Morning arrived in Banten, with golden sunlight pouring over rooftops and filtering through trees. The day looked promising—but not for Devan, who still hadn't landed a full-time job. To make ends meet, he took up a part-time gig as a beverage delivery man, supplying bottled drinks to food stalls around town.
As usual, Devan got dressed in a hurry, stuffing snacks and a notebook into his backpack. He stepped toward the front door—completely unaware that Tama was already waiting for him outside, standing like a ghostly guard on the porch. Which, of course, he was.
As soon as Devan opened the door, Tama couldn't help himself.
"Huh, Van… what a shame you still can't see me," Tama muttered with a mischievous grin. "And here I wanted to tell you—Lisa from Blackpink is on vacation in Banten. I saw her shooting near the waterfall this morning."
Although Devan pretended not to see or hear anything, the words struck his brain like lightning.
"Lisa Blackpink…? In Banten?!"
By the time Tama disappeared from view, Devan had rushed back inside, dropped off his delivery items, changed into his good shirt, and dashed out the door toward the nearest waterfall.
"Imagine... me, taking a selfie with Lisa Blackpink! Instant Instagram fame!"
As Devan approached the trailhead to the waterfall, his pace slowed. The air was cool, the leaves rustled in the trees, and a soft mist hung in the air. Then, just ahead, he spotted a woman in a long yellow dress, standing still beneath an umbrella, facing away from him.
"Excuse me?" he called out, breathless.
The woman turned around.
Devan's face turned pale.
It was Tama—in disguise.
"Van, it's been too long!" Tama said, spreading his arms.
"Aaaaaaaagh! What in the—?!"
Devan spun around and ran like his life depended on it.
"HELP!!! GHOST!!!"
Tama gave chase, laughing as he floated after his terrified best friend. Devan bolted down the road, feet pounding the dirt. Finally, out of breath, he stopped at a roadside stall and bought a cold drink to calm his nerves.
Just as he took a sip, Tama reappeared.
"Bro, you look like you just ran a marathon."
Startled, Devan spat his drink—right into Tama's ghostly face.
"PTOOEY—Tama!"
"Ugh, dude! I may be dead but I don't deserve a soda shower!"
"I'm done. I'm out!" Devan yelled and ran again, leaving Tama behind.
Despite being a ghost, Tama was still learning how to use his abilities and didn't know how to teleport or phase-shift yet. His energy drained quickly, and he had to stop to catch his breath—ghosts, apparently, got winded too.
Meanwhile, in Jakarta, Nadia sat quietly at her office desk, her eyes fixed on the city skyline beyond the window. Her phone sat idle on the table, untouched. She checked it now and then, hoping for a message or missed call from Tama. Nothing.
Occasionally, she visited the receptionist desk to ask, "Has anyone named Tama called me?"
Each time, the receptionist shook her head with a sympathetic smile. "Sorry, Miss. No calls."
Nadia sighed and returned to her desk, her thoughts tangled with confusion.
"We just became official... and now it's like he vanished."
At lunchtime, Dewi, Nadia's coworker and best friend, popped into her cubicle.
"Nad, come on. Let's eat outside today. I'm so sick of the office cafeteria."
"I'm not really in the mood, Dew..."
"Oh come on, we just got paid. I'm treating! Let's go somewhere new."
Nadia hesitated, then smiled weakly. "Okay. Let's go."
They visited a small Korean restaurant not far from the office. The moment the food arrived—steaming bibimbap, crispy tteokbokki, spicy ramyeon—Nadia's mood instantly improved.
"Wow, this is amazing," Nadia said, savoring a bite.
"I told you! We need to eat here more often."
Just then, a friendly Korean man approached their table.
"Hello, I'm Lee Yeon, the owner. How's the food?" he asked with a warm smile.
"It's delicious! Is it because you're Korean?" Dewi teased.
Lee Yeon laughed. "Thank you! Please come again soon, yes?"
Both girls nodded, already planning their next visit.
Back in Banten, Tama returned to Devan's house later that evening. Once again, he slipped through the neighbor's house to avoid the salt barrier Devan had laid at the front.
This time, Devan was sitting cross-legged in the living room, eyes closed, trying to meditate. Around him was a thick circle of salt, acting as a spiritual barrier.
Tama knocked on the invisible wall. "Van, what are you doing now?"
When Devan wouldn't respond, Tama began making annoying noises—whistling, tapping, singing Blackpink songs.
Finally, Devan opened his eyes and shouted, "Tam, if you're dead, then just be dead! Stop messing with me!"
"Van, I'm not trying to scare you. I actually need your help."
Devan grumbled. "What now?"
"But don't tell Ara or Nadia, okay?"
"Fine, bro. Spill it."
Tama explained everything: that he was now a servant at Princess Kirana's villa, cursed to work for the snake demon. The only way his soul could move on was if Kirana found her true love—the reincarnation of General John Willem.
"And that's where you come in," Tama said.
"Whoa... that sounds like a plot from a K-drama. But alright, I'll help you find this General Willem guy. Maybe we'll get lucky."
"Thanks, bro!"
They bumped fists. Devan even swept away the salt ring and told Tama he was welcome to visit anytime—as long as he gave warning first.
Later that night, the villa felt eerily quiet. Tama noticed Denok wasn't roaming the halls as usual. He found Limbur at the gate.
"Where is everyone?"
"The Princess went on a pilgrimage. To the tomb of King Sanjaya and Prince Wardhana. Denok went with her."
Tama returned inside. With no one around, he decided to tidy up. He swept the floors, watered the plants, and eventually entered Kirana's study to straighten up her desk.
There, he noticed an old family photo in a silver frame.
"She must've really loved them," Tama whispered.
Just then, Kirana burst into the room.
"HEY! What are you doing? Put that down!"
"I was just cleaning!"
"Get out! Now!"
"Yes ma'am!" Tama said, scurrying away.
Kirana picked up the photo. But as she examined it, she noticed a second photograph hidden behind it. She gently pulled it out.
It was a picture of her and General John Willem, standing together, smiling—before the curse, before the heartbreak.
She stared at it, brushing off the dust.
In his room, Tama stared at the ceiling, guilt creeping in.
"I haven't contacted Nadia at all…"
He jumped up and rushed to Kirana's room.
"I need to ask for a leave—and maybe borrow some magic to reach her…"
But when he knocked, Kirana flung open the door and threw a pillow at his face.
"GET OUT!!!"
"Okay! Okay! Sorry!!"
Tama ducked and ran down the hallway as Kirana huffed and slammed the door shut behind him.