3. It Turns Out That Old Love Isn't Over Yet

The late morning atmosphere felt warm and pleasant. The rooftop restaurant where the SMA Cipta Nusantara reunion was held was decorated with golden-yellow hanging lights, creating a romantic and nostalgic ambiance. Some alumni were seen chatting warmly, laughing freely as they recalled old memories. In one corner of the room, a small stage featured several alumni singing popular love songs. Their voices echoed beautifully, adding a melancholic touch for some of the attendees.

In a corner of the restaurant, a beautiful girl named Zera Mirae chose to sit alone. She gazed into the distance at the sparkling city skyline, her thoughts drifting. Today’s situation reminded her of many things she had once experienced but had to leave behind due to unavoidable circumstances.

The love song sung on stage brought her memories back to her high school days moments filled with memories alongside the people who once filled her life, including someone very special whom she found incredibly hard to forget: Farez Keil, her senior and also her boyfriend during her teenage years.

Suddenly, a very familiar baritone voice was heard, interrupting her wandering thoughts.

“Zera Mirae!” The greeting was so clear that it made her heart tremble. The beautiful girl immediately turned toward the source of the voice.

How surprised Zera was when she saw Farez already sitting beside her with a warm smile she knew so well. As if time had never passed, that smile remained the same, bringing back feelings she had once kept buried.

“Farez?” Zera replied, almost in a whisper. Her eyes widened in both surprise and nervousness.

Farez chuckled softly, raising an eyebrow.

“He-he-he. Finally, Zera! After all this time searching for you, I found you at this reunion.” His voice was calm, yet there was a hint of emotion in it.

Zera smiled stiffly, trying to calm her suddenly racing heartbeat.

“Farez, it turns out you came to the reunion too. I thought you wouldn’t come.”

“Of course I came,” Farez replied firmly.

“My main purpose for coming to this reunion was to meet you. And it seems my intuition was right you’re here,” he said with conviction.

His statement left Zera speechless for a moment. She turned her face away, trying to hide the blush that began to appear on her cheeks.

“Zera,” Farez broke the brief silence between them.

“Can we talk somewhere quieter?” he asked gently.

Zera nodded softly. Without saying much, she let Farez guide her to a quieter corner of the restaurant, away from the crowd. There, it was just the two of them, with the vast view of Jakarta stretching out before their eyes.

Farez began the conversation in a serious tone.

“Where have you been all this time, Zera? Why did you only appear now? I’ve been looking for you for years.”

Zera lowered her head, feeling guilty.

“I’m sorry. After graduating from high school, everything happened so fast. My father decided to send me to continue my studies in the Netherlands. I didn’t even have the chance to say goodbye to many people, including you.”

“The Netherlands?” Farez repeated, his eyes fixed on her.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I could have understood, as long as you didn’t just disappear.”

Zera let out a long sigh, trying to explain.

“At that time, I didn’t have a choice. My father pressured me, and everything felt so sudden. I couldn’t think things through. I know I was wrong for leaving without saying goodbye. I’m truly sorry.”

Farez fell silent, trying to process her explanation. He looked at the woman in front of him, who, despite the years apart, was still as beautiful as ever.

“I will try to understand everything, Zera,” Farez finally said.

“But what I want to tell you now is that my feelings for you have never changed. From then until now, I still love you very much, Zera Mirae.”

Zera was stunned to hear the confession. She lifted her face and looked at Farez, her eyes beginning to fill with tears.

“Farez …” she murmured softly.

“Zera,” Farez continued with conviction,

“I hope we can start over the relationship we once lost. I know we’ve lost a lot of time, but I believe we still have a chance to fix it.”

Zera remained silent. On one hand, her feelings for Farez had never disappeared. But on the other hand, doubt crept into her heart.

“Farez,” she finally spoke, her voice soft,

“Do you think it’s possible for us to start over? I don’t know if I’m still worthy of you after everything,” she said hesitantly.

Farez shook his head firmly.

“Never think that way. You’ve always been worthy, Zera. Nothing has changed. To me, you are still the same Zera who always made my days more meaningful.”

Then Farez spoke again from the sincerity of his heart:

“Zera Mirae, honestly, I’ve missed you so much all this time. My life felt empty when you suddenly disappeared. I buried myself in work just to forget you, but I couldn’t. My heart always comes back to you,” he said, looking deeply into her eyes.

Zera could no longer hold back her tears. She wiped her cheeks, now damp, while giving a small smile.

“I’ve missed you too. While I was in the Netherlands, I often thought about you. But I always felt too far away to come back.”

“You were never far, Zera,” Farez interrupted gently.

“Our hearts have always been close that’s what matters. I’m here for you, and you are here for me. I won’t go anywhere again.”

Then Farez took both of her hands and said,

“Zera Mirae, will you be the only woman in my life?”

Without hesitation, Zera replied,

“Yes, I will,” she said sincerely from her heart.

The afternoon atmosphere felt even more romantic. A gentle breeze blew, bringing new hope for both of them. Zera and Farez’s relationship was finally reconnected. They reminisced about their beautiful high school memories while also talking about the future they could build together.

As time passed, Zera felt relieved and happy. The feelings she had kept hidden finally found their place. Farez, with all his determination and sincerity, made her believe that their relationship was still worth fighting for.

“Thank you for coming to this reunion,” Zera said before they returned to the crowd.

“I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t met you today.”

Farez smiled, gently holding Zera’s hand.

“I should be the one thanking you, Zera. Because of you, this reunion means more than just meeting old friends.”

The two of them returned to the crowd with different feelings. The reunion was not just a moment of nostalgia, but also the beginning of a love story that had been delayed for many years.