The next night.
Fiya and Ardi sat in the living room. They had just finished dinner at home. Dinner that Fiya cooked herself.
Desi was already asleep at the hospital. Tomorrow was the day of Desi's surgery.
Fiya and Ardi were waiting for bedtime.
They sat on the sofa. Lights were dim. Soft music from the speaker.
A comfortable atmosphere.
"Fiya," said Ardi.
"Yes?" answered Fiya.
"Thank you for yesterday," said Ardi.
Fiya smiled. "You're welcome. Yesterday's dinner was really nice."
"Yes," said Ardi. "I haven't been... relaxed like that for a long time."
They were silent for a moment.
"Has Ardi ever told me about his mother?" asked Fiya gently.
Ardi stopped.
"My mother?" asked Ardi.
"Yes. Ardi told me a little about mother before. But not complete," said Fiya.
Ardi looked out the window.
"My mother left when I was 8 years old," said Ardi in a weak voice.
Fiya listened. Fiya didn't speak.
"Back then I was still young. I didn't understand what divorce was," continued Ardi. "I just knew that Mother was gone. She was no longer there."
Ardi stopped. Ardi looked at his hands.
"Father told me that Mother left because she couldn't handle Father's career. Father told me that Mother couldn't accept that Father was busy with work," continued Ardi.
Fiya still listened. Fiya still stayed silent.
"But I still remember Mother," said Ardi in an increasingly weaker voice. "I still remember Mother's face. I still remember Mother's voice teaching me how to read."
Ardi stopped. Ardi took a deep breath.
"I still remember... Mother always said that life is not just about money," continued Ardi. "Mother said that life is about small moments with people we love."
Fiya looked toward Ardi. But Ardi still looked out the window.
"After Mother left, Father told me it was foolish to think like that," continued Ardi. "Father said that life is about hard work. About success. About money."
"And I believed Father," continued Ardi. "I became like Father. Ardi became cold. Ardi always focused on business."
"Until now," said Ardi with a voice that started to shake. "Until Fiya came."
Ardi finally looked at Fiya.
Ardi's eyes... were wet.
Tears in the corner of Ardi's eyes.
Ardi wasn't crying. But Ardi looked sad. Very sad.
"Fiya... reminds me of my mother," said Ardi softly. "The way Fiya cares. The way Fiya believes that small moments are important. The way Fiya says there is more than just work."
Fiya listened to all of this with a painful heart.
Fiya thought: Ardi once had a good mother. Ardi once had someone who taught him about love.
But then Ardi lost that. Ardi forgot.
And now, Fiya helps Ardi remember.
"Your mother..." Fiya tried to speak. "Your mother must have loved you very much."
"Yes," answered Ardi with a still trembling voice. "Mother loved me so much. Mother wanted me to be happy. But I... I forgot."
Fiya stood up. Fiya sat closer to Ardi.
Fiya held Ardi's hand.
"Ardi didn't forget," said Fiya gently. "Ardi just... fell asleep. But now Ardi is waking up again."
Ardi looked at Fiya.
There were tears on Ardi's face now.
Tears that fell slowly.
"Thank you, Fiya," said Ardi with a voice full of emotion. "Thank you for waking me up."
Fiya hugged Ardi.
Fiya didn't speak.
Fiya just hugged Ardi. Tight. Warm.
Ardi hugged Fiya back.
A long hug. A deep hug.
They sat like that for a few minutes.
Not speaking. Just hugging.
Soft music was still playing.
Lights were still dim.
The world felt simple. Felt enough.
After a few minutes, they let go of the hug.
Ardi looked at Fiya.
Ardi saw Fiya's eyes.
Fiya's eyes were also watery. Fiya was also crying.
"Are you okay?" asked Ardi.
"Yes," answered Fiya. "I just... I heard Ardi's story about his mother. It made me sad. But also... it made me realize that Ardi is a good person. A person with a deep heart."
"Fiya," said Ardi. "Tomorrow is Desi's surgery."
"Yes," answered Fiya.
"Are you scared?" asked Ardi.
"Very scared," answered Fiya honestly.
"I will be there," said Ardi. "At the hospital. I will accompany Fiya and Desi."
Fiya felt something warm in her chest.
"Thank you," said Fiya.
That night.
Fiya returned to her room.
Fiya thought about what Ardi told her.
Fiya thought about Ardi's mother who left.
Fiya thought about Ardi who lost himself.
Fiya thought about Ardi's journey to find himself again.
Fiya realized something.
Ardi and Fiya... they were both finding themselves again.
Together.
The next morning.
The day of Desi's surgery.
Fiya woke up early. Fiya didn't sleep soundly last night.
Fiya was nervous. Fiya was scared.
Fiya went to the kitchen.
Ardi was already there. Ardi was making breakfast.
"Good morning," said Ardi.
"Good morning," answered Fiya.
"Ardi cooked breakfast," said Ardi. "Just light food. Because Fiya probably isn't hungry."
Fiya smiled weakly.
They ate breakfast together. Quietly. But comfortable.
8 AM.
Ardi and Fiya went to the hospital.
Ardi was driving.
Fiya sat beside him.
Fiya held a bag with Desi's things.
Fiya was very nervous.
"Fiya," said Ardi.
"Yes?" answered Fiya.
"Desi will be okay," said Ardi. "The doctor is an expert. Desi will survive. Desi will recover."
Ardi held Fiya's hand.
"Ardi promises," said Ardi.
Fiya felt slightly calmer.