The cool air of Bandung gently welcomed Malinka Fazaa Gunardi, as soft as the caress of love she had longed for all this time. For four years, she had left her homeland to pursue her studies at the cold and disciplined ETH Zurich. Now, with a Master of Architecture degree in hand, Inka – as she is affectionately called – has returned to Indonesia, ready to make her mark in the dynamic world of architecture.
The bustling atmosphere of Bandung Station immediately surrounded her as she stepped off the train. Yet, Inka was not intimidated. Instead, she smiled and took a deep breath of the city's distinctive scent. Bandung was her home, the place where she was born and raised – where she missed her family, friends, and all her sweet memories.
Suddenly, her phone rang. The name "Sister Intan" appeared on the screen. Inka smiled, longing for her sister's always cheerful and energetic voice. Yes, her only sister was Intan Navilla Gunardi.
"Hi, Sis! I've arrived in Bandung," she said excitedly.
"Inka! Oh my goodness, you're finally home! I've missed you so much!" Intan's voice was full of enthusiasm. "How was your journey? Smooth?"
"Very smooth, Sis. Bandung isn't as cold as it used to be, quite different from Zurich," Inka replied with a chuckle.
"That's why you should hurry home. Mom misses you terribly. Oh, and Brother-in-law Adji wants to meet you later in Jakarta," Intan said, her tone shifting slightly.
Inka fell silent for a moment. She had never actually met Brother-in-law Adji, her sister's husband, in person – she had only seen him via video call during Intan's wedding. There was a hint of curiosity in her heart, but also a strange, indescribable feeling.
"Okay, Sis. I'll try to visit later. But first, I want to spoil myself with Mom for four days – that's reasonable, right?" Inka answered, trying to change the subject.
"Oh, right! I almost forgot. Keep up the spirits, Inka! Hey, I want to tell you something, but don't be shocked..." Intan's voice sounded hesitant.
"What is it, Sis?" Inka asked, starting to feel worried.
"Actually... my marriage to Brother-in-law Adji... isn't as happy as you think," Intan whispered, her voice barely audible.
Inka's heart began to race. She knew her sister's marriage had been arranged, but she never imagined it was this bad.
"What do you mean?" Inka asked carefully.
"I'll tell you more when we meet in Jakarta. I'm busy right now. Welcome back to Indonesia, Inka!" Intan ended the call in a hurry.
Inka let out a long sigh. The conversation with her sister made her feel uneasy. She knew something was being hidden from her, but decided not to dwell on it for now. She needed rest after the long journey and exhausting jet lag.
Upon arriving home, Mama Safitri was overjoyed to have her youngest daughter back in Indonesia safely. Though Inka had not returned in four years, Mama Safitri had visited her several times in Zurich.
Life in Zurich had been filled with classes and work, making it difficult for Inka to take time off and return home – a trip that would have required a long stay in Indonesia. But now... the wait was over.
"Inka, my child!" Mama Safitri hugged Inka tightly at the door, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. "I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too, Mom," Inka replied, hugging her mother tightly. "I've missed this house so much too."
They went inside, greeted by the familiar aroma of Mama Safitri's cooking. The house felt warm and comfortable, just as Inka remembered. Mama was an obstetrician-gynecologist at a prestigious hospital in the "Flower City" (Bandung), while Papa Albert had passed away five years earlier from heart disease.
"Sit down, dear. I've made your favorite meal," Mama Safitri said, leading Inka to the dining room.
On the table lay a complete spread of nasi timbel (wrapped rice), with fried chicken, tofu and tempeh, sayur asem (sour vegetable soup), and shrimp paste chili sauce. Inka grinned widely.
"Wow, Mom knew exactly what I was craving," Inka said as she took some rice and started eating heartily.
Mama Safitri sat across from her, watching her daughter eat with a happy smile. "How was your trip? You must be very tired, right?" she asked.
Inka nodded. "Thank God, Mom. Tiring but smooth. Did Sister Intan not come here to meet you?"
Mama Safitri sighed softly. "She's busy, dear. You know how it is – she has work. But she sent her regards. She's so happy you're home at last."
Inka smiled. "I've missed her a lot too. Oh, Mom, I want to tell you – next week I start working at PT. Adhikarya Cipta Manunggal. I've accepted their offer and sent back the paperwork."
"Praise God! Congratulations, dear. I'm so happy to hear it. You've become an architect just like you dreamed," Mama Safitri said, holding Inka's hand warmly. "The job's in Jakarta, right? What project will you be working on?"
Inka nodded. "Yes, Mom. I got a big project – I've been trusted to help design a luxury resort in Bali called The Emerald Oasis."
"Wow, you're amazing, dear. I'm so proud of you," Mama Safitri said, gently stroking Inka's hair. "But I heard you can only stay in Bandung for four days? Why not longer?"
Inka sighed. "I know, Mom. The project has a tight deadline. I need to get back to Jakarta soon to prepare."
Before she knew it, four days had passed – Inka spent them catching up with old friends and exploring local cuisines. Eventually, she decided to drive to Jakarta herself for easier mobility. All her belongings were packed, and Mama had even prepared ready-to-reheat meals, filling her car with both luggage and food.
When she arrived in Jakarta, she headed straight to her new apartment provided by the company – a small but cozy unit not far from the office. She had intentionally chosen a strategic location to stay focused on her work, a dream job she had secured after a series of rigorous interviews.
The apartment came fully furnished, so Inka didn't have to worry about buying furniture. She quickly unpacked and started arranging her things: placing family photos on the dresser, hanging pictures of friends on the wall, and putting up some abstract paintings she had bought in Switzerland. In an instant, the apartment felt more alive and personal.
While sipping a cup of instant coffee, Inka opened her laptop to check her emails. Several messages from her new office reminded her of the new employee orientation scheduled for the next morning.
"Okay, Inka. Tomorrow is your first day. Show them what you're capable of," she whispered to herself, cheering herself on.