Chapter 29: A Trap in the Painting Room
29.1 Steps Behind the Canvas
After finishing the Friday prayer, Rizky and his friends returned to the palace. Their journey was peaceful until they reached a long corridor connecting one part of the palace to another. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, and crystal lamps cast a golden glow along the path.
From a distance, Cindy could be seen standing near a pillar, waving enthusiastically and calling out to Rayan.
➤ "Rayan, come here for a moment!" she called out firmly.
Rayan glanced at his friends before saying, "I'll be right back."
Without much discussion, they all nodded in unison, granting him permission.
As he walked toward Cindy, his mind was filled with questions and concerns.
"What now? Could it be that I'm about to get scolded for what happened yesterday? Oh man, I'm done for. I just got some advice from Pak Ustadz earlier, and now Cindy is about to lecture me too. Why is my luck like this?"
Upon reaching Cindy, Rayan asked straight away, "What's up, Cindy?"
➤ "I need your help," Cindy said briefly.
➤ "What kind of help?" Rayan asked curiously.
Cindy crossed her arms over her chest. "I want you to bring Rizky to the Palace Painting Room at 4:30 PM. Once you get him there, just leave him. If I haven't arrived yet, tell him to wait for a while. That's an order. Got it?"
Rayan furrowed his brows. "Uh, and what exactly am I supposed to tell Rizky? I don't want him to misunderstand."
"Just tell him I need to talk to him for a bit. That's enough!" Cindy waved her hand dismissively, signaling Rayan to leave.
"Alright, Cindy. I got it," Rayan said as he walked away. In his heart, he muttered, "Cindy is always up to something. I just hope this doesn't cause more trouble."
Time passed until the clock struck 4:25 PM. Rayan went to Rizky's room and knocked gently on the door.
Soon, Rizky opened the door, looking relaxed.
➤ "What's up?" he asked.
Rayan leaned against the wall. "Cindy wants to see you. She told me to take you to the Palace Painting Room."
"The Palace Painting Room?" Rizky repeated, slightly frowning.
"Yeah, the room with those big paintings, the one near the right-hand corridor. You've been there before, right?"
"Ah, yeah. Alright," Rizky nodded without questioning further and walked alongside Rayan toward the room.
When they reached the large wooden door with classic floral carvings, Rayan pushed it open and gestured for Rizky to enter.
➤ "Go ahead. I'll close the door," he said.
➤ "Alright," Rizky replied, stepping inside.
As soon as the door shut, the atmosphere in the room felt different. Soft light from the large windows illuminated every corner, making the colors of the paintings appear more vivid.
Rizky's eyes immediately landed on a figure standing in the middle of the room, right in front of one of the large paintings.
➤ It was Nabila.
Rizky halted, his heart pounding.
"Wait… was Cindy setting me up to meet her, or… Nabila?" he wondered.
Nabila stood motionless in front of a massive abstract painting that hung majestically in the center of the room. She observed the blend of colors that seemed chaotic—brushstrokes that looked haphazard but, from a distance, revealed an unexpected beauty. Her eyes traced the brushstrokes that danced across the canvas, forming patterns too unpredictable to decipher.
The painting felt like a reflection of life itself—full of disorder, full of twists and turns that weren't always easy to understand. There were dark parts, bright parts, clashing colors, yet somehow, everything blended into a harmony that couldn't be anticipated.
Nabila stood in contemplation, letting herself be absorbed into the painting's meaning. For some reason, she felt as if she were looking at a mirror of her own life. The emotions swirling within her—hope, uncertainty, and fear—were all reflected on the silent canvas.
Amid her thoughts, she sensed something. Not a sound, not a movement, but a presence—one that felt familiar. A warmth that slowly approached, making her heart tremble for no apparent reason.
Nabila took a deep breath and turned her head slowly.
There, standing right behind her, was Rizky—watching her intently.
Their eyes met—a silent encounter, yet filled with an indescribable depth of meaning.
The Palace Painting Room felt eerily quiet. Around them, the framed abstract paintings stood as silent witnesses to this moment.
Rizky took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He wanted to say something, but his words failed him.
➤ "Is this the right time to confess my feelings?"
Nabila gave a small smile—a simple yet comforting smile.
Rizky knew this was a moment he could not let slip away.
29.2 A Trap Without an Exit
Painting Hall
Rizky stepped forward slowly toward Nabila, his heart pounding. He tried to calm himself, but every step felt unbearably heavy. Nabila, standing in front of a large painting, looked different from usual. They had often been together due to dance practice, but this time, the situation felt more intimate—just the two of them in this quiet room.
Nabila bit her lip slightly, feeling uneasy. A mix of emotions swirled inside her—happiness, nervousness, and even embarrassment. She lowered her head, unable to meet Rizky's gaze as he now stood right in front of her.
"Hi," Rizky greeted softly, trying to break the silence.
Nabila lifted her head slightly, wanting to respond. However, before she could say anything, the door suddenly burst open.
BANG!
Liza entered in a hurry, quickly shutting the door behind her before eyeing them with suspicion.
"Wait… why are you two here alone?" she asked, frowning.
Not wanting any misunderstandings, Rizky quickly explained, "Cindy told us to come here."
Hearing that, Liza immediately smacked her forehead.
"Alamak!" she groaned.
Seeing her reaction, Rizky and Nabila grew even more confused.
"What's wrong, Liza?" Rizky asked.
Liza looked at them with a serious expression.
"This room isn't supposed to be entered without permission. If you get caught, you could be punished!" she warned, making the atmosphere even tenser.
Rizky tensed up instantly.
"Then let's just leave now," he suggested in panic.
"It's not that easy!" Liza sighed. "The door can only be opened from the outside. If you open it, you have to close it immediately. Otherwise, the alarm will go off. So, you can't just walk out without causing trouble!"
Nabila clenched her fingers, trying to steady herself, while Rizky was beginning to lose his composure.
"Then what do we do, Liza?" he asked in a low voice.
Liza crossed her arms and gave them a sharp look.
"I was sent here to deliver something and told to wait for a bit. The King is bringing a new painting. But now that you two are here, things are completely messed up!"
Nabila and Rizky exchanged worried glances, trying to grasp the situation.
But deep inside, Liza smirked slightly. "Now that I've stepped in, you two are finished."
After a few moments of silence, Liza looked at them with a serious expression.
"Okay, don't panic. Follow my instructions. I already have a plan."
Rizky and Nabila looked at her with hope, though uneasiness still lingered in their hearts.
Liza moved swiftly toward a narrow space behind a large curtain in the corner of the room. With a firm gesture, she pulled the curtain aside slightly, checking if the space was well hidden.
Rizky and Nabila followed without hesitation. Panic still clouded their minds, making them blindly trust Liza's instructions without questioning her intentions.
Liza stopped in front of the heavy curtain and turned to them.
"Nabila, you go in first," she instructed while pulling the curtain aside. "Rizky, you follow next."
She made sure they were paying full attention before continuing,
"Listen carefully: first, don't make a sound. Second, you must not touch each other. Understood?"
Without thinking, Rizky and Nabila nodded quickly. The urgency of the situation left them no choice but to obey.
They took their positions as directed. Liza skillfully concealed them with the thick curtain. Before leaving, she whispered,
"Remember! No touching. If you break that rule, you'll have to deal with the consequences."
After ensuring everything was in place, Liza walked away from the curtain, leaving Rizky and Nabila in silence.
The room grew eerily quiet.
Only the ticking clock could be heard, stretching time unbearably. Behind the curtain, Rizky and Nabila held their breath, unaware of what would happen next.
Was this truly Liza's plan?
Or was something far greater being set into motion?