Chapter 23 Ventidue

• I hoped things went back to normal. I had just dropped Gio off at the airport. All our plans for the year-end vacation had turned out great. I was happy that we could gather as a family in Jakarta. Even Papa and Mama managed to join us in Penang for three days. What was originally planned for Gio and I had turned into a family vacation. Honestly, we hadn't had a family trip in a long time. I didn't feel alone, especially after having the conversation that changed my relationship with Levi. I didn't even think about him. Mama or Papa didn't mention Levi at all, even though I suspected my brother had warned them. After what he had done in Bandung, it was highly likely they would ask about Levi. But I was relieved that Levi's name hadn't come up in my life for three weeks.
• I was back in the apartment, ready to start my new year and, hopefully, a new life. I had missed sitting on the balcony. After spending the whole day organizing Zack's belongings, I finally gathered the courage to sit on the balcony with my brother. It was hard initially as the memories I had with Zack resurfaced, and I couldn’t hold my tears. Gio had to hug and comfort me like a good brother does.
• It turned out that getting rid of Zack's things, no matter how prepared I was, wasn't an easy task. All the clothes he had worn, books, golf equipment, and even his electric shaver made me feel down, and the feeling of missing him returned. I had made the right decision to sort through everything while my brother was here. Otherwise, I would never have been able to do it. Out of everything, I had only kept his glasses and the shirt he had worn when we kissed on the balcony. I couldn't let go of those two items.