It had been two days since Phuby bought the land, and the excitement hadn't worn off.
Even though the bakery was humming smoothly under the hands of Dhe'ik, Amad, and Apood, and Kotim still dropped by during his off days to offer advice like the big brother of the group, Phuby's mind was already focused on something else. He had the land—now it was time to build the mansion.
That morning, Hana sat cross-legged on the living room floor of the shophouse's second floor, her hair slightly damp from a fresh shower. Across from her sat Mrs. Wulan and Om Luky, while Phuby sat with his laptop on his lap, screen split between a virtual whiteboard and a folder of architectural references.
"So, I've emailed three architects," Phuby explained, adjusting the laptop screen to show everyone. "They're all from Cirebon, all reputable. Two already responded and agreed to come by for a meeting tomorrow afternoon."
"What about the concept?" Hana asked in Bahasa, her tongue still slightly tangled on the longer words. "Modern? Japanese? Colonial?"
"I like modern minimalist," Mrs. Wulan said first, sipping her tea. "Not too flashy. Comfortable, and easy to clean."
Om Luky chuckled. "I don't mind anything as long as the kitchen's big. And please—give me a quiet reading room."
"And don't forget the rooftop garden," Hana added with a mischievous smile. "Just like this one."
"I've already planned it," Phuby smiled. "But better. I want the rooftop of the mansion to be open, with a space to host guests, grill food, or just look at the stars. And yes, the koi pond, Dhe'ik's demand, is part of it."
Mrs. Wulan laughed. "You're spoiling your friends."
"I want to build a place where they feel at home," Phuby replied. "All of them."
He turned his screen around to show a concept image—a two-story structure with soft concrete lines, wood accents, a flowing front garden, and a curved driveway that wrapped around a koi pond.
"I love it," Hana whispered. "It feels... warm."
"And it's close enough to the shop that we can walk or take a motorbike," Phuby continued. "That's important to me. I don't want to be far from Palm Sari. It's more than business now—it's part of all of us."
Mrs. Wulan leaned in. "And this will be your house, right? Not just a vacation villa?"
Phuby nodded. "Our home. Yours, Om Luky's, mine. And... if Hana wants to stay—"
"I will," Hana answered without hesitation, causing everyone to turn toward her in surprise.
Her cheeks colored, but her voice remained firm. "You've shown me family. Not just you, but your mom, Om Luky, everyone. I want to be part of it."
There was a soft silence that followed—one of mutual understanding. Words didn't have to be spoken, but the feeling was clear: this mansion wasn't just a building. It was going to become a shared dream.
"Then," Phuby said, closing the laptop with a quiet snap, "let's make it the best one we can."
---
The next afternoon, the two architects arrived on time—one older, stern-faced and formal, named Pak Reza; the other younger, more expressive and modern, named Mbak Citra. Both had impressive portfolios and contrasting styles.
After showing them the land and walking them through some rough ideas, Phuby brought them back to the shophouse, where they sat in the café section, sipping iced lemon tea prepared by Hana.
"So you want a two-story home with an open rooftop and garden, koi pond near the entrance, and a balance between modern and traditional flow," Mbak Citra said as she jotted down notes.
"And you prefer long-lasting, energy-efficient materials," Pak Reza added. "We can make it blend in with Cirebon's tropical climate."
"Yes," Phuby confirmed. "And I want a lot of open spaces. Natural light, good airflow. I hate feeling boxed in."
Pak Reza nodded slowly, while Mbak Citra already began sketching a rough layout on her tablet.
Phuby watched them carefully. He didn't want just any mansion. He wanted a living space—a reflection of the people who would walk through it, laugh inside it, and grow up in it.
"Give me your proposals," he said. "One week from now. I'll decide after I see both visions."
As they left, Om Luky clapped him on the back. "You handled that like a real developer."
"I feel like a kid building with LEGO," Phuby chuckled. "Just more expensive."
---
Later that night, after the shop had closed and silence fell over the neighborhood, Phuby sat on the rooftop alone. He lit a cigarette, his only one for the day, and placed it next to a cup of coffee still steaming in the night air.
His thoughts wandered.
He had a shophouse, a bakery that could run without him, a trusted group of friends, and a land for a mansion.
And yet, he didn't feel complete.
Not because something was missing—but because everything was finally beginning.
Hana appeared silently from the stairs, wrapping a thin blanket over his shoulders before sitting next to him.
"You okay?" she asked softly.
Phuby nodded. "Just thinking how far I've come. From feeling hopeless to… this."
"You earned it," Hana said, resting her head on his shoulder. "And you're not alone anymore."
They sat like that, saying nothing more, while the city sparkled beneath them.
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