13. A Love as Beautiful as the Ancol Sunset

The Road to the Beach

Ancol Tourist Beach – Just Before Sunset

  After borrowing a motorbike from Mr. Harto, the villa caretaker, Robin and Hanu rode slowly toward the beach.

  The late afternoon breeze tousled Hanu's hair, and a calming silence settled between them as the seaside air grew cooler. They parked near a small stall that stood quietly on the edge of the beach.

  "Wanna grab a snack first?" Robin asked, glancing toward a tiny shop selling ice cream.

  "What do you want to get?" Hanu followed his gaze.

  "Ice cream," Robin replied without hesitation.

  "You eat ice cream?" Hanu asked, slightly surprised.

  "With you? I'd eat anything," Robin said with a subtle smile tugging at his lips.

  Hanu shot him a glance, cheeks rising. "Alright, fine. I'll have one too."

  A few minutes later, they sat side by side near the shoreline, each holding a cup of ice cream. The waves crashed gently, a lullaby to the slowly sinking sun that painted streaks of orange across the sky.

  Hanu took a spoonful and let it melt in her mouth. "Not bad," she murmured.

  "Well, of course. It tastes better because you're eating it with me," Robin replied smugly, his casual tone hiding a smirk.

  Hanu narrowed her eyes. "Ugh… You're so full of yourself. I swear the ice cream just turned salty from looking at you."

  Robin looked pleased. "Doesn't matter. You still like it."

  Suddenly, Hanu moved her spoon too quickly, and a smudge of ice cream ended up on the corner of her lips.

  Robin's gaze shifted, lingering. Without a word, he leaned in and gently wiped the smear away with his thumb—slow, unhurried, as if savoring the moment.

  Hanu froze, her eyes widening. Robin calmly brought his thumb to his mouth, licking off the sweetness, never breaking eye contact.

  "Wha—?" Hanu finally found her voice, biting her lower lip. "Why did you…?"

  Robin shrugged nonchalantly. "You eat like a five-year-old. I was just helping."

  Flushed and flustered, Hanu dropped her gaze, heart thumping louder than the waves. She focused on her ice cream again, trying to ignore the burn beneath her skin.

  Once they finished, they started walking along the beach, bare feet brushing against the soft sand.

  The world grew quieter. Only their footsteps and the rhythm of the sea remained.

  Robin walked ahead for a moment, then turned around with a teasing grin. "Hey, Hanu."

  "Hmm?" she looked up.

  "Would you be mad… if I did something?"

  Hanu narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "That depends on what it is."

  Without warning, Robin kicked sand gently toward her feet.

  Then took off running, laughing. "Oops. My bad."

  "ROBINNN!!!" Hanu shouted, already breaking into a chase. "Come back here!"

  Robin laughed harder, sprinting ahead as Hanu chased after him. "Catch me if you can! Otherwise, I'm going all the way to Jakarta!"

  "Just you wait! I will catch you!" she shouted back.

  They ran along the shoreline, their laughter echoing through the air. The sun dipped lower, and the golden light danced on their skin, making the world feel suspended—like nothing else existed.

  Eventually, they stopped, breathless and laughing, feet sinking into the warm sand. Hanu bent over, catching her breath. "You run way too fast."

  Robin stood tall, chest rising and falling. "Don't take life too seriously. Just breathe. Enjoy it."

  Still catching her breath, Hanu looked up, half-smiling. "Do you ever stay still?"

  Robin took a step closer, eyes fixed on her. "Only around you."

  That shut her up. She looked away, the sea suddenly far less distracting.

  Robin chuckled softly and tapped her shoulder. "But you had fun, right?"

  She turned toward him again, the small smile still on her lips. "Yeah… You're ridiculously annoying."

  Robin winked. "And yet, here you are."

  They stood in silence for a moment, the sky glowing orange above them. The last rays of sun stretched across the waves.

---

Evening – After Sunset

  The sky had darkened, only hints of orange remained. The tide whispered gently, and the world felt slower.

  Robin noticed Hanu still staring at the sea. "Hanu."

  "Yeah?"

  "Let's take a selfie."

  Hanu blinked. "Now?"

  "Why not?" Robin was already pulling out his phone. "Right or left side?"

  Hanu rolled her eyes but stepped closer. "Alright, let's do it."

  Robin lifted the phone, snapping a few shots—some normal, some ridiculous. At one point he stuck out his tongue mid-shot, making Hanu burst out laughing.

  "Send them to me," Hanu said, already opening her own phone.

  "Sure. That'll be ten thousand per photo," Robin teased.

  "Oh please. I'm the idol here. You should be paying me!"

  Robin chuckled as he hit send. But then, quietly, while Hanu browsed the photos, he angled his camera again—this time catching a candid moment. Her face bathed in the last warmth of twilight, eyes shimmering.

  Meanwhile, Hanu snuck a shot of her own. Robin, gazing at the ocean, profile still and unreadable.

  "What are you doing?" Robin asked, catching her red-handed.

  Hanu quickly hid her phone. "Nothing! Just… checking messages."

  Robin raised an eyebrow. "Mhm. I'm asking for those photos later."

  "No way!" Hanu said, embarrassed.

  Robin laughed. "We'll see."

  As the night settled and the air cooled, they both knew it was time to go. The world slowly returned to its rhythm.

---

Outside the Villa

  Robin turned off the engine. The garden lights flickered faintly, casting a soft glow across the path. Everything was quiet.

  Just as Hanu was about to climb down, Robin gently held her arm.

  "Hanu," he said softly.

  She turned, eyes wide.

  "Good night," he whispered with a small, tender smile. "Sleep well."

  She froze, warmth blooming across her cheeks. "Y-you too."

  Robin let go, and Hanu hopped down, quickly walking toward the villa with her head lowered, her heart still thundering in her chest—and her lips curled into a smile she couldn't suppress.