Eight Years Ago

"I want to break up."

Langit froze at Bintang's words. Why was she asking to end their relationship when everything between them had been fine?

"What's wrong? Why are you asking for a breakup? What did I do? Isn't our relationship perfectly fine? Don't joke around, Bin. This isn't funny." Langit assumed Bintang was teasing him the way she had before, when she pretended to break up only to ask him out again moments later.

"I really want to break up. I'm not joking, El." Bintang spoke with a serious expression. There was not a trace of hesitation when she said she wanted to end things with him.

Langit stared at her in silence, trying to judge whether she truly meant it or if she was simply trying to mess with him.

"Say it. Give me your reason for wanting to break up with me!" Langit demanded clarity. He refused to believe she genuinely wanted to end a relationship that had only lasted a few months-despite the fact that he had loved her for years.

"I'm bored. I'm bored of you, of this relationship. I can't continue it," Bintang replied. She didn't look sad or guilty at all when she decided to end what they had.

"That's it? That's the reason you're breaking up with me? Just because you're bored of me? What kind of joke is that, huh!" Langit truly could not accept such a reason.

"Yes, I'm bored. Besides, from the beginning, haven't you known that you were just a distraction for me? Come on, don't be so naive. We're young. Whatever we're feeling is nothing more than puppy love. We don't even know if we're meant to last. What we have is just a momentary thrill. There's no genuine love between us." Bintang tried to make him believe that her words were not a joke. She said them with full awareness and a decision made after long consideration.

They were talking beside the school building right after classes ended.

Langit still couldn't accept Bintang's decision. He clenched his fist and slammed it against the wall right beside her head.

Bintang flinched at his sudden action but tried to stay composed as she looked at Langit holding back his emotions. His stare was sharp, his eyes red as he fought to contain his anger.

"Say it! Tell me it's not true! Tell me you're just joking about breaking up, Bin!" Langit shouted, refusing to accept it.

He had worked so hard to win Bintang's heart. He had pursued her for years, and now, just when he finally had her, she wanted to leave. Langit simply couldn't accept it.

Bintang remained firm-no tears, no regret, no guilt. She held his gaze even with his face so close to hers. He looked like he was on the verge of exploding.

"It's true, El. I will still break up with you. Whether you want it or not. Agree or disagree. I will still end this relationship. We can stay friends, El. But not as lovers. I know we started dating because of fleeting feelings. Sooner or later, we'll get tired of each other. When that time comes, we'll still end up separated," Bintang said calmly.

Langit was furious, especially because it felt like she was belittling his love-love that had always been sincere, reserved only for her. He couldn't take it anymore and grabbed her nape, forcing their lips together in a deep, hard kiss.

Bintang gasped at his sudden action. At first she allowed it, stunned by his anger, but as Langit grew rougher, she pushed him away, struggling to break the kiss.

When she finally managed to free herself, she reflexively slapped him. The force surprised even her. Her heart pounded with fear-fear of his anger, fear of the hatred he might now harbor toward her.

Langit turned his face at the blow, then smirked bitterly, as if amused that she had the heart to hit him. He knew he was wrong for forcing that kiss, but he did it to see her reaction. Now he felt certain-Bintang no longer wanted him.

"You really want to throw me away?" Langit asked, his face full of disappointment.

"I just want to end our relationship," Bintang replied.

"You're throwing me away, Bin!" Langit screamed, his voice echoing.

Bintang shrank back slightly. It was the first time Langit had ever yelled at her.

"This is for your own good," she said calmly.

"For my good?" Langit scoffed. "You call this 'good'? Fine! If this is for your good, then so be it! Good for destroying my feelings!" he snapped, hitting his own chest.

Bintang stayed silent, watching him release his anger.

Langit still couldn't accept it. He slammed the wall again, making Bintang shut her eyes in shock.

"Remember this, Bin. Remember my words. You're the one destroying me. And you'll be responsible for whatever happens to me after this. You want to end our relationship? Then that means you want me gone. I'll grant your wish, Bintang. I'll grant it. But pray you never cross paths with me again. If that day ever comes, I swear I'll make sure you're the one who ends up shattered."

Bintang jolted awake from her deep sleep, her heart racing and her chest tightening painfully. She had just dreamt about Langit-about the moment she had cruelly ended their relationship without giving him a clear reason, leaving him devastated and disappearing as if swallowed by the earth.

Without realizing it, crystal-like tears slipped down her cheeks. After years of trying to forget him, tonight Bintang dreamt about Langit again. She raked her fingers through her hair in frustration, the traces of regret evident on her face.

"I'm sorry, El. I'm sorry for hurting you."

Remembering Langit's threat made every part of her body tremble with fear.

**

In Paris, France, Langit was still awake, standing near the glass wall of his apartment. He stared straight ahead, watching the expanse of Paris glitter beneath the night lights.

He had just remembered the moment when Bintang asked to break up with him. He still couldn't accept the reason she gave. To him, it was the most senseless excuse she could have come up with.

"Bored? Was your love that shallow that you could feel bored of me?" Langit smirked bitterly at the memory.

"I'll come back, but hope that we never meet again, Bin. Because if we do, I really will destroy you the way you destroyed and shattered my world."

Langit glanced at the star tattoo he had gotten a week after Bintang broke up with him-right before he left for Paris. He had it inked there to remind himself that he would never again be able to see or reach the love of the girl he once worshipped.

**

Bintang had prepared to go to the office earlier than usual. Ever since waking up from the dream, she couldn't fall back asleep, so she chose to check her documents and get ready for work.

"Morning, Mom." Bintang put on a cheerful expression, even though her mind was weighed with burdens.

"Good morning, Sweetheart." Annetha greeted her daughter with a warm smile, kissing both her cheeks.

Orion-Bintang's younger brother-had just arrived at the dining table, along with Arlan-their father, who was getting ready for breakfast before starting his day.

"Is there any issue with your work?" Arlan asked in between bites.

"Nothing, Dad. Everything is under control," Bintang answered confidently.

Arlan smiled in relief. Seeing Bintang's enthusiasm eased his worries. He used to fear that Bintang wouldn't be able to live her days like other girls because of her illness, but her spirit washed away all of his concerns.

"Don't push yourself too hard. If there's anything you can't handle, tell me," Arlan said, still unable to stop worrying even though Bintang was already twenty-five.

"Yes, Dad. Everything's fine!" Bintang replied with bright enthusiasm.

No-it wasn't genuine enthusiasm. She acted strong in front of her parents. She didn't want them crying over her again like they did eight years ago. It was enough that she had seen their tears once. Now, it was her responsibility to make them happy. She had to be strong, had to bury what she felt, had to wear a mask of joy to cover the sadness she hid deep inside.

Bintang drove her car to the company herself since she worked at a branch office and not the main headquarters.

The morning traffic was quite heavy. While she drove, her phone rang, showing the name of one of her staff members. She intended to answer, but the car in front of her suddenly braked, startling her. Her phone slipped from her hand, and she was late pressing the brake pedal-her car crashed into the bumper ahead.

"Oh God, I'm doomed!" Bintang panicked as she realized she had hit someone's car.

She quickly got out to check the damage and to apologize and take responsibility for it.

"What do I do now?" Bintang muttered as she saw the dented bumper. She ran her fingers through her hair again, her panic escalating.

While she was still overwhelmed by the damage, someone stepped out of the car she had crashed into.

Bintang turned, ready to apologize. But the moment she saw who had just gotten out, she froze. Her lips went numb, and her gaze locked in place, unable to move away.

Bintang looked awkward, even smiling from time to time despite the heavy sense of discomfort clinging to her.

"Sorry for hitting your car," Bintang said after inspecting the bumper she had crashed into one more time.

"It's alright, Bin." The owner of the car Bintang hit flashed a smile at how flustered she looked.

"How have you been?" asked the woman-Cheryl, Langit's adoptive older sister.

Bintang pressed her lips together and glanced at her ex-boyfriend's adoptive sister with clear unease.

"Good," Bintang replied, then quickly looked away.

Cheryl watched Bintang's awkwardness before giving a gentle smile. The French woman knew how things had been between Bintang and Langit in the past, and she had always felt it was a shame when their relationship ended so suddenly.

"It's strange, isn't it? We live in the same city, yet we never run into each other-not even by accident. I guess I'm lucky to see you this morning, even if it came with a little incident," Cheryl said, breaking the tension surrounding them.

Bintang grew even more uneasy at Cheryl's words, not because she had intentionally avoided Cheryl, but because she had limited her outings due to her condition. She rarely went out during the day unless it was for business.

"Maybe it's just me. I rarely go out unless necessary, so we probably never crossed paths-even by accident," Bintang replied.

Cheryl smiled. They had once been close when Bintang was still dating Langit, but the relationship faded after Bintang broke up with him-and especially after Bintang seemed to vanish from everyone's sight for a while.

The two chatted to ease the lingering awkwardness, eventually softening the atmosphere enough for a few small laughs.

"I'm glad I got to see you again, Bin," Cheryl said as she prepared to leave.

"Me too," Bintang replied. She had been avoiding people connected to Langit because she didn't want to be reminded of him.

Cheryl nodded and moved toward her car, while Bintang headed toward hers. But Cheryl suddenly turned back just as Bintang reached for her door handle.

"Bin," Cheryl called.

Bintang turned to look at her.

"Have you ever wanted to contact him?" Cheryl asked out of nowhere.

Bintang froze at the question, instantly understanding who she was referring to.

**

A week passed. Langit had finished all his work in Paris and would be returning home with Joya.

That night, Langit watched his mimi packing their things. They would be taking an early flight back to Indonesia. Joya looked genuinely happy; she couldn't stop smiling.

"Mpmmy looks very happy?" Langit observed.

"Of course I am. After eight years, you're finally coming home and staying with us again," Joya said as she continued packing Langit's belongings.

Langit kept watching her before finally speaking. "But when we get to Indonesia, I want to live in my own apartment."

Joya immediately turned toward him, eyes widening at his words.

"El, we haven't even reunited properly and you already want to live alone?" Joya was upset that Langit still wanted his distance. She had hoped he would stay with her and her husband so they could keep an eye on his lifestyle.

"Mom, I'm an adult man. It's normal to want my own place. Besides, what matters is that I'm back in Indonesia and we can still see each other often. If you don't let me have my own apartment, I won't go back," Langit threatened, making it clear he wouldn't return unless she agreed.

Joya was speechless and eventually gave in, albeit reluctantly.

Langit smiled when his mimi agreed to his request, though the smile faded seconds later when he remembered the girl who had once broken his heart. Why did it still hurt so much to imagine seeing her again?

**

After a long flight, the plane carrying Langit and Joya finally landed in Indonesia at night. They were now walking from the international arrival gate toward the airport exit.

"Langit! Mom!"

A familiar voice called out, waving eagerly at them.

Langit looked toward the voice and shook his head slowly.

"She's already an adult, but she still shouts like that."

"Don't be surprised. That's just how Cheryl is. She must've missed you a lot," Joya said.

Cheryl-who had come specifically that night to pick up Langit and Joya-ran toward them. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around Langit, hugging him tightly despite their years apart. Her affection never changed, even though they weren't blood-related.

"You finally came home. I thought you got snatched by some French girl over there," Cheryl teased, squeezing him tighter.

Langit was startled; Cheryl was just the same as before-affectionate, expressive, and clingy with him, never awkward despite their age.

"Almost got snatched, but Mimi dragged me back," Langit replied, playing along with her joke.

Hearing that, Joya smacked Langit's arm-hard.

"Ow, Mom!" he yelped.

Cheryl released him and burst into laughter after seeing Langit get scolded.

"Snatched? What snatched? You were the one messing around everywhere!" Joya complained, remembering how he used to play around with women recklessly.

Cheryl scratched her head, clueless, glancing between Langit and Joya.

"Messing around with what?" she asked, too innocent to understand what they were referring to.