A Journey of Love

I leaned my back against the passenger seat, drawing in a deep breath. Faintly, the scent of air freshener gel lingered in the air. My gaze then fell across the window glass.

I blinked dimly, the passing headlights slightly blinding me. The distance between the road and my eyes was only as thick as the window pane… which now seemed to be slowly covered with dew from the cold breath of the night.

The streetlights glowed softly, as if running along my eyelids. But I barely paid attention. My mind was dragged instead into the past.

“At last… after seven years…” my throat tightened, the rumble of emotions that had long settled in my chest restraining my voice from breaking free.

Soon, fragments of my past crossed my mind. Back again, to years ago, when I used to sit behind the window of our house, quietly watching a girl walking home from school with her friend. Sometimes they would burst into laughter, enjoying each other’s jokes.

“Oi, bro. Why are you spacing out? Drunk or what?!” a girl said, patting my shoulder.

In an instant, my reverie shattered, yet I chose to act indifferent. Maybe if I didn’t respond, she would get annoyed and stop teasing me. But…

“Bro, bro, bro…” instead, she shook my body mercilessly.

I let out an irritated huff.

“Stop it, Naura. Or I’ll tell Mom that you—”

Naura quickly covered my mouth. Then she glanced toward the driver’s seat. Luckily, Mom and Dad didn’t hear our banter; they were busy with their own conversation.

“Ughh… you’re no fun,” she folded her arms, puffing her cheeks.

I laughed lightly. She looked oddly adorable when she was sulking.

“Hahaha.” I ruffled her hair fondly. “Just go to sleep. It’s still far, the trip to Madura. About…” I glanced briefly at my wristwatch, “four more hours.”

“I can’t sleep in the car,” she complained in a spoiled tone.

“Come here…” I pulled her head gently and rested it on my shoulder.

“No, you stink,” she muttered, yet she still fell asleep on my shoulder anyway.

“All grumpy, but deep down you care.”

“Ew, gross…”

I chuckled softly.

“Just sleep. I’ll wake you up when we arrive.”

I murmured.

Apparently, Naura was still muttering faintly before she finally drifted off on my shoulder.

The atmosphere returned to silence. Only the soft hum of the car slicing through the damp night air could be heard.

“Hemm… I have to go through all of this.” My breath flowed out slowly before I turned back toward the window.

“Even if… this chance comes when everything is already too late.”

The car we were riding in finally let out a low hum, coming to a stop in a yard still wrapped in the remnants of morning dew.

I gently shook my sister’s body.

“Naura, wake up. We’re here.”

Naura yawned lazily, rubbing the corner of her blurry eyes.

“Huh, we’re already here?! That was so fast.”

I didn’t respond. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I quickly pulled the car door handle open. The cool morning air instantly brushed against my pores.

My feet stepped down slowly, the soft texture of sandy soil restraining my pace from moving too fast.

I remember, back then I used to play here, building sandcastles and running around all day. Now, I could only stare at the remnants of those memories clinging between the grains of sand.

My eyes began sweeping the surroundings. Tall teak trees stood proudly, bordering the gardens beside Grandma’s house.

Their leaves swayed, caressed by the whisper of the morning breeze, carrying the distinct scent of sandy earth and dew not yet fully evaporated.

I walked toward my family who lived here. There was Grandma, smiling gently behind her aged face. Uncle and his wife were walking toward us, intending to help. They had been standing in front of the house, waiting for our arrival.

Behind me, suitcases were being lowered, boxes lifted, car doors opened and closed. Everyone was busy with luggage and gifts.

Everyone except me. I only walked slowly with a single bag slung over my shoulder. Because I wanted to immediately approach Grandma and kiss the back of her wrinkled hand.

Until my steps suddenly halted. Somehow, as I passed a house not far from ours, a strange wave of longing filled my chest.

I turned my head. The house was still dark, its door tightly shut. Only the light inside glowed faintly, casting a yellow hue from behind the window. Silence, mixed with the faint glow of dawn from the eastern horizon, made it difficult for me to look away.

“Ugh, brooo… spacing out again,” Naura shoved me aside.

“Poor Grandma, she might think you’re possessed.”

I rubbed my arm that didn’t even hurt.

“Hey, you ungrateful little sister!”

“Whatever… bleh!” Naura stuck out her tongue before running off toward Grandma.

“Hemm…” I just let out a quiet grunt and followed behind her.

And without anyone realizing, amidst the warmth of that family visit, a girl was sitting behind the window of her house, her gaze serene beneath a red veil. Yet not her fingers, which trembled nervously as they clenched the hem of her clothes. She could not lie to herself that what she saw was proof that one of her prayers had been answered.