Chapter 10 — I Feel Treated Like a Human (Dim Moon in the Sky)

“They say the branch manager drives the intern home to her boarding house.”

“No way, are they really that close?”

“Maybe they’re dating.”

The rumors about Angkasa and Bulan reached the regional office. After weeks of performance evaluations and meetings, Kendra was officially removed from his deputy position due to pressure from opposing deputies. Angkasa was nominated to replace him. He was summoned by one of Kendra’s fellow deputies.

“We will support you, even if you are having an affair with that intern,” the Operations Deputy stated, standing before Angkasa.

Angkasa sighed deeply. He sat in a closed room with the deputies who supported him to prepare for the meeting.

“What’s wrong with our branch manager being kind? Angkasa views Bulan as a daughter and drives her home just to ensure her safety,” the Operations Deputy defended him with his own logic.

“Hey, there’s no such thing as a daughter without a blood bond... There must be something between them,” the HR Deputy corrected.

“We’ll just say Bulan is ‘different’ and doesn’t like men,” the Operations Deputy added.

Angkasa sat there, expressionless.

“Hey, don’t make that face, or the Regional Manager will think you actually like her.” The HR Deputy pointed at him.

The Operations Deputy looked at Bulan’s CV, which included her photo. “Fortunately, she isn’t pretty. If she were, it could be a problem.”

By noon, the deputies entered the meeting room with Angkasa. The rumors of Angkasa’s closeness with the intern were dragged into the discussion. For clarification, Bulan was called into the room by the Regional Manager (Pinwil).

“Bulan Purnama... is it true you have a relationship with Angkasa?” asked the Logistics Deputy sitting next to Bara. They were eager to bring Angkasa down.

“Yes...,” Bulan said. “I like Mr. Angkasa.”

The HR and Operations Deputies looked panicked, while Angkasa watched Bulan with visible concern.

The Logistics Deputy smirked. “What exactly has Angkasa done with you?”

The Regional Manager watched Bulan intently.

Bulan stepped closer to the microphone. “Mr. Angkasa invited me to eat with the other staff... at a time when others didn’t even acknowledge my existence, for the first time, I felt treated like a human being.”

The Regional Manager listened closely, while Bara’s face twisted in frustration. The Operations and HR deputies breathed a sigh of relief.

“Is it true Angkasa Putra drives you all the way to your boarding house?” the Logistics Deputy attacked again.

“Yes, that’s true...,” Bulan said, nearly giving the HR Deputy a heart attack. “We live on the same road,” she continued, allowing the deputy’s heart rate to slow down.

“During my six-month internship, I’ve been grateful to be here. I am turning twenty. Thanks to Mr. Angkasa, I no longer hate the number 19. I will smile every time I see the logo of this company... I like Mr. Angkasa as a superior who treats people well.”

After the meeting, the Regional Manager stood up and smiled at Angkasa. The Operations and HR deputies beamed. Bara’s face was flushed with rage as he watched the Regional Manager shake Angkasa’s hand.

“Good people will always be the best... I’d like to invite you to dinner after work,” the Regional Manager offered.

Angkasa watched Bulan as she left the room. “I’m sorry, Sir... I have an errand to run,” Angkasa declined.

“Good men are indeed always hard workers.” The Regional Manager smiled and left the room.

☾ ☾ ☾

The stars shone, mixing the night’s colors with their shimmer, standing perfectly alongside the streetlights that illuminated the city, softening the urban bustle with a cool breeze under the moonlight.

Tuk... tuk... The sound of Angkasa’s footsteps came through his bugged phone, connected to the earphones in Bulan’s ears.

Bulan parked her bike on the sidewalk, carried the fish basket into the catering kitchen, and returned the keys. The catering owner gave her some money, and Bulan began walking along the sidewalk.

“Dara, I’ve been nominated for Deputy.” Angkasa exhaled while on the phone with Dara.

“Congratulations... I’m happy for you, Angkasa.” Dara’s voice was a mix of raspiness and joy.

“Take care of your health, Dara... come home.”

They spoke for minutes about work before the call ended.

Tuk... tuk... The footsteps slowed amidst the roar of traffic, followed by the creak of a door. The noise of a crowd flooded in, accompanied by the clinking of spoons and glasses at a table, clashing with the sound of chatter.

“Mom... Angkasa has been nominated for Deputy.”

“I’m proud of you, son... I heard from Chandra that you’re in conflict with Dara again?”

Angkasa didn't answer.

“If your relationship is already cracked, don’t force it... it’s like trying to glue broken glass until your hands bleed. You will both hurt each other in silence. I won’t be sad if you two separate.”

There was no sound from Angkasa, only the tap of a glass on the table, the clink of a spoon, and the sound of chewing. Angkasa sighed softly, followed by the firm thud of a glass hitting the table.

“Mom, did you see the intern who often passes by here late at night?”

Bulan’s steps stopped abruptly.

“Which intern, Angkasa?”

“The one with the messy clothes... the one with the beautiful face.” Angkasa’s bass voice flowed wearily into Bulan’s ears.

For a split second, Bulan stood frozen in the bustle of traffic, then she began to run along the sidewalk.

Tuk... tuk, the sound of footsteps followed by a door creaking softly, leading into the noise of vehicles.

“Take care of your health, don’t get exhausted, Angkasa.”

“Thanks for the food, Mom... take care of yourself too. Sorry I’m always a bother.”

“Oh, there she is, Angkasa... the intern with the beautiful face.”

Bulan stopped, her breath coming in heavy gasps.

"I’m going back to cooking... be careful on the road, Angkasa.” His mother’s voice was warm, followed by the sound of a closing door.

Bulan’s chest heaved as she tried to regulate her breathing. Silence fell between the noise of traffic. Angkasa turned and locked eyes with the panting Bulan.

“Did you... just get home?” Angkasa’s bass voice vibrated with exhaustion in Bulan’s ears.

Bulan removed her earphones and approached him. A yellow plastic bag was handed to her, containing capcay. Another yellow bag was gripped in Angkasa’s hand—fuyunghai for Dara. Angkasa walked ahead.

“You’re good with words... I’m not as good at speaking as you are.” Angkasa walked slowly, looking down at the bag in his hand.

Bulan walked beside him. “At least you are a good person... Truly. You are a good man,” Bulan’s voice flowed softly.

Angkasa stopped walking. A smile touched his lips. He looked at Bulan for a moment, then looked away as his eyes welled up.

“I mean it....” Bulan gripped the yellow bag tightly. “For the first time in my life, I felt treated like a human being. Because of you, I’ve started to like being 19... If I were reborn, I’d hope to be a tree that grows tall, just like you said.”

Their pace slowed as they climbed the broken incline, turning through the alleys. Between the streetlights, the glow seemed to merge with the moon, which appeared unusually large.

Bulan turned to see Angkasa’s steps, which felt slower than usual. “Why are you walking so slowly? It’s not like you.”

“Because it’s not cold.”

Bulan looked at her yellow bag. “I thought you were walking slowly because you were starting to feel comfortable with me.”

Angkasa stopped. He looked Bulan in the eye, then quickly adjusted his bag and started walking faster. Bulan hurried to catch up.

“Thank you... you deserve a thank you.” Angkasa exhaled as they reached the mouth of her alley.

Bulan’s smile trembled; her eyes were glassy. “A long time ago... Bayu used to carry my mother when she was beaten by his father. After I stabbed his father, Bayu started to torment me. His eyes flash with resentment because he can’t suppress his feelings of love mixed with rage.”

Angkasa fell silent.

“You are the first person to help me, over and over again.... Can I hug you one last time? To give you support.”

Silence. Angkasa’s grip on the yellow bag tightened.

“Don’t... I already feel supported....” Angkasa adjusted his messenger bag. “Take care... of your health.”

Angkasa walked straight ahead. Meanwhile, Bulan entered the alley, went into her boarding house, and climbed the stairs. She stopped when she saw Bayu standing there with a camera.

“Aren't you working? Why is an intern busy having a romance with the branch manager?” Bayu smiled spitefully, showing photos of Bulan walking with Angkasa. “Should I send this proof to your branch?”

Bulan continued up the stairs. “My debt is paid. You must have no other customers to harass.”

“I came here to see you....” Bayu followed behind her. “The stairs of this house remind me of when I had to carry your mother up the stairs of our old alley.”

Bulan froze.

“When we were running away from my father who kept torturing your mother... back then, I was confused whether I should kill myself or my own father to end your suffering.”

For a split second, Bulan stood as still as a statue. Then, she continued climbing.

“Get lost... I no longer owe you anything.”

The stars shone brightly in the black sky. Bulan entered her room while Bayu stood frozen on the stairs, his resentment clashing with a muffled sob.

☾ ☾ ☾

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