Priska felt her heart swell as she sat in the car with Aldo. Even though she was anxious about meeting Mother Shinta, Aldo's presence made everything easier to face. During the drive, Aldo would occasionally glance at her with a soft smile, as if silently assuring her that everything would be fine. That smile, though simple, brought her a sense of calm.
"Kak Aldo," Priska broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper, "I don’t know how to explain this to Mother Shinta. I haven’t been home for days, and I’m afraid she’ll be angry."
Aldo gently placed his hand on Priska’s head, smoothing her disheveled hair after a long day of work. He didn’t answer right away, only offering her a small, affectionate smile.  "It’s okay, Pris. Mother Shinta is an understanding person. The important thing is to be honest with her. Just tell her you’ve been busy with work."
Priska nodded, though the anxiety still lingered in her heart. She knew Aldo was right, but facing Mother Shinta was like facing her own mother. Priska deeply cared about her opinion. But in moments like this, Aldo always had a way of making everything feel lighter. He always knew what to say to ease her fears.
"Thank you, Kak," Priska whispered at last, and before she realized it, Aldo leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
Priska’s eyes widened, her cheeks heating up, but she couldn’t stop herself from smiling. "Hurry up and change your clothes," Aldo teased lightly, trying to break the tension. "People might start getting the wrong idea if we stay in the car too long."
Priska let out a small laugh, blushing, and quickly changed into fresh clothes. She still felt flustered whenever Aldo did something sweet, even though their relationship was more than just friends. With Aldo, she always felt protected and cared for, and that gave her an incredible sense of security.
Once she was done, Aldo patiently waited by her side, his soft smile never fading. There was something special about the way he looked at her, as if she was the only person that mattered to him in the entire world. Though still shy, she couldn’t hide the happiness bubbling inside her. She felt special with Aldo, and that gave her the strength to face whatever lay ahead.
"Should we eat out or just bring food home?" Aldo asked casually as they prepared to leave the car.
"At your place, if that’s okay?" Priska replied softly, surprised by how easily the words left her lips.
Aldo nodded. "Sure. I’ll order something good. You’ll love it."
They finally stepped out of the car and walked toward the orphanage where Priska had grown up. As soon as they arrived, Mother Shinta, the head of the orphanage, greeted them with a warm smile. But to Priska’s surprise, Mother Shinta seemed to know Aldo quite well.
"You know Kak Aldo?" Priska asked, puzzled.
Mother Shinta chuckled softly. "Of course. He stops by often. When you’re busy, Aldo comes over, brings food for the children, and talks with me. He’s very kind. Didn’t you know?"
Priska was stunned. She had no idea Aldo had been doing all of that without telling her. "I... I didn’t know, Mom," she answered quietly, still processing the new information.
Aldo, overhearing their conversation, simply smiled. "I was just helping out a little, Pris. It’s nothing big."
Mother Shinta nodded in agreement. "Aldo is a good man, Pris. I’m glad you have a friend like him."
Priska felt warmth spread through her chest. Aldo wasn’t just kind to her, but also to the people she loved. Watching him interact so naturally with the children, she couldn’t stop herself from smiling. She knew Aldo was an extraordinary person, and with each passing day, her feelings for him grew stronger.
Not long after, a delivery man arrived with the food Aldo had ordered. The children ran excitedly to collect their meals, and Aldo helped distribute the food with a cheerful smile. Priska watched from a distance, admiration clear in her eyes as Aldo moved effortlessly among the children, making sure everyone was taken care of.
After ensuring all the children had their meals, Aldo walked over to Priska and Mother Shinta. He handed them their food with a respectful nod. "This is for you, Ma’am, and for you, Pris. I hope you like it," he said with a warm smile.
As they ate together, the atmosphere in the orphanage felt incredibly warm. The children laughed and played, while Priska and Mother Shinta chatted lightly. Priska felt at peace in this familiar warmth, grateful for moments like this with the people she cherished.
Once they had finished eating, Aldo excused himself to take a phone call. He stepped out of the room, leaving Priska watching him go with a soft smile. It was strange how she always felt a bit incomplete when Aldo wasn’t by her side, as if a piece of her was missing. But she knew he would always come back, and that was enough to make her feel at ease.
After finishing his call, Aldo returned to find Priska sitting by the window, gazing at the darkening sky. He walked over quietly and sat beside her.
"You look calm," Aldo said gently, resting a hand on her back.
Priska turned to him and smiled. "Yeah, Kak. I’m happy to be here again, to see Mother Shinta and the kids."
Aldo nodded. "I’m happy to see you smiling again, Pris."
They sat together in comfortable silence, sharing the moment as if no words were needed. Just having each other’s presence was enough to bring them peace.
A little while later, Priska lay down on an old mattress in the room, her eyes fixed on the ceiling as the night grew deeper. "I miss sleeping here," she murmured.
Aldo smiled softly and lay down beside her. "If you ever want to come back, you can. I’ll be here with you."
Priska turned her head to look at Aldo beside her. There was a quiet warmth in his gaze, and though they didn’t say much, she knew that Aldo would always be there for her. Slowly, she closed her eyes, embracing the rare and precious sense of peace that filled her heart.