passed away and my mom remarried."

"Your dad?"

"Yes, he passed away from brain cancer. Just as I was entering high school. The sad part was that my mom quickly chose to remarry. I can understand how you feel after losing your parents. That's why I don't regret buying this house. I feel less alone. Even though there’s the maid, the security guard, and the gardener here. But honestly, your house is beautiful."

Citra couldn’t hold back her tears. There were so many memories in that house. Not just memories of her parents, but more about their togetherness, which once felt so extraordinary.

Citra truly didn’t understand how a marriage could end simply because they felt they no longer loved each other. Did they forget the story of how they first fell in love? Were they enemies at first, or were they forced? Certainly not. Her mom and dad fell in love in high school, dated through college, and then, after they both had jobs, decided to marry. That was when Citra was born, a child they once adored.

Then her mother’s busy career and social life, coupled with her father’s escapades, broke up their marriage. Disappointed, her mom filed for divorce and suddenly went to America with a new boyfriend. Meanwhile, her dad went all out, getting involved with younger women who drained his finances, leaving nothing for his daughter.

"Thank you, Damar. For buying and taking care of this house," Citra whispered.

"Citra, this is your house. I’ll give it to you, no strings attached."

Citra was stunned, but then she quickly shook her head. "No! This is your house. Allow me to visit once in a while. If, if I miss this place."

Damar smiled and nodded.

That evening, they spent time together, chatting long in the dining room, enjoying Bik Som's delicious cooking. Vincent even had three plates of rice, hooked on the Soto Kuning, loving the beef tripe and lungs with sambal.

"Watch your digestion," Citra warned.

"Ah, I’ve got guava leaves for that!" Vincent replied, still spooning more rice.

Everyone laughed, cheerful.

That night, Damar drove Citra back to her boarding house in his sports car. "Thanks, Citra, for being willing to be friends with me again," Damar said.

Citra smiled, "You’re welcome, Damar."

"Uh, Citra..."

"Yeah?"

"Um... about what happened at Alona's party back then. Years ago. I swear, I didn’t do anything with those high school girls. They didn’t hug me, kiss me, or get any closer. I..."

"Damar, please. Let’s not talk about it anymore."

"I didn’t do anything wrong with them. My only mistake was insisting that you sit and not dance like..."

"A monkey? Enough, okay? It hurts to remember."

"But Citra, I didn’t do anything awkward with those girls."

"The friends of Alona's sister?"

"Kencana's friends too!"

Citra, who was just about to get out of the car, turned back to Damar, "What did you say?"

"One of them, her name is Deasy. Now, she often appears as an extra in movies and soap operas that I star in. She told me a lot about that night. Especially about the payment they received from Kencana!"

"What?! I don’t understand, what are you talking about?"

Damar sighed, "Kencana isn’t as good as you think. She paid Deasy and her friends to pretend to flirt with me, then go into the restroom and spread bad stories about me while you were still there."

"That’s impossible!"

"Stay away from Kencana, Citra. She’s not a good person. She’s manipulative! She’s a lesbian; she has a crush on you. That’s why she does anything to keep you by her side. Please, stay away from her, as far as possible, for your own good."

"No! That’s impossible!"

"If you don’t believe me, go ask her now. If necessary, challenge her to meet Deasy and all her friends who were paid by Kencana to separate us."

"Why are you telling me this, Damar?"

"So you know the truth, Citra!"

"But this hurts me!"

Citra started to sob, her tears flowing. She didn’t care about the incident years ago at Alona’s party. But her soul shattered when she realized that Kencana could be so cruel to her and Damar. What was her motive? Was she really a lesbian, hoping her love would be reciprocated by another girl?

"Citra, forgive me," Damar whispered softly, offering her a tissue.

Citra could only remain silent, trying to hold back the ache in her chest. Her heart was deeply wounded. She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs but couldn’t. Life seemed so hard for her.