That afternoon, the air in the secondhand furniture market filled Maya and Adi's senses the moment they stepped into the narrow alley. Rows of wooden stalls lined the pathway, just wide enough for two people to walk side by side. From every corner, the scent of aged wood mixed with dust and traces of wood oil brought a nostalgic sensation, as if each piece of furniture had once lived in another home, in another time. The sinking sunlight struck the tin roofs, casting scratched shadows on the cracked asphalt floor. The shouts of vendors offering chairs, tables, cabinets, and glittering knick-knacks added to the vibrant atmosphere inside.
Maya inhaled deeply, savoring the warmth that spread through her chest. She clutched a plastic shopping basket in her left arm while gazing at a floor plan for their living room she had printed that morning. The paper had been folded multiple times, filled with scribbles and checkmarks. Beside her, Adi looked slightly overwhelmed, but still smiled in support. It was their first time choosing furniture together, and Maya was leading the way.
"Let's start with the living room." Maya declared with determination, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "At least two guest chairs, a low coffee table, and a small bookshelf for magazines and novels. Make sure everything matches the cream-colored walls."
Adi nodded while rubbing his chin. "Okay, we're aiming for something that goes with a warm cream tone and not too dark. More natural wood or rattan, right?"
Maya beamed. "Exactly. Let's check out the first shop."
They wandered down the winding alley, browsing from stall to stall. In one corner, a set of teakwood chairs with rattan seating was neatly displayed. Maya reached out, gently touching the backrest, feeling the smooth yet sturdy woven texture.
"They're light." Maya said as she lifted one of the chairs slightly. "Rattan's cool and comfy. I like this one." She invited Adi to take turns sitting, testing the strength of the wooden frame.
Adi looked surprised. "Wow… very comfortable. But what's the price?"
The vendor behind the chairs looked at them kindly. "Those are genuine rattan-woven teak chairs. One unit costs 450,000 rupiah."
Maya gently set the chair down, then opened a notes app on her phone. "Our budget for living room chairs is two million rupiah. Two chairs would be 900,000. Still enough left for a side table and a few other items."
The vendor offered a small discount. "If you take two chairs and one side table for 300,000, I'll give you a five percent discount on the whole package."
Maya did a quick mental calculation. "That's about 1.14 million after discount. Still within budget."
Adi patted Maya's shoulder. "You're amazing, May. If I were alone, I'd be totally confused picking chairs."
Maya blushed. "That's why you bring me. I want the kitchen and living room to be functional and cozy."
As they waited for the vendor to wrap the chairs in plastic and protective cloth, they continued browsing. In the next shop, they spotted a low coffee table with a thick glass top and slim mahogany frame. Maya bent down, examined the legs and texture, then ran her palm across the surface to test its levelness.
"A glass table like this makes the living room feel more spacious." Maya whispered. "And it's easy to clean with just wipe up spilled coffee."
Adi nodded. "I'm on board. Let's take it even if it's 600,000."
Maya considered it seriously. "Same price as one of those teak chairs. We still need to save some budget for a bookshelf and maybe a reading lamp."
Adi smiled and nodded. "Let's just get one. Two chairs, one coffee table, we'll still have enough left."
They paid and carefully loaded the table onto Adi's motorbike basket, making sure the glass was secure. Meanwhile, Maya's eyes were drawn to a small bookshelf in the third shop. It was made of pine wood with a light brown varnish, about 1.2 meters tall and half a meter wide, with five shelves. Each shelf had just enough height to fit a collection of novels, magazines, or photo frames.
"This one's perfect for next to the TV." Maya said, touching the edges. "Could hold about 20 books, plus a few boxes underneath."
Adi checked the frame, knocking it lightly with his fingers. "Solid and sturdy. How much?"
"350,000 rupiah." the vendor replied with a smile.
Maya recalculated their remaining budget on her phone. "Our total spending would be around 1.75 million. That still leaves 250,000 for smaller items like mugs, a reading lamp, or cushion covers."
Adi nodded confidently. "Perfect. Let's take the bookshelf."
The vendor agreed and helped them tie the shelf onto the motorbike. Maya stood upright, her back slightly aching after walking around, but her eyes were glowing with enthusiasm.
On their way home, Adi broke the silence proudly. "Maya, I'm impressed. You're like a professional interior designer today."
Maya turned to him and laughed softly. "Thank you. It's all thanks to a night of online research, comparing prices and reading reviews. I didn't want to buy anything that breaks easily."
Adi grasped Maya's hand resting on the motorbike's basket. "I've always believed in you. You make this house feel alive."
When they arrived home, they carefully unloaded the chairs, coffee table, and bookshelf. Adi asked their next-door neighbor to help move the basket and the lamp they planned to install in the living room corner.
The living room, which had been empty that morning, began to transform. Maya placed the two rattan chairs near the window, one facing the front door and the other toward the sofa. Between them, she positioned the side table was perfect for setting down a cup of coffee. The glass coffee table sat in front of the sofa, directly across from the chairs. The bookshelf was placed beside the TV, filling a once-neglected corner.
Adi sat on the sofa, admiring their handiwork. "It looks wonderful." he whispered. "The living room feels more welcoming and warm now."
Maya smiled with pride. She arranged their favorite novels on the shelf, added a few interior design magazines and slipped in small potted plants in ceramic pots for a touch of nature.
"Maybe tomorrow we can look for a reading lamp." Maya said. "Or some nice mugs that won't chip."
Adi patted her shoulder. "Sounds good. But for now, let's enjoy today's hard work."
Sipping water, they paused to enjoy the evening light streaming through the windows, reflected softly on the glass coffee table, casting a warm glow across the room. The distant sound of birds chirping added a peaceful touch.
Maya reached for Adi's hand and placed it on the rattan chair's armrest. "You know, it makes me happy to make this room comfortable. Not just for us, but for the guests who'll come... and maybe someday, for our kids too."
Adi looked at her with emotion. "You're right. This house isn't just a building. Every piece of furniture here has a story and today, we added a new chapter: how we chose them together."
Maya nodded slowly, then gazed around the room. "I hope in the future, we'll keep restoring secondhand items and giving them new life in our home. Books, chairs, tables and all of them will hold memories we create together."
Adi took a deep breath and smiled wide. "Exactly. And every time we sit in these chairs or open the bookshelf, we'll remember this day, as day our furniture hunt, our teamwork, our shared dream."
The twilight gradually closed the day. The new pendant lamp in the corner lit up, casting a gentle glow. In the living room, the once-disconnected pieces now fit together in harmony, like two souls complementing each other.
Maya grabbed a small cushion to place on the chair. "Let me get a few cushions to make the chairs softer."
Adi nodded. "I'll grab the reading lamp. Maybe we can set it up in that corner, for night reading."
They moved together, arranging the final details that made the room feel complete. The reading lamp was placed beside the bookshelf, and the brown-and-cream cushions settled on the chairs. Maya added a tiny cactus in a pot on the side table, creating a soothing green focal point.
When everything was set, Maya and Adi sat side by side on the rattan chairs. In front of them, the glass coffee table reflected the lamp's glow, the bookshelf stood tidy, and the sofa faced the chairs—ready for warm conversations.
Adi handed her a mug of warm coffee. "For a long day, but a joyful one." he said gently.
Maya accepted the mug, sipping slowly. "For our new home." she replied, her eyes full of joy.
They drank together, then shared a quiet laugh.