Chapter 12 — Your Kindness Is a Punishment for You (Dim Moon in the Sky)

The sun crept up the equator, shining on birds that flew listlessly, leaving longings in the gaps of the blowing wind. It tossed Angkasa’s hair as he looked around anxiously, searching for Bulan’s figure at the bus stop.

06:30 AM

The red digital line of the clock hung in the bus, prompting Angkasa to scan the interior filled with the hustle and bustle of passengers. His hand tightened on the handle to keep his body from swaying as the bus sped over broken asphalt, while his left hand gripped his phone, dialing a number.

“The number you are calling cannot receive calls at this time.”

“The number you are calling cannot—”

“The number you are calling—”

“Huhh.” Angkasa exhaled as he got off across from the Bank Indonesia building.

“Lighting the light of hope for Indonesia’s golden generation,” read a BRI billboard being taken down on the street, making Angkasa sigh even deeper.

The padlock clicked open, followed by the iron shutter being pulled up. Staff and interns entered the branch. Feri was busy grinding candlenut on a stone, while Ratna counted cash. The interns were busy messaging customers about overdue payments.

“Morning, Sir...,” Feri greeted. “Why is your face so pale? Haven't you had a bowel movement yet?”

Angkasa didn't answer. He walked into the hallway and put his bag in the locker. A yellow plastic bag in his locker made his brow furrow. A new coat was folded neatly inside. Accompanying it was a note that made Angkasa’s chest tighten:

“You are a branch manager, not an intern like me. At least you should dress neatly, even if the world is not doing well.”

The locker door shut perfectly as Angkasa stepped toward the back cabinet, taking a stack of pawn documents. He unintentionally glanced at the micro-team booth, staring at the empty red plastic chair where Bulan usually sat.

All of Bulan’s words echoed in his head.

“Can I hug you one last time? To give you support.”

“No need... I’m already encouraged,” Angkasa had replied.

“I wish everything would be alright,” Angkasa had sighed when he found out Dara—his ex-wife—had cheated again after their reconciliation.

At that exact second, Bulan had sent a message: “Everything will be alright.”

Angkasa placed the documents back in the cabinet and walked past the service booth.

“Where are you going, Sir?” Feri asked.

Angkasa didn't answer as he hurried out of the branch, took a taxi home, and got his car. He sped toward a surveillance specialist.

“I want to check if there is anything strange with my devices.” Angkasa took off his smartwatch, placing his phone and laptop on the table.

For hours, Angkasa sat in the waiting room. The specialist tinkered with his phone behind a glass wall, then tapped on the glass, prompting Angkasa to stand up immediately.

“Your phone is bugged....” The specialist wrote on a piece of paper. “Do you want to delete the spy app?”

Angkasa took a marker and paper from the desk. “Don’t... leave it be.”

His phone was returned. Angkasa checked the unfamiliar numbers in his call log.

“Phone.” Bulan had suddenly handed him her phone, something she had never done before, right after there were three consecutive missed calls from an unknown IM3 number. That memory flashed in Angkasa’s mind again.

Angkasa asked Baskara for help to track the number. A few hours later, coordinates were sent; a point in Jimbaran, the last location the number was active after moving from Denpasar.

☾ ☾ ☾

Arriving at the regional office, Angkasa went to the counter to leave his phone for charging. He then entered a closed room where the deputies and Kendra were already sitting, talking.

“My phone is bugged, Sir,” Angkasa said, bowing his head before the deputy who supported him.

Kendra sighed. “I knew it... it must be Bara’s doing.”

“No, Sir. It seems to be the intern at my branch... Bulan.” Angkasa bowed his head even lower.

“My God!” The Operations Deputy’s eyes widened. “You mean she stabbed you in the back?”

The HR Deputy frowned. “Could it be that Bulan was paid by Bara to bring down Angkasa and Kendra?”

“If Bulan bugged Angkasa’s phone?” The Operations Deputy massaged his temples. “Why didn't she leak the audio? She seemed to be protecting him... isn't she like a spy who fell for her target, like a TV drama plot?”

“Take your phone and terrorize Bulan, tell her to come back,” Kendra ordered Angkasa.

“I will try to contact her, Sir.”

“She’s a criminal, Angkasa.”

Angkasa looked down. “I... I was close to Bulan, Sir.”

“Huhhh... I knew it....” Kendra sighed. “She’s already taken me down and eavesdropped on your conversations, Angkasa... You must use this opportunity to take revenge on Bara,” he insisted.

Angkasa remained silent, head bowed.

“Kendra! Kendra!” the Operations Deputy called as Kendra walked out, holding his breath.

The deputies dispersed while Angkasa stood there with a heavy heart. He quickly went to the parking lot, drove out, and followed Bara’s car as it left the regional office heading toward the Kreneng branch.

Thud!

Angkasa’s car slammed hard into the back of Bara’s car. Bara pulled over, and Angkasa approached him. Passersby watched them in confusion.

“Where is Bulan?”

“How should I know? You think I’m friends with her?”

“Where is Bulan?!”

Angkasa’s breathing was ragged, making Bara’s face turn a deep red.

“Why? Have you fallen for her? You said Dara cheated with me. The truth is, your heart started cheating with Bulan!”

Angkasa grabbed Bara’s collar.

“Hey! I’m the victim, I’m the one who lost the most here. My position will be stripped, Dara dumped me. Bulan blackmailed me because she knew about our affair... She said she would disappear and not expose us so your name wouldn't be tarned. That niece of mine has been a leech since she was a kid. She once killed—!”

Angkasa slammed Bara against the car door. His grip on the collar tightened. “How could you take advantage of a girl as young as Bulan!”

“You should see it from my perspective! Loving someone since childhood but never being able to reach them, while my enemy succeeds without working half as hard as I do... Dara will go back to you. You’ll take my deputy position. In the end, you get everything. How can you empathize with me? You’ve never felt it!”

Angkasa shoved Bara against the car, letting go of his collar. “Your envy has blinded you until everything is black; you can’t tell the difference between what is pure and what is foul.” Angkasa’s chest heaved as he fought to control his emotions.

“Hit me so you can go to jail....” Bara’s eyes were bloodshot. “If you want to do it all at once, people won’t be mad at you because you’re ‘good.’ You could even date Bulan, who is twenty years younger than you!”

Crash! Wiiingg-wiiiing!

Angkasa’s chest rose and fell. He lost control and hurled a brick at Bara’s rearview mirror. The mirror snapped and hung by its wires as the car alarm blared. Bystanders moved to separate them, drawing Dara out from the pawnshop.

“Stop, stop it! Don't fight on the street,” the traders and pedestrians pleaded.

Dara covered her mouth, holding back tears as she saw Bara and Angkasa on the sidewalk.

“If I hit you, how would I be any different from trash like you?” Angkasa said to Bara.

Angkasa looked at Dara, pulling several red bills from his wallet. “You probably care more about your car’s repairs than your mental health... Go to a psychologist immediately, I’m worried about you. You’re sick.”

The bills slapped onto the hood of Bara’s car. Angkasa quickly got into his car, leaving a sobbing Dara and a fuming Bara behind. He returned to the regional office to retrieve his phone.

☾ ☾ ☾

The scorching midday sun burned down as Angkasa returned to the branch. As the door swung open, customers watched him walk down the hallway. Angkasa scanned the service booths.

“Try calling Bulan, why hasn't she come in?” he ordered Ratna.

“She’s not picking up, Sir,” Ratna said after trying.

Gradually, the sun set. After a meeting, Angkasa’s hair was damp with sweat. He drove home immediately. He sat in a daze on the sofa, in front of a black TV that reflected his pale face.

“What... what’s wrong?” Dara sobbed, seeing Angkasa looking lifeless.

Angkasa remained frozen.

Dara’s sobbing intensified. “If you want, I’m ready to expose my affair with Bara. That way, Bara won’t bother you anymore... and we can move abroad, start a new life and new jobs. I’ve told you before, we aren’t suited for working at this pawnshop; our lives feel like they are being held in hock here.”

Images of Dara and Bara’s affair flashed in Angkasa’s head. Even the death of his daughter, a consequence of that betrayal. Angkasa’s chest tightened as he held back a sob. He stood up abruptly from the sofa.

“I’m sorry, Dara. I don't want to hurt anyone... I need my mother. If you want to see your mother, remember to come home; your daughter’s room is wide open for you.”

Angkasa left the house and visited his mother’s stall. For hours, his glass tapped against the table. Angkasa’s eyes were weary. His head throbbed. He couldn't concentrate on the conversation with Chandra.

"You must regret being a good person. Your kindness is a punishment for yourself," Bulan’s words haunted him again. Angkasa frowned, staring at his bugged phone.

Memories spiraled.

“How could I tell you? You were so fragile, like you were lifeless. We were going to break into a million pieces... I wanted to save the marriage like you did, Angkasa. I stayed strong beside you, and that was my mistake—letting Bara be the one to keep me standing.” Dara’s voice sobbed.

“Why did you have to cheat with Bara? He’s the one who brought me down!” Angkasa’s scream broke into tears.

“Good people are experts at twisting the truth. You’re a hypocrite who always suppresses feelings for the people you hate. You don't need ambition like mine to reach the top. In the end, you’ll take everything with that 'kindness' of yours. It’s just greed!” Bara had shouted.

Angkasa stepped out of the stall. He gripped the yellow and ginger bags in his hands. He stood frozen on the sidewalk. The roar of traffic moved rapidly around him. He turned to look at the empty sidewalk.

“Who are you waiting for, Angkasa?” Chandra asked, coming out of the stall. “Who is that ginger bag for?”

“For Bulan.”

“Wait, didn't Bulan move already? Didn't she tell you?”

Angkasa immediately ran to Bulan’s boarding house. Her room was cold and empty, with only leftover belongings. The branch manager went home to get his car.

"Where are you... Bulan?" Angkasa whispered into his phone. "I know you’re listening to me, Bulan... come back. I will protect you."

For over an hour, Angkasa drove, following the IM3 coordinates.

Thump!

Angkasa’s heart raced. He saw Bulan running disoriented at the PNB intersection. Angkasa parked his car on the side of the road and got out, standing right at the crossing signal across from Bulan.

Their eyes met!

His blood surged as Bulan turned in shock to avoid him. For a split second, Angkasa was frozen. Everything happened so fast.

Honk! Thud!

“Bulan!”

A crowd gathered. Angkasa ran, pushing through the people. Bulan was sprawled on the asphalt, her body covered in red.

“Bulan... wake up, Bulan!” Angkasa tapped her cheeks; blood flowed from her head.

Grey clouds covered the moon, which shone with a dim light. Angkasa kept calling her name, his eyes glistening with tears.

☾ ☾ ☾

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