The clock showed seven in the evening. After dinner ended, a small commotion broke out—where the young lady stubbornly refused the invitation. Two hours from now, the Ningtyas family was expected to attend the launch event of a new product from M Group, owned by the Mahatma family. That was why Pramudya had come personally yesterday instead of sending his assistant. Inviting family should be done with sincerity and proper etiquette, right?
But, like a ritual before attending any event, Kala was always full of drama. It took a lot of coaxing to get her to participate. Usually, she could be persuaded with a bit of reasoning and gentle pleading. Tonight, however, she was completely firm. Hanganto had even asked Raken to bring Kala along as usual. And now, even Raken was running out of ideas.
"Lady, you need to get ready."
No response. Kalaya remained lying with her back facing Raken. On the king-size bed, her small figure curled up into itself.
Raken let out a sigh. The room felt empty when Kala was silent. The breeze slipping through the open glass door made the curtains sway softly on both sides. The night sky stretched clearly before him. The balcony—where his young lady usually relaxed every afternoon—felt warm under the soft orange lights. The scattered city lights beyond only added to its beauty.
Unable to bear it any longer, Raken closed the glass door and pulled the curtains shut. The cold air that had been drifting in disappeared, especially since Kala wasn't even using a blanket.
Once again, Raken tried to persuade her. Showing up at events as a member of the family was a way to survive. One day, Kalaya would become the lady of the house, and for that, she needed connections and relationships from an early age. Hanganto and Hanggini never did anything pointless for their daughter. They didn't force her if she disliked something. But this was different—it was all for Kala's future, for when they were no longer there.
Meanwhile, Kala absolutely hated parties. She preferred sitting quietly with Raken, talking about anything until boredom found them. Or doing random things with the house staff. Raken understood—he truly did. He had been by Kala's side every second of her life. What more did she need when everything was already within reach in this mansion-like home? What more should she strive for when people naturally gravitated toward her? Without doing anything, everything was already in her grasp. That was what shaped her reluctance to mingle or deal with troublesome things. Raken couldn't blame anyone—after all, he had unknowingly played a part in creating it.
"Kala, don't you have any ambition?" Raken's voice broke the silence once more.
"I don't even know what else I want, Ken. I already have everything." Still in the same position, Kala spoke without moving.
"Nothing lasts forever, Kala. Change will come, whether you like it or not. And you need to be ready for it."
"But you won't change, right?" Kala lifted her head to look at Raken, who was still standing near the glass door.
"No. But you still have to try."
"I know, Ken. I've been trying too. Just this once, okay? Please..."
"This once, what?" Raken pinched the bridge of his nose, starting to give in to her stubbornness.
"I don't want to see Rilen. And I don't feel well either, Ken."
The hand that had been pinching his nose stilled. "You're sick?" He quickly approached her, brushing his hand across her face to check.
"Your temperature's a bit high. Since when?" Raken sat at the edge of the bed, pulling the blanket up to cover her from her feet to her neck.
"Before dinner, Ken. My body feels weak. Here, feel my neck—it's warm, right? I'm not lying." Kala tilted her head slightly, exposing her slender neck.
Raken's hand moved to her neck, gently brushing against it, feeling the warmth seeping into his palm.
"Cold." Kala trapped his hand between her neck and shoulder, reacting to the cool touch.
"That's because your body is warm." Instead of pulling away, Raken used his thumb to stroke her cheek without changing his position.
Kala suddenly laughed, filling the silence that had surrounded them. "So… I don't have to go, right?"
Raken answered with a nod. As he stood up, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Hanganto and Hanggini stopped by to see Kala before leaving. They hugged her tightly and kissed her affectionately. Kala was used to being treated like this—after all, she was their only child. Their love poured endlessly, more than enough for someone who already received love from everywhere.
"Get plenty of rest, okay? Don't stay up too late." Hanggini cupped Kala's cheeks gently.
"Take your medicine and go to sleep," Hanganto said, pressing a kiss to his daughter's forehead.
Kala smiled reassuringly, wanting them to leave without worry. After all, Raken was here—ready for anything. Believe it or not, she felt safer with him than with any doctor.
"Alright, we'll get going," Hanganto said as he stood up, patting Raken's shoulder. "Take care of Kala, Ken."
Raken nodded. Even without being asked, he would willingly protect her—he'd even trade his life if it ever came to that.
"I'm leaving now, sweetheart. Listen to Ken. Don't be stubborn." Hanggini kissed Kala's forehead before giving Raken a look that silently asked him to take care of her daughter.
After Hanganto and Hanggini left, Kala patted the space beside her. Understanding the gesture, Raken sat down. Facing her reminded him of the medicine. He quickly reached for the first aid kit in the drawer, handing her a glass of water and pills, while his other hand placed a cooling patch on her forehead.
Once everything was done, Kala lay back down. Raken stayed by her side, just in case something happened.
"Ken, I want to go out tomorrow." Kala's murmur, with her eyes still closed, made Raken turn. Her pale face bothered him. He preferred the natural glow she usually had.
"Where to?"
"Anywhere. As long as it's not a graveyard." Even in her weakened state, Kala's words wandered aimlessly—just like always.
Raken let out a small chuckle. Who in their right mind would take her to a graveyard? There were plenty of better places to go.
"On one condition."
"What?"
"Sleep."
"Sleep with me?"
"Good grief, is it your body that's sick or your brain?"
"Mean, Ken."
A light flick landed on Kala's forehead. "Ken! I'm sick, remember!"
Raken felt satisfied. Kalaya needed to be taught not to speak carelessly. It was fine if she said things like that to him—but what if she did it outside? God, he didn't even want to imagine it.
"Kala, the world out there is far scarier. You're only allowed to act like this with me. Understood?"
"No." Kala kept her eyes closed, unaware of Raken's growing irritation.
"You have to understand, Kala. Not every man is as honorable as I am."
"Go away, Ken."
"I'm serious."
"I'm very serious."
The vibration in Raken's pocket stopped him from arguing further. An unfamiliar number was calling. After making sure Kala had closed her eyes, he swiped to answer.
"Hello."
Raken found himself unable to say anything after hearing the voice on the other end. His gaze drifted back to Kala. His grip on the phone tightened, a bitter feeling settling in his chest.
When the silence stretched too long, Kala opened her eyes. She saw Raken standing there, phone in hand, staring at her.
"What is it, Ken?"
Raken didn't answer. Instead, he walked over and pulled her into an embrace—trying to tell her without words. Because even he didn't know how to say it.
"Ken, what—?"
"Sir and Madam got into an accident before reaching the venue."
Kala felt her world come to a halt.
Her ears went silent.