The morning after their rooftop discussion, Phuby woke earlier than usual. The sky was still painted in soft hues of gray and orange, the city not yet fully awake. From his room on the third floor, he could hear the distant sounds of mopeds revving in the alleys and birds greeting the sun. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted in through the open window—his mother must have already started her day downstairs.
He sat at the edge of his bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The idea of building a home had taken root in his mind, deeper than he expected. He wasn't just thinking about a mansion in the sense of luxury—he was imagining a place built from his own efforts. A symbol that the quiet kid who used to follow the group around had carved out his own legacy.
He stretched, stood, and shuffled out onto the open rooftop in his house sandals. The air was fresh, cool, still holding the chill of the night. Below him, Cirebon slowly came to life—warungs opening their shutters, street vendors setting up for the day, and the distant call to morning prayer already past.
The door to the second floor creaked as it opened behind him. "You're up early," Wulan's voice called gently.
Phuby turned. His mother stood in her usual houseclothes, mug of coffee in one hand, shawl wrapped around her shoulders.
"Couldn't sleep much," he said.
She walked over and joined him at the railing. "Thinking about the house?"
He gave a nod, a quiet smile playing at his lips. "Feels strange. I never thought I'd be in a position to even consider it. And now…"
"You're not just considering it," she said. "You're planning it. There's a difference."
Phuby chuckled. "You sound proud."
"I am," she replied, then added with a smirk, "but don't let it go to your head. You still leave your socks on the floor."
They both laughed softly.
"I just want a space that we can all breathe in," he said. "A proper home, not one that smells like chocolate sponge cake twenty-four seven."
"I like the smell," Wulan said, sipping her coffee. "But I get it. You've done good, Nak. You've brought us out of a cramped kitchen and into something stable. And now you're dreaming further. That's how it should be."
Just then, the rooftop door opened again, and Hana peeked out sleepily, hair a mess and blanket wrapped around her shoulders like a cocoon. "You two are already up?"
Phuby smiled. "Couldn't sleep."
She waddled over and leaned against him, stealing warmth. "You're thinking about the mansion again, aren't you?"
He nodded.
"I had a dream we had a koi pond," she murmured.
Wulan raised her eyebrow. "I vote for a proper kitchen first. You can build all the koi ponds you want after that."
They all laughed again. It was that kind of laughter—light, real, and soaked in love. In just a few months, everything had changed. The bakery was running well. The friendships he'd reconnected with—Dhe'ik, Kotim, Apood, Amad, even Mamad—had returned warmth to his life. And now, with Hana beside him and his mother and stepfather backing him up, Phuby felt like he was finally standing on steady ground.
Later that morning, after everyone had properly gotten ready, they gathered in the living room on the second floor. Om Luky brought his laptop out, and they started searching for nearby plots of land. Some listings were promising—large enough for a custom home, still close to the shop, and nestled in quiet neighborhoods that didn't feel too far from Cirebon's main roads.
"I can start reaching out to some agents," Om Luky offered. "Maybe set a few appointments."
Phuby nodded. "Let's see what's available. I'd like to make this happen within the next few months."
"You really are serious," Hana said, her voice a little dreamy as she looked through a few house design inspirations on her phone.
"I've never been more serious," Phuby said.
Just as they were about to close the laptop, Phuby's phone buzzed on the table. A video call was coming in—Hana's parents.
She hesitated for a moment, then answered.
Her father's face filled the screen, sharp yet kind, glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. "Good morning, Hana. And… Phuby, yes?"
"Good morning, sir," Phuby greeted respectfully in English.
Her mother soon joined, waving from behind with a warm smile. "You look well, darling," she said to Hana.
"I am," Hana said, a bit shy. "We were just talking about maybe building a house."
Her father looked impressed. "A house? Already?"
Phuby nodded. "We just bought the shophouse. Business is going well. And we thought it's time for a better living space."
Her mother raised an eyebrow. "You're still so young."
"I may be young, but… I want to do this for my family. And for Hana, too."
Hana's mother's expression softened. "You're serious about her."
"Yes, ma'am. I am."
A short silence passed between the four. Then her father chuckled. "Well, now we definitely have to visit, don't we?"
"You promised," Hana said, her eyes bright.
"We'll find the time. Maybe this year," her mother said. "We'll make it happen."
When the call ended, Hana turned to him, her smile radiant. "They're really coming."
Phuby nodded, the weight of responsibility mixing with excitement in his chest. "We better get that house built before they arrive, huh?"
"Better start designing that koi pond too," she teased.
He grinned. "Deal."
As the day stretched on, Phuby returned to the shop downstairs, checking in with the crew. Everything was in good hands. He no longer had to micromanage every detail. His team trusted him, just as he now trusted them. That evening, as he sat back in the rooftop again under the golden sky, he realized something deeply comforting:
The future was coming—and this time, he wasn't afraid.
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