Behind every hardship, there is ease. Erin used to curse that proverb. It seemed that every time she faced a challenge, she would just end up facing another, caught in an unending cycle that persisted for years. No matter how fortunate her friends said she was, it always felt lacking to her.

That's what happens when someone doesn't know how to enjoy life.


Now, Erin could easily fill an entire book listing all the things she should be grateful for. Of course, this newfound perspective didn't come without a pivotal moment when her self-esteem was shaken by a man named Amir—a foreigner who now often drifted into her daydreams before bed. With him, everything felt like it would be okay.

This week, Erin had planned to join Amir and his friends on an outing to Sumedang. Next week, her father was scheduled to visit the factory and intended to invite Amir to their house early in the morning. Erin made sure to limit the interaction between Amir and her father, not out of doubt in Amir's qualities but to avoid any strange thoughts that might arise and cause her father to reconsider. All she needed was their blessing; the rest could be managed later.

Erin and Amir were picked up by a black jeep in front of their office. She hesitated to get in; the vehicle was smeared with dirt, and the tires were caked with dried mud.


'Come on, sweetheart," Amir coaxed, giving her a gentle push.

Erin slid into the seat behind the driver, a tall man with sunglasses perched on his head. Beside him sat a woman who instantly struck Erin as effortlessly cool. Her shoulder-length hair was shaved on one side, accented with bold purple highlights. Strong, dark makeup framed her eyes, and a black tank top highlighted her toned, muscular arms. But her fierce appearance softened when she smiled, revealing charming buck teeth.


'Hey, Rin," the woman greeted cheerfully.

'Hello," Erin replied, awkwardly adjusting the fit of her pencil skirt.

'Guys, we need to stop by the gas station. Erin and I still need to change," Amir said, fanning his neck to cool down.

'Why didn't you just change at the office or a mall?" Idzhar, the driver, asked in a thick Javanese accent.

'We can't. Too crowded—people might notice us leaving," Amir explained.

'Alright, we'll stop at the station. I need to grab some drinks anyway," Idzhar agreed and roared the jeep forward, merging onto the highway.

Yuli checked the contents of her shopping bag. It was packed with chocolate bars that Idzhar had insisted on buying, making it difficult to locate her three bottles of hydro coco. 'You said you didn't want snacks, yet you bought the most," she teased.

Idzhar just grinned, slurping on his half-melted strawberry ice cream. 'Hehe. Hey, look at that, Yul!" he said, pointing outside the car window.

Yuli turned her head toward the gas station's restroom, about twenty meters away from where they had parked. Amir was emerging from the men's room, now dressed in a white sleeveless shirt and black sweatpants, a slim backpack slung over one shoulder. He glanced around before his expression softened as Erin stepped out of the women's restroom.

'Wow, she's gorgeous," Idzhar muttered, genuinely awestruck.

Erin's outfit was simple yet eye-catching. She wore a white tank top paired with long navy track pants and had tied a gray jacket around her waist. Idzhar wasn't the only one captivated by her appearance; Amir himself stood frozen for a moment, a dazed smile on his face until Erin playfully punched his arm. He chuckled, taking her hand in his.

'Escaping the city's chaos, only to be surrounded by lovebirds here, huh, Dzhar? The single life is tough," Yuli joked.

'That's why you should just stick with me, Yul. Problem solved," Idzhar replied, smirking.

'Ugh, whatever!" Yuli rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips.

They estimated they would reach their destination by three in the afternoon. Thankfully, Idzhar's shortcuts had cut their travel time nearly in half. Still, every turn onto smaller roads came with its challenges. Locals demanded road fees, and the narrow paths were more suited for off-roading, with asphalt eroded into large, dusty potholes. The afternoon sun blazed overhead, drying the ground but leaving a layer of fine dust.

The rough ride made Erin's stomach churn. She bounced around in her seat until Amir noticed and gently took her hand. 'Are you okay?" he asked, concern filling his voice.

'Just... not used to it," she admitted, wincing as the car jolted and her arm bumped against the door.

'Come here, sweetheart," Amir said, pulling her closer and wrapping an arm around her waist to steady her against the bumps.

'Thanks, honey." Erin leaned into his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder.

'Hey, Yul, you brought the full med kit, right?" Idzhar suddenly called out.

'Of course. What do you need?" Yuli replied, ready to dig into her small bag.

"Lovebirds allergy medicine! I'm getting goosebumps here!" Idzhar called out dramatically.

"Hey!" Amir kicked the back of Idzhar's seat playfully. "Endure this love torture."

Amir leaned over and planted a kiss on Erin's cheek, making her laugh. He took it further, rubbing his face against hers until his chin rested comfortably on her shoulder, despite the ache in his back.

"Don't do that, honey. Poor Idzhar," Erin said, though she made no move to break free, pressing even closer to Amir.

"Let him suffer," Amir smirked. "Maybe it'll rub off on him and Yuli too."

"No thanks, bro. I'm good," Yuli quipped with a grin.

"Stop playing hard to get, Yul. You're always joking about marriage when we're alone," Idzhar teased.

"Fake news, you idiot!" Yuli shot back.

"Oh really? You think I don't know? Every night you visit me in my dreams, carrying the marriage registrar," Idzhar continued, winking.

"Gross!" Yuli wrinkled her nose.

Amir and Erin exchanged amused glances, their smiles mirroring the joy in their eyes. Erin savored the warmth of Amir's arm encircling her waist, shielding her from the car's jostling movements. The gentle kisses he placed on her cheek filled her with a comfortable sigh.

An hour later, the road smoothed out into asphalt, though sharp inclines and hairpin turns began to appear. Yuli unfolded an A4-sized poster, showing a colorful design of their destination. She spread it out for Amir and Erin to see.

"So, our destination is the cliff of Bukit Cika Larang. It's eight hundred meters high and ranks as the third tallest andesite hill in Indonesia. Once we enter the complex, we'll drop Erin off at the viewing post here," she pointed to a spot on the map. "There's a café overlooking the hill, perfect for waiting. It's a twenty-minute walk from the drop-off point to our starting path. We start climbing at three o'clock, and the total round trip is about five hours."

"Wait." Erin's eyes widened. "Eight hundred meters? You're not actually climbing that high, are you?" Her voice edged with concern as she looked between Yuli and Amir. Both exchanged silent glances.

"Amir, you didn't tell her?" Idzhar asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Babe?" Erin turned to Amir, pushing his arm off her waist. "That's really high, isn't it?"

"It's pretty standard, honey," Amir replied, a slight unease in his voice.

"Standard?" Erin's face fell. "You're talking about nearly a kilometer climb! That's not a gentle hike."

"Relax, Erin," Yuli interjected. "We've done shorter climbs before—one hundred meters, three hundred, six hundred. This is the culmination of our journey."

"But, Yuli—"

"Look," Yuli unfolded a photo of the cliff. "We'll be using the via ferrata track, equipped with iron handrails all the way up. It's very safe."

"Are those rails old? What if they rust?" Erin's voice trembled.

"It's a managed tourist site, Erin. The equipment is maintained regularly," Idzhar said, trying to reassure her.

Erin shifted uncomfortably. "And I'll be alone for five hours?"

"The café staff will keep you company. Five hours will fly by, trust me. You'll have food, a view, and plenty to keep you occupied." Yuli's tone was gentle but firm. "Now, let me finish our plan."

Erin's gaze shifted from Yuli to Idzhar, ending on Amir, who wore an expression filled with both love and worry.

"I don't want to sound difficult or hold you back," Erin admitted. "I'm just concerned."

"You don't have to—"

"I know, honey." Erin squeezed his hands. "I know you'll all be fine, and you'll come back safe. That's why I'm letting you go. Just promise to be careful and watch out for each other, okay?"

"Of course, Rin!" Idzhar replied with a confident nod.

"Yeah, don't worry, we'll be back safe and sound," Yuli added, smiling.

Post Cika Larang had a narrow, sloped parking area just big enough for two cars. Beyond that, a path led up to a small hill where the simple café Yuli mentioned stood, facing the imposing cliff.

Erin zipped her jacket up to her chin, the cool air biting despite the afternoon sun. She watched as the tour team handed Amir, Yuli, and Idzhar brightly colored safety vests. Amir's was green, Yuli's yellow, and Idzhar's orange. Erin memorized their colors to track them from afar.

Her eyes drifted to the steep cliff, a shiver running down her spine at the thought of scaling something so daunting.

Once the preparations were complete, three motorbikes driven by local guides arrived to take them up the path. Amir leaned down to place a gentle kiss on Erin's forehead before leaving. 'You'd better come back safe," Erin warned playfully.

'Always, my beautiful," Amir replied, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek before hopping onto the back of an elderly guide's motorbike.

Erin watched as the bikes disappeared up the winding trail. With a slight sigh, she turned toward the café perched on the hillside. A young woman in a simple t-shirt greeted her warmly and led her to an open terrace strung with small, twinkling lights. It was easy to imagine how beautiful the view would be later when night fell.

'Hi, my name's Afri, and I'll be your host today," the woman said with a smile. 'This table is yours, and just so you know, you're on an all-you-can-eat plan. Here's the menu, and you can scan the QR code to order anytime."

'Thank you, Afri," Erin replied with a polite nod. She glanced at the cliff in the distance, feeling an unease that gnawed at her stomach. To distract herself, she placed an order for karedok, balado tofu, crushed tempeh, and avocado juice.

For a while, Erin managed to busy herself with eating, but her gaze kept drifting back to the cliff. Her fingers itched to look up videos of climbers tackling the rocky ascent, but she didn't want to fuel her imagination with worst-case scenarios. Instead, she waited, the minutes stretching on like hours.

Finally, after half an hour, tiny, ant-like figures began moving across the cliffside. Erin's heart leaped. She squinted, trying to pick out the colored vests through the glare of the sun. Realizing it was futile, she opened her phone and used the zoom feature to get a closer look. The leader, in a long-sleeved orange vest, was likely their guide. Trailing behind were Yuli and Idzhar, and finally Amir, with another guide following at the rear.

Why would anyone climb something like that? Erin wondered. What joy did they find in inching up a near-vertical rock face just for a view that could probably be matched by driving a little further up the mountain in Idzhar's jeep?

As time passed, Erin's anxiety returned. She fought to stay calm, sipping her coffee as the sun dipped lower, casting a warm, golden hue over the landscape. Slowly, the vests began to glow against the dusky sky. The climbers were almost at the top. Yuli's bright yellow vest disappeared first, followed by Idzhar's orange. Finally, Amir and the guide were still visible, moving at a noticeably slower pace.

What's taking him so long? Erin's fingers drummed nervously on the table. Her heart pounded, her mind spiraling with worry until she finally saw Amir's green vest disappear over the ridge. Relief flooded her, and she let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Five minutes passed, then ten. Erin sipped her coffee, allowing the peace of the moment to wash over her. The sudden vibration of her phone made her jump. A video call from Amir? How was that possible?

Erin accepted the call, confusion creasing her brow. Two men flanked her, cameras at the ready, one with a phone and the other with a digital camera. She glanced at them, then back to the screen.

'Honey," Amir's voice called out. The camera was being held for him, framing him perfectly against the deepening sunset. His face was flushed from exertion, breath still coming in gasps.

'What is this?" Erin asked, her eyes darting between the men recording her and the phone in her hand.

Amir smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. 'I wanted to let you know that we made it to the top." He paused, swallowing hard before continuing. 'And I need to thank you, Erin. For being in my life, for bringing back the part of me that believes in love and deserves to be loved."

Oh no. Erin's eyes filled with tears, her hand flying to her mouth as realization dawned. Her heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear anything else.

'Here, at the edge of the world, between day and night," Amir continued, his voice steady, 'I have only one question for the person who means everything to me."

'In the beauty that reflects God's greatness, I wanted to say this from up here…" Amir tilted his head, a playful glint in his eyes. 'Although it's not the highest peak, I'm here with all my heart to ask you one important question."

Amir gave a subtle nod. At the same time, one of the men in front of Erin approached, showing her the zoomed-in screen of his phone and pointing towards the cliff. On the count of three shouted by Idzhar and Yuli, a long banner unfurled, stretching down the cliff face until it nearly reached the halfway point. The letters shimmered under the evening glow, enhanced by the powerful zoom feature of the phone, revealing the message:

MY DEAR ERIN, WILL YOU MARRY ME?

Erin's eyes widened as she blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. The realization crashed over her—Amir had scaled the cliff just to unfurl this giant banner, asking her to be his wife.

Tears welled up in her eyes as emotion surged through her, breaking the surface like a flood. She glanced back at the screen and saw Amir's exhausted but radiant smile. It was a smile laced with nerves, triumph, and overwhelming love.

Erin's chest tightened as joy spread through her. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she managed a shaky nod, unable to speak. The cheers of Yuli and Idzhar echoed from the cliff as they rushed to embrace Amir, who covered his face with his hands. Was he crying, too? Erin's heart softened even more at the sight of this man—so strong, so sweet—now visibly emotional. She laughed and cried at once, no longer caring how disheveled she must look.

Amir wiped his face and grinned at the camera, his eyes sparkling. 'Wait for me down there, honey."

The next two hours passed more slowly than any in Erin's life. She stood on the edge of the café's balcony, heart racing, as the sound of approaching motorbikes finally reached her ears. The two men who had been documenting the moment continued filming, capturing every detail. Yuli and Idzhar cheered noisily, their excitement almost overwhelming her as anticipation thudded like a drum in her chest.

Footsteps echoed on the stairs, and then there he was. Amir's face, still flushed from exertion, came into view. He wore a long-sleeved black shirt and held something small in his hands.

Erin felt both prepared and utterly unprepared.

Amir stopped in front of her, their gazes locking, eyes brimming with unspoken words. He opened his hand to reveal a small red ring box. Flipping it open, he revealed a delicate rose gold ring, the diamond catching both the café's warm light and the silvery glow of the moon.

'Do you really want to marry me?" Amir's voice was quiet but sure.

Erin struggled to catch her breath, her tears threatening to spill again as she fought to steady her voice. 'I will," she whispered, her voice trembling.

The café erupted into applause, and for the first time, Erin realized there were other visitors watching them. Amir took her left hand gently, sliding the ring from its velvet nest and placing it onto her finger. The cool metal slid down smoothly, resting perfectly in place as if it had always belonged there.

Every second felt magnified. Erin absorbed each sensation—the chill of the ring, the warmth of Amir's hand, the roar of cheering all around them. And then, as he swept her into his arms and spun her around, the world blurred into bliss.

The night air was colder than Erin expected, but she took a shower anyway, cleansing off the day's emotions. Now, she sat inside their spacious tent, wrapped in a white jacket over thick green pajamas, the subtle scent of vanilla lotion lingering on her skin. But her focus was entirely on her left hand, her gaze fixed on the ring that now graced her finger.

A smile spread across her face. She still couldn't believe it. Amir had proposed, and with this ring, everything changed. It wouldn't be long before wedding plans were set in motion, and soon she'd be his wife. A partner, and one day, a mother.

Her heart felt light as she embraced the realization that her search for true love was over. No longer would she face life alone. Now, she had a partner she could trust and a future that felt secure.

Wrapping her jacket tighter around herself, Erin stepped out of the tent and shivered at the unexpected chill. Their tent stood near Cika Larang Lake, a serene expanse as wide as a football field, its shore dotted with other campers. It was Saturday night, and the campground buzzed with life. To the left and right of Amir's group's two tents, larger family setups occupied the space, complete with grills and campfires. Only Amir's grill remained unused,

The man from the tent on the right borrowed her fan.

Sensing her presence, Amir, who was sitting on a mat near the lake, turned and met Erin's gaze. Soon, she joined him, settling beside her lover and following his line of sight to the small boat floating in the center of the lake.

"Is that Idzhar and Yuli?" Erin asked, spotting Yuli's unmistakable purple hair.

"Yes, they're trying to capture pictures of the galaxy," Amir replied.

"Is it really visible from the lake?" Erin glanced up at the sky.

"Yes, it should be," he confirmed.

Amir took Erin's hands in his, gently rubbing them together to warm her without her needing to ask. The gesture brought a smile to her face as she leaned her head against his sturdy shoulder. Despite the clamor of the campsite—the strum of guitars from the neighboring tents and the distant blare of dangdut music—Erin felt peaceful next to Amir. The lake's calm water and the embrace of surrounding trees made it feel as if she held the entire galaxy in her hands.

"Oh, sweetheart, do you have a dream wedding venue in mind?" Amir's question stirred excitement in her chest.

"Yes," Erin said with a spark in her eyes. "I've always dreamed of an outdoor wedding. Something intimate, with just our closest family and friends."

"That's doable. My parents prefer small gatherings too; they're not fond of large parties," Amir said, his tone warm and reassuring.

Erin's gaze drifted to their intertwined hands. Lately, Amir had been more affectionate, and it amused her, recalling how aloof he had been at the start. "Marriage," she murmured, "it still feels so unreal. Even more so, planning it with you."

"You know, my love, none of this would have happened if you hadn't fought for us," Amir said, bringing her hand to his lips and kissing it softly. He closed his eyes as if savoring the moment, and when he opened them again, they glistened with unshed tears. Erin's heart ached, wishing for the first time that she could read his thoughts.

"Thank you for choosing to love me," she said, her voice tender.

"And thank you for choosing to love me and Sheyna," Amir replied.

"Don't be silly. You know I love you both, papap."

The endearing term made Amir's eyes widen in surprise, and Erin giggled at his reaction. "Why do you always react like that when I call you ‘papap'?"

He chuckled, shifting slightly. "I don't know. It just does something to me."

"Oh? Makes you nervous?" Erin teased, poking him playfully.

"I guess so," he admitted, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.

She smirked, enjoying his bashfulness. "Do you have a dream honeymoon destination, my dear? I want to start planning our budget."

"I do," Erin said, leaning in. "But remember, we'll plan this together. It's not just your responsibility."

"Where to?" Amir asked, ignoring her practical reminder.

"I'd love to visit Mama Christy's birthplace in Sumba. I spent part of my childhood there, but we never had the means to travel. It would mean a lot to explore it together. Is that okay?"

"More than okay," Amir whispered, kissing her hand again. "Anything for you."

"And you? Where would you like to go?" she asked.

He shrugged with a shy smile. "I don't have a specific place in mind. Just a staycation at the best hotel in Jakarta, where we can enjoy a view of the city skyline from above."

"Just admit it, you're into staycations," Erin laughed.

"Why not? It sounds perfect—especially with you as my wife," Amir said, his voice dropping to a teasing note.

"What's so nice about that?" she nudged him, playing along.

"Everything," he replied, his eyes twinkling.

Erin laughed, leaning in to whisper, "Am I allowed to get cozy tonight, then?"

"If you push it, I might have to show you my strength," he threatened playfully.

"Meanie!" she pouted as he held her hand tightly, foiling her attempt to give him a playful slap.

Amir's eyes softened. "Can you imagine how happy I am right now?"

She nodded, her voice gentle. "I can. It's the same joy I feel."

His smile broadened as he glanced at the ring on her finger. "This ring means everything to me. It's proof that I'm holding on to the perfect woman."

Erin's heart swelled. "I'm not perfect, Amir. It's your love that fills in my gaps. I'm the lucky one. You never make me feel less, never dredge up my past."

He shook his head, his gaze steady. "Your past shaped you into the woman I love. Nothing else matters."

"Oh Amir," Erin said, her voice trembling. "When you talk like this, it makes my heart quake like an earthquake."

"I'm not just saying it, my love. It's the truth," Amir assured her.

"Then I believe you," she whispered.

Amir exhaled, his expression turning serious. "Next month, we'll need to properly introduce ourselves to each other's families. Are you ready for that?"

Erin took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the upcoming step. "I'm a little nervous, but I can't wait. The sooner we do it, the sooner we can be together. We'll be traveling between our homes often."

"And my status? What will your father say?" Amir asked, a hint of worry in his eyes.

"He did say you should visit. But I suspect he'll have his own tests for you," Erin smirked, trying to ease his tension. "All I can offer is my support."

'You'll need to be logical to balance out his thoughts, my love. He's quite a critical thinker," Erin said softly.

Amir nodded, a furrow appearing between his brows as his expression turned serious. 'Wow, now I'm officially the one feeling nervous."

'Just like last time, right?" Erin teased.

'You're right," Amir said with a half-smile before effortlessly lifting Erin onto his lap.

The campsite was far from empty, with people milling about and enjoying the cool outdoor air. The karaoke's dangdut songs and scattered acoustic guitar melodies filled the space, signaling the presence of others who might catch a glimpse of them. But Amir didn't seem to care. He held Erin tightly, creating a bubble around them as if the world had shrunk to include only the two of them.

Erin, initially startled and glancing around nervously, gradually relaxed in Amir's embrace. She let the warmth of his arms seep into her, spreading from her skin to her heart. She turned her head slightly to meet his gaze, where she found him waiting for her.

'I love you," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the distant music.

'I love you too," Amir said, tightening his hold. He pressed their cheeks together and gazed out at Yuli and Idzhar, who were still searching for the perfect angle to photograph the star-speckled sky.

***