The next morning, with Mak Inah's guidance, Arlan walked towards the hill in question. The hill was at the edge of the village, surrounded by shady trees that seemed untouched by time.
As Arlan climbed, he felt as if he was approaching the core of his journey. All the stories, all the memories, seemed to culminate in this place.
When he reached the top of the hill, he found something that made his breath catch—a small tombstone hidden under a large tree. The tombstone was simple, with a roughly carved handwriting:
"For a love that never returns, but never leaves."
Arlan knelt before the tombstone, his heart feeling heavy and light at the same time. He knew now that his father and Salsabila's love, though it never found a happy ending, had left a priceless legacy.
Next to the tombstone, he found something else—a small glass bottle that was partially buried. Inside, was a fragile scroll of paper. When he opened it, he read Salsabila's last words:
"I wait for you here, forever."
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Chapter Closing
Arlan closed his eyes, letting the hill wind sweep his face. He felt that this journey was not only about finding Salsabila or understanding his father's love, but also about finding himself. He stood, looked at the horizon, and promised himself that he would keep this story alive—a story of love that endures through time, even though it never materializes