Kaelino walked down the hallway of his apartment, his steps straight ahead as his eyes studied the file Captain Lubis had given him. He analyzed patterns, timing, and the preliminary findings. He had handled similar cases before, but this one... was too complex for him to solve alone.
He arrived at his apartment door. Just as he was about to tap his card, he realized the door was not fully closed. Kaelino sighed, opening it slowly while preparing to draw his pistol from his waist.
As the door swung open, his alert expression instantly faded, replaced by irritation. "Honey, why didn't you tell me you were coming here?"
Sophia, sitting at the kitchen table, smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you."
"Fine." Kaelino sat beside her, subtly placing the file he was carrying into a drawer. "So what's the surprise?"
Sophia turned sideways and pulled out a bottle of wine. "Kennedy 90s," she said, showing him the bottle.
Kaelino smiled slightly, turned, and took two crystal glasses from the drawer. "I thought you weren't drinking anymore."
"Just occasionally, but not as often as you."
"I rarely drink, in fact... hardly ever lately." Kaelino took the bottle and poured wine into their glasses. "You know I can't handle much alcohol, right?"
Sophia narrowed her eyes with a mischievous smile, slowly reaching for her now-filled glass. "Oh really? Then I'll win easily."
"Of course, you can win without a fight." Kaelino raised his glass, and they clinked.
After a few sips, Sophia could no longer lift her head from the table. Her hand still gripped her half-filled wine glass, alongside her luxury watch, its hands still moving.
Sophia slowly sat up, rubbing her forehead, then glanced sideways. Kaelino was still there, casually pouring the remaining wine into his glass and taking a sip as if nothing had happened.
"You said you couldn't handle alcohol!" Sophia grumbled, feeling tricked.
"Sorry, turns out I'm stronger than you," Kaelino replied smugly, looking at Sophia's furious expression.
Sophia turned her face away in annoyance. "Liar."
Kaelino chuckled softly, then set his wine glass on the table. He let out a deep breath before looking back at Sophia, who was still pouting. "I want to resign from the police force," he said suddenly.
Sophia's pout vanished instantly, replaced by a shocked expression. Her eyes widened. "You're... not still drunk, are you?"
"No, I'm completely sober," he said firmly, reaching for Sophia's hand resting on her thigh. "My decision is final."
Sophia still didn't understand. She shook her head, trying to confirm her boyfriend wasn't under the influence of alcohol. "Honey, are you sure you're sober?"
Kaelino sighed and nodded slightly. That only made Sophia more confused. She touched his forehead, gently massaging it. "Or maybe I'm the one who's drunk?"
"I'm not drunk, and neither are you. I really am going to resign and try something else." Kaelino looked at her intently. "Don't worry, I can do this on my own."
"B-but... why? Why are you doing this?" Sophia asked, growing anxious.
"It's about my point of view, and... I no longer see my future there." Kaelino looked down slightly, staring at the empty wine glass on the kitchen table. "You understand what I mean, don't you? Honey?"
Sophia nodded with a half-bewildered expression. She turned Kaelino's hand over and clasped it tightly. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'll always support you. No matter what."
"Thank you, Sophia," Kaelino said, his eyes shining softly as he looked at his beloved.
*
*
*
A few days later, Kaelino arrived at the police station early in the morning. He carried his resignation letter, but what he found that morning was minimal activity during operational hours. Many officers hadn't arrived yet, and a few were still having breakfast.
Kaelino walked around the station with his file, finding many empty rooms, while several civilians sat in the lobby's waiting chairs.
Feeling compelled to help, he approached each of them one by one. Gently, he asked about their concerns. "Excuse me, sir, can I help you?"
"I want to make a driver's license. I've contacted Mr. Rio, but he hasn't arrived yet."
"Then allow me to assist you." Kaelino guided the man toward the license processing room, but the man looked uncomfortable. "Sir? This way."
The man stood and whispered something to Kaelino. "Well, sir, I've already made arrangements with Mr. Rio. I'd feel bad if I suddenly switched to you."
"What's the problem? I can help you make the license," Kaelino insisted, starting to grow suspicious of the man's uneasy behavior.
"The thing is... Mr. Rio and I already agreed on a price of 800 thousand for the license."
Kaelino was stunned, his ears burning. "800 thousand? Since when did a license cost that much?" he asked, his emotions rising. "As far as I know, the fee is no more than 150 thousand, and the psychological test is free!"
Several people glanced over, toward Kaelino, who had just exploded in front of the man. Startled and embarrassed, the man chose to leave.
Afterward, Kaelino returned to the civilians still sitting in the waiting chairs. "Anyone else? What do you need?"
A few people exchanged looks but didn't dare meet Kaelino's eyes. He felt that what he had done was right, yet... he was met with cynical stares from some. He looked at their faces — not with anger, but with weariness. Maybe they were used to it. Maybe they no longer believed there was any officer who truly wanted to help.
A few hours later, officers filled the station and worked as usual. Kaelino went straight to the chief's office with his resignation letter. His resolve was firm, and he was ready to leave.
"Are you sure?" the chief asked, his expression flat.
"I'm sure, sir. I no longer see my future here," Kaelino said resolutely.
The chief sighed, returning to his documents. "You have an excellent record. Why throw it away?"
"I already told you, sir. I no longer see my future here."
They stared at each other in silence. Something hung in the air at that moment. The chief narrowed his eyes before signing Kaelino's resignation letter. "What a shame, son. We had high hopes for you. But you've chosen to leave."
"This is my decision, and it's final," Kaelino said, half disappointed.
"Very well, I'll sign this." The chief signed without hesitation and handed the letter back to Kaelino. "We'll send your remaining salary soon."
"Thank you, sir." Kaelino rose from his chair, removing the badge from his left chest. The badge felt heavy in his palm. Once, he had received it with great hope. Now, he set it down with a heavy heart. "Good afternoon, sir," he said, leaving without looking back.
He walked through the station's corridors as an ordinary person. Without the status he had once taken pride in. Kaelino passed through the doors, then turned back to look at the place that had once given him the opportunity to serve as an intelligence officer. Now, it would become nothing more than a bitter memory.
But now... he could act. Without bureaucracy slowing him down. Without rules that protected criminals. He would make sure they got what they deserved.