The Decision

Hana sat frozen, her phone still pressed against her ear, but the connection had long since ended. The weight of her father's words hung heavily in the air, making her chest tighten. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of everything. Debt collectors? What does that mean for me?

Dewi, sensing the change in Hana's demeanor, walked over and sat beside her on the bed. "Han? What's going on? You look pale."

Hana shook her head slowly, blinking as if trying to clear the fog from her mind. "That was my dad. He said... there's trouble at home. Something about debt collectors. He wants me to come back."

Dewi frowned, her brows knitting together. "What kind of trouble? Are they in danger?"

"I don't know. He didn't explain much. Just... that I need to come back." Hana's voice cracked slightly, betraying her panic. "I don't know what to do. I thought I was finally making a break from all of that."

Dewi reached out and placed a comforting hand on Hana's shoulder. "I get it, Han. But you don't have to face everything alone. I'm here for you. And Bali... Bali will still be there when you're ready."

Hana looked down at her lap, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her shirt. She had dreamt of this moment the chance to escape the suffocating atmosphere of her family, the endless fights, the constant tension.

She had imagined a fresh start, a life where she could breathe freely without the weight of expectations. But now, with her father's words still echoing in her mind, she didn't know if she could walk away from her responsibilities.

"I want to go, Dewi," Hana murmured, her voice barely audible. "But I can't just leave everything behind. My family needs me."

Dewi sighed and leaned back against the headboard. "I understand. But think about this: your dad is an adult. He can take care of things, and you've already done more than enough. You can't sacrifice your future for their problems, Han. You deserve this."

Hana nodded slowly, her gaze distant. The thought of leaving her family behind felt like a betrayal, but at the same time, the thought of staying in Jakarta filled her with dread. She was suffocating in a life that wasn't hers, in a role she hadn't chosen. Maybe Dewi was right. Maybe it was time to finally live for herself.

"What if I'm making a mistake?" Hana whispered, her heart torn. "What if things get worse at home? What if... I'm abandoning them?"

Dewi shook her head firmly. "You're not abandoning them. You're choosing to take control of your own life. That's not selfish. You're allowed to have a future, Hana. A future that makes you happy."

Hana felt a tear slip down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away. "I don't even know what makes me happy anymore."

Dewi smiled gently and squeezed Hana's shoulder. "You will. But you have to give yourself a chance to find out. Bali could be the answer you've been searching for."

The silence that followed was thick with unspoken emotions. Hana's mind churned with conflicting thoughts. She had never been the type to put herself first. Her entire life had been shaped by the needs of her family her father's career, her mother's constant demands, her siblings' problems. But what about her? Wasn't it her turn to live her life the way she wanted?

"I'll call my dad back," Hana finally said, her voice steady. "I'll listen to what he has to say. But I'm still going to Bali, Dewi. I need this."

Dewi smiled, her eyes filled with pride. "That's the spirit, Han. I'm so proud of you."

Hana took a deep breath, picking up her phone again. This time, she wasn't hesitating. She dialed her father's number, her fingers trembling slightly. When he picked up, she spoke with more resolve than she felt.

"Dad, I'm listening. What's going on?"

There was a long pause before her father's voice came through, gruff and tired. "Hana, I didn't want to worry you, but things are bad. The debts are piling up, and your mother... she's not handling it well. We need your help. Please come home."

Hana felt a lump form in her throat. She had always been the one to smooth things over, to hold everything together. But this time, she wasn't sure if she could fix it.

"I can't come home, Dad," Hana said, her voice thick with emotion. "I need to go to Bali. For myself. I'll be there for you, but not right now. I need time to figure things out."

There was silence on the other end of the line, and for a moment, Hana feared he would try to convince her otherwise. But instead, her father's voice softened.

"I understand, Hana. I just wish you didn't have to go through this alone. But I respect your decision."

Tears welled up in Hana's eyes as she hung up the phone. She had made her choice. It wasn't easy, but it was the only one that felt right. She wasn't sure what awaited her in Bali, but for the first time in a long while, she felt a glimmer of hope.

"I'm doing this for me," Hana whispered, as much to herself as to Dewi. "I'm finally doing something for myself."

The following morning, Hana and Dewi stood in the airport terminal, their tickets in hand. It felt surreal, like stepping into an entirely different life. Bali just the thought of it felt like a dream, a place where she could start anew.

"Ready?" Dewi asked, her excitement contagious.

Hana smiled, her heart racing. "Ready."

As they walked toward the gate, a figure in the distance caught Hana's eye. It was a man, standing alone, his back turned to her. His presence seemed oddly familiar, though she couldn't place where she had seen him before.

Her heartbeat quickened for no reason she could understand. There was something about him that made her pause, a chill running down her spine. She shook it off, telling herself it was nothing.

But as they passed by, Hana felt his gaze on her intense, unwavering. She didn't dare turn to look back.

Something told her this was just the beginning of a journey that would be far more complicated than she ever imagined.