THE RIDDLE OF THE CRESCENT

"Ali, wait. Please don't leave me. I want to be with you, take me with you, Ali?"

Kim begged as she hugged Ali's body from behind.

"I'll be right back, Kim. It won't be long, believe me," Ali replied as she tried to pull away from Kim's tight embrace.

Ali could feel how cold Kim's hands were. After a sigh, Ali turned around and tried to smile.

"I don't want to leave you, please. Take me with you," Kim begged again with wet eyes.

Ali didn't answer, just smiled as she cupped Kim's cheeks and kissed her lips gently.

Meanwhile, Kim was silent as she squeezed Ali's shirt. Her eyes slowly closed, and she let Ali do whatever she wanted. Kim even tried to kiss her back.

"I promise I'll be back soon," Ali said after releasing her kiss on Kim. And left Kim, staring silently at Ali's back as she walked away.

"Please don't leave me," Kim slumped. Her body was so weak she could no longer stand.

***

Kim opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling of her bedroom. She got up and sat down on her bed after feeling her eyes get wet.

Then she sighed and looked straight ahead with a sad expression.

"That dream again," Kim said as she looked at the calendar nearby.

Then, her eyes fell on the window of her room. She got out of bed and went to open the window.

She tried to breathe in the morning air and let go of everything weighing her down.

It's been almost a year since you disappeared, Ali. Where are you now? Are you coming back?" Kim wondered.

Her name was Syaffana Kimberly, and she was eighteen years old. She was a first-year student majoring in Management.

Her life story could have been more attractive. She was just an ordinary girl who did not care about her appearance. Kim was often said to be a tomboy, but strangely, she liked to take care of her lengthy hair, although she covered it with a hat.

Most of her friends are boys. Kim doesn't like hanging out with girls; she thinks girls are too cynical, irritable, and not fun to talk to, while boys are more fun to hang out with, and when you speak to them, they always connect.

But even though Kim likes to play with boys, that doesn't mean she falls in love quickly. Of the many male friends she has, there is not one that Kim considers more than just a friend and companion.

Many have said that Kim has a disorder. But she never cared. Because they didn't understand and didn't know what made Kim the way she was. And Kim thought it was pointless to explain why.

They wouldn't understand anyway. So it was better to keep quiet and ignore them. When they were tired, they would be soft all by themselves.

That was until Kim met Ali, Philip Ali Goulden. The first man to change Kim's view of men. The first man to melt Kim's heart. Ali was the first man to make her cry for home.

Home? Yes, home! A broken home? Not really. Her parents are still intact. They just never got along.

A home that was like a hell to her. The place that was supposed to be a paradise for Kim was not worthy of being called a paradise. There was no peace, comfort, or happiness there.

Only the noise was always loud, making her uncomfortable. Kim spent all her time in her room playing with scissors and scribbling on her wrists with needles and scissors.

They said that Kim was a self-harmer. In short, Kim was depressed; when the depression came, Kim always did things beyond human reason. Kim liked to scratch her hands with scissors or needles, and she wanted to beat her body, creating pain to reduce the deepest heartache.

But when she met Ali, everything changed. Kim rarely hurt herself. Ali changed Kim's life; Ali gave her happiness.

For Kim, there was only Ali, who always made her smile and laugh carefree. It was like she found a new life.

Kim feels reborn when she is with Ali.

How did Kim meet him?

One day, Kim was walking on the pavement. When he cried, she quickened her pace. I am still determining where she went. What was clear was that she had to get away from the place she called home.

Arriving at a city park near her home, Kim huddled in a corner, looking for a quiet place.

Kim found a big, shady tree with many niches because it was old. Kim crossed her legs, buried her face in the crevice, and hugged her legs.

Kim cried bitterly, trying to release the weight on her chest.

Kim felt like she would die, as she almost ran out of oxygen.

Kim raised her head and tried wiping away the tears from her cheeks.

But from Kim's right, a hand pushed a handkerchief towards her.

"Use this, don't let your hands be full of tears and snot," the voice said.

Kim turned her head and found a neatly dressed man with perfect facial lines.

His skin was pure white like milk, and his face was charming and looked very gentle.

"Who is he? How long has he been standing next to me? What does he want? Maybe she wants to do something bad!" Kim thought to herself.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I have no bad intentions. And I was already here before you came, sat beside me, and cried." She repeated it.

Kim's eyes widened.

"Oh my! Silly me, why didn't I look around before? He must have heard all the swearing I did since then," Kim muttered again, closing her eyes because she was so embarrassed.

"Would you mind taking this handkerchief? My hands hurt if I keep doing this," she added.

Kim choked and suddenly took the handkerchief and wiped her tears.

"I'm sorry, I'll return your handkerchief when I wash it." Kim spoke in a husky voice.

"Take it easy. I'm always here, so if you want to return it, just come here. I thought this place was far enough away from the hustle and bustle that no one would come, and it's been my place for the last six years. But not for now, you are the new resident, welcome to us."

"Us?" Kim monologues.

"Ali," she said, holding out her hand.

"Ha?" Ali said in surprise.

Ali laughed at Kim's behavior.

"Come on, you look confused. I just asked you to meet me. My name is Ali and who are you?" She repeated.

"Ma-sorry, my name is Kim." Kim took Ali's hand. It was soft, a little cold and damp. That's how Kim felt when she touched Ali's hand.

"Kim, that's a good name. Is that all? Just Kim? Nothing else?" She asked again.

"Syaffana Khimberly, yes, Syaffana Khimberly, that's my long name."

"Amazing, really beautiful, like the person," he said with a smile. Another compliment.

"So cute," Kim thought as she saw Ali's smile.

The crooked teeth and the dimple on her right cheek made it impossible for Kim to blink.

"How can a man be so cute? Even his face is so clean, flawless. So different from me. Is he really a man?" She thought.

"But why does he have a face and skin like most women? Is she an affluent person? It is accurate, and he's the son of a noble family. Judging by her appearance, she is indeed from a noble family. Then it's natural. Her eyes are beautiful and sharp, like a wolf ready to pounce on prey.

"Why are you looking at me with that expression? Have I done something wrong?" Ali asked uncomfortably.

Kim was taken aback, still lost in her perceptions.

"Huh? N-not really, sorry, I didn't mean it like that," Kim was nervous and felt guilty.

Ali smiled back. She made Kim's heart beat fast and irregularly. Her body temperature rose. She could feel her blood rushing through her body.

"W-what happened to me?" Kim thought, wondering.

Kim began to panic as her vision began to blur, and her body felt light.

Kim could not control her body, and her idea was also dark. She lost consciousness.

"Kim, what's wrong, Kim? Don't joke around!" Ali shouted desperately.

Ali tried to wake Kim, who had suddenly fainted. She patted her cheeks and shook her shoulders. But Kim remained motionless, and she managed to make Ali panic and not know what to do.

Ali held Kim's head in her lap and stared at Kim's drooping face. For an hour, Kim didn't wake up.

For an hour, Ali was silent while holding Kim on her lap. Not knowing what to do, Ali kept checking Kim's forehead and neck to ensure Kim's body temperature remained stable.

Slowly, Kim's eyes began to open, and she faintly saw someone looking at her.

"So beautiful," Kim murmured with a smile.

"Kim, you're OK, right? You can hear me, right?"

"I can hear you," Kim replied, still smiling.

"Can I ask you something?" Kim asked as she looked at Ali's face.

"Just ask?"

"Why are you so beautiful and handsome at the same time, I'm jealous?"

I don't know what Kim was thinking when she said that. Without realizing it, Kim smiled widely.

"Are you teasing me, Kim?"

"Teasing? Of course not, I'm telling the truth," Kim replied again as she touched Ali's face.

"Wow your face is so soft, how do you have such a soft face?" Kim's question became more and more unclear.

"It turns out you like me, how about we date?"

"Huh? Boyfriend?" Kim could only gape.

"How about it, do you want to? If you become my girlfriend, will you still be able to touch my smooth face?"

Kim was silent, digesting what Ali said. Just then, her vision started to clear, and she could see Ali's sweet face from afar. She had a perfect look and brown irises that matched hers perfectly. A perfect pointed nose and very sharp and sparkling eyes.

"Perfect, she is God's most perfect creature to me," Kim murmured again.

Kim paused when she saw the smile on Ali's face.

"Are you playing with me?" Kim asked softly and tried to get up from Ali's lap.

But Ali quickly covered Kim's forehead with her fingers so that Kim, who tried to get up again, fell asleep on Ali's lap.

"Oh, it hurts!" Kim whimpered.

"Stay like that, I feel comfortable. It's been a long time since I've held someone on my lap," Ali turned her gaze forward to look at the weeds swaying in the wind.

Kim was silent, not answering Ali's words and obeying her wishes.

"Kim!" Ali shouted, but her eyes were still fixed on the clump of weeds before them.

"Do you want to be happy?" Ali asked again.

Kim choked up at Ali's words. "What is she thinking? How does she know what I want now?" mumbled Kim, confused.

"The same thing," Ali continued.

"Huh?" Kim was stunned again.

Ali smiled. She stared into the distance, but her gaze was blank.

"Kim," Ali called again.

"Hmm?" Kim replied.

"We're new, you know me and so do I, but Kim..." Ali's words trailed off.

"But what?" Kim asked curiously.

"I feel comfortable. Would you like to accompany me from now on?" Ali continued.

"Keep me company?" asked Kim, confused.

"I know, you need a friend, right? I need a friend too. So why don't we try to be together?" Ali said now, looking at Kim.

Immediately, Kim's mouth felt paralyzed for words.

"Haa? What does she mean by that?" Kim mumbled confusedly.

Kim stood up and sat across from Ali.

"I honestly don't understand what you're saying, Al." Kim said as she looked at Ali.

Ali looked at Kim.

"Maybe it's too soon, but I like you," Ali said as he cupped Kim's right cheek.

"You're kidding," Kim said nervously.

Ali smiled meaningfully.

"I'm serious." Ali said firmly.

"But Al. We just met. You don't know me yet. You don't know how? And... and..." Kim couldn't go on.

"I don't care! I'm not sure about my feelings either, but what I feel now is that I feel good with you. So, Kim, do you want to be my friend? Keep me company?" Ali asked again.

Kim was silent and didn't answer.

"What is this? Why is this happening? What's going on? What kind of game is this? Am I being tricked again? Are there cameras nearby? Aaaahhhhh shit! I can't think." Kim mumbled with a panicked face.

"Kim, let's try this first." Ali added, holding Kim's hand.

"That's not the problem, Ali, but this is hard to understand. I can't even understand this current situation.

"Honestly, I like seeing you. I'm also starting to feel comfortable with you and being around you.

"But Al, isn't it too soon? And what makes you so sure about making me your girlfriend?

"You don't even know what I'm like? And so many other women are much better than me.

"If you want a friend to keep you company, I can be your friend.

"I can come here every day after or before college. Even on my days off, I will come here with you or wherever you want.

Kim tried to explain the situation to Ali so that he could think about it before making a decision.

"I don't want you to leave me in the future if you already have a boyfriend, Kim. I don't want to lose you," Ali replied sadly.

And that made Kim laugh a little.

"How can you think like that, Al? I told you before you don't know me very well. You don't know me or my life.

"It's not that I don't like you. It's just that I don't want you to regret it in the future because you didn't know me well and made a quick decision.

Kim explained to Ali, who still had a sad face.

"Kim?

"Do you not like me?

"Am I not your type?

Do you have a boyfriend?

A series of questions came out of Ali's mouth, leaving Kim momentarily stunned.

"Ali, hey. Look at me and listen to me, OK?

"I like you, who doesn't? Only a fool wouldn't want a sweet and handsome guy like you.

"And you're not just my type. I could answer your question with a resounding yes. But Ali, it would be best if you didn't regret it.

"And one more thing, I don't have a boyfriend yet, just remember: NEVER!

Kim emphasized the last words as she looked at Ali's sad face.

"Then do you want to be my girlfriend?" asked Ali again, who started to change his expression into a happy one.

Kim could only sigh when she heard what Ali said. He was insistent with his words from the beginning.

Kim thought for a while before smiling at Ali and nodding once.

Immediately, Kim could see the hint of a happy smile on Ali's beautiful face. With such a beautiful color on her face, Kim couldn't help but smile again, and Kim smiled too.

"I don't know if this is right or wrong, I don't know what decision to make, but for me right now I really need someone to share my hell story with. And maybe Ali is the one; after all, he's handsome and perfect; it can't hurt to try," Kim murmured again.

From that day on, Kim always met Ali in that park. And they spent the day under that tree. Joking, sharing stories, and sharing laughter.

Kim knew that Ali was a broken-home child. His mother had died when he was growing up. His father remarried. But the stepmother was not as good as she thought. Well, her name is Stepmother.

Ali has a disease of the kidney. Kim was dumbfounded as she listened to his story. A dark life story and struggling alone. Fighting her illness alone.

***

"Kim!" Ali called as they sat under the tree.

"Hmm?" replied Kim.

"Thank you," Ali said.

"For?" Kim asked.

"For accompanying me," Ali replied.

"What the hell! Don't talk like that; honestly, I'm afraid if someone talks like that, as if tomorrow he won't come again," said Kim while looking at the weeds in front.

"No one knows the life and death of a person, Kim, the important thing is that I thank you for accompanying me and listening to my story," Ali said again.

Kim couldn't answer anymore. Her eyes were already teary, holding back tears. Somehow, when she heard those words, there was a fear of loss in Kim's mind.

Kim hugged Ali.

"Don't leave me," Kim said softly.

She could no longer hold back the tears.

A bitter smile was painted on Ali's face, but Kim couldn't see it.

Ali gently rubbed the top of Kim's head.

"Who would want to leave if the hug is this strong?" Ali said it jokingly.

Spontaneously, Kim immediately let go of the hug and looked at Ali.

Instantly, Ali laughed and pinched the tip of Kim's nose, which was not too sharp.

"Aliiii, you're joking!" Kim said she was annoyed but could not hide her laughter.

"Hehe, here's a hug; I just found out that you are actually a spoiled child and thirsty for affection; meeting me is something fitting, right?" Ali repeated it.

Kim just nodded and hugged Ali back.

"So let's live with what is now," Ali said again.

That's how their days went-not much to do, just sitting and occasionally walking around the park-but it made Kim happy. I don't know when the last time Kim felt as satisfied as she did with Ali was.

*****

Today, Kim's class schedule was busy. There were also organizational activities on campus after class from morning to evening.

There was a sense of worry and disappointment because Kim couldn't spend the day with Ali. Ali must be waiting for Kim at the park as usual.

When Kim is ready to leave for campus, her mind knows she has to meet Ali there first. And explain everything.

A voice called her as Kim's steps began to move away from the house.

"Kim!" the voice called.

Suddenly, Kim stopped her steps. She lazily looked back. Kim was very familiar with that voice. Who else's voice if not Mom's?

Kim didn't answer and just turned around, looking at her lazily.

"Where are you going so early in the morning?" Mum asked.

"Don't you see what I'm carrying? It's obvious where I'm going, isn't it? How come you care where I'm going? Usually indifferent." Kim answered curtly.

Kim had a mother, but she never knew what it was like to be loved by a mother. Kim had a father, but she didn't know when the last time he showed her affection was. Mom and Dad are always fighting, and Grandma is constantly interfering in Mom and Dad's arguments. Aaahhh, this is not a family! Kim didn't know the meaning of family from the inside.

"How rude of you to talk to your parents like that! Who taught you to talk disrespectfully like that?" Mum scolded.

"Want to know who taught me this kind of insolence? Who else, if not all of you? Who do you think I am because of? You keep fighting without caring about your children until you lose your most precious treasure!" Kim said firmly, and she immediately turned around and hurried away.

"Kim! Kim! I'm not done talking yet! Khimberly!" she shouted.

But Kim ignored her, and she continued to walk fast and get as far away from the house as possible.

"How can I feel at home if everything in there is full of emotions and hatred?" Kim said it in her stride.

Kim continued walking down the sidewalk and walked into the city park.

Kim ran towards the tree where she and Ali had been spending time.

With her breath catching, Kim stopped right under the tree. Leaning her hand on the trunk of the big, shady tree. Trying to catch her breath.

After Kim felt she could breathe normally, she straightened her body and looked at Ali's figure.

Kim circulated her gaze, looking for a man who made her heart comfortable. However, she did not find it.

Kim began to get nervous because the lecture hour was approaching, but she had not seen Ali anywhere.

"Where are you, Ali? Why aren't you anywhere?" Kim said this while still searching.

And suddenly, someone closed Kim's eyes from behind, surprising Kim. But a moment later, Kim smiled.

This perfume is very familiar to Kim. She knows it very well. It is Ali's perfume-the perfume that Ali always wears.

"You just surprised me, Ali. I know it's you, don't keep joking," Kim said while letting go of Ali's arms.

"Aaahhh not cool. How did you know it was me, even though I've been silent since before?" Ali grumbled.

Kim smiled and said, "Ali.

"Even though you are silent, I still know it's you. I know even though I can't see anything because I know you by heart," Kim said as she pinched her sharp nose.

Ali's annoyed face showed, and she walked past Kim and sat down in the crack of the tree roots.

"Don't pout, you'll lose your good looks. You know, I'd rather see you smile than frown, even though both make you look good," Kim teased.

"What the hell are you?" Ali repeated it while blushing.

"Eh, but wait a minute," Kim said.

"Why?" Ali asked curiously.

"My boyfriend's shirt collar is a little folded. How come you're a bit messy today? What have you been doing?" Kim asked questions.

"I didn't do anything, did I?" replied Ali.

"You've been flirting with other women, haven't you? Come on, confess!" Kim accused Ali while pointing at him.

"What are you saying, Kim?" I don't like you making accusations without evidence!" Ali replied with a cold face.

"Yes, who knows. I've been looking for you all this time and you didn't come. Where did you go?" asked Kim while exposing her lips.

Ali didn't answer, and he just smiled at Kim's behavior. Those gingsul teeth made Kim drunk, always made Kim melt.

"I wish I could change my schedule today. I really want to spend time with him." Kim muttered again.

"Why?" Asked Ali, who noticed the change in Kim's expression.

Kim looked at Ali languidly and sadly.

"Today's lecture schedule is full until the afternoon, there are also Organisation activities after lecture, I can't be with you today," Kim explained sadly.

Ali looked at Kim, who was downcast, then smiled and rubbed the top of Kim's head gently.

"It's OK, there's still tomorrow. Go, I'm fine, instead there's still tomorrow, and tomorrow we can spend time together again, right?" Ali said, soothing Kim.

"But Al--" Kim was cut off.

"Shh, it's OK. You have to go to college, it's a waste of money if you skip classes," Ali said again.

"Alright," Kim replied listlessly.