Another Love Awaits

"Enough!"

Her hand lifted as a sign that she no longer wanted to hear any excuses. She grabbed the haphazardly placed shoulder bag on the table, then walked away without looking back at her interlocutor. Her steps were brisk as she headed towards the visitor cafe's parking area, where her beloved automatic blue motorbike patiently awaited with its white-striped design and Bugs Bunny sticker.

Yes, only the blue automatic motorcycle with the cherished Bugs Bunny sticker faithfully awaited her, never thoughts of infidelity or deceit. It was the only companion accompanying her wherever she went without demanding elegance or a beautiful dress with high heels.

"Celine!" the man she left behind in the cafe shouted.

"Celine, wait!" Since Celine showed no intention of turning, the man called her name again, hurrying to catch up with the girl.

Celine held back the tears with all her might, not wanting them to spill now. Not now, she thought. She couldn't afford to appear weak in front of that jerk. She had to seem solid and unaffected, even though it contradicted the reality. Walking quickly, almost running towards the parking lot, she suppressed the tears that had managed to escape her defenses.

The parking area was quite empty. There were about seven motorcycles and two cars on opposite sides. Reaching her motorcycle, the man, Leo finally caught up with Celine and grabbed the girl's hand, stopping her momentarily.

"Listen for a moment," Leo said, trying to get Celine to listen to his explanation briefly. But Celine ignored him. Instead, she turned her face away and tried to find the keys in her shoulder bag.

"We're not breaking up, Celine. We can still be together," Leo said again. This time, his effort succeeded in capturing Celine's full attention.

Spontaneously, Celine turned and cast a piercing look at Leo. If a sight could kill, Leo might have dropped dead instantly. The tall, slim man frowned and attempted to avert his gaze but was hindered by his pride as a man. Was he terrified of a woman? That's what his mind was saying.

"So, you think I'm angry because I can't hang out with you anymore?" Celine asked with a scolding tone. She had run out of patience dealing with Leo. Her voice rose a few octaves due to suppressed emotions. Her earlier heartache had instantly turned into high-level anger. How could Leo think she was that naive?

"Well, then?" Scratching his non-itchy head, Leo struggled to find another defense.

Celine shook her head in frustration with the sheer audacity of the irritating man that, unfortunately, she had thought she had loved wholeheartedly recently.

"Listen! Is there any girl who wouldn't be hurt if her boyfriend told her that he had hanging out with his ex-girlfriend? Are you crazy or something?!"

"But she's my first love, Celine. It's hard to forget your first love just like that. Besides, I've been honest with you. Isn't that a good thing about me? If I didn't say anything, you wouldn't know, right? And we don't need to fight like this." Leo expressed his opinion casually, implying that Celine was overreacting, even though he had been honest.

Celine rolled her eyes in exasperation. Her annoyance had reached its peak. If she continued dealing with Leo, her blood pressure might suddenly go so high.

"I don't care! Whether she's your first love or your puppy love. What's clear is that you cheated. And I want us to break up. That's all!"

She slapped away Leo's hand that tried to hold her arm. She quickly got on the motorcycle, put on her helmet, started the engine, and zoomed off without paying any more attention to Leo, who was still trying to stop her.

"Crazy guy! Asking for understanding, huh? Does he think I'm a stupid girl or what? He cheated. And what did he say earlier? Should we appreciate honesty? Seriously, he's brainless."

Celine muttered to herself as she rode the motorcycle. She liked to vent her frustration on the bike. Driving at a moderate speed, accompanied by a relatively strong wind, allowed her to grumble throughout the journey without worrying about anyone else hearing. She glanced at the side mirror several times to check if Leo was chasing her. She was disappointed not to see anyone behind her.

Ah, she was that insignificant in Leo's eyes. Despite the past six months of feeling perfect with Leo, being near him, she always made her proud, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. Love often blinds those who experience it. All her partner's flaws seemed to be overshadowed by the greatness of her feelings.

Continuing to sob, Celine finally arrived at her home. It is a small, cozy house with a black iron fence and the number 76th perched on the pillar of its wall. The house looked different from the others around it because a small shop was attached to the main house. Its black gate was always half-open, serving as an entrance for buyers.

Her mother's shop sold various groceries and other household necessities. Therefore, many neighbors usually gathered there, chatting for a while or a long time as they shopped. Homemakers usually enjoy chatting for a long time. There was always something to talk about, from kitchen prices to sometimes discussing each other's family matters.

Celine was grateful that there were no customers when she entered her home's yard. At least she didn't have to greet or engage in small talk with them. She was not in the mood for it at all. After parking her motorcycle on the front porch, she wiped the remaining tears and fixed her makeup. Not really makeup, though. She was the girl who only needed a thin layer of powder and a swipe of lip gloss to go anywhere. I ensured the reflection in her side mirror didn't look too puffy.

She certainly didn't want her family to realize she had been crying. Her mother could suddenly become hysterical. Moreover, with her often misplaced curiosity, her younger sister would only make Celine feel even more uncomfortable. Indeed, the matter would be discussed repeatedly until a clear explanation of what made her cry. Celine didn't want to discuss it with anyone now or maybe forever.

Let her keep the heartache to herself. Only those who have experienced it can understand how painful it is when loyalty is betrayed and how heartbreaking it is when genuinely trying to love but being deceived. Just as she was about to open the living room door, she was startled by her younger sister-Gina-who, as usual, couldn't resist being mischievous.

"Gotcha!" she shouted from behind the door, making Celine, who was already in a bad mood, instantly furious.

"Gina! What's wrong with you? Scaring me like that!"

Gina just laughed, seeing her sister angry. Four years younger than Celine, the charming girl always carried herself cheerfully, humorously, and as if she never had life burdens. Celine shot an annoyed look at her sister. Instead of apologizing, Gina continued to tease her.

"Oh, getting mad like that, huh, sis. You'll age quickly, you know!" Gina said, intentionally pouting her lips.

"Look at that, so many wrinkles on the forehead, tsk tsk ... Sister Celine is getting old, oh my," Gina continued teasing her sister while pretending to scrutinize her face.

"Hey, you just cried, didn't you?" Suddenly, Gina's face changed slightly, showing concern after noticing her sister's swollen face with slightly reddened eyes.

"Celine!" Their mother's call was heard. Celine cringed in surprise.

"Oh, this gonna be bad!" Celine mumbled with tightly sealed lips.

She saw her mother walking toward the door, where Gina held her.

"Back home already? Why so late? Overtime, huh?" Her mother bombarded her with questions, worried that Celine was coming home late due to meeting Leo after work.

"Um... yes, Mom. Just a little overtime, chasing the targets," she lied.

"Seems like Celine just cried, Mom," Gina added, observing her sister.

Celine shook her head vigorously and quickly replied, "No, Mom. It's just that I opened the helmet visor, and a bit of dust got in my eyes."

Gina and her mother exchanged glances without suspicion. Celine was too introverted to be open about her problems, even to her mother. She left her naughty sister, who was still nodding knowingly. There was a slight sense of guilt in her heart for lying. But what can she say? She didn't want her mother to know the actual situation.

She hurriedly went to her room. It was the safest place to pour out all the heaviness in her chest. She threw herself onto the bed with a Bugs Bunny-themed bed cover. Yes, she was a fan of the Bugs Bunny cartoon character. Her entire room was all about Bugs Bunny, from the hanging door decorations, dolls, and stickers on the makeup mirror and wardrobe to various wall accessories.

There was no specific reason. Celine just liked the grey color dominating the cartoon character. She felt that grey suited her calm, shy personality and aversion to being the center of attention. As she lay face down, she cried again. No, she wasn't crying over losing Leo. She was crying over the misfortune in her fate-whatever great sin she had committed to fall in love repeatedly, and each time ended in misery.

When she decided to accept Leo's confession of love, she thought he could be a replacement for her ex. She felt that Leo seemed excellent and faithful. Turns out, he was just like the others. He is good in front but duplicitous behind her back. Celine continued to sob in silence, covering her face with a pillow so that her sobs wouldn't be heard outside the room.

Flashes of memories of the early encounters and the journey of her love story with Leo seemed to surface in her mind. Making the broken pieces of her heart feel even more painful as if being sprinkled with salt. She felt a throbbing pain in her chest, like a piece of flesh stabbed with a dagger.

At that time, she was attending a wedding event of one of her colleagues. After work, she came with a few friends, wearing a jacket to disguise the still-worn work uniform. They jostled with other guests under a large tent adorned with ivory-colored tassels with golden edges that looked elegantly set up in the yard and half the street in front of the bride's house. Rows of tables and chairs were arranged in circles, covered with matching-colored cloths.

The sound of wedding tunes playing during the wedding event mixed with the noise of the guests, who seemed lively after sunset. Celine approached the wedding stage and found her friend sitting with her mate. Truly beautiful and handsome, a perfect combination with the beautiful gown and the groom's stylish suit.

"Ouch!" Suddenly, a man's voice groaned behind her.

Celine accidentally stepped on someone's foot behind her when she suddenly moved backward because someone blocked her path as they stood up from their chair. She immediately turned around, apologizing repeatedly without looking at the unfortunate man's face.

As the man's groans were unheard, she had to tilt her head and saw the man in front, who seemed quite handsome, with thick eyebrows and slightly curly hair, trying to suppress his laughter by covering his mouth with his hand.

Instantly, Celine became annoyed, feeling as if she was being laughed at, wondering what could be so funny to the man.

"Does it hurt? Well, then, no need to apologize!" she said curtly, turning back to join her friends seated in the row of invitation chairs near the wedding stage. She ignored the man in a maroon short-sleeved shirt and gray jeans, who continued to stare at her after the minor incident.

After dining and taking photos with the newlyweds session, Celine's group bid farewells. The six returned to the motorcycle parking area and said their goodbyes, heading home to their respective houses.

Two days later, there was a message on Celine's messaging app from an unknown number.

'Hey, foot-stepper!'

Spontaneously, Celine's eyebrows furrowed as she read the strange message. "Who is this?" she mumbled with a questioning tone while typing on the screen keyboard.

'Oh, you forgot already? You stepped on my foot until it swelled at Kate's wedding yesterday.

Celine immediately remembered the handsome man with the annoying expression who had laughed at her that day. She quickly typed a reply,

'Oh, it's you! How did you get my number?'

'Remember now? Take responsibility! My foot is swollen.'

'Oh, come on, it can't be swollen! My feet are tiny, and I wear sneakers without heels; how could it cause swelling?'

'Oh well, you're the one who stepped on me, and now you're getting angry at me?'

'Fine, I'm sorry, sorry. Who are you? Did Kate give you my number?'

That was the beginning of communication between Celine and Leo. It turned out that Leo was Kate's neighbor helping at the house as a form of neighborly solidarity. He claimed to have convinced Kate to give Celine's number by showing a photo on his phone. Luckily, Celine had a photo taken with the newlyweds on the wedding stage, so Leo had the chance to take a picture with his phone.

The two communicated more intensively because Celine liked Leo's humorous style. After they seemed increasingly interested in each other, Leo dared to ask Celine to be his girlfriend. Six months had passed since they started their relationship, which had always seemed beautiful and delicate in Celine's eyes.

Leo ran his motorcycle repair shop near his home. Because of that, his working hours were flexible, making it easy for him to go to Celine's workplace during lunchtime to invite his girlfriend to eat together. Or suddenly come to pick her up after work, even though he knew Celine had her motorcycle. He always said he missed her.

Ah, it seemed that everything was just a fleeting illusion. Their happiness and togetherness meant nothing to Leo at all. He quickly said he was reminiscing momentarily with his ex and hoped Celine could understand because that woman was his first love!

"Damn!" She hit the innocent pillow she had been hugging.

"All guys in the world are the same, scum!" She grumbled in frustration. She continued to hit the innocent pillow to release some of her anger after being tired of crying.

"Celine! Come here to dinner, dear!"

Suddenly, her mother's voice called from the dining room. Celine instinctively looked at the wall clock and found it was already late evening. Oh my! She had been crying for too long without realizing the time.

"Celine had dinner outside earlier. You can leave it, Mom!" she replied, sounding as normal as possible.

Her appetite was gone entirely. There was no hunger, even though she hadn't eaten anything since noon. What she felt now was only heartache. The pain felt like being stabbed by sharp objects, growing deeper and leaving prolonged agony.

Celine quickly got up from the bed and then went to the dressing table to check how puffy her face was. After feeling it didn't look too bad, she went to the bathroom next to the kitchen.

"Have you eaten for real, sis?" Gina asked as Celine passed by the dining table.

"Y-yes," with her face slightly hidden behind the towel she was carrying, Celine answered softly.

"If that's the case, all the meal is mine, okay?" Gina's eyes sparkled with joy.

"Fine!" Celine replied casually.

"Yeayy!" Gina cheered while transferring her sister's portion onto her plate. Fortunately, her parents were busy commenting on her sister's antics, so Celine escaped their attention.

Celine Andrews is what her father named his firstborn. She was born on July 11, 1996, during the beautiful twilight on the western horizon. She was born after her mother endured the pains of contractions since dawn at a nearby midwife clinic.

Firstborns are always a special surprise. Back then, there weren't widespread ultrasound examinations to determine the baby's gender. However, the elders in the family, her maternal grandmother in particular, believed in predicting the baby's gender based on the signs exhibited by the pregnant mother.

At that time, Celine's maternal grandmother believed their future grandchild was a boy. Consequently, the family prepared a name for a boy. But, when the baby was born, it turned out to be a girl. With little planning about the character, her father quickly decided.

"Let's name her Celine; what do you think, Dear?" Mr Felix suggested to his wife while cradling the tiny baby. He was enchanted by the hues of the sunset that infiltrated through the window into the delivery room.

"It seems it's not a son, Dear. Hahaha," Mrs Maggie laughed heartily, remembering the amusing incident right after successfully delivering the baby.

When the midwife said, "Congratulations, Mom, a healthy and complete baby girl is born." Her initial response was dumbfounded because she had assumed it would be a baby boy from the start.

"That's true, Dear. We can only plan and estimate. In the end, God is the Most Decisive," Mr. Felix spoke wisely. He, a man whose face reflected patience and responsibility, was filled with love for his family. Once again, he cradled the tiny baby they had anticipated for three years since their marriage.

Mrs. Maggie, still slightly tired from childbirth, mumbled her agreement while gazing at her baby with wonder. She was still absorbed in the euphoria of the birth of their first daughter, and three years of waiting had finally paid off with the arrival of the cute little one who had cried a few times loudly and then quickly fell asleep within a short period.

Whether it was a boy or a girl didn't matter to them. They would love the baby no matter the gender. After all, they hadn't prepared much for baby supplies.

Their village still adhered to some old superstitions, especially regarding significant events like marriages, pregnancies, childbirth, and even deaths. Many elderly neighbors expressed superstitions about preparing too many baby items. Therefore, they only prepared a little. It wasn't that Mr. Felix and Mrs. Maggie believed in superstitions, but they followed what the elders said to avoid hurting anyone's feelings.

The philosophy behind the name Celine was also a prayer from her parents for her to match the warmth and enthusiasm, symbolizing adventure, optimism, self-confidence, and social skills. This was because Celine was born in a twilight moment, a fusion of red and yellow, giving a strong and warm effect.

Like most firstborns, Celine was showered with love, attention, and affection from her parents and extended family since childhood. She was spoiled, and almost everything she desired was quickly fulfilled.

However, things began to change when her mother gave birth to her younger sister four years later. The second child, named Gina Andrews, seemed to take many things away from Celine. She suddenly had to sleep alone in a separate room from her parents. Her mother rarely carried her since she was pregnant because pregnant women were prohibited from carrying heavy loads to avoid endangering the fetus.

Since then, a bit of envy crept into little Celine's heart towards her younger sister. But, as they grew older, mutual understanding and affection developed due to their emotional closeness and the patient and loving guidance from their parents.

The younger sister had a personality opposite of her older sister. While Celine was serious, introverted, and independent, Gina was playful, mischievous, and overly spoiled. They named the second daughter Gina hoping she would be a sweet and obedient gentle girl. When they discovered that Gina's personality was far from the meaning behind her name, they could only shake their heads and realize that expectations don't always match reality.

"I don't care! Just know that Celine sleeps below, and I'm on top. Fix!" Gina insisted when their father bought bunk beds for the two of them, replacing Celine's small mattress. This happened when Celine was nine and Gina was five.

Since childhood, Gina has been overly pampered and cheeky. Celine had to continually yield to avoid prolonged arguments that usually made their mother angry. As they grew older, Celine and Gina began facing economic difficulties. Mr. Felix's welding workshop received fewer orders, significantly reducing the family's income. Therefore, when Celine graduated from high school, she decided to work.

She applied to several companies in her city with only a high school diploma. While waiting for job calls, she helped her mother shop for their store stock. She preferred being sent to shop rather than managing the store because, according to her, dealing with buyers required a lot of patience and ears ready to listen to the long complaints of their neighborly customers. And she had neither.

Gina, who was friendlier with buyers and balanced their conversations with her cheerful and relaxed demeanor, wasn't the sensitive type like Celine when she heard some teasing from neighbors during jokes. After a few months of applying here and there, Celine finally received a job offer as a production employee at a shoe factory. It was conveniently located near her home, about a ten-minute motorcycle ride.

The girl immensely enjoyed her job. Even with a salary according to the regional minimum wage, she received many additional benefits from overtime work and performance bonuses whenever her team reached production targets. She also felt comfortable with the work environment. As the newest and youngest employee, she quickly became the favorite of her superiors due to her agility and competence. She didn't take long to climb the ranks, surpassing many older colleagues.

Her increasing salary helped support the family's economy. Her parents often hesitated to accept money from Celine. Therefore, she went to the market every payday to shop for their store stock. She often secretly tucked some money into her father's shirt pocket, usually hung in front of the prayer room. Her parents were deeply moved when they realized that their firstborn had matured and had noble intentions to help the family without being asked.

When the time came for Gina to graduate from high school, Celine finally asked their parents to fulfill Gina's desire to continue to college. She promised to help with the financing. She had a personal savings account that could be used whenever there was a sudden need. She wanted her high school graduate sister to have a better job than her.

Gina was joyful to attend college, especially since her older sister couldn't. She gradually changed, becoming more respectful to Celine as she understood that her sister helped finance her education.

Finally, Gina enrolled in the Accounting program at a private university in their city. The pampered girl wasn't convincing enough to be allowed to live in a boarding house in the town, the provincial capital, where the nearest state university was located.

"Study properly. Be careful if you mess around!" Celine warned one day when the family listened to Gina's exciting stories about campus life.

Gina put on a severe expression, stood upright, and saluted with her hand.

"Ready! I'll do it!"

Celine playfully tapped her sister's head. Typical Gina, turning a severe talk into a joke, she thought. Mr. Felix and Mrs. Maggie shook their heads and sometimes joined in the laughter while witnessing the debates between their two beloved daughters.

The house, though modest, felt complete when both daughters were around. Celine's dedication to work and Gina's pursuit of higher education brought a sense of pride to their parents. They were grateful for their daughters and the sacrifices they made for the family.

Celine's workplace became busier daily, and her reputation at the shoe factory continued to soar. She managed to secure a supervisory position, overseeing a team in the production line. Her income steadily increased, allowing her to contribute significantly to the family's finances.

Meanwhile, Gina adapted to university life. The transition from a pampered younger sister to a college student changed her personality. She became more independent and responsible, juggling her studies and part-time jobs to ease Celine's financial burden.

Despite their age difference, Celine and Gina developed a strong bond. Celine, the protective older sister, would occasionally visit Gina at the university, ensuring she adapted well and managed her studies. Gina, in turn, appreciated Celine's guidance and support, recognizing her sister's sacrifices for her education.

One day, Celine surprised Gina with a new laptop. It was a gesture that left Gina speechless. She knew her sister had saved up for months to buy it, and the act of generosity brought tears to Gina's eyes.

"I want you to have the best tools for your studies," Celine said, her eyes reflecting the sincerity of her intentions.

The laptop became Gina's constant companion, aiding her in research assignments and staying connected with Celine. It symbolized a material possession and a manifestation of the sisters' unspoken commitment to each other's success.

As time passed, Gina's academic achievements shone. She proved herself academically competent and socially adept, making friends quickly and actively participating in campus activities. Celine beamed with pride at her sister's accomplishments.

As the family gathered for dinner, Gina had exciting news to share one evening. She had been selected as a university representative for an upcoming national accounting competition.

Celine's eyes lit up with pride. "See, I told you to study properly!"

Gina blushed, grateful for the encouragement. The family celebrated the achievement, and Celine couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions-pride in Gina's success and a pang of nostalgia for the dreams she had once harbored for herself.

Despite the challenges and setbacks, Celine found solace in her sister's achievements. She had become a silent supporter, offering guidance and encouragement and rejoicing in Gina's triumphs as if they were hers.

As the years unfolded, both sisters pursued their respective paths. Celine continued to excel in her career, earning promotions and recognition for her dedication. Gina, armed with her accounting degree, landed a job at a reputable firm, realizing the dreams she and Celine had once shared.

Their paths diverged, but the bond between them remained unbreakable. Celine's role evolved from protector to confidante, and Gina, in her newfound independence, still sought Celine's advice and shared her joys and sorrows.

Once filled with the laughter and bickering of two young girls, the family home witnessed their growth into remarkable women. Through their journeys, they discovered that sisterhood was a matter of blood and a connection of hearts forged through shared dreams, sacrifices, and unwavering support.

And so, the story of Celine and Gina unfolded, a tale of sisterhood that transcended the ordinary, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who witnessed their journey.