Everyone wants a decent and happy life. Having both parents and siblings is something everyone dreams of. Nindy Nugraha was no exception. She was a beautiful girl with slanted eyes, chubby cheeks, a high nose, and petite lips. Her kind, cheerful, and outgoing nature earned her many friends. Everyone wanted to be close to her. But unlike the rest of the world, her own family hated Nindy because of a single mistake—and she wasn't even the one who had made it. Nindy had been made the scapegoat by her own older sibling. Ever since that incident, her dad and mom had hated her and often abused her as well. Nindy was exhausted. She couldn't endure living like this anymore. After receiving a volunteer assignment, Nindy finally decided to leave home and start a new life. Her heart was already heartbroken by the way her family treated her, and they often insulted the work she did now.
"Where are you going?" Nugraha asked.
"I'm going to Papua. I have a volunteer assignment," Nindy said flatly.
"Good. Go as soon as possible. If necessary, take your clothes with you, and don't come back," Nugraha said.
Nindy was used to hearing the cutting words that came out of Nugraha's mouth. But for now, she still had the patience to deal with him. That wouldn't last forever. One day, Nindy would repay all the pain she'd suffered with her success. That was her resolve.
"Yes, I'll leave this house. Thank you for letting me stay all this time," Nindy said.
"And here are the car keys and ATM card. I'm returning them," Nindy said as she handed the ATM card and car keys to Nugraha.
To be honest, Nugraha's heart sank when he saw his daughter. He truly hadn't believed in the trouble that had come back then, but what could he do? Everything had been recorded clearly. Nugraha loved Nindy dearly because she was the only one who could always bring honor to their family. Her older sibling, on the other hand, was a model who rarely came home.
Diana, watching her youngest daughter leave, could only cry from a distance. Honestly, she wanted to stop her child, but once again, that incident was vividly etched in her mind. She wanted to deny it, but the evidence pointed to her youngest daughter.
"Mom hopes you can find your own happiness, sweetheart," Diana said, holding back her sobs.
"It's only right that you return what doesn't belong to you," Nugraha said, his voice trembling slightly.
"Hmm. Thank you. I'll be going now," Nindy said as she pulled her suitcase.
When Nugraha saw his daughter disappear behind the door, he roughly wiped his face. He truly couldn't bear to see her leave for who knew where. He felt like he'd failed to be a good father.
"Sniff, Dad," Diana said between sobs.
"Honey," Nugraha said when he saw his wife approach, her face swollen from crying.
"Our daughter, honey," Diana said.
"It's all right, sweetheart. Let her experience how hard life is out there. She'll definitely come back," Nugraha said, comforting his wife, though he too doubted whether their daughter would return.
Nindy walked with determination, though leaving her home and both her parents was difficult for her too. But she didn't want to keep giving in. Enough was enough. She would leave and start a new life.
"Goodbye. Thank you for the wounds you've carved into my heart," Nindy murmured.
Beep beep!
The sound of a car snapped Nindy out of her reverie. She quickly turned to see who it was. It turned out to be Veronika, her best friend, who would be carrying out the volunteer assignment in Papua.
"Come on, we'll be late," Vero said.
"Let's go," Nindy replied.
Nugraha and Diana could only watch their daughter leave from behind the window. Diana's body trembled. She wanted nothing more than to run after Nindy and stop her from leaving. But it was too late. Her daughter's car was already speeding away from their home.
People say home is a palace, a paradise, the most beautiful place to return to. But not for Nindy. The house that other people considered a palace had become the place where her heartache had first emerged.
"It's all right, Nin. This is the best decision for you," Vero said, already aware of Nindy's problems.
"I'm ready. I'm just still thinking about my parents. What will happen to them if I leave?" Nindy said sadly.
"They never think about you, Nin. You've given in long enough. Have some pity for yourself. You deserve to be happy too," Vero said.
"Yeah, you're right. From now on, I have to think about my own life," Nindy said.
They were on their way to the airport and would be flying to Papua to carry out their assignment. Papua was currently dealing with a conflict involving the KKB. However, the area Nindy would be visiting this time was a location where the residents had been struck by a disease outbreak.
Nindy and Vero arrived and immediately got out of the car. They walked while dragging their respective suitcases. They saw a group of people in white coats who were believed to be the chosen personnel being sent to Papua.
"Excuse me, are we late?" Vero asked.
"Oh, Vero and Nindy. No, you're not. Relax," said Digo, another member of the volunteer team.
"All right. Now that we're all here, I'll give you a few words of advice," said a young man named Rafael.
"We're going to Papua to help residents affected by a disease outbreak. So far, we don't know where the outbreak came from. I ask all of you to maintain your health. If you want to interact with the residents, wear full PPE. And keep yourselves safe. We're in a country with vicious enemies, so never leave the route marked out by the TNI members," Rafael said.
"Yes, sir, Doctor," they answered in unison.
They began walking onto the plane. The volunteers and doctors being sent numbered only eight people: five men and three women.
The journey began, and so did Nindy's new life. Nindy hoped that after this, she wouldn't shed any more tears of sadness. She wanted tears of happiness instead.
PAPUA
"Reporting, Commander. The volunteer and medical team is currently en route by air. Who will you send to pick them up, Commander?" the man asked.
"Just have Emil pick them up," the handsome man said.
"Yes, Commander," his subordinate replied.
Indeed, TNI personnel had only been assigned there the previous afternoon to take turns guarding the area. One of them was a handsome twenty-eight-year-old man named Vito Bramana, who served as a TNI commander. At an age when most people were settled, marriage wasn't on his mind at all. Besides, he hadn't met a woman who fit his criteria.
Would Nindy and Vito's meeting lead to a more serious relationship?