Ubud, Bali.
That morning, from his seat on the villa's terrace, Barra couldn't stop watching Alma. She was leaning against a wooden pillar, a soft, permanent smile gracing her lips. Her face radiated a rare kind of peace, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the vast expanse of golden rice stalks swaying in the breeze.
Realizing Barra was staring, Alma turned, looking slightly flustered. She took a slow, deliberate sip of the warm tea in her hands.
"What?" she asked softly.
"You look so happy just staring at rice," Barra teased gently.
Alma chuckled, turning back to the breathtaking view of the Tegalalang terraces. The cool air and the gentle morning sun made Ubud feel like a dream, and the glow of happiness on her face was more vibrant than the landscape itself. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and exhaled slowly. "I want to stay here longer, Bar. I love it here."
"Someday, when we're on our honeymoon, we'll come back. It's cheap," Barra joked, making Alma burst into a genuine laugh.
Barra sipped his coffee, keeping his eyes on her profile. Nothing brought him more relief than seeing her happy. Despite how tangled their lives had become, Alma always found joy in the simplest things-things that felt ordinary to Barra but were extraordinary to her.
"I don't want to leave, Bar. I don't want to go home," she said suddenly, her voice dropping an octave.
"We're waiting for news from your father today, remember? Let's hope he gives in."
"And if he doesn't?" Alma looked at him with doubt.
"If he doesn't..." Barra paused. He thought back to the phone call from Alma's Mama last night. The woman had been in tears, begging him to convince Alma to return. He had stayed up all night weighing his options. It felt like a betrayal of their love, but he was starting to realize they couldn't keep running without a foundation.
"Bar..."
Alma's voice snapped him back to reality. He looked at her intently. "We still have to go back eventually. Our studies aren't finished, Al."
"I don't care about university anymore."
"Alma..."
"During this escape, I've felt a freedom I never had with Papa. Even when I'm scared, it's worth it. I've never been this happy, Bar."
"But we have to be realistic. We have to go back. Maybe dropping out isn't a big deal for you, but for me, it's everything. I can't add more weight to Mom's shoulders. All she's ever wanted is to see me graduate. To see all her sacrifices finally mean something."
Alma took a long breath, staring back at the fields. Barra watched the birds pecking at the rice grains. Silence fell between them, heavy and thick.
Suddenly, a loud shout echoed from inside the villa.
"Baaaar!" Dominik ran out, clutching a buzzing phone. "It's your Mom! Your phone's been ringing off the hook. I think it's important!"
Barra took the phone, his heart hammering. His Mom's voice was frantic on the other end.
"What is it, Mom?" he asked, his voice sharp with worry.
"Your university called me, Bar. They said if you aren't back by Monday, you'll be expelled."
"What?!" Barra was stunned. "But I filed for a month's leave of absence!"
"I think this is about Alma, Bar. Her father... he's pulling strings. He's pressuring the campus."
"How is that even possible?"
"A man with his power can do anything, Bar. Especially something as small as your education. You can't let them expel you. You have to come back."
Barra stood frozen, the sheer reach of the General's influence finally sinking in.
"Let Alma stay there if she wants, but you must return to your classes. Settle your affairs first," Mom said before hanging up.
Barra remained still until Alma's soft touch brought him back.
"Bar..."
"I have to go back, Al..."
Alma looked at him, confused and hurt.
"We have to return to our studies. Your father is threatening me through the university. I'll be expelled if I'm not back by Monday," Barra explained.
Alma went silent, her eyes welling up with tears. She slowly sank into her chair, her spirit seemingly broken.
Barra turned to Dominik. "We're heading back tomorrow, Dom. Just the two of us in the van." He then turned to Alma. "You're going straight to Jakarta. You're taking a flight."
"No, Bar! I won't!" Alma shook her head violently.
"We have to, Al. We'll fight this another way. A better way."
"What other way is there?" her voice trembled.
"I'll find it. Trust me," Barra said, holding her gaze, trying to project a confidence he didn't fully feel.
***
The following afternoon, at the airport, Barra's hand lingered on Alma's shoulder as the car pulled up to the departures gate. Alma turned away, wiping a stray tear, and stepped out of the car with heavy, reluctant feet.
A black sedan with military plates-the one that had been tailing them since they left Ubud-pulled up behind them. Two men in green uniforms stepped out, the General's envoys sent to escort Alma home. They took her bags and guided her toward the terminal.
Alma didn't say a word. She just looked at Barra, tears streaming down her face as she walked away. Her eyes were piercing, filled with a silent, crushing question: "Why are you giving up, Bar?"
But Barra wasn't giving up. He wanted a future-not just a fleeting moment of freedom, but a life they could actually live. Freedom without a foundation was beautiful to dream about, but bitter to survive.
Dominik patted Barra's shoulder from the driver's seat. "I get it, man. It's heavy... but you have to be strong. You'll be with her again soon." Barra only nodded, though words couldn't dull the ache in his chest.
"If you want to rest or go for a walk first, I'm here, Bar," Dominik offered.
"I'm done, Dom. I just want to go," Barra replied hollowly.
Dominik reached into the back seat and pulled out a white cardboard box. "Alma left this for you."
Barra opened the box. Inside was a stack of hundred-thousand rupiah notes-the cash from Alma's large bag. Tucked between the bills was a letter. He opened it, his brow furrowing as he read the messy, hurried handwriting. He looked at Dominik, his eyes wide.
"She's... she's going to run again!"
Dominik slammed on the brakes, nearly swerving. "What? Are you serious?"
"She wrote... 'Save this. Use it to find me later!'" Barra showed the note to Dominik.
The two friends looked at each other in stunned silence. The struggle wasn't over; it was just changing shape.
***
Night stretched out before them as the van cut through the darkness toward Semarang. Barra sat in silence, his mind drifting back to Alma-her lost smile, her heavy footsteps, and the sacrifice she had made.
When they reached Semarang, Dominik dropped him off at the train station. Barra would take the night train back to Jakarta. "Stay sharp, Bro. It'll be okay," Dominik said, clapping him on the shoulder.
With a heavy heart, Barra entered the station. The whistle of the train echoed through the hallowed, empty hall. He closed his eyes, remembering Alma's tears. He promised himself this was only a pause. A temporary surrender. They would fight again.
YOU ARE READING
Kidnapping the General's Daughter
Romance"He thought he was rescuing their love. He didn't know he was just driving her escape." Barra is a brilliant law student, a high-achiever who built his future on a prestigious scholarship. He plays by the rules and carries the weight of his mother's...
