When Kala wasn't even ten yet, her mother once brought up the topic of death. What could she possibly expect from a child who only knew that death meant no longer being alive? That was all Kala understood. She didn't truly know what she was supposed to feel when someone died, or what she should do when someone simply… disappeared.
"All living beings are always followed by the angel of death."
"Who's the angel of death, Mom?" Kala looked up, trying to meet Hanggini's eyes while licking her ice cream.
"The one who will take us away from this world." Hanggini brushed aside the strand of hair that had fallen over Kala's eyes.
"What if we don't want to go?"
Hanggini chuckled softly at her daughter's innocence. "Sadly, we don't get to refuse. We'll be taken without any warning."
"That's not fair, Mom. Why do we have to be taken by force? Are you scared?"
A pause stretched between them. Hanggini hadn't prepared an answer for that. After a moment, she smiled again. "I am. I'm scared of leaving you alone when you still can't do anything."
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll play less and study more. I'll learn how to do everything. So you don't have to be scared anymore, okay?" Kala's small arms wrapped around Hanggini's slender waist, smearing a bit of melted ice cream onto her white blouse.
Hanggini gently patted her back. Back then, Kala truly didn't understand what it felt like to be left behind. It wasn't just about whether the one who would die was afraid—but also about how the ones left behind would keep living.
Until one moment made Kala understand, even if only a little, what loss really meant. That afternoon, the squirrel she had begged her father for was gone. She had taken care of it day and night, feeding it milk and food. Kala loved it—it was her first pet. She couldn't stay away from it, not even for something as simple as going to the bathroom.
Her heart shattered when she found it lifeless. It lay near the garage door, its body half crushed, some of its organs scattered. Only its head and neck remained intact. Kala screamed so loudly that Hanganto canceled his meeting.
From that moment, Kala understood what death was—and what kind of feeling came when it took something she loved. Deep down, she begged the angel of death not to take Raken away from her. She could still endure losing the squirrel. But not Raken. Never him.
Kala forgot to ask the angel not to take her parents too. And now, it felt like that angel laughed—and took them instead. Again and again, she made sure Raken hadn't misheard. Again and again, she convinced herself it was just a mistake. How could her parents get into an accident so easily? They were always heavily guarded, escorted by three cars. Tight security to keep any danger away.
"Ken, please call Dad. Tell him someone's trying to fake his death." Kala smiled, holding onto Raken's hand.
Raken froze. There was no life left in Kala's eyes. That smile—just something forced onto her lips. The tremor in her voice said everything. She refused to accept it.
"Come on, Ken. What are you waiting for? Dad's going to be really mad if he finds out."
Something tightened painfully in Raken's chest. Hearing Kala sound so lost was enough to break him. He pulled her into his arms, trying to calm her, ignoring how she struggled against him.
Then her scream broke through everything—tearing the silence apart. Kala cried with everything she had. That embrace couldn't hold back the grief that demanded to be heard. The world had to know she was in pain. Taking her parents away was unforgivable—so much so that she wanted to destroy everything around her. To hell with manners. Even being a good child still led to suffering.
Blow after blow landed on Raken as Kala let everything out. Let his body be the place where she could release it all. Nothing was okay anymore. Both of them were shaken to the core. But someone had to stay steady. Someone had to stay sane in the middle of this storm that came without warning. He had to protect Kala, no matter what. From this moment on, the pillar of Ningtyas was only Kalaya. Even if it cost his life, he would make sure she stood as the lady of the house.
Raken gently patted her, trying to soothe her. Letting her know—she wasn't alone. She still had him. Someone who would stand in front of anything for her. No matter what happened, he would stay.
That night ended with Kala losing consciousness. Raken hadn't even begun dealing with the details of the accident that took Hanganto and Hanggini. The only thing he knew—their bodies had been taken to the hospital for autopsy. He ordered everyone to stay silent. Including the media. He paid off those hungry for news to keep their mouths shut. Not yet. Not until Kala was at least strong enough to face it.
Raken rubbed the bridge of his nose, something he often did when his mind was exhausted. Usually when he ran out of ways to deal with Kala. And right now, he didn't know how to face her when she woke up.
"Tonight is going to be long." His sigh echoed in the quiet room. The weight of everything had suddenly fallen onto his shoulders.
Once Kala was stable enough to talk and see her parents' bodies, Raken felt a small sense of relief. But the light in her eyes was completely gone. Even when asked to eat, she obeyed without hesitation. No complaints. No drama. And somehow—that was even more terrifying. But for now, maybe it was better this way.
Raken stayed by her side while giving quiet instructions to handle everything. He asked for Hanganto and Hanggini to be brought home. He didn't want Kala stepping into a place like a hospital. There were too many things there she didn't need to see. Too much pain she shouldn't witness.
While Raken was occupied, Kala suddenly rushed forward and grabbed the collar of one of the guards who had been with her parents that night.
"How could you let the angel of death take my parents?! Out of everyone, why only them?! Why?!"
No answer came. But Kala wasn't really asking. She was just looking for someone to blame. Someone to hold responsible. She lowered her head, still gripping the man's collar. A sharp pain spread through her body—indescribable. Like thousands of needles piercing every organ. Far worse than anything she had ever imagined.
How was she supposed to live normally now? When both of her worlds disappeared in a single night? Her heart, once whole and protected, was now shattered. The axis she thought would stand forever collapsed in an instant. Before she could find something to hold onto, the ground beneath her had already given way.
The world that once moved so steadily suddenly spun out of control. Wasn't everything fine? Why did that clean white turn pitch black in a second? She hadn't even had the chance to prove she could live without them. So why did they leave so quickly, leaving her all alone?
There were so many things she never got to tell Hanganto. About wanting to study abroad and come back to make him proud. About wanting to tell Hanggini she could live independently. Plans she would carry out after graduating high school—becoming the adult they always wanted her to be.
They hadn't heard any of it. Hadn't seen any of it. So why leave this soon?
Before Kala could collapse, Raken caught her. Slowly prying her fingers off the guard's collar. Just as he thought—she was completely shaken. The calm life she once had had been swallowed by a storm. And she had never prepared herself to live without Hanganto and Hanggini this early.
"Kala… do you want to rest?"
Her limp body forced itself upright. Even though it took everything she had, Kala steadied her feet. "I have to welcome Mom and Dad home, Ken. They'll be sad if I'm not at the front door."
"I'll help you." Raken guided her, letting her hold onto him as they walked to the front.
People had gathered to witness the return of the pillars of the Ningtyas family. Some quietly wiped their tears, covering their mouths to muffle their sobs. Others whispered, pitying Kalaya. Let the whole world pity her if they wanted—Kala really did deserve it. A young lady who knew nothing, who didn't even understand how life worked. Pitiful, wasn't it?
After some time, the ambulance arrived. The siren had been turned off—Raken's request, to protect Kala. Loud sounds would only make things worse for her.
The coffins were carried out carefully, one by one, placed inside without a single harsh movement. Kala looked at her mother's face. Beautiful. Peaceful. The elegant dress, decorated with flowers, made her look even more stunning. How could she still look this beautiful… even in death?
"Ken… why does Mom look like she's happy leaving me alone? Look… she looks peaceful. She's even smiling." Kala rested her hands on the edge of the coffin, lowering her head to take in every detail.
Raken said nothing. He couldn't. Hearing that was enough to break something inside him. The girl he had protected all this time… was finally broken.
"Dad… you said you were going to an event. So why did you leave this world instead? Why didn't you take me with you?"
"Kala…" Raken's chest tightened. She couldn't give up. She still had a life ahead—one he had promised would be better than anything.
Kala studied her father's face. Even in death, he still carried that same presence. The faint wrinkles didn't take away his charm. Did they love each other that much? To leave together like this? How selfish. Loving each other so much that even in death, they chose to go side by side. As if proving that even death couldn't separate them.
The quiet grief surrounding Kala was suddenly disturbed by noise. The arrival of the Mahatma family made Raken instinctively step forward, shielding her. He didn't know why—but something told him to keep her away.
"Kala, we're deeply sorry for your loss." Pramudya paused when Raken placed himself between them.
Kala tried to stand by holding onto Raken. He immediately crouched and helped her up, supporting her shoulders and waist. Kala leaned fully against him, her body weak. Raken didn't mind—he only held her closer.
"I didn't even get to see them."
"I heard they had an accident before arriving." Kala gave a faint, bitter smile, imagining what her parents went through in those final moments. How much pain did they endure before giving in to that cruel angel of death?
Raken glanced at the Mahatma family, uninterested. Their all-black outfits only deepened the dark atmosphere. Even behind their grieving expressions, he could sense something unsettling—especially from Rilen, whose gaze lingered on Kala like she was something to be claimed. Raken tightened his hold around her waist. Kala looked up, silently asking why. He only gave a small smile, as if to say it was nothing.
Rilen's gaze sharpened even more at that sight. A spark flickered in his eyes—restless, impatient. He wanted to take what Kala held onto.
Only Inggit looked genuinely heartbroken. There was something sincere in her expression. She looked at Kala with pity, as if she were her own daughter. Her eyes reddened, holding back tears. It wouldn't be right for her to cry when Kala was trying so hard to stay strong. She wanted to reach out—but Raken's gaze stopped her. At least Kala wasn't alone. And that was enough.
"Should we go straight to the burial? My brother would want to rest as soon as possible." Pra asked for Kala's approval. When she nodded, the coffins were prepared again.
"If it's too much, let us handle it, Kala." Inggit's gentle voice made Kala force a smile.
"I can do it, Auntie. I want to take Mom and Dad to their resting place."
Inggit nodded, respecting her decision. Rilen only glanced briefly before walking out first. He was getting tired of seeing how loved Kala was—how everything came to her so easily. That's why he'd be satisfied when everything she had became his.
The trip to the cemetery took time. The Ningtyas family grounds were located on the outskirts of the city. Kala stayed quiet, resting her head on Raken's shoulder. Before leaving, he had draped a shawl over her. She pulled it closer around herself. He was right—it made her feel safe.
"What should I do, Ken?" Her voice was hoarse, weak.
"You don't have to do anything. I'll handle everything." Raken answered without hesitation.
"I'd lose my mind if you were gone too."
"That won't happen, Kala."
The gentle pat on her head calmed her. She chose to believe him completely. The way he treated her was enough. Raken wouldn't leave. He couldn't. He was all she had left. Please… don't take him too. That silent plea only grew stronger after her parents' death.
But the calm didn't last. Suddenly, the steering wheel jerked violently. The screech of tires filled the air. Kala's body lifted as a loud crash sent the car flipping. In a split second, Raken pulled her into his arms.
That warmth was the last thing she remembered before everything went dark.
Her consciousness slipped away—without knowing what had just happened.