The alleys of Telaga stretched before him like a tangled maze, each path twisting and vanishing into the city's endless bustle.
Havi moved through them with hurried steps, his breath shallow, his pulse thrumming in his ears.
Somewhere amidst the shifting tide of bodies, the clamour of market traders, and the relentless churn of traffic, his parents had walked this very ground only minutes ago.
Yet they were nowhere to be seen.
The golden light of the waning sun spilled across the city, lengthening the shadows of carts and kiosks, of woven baskets brimming with fruit, of pedestrians threading their way between street stalls.
Spices hung thick in the air, mingling with the acrid tang of petrol fumes and the distant scent of rain lingering on the wind.
The noise of the market, shouts, haggling, the occasional honk of an impatient driver, pressed in on him, but Havi heard none of it.
His mind was fixed on a single, gnawing thought.
They were here. Fifteen minutes ago. Where are they now?
He strode past a vendor selling grilled satay, barely noticing the sizzle of meat on the coals, and reached the edge of a narrow street where Diana stood in quiet conversation with a shopkeeper.
Yono was nowhere in sight, lost somewhere amidst the labyrinth of market stalls.
Havi's hands clenched at his sides. If his parents had passed through this place so recently, then they could not be far.
An old woman sat beside the pavement, her hands deftly arranging stacks of banana leaves on a wooden tray. Without hesitation, Havi approached her.
"Excuse me, ma'am," he said, his voice tight with urgency.
"Did you happen to see a man and a woman pass through here? About forties?"
The woman squinted up at him, adjusting the shawl draped over her shoulders. Her gaze, though kind, held no recognition.
"Many people come and go, son," she murmured. "I do not recall."
Havi exhaled sharply, pressing his lips into a thin line. A moment wasted. He nodded in thanks and turned away.
Ahead, the alley gave way to a broader street where small shops lined the pavement, a watch repairer, a tailor's storefront, a modest café with wooden tables spilling out onto the roadside.
The soft glow of its interior cast light upon the pavement, and from within, a television blared the evening news.
His gaze swept over the faces of those passing by, seeking familiarity, searching for something or anything.
Near a telephone pole, a young man leaned against the metal post, a cigarette poised between his fingers.
Havi hesitated for only a moment before striding up to him.
"Sorry to trouble you, mate," he said, his words tumbling out in haste.
"Did you see a couple come by here? Middle-aged, perhaps stopping at one of these shops?"
The young man exhaled a slow plume of smoke, regarding Havi with vague disinterest before tilting his head towards the end of the street.
"Could be," he mused. "Saw an older pair not long ago. Think they were heading towards that bookshop."
Havi's eyes followed the direction of his nod. There, across the road, stood a small, unassuming bookstore with a faded wooden sign, Telaga Raya Bookshop.
His heart stuttered. Of course. His parents had always loved bookshops.
It would be just like them to stop for a moment's curiosity, to browse among the shelves.
Without another word, he made for the crossing, barely registering the angry blare of a motorbike's horn as he stepped onto the street.
He pushed through the door of the bookshop, the bell above it chiming softly in the quiet.
The scent of old paper and ink welcomed him, the stillness a stark contrast to the restless city outside.
Shelves loomed tall and brimming, their spines lined with forgotten stories.
Behind the counter, an elderly man with thick glasses looked up at him with a patient smile.
"Good evening, lad. Looking for something?"
Havi swallowed hard, "Yes. A couple, middle-aged. The man might have been interested in history books. Were they here?"
The old man frowned, tilting his head in thought. Then, slowly, he nodded.
"Aye," he said. "They were here. Spent a few minutes looking around. The gentleman had his eye on a book about local history. They left just a short while ago."
Havi's stomach twisted with urgency, "Do you know which way they went?"
The shopkeeper gestured towards the back of the store.
"They stepped out through the rear exit, towards the main road."
"The main road?!" Havi's voice rang out, sharp with urgency, startling the elderly shopkeeper behind the counter.
"Oi, lad! What's got into you? What's so alarming about the main road?" the man asked, frowning.
Havi didn't answer immediately. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, frantic and relentless.
'In my past life… my parents were killed in a hit-and-run. The main road, right in the heart of Telaga. Damn it! I'm letting my panic cloud my judgement!'
"Are you alright, lad?" the shopkeeper pressed, his concern deepening.
Havi forced a breath through his lips, "No! I mean, yes, I'm fine. Thank you, sir. I must go!"
His words tumbled out in a rush before he spun on his heel and bolted from the shop, his feet pounding against the pavement.
The shopkeeper stared after him, shaking his head, "Young folk these days," he muttered with a weary sigh before returning to his work.
Havi's world blurred as he ran, weaving through the throng of pedestrians, his heart hammering against his ribs.
A few people turned to watch, their gazes curious, but no one stopped him.
He was wearing his school uniform, it wasn't unusual for a student to be in a hurry.
And then, through the sea of movement, two familiar figures emerged, Diana and Yono, appearing at just the right moment, just a short distance ahead.
Havi didn't slow. His breath ragged, he shouted over the crowd, "Diana! Yono! Hurry! Come with me! The main road!"
"Steady your pace, Havi!" Diana called, her breath hitching as she hurried after him.
Yono, still struggling to make sense of it all, let out an exasperated sigh, "Is it us who are losing our minds, or is it Havi? None of this adds up."
"First, outside the school, then that reckless driving, and now this, running through the streets on some wild chase for his parents. It's madness," he muttered, though his legs carried him forward regardless.
"Leave it be, Yono," Diana panted, her voice strained from the effort. "Let's just follow him and see where this all leads."