2. Come to the Reunion Event

In a spacious and luxurious bedroom with large windows overlooking the house garden, Zera Mirae stood in front of her vanity mirror. Her slender fingers carefully brushed through her long, shiny black hair. Once satisfied, the beautiful girl tied it into a simple yet elegant ponytail. She looked at her reflection, making sure her makeup was flawless.

“Alright, Zera. You can do this,” she murmured, taking a deep breath.

She wore a knee length dark blue dress that fit her perfectly. Her appearance looked graceful without being excessive. Matching high heels completed her look for the evening. She then turned slightly, ensuring everything looked perfect.

Zera glanced at the clock on the small table beside the mirror. There was still plenty of time to head to the venue. However, she needed to leave soon if she wanted to arrive on time for the SMA Cipta Nusantara reunion.

Deep in her heart, there was a nervous feeling she couldn’t quite explain. This reunion was not just a gathering with old friends for her, but also an opportunity to meet someone who still often lingered in her thoughts.

Farez Keil, her senior and also her former boyfriend during her teenage years.

“Does Farez still remember me?” she murmured, giving a small but nervous smile.

Zera knew that this meeting would bring back old memories that had long been buried. Their relationship had once been beautiful, but it had to end because of her father’s decision, Mr. Cornelius, who sent her to continue her studies in the Netherlands.

Zera’s thoughts drifted to when her mother, Mrs. Debira, had just expressed her intention to arrange a marriage for her with the son of her father’s close friend.

“Zera, you know, you’re not getting any younger. If you keep rejecting the men we introduce to you, when are you going to get married?” her mother had said a few days ago.

“But, Mom, I’m still not ready to get married,” Zera replied carefully.

“Not ready, or are you still thinking about Farez?” her mother guessed firmly.

Zera fell silent. Her mother knew her too well.

“Listen, Zera. Abdiel is a good man. He’s serious about you. Why don’t you give him a chance? Abdiel was also your high school friend, right? There’s no difference between him and Farez,” her mother persuaded again.

“I’ll think about it, Mom,” she answered briefly, trying to end the conversation.

But in reality, Zera had never truly been able to forget Farez. The man had left a deep mark on her heart.

After making sure her appearance was perfect, Zera went downstairs where her personal driver was already waiting.

“Good morning, Miss Zera,” greeted Mr. Surya, the driver of Mr. Cornelius’s family.

“Good morning, Mr. Surya. Are we ready?” Zera asked with a smile.

“Of course, Miss. Please get in,” Mr. Surya replied as he opened the door of the shiny black car.

Zera sat in the back seat, letting out a soft sigh. The streets of Jakarta that morning looked quiet, unlike usual.

“It seems like we won’t get stuck in traffic, Mr. Surya,” Zera said, trying to start a conversation.

“That’s right, Miss. It’s the perfect time to leave,” Mr. Surya replied, smiling through the rearview mirror.

Inside the car, Zera couldn’t stop thinking about what she would say to Farez if they met. Should she apologize for leaving him without an explanation? Or should she simply greet him like an old friend without bringing up the past?

“Farez,” she whispered softly, as if hoping he could hear her.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated. She looked at the screen and saw a message from Abdiel.

Abdiel :“Hi, Zera. Where are you going tonight? Don’t forget, I’m always here for you. It seems I won’t be able to attend the school reunion. I’m very busy.”

Zera let out a sigh. Abdiel was a good man, but she knew her heart couldn’t accept him.

Quickly, Zera typed a short reply.

Zera :“Hi, Abdiel. I have a lot of office work. I don’t have time to relax. Maybe we can talk later.”

Zera tried to politely decline Abdiel’s invitation to go out that night.

After that, she put her phone away and tried to focus on the event she was about to attend.

The car finally arrived at the reunion venue, an elegant rooftop restaurant with a dazzling view of Jakarta’s skyline. Mr. Surya stepped out and opened the door for Zera.

“We’ve arrived, Miss,” said Mr. Surya.

“Thank you, Mr. Surya. You may go. I’ll contact you again once the event is over,” Zera said with a smile.

“Of course, Miss. Enjoy the event,” Mr. Surya replied kindly.

Zera then walked into the restaurant with steady steps, although her heart was now beating fast. She saw many familiar faces she once knew. Some of her friends immediately greeted her.

“Zera Mirae! You’re getting more beautiful!” exclaimed Suci, one of her classmates.

“Suci! You haven’t changed at all! Still as cheerful as ever,” Zera replied as she hugged her friend.

“Oh right, why did you come alone? Where are Mary and Jasmine?” Suci asked.

“I’ve lost contact with Mary and Jasmine for a long time,” Zera answered.

The light conversation with her friends made Zera feel a little more relaxed, but her eyes kept searching for one figure, the person who was the main reason she attended this reunion.

“Where is Farez?” Zera wondered to herself.

She glanced left and right, trying to find her ex-boyfriend.

“Zera, who are you looking for?” asked Joseph, her former senior, who suddenly appeared beside her.

“Oh, hi Joseph! No one. I’m just looking around,” Zera replied, trying to hide her nervousness.

Joseph chuckled softly.

“Ha-ha-ha. You’re definitely looking for Farez, aren’t you? Don’t worry, he’ll come. He said earlier he’d be late because of something on the road.”

In fact, Farez had already arrived earlier. He was chatting with Arnold, also trying to steady his heartbeat as he was completely captivated by how much more beautiful Zera had become.

Zera only smiled faintly. Joseph was indeed very good at guessing.

“Oh, Zera. How’s your friend Mary? Why didn’t she come to the reunion?” Joseph asked, as he genuinely wanted to meet his former lover, Mary, who was also Zera’s close friend. They had not been in contact for a long time, and their relationship had never officially ended.

“Well, Joseph. I’ve also lost contact with Mary for a long time, ever since she and her family moved abroad,” Zera explained.

“Thump!” Suddenly, Joseph’s chest ached upon hearing Zera’s explanation.

He then murmured in his heart,

“Mary, where are you now? Why does it feel like you’re hiding from me? I miss you so much.”

Meanwhile, the morning was still long, and Zera’s hope of meeting Farez was still alive. She was determined to talk about their past, even if only to get the closure she had long been longing for.