chapter 3
1408 Words
Raka sat behind the large mahogany desk in his office. The warm glow of the chandelier illuminated stacks of project documents and his still-open laptop. Yet none of it held his attention.
His hand tightened into a fist on the table, then slowly loosened. He leaned back in his black leather chair, staring blankly at the ceiling as if hoping an answer would fall from it.
His mind was loud.
Three weeks.
Three weeks away from Aruna, who still lay weak and unmoving. Three weeks without knowing whether her memories would return, whether her emotional and physical wounds would heal—or worsen.
But the project in Kalimantan wasn’t just any project. It was a major expansion plan he had personally signed off on. The field team wasn’t stable yet. The investors demanded direct supervision. And if there was one person who could save that project, it was him.
He took a long breath and let it out slowly.
Aruna’s face flashed in his mind—the faint smile she wore whenever she brought him coffee, the way she pouted when he came home late, the sound of her laughter that used to fill their home’s corridors.
“I’m a husband… before I’m a CEO,” he whispered under his breath, as if reminding himself.
But another voice echoed back in his head.
“But if you fail as a CEO, everyone who depends on your company falls too. Including Aruna.”
He rose from his chair and walked toward the large window overlooking the city. Below, the cars looked like tiny ants hurrying about. The world didn’t stop just because one person was hurt. Life kept moving.
He rested his forehead against the cold glass, eyes shut.
“I should’ve been more attentive,” he murmured. “I should’ve come home earlier that night. I should’ve listened to her…”
Silence again.
None of the battles inside him found a winner. Only exhaustion remained, deep and suffocating.
A knock on the door. His secretary stepped in briefly, placing a folder containing his Kalimantan itinerary on the desk. Raka only nodded silently and sat back down.
The folder remained untouched.
Because part of him still refused to leave.
And that part… was the most human side of him: a husband terrified of losing his wife before he even had the chance to make things right.
❤️❤️❤️
The night sky dimmed, spreading shades of gray across the twinkling city lights. Raka drove slowly back to the hospital. His watch read 9:45 p.m. The hallway lights glowed softly as he stepped into Aruna’s room.
His mother sat in a chair near the window, knitting something that had long lost its shape. Aruna’s father was asleep on the small sofa. Meanwhile, Aruna’s mother quietly watched her daughter’s face, occasionally wiping her forehead with a damp cloth.
When Raka entered, everyone looked up. No words—just warm glances. He hung his coat and sat beside Aruna. Gently, he held her weak hand, his eyes fixed on her pale face.
“Dad, Mom,” he finally said, breaking the silence. “I… need to talk.”
Aruna’s father woke up and approached. Raka’s mother lowered her knitting, eyes full of concern. Everyone waited.
“There’s a project in Kalimantan,” Raka began slowly. “I have to go. Direct supervision. Three weeks.”
Silence fell again. Then Aruna’s mother looked at him sharply. “Are you sure you want to leave her like this, Son?”
Her tone wasn’t accusatory—just honest. And painful.
Raka lowered his gaze. “It’s part of my responsibility too. But I… I’m torn. Every hour I’m here, I want to stay by her side. But every hour I’m at the office, they need my decisions. They need me to keep everything running. I… I’m split in two.”
Aruna’s father patted his shoulder gently. “You’re Aruna’s husband. But you’re also the head of your company. Both roles matter.”
Raka’s mother added softly, “If you decide to go, we’ll all take turns watching over her. Aruna won’t be alone. We know how much you love her.”
Raka nodded slowly. He inhaled deeply, trying to suppress the emotions tightening in his chest.
“I’m scared, Mom… If I go, and she wakes up, and I’m not here. I’m scared I’ll miss that moment… or that she’ll forget everything, and I won’t be here.”
Aruna’s mother held his hand. “If you stay but your heart is restless, Aruna will feel that too. Go. Do what you must. But keep your heart here.”
Raka nodded again. “I’ll ask Saka to take over part of my responsibilities while I’m gone. And I’ll fly back whenever I can. I won’t truly leave her.”
His mother caressed his back. “You’ve made a hard choice. But you’re not alone. We’ll protect Aruna.”
That night, Raka slept briefly in the chair beside Aruna, still holding her hand. In silence, he promised… three weeks wasn’t an escape. It was a chance to rebuild, to redeem, and to return as a husband worth waiting for.
❤️❤️❤️
The day of departure arrived under a heavy gray sky. Clouds hung low like the weight in Raka’s chest.
He stood at the hospital room’s doorway, wearing a navy shirt and gray trousers. No business suit, no confident aura. Today, he was just a man leaving his wife in a hospital bed.
A large suitcase sat by the door. Saka, his right-hand man, waited in the car below. Everything was prepared, yet his heart remained in chaos.
Raka looked at Aruna’s frail body. Her hair had been brushed neatly by her mother that morning. The IV line still clung to her left hand, and the oxygen support rested around her nose.
He sat by her side and gently stroked her cold hand.
“I’m leaving now, Na…” he whispered.
No response, only the steady hum of machines and the rhythm of her breathing.
“If you wake up, I hope you remember… I’m the one who loves you the most.”
He paused, swallowing the bitterness in his throat.
“I’m sorry… for being too busy. Too distant. Too convinced that we still had time.”
His head lowered, his grip on her hand tightening.
“I promise I’ll come back. Just three weeks. Hold on… wait for me.”
After a few more minutes, Raka stood. He bowed respectfully to both parents waiting in the hallway, then walked away without looking back. Because he knew, if he did, he might never make it out the door.
❤️❤️❤️
On the plane to Kalimantan, Raka stared blankly out the window. The flight attendant offered him a drink; he declined with a tired nod. His head leaned against the seat, but his mind refused to rest.
He looked at Aruna’s photo again. Her smile, her laughter, even the little complaints he once brushed off… all felt painfully missed now.
❤️❤️❤️
Two Days Later – Hospital
That morning, a nurse entered Aruna’s room as usual. But when she approached the bed to check the blood pressure monitor, Aruna’s eyes moved. Her eyelids twitched… then slowly opened.
The nurse nearly dropped her clipboard. She hurried to press the emergency button.
Doctors and family arrived shortly after. Aruna was still weak, only able to glance around with a confused expression.
“A… Aruna?” her mother whispered, eyes brimming with tears.
Aruna tried speaking, but her voice was hoarse. “Who… are you…?”
Everyone fell silent. The doctor stepped in, calming the situation. A light examination was done. Aruna responded well, but confusion lingered clearly in her eyes.
When shown Raka’s photo on a phone, Aruna stared at it for a long time… then slowly shook her head.
“I don’t know him.”
Raka’s mother held her breath, while Aruna’s mother began to cry.
“Do you know who you are?”
Aruna nodded weakly. “Aruna. I work at a creative agency. I like coffee, I like working. And… I really hate annoying men. I’m still a virgin. I’ve never even fall
en in love.”
Silence filled the room. Her words cut deep—not because she meant to hurt, but because of the truth she no longer knew.
- Writer
