Chapter 9 : So many Light Years

The rain started to subside, Billy was still quietly in his car holding a cake from Leo. After convincing himself for a long time, he ventured out of his car and walked towards Dara's yard. He had been waiting for this moment for a long time. The moment when he finally knows Dara and can interact with her. Billy didn't dare to hope for much, even though he did have hopes of getting closer to Dara. But Billy doesn't like disappointment. Just like Dara, it is not easy for him to accept rejection.

Billy knocked on Dara's front door softly. Nemma, who had been there all this time, immediately opened the door. Billy was a little surprised. He didn't expect anyone to open the door so quickly.

"Who are you looking for?" asked Nemma curtly.

"Dara is at home, Ma'am? I'm his friend, Billy."

"She is sleeping. Want to leave a message?" asked Nemma still curtly and so firmly that Billy felt intimidated. Billy slightly regretted not taking Leo with him.

"This is food from my mother. Mrs. Dian, Mr. Reynold's wife who lives in Block G." Billy explained a little scared as he handed over all the packages he had brought. So nervous, Billy forgot to explain the package Leo had given him.

"Okay, I'll give it to Dara later. There are more?"

"No ma'am, thank you very much."

"Okay, thanks," said Nemma flatly.

Billy immediately left Dara's house. His feelings were a mix of fear, nervousness, and relief. At least he had completed his goal of giving food to Dara even though he didn't meet her.

Nemma was still watching him as Billy drove off in his car. Nemma took the food to the dining room and kept it there. Nemma felt her heart break. She didn't know what she was feeling, nor did she really understand it. The same feeling she often felt when she saw Dara get something she wanted.

Nemma stared at the food on the table for a moment. Then her tears fell. She immediately wiped her tears. She was holding back from crying again. Unlike Dara, who wanted her tears to fall again after a long time she had difficulty doing so.

Nemma finally got up from her frozen spot. She entered his room in a huff. She slightly slammed her bedroom door. Dara, who was in her room listening to songs through her headset, had no idea what had just happened there. Dara just stared blankly at the roof of her room while listening to her mother's favorite song. Her face was almost expressionless.

The image of Dean's figure continued to haunt her. She couldn't hate him. Dara really can't. Her heart wanted to forgive Dean, but her ego refused it. Dara doesn't want to forget what Dean has done to her family. It hurts too much for her. She wanted to be able to hurt him, but her instincts told her she wanted to forget everything. Dara doesn't like to hurt anyone.

***

At dinner time, Dara came out of her room. She didn't see Nemma anywhere. She only saw the package of food that Nemma had left there. Dara opened it with a bit of hesitation. She sees the wrapped cake there. Dara immediately remembered Leo. She had ignored him earlier. The guilt in Dara's heart began to emerge.

Dara thought Leo had intended to deliver the food for her. Even though Dara felt a little strange, why did he send it when it was raining. Dara also saw a type of fish she didn't recognize there and also lots of snacks. Dara reads the writing on it, showing that the food is a typical Yogyakarta gift. Dara was a little surprised. She didn't see Leo carrying this many packages. But Dara thought maybe she was wrong because she didn't pay much attention to it.

Nemma finally came out of her room. She looked confused and her face was very gloomy. Dara was afraid to ask her. But she didn't know who else to ask. "Whose food is this, Tity?"

Nemma caught a glimpse of her before turning her face away and curtly replying, "From someone for you."

"Who?"

"I don't know," said Nemma harshly enough to make Dara flinch. Dara just sighed. She needed to restrain herself from exploding. Even though Dara really wanted to do it.

Then Nemma went back into her room after getting a glass of water. Dara doesn't want to care. She took all the food into her room. She's quite hungry. She chose to leave Nemma alone and focus on her own business. She was also quite annoyed. She didn't want to think about Nemma anymore. She intended to eat all her own food. If Nemma is hungry, she can cook by herself.

Before Dara opened all the packages and started eating the food inside. Dara contacted Leo, asking about the food. She took pictures of all the food she got and gave a short message. "This is all from you?"

Dara didn't wait for Leo to reply to her message and started eating the cakes voraciously. Dara's feelings weren't getting any better, but at least she wasn't hungry anymore. After being full enough, Dara looked at her phone again. Leo had already replied to her message a while ago.

"The cake is from my grandmother. The rest is from Billy. You didn't meet him?"

Dara immediately answered the message she received. "No, my aunt received it. Thank you, please convey my gratitude to Billy too."

Leo read Dara's message and then frowned. He wanted to reply to Dara's message with a bit of annoyance, but he canceled his intention. He remembered Dara looked uneasy the last time he saw her. Leo finally agreed to Dara's request, even though he didn't know what to say to Billy. Leo guessed, Billy would be very upset to get thanks from Dara through him.

***

The next day Dara felt better. She continued to carry out her duties of preparing food for Nemma to cook, but until noon Nemma did not come out of her room. It was the first time they hadn't spoken to each other and it was obvious they were fighting. Previously, even though Nemma was in a bad mood, she still came out of her room and still talked to Dara even though she was curt.

Dara is really tired of drama. Finally she went back to her room and ate the food Billy had brought yesterday. She actually wanted to thank Billy yesterday, but she wasn't in the mood to talk much to anyone else. But Dara realized she was wrong. Finally she decided to tell Billy her thanks.

"Thank you, Bill, for the food. Sorry I was a bit tired yesterday so I didn't get to say thank you directly."

It didn't take Billy long to reply to his message. "You're welcome. Hope you like it. My mother brought it from Yogya."

"Please convey my gratitude to Aunty Dian. I love all the food."

"Okay I'll tell my mom."

Dara didn't think much. Although she was starting to feel Billy was getting too good to her. Her brain was too full to guess. Mr. Reynold and Mrs. Dian have always been good to Dara's family. Even though Dara doesn't know them very well. Dara considers the kindness this time is the same kindness as before.

***

Nemma didn't leave her room that day. Dara and Nemma were really fighting. Nemma just came out of her room to go to the toilet and get a drink. Dara tried to close her mind from the uncomfortable feeling that surrounded her. She tried to focus on the kindness she had received from her friends. Even though Billy's kindness made her a little uncomfortable. Dara did not understand what she really felt.

Dara was a little worried about Nemma. She didn't know if her aunt had eaten or not. There was no sign of activity in their kitchen. The ingredients for the dishes that Dara had previously prepared had not been touched. But she didn't know what to do. If she try to approach Nemma, Dara may get another yell. She was really tired.

Dara couldn't think much. She could only tidy up all the food she had prepared. Then she also kept some food from Billy in their refrigerator. She thought maybe Nemma can eat it if she is really hungry. Then she returned to her room.

Dara sat in her study chair. She opened her bedroom window to see the wide night sky which sometimes scared her. Tonight the sky is so clear with beautiful stars. Dara misses her family. Her tears dripped. A few drops of tears. Dara also missed her tears. But she realized. It took a process to get her back to normal, and she didn't force the process as fast as lightning.

Dara felt a sense of saturation still surround her. But in the last few weeks since the presence of her friends, her life has gotten better. She felt the warmth in her heart, she felt the affection she needed. Nemma may also have loved her, but in her own way.

Failure and rejection are also not easy for Dara to accept. She also still feels a lot of fear in her life. She was afraid of getting hurt. She felt the pain was unpleasant for her. Dara felt her anger towards Dean. She couldn't describe what she felt. Maybe Dara just wants to find a scapegoat for what she feels. She wanted to have someone to blame for what happened to her. But she couldn't do it. Like when she couldn't hate her old friends, they who kept hurting her. Even at Dean now, her conscience couldn't allow her heart to hate him.

Dara realized in her reflection, She didn't need to force herself to hate Dean. Dara thinks hating people can be exhausting, why does she want to feel it? Dara did not know how to answer her question. The dark side of her wanted her to hate Dean. But finally Dara tried to organize her thoughts. She didn't even know what was really going on. She never dared to open the wound she had kept for so long. Dara finally decided not to think too much about Dean. She didn't want to spend her energy thinking about the person who had hurt her.

Dara didn't know what to do now. After a long time of thinking, she finally settled on one thing. Surrender to God. She could only try her best. Her job is not to give up, although surviving is not easy for her either. But she was sure she could do it. About the results, it's not her power anymore. There are many things in this world that can't be controlled by her. Dara had indeed been destroyed, or maybe now she was still in pieces. Even so, Dara is trying to enjoy her life now.

Dara begins to evaluate her life. She is not good at selling products like Sofi. She doesn't have as many skills as Leo. She is not like Billy who easily likes to explore various jobs. She is also not like Tiara, who understands public policy and finance. Dara can upload some videos on youtube. It's easy for her to learn new technologies like video editing. But Dara realized she didn't enjoy the process. It's not that Dara only cares about passion, but it's true that she finds it difficult to do it. She felt pressured. Dara felt that it took a big effort to keep doing it and it was a burden for her.

Dara started her contemplation by thinking what she really wanted to do? Did she really not want to do anything? No, she wanted to do something. Dara likes science, she likes programming. But she was not ready to work under someone else's control. She didn't feel enjoy doing it. She wants to create her own company, her own environment, and create her own company culture.

Dara did not want the bad things she had ever felt to be felt by others. She didn't want people to feel too much pressure to damage their health while they were working. Dara wants to do that. But she didn't know how to do it. She didn't even have money, many things she didn't have now.

Dara thought again, but what exactly did she want to do? Dara wants to create her own IT company. Dara felt that it was a gift that God had given her. She's good at programming. It takes a lot of effort to do things outside of her area of expertise. But science and IT are things she loves and she can do.

Dara then began to scribble on the paper in front of her. She made various designs and plans. There's a lot she wants to do. Dara kept writing it even though she didn't know how to make it happen. After a long time had passed, Dara began to turn her attention to the clear night sky. Of the many things she wanted to do, there was one thing that she found the most difficult for her to do. Even her imagination refused not to fight back. She wants to make a time machine so she can go back in time.

Dara did not know what she wanted to do in the past. She just wanted to meet her family. Dara smiled imagining her imagination. She wasn't very good at physics, but she realized that if it could be done, she couldn't do it alone. Then Dara thought again, did she really want to make a time machine or did she just miss her family?

Time anomaly and various mysteries behind it. There was more she didn't know than she understood about it. Dara doesn't even know how to make something faster than the speed of light.

"Speed of light?" Dara muttered quietly to herself.

Her mind suddenly opened. She smiled at the stars that were thousands of light years away from her. Her head seemed to find something she needed. She felt she didn't need to go back in time to meet her family. Dara took her cellphone and then gave Leo a short message.

"Tomorrow I'm going to your house. There's something I want to talk about. What time are you available?"

***

The next day Dara had made an appointment to meet Leo at 7 am. Nemma still hadn't left her room. Dara doesn't do her job of preparing food as usual, because the ingredients she prepared yesterday are still in the fridge.

Dara had breakfast with the food from Billy that was still left in her room. Then he immediately walked towards Leo's house without asking Nemma's permission. That morning the air was quite cold. Dara felt the cold wind blow against her face. She quickened her pace because she didn't want to make her body freeze even more.

Arriving at Leo's house, Dara immediately knocked on his door. Leo's house is 2 times bigger than Dara's. The front yard is very wide. Just like Dara's house, Leo's house also doesn't have a high fence and is almost never locked. Security in their cluster area is quite good. The central gate is guarded by 2 security guards and is always locked. Many cars are even parked on the side of the cluster road just like that. The cluster is not too big. It only consists of 8 blocks. Much smaller than the Durian village next to their cluster.

"Assalamualaikum." Dara greeted several times, but there was no answer. When Dara was about to contact Leo, Leo's front door finally opened.

"Waalaikumsalam, sorry make you wait. Come on in," Leo said a little breathlessly. Dara could see Leo holding his breath as he spoke.

Dara looked around briefly. Leo's living room is very spacious. The sofa is also quite big. The room was very neatly arranged and also looked clean with all-white decorations. Dara didn't have time to pay attention to the room any further when she saw Leo looking curious. Dara was not surprised, because her request was very sudden and Dara did not explain anything before.

"So what is it?" Leo asked.

"First, I want to say thank you for the cake. Sorry, when you wanted to deliver the cake when it was raining, I didn't really pay much attention to you. I'm in a hurry." Dara started the conversation without any guilt showing on her face. Even though she was really sorry, but actually Dara had forgotten about it. Her head now was full of ideas she wanted to convey to Leo.

"Oh that, it's fine." Unlike Dara, Leo still remembers that. Leo was a bit embarrassed to have to remember he went through the rain to deliver the cake to Dara's house. Even if it wasn't what he wanted.

"Okay I want to immediately explain my intent and purpose." It was clear that Dara looked excited. "I have a project I want to do, but I don't know how to do it."

Leo seemed to be listening intently. Even though he didn't really understand what Dara was talking about. "Then?" Leo asked.

"I need your help," Dara said matter-of-factly.

"Well, explain what you want to do!"

"I want to make a website to store memories from the past in a better and neater way. I want to create a platform where people can see their memories again." Dara started to take out the draft papers she was carrying and showed it to Leo. "So in principle, people who have accounts on this platform can send videos, photos, text, or voices to anyone in the future. So it's like a time capsule."

"Okay, I understand, so what's the difference with existing social media? They can also store videos, photos, and more. It can be seen again a few years later."

"The difference is that we make the memories stored neatly and well. So for the photos, I made a template that can generate videos from those photos. People can also edit videos with backsound, and we also provide an easy-to-use editor. About texts and sound we also treat the same. And most importantly, the difference is that this platform is specifically aimed at being like a time machine. Not just saving files. So it was made by people to send something from the past into the future." Dara explained excitedly. Leo may seem inexpressive, but he listens well.

"Can you make it?" Leo asked her seriously.

"I know how to make it, even though I've never done it. But obviously I can't do it alone."

"Okay. Can I see the details of your plan?"

Dara handed over all the papers she had written neatly all night with her own hands. Leo watched the plan carefully for a long time. Dara was a little impatient waiting for Leo's response. But she refrained from distracting Leo who was seriously reading.

Dara had never been treated like that before. In her old office, Dara almost does everything alone. The boss gives full power, but almost doesn't care about the process and tends to only care about the result. Dara doesn't want to remember it too far and focuses herself again on her project this time.

"Why did the default settings you made send the message to 4.246 years later?" Finally Leo asked after making Dara wait for so long.

"I can make it flexible. You can send it to any time in the future. But the system default sends to 4.246 years later. I converted 1 year to 365 days, so the message will be received in 1,549 days, 18 hours, 57 minutes and 36 seconds."

"Okay," Leo was at a loss for words. He wanted to further question why it had to be that number, but he ignored his wish. "Users can only send if they both have an account on this platform?"

"No, I can arrange the message to be sent via email, or maybe cross-platform. But we need to work from the simple first. Then later it can slowly develop."

Leo looked thoughtful. Dara couldn't guess what he was thinking until Leo said it. "Then what do you want me to do? I can't help you create all of this. I'm not programmar."

"I know, I will make the platform. I am the programmer. Your job is to manage all things so that I can make this platform, get resources, and how to make this platform can be used by many people and can also make profit, "said Dara lightly. Obviously her request was not light on Leo. Even though Leo realized he could help Dara do it.

"You really want me to do all that things?" Leo asked. He didn't seem to believe Dara could ask him to do so many things.

"Yes," Dara answered confidently even though she was a little confused about why Leo was still asking her that.

"Okay, I'll change the question. Do you think I would want to do all that things?" Leo asked again.

"You don't want to?" Dara asked innocently.

"Not like that." Leo seemed to give up on equating his perception with Dara. Finally he relented. "Okay, I'll help."

"I don't understand anything other than making this platform what I want it to be. I leave the division of work, finances, and everything to you. Including our cooperation contract."

"Yes, I understand what you mean," said Leo, cutting Dara's words. He was a little annoyed, but he could understand it. "I'll think of everything. I'll let you know later."

"Okay, when?"

"Tomorrow maybe. I'll tell you later. We'll meet again at your house."

"Not at my house," Dara said quickly. Leo seemed curious about Dara who looked panicked. But he wisely didn't question it any further.

"Okay then at our usual headquarters. I'll take the others too."

"Okay thanks a lot." Dara couldn't hide her happiness.

Dara knows Leo can be counted on. She's contacted the right people. Before they could talk again. There was a scream that startled Dara, accompanied by the sound of broken glass from inside Leo's house.

Leo immediately ran to the source of the voice. Meanwhile Dara could only stand there. Dara heard the screams from Grandma Nomi which was so loud. Dara wanted to see what happened, but she was so scared. Leo seemed to start calming his grandmother who suddenly went berserk.

Dara was shaking in her chair. She wanted so badly to get out of the house. But Dara realized she couldn't do it. The noise continued for a long time, until it finally got closer.

"Dara?" asked Grandma Nomi who suddenly appeared there.

Dara's face was pale. She trembled a bit and was scared to see Grandma Nomi who was a mess but started to stop screaming. Leo, who had been holding her for a while, started to loosen his grip.

"You didn't say Dara was here?" Grandma Nomi asked her grandson.

"I already told Grandma, but maybe Grandma forgot it."

"I didn't forget," said Grandma Nomi firmly, half snapping. "You take Dara home now."

"Dara's house is near Grandma, she can go home alone," Leo replied looking frustrated.

"Take him home," Grandma Nomi shouted at her granddaughter. Dara trembled hearing it. She could only be silent.

"Okay," Leo replied weakly.

Leo signaled Dara to immediately follow him. Dara was too afraid to speak. She just nodded at Grandma Nomi who smiled at her.

"Take care Dara, come again next time," said Grandma Nomi to her in a voice that sounded normal but scary in Dara's ears, especially after seeing shocking things that she never expected before.

Leo locked the door from the outside. His face was downcast, Dara didn't dare to say anything until they arrived in front of Leo's gate.

"It's okay, I don't need to be taken home," Dara finally said.

"Okay, I'll wait here until Grandma is sure I'll actually drop you off."

"Okay thank you, see you later."

"Okay."

Leo didn't pay attention to Dara who walked away. He felt ashamed and sad. His grandmother hadn't had a tantrum like that in a long time. Leo didn't know what had triggered it this time.

Meanwhile, Dara walked towards her house with mixed feelings. She was still digesting what had just happened. But she finally understood better why Leo in a heavy rain could force himself to deliver cakes to her house. Dara didn't dare to turn around and look at Leo again. Her easily touched feelings made it easy for her to share what Leo was feeling at that time.

***

Leo kept his promise the next day. But because not all of his friends could come, the meeting was postponed until the weekend. Dara can't wait for that. Although there is a little fear in her heart. She doesn't know how other people will respond to this project.

After a few days, Nemma had started her usual activities. She had greeted Dara again even though she was still cold as usual. Dara, who was too excited about her new project, didn't really care about Nemma's mood swings.

After that day, Dara immediately prepared to go to the hall. Dara is used to going straight there by bicycle now. Sofi understood her choice. Dara doesn't have enough stamina compared to her friends. When she got there, all her friends except Leo had gathered. Dara could not start a conversation without his presence. Finally they all chatted lightly while waiting for Leo.

"Sorry I'm late," Leo said surprising them. "I invited Laura here too, but she couldn't come. She's pretty busy."

No one dared to ask why Leo was late then. Leo are usually the strictest with time and get very upset when someone doesn't follow their rules.

Leo opened the conversation and then asked Dara to explain the project. Dara presented the project details to Billy, Sofi, and Tiara were exactly the same as what she told Leo. After it finishes, Leo took over again. "Okay, any questions about Dara's project?"

It was clear that Sofi looked confused. Billy also looked a bit clueless. Dara is a bit afraid to admit it, talking to her friends is not as easy as talking to Leo.

"I can understand how this platform works. What I don't know is how we can make it? I don't understand IT." Finally Tiara spoke up, making Dara relieved.

"That's what I want to explain." Leo started again. "Dara needs our help to work on her project. I'll take care of the business opportunity. Tiara helps me with public policy and all things related to administration. Meanwhile Billy can join Dara in the IT team."

"What about me?" Sofi asked.

In fact, Leo had not yet considered what position he would put Sofi in. "You will help me and Tiara."

"Okay, I can help you with anything," replied Sofi confidently

"So you all want to help?" Dara asked timidly.

"Of course, we gathered here really want to join in helping you. Leo explained the big picture on the phone to all of us one by one. Now we gather to hear the details," said Tiara firmly.

Dara was very touched by the support of her friends. Especially Leo, who obviously helped a lot in clarifying the projects and also he was so excited that he contacted his friends one by one.

"Okay, then let's get started. Dara will explain the technical in general. For technical coding, the two of you will discuss it without us," Leo continued.

Billy couldn't hide his excitement. But it didn't last long. Because there was no discussion on technical matters with Dara. Dara already has a clear picture of her project. Rather than a discussion, Dara and Billy's conversations were more like orders from supervisor and assistant.

While Leo in detail had an exciting discussion with Tiara about various things. Tiara seemed to enjoy the conversation and seemed enthusiastic. They didn't even pay much attention to Sofi, who seemed to be alone in confusion.

"You think this will work?" Tiara asked Leo. She lowered her voice so that Dara couldn't hear them.

"Let's try it," Leo said firmly. Tiara nodded in agreement.

Dara actually thought the same thing. She didn't know if her project would be successful or not. She was just trying to start her dream from what she could do. She wants to build an IT company. She started it all from this little project.

"I wonder what the project will be like," said Tiara again. "How long do you think it took Dara to do all this?"

"She doesn't know either. She wants to try from a simple one, then she will develop it over time. We help support from the administrative side. Dara and Billy do the technical work, "said Leo.

"Could this project be cool?" Sofi asked.

"Hopefully," Leo replied looking pretty sure.

After they finished discussing and dividing up the tasks, they all gathered again. Leo as Dara thought could easily organize and lead them very well.

"I'll make a schedule. We'll discuss it later. We gather here every Saturday and Sunday. Mrs. Ussy kindly allowed us to use it freely."

"Okay, thank you very much," said Dara, looking touched.

"You prepare your work schedule too," Leo said to Dara.

"I already have. I'll share it later," answered Dara.

Dara and Leo have almost the same pace and way of working. The difference is that Dara slows down a little and Leo understands that. He also began to learn to adjust to the comfort of his friends.

"Dara, what is the name of this project?" Sofi asked innocently.

But this time Sofi's question represents all of Dara's friends, including Leo, who hasn't had time to ask Dara about the basics.

"4.246 Light Year," jawab Dara singkat.

"What's that?" Sofi asked again.

"I'll tell you later," Dara replied with a smile. Nobody protested. Even though Sofi clearly looks very curious. Dara did not feel ready to reveal the story behind the project idea proposed.

After a long discussion, Mrs. Ussy came to give them some food. It was the first time Dara met Tiara's mother, she is very friendly. Dara has only heard the story of Mrs.Ussy who still holds a grudge against her ex-husband. But that image was not visible from her figure when Dara met her directly.

"So Tiara now wants to work on a real project?" Mrs. Ussy asked all of them.

"Yes aunty, Tiara wants to be a career woman now," said Sofi looking innocent.

"She complained when she helped me with my business, now she can finally do what she wants," said Mrs. Ussy to them. Mrs. Ussy looks proud.

So far, Dara has also misjudged it. Dara thought that Tiara was forced to work by her mother. Tiara never validated that. But now Dara can understand, Tiara is indeed needed by her mother even though her mother does not force her will. Circumstances that make Tiara need to restrain her own will.

"Enjoy the food. I have to go back to the restaurant."

"Thank you very much Mrs. Ussy," they all answered almost simultaneously.

Mrs. Ussy then left. Dara did not immediately eat the food in front of her. She realized she had no money to pay her friends or just buy them a meal. Leo has explained the scheme of the business they will run. Dara does not understand in detail. However, Dara still felt inferior when she started the project without any money.

"What's wrong with you?" asked Tiara to break her daydream.

"It's okay, I'm fine," Dara replied, somewhat surprised by Tiara's sudden question.

Dara then started eating with her other friends. After that, they all went straight home. Billy went home with Leo using the motorbike he brought. Sofi and Tiara walk home together. But Dara had to fight her shame in choosing to go home on her bicycle.

"Sorry, I can't walk with you guys."

"It's okay. You don't have to force yourself to walk. We really like to walk," said Sofi with confidence. Dara smiled before leaving the two of them.

Dara pedaled her bicycle back home. She was happy, though she wasn't sure if she could do her job. Her head still felt tired even though Dara was much better now. She hadn't tried again to see if she could use her brain again as usual. But Dara didn't want to think about it any further, she didn't want to worry too much about it.

Dara intends to go through all the processes slowly and also she surrenders to God for what will happen to her. She's just going to do her best. Dara didn't know whether she would be able to success or not, but if she didn't try there was no other possibility but failure.

At first she also did not know how to make her wish come true. Slowly she started to move and she realized, she really can't move alone. She thanks her friends there to support her. She didn't know if Nemma would do the same or if she would consider Dara's efforts in vain. She didn't dare talk to Nemma and find out how Nemma would respond. She was too afraid to be disappointed. Even though Dara is aware, she will still try to move even if Nemma doesn't believe her belief. Dara still felt that she couldn't bear the pain she might receive from Nemma.

***

Dara started working on her project. Dara wasn't used to do it at first, but eventually she was able to do what she used to be easy to do. She managed to design the project and fight burnt out in herself. She was a little uncomfortable, but it didn't bother her too much. Basically create something makes Dara feel happy. It's just that Dara's saturation has not fully recovered.

The rhythm of her work that she set by herself helped her greatly. Sometimes she still feels tired indeed. But what she felt was different from what she felt when she worked in her old office. Dara felt depressed at that time until she gets tired of doing the job she likes. This time she slowly started to get excited again. Dara is trying to balance life by still learning to rest well.

Day after day passed, Dara's progress against her burnt our was getting better. She was starting to recover. She felt her brain had started to work normally. However, the loneliness began to haunt her again. She and her friends are in the process of carrying out their respective duties. Only Dara is purely unemployed, the other four friends have other activities besides working on Dara's project.

Sometimes they do talk to each other. Sometimes through online platform, if they don't have time to meet in person.

"How is your progress?" asked Leo who seemed to be in his workshop.

"I still need time to learn a lot of things," Tiara began her report. "But there are no problems yet. Everything is still in progress."

"Okay, how about the others?"

Each of them reported their progress to Leo. Even Sofi has come a long way. Dara was quite impressed with the way she worked so neatly. Tiara also admits that Sofi helps a lot with her work.

"Okay then, everything is still on schedule. We end the meeting of progress report from hmmm, so many light years project."

Leo ended their brief meeting via zoom this time. Dara no longer complains to Leo who still can't remember the name of their project, 4.246 light years. Not only Leo, but the other three friends also started to get used to calling their project so many light years.

Even so, Dara is very grateful that everything went smoothly and even exceeded her expectations. Tiara is more powerful than Dara thought. She really understands many things about public policy and is very proficient in various administrative matters. Billy could also help her quite well. The program he made was not perfect, but it was neat enough to make it easier for Dara to evaluate. Leo is indeed the most involved in this project. Leo helps Dara to see the possibilities of many things she doesn't understand.

Dara still can't believe it, a project that looks impossible at first they can make it happen, is now almost half way in the process. Dara doesn't even have the money yet, but the project can still be run with various assistances.

They began to rarely do social activities. Apart from that they were getting busier, there really wasn't anything they could do. The victims of the flood disaster in the durian village have also been handled. Dara began to feel lonely again. She doesn't know what got into her that day, she suddenly texted Leo and said what she was thinking.

"Do we have any more social activities in the near future?"

Leo didn't reply for a long time. But after waiting patiently enough, Leo replied to her message.

"No."

Dara did not give up with the short reply Leo gave her. "Can you create an activity?"

"What does it mean? -_- There's really no activity in the near future. At least next month there will be more."

"I understand. But can't you make it exist?"

Leo thought in his heart before answering. He thought Dara had more and more requests for him. If it was Sofi who asked him, he can understand. Sometimes it was difficult for Sofi to think logically. But Leo thought Dara should be able to understand that what she asked for was too much. Leo didn't realize his weakness which Dara was easy to read. Leo doesn't say no easily and he doesn't like to argue a lot. Finally, he agreed to Dara's request.

"Okay, I'll let you know tomorrow if there's anything I can do."

Again, Leo was provoked by the trap that Dara had set. Dara sometimes feels guilty. But she knows that Leo also likes to do social activities with his friends. Likewise with his other friends. Dara just thought, she was only helping convey the aspirations of her friends as well. Although it is in a way that is a bit trapping and forcing.

The next day Leo announced the news in their group chat all. "Okay, we have a social activity."

As Dara suspected. Her other friends were also looking forward to it. They all welcomed the news happily. However when they read Leo's explanation, they all no longer replied to Leo's messages with enthusiasm, but did not dare to refute it. Moreover, it was Dara who triggered the activity.

"Every Saturday at 7-9 am we will clean our cluster area every 2 weeks with other residents as well. In an effort to prevent flooding and also to make our cluster area more clean. I've coordinated with Mr. Dion as the cluster leader and he warmly welcomed this idea. We are the committee of this activity."

Dara snorted reading the complete message many times. She likes to help, but even though cleaning is her daily activity at home, Dara begins to find that it's not her hobby. It wasn't long before Leo's message came again. "Thank you Dara for being the trigger for this activity to be scheduled."

Dara didn't respond. She didn't expect Leo so elegantly repay her. She thought, this time Leo managed to turn things around and escape Dara's trap. Even so, Dara is still happy to meet her other friends. Even though Tiara and Sofi don't seem to think the same thing. They prefer to play together or relax together rather than doing cleaning together. They quite regretted Dara triggering the event to be on the agenda. It made Leo feel satisfied.

***

Although initially many residents did not like the routine cleaning together, in the end they started to enjoy it too. Dara got to know her neighbors. Nemma who did not participate in the activity peeked from behind their window. Even though she wasn't interested in joining, Nemma seemed happy to see the happy-looking residents interacting with each other.

"The sewers here are clean, the garbage has also been sorted," said one resident there.

Dara has also finished cleaning the area of her house. Leo then approached her from a distance. "Everyone has gathered at the usual place for coordination. Please tell the others that I will come after everything is finished here."

"Okay," Dara answered shortly.

Dara then cleaned up her cleaning tools, briefly said goodbye to Nemma, and headed straight for the Hall using her bicycle as usual. When she got there, her friends were already waiting for her.

"Why did you just come?" Tiara asked her.

"There is a clogged drain in block B," Dara answered briefly.

"Where's Leo?" Tiara asked her again.

"There is still something to take care of, after that he will be here."

While waiting for Leo, Dara noticed that Sofi didn't look as cheerful as usual. "What happened?" Dara asked her.

"It's nothing, I'm fine," replied Sofi, clearly hiding something.

Dara who was curious did not immediately chase her. "You don't like the clean-up?" Dara asked timidly.

"No, I'm really okay," replied Sofi, still looking awkward.

Tiara and Billy looked uncomfortable seeing it. Looks like they're hiding something too.

"What happened?" Dara asked desperately.

At first they didn't want to explain and insisted on hiding it all from Dara. But finally Billy could not bear to see Dara confused. "I think it's okay we tell Dara."

Dara looks more and more curious. Tiara finally straightened herself and prepared to tell a story. But the word is hard came out of her mouth. Meanwhile, Sofi looks sad and doesn't seem able to talk.

"What happened?" Dara asked again, this time looking impatient.

"It's about Dean," said Tiara weakly in a voice that Dara barely heard.

***