Dewa still stood where he was, his body motionless but his mind running to the past—to the moments when he should have stayed. 
The memories began to emerge, as if replayed without permission. Small conversations, Viona's awkward smile as she tried to hide her feelings, a doubtful gaze that slowly began to turn into trust. And it was precisely at that moment—when he almost succeeded in opening the door to Viona's heart—that he turned around. Dewa went to Hilda
Whether because of old wounds, fear, or just a momentary temptation. But what was clear was that he left Viona in silence—without explanation, without saying goodbye. And Viona... the girl never asked, never demanded. She only stepped back slowly, accepting a loss that was never given a name.
And now, seeing Viona standing on stage, smiling warmly, showing her courage and talent in the middle of the crowd... Dewa knew that his heart had never really turned away. 
Hilda. The name jolted his mind. She was kind, caring, and had chosen him without hesitation. But Dewa realized that their togetherness was built on a mistake. She came when Hilda's heart still held Rudi, and Hilda came when Viona was still waiting silently. They were both hurt, and held each other not because of love... but because of loneliness.
Dewa could not deny that Hilda was a charming girl. She came at the right time, when Viona began to open her heart, but also when Dewa was tired of waiting for clarity. And Hilda—in all her bold and straightforward ways—made everything feel easy. He didn't have to guess, he didn't have to wait. He just had to choose... and he chose Hilda.
Hilda, who was still with Rudi at the time, without hesitation ended the relationship she had been in to pursue Dewa. And Dewa, without having the chance to truly realize his own feelings, let it all happen. 
His chest felt tight. His eyes were still staring at Viona who was now standing on the edge of the stage, smiling and bowing with Sandi to receive the applause. But this time, their gazes no longer met. 
Dewa took a deep breath. In his heart, a decision began to settle—slowly but surely. 
He couldn’t go on like this. It wasn’t fair to Hilda. It wasn’t fair to himself. And moreover, it wasn’t fair to Viona who he had once left hanging without any direction. 
“I have to talk,” Dewa muttered softly, almost inaudibly. 
Andrew turned his head. “Huh? Say what, bro?” 
Dewa shook his head slowly, but this time his eyes were firm. “I have to sort everything out, I’m afraid I’ll regret it.” 
Andrew took a deep breath, then smiled slightly. “Finally. I’ve been waiting for you to say that for a long time. Even though Viona never said it out loud, I could see how sad and heartbroken she was when she found out you were dating Hilda. Her eyes couldn’t lie WA. I feel sorry for Viona, as her classmate I can’t bear to see her like that.”
Dewa didn’t answer, but his steps felt heavier than before. He knew this wouldn’t be easy—there would be hearts that might be broken, words that were hard to say, and pasts that had to be faced.
*****
Hilda stood near the lamppost at the back of the hall, blending in with the crowd, but her heart felt far away. The stage lights shone on happy faces, the music still echoed, and the applause had not yet subsided. But all of that sounded far away, like an echo from a world that was not hers. 
Her eyes were only focused on one point—Dewa. 
She recognized that body language. The way Dewa stood, leaning slightly forward, his eyes never leaving Viona who was now standing on stage. It was not just admiration. It was not just an old friend who was proud to see his friend perform. But it was a gaze full of love and adoration. 
And Hilda witnessed it all. Without words. Without confrontation. 
Her heart had rebelled, looking for reasons, denying it. But all the evidence had been displayed too clearly. Not only because of the way Dewa looked at Viona, but because Dewa had never looked at her like that. 
It was not Viona's fault. And not entirely Dewa's fault. 
They were just two people who were still connected by something that had not been finished. And Hilda realized, all this time she had only been a filler of the empty space between them—not a destination, just a stopover.
She remembered how Dewa had come, like someone trying to forget something. She also remembered how quickly she had let go of Rudi, because her heart had long since begun to lean in another direction. She thought, this could be the beginning. But it turned out, she had only accelerated something that was not ready to begin.
Hilda took a breath. She took one small step back, then two. No tears. No drama. Just silence and certainty.
Hilda chose to sit on a bench near the school’s back garden, a place that was usually quiet when the event was almost over. She held her cellphone, playing with her fingers restlessly. She had known Dewa would come since earlier. For some reason, she felt that way.
And sure enough, not long after, soft footsteps were heard approaching.
“Hilda,” the voice was soft, almost nervous.
Hilda turned her head. “Yes?”
Dewa stood there, a little hesitant. He scratched the back of his neck—his habit when he was confused about where to start. His eyes couldn’t look straight at each other.
“Can we talk for a while?”
Hilda just nodded. Dewa sat beside her, keeping his distance. There was silence for a few seconds.
“I… want to be honest,” Dewa finally said. His voice was soft, but serious.
Hilda glanced at him. “About Viona?”
Dewa nodded. “Yes. And about us.”
She took a deep breath, then continued, “At that time... when we went to the hospital together to visit Dicky, Viona couldn’t come, right? Then we talked a lot on the way home. I felt comfortable. But now I realize, it wasn’t a really deep feeling. I just... felt like I was being accompanied.”
Hilda lowered her head, her lips pursed. “I thought you really liked me, Dewa. Because at that time you didn’t reject me when I started to get closer.”
“I was wrong. I didn’t think far ahead. At that time I was confused, feeling that Viona was getting further away, then you came—kind, caring. It felt... easy. Not complicated.”
“But not love?” Hilda asked softly.
Dewa shook his head, slowly. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have made it seem like I really chose you.”
Hilda was silent. For a moment, she just stared at the grass beneath her feet. Then she spoke again, her voice almost a whisper.
“You know, when you started approaching me… I felt like I won over Viona. Like… I was the chosen one.”
Dewa stared at her, surprised but didn’t interrupt.
“But after a while I felt… like you were still daydreaming, sometimes silent, sometimes checking on Viona from afar. I pretended not to care, but I saw it all,” Hilda continued.
Dewa bit his lower lip. “I didn’t mean to make you feel that way.”
Hilda shook her head. “I understand now. Maybe we’re just both feeling alone. You lost Viona, I was tired of Rudi. So we were together because… that was the easiest.”
Silence again. But this time, it wasn’t as painful as before.
Dewa stood up slowly. “I don’t want to keep hurting you, Hil. I want to finish everything. And be honest with my feelings.”
Hilda stood up too. “Do you want to go back to Viona?”
Dewa nodded, slowly but surely. “I have to apologize to her. I have to talk.”
Hilda stared at Dewa for a long time. Then finally smiled a little. “Hopefully you can make her trust me again.”
Hilda waved her hand briefly. “Go. Go after her. But don’t hurt her again, okay?”
Dewa looked at Hilda, full of gratitude. “Thanks, Hil. Seriously.”
And that night, he walked away—towards something uncertain, but this time with an honest heart.
WILL VIONA AND DEWA BE TOGETHER AFTER THIS? OR THE OTHER WAY AGAIN? LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONTINUATION IN SEASON 2
HAPPY READING
THANK YOU FOR BEING PATIENT IN READING AND FOLLOWING THIS STORY UNTIL THE END.