Chapter 46: Chapter 46

Waking up in the morning with a pounding headache, something Fathia hasn't felt in a while except a few days ago. When the darkness greets her and she opens her eyes, the pain she feels is just as intense. Fathia sighs softly, massaging the side of her head trying to alleviate it a bit, but it's still the same.

If she takes another painkiller for her headache, she might become even more dependent. Fathia walks a little unsteadily, occasionally squinting, heading to the kitchen to make some warm tea. Fortunately, she doesn't need to turn on the stove. There's a hot water dispenser that's enough to make a cup of tea. Opening the food storage drawer, she hopes there's still a chocolate sandwich there.

A cup of tea, two packs of sandwich, becomes Fathia's breakfast that she thinks should be enough to alleviate the headache. Hopefully. She sits half-leaning on a large pillow, trying to enjoy her breakfast. Slowly, not because she's savoring it, but because the headache doesn't seem to go away. She can't possibly go to the store with her head throbbing like this.

The loud ringing of her phone fills the small space of the apartment she occupies. Her apartment is simple. She doesn't need to spend a lot of money just to rent a big house, even though Jess said they could live together. There's Melly and Ica, not to mention Jess and Asya, but Fathia declined. It's not that she doesn't want to, sometimes there's a moment when Fathia wants to immerse herself in everything that's happened in her life. Including crying for the three people she loves, who have left her behind.

Including Sebastian. She can't deny that there have been several nights when she passed with a stream of tears, crying for that stoic man. There's no physical trace for Fathia to observe, to stare at tirelessly, also as a companion for her lonely nights. Except for memories that she keeps alive so she won't forget anything about Sebastian Angkasa.

Struggling a bit, she finally manages to reach for her phone on the nightstand. As usual, her morning disturbance comes from the kind-hearted Jess.

"Yeah?"

"Come on, Anne, you should be excited. It's still morning. Don't be lethargic." From the other end, accompanied by the sound of vehicles and honks that somewhat disrupt her hearing, Jess speaks with cheerful enthusiasm. This prompts Fathia to roll her eyes, but a small chuckle spontaneously escapes her lips.

"Are you picking me up? I didn't make breakfast."

"Wow, that's harsh. You didn't make breakfast. I'm picking you up, but there's no reward. Cruel."

Fathia couldn't help but chuckle. She closed her eyes for a moment, as the throbbing in her head regained control. "I don't think I can go to the store, Jess," she said softly.

"Eh? Why?"

She shook her head gently, realizing that Jess wouldn't be able to see it. "It's nothing, Jess."

"I'll be there in ten minutes," Jess says and hangs up before Fathia can say anything else. Fathia lets out a soft sigh, taking another sip of her not-so-sweet warm tea. Two bites of the chocolate sandwich accompany her, and they taste bland on her tongue.

It doesn't take long before the sound of Jess's motorbike hums softly not far from her apartment door. She only unlocks it without needing to be asked. After all, Jess will enter without an invitation. That's her habit.

"Anne?" she calls out while pushing the door. Her face is visibly worried and she doesn't try to hide it at all. As soon as she sees Fathia sitting with her eyes closed and leaning against something, she knows that her friend isn't in good condition. "Are you sick?"

Fathia slowly opens her eyes. "I've got a really bad headache, Jess."

Jess comes closer, placing her palm on Fathia's forehead. "You have a fever. Should I take you to the doctor?"

A thin smile forms on Fathia's face. "I'm not a five-year-old getting a fever and rushing to the doctor. I just need some rest, Jess."

Jess pouts. When Fathia says it like that, there's no way to convince her otherwise. "Okay. Can I stay with you?"

Fathia shakes her head again. "You need to go to the cafe, right? I need to be alone. I'm serious, Jess."

A hint of frustration escapes Jess because of Fathia's apparent dismissal. "I'm trying to help, Anne."

"Yeah, but you're needed at the cafe too, right? Asya's alone, you know." Fathia responds with a small smile. "I'm serious, Jess. It's okay. I'll take the medicine right after breakfast."

Jess is about to pout, but what Fathia said is true. If she leaves Asya alone, she won't feel good about it either. She knows the cafe might not be busy today, or it might just be a regular day, but Asya will surely be overwhelmed. "Alright, then. I'll stop by the store and let Aunt Melly know. Should we keep the store closed?"

Fathia's eyebrows furrow slightly as she thinks about what she should do. "Keep it open, but have Melly not accept any orders for today except for tomorrow. I'm worried there might be deliveries coming from Korea."

Jess nods in understanding. "Got it. I'll send some food from the cafe later for lunch. Do you have fever-reducing medicine? If not, I can buy some for you."

Fathia's heart warms even more. Jess is indeed a very caring friend. "No need, Jess. I have some in stock."

Her friend doesn't avert her gaze, instead staring directly into Fathia's eyes. At the left corner of Fathia's eye, there used to be a noticeable scar. Truly, Fathia might not be easily recognizable now unless she's talking. Anyone who's been close to her would realize that the owner of the voice, which sounds cold yet gentle, is Fathia. Although now, her face can't be considered as flawless as before.

"Is there... any influence from the past incident?"

A small hesitation appears on Fathia's lips, clear surprise in her eyes. Quickly, she averts her gaze from Jess. She doesn't want Jess to pick up on the effects from her past experiences. Indeed, the doctor once warned her that the blow to Fathia's head was quite strong. Although it didn't cause bleeding or major injuries, after she regained consciousness, she often experienced recurring headaches. Back then, the doctor's warning was merely a casual reminder to Fathia. She didn't anticipate experiencing it again lately.

"I don't know," Fathia says. "I just feel tired. Maybe lacking rest."

"Did you watch dramas until late at night?"

Playfully, Fathia grins without a hint of guilt, eliciting a frustrated sigh from Jess. "Such a habit!"

Her friend really takes her leave after making sure Fathia takes her fever-reducing medicine. However, Fathia isn't interested in taking it right now. For her, she just needs sleep and hopes to feel better in the afternoon. Maybe after lunch, she can go to the store and check the items that arrived today. The flower balloon stock is running low.

She securely locks the front door. She turns off the TV and heads to her room after making another cup of warm tea. Choosing to close her eyes for a while seems like the best option. In her room, she lingers. The photo from last night is still scattered on her bed.

Slowly, she once again examines the aged picture of her mother with her uncle. "Did Mommy cheat back then?"

But she pushes that malicious thought away as forcefully as possible. As long as she remembers her mother's personality, many people say that Fathia's gentleness comes from her mother. Also, how dedicated Mommy was by Papa's side. She never missed a day with Papa when he was away on business trips without Mommy. Always faithful, always supportive of Papa, no matter the circumstances.

Then?

What does this photo mean?

Once again, she scrutinizes the aged picture that's now in her hand. A large house with grand pillars, seemingly in a white background. Next to where they stand with happy smiles, there's a row of flowers that have also faded in color. The handwritten, neatly slanted printing on it also includes a year. The year in question is probably the year the photo was taken. But what's the significance of 1982?

Once again, Fathia's brain has to work extra to remember the date and year her parents got married. Is the year written in the photo the same as the year of her parents' marriage? If so... did her mother indeed cheat? But... why?

The throbbing in Fathia's head intensifies, hitting her even harder. Even closing her eyes to push it away doesn't work anymore. Lying down is the only option she has now. She hopes that amidst the pain she's experiencing, there's a clue in her memory. She also prays to her God that the pain will vanish soon.

****

"You make me worried," Melly says as soon as she sees Fathia entering the store. The girl's face is a bit pale but she forces a smile.

"You're exaggerating, Melly," she jokes, placing her tote bag on the table. "Any new orders?"

Melly puts down several cards that need to be sorted, approaching the girl who's supposedly sick. When Jess visited earlier in the morning and mentioned Anne being unwell, Melly was genuinely concerned. Plus, after lunch, Anne showed up at the store. Melly was worried that something alarming might have happened to Anne. Maybe she fainted. It's not without reason—Anne's face is extremely pale. Even though she tried to cover it up with pink blush, it's still quite noticeable.

"There are five flower balloon orders. Repeat orders. This time for graduation messages, Anne. I told them to pre-order ten days in advance, and they're fine with it."

Fathia nods slowly, checking the uncompleted order report herself. "Is there a welcome bouquet order? When did it come in?"

"Oh, an hour ago. They want it delivered on Thursday, Melly."

"Flower stock? When's the delivery?"

"Tomorrow. The courier already informed me earlier; there's a delivery at 3 PM. The artificial flowers should be arriving soon too, Anne."

Fathia nods again. "So everything's okay?"

"Yep, it's all good. Hopefully, it goes smoothly. Anyway, why did you come to the store? You could still come tomorrow, right? I'll update you later in the evening through WhatsApp. I'm afraid something might happen to you on the way, Anne."

The short-haired girl turns, chuckling softly at the figure she considers an older sister. "Thanks, Melly. Fath—Anne's fine, really. If I lie down for too long, my recovery might take longer." Fathia's lips occasionally stumble over her new name.

"Yeah, I feel the same. I think the body doesn't feel good if it's not in motion."

Fathia responds with a small smile. Fortunately, Melly didn't seem to hear the nervousness in her voice when she spoke earlier.

Fathia manages the remaining tasks of the day well. Her headache has lessened somewhat since she left her apartment. She hopes her trip to the store won't encounter any issues. Like losing focus. And when she arrives, she's relieved to have made it to the store safely. She cheerfully greets Aunt Tika, who's outside disposing of the wrapping paper from gift-wrapping, it seems.

However, Fathia's tranquility doesn't last long. The moment Jess arrives, she's greeted with a long scolding as a gift for being found at the store. "You're still sick, Anne!"

"What kind of sick, seriously? I just need some sleep, Jess. Don't overreact." Fathia finally speaks up because it seems like Jess won't stop talking. Even Melly and Ica in the corner appear silent, listening to Jess's non-stop lecture.

"Overreacting? You want to faint again? Anne, you need to take care of yourself. We're going into battle. Don't lose before the fight even begins."

Melly coughs, Fathia looks incredulous. "Battle?" they ask simultaneously. One by one, they exchange glances, confused and not sure where Jess's words are going.

Jess clicks her tongue. "Seriously, you guys don't understand? We're going to war with your family."

"Oh... taking Anne's rights back, right, Jess?" Melly interjects enthusiastically. "Well, that's right. We're going to fight, then. We can't let your family just dismiss your existence because of this condition."

Now it's Fathia and Jess's turn to exchange glances, especially Jess, who throws Fathia a look asking for an explanation. Fathia can only sigh softly while blinking to signal Jess to not say too much. But Jess is Jess, after all.

"So, you agree with me, Melly? Those rights can be claimed, you know. Why be afraid? Right now, Anne has to fight in this battle. We'll push her until she's far away and ready, definitely," Jess says passionately. She's not going to lose to Melly's enthusiasm.

"Yeah, exactly."

Fathia just winces at their behavior.

***

"So?" Jess pushes her glass of soursop juice, her chosen beverage. It tastes sour yet refreshing to her. "What's the first thing we're going to do?"

Fathia chews slowly. Around them, there's quite a long line of vehicles in traffic. They're having dinner at Jess's café. As usual, Asya made her an extra cheesy pasta while slipping in a prayer for Fathia's speedy recovery. Fathia smiles with a touch of emotion when she sees her plate from Asya.

"I want to go back home."

"WHAT? Are you crazy?"

Fathia's brow furrows in response. "What kind of crazy? You were the one who suggested that I go back, right? The place I'm going back to is my home."

Jess shakes her head slightly. "How's that supposed to work? I don't get it."

"I have a home, Jess. I haven't lived there in a long time. There's something I want to find and make sure of there."

Jess's gaze is still filled with confusion. "Won't anyone get suspicious?"

The girl lightly rubs her chin. "It's been five or six years since I last went back there. I hope no one gets suspicious."

"If that's your decision, then we're heading out."

"Wait for me to finish ten bouquet orders first."