Before going to bed, Alzena washed her face, gently lathering soap in a circular motion before rinsing with water. She also washed her feet before sleeping. After that, she locked all the house doors and went to bed.

Alzena checked her phone; various messages filled her notifications. She busily replied to chats, occasionally smiling at jokes from her junior high school friends. Unknowingly, she stayed up past her bedtime, startled to find it was 12:13 AM.

She hurried to bed. The next morning, thankfully, her alarm woke her, though she felt slightly dizzy. She sat for a while to recover, then walked to the kitchen, where Ida was already doing her morning routine.

"Mom, what are you cooking?" she asked.

"I'm making cloud bread; it's quite filling," Ida replied.

"Wow, that sounds delicious, Mom," she said.

"Yes, it'll be ready soon. Just wait a bit," Ida said.

"Okay, Mom."

After showering, Alzena put some writing tools into her small bag.

"Ta-da... It's done!" Ida announced, placing a plate of cloud bread on the table.

"Mmm, so delicious!" Alzena exclaimed, her eyes widening at the first bite.

"Wake your father first, then we’ll eat together," Ida said.

Alzena woke Badrun. The small family enjoyed the cloud bread together, accompanied by warm conversation.

"Mom, can I take some of this bread with me?" Alzena asked.

"Yes, you can."

Alzena took a few pieces of bread and said goodbye to Ida and Badrun.

At her usual spot, Alzena enjoyed the bread while typing on her computer.

"Busy, huh?" Andi said.

"Yes, Ms. Safia said this story has to be finished this week; she wants to publish it," Alzena replied, her gaze fixed on her monitor.

"What's the title?" Andi asked.

"Secret Idol," Alzena said.

"Wow, that's a very interesting title. I'm only on the first chapter," Andi said.

They returned to their respective work.

Alzena finally finished one chapter for the day; she would continue tomorrow. Andi occasionally asked Alzena questions, nodding as she listened to Alzena's explanations.

At 12:50 PM, the shop gradually emptied; it was their break time.

Nina, Syila, and Andi went to Mpok Jum's Warteg (small restaurant) for lunch.

"Why aren't you coming, Al?" Nina asked.

"I brought my lunch; you guys go ahead," Alzena said, and Nina left for the Warteg.

Alzena finished the rest of her bread. After eating, she picked up her phone, opened TikTok, and enjoyed the videos on her feed.

A few customers came to buy the newly released books. Alzena, engrossed in her phone, almost missed them; she quickly served them.

"Whew! That was close!" Alzena exclaimed, breathing a sigh of relief. If she missed even one customer, her boss would call her.

Nina and her friends returned from the Warteg. Nina was carrying a plastic bag; she knew Alzena must be hungry.

"Here, this is for you. I know you don't have any money," Nina said, handing the bag to Alzena.

Alzena, slightly annoyed by Nina's comment, replied, "I brought my own lunch. If you're still hungry, eat it yourself."

"Just take it. I bought it for you anyway," Nina said.

"Just take it; don't refuse good fortune," Syila added.

Reluctantly, Alzena took the bag; she didn't eat it then but saved it for home.

In another world, Aria lay weakly, deeply regretting her actions. She thought it was a game, but the consequences were severe.

"When will you release me?" Aria sobbed.

"I will release you, but someone like you is better suited to this realm. I will give you a choice," Lina said.

"What choice, Queen?" she asked.

"The first choice is release, but with a hideous face. The second is to remain here, but with a more beautiful appearance," Lina said, presenting the options to Aria.

Aria was confused; she couldn't choose. "Isn't there another option, Queen?" she asked.

"Of course. I will free you, but you will remain in this realm as my servant. How does that sound?"

"Umm, alright," she replied.

From that day on, Aria became increasingly neglected.

Lina smiled with satisfaction; she disliked people like Aria and would find ways to make them repent.

"Is this enough, Queen?" Aria asked. Lina looked at Aria.

"It feels like you've only been massaging me for a short time," Lina said.

Aria continued massaging Lina; she looked weak and drained.

Back with Alzena, a man paced in front of the bookshelves. Alzena tried to approach him, but her necklace signaled a warning, and she instinctively avoided him.

The man quickly grabbed the books and looked around.

Alzena bit her finger; she suddenly had an idea.

Suddenly, police sirens blared. The man looked for the police car, but several men intercepted him, and Alzena successfully resolved the situation. Safia was proud of Alzena. "You're amazing," Safia praised.

"Yeah, without Alzena, we would have lost the new books," Syila added.

Andi seemed slightly envious of the praise and moved away.

"What's wrong, Andi?" Alzena asked, worried about Andi, whose face was slightly flushed.

"Nothing. Let's just get back to work. Your job is now cashier," Nina said.

Alzena occasionally looked around, feeling lonely without Andi; she had no one else to talk to.

Later that night, Alzena went home, leaving Nina and Andi on night duty at the shop.

At home, Alzena felt sticky and itchy and decided to take a warm shower, remembering Ida's advice against showering late at night. However, the stickiness and itchiness prevented her from sleeping.

Before bed, Alzena prayed Isha; afterward, she fell fast asleep under her thick blanket.

The wind howled throughout the night; Alzena wrapped herself in a double blanket.

Stars and moon accompanied her dreams; the occasional crow's caw interrupted her sleep.

The long night passed in her sleep; the call to Fajr prayer woke Alzena.

Alzena woke Ida for Subuh prayer; she didn't find Badrun.

Badrun was watching the news on TV.

"You're awake," Badrun said, noticing Alzena standing beside him.

"Yes, Dad, just now," she replied. Alzena went to the bathroom to perform ablution before prayer.

 

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