Never Ending (Cross The Line)

It's hard to see the changes that everyone goes through without going through them yourself. Many people judge others without considering whether their perceptions are accurate. That is what happened to Clara. Many people judged that she had a hot temper, was tough to keep under control, and was even antisocial. Her own family felt that Clara was beyond their control. Clara felt abandoned, ostracized, and intimidated. Clara was afraid, sad, lonely, and left behind.

Clara is the only child of Hendarto and Meisya. Henderson, a hard-working director at a prominent company, was a dictatorial father to Clara. Meanwhile, Meisya, Clara's mother, was a famous designer who always prioritized her work. Both were very busy parents due to their jobs, but they still prioritized their only child, Clara. They constantly thought about Clara and always wanted the best future for their beloved daughter.

Clara's childhood was very happy, as seen in the photo albums neatly arranged on her bookshelf, but that happiness did not last long. It started when Clara reached her teenage years. While other teenagers her age were concerned with things that made them happy, such as hanging out with friends, going shopping, or doing other fun activities with friends or family, it was different for Clara. Despite having a wealthy family and well-known parents, Clara's life was neither happy nor okay. She had no place to share what she experienced or wanted.

Clara could only express her feelings with anger and high emotions, sometimes becoming completely silent with no one understanding what was wrong with her. That made people around her start to distance themselves, mock, and even ostracize her, including her parents. Her parents felt they had failed in raising Clara and eventually chose to busy themselves without considering Clara's true feelings.

Young Clara thought she had to organize her own life. She decided she would live on her own. At a young age, Clara had to think ahead due to her circumstances, which made her want something poor. Time passed quickly, days turned into years, and Clara went about her days as usual. She had no friends or relatives and never met her parents in person, even though they lived under the same roof due to their busy schedules. Clara chose to spend her time in the library instead of at home. Besides being a hobby, going to the library made her feel better.

Clara graduated from high school with good grades and was accepted to university to study architecture. Clara worked hard to achieve satisfying results in all subjects. She loved study and spent all her time at the library. This dedication got her into a good university and her dream major.

Currently, Clara is preparing for her thesis, spending most of her time in the campus library. She often spent time at the university library. Because she loved reading and it was a quiet place. Clara met a man who changed her life. Clara ignores him and avoids him when he approaches.

Clara often felt like a stranger in her own home. After graduating, Clara planned to leave home and try living independently. She wondered if she should inform her parents or not. She was more concerned with her ego than her conscience.

Clara decided to leave home without discussing it with her parents. It was a month before they realized she no longer lived there. They thought Clara was beyond control and a rebellious child. Eventually, they gave up and decided to stop supporting Clara. They cut off her education and living expenses, hoping she would return home.

Clara was not surprised by her parents' actions, having anticipated such a response. She worked part-time to pay for college. She did not expect any help from her parents. Living independently, Clara never contacted her parents. She did not worry much about their attitude, focusing solely on her own life and how to survive independently.

After waiting and working hard, Clara graduated with good grades and applied to big companies. She got a job as a site manager at a big company as a full-time employee. Clara no longer needed part-time jobs and was no longer financially insecure. Eventually, Clara started a new life and met someone who made a difference in her life. Who is he?

That day, the weather was clear with rather intense heat, and a gentle breeze blew towards Clara's wide-open bedroom window, adding to the atmosphere that made anyone want to fall asleep. Clara felt the same. From a distance, she faintly heard someone calling. The voice sounded like a symphony that tickled the ears. It was a voice that made anyone who heard it feel flattered. The voice was very familiar to her. It was Gio's voice.

"Clara, Clara, wake up. Don't sleep all the time," said Gio as he gently patted Clara's back. The voice grew louder in Clara's ears, and she woke up abruptly from her nap. The familiar voice made her hasten to get up.

"Uh, yeah. I'm awake," Clara said in a soft voice.

Gio was someone Clara met at a library. They both attended the same university but were in different departments. Gio happened to be a year older than Clara. Now, Clara is 25 years old and living independently.

Clara and Gio are friends, but more than that. Clara and Gio spent much time together, doing things they both liked. Gio was a man who understood Clara's nature and behavior very well.

Some people might think that Clara is not like most normal people. However, what she thought was normal was very different for everyone. Gio helped her see things differently. Not everyone could accept and understand what she meant, so it was natural that there were many differences in the surrounding environment. Gio made Clara think about things differently.

Coincidentally, Gio visited Clara's house today. While Gio went to buy food, Clara fell asleep. She had been reading a book and didn't notice when she drifted off. 

By the way, Gio was a psychology graduate who worked at a private hospital near his home. Honestly, Clara couldn't understand her feelings towards Gio. Gio always said that Clara liked him and felt comfortable around him, but Clara always denied it. Gio would respond with a sweet smile. On the other hand, Clara always felt a sense of fear when beside Gio, whether it was fear of losing him or being abandoned.

Meanwhile, Gio always told her that he liked her and understood her. Hearing that made Clara uncomfortable and only reinforced the walls she built around herself. It might sound a bit cliché, but that's how she felt.

"Hey, Rara!" shouted Gio while snapping his fingers in front of Clara's face.

"Uh, y-yes?" Clara responded with a startled expression.

"What are you thinking about? You're daydreaming over food," Gio said, puzzled.

"I'm okay. Just daydreaming for no reason," Clara replied.

Suddenly, Gio slowly got up from his seat, approached Clara, and sat beside her. He then held Clara's face and turned it towards him. Clara immediately froze. Her cheeks were flushed, and her mouth was full of food.