Chapter 9 — Living Better for Him (Dim Moon in the Sky)

“I’m hurting, Angkasa... what mother wouldn’t be hurt seeing her child die before her eyes? Maybe I’ve gone mad. That’s why I asked for a divorce—and don’t ever ask to reconcile.” Dara’s words echoed in Angkasa’s head.

Chandra’s voice disturbed his thoughts. “Cheating is like drug addiction. At first, it numbs the pain, then the dosage increases until it’s out of control. Dependency. One hit, and it’s easy to take another... Cheating is a disease, Angkasa. If Dara cheated on you, don't go back to her.”

"You must regret being a good person. Your kindness is a punishment for yourself," Bulan’s words haunted his mind.

“Everything will be alright.” A message Bulan had typed when Angkasa found out Dara was cheating again.

“Someone recognizes me....” Angkasa exhaled amidst the hustle and bustle of the Regional Police Headquarters (POLDA). “It’s like they know my life.”

”Are you happy?” Baskara shoved his hands into his police uniform pockets. His best friend smiled at him.

“No, I feel a stinging pain....” Angkasa looked wearily at the crowded street. “They know my life.”

“They know my life.” Angkasa’s bugged phone connected directly to the earphones in Bulan’s ears.

The morning sun shone on Bulan, who sat lost in thought at the GOR terminal. The terminal was moving at a frantic pace. Her tired eyes were wide open. Her thin, frail body was wrapped in a tattered jacket. She was eavesdropping on Angkasa’s conversation.

“I’ve got to get to work... I’ll head out first, Bas.”

“Take care, Angkasa!”

Tuk...tuk, the sound of shoes clashing with the roar of traffic.

“Laras... Dad wants to see you, sweetheart.” Angkasa’s breath hitched as if he were holding back a sob.

A horn blared loudly; the sound of passing vehicles grew deafening.

Honk! Crash!

The noise of the crowd filled Bulan’s ears, but Angkasa’s voice vanished.

Bulan’s brow furrowed. Suddenly, she sprinted down from the bus stop. Her earphones fell from her ears. Her breath was shallow; her heart felt as if it were being squeezed. Her shoes pounded against the broken pavement of the GOR terminal.

”Hey! Learn how to ride a bike properly!” shouted a Vario rider who had been clipped by a wobbling Scoopy.

Angkasa turned to see Bulan panicking as she ran out of the GOR. The branch manager stood at the Polda intersection, watching Bulan look around frantically before quickly putting her earphones back on. At the same moment, the Scoopy sped away.

Whoosh!

Bulan looked toward the fleeing Scoopy. Angkasa saw it too. Bulan searched the surroundings for Angkasa until their eyes met. Bulan’s breath was heavy; Angkasa crossed the street to approach her.

“Why... why are you panicking?” Angkasa’s bass voice sounded worried against the noisy traffic.

Bulan removed her earphones and looked down. Her breathing slowed. Sweat beaded on her forehead.

“Sir... will you help me take my mother to the hospital?”

☾ ☾ ☾

“Careful.” Angkasa’s bass voice flowed softly.

Bulan helped her mother onto Angkasa’s back. A rolled-up blanket was tucked under Bulan’s arm. With all his might, Angkasa carried her mother down the boarding house stairs. Bulan followed behind.

Tuk... tuk...

Angkasa settled her mother in the back seat. Bulan climbed in beside her. Angkasa glanced at the worn blanket in Bulan’s hand. Quickly, the branch manager got into his car and started driving. Suddenly, his phone rang.

“Where are you, Sir?” Feri called.

“I’m heading to the hospital, Fer... what is it?”

“You need to come to the branch... there’s serious news, Sir.”

“I’ll be there by noon, Fer.”

The car sped down the straight road. Her mother smiled at the window. Bulan watched her. Angkasa watched Bulan through the rearview mirror. At the hospital, Angkasa helped Bulan arrange her mother’s inpatient care using the government insurance.

“You have a good relationship with him. You must live a better life for him,” her mother smiled, moving her hand weakly.

“Don’t worry, Mom... Bulan loves you,” Bulan replied in sign language, her lips trembling as she tried to smile.

Angkasa, standing in the doorway, looked down as Bulan and her mother glanced at him. He stepped out of the room. After her mother fell asleep, Bulan and Angkasa headed to the branch office. Bulan sat in the back, staring out the window.

“What did your mother say?” Angkasa asked while driving.

“She thanked you for helping her.”

Angkasa looked at the mirror; Bulan was lost in thought again.

“Sir, could you drop me off at Indomaret? I’ll walk to the office.”

“It’s fine, I’ll wait for you.”

“Go ahead to the office, Sir. I need to shop.”

Angkasa fell silent. Bulan insisted on walking.

☾ ☾ ☾

“They say Mr. Kendra has been suspended from his position as Deputy, Rat.”

“Seriously? Because of that recording, Fer?”

The sun grew hotter. News of Kendra’s downfall spread quickly through the branch. Angkasa’s chest felt heavy. He went to the head office. Kendra sat in his room, his face red with suppressed rage.

“Someone framed me,” he hissed. Angkasa stared at the recording playing on the laptop.

“Ah! After firing Bara on the grounds of political gratification, I can’t wait to vacation in Hawaii.”

Angkasa frowned. “Didn't you say that when it was just the two of us speaking?”

“I don’t know who recorded it!” Kendra sighed in frustration. “What’s clear is that you must become the Deputy to replace me if I’m removed. And you must ensure Bara does not return.”

Angkasa’s head felt heavy. His eyes flashed with exhaustion. He was called to the regional office. The meeting room was freezing. The regional head sat with two officials from the central office.

“Mr. Angkasa...,” one of them began, “for the time being, the position of Regional Business Deputy is vacant because Mr. Kendra has been suspended.”

Angkasa lowered his head.

“We need an acting official until the investigation is complete. Based on the branch's performance and regional recommendations, we are appointing you as the Acting Deputy.”

Angkasa went silent. “Understood, Sir,” he replied.

Angkasa returned to the branch. Feri cheered, and the staff and interns lined up to shake his hand. Angkasa saw Bulan busy offering loans via WhatsApp. Earphones were plugged into her ears. Angkasa frowned.

”I doubt anyone would want to be friends with me if they knew I was a killer,” Bulan’s words echoed in his mind.

All of Bulan’s strange sentences flashed through his head.

“Do you want me to kill Bara... I will hate everyone you dislike.”

“Your kindness is a punishment for yourself.”

“Everything will be alright,” Angkasa had said when he found out Dara cheated.

Suddenly, Bulan sent a message: “Everything will be alright.”

“How much... is your debt?” Angkasa had asked a day after Bayu hit her.

“Paid in full,” Bulan had answered.

“Did you... just get home?” Right after Angkasa left the food stall, Bulan had appeared out of breath and removed her earphones.

“Why... why are you panicking?” Angkasa had asked when she appeared right as the accident happened near him; she had removed her earphones then, too.

“Phone.” Suddenly, Bulan handed her phone to Angkasa, something she had never done before.

Angkasa shook his head. Meanwhile, Bulan received a WhatsApp message from Bara on her new phone.

“Good job. Kendra is suspended. Keep doing your work.”

The clock struck four. The branch was closed. Angkasa took the team out for Yakiniku—a reward for their hard work. Everyone cheered, but Angkasa suddenly turned to Bulan.

”Bulan, you come too... you’re an intern here as well.”

The staff and interns fell silent, staring at the muted Bulan.

☾ ☾ ☾

At the restaurant, the fire grilled the sausages and meat. Lettuce wrapped around sausages disappeared into mouths. Feri chewed with a wide grin. Bulan sat silently across from Ratna. Their tables were far apart.

“Pass this... to Ratna’s table.” Angkasa handed over a plate of perfectly grilled meat.

The plate moved from hand to hand until it reached Bulan. Without a word of thanks, she picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks. She didn’t touch the vegetables or the water.

”Thanks for the treat, Sir... I hope you become the Regional Manager so we can eat even better!” Feri’s celebration made Angkasa smile slightly, though his heart was heavy over Kendra’s suspension.

The sky was pitch black as they left. Rain began to fall, forcing the wipers to creak as they cleared the blurred glass. Angkasa messaged Dara while driving.

“I’ve been appointed as the Acting Deputy, Dara.”

“Congratulations, Angkasa... I already heard at my branch.”

“Thank you, Dara.”

Angkasa looked at the orange bag on the dashboard containing Yakiniku for Dara—his ex-wife. He messaged his mother.

“Mom, I’m the Acting Deputy.”

“Wow... This is Chandra. Mom is cooking. Congrats, Little Brother. Don’t forget the treat.”

“Thanks, Bro... remind me about the treat.”

Angkasa took a breath and smiled. His eyes narrowed as he looked through the blurred window. He saw Bulan walking. The rain grew heavier, and lightning tore through the sky. Angkasa rolled down the window.

”Bulan!” he called.

Bulan kept walking, forcing Angkasa to park on the side of the road. He grabbed an umbrella and chased after her. Bulan’s jacket was soaked. Her face was cold.

“I’ll drive you.”

“Don’t be good to me, Sir... I have many bad things you haven’t heard yet.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear them.”

Thunder rumbled as the streetlights dimmed. Rain pelted the car windows. A silent tension filled the car, occupied only by the hum of the AC and the engine.

Click!

The car parked in front of the boarding house. Angkasa held the umbrella for her. Their shoes climbed the stairs. He closed the umbrella and handed a green bag to Bulan. He adjusted his bag in front of her room.

“Take care... of your health.”

“You must become the Deputy.”

Angkasa stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her.

“You must fire that trash.”

Angkasa didn't answer.

“Can I hug you once... I just want to give you encouragement.”

Angkasa paused for a moment. ”No need... I’m already encouraged.”

Angkasa adjusted his bag and walked down the stairs. Slowly, his car left the alley. Bulan turned the key to her room. She set her bag on the table and made a cup of coffee, indifferent to her surroundings.

“So, he drove you home right to your door?” Bara sat with his arms crossed.

Bulan swallowed her coffee while uploading her internship logbook.

Bara stood up and approached her. “Do I need to see him walk you into your room next time?”

Bulan didn't answer, prompting Bara to snatch her glass.

Splash!

Cold coffee drenched Bulan’s face. Her eyes flashed with resentment.

“Uncle, get out. A primitive human like you doesn't deserve to live on this earth... soon, Mr. Angkasa will fire you.”

Bara smiled mockingly. “On what grounds? The bribe gold is in your hands. Angkasa can't fire me for an affair. In the office, cheating isn't a crime. I’ll just say I don’t know you regarding that gold.”

Bulan played a recording on her phone. “Just have your branch manager drive you home. Later, I’ll have someone take a photo from behind. Just a rumor of a manager and an intern. That’s all, nothing more.”

“You recorded it?”

“You thought I wouldn't?”

“You little leech!”

“Weren't you the one who taught me?”

Bara threw the plastic cup at Bulan.

“Disappear quietly while Mr. Angkasa is still being the best... I’ve already sent the recording to my partner.”

“You’re the one who should disappear!” Bara pointed at her. “Just so you know, Kendra won't stay quiet about being suspended. You’re legally old enough for prison. Angkasa will hate you when he finds out you bugged his phone.”

Bulan stared at him coldly. “You think I won't disappear? Disappearing is my specialty, Uncle... break up with that old auntie. Don't let Mr. Angkasa’s name be tainted by trash like you.”

Bara fumed, his fist trembling in the air.

“Or do you want me to go to prison?” Bulan’s eyes drifted to the knife on the table.

The door slammed shut. Bara scrambled down the stairs. His car roared out of the alley.

The stars shone dimly. Bulan’s eyes were wet and trembling.

☾ ☾ ☾

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