In the Absence of the Sun

Gia returns from New York to Jakarta and begins to unpack, unraveling memories of a life she left behind. She finds photos of Naomi, her old soulmate, which rekindle a longing she thought she had buried. She picks up the phone and calls Naomi, signaling the start of a tentative reconnection.

Naomi agrees to meet Gia for dinner, opening a door back to each other. They exchange cautious updates, feeling the pull of what might have been. The plan marks the first step toward reawakening a shared past.

Dinner with Naomi turns social as she is swept into her circle's world, and by the end of the dinner she appears to be engaged. The moment lands with a quiet shock for Gia, who senses how social pressures shadow their connection. The evening leaves Gia wondering if the spark can survive outside their old orbit.

Gia and Naomi walk the neon-lit streets, sharing street food and memories. They discuss the possibilities that once hovered between them and acknowledge the ache of choices made. The moment deepens their bond while hinting at a fragile new beginning.

On the walk home, Gia spots a love hotel and convinces Naomi to go inside. Inside, their conversation turns intimate as they reflect on missed chances and what a restart could look like. Naomi nearly kisses Gia, but they end the moment with a quiet hug, acknowledging a mutual but complicated longing.

Ci rummages through her late husband's closet and finds a note from a love hotel with the name 'Sofia' and a phone number. She calls the number to confirm the betrayal, learning that her husband had been unfaithful. The discovery sets her on a cold, deliberate path toward confrontation.

Ci goes to the hotel and finds Sofia is a performer there. She learns Sofia is married and that she and her husband are escorts, exposing a hidden layer of deceit. The revelation drives Ci to take control of the situation rather than seeking simple vengeance.

Ci brings Sofia's husband back to her room and pays him to have sex. She leaves a note with her name and number on the bedside table, signaling a calculated exchange of power in the city’s secret economy. The scene unfolds with cool, calculated clarity, showing how heartbreak, desire, and revenge intersect.

Indri, a gym employee, prepares for a date with a wealthy man she met online. After her shift, she cleans the locker room and impulsively pockets a pair of high heels, a small act of theft that mirrors the vulnerability to come. The stolen heels foreshadow the boundaries she is willing to bend tonight.

At the restaurant, Indri realizes she has been stood up, but Davit reveals he already booked a room at the love hotel and begins to insult her with rude calls. He mocks her doubts and, after a final insult, leaves, leaving her to pay the bill. The humiliation fuels a stubborn resolve to reclaim the night on her own terms.

A street food vendor cheers Indri up, offering a moment of warmth in the neon-lit city. They decide to salvage the night by using Davit's reservation and heading to the love hotel together. The unexpected companionship sets a tone of resilience against the day's disappointments.

Indri and the street vendor arrive at the love hotel, sharing a raw, unfiltered moment that contrasts with the ache from earlier. They have sex and break through social expectations, finding a small solace in each other’s honesty. The encounter ends with a quiet laugh and a breath of resilience.