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Bab 3

Something about judul itu made him pause.

Storytelling.

Writing.

He pulled it out, flipped through pages.

Chapter titles:

• Creating Compelling Characters

• Plot Structure & Pacing

• When Stories Take a Life of Their Own

Bian stopped at that last one.

He opened to that chapter, skimming.

"Sometimes, a story you write can feel alive—as if the characters have their own will, their own desires. This phenomenon, often called 'characters writing themselves', is when the narrative takes unexpected turns..."

Bian stared.

A weird feeling crept up his spine.

"Nemuin something interesting?"

Bian jumped—Hakan suddenly beside him.

"Sorry, gak bermaksud bikin kaget." Hakan smiled. "Eh, buku tentang storytelling? Kamu suka nulis?"

"...dulu. Pas SMA."

"Oh? Nulis apa?"

"...cerita. Fiction. Gak penting."

"I'm sure it's penting! Creativity is creativity." Hakan glanced at the book. "Kamu mau beli?"

"...gak tau."

"Beli aja. I'll treat you."

"Hakan—"

"Consider it congratulatory gift buat finishing your project." Hakan already ambil buku itu dari tangan Bian. "Plus, who knows? Maybe kamu inspired buat nulis lagi."

Before Bian could protest, Hakan udah jalan ke kasir.

Bian followed, half-exasperated, half-... touched.

After buying (Hakan insisted paying), they left the bookstore.

"Thanks," Bian said quietly, holding the book.

"Anytime." Hakan grinned. "Maybe someday kamu bisa cerita ke aku tentang stories yang kamu tulis dulu. Aku penasaran."

Bian felt a chill.

Stories.

The story.

"...maybe," he said noncommittally.

They rode back—Hakan drop Bian off at kos around 4 sore.

"Thanks buat hari ini," Hakan said, taking off his helmet. "Aku seneng. I hope kamu juga."

"...aku juga," Bian admitted.

"Good!" Hakan's smile was bright like sun. "Oke, aku gak ganggu lagi. Rest well. Text me anytime, oke?"

"...oke."

Hakan waved, rode off.

Bian berdiri di depan kos, watching him go.

Then he looked down at the book in his hand.

"The Art of Storytelling"

A strange sense of unease settled in his stomach.

🩶

Bian di kamar, duduk di lantai.

Laptop terbuka.

Buku yang Hakan belikan tergeletak di sampingnya.

Ada sesuatu yang mengganggu pikirannya sepanjang hari.