The day had finally come. After months of planning, building, and dreaming, Phuby and his family were moving into their newly finished mansion — a place that didn't just symbolize comfort and success, but resilience, memories, and a future they had built with their own hands.
The sun rose gently over Cirebon, bathing the modern façade of the mansion in golden light. The moving trucks had arrived earlier than expected, bringing over the last batch of household goods from the shophouse. Mrs. Wulan oversaw the process with a sharp eye, making sure none of the furniture was scratched or misplaced. Om Luky directed the workers where to place the heavier items. Hana, already in her cozy house slippers, skipped around in joy, humming a Japanese tune.
Phuby stood at the front gates, his eyes scanning the wide garden that was now a serene landscape of smooth stones, bamboo fences, a koi pond, and in the middle — the blooming Tabebuya tree that resembled cherry blossoms. He watched as Hana wandered toward the tree, her hands trailing across the petals.
"It's not sakura… but it's the best I could find in this climate," Phuby said, walking beside her.
Hana looked up at the soft pink blossoms swaying above her. "It's beautiful… really. And more than that, I can feel the thought behind it." She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Thank you, Phuby."
They stood there for a while, until the sound of Kotim yelling broke the tranquility.
"WOI! Phuby! The karaoke setup is insane!" Kotim shouted from the basement stairs.
Apood's voice followed. "Bro, I'm not going home tonight. Dewa 19 sounds better down here than in my dreams!"
Phuby laughed, grabbing Hana's hand and leading her down to the basement. The basement was no longer a concrete cave. With custom-built soundproof panels, wall decor, and neon lights, the space was now alive. There was a karaoke system with wireless mics, a pool table, a foosball setup, and even a mini bar area stocked with soda and snacks.
Mamad was already lounging on the couch. "I closed the shop early," he said with a grin. "I needed to see this for myself."
"You close the shop early every weekend," Amad teased.
"You shut up," Mamad shot back, grinning.
Dhe'ik stepped in quietly, observing the sound system. "This reminds me of the underground hangout from that anime… what was it called again?"
"Too many to count," Kotim chuckled. "But yeah, the vibe is definitely on point."
"Let's try it out," said Hana, reaching for a mic. She chose a soft Japanese ballad, and as her voice floated through the room, even Mamad, who always joked around, fell silent in admiration.
Mrs. Wulan joined them later, clapping after every performance. When she took the mic, she serenaded them with a heartfelt Indonesian ballad that left everyone misty-eyed. "I've been practicing that one," she said shyly.
As the night grew deeper, the laughter and music from the basement didn't stop. The soundproofing worked perfectly — nothing escaped beyond the basement, leaving the rest of the house a haven of peace.
Upstairs, the mansion's design blended luxury and function. The solar panels on the roof had already been running the house for days, paired with a powerful backup generator and massive battery storage system. The drilled water well and water pumps kept the tanks full — both the underground reserve and the rooftop tanks were monitored by digital sensors that Om Luky proudly checked like a hobby.
"This house… doesn't depend on anyone," he said that evening to Phuby. "No electricity bills, no water bills… it's like a fortress."
"That was the idea," Phuby smiled. "I wanted it to be completely self-sufficient."
Later that night, while the others continued their karaoke sessions, Phuby sat with Hana and his mother on the second floor living room — their favorite spot, just as cozy as it had always been. The house might've changed, but the heart of the family remained here.
"Phub," Mrs. Wulan said gently, sipping her tea. "What's next?"
Phuby leaned back. "I think... now that the shop runs itself, and the house is ready, we can finally start thinking long-term. Hana's family will be visiting soon. Maybe... it's time to make this place feel even more like home."
"You mean...?" Hana looked surprised.
"Yeah. I want to build something lasting," Phuby said. "A life with people I love. I don't know exactly how it'll look yet, but... we're getting there."
They sat in silence, watching the glow of the lanterns outside as they lit up the Zen garden, the koi pond shimmering, and the Tabebuya tree standing proudly in the moonlight.